Where to Eat in Palm Desert: The Best Restaurants and Bars

April 14, 2018 Ying Subia

Relax and sight-see in this southern Californian oasis. Located in the center of the Coachella Valley, Palm Desert is a vibrant city featuring top notch resorts, world class golfing, shopping, and entertainment that appeals to many types of consumers. Hike, bike or ride horseback through the desert trails. Or, soak in some culture with seasonal festivals, stylish art galleries, and a thriving music and nightlife scene.
Things to do in Palm Desert

1. Grill-A-Burger

73091 Country Club Dr, Suite A2, Palm Desert, Greater Palm Springs, CA 92260-2338 Outdoor Seating, Television, Takeout, Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Street Parking, Free Off-Street Parking, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Wine and Beer, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Accepts Discover, Accepts Credit Cards American, Grill, Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options Lunch, Dinner SGD 7 - SGD 20 +1 760-346-8170
Excellent
65%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 711 reviews

Grill-A-Burger

At GRILL-A-BURGER, Palm Desert, we have a passion for hamburgers. We make our trendsetting burgers the old-fashioned way using only the finest and freshest ingredients available. Our hand crafted, grilled-to-order, moist and juicy patties are made daily from fresh (never frozen) 100% all-natural USDA Inspected Choice Beef, free of artificial hormones, antibiotics, and other things that don't belong in hamburgers. And we have nice buns, too! They are freshly baked daily at a local bakery. Buns are slightly toasted and garnished with garden crisp lettuce, hand-sliced red onion, vine-ripened tomato and sliced kosher pickles. Our homemade French fries are never frozen and are only made with fresh Idaho Russet potatoes that are hand cut, double-fried and lightly salted without any processing steps in between. And we change our zero trans fat oil every day! Clean oil = crisp, great-tasting fries! Our authentic soda fountain milkshakes and malts are hand-dipped, hand spun and made with premium vanilla bean ice cream, whole milk and natural flavorings. All served in a place that considers our environment by using food packaging that is all natural and made from annually renewable resources by buying from as many local vendors as possible and, of course, by using energy efficient equipment and recycling. We hope this is everything that you have been looking for in a burger place and MORE! Again, welcome and enjoy! Awards include: Best Burger Desert Sun 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, Best Burger Palm Springs Life 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, LA Times Best Burger in the Inland Empire 2012, TRIPADVISOR TOP 10 BURGER JOINTS IN THE USA 2014

Reviewed By Marty911 - Palm Desert, California

We went to Grill-a-burger for lunch. The menus are updated and the service remains attentive. I had grilled avocado slices and a great blue cheese burger and my wife had a gluten free burger (including gluten free bun) and fries. The burgers are well prepared. The food was fresh and tasty. Cost was modest for great burgers. We will be back.

2. Ristorante Mamma Gina

73705 El Paseo, Palm Desert, Palm Desert, Greater Palm Springs, CA 92260-4328 Takeout, Reservations, Private Dining, Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Valet Parking, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar Italian, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options Lunch, Dinner, Late Night SGD 59 +1 760-568-9898
Excellent
62%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
3%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 830 reviews

Ristorante Mamma Gina

Ristorante Mamma Gina has been a landmark in Florentine cuisine in Italy since 1956. Thirty years later, in 1986, California residents were able to get their very own taste of Italy as Ristorante Mamma Gina made its way to the United States.Since then we have been serving the desert with the best Italian food you can find on this side of the world. We pride ourselves on our authentic Italian cuisine, kitchen, and service. With white linens and a very classy atmosphere, Ristorante Mamma Gina is the perfect spot for your next date night or family get together. Bring your next special occasion to Ristorante Mamma Gina. Our Wine Room and Lounge are available for small private parties. For an intimate gathering our Wine Room accommodates between 10 to 18 people comfortably. For larger groups our Lounge accommodates parties up to 60 people. We have 4 sample menus to choose from, or you can always create your own. We're the next best thing to Italy itself! Come in for a traditional and authentic Italian dish. White wine with barrel on vineyard in Chianti, Tuscany, Italy Thinking of traveling to Tuscany, Italy for the real deal? Weekly or monthly rentals available at great apartments in Florence and Villas in Chianti area. We know just the right spots to travel and of course eat! Additional Business Information: Happy Hour: 4pm-close Dinner: 5pm-close Early Bird Special: 5-6pm

Reviewed By MissMoorea - Naples, Florida

We dined at Mamma Gina’s recently on a trip to Palm Desert. Since we had dined at its wonderful sister restaurant in Italy, it was a no brainer for us to dine at the U.S. based restaurant. One diner in our party has food allergies, however, so finding something suitable here was not an easy feat. The gluten free calamari was delicious (coated with cornmeal) but no sauce would work b/c of dairy allergies. The chopped salad was okay. Gluten free pasta wasn’t an option either b/c we were told that every single pasta sauce on the menu contains dairy. Our recommendation is to offer at least one allergen-friendly sauce - perhaps marinara. Our server didn’t seem interested in servicing our friend with allergies so he recommended dishes that sounded undesirable or rather bland. Our friend ordered the branzino but really wanted pasta so she was clearly disappointed. Our entree choices were good but not fabulous. We’d definitely try some of the other dishes we were considering if we were ever to dine here again. Management did make an effort to stop by and check in with us which was appreciated but we did not care for our server, which impacted the overall enjoyment of our meal.

3. Pacifica Seafood Restaurant

73505 El Paseo, Palm Desert, Greater Palm Springs, CA 92260-4343 Parking Available, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Private Dining, Seating, Waitstaff, Television, Wheelchair Accessible, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Free Wifi, Accepts Discover, Accepts Credit Cards American, Seafood, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Late Night, Drinks SGD 41 - SGD 66 +1 760-674-8666
Excellent
60%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1 reviews

Pacifica Seafood Restaurant

Reviewed By lb33wonka - redondo beach

I am it feels and tastes like they just caught and made my fish . I had the salmon and it was too die for . The sides are big enough for two people to share . Make reservations in advance and sit outside

4. Wilma & Frieda's Cafe

73575 El Paseo Ste C2310, Palm Desert, Greater Palm Springs, CA 92260-4385 Takeout, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Free Wifi American, Cafe, International, Contemporary, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options Breakfast, Lunch, Brunch +1 760-773-2807
Excellent
65%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 575 reviews

Wilma & Frieda's Cafe

Reviewed By bigsur221 - Chicago

Wonderful breakfast again here, for our third visit. They have a wide, inventive menu. Daughter had churro waffle which she said was great, I had a wonderful omelette and wife had eggs Benedict. Everything was great. Would for sure go back.

5. Kaiser Grille Palm Desert

74040 Highway 111, Palm Desert, Greater Palm Springs, CA 92260-4134 Takeout, Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Street Parking, Valet Parking, Free Off-Street Parking, Television, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Free Wifi, Accepts Discover, Reservations, Private Dining, Full Bar, Accepts Credit Cards Steakhouse, Seafood, American, Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options Dinner, Drinks SGD 20 - SGD 52 +1 760-779-9888
Excellent
59%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 373 reviews

Kaiser Grille Palm Desert

The valley's favorite since 1992. Offering Fresh California Cuisine with all natural and antibiotic free meats, chicken and pork, wild or sustainable seafood and fresh/local produce whenever possible. We offer USDA PRIME USDA Black Angus Steaks. All of our sauces, desserts and dressings are made in-house. Our Motto: DINE LOCAL. EAT FRESH! Born out of our love of food and hospitality, Kaiser Grille has been synonymous with quality and value for over twenty years in the Coachella Valley. Founded by Kaiser Morcus in 1992, Kaiser Grille quickly became a hotspot for locals and visitors alike. After a ten year hibernation in Palm Desert, his son, Eric is taking the helm in his new restaurant. We are located at the former Chop House location in Palm Desert. Fresh from a remodel and menu change, we are located just a few blocks away from where it all began over twenty years ago. Yet, as we all get better with age, we hope that this time of rest has given us more passion and inspiration to provide more enjoyment for your dining experience.

Reviewed By kathysclown - Canada

We were looking forward to going since it has such a high rating on TripAdvisor. We arrived at 5:30 pm and there was room in the lounge so we ate there and ordered off the Happy Menu. The margarita was very good and just the way I like it. My husband said his beer was fine. We had the calamari and order this in many restaurants as we enjoyed it so much during a trip to Greece. This calamari was very pale, lacked crispness and a bit rubbery. I ordered the coconut shrimp and while the shrimp were tasty (a little over crisp I thought), the rice had a nice ginger flavour but was dry. My husband had the fish and chips and the fish certainly appeared to be frozen and then deep fried. To me the food was one notch above fast food. Not much was hand made so we were disappointed. The Happy Hour menu is certainly affordable but IF I went back I’d try the restaurant and hopefully have a better food experience.

6. Guillermo's Restaurante

72850 El Paseo, Palm Desert, Greater Palm Springs, CA 92260-3302 Takeout, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Street Parking, Television, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Reservations, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Accepts Discover, Free Wifi Mexican, Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options Lunch, Dinner SGD 8 - SGD 35 +1 760-341-0980
Excellent
61%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
4%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 394 reviews

Guillermo's Restaurante

Authentic Mexican restaurant in Palm Desert. Our fine Mexican food uses only the freshest and highest quality traditional Mexican ingredients. Proudly serving since 2003 the cities of Palm Desert, Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells, Indio, Cathedral City, Coachella, and La Quinta. Ask about our happy hour and incredible tequila selection. Happy Hour is all day, every day for the summer. Bar area and patio.

Reviewed By Arthur B - Bakersfield, United States

My husband and I enjoyed dinner at this lively restaurant. Upon arriving (5:15 p.m.) on Saturday night, it wasn't that busy, and they almost turned us away. They did seat us and the crowd picked up quickly. The service was good, with the food arriving a little slow. I was surprised and the waiter said they had a big "catering" order and the kitchen was a little backed up. We shared the chicken fajitas and had two margaritas each! Enjoyed it all. One negative comment, the hostess had on a wrap around dress that crossed in the front (flimsy fabric), and although she had a nice figure - no bra and maybe no panties, and I really didn't need to see that in a family restaurant.

7. Cork Tree California Cuisine

74950 Country Club Dr, Palm Desert, Greater Palm Springs, CA 92260-1948 Takeout, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Street Parking, Free Off-Street Parking, Television, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Reservations, Private Dining, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Accepts Discover, Highchairs Available American, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options Dinner SGD 41 - SGD 66 +1 760-779-0123
Excellent
65%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 885 reviews

Cork Tree California Cuisine

Updated Al La Carte menu & wine list located @ www.thecorktree.com<br><br>Live music Sunday- Thursday<br>Sunday- Michael Keethe<br>Monday- John Stanley King<br>Tuesday- Michael Keethe<br>Wednesday- Jack Ruvio<br>Thursday- Michael Keethe

Reviewed By Golf-Pops - Chandler, Arizona

This is our all time favorite restaurant when we visit the Palm Springs area. The food is out standing and always properly prepared. Great wine list and reasonable pricing on most wine. Their cellar does have Screaming Eagle at $3600 bottle. First time I have seen that brand on a wine list. Their Beet Salad and San Francisco Style Cioppino are great choices. Make sure to get reservations. Fine dining at reasonable prices

8. French Corner Cafe and Bakery

72423 Highway 111, Palm Desert, Greater Palm Springs, CA 92260-3304 Takeout, Reservations, Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol French, Cafe, European, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch +1 760-568-5362
Excellent
63%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
3%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 286 reviews

French Corner Cafe and Bakery

Reviewed By Ddavislaw

We have eaten in this restaurant many time and are never disappointed. The food is fresh and the quality excellent. The restaurant is spotless and service is very good. If you want quiche, get there early since they sell out daily. For dinner, get a reservation regardless of the day of the week.

9. The Palms Cafe

44150 Town Center Way, # B5-b6, Palm Desert, Greater Palm Springs, CA 92260-2793 Takeout, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol American, Cafe, Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options, Vegan Options Breakfast, Lunch, Brunch +1 760-779-1617
Excellent
55%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 185 reviews

The Palms Cafe

Reviewed By Mimibubbles - Palm Desert, California

My husband and I have eaten here 1 or 2 times before and really liked it. We took visiting family for breakfast and they loved it! Our servings were large and the food is great. Everyone got different dishes and none were disappointing.
This is my new favorite neighborhood eatery.

10. Ruth's Chris Steak House

74740 Highway 111, Palm Desert, Greater Palm Springs, CA 92260-3806 Reservations, Private Dining, Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Valet Parking, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar American, Steakhouse, Gluten Free Options Dinner, Late Night, Drinks SGD 54 - SGD 105 +1 760-779-1998
Excellent
63%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
3%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 351 reviews

Ruth's Chris Steak House

Reviewed By Terry B

Very nice restaurant that made Valentine's Day special. On the very expensive side but good for special days. Staff was very friendly and attentive. Filling and clearing as the experience went along. Food was good. Atmosphere was great (decorated for that day). Parking easy and establishment located along major highway. We had a wonderful time with special memories.

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