The Power Couple Behind One of Palm Springs’ Most Beloved Restaurants
Tucked beneath the towering palms and dramatic backdrop of the San Jacinto Mountains sits one of the most beloved dining destinations in Palm Springs—Copley’s on Palm Canyon.
Visitors consistently praise Copley’s for:
- Its romantic outdoor courtyard dining
- Creative chef-driven cuisine
- Warm, attentive service
- A relaxed yet upscale Palm Springs atmosphere
It’s the kind of restaurant that feels special without being formal—perfect for anniversaries, celebrations, or simply enjoying a memorable night out in Palm Springs.
The award-winning restaurant is known for its romantic courtyard setting, inventive cuisine, and impeccable service. But behind its success is a love story that began halfway around the world.
Meet Chef Andrew Copley and Juliana Manion—the husband-and-wife team who turned a chance meeting into one of Palm Springs’ most celebrated restaurants.
A Chef Walks Into a Bar…
It sounds like the start of a joke, but for Andrew and Juliana, it was the beginning of everything.
Andrew Copley was a young chef from Yorkshire, England, already building an impressive culinary career. After training in classical French cuisine at London’s prestigious Westminster Kingsway College at just 16 years old, he went on to work at legendary hotels including The Savoy and the Park Lane Hotel.
His career eventually took him aboard the iconic ocean liner RMS Queen Elizabeth 2, where he cooked as it sailed around the world. During one voyage to Australia, he fell in love with the country—and stayed.
Not long after, while cooking on a yacht anchored in Port Douglas, Andrew and his crew headed into town for a drink.
Behind the bar was Juliana Manion, a meeting planner from Hawaii traveling through the South Pacific and bartending along the way.
It was love at first sight.
From the South Pacific to the Desert
A year later, Andrew and Juliana were married and living in Hawaii.
Andrew’s culinary career continued to flourish. He worked at luxury resorts, including the Ritz‑Carlton Maui Kapalua, and served as Executive Chef at The Lodge at Koele.
While on Lanai, Andrew also began making television appearances and gaining national attention for his creative cuisine.
But eventually, the couple began looking for a place to open their own restaurant.
Juliana’s parents owned a home in Palm Desert, and during a visit to the desert, the couple immediately fell in love with the area.
“We loved the resort vibe and the lifestyle here,” Andrew recalls.
Palm Springs felt like the perfect place to launch their dream.
Location, Location… and a Little Risk
When the couple found the Mediterranean-style adobe building that would become Copley’s, Andrew knew it was the right place.
The property had an incredible outdoor courtyard framed by palm trees and mountain views. What they didn’t know at the time was that the building had its own Hollywood pedigree—it was once the guesthouse of the estate belonging to legendary actor Cary Grant.
There was just one problem.
At the time, the restaurant sat on what many locals considered the wrong side of town.
“People told us it was a terrible location,” Andrew remembers. “Two blocks out of downtown. Nobody goes there.”
They opened anyway.
And the crowds came.
Copley's on Palm Canyon officially opened in December 2004, with Andrew serving as owner and executive chef and Juliana managing the business operations.
Today, it’s one of the longest-running and most respected restaurants in Palm Springs.
Palm Springs has become one of Southern California’s most exciting culinary destinations. Explore even more restaurants in our Palm Springs Dining Guide, featuring everything from chef-driven fine dining to casual patio favorites across the city.
A Recipe for Success
The secret to their success is simple: they each focus on what they do best.
Juliana brings extensive experience in hospitality, event planning, and destination management. Her background in hotel sales and event production helped turn Copley’s into one of the desert’s most sought-after venues for private events, weddings, and corporate dinners.
The restaurant can host buyouts and celebrations for up to 200 guests.
Meanwhile, Chef Andrew focuses on the kitchen.
“My greatest satisfaction is the freedom to do what I want with the food,” he says.
His cooking style blends global influences from his travels with classical European techniques.
Andrew describes the menu as: “American cuisine with tropical influences on a classical European foundation.”
Classic Dishes with a Creative Twist
Chef Copley is known for taking familiar dishes and giving them a modern spin.
One standout example is his Shrimp + Three-Cheese Grits, a dish that has become a customer favorite.
Unlike traditional versions, Andrew prepares his grits from scratch, using a rich stock of ham hocks, vegetables, and fresh herbs, simmered for hours, then adding asparagus tips, jumbo shrimp, and lobster sauce.
Other menu classics include:
- Copley’s Caesar Salad with pineapple croutons
- Crispy chicken schnitzel
- Seafood fettuccine
- Peach scented port chop
The menu changes regularly, but those signature dishes remain favorites among returning guests.
“Walk into Copley’s, and you’ll always find the Caesar salad and the ahi tacos,” Andrew says. “Everything else evolves.”
A Palm Springs Dining Classic
More than two decades after opening, Copley’s remains one of the most beloved dining destinations in Palm Springs.
Guests return year after year for the romantic courtyard setting, inventive cuisine, and warm hospitality created by Andrew and Juliana.
It’s the kind of place where special occasions are celebrated, longtime locals gather for dinner, and visitors discover why Palm Springs has become one of California’s most exciting culinary destinations.
One of the Most Romantic Restaurants in Palm Springs
With its glowing string lights, towering palm trees, and stunning views of the San Jacinto Mountains, the courtyard at Copley's on Palm Canyon has become one of the most romantic dining settings in the desert. Ranked one of the top 100 romantic restaurants by OpenTable in 2024.
The restaurant’s historic location, once part of the estate of Hollywood legend Cary Grant, adds an extra layer of Palm Springs glamour. Guests dine beneath the stars in a garden courtyard that feels both elegant and relaxed, perfectly capturing the city’s signature indoor-outdoor lifestyle.
It’s no surprise that Copley’s has become a favorite for:
- Anniversary dinners
- Marriage proposals
- Wedding celebrations
- Special occasion dining
For visitors planning a romantic evening in Palm Springs, Copley’s remains one of the desert’s most memorable dining experiences.
Plan Your Palm Springs Dining Experience
Explore more great restaurants in our Palm Springs Dining Guide, featuring the best places for outdoor dining, chef-driven cuisine, and iconic desert restaurants.
Explore More:
- Best Steakhouses in Palm Springs
- Best Italian Restaurants in Palm Springs
- Best Lunch in Downtown Palm Springs
Images Source: Copley's on Palm Canyon