When the sun's doing its thing in Palm Springs, finding the perfect place to eat isn’t just about flavor—it’s about staying cool. Whether you're chilling under a shaded patio, enjoying a mist-cooled brunch, or indulging in crisp, refreshing dishes, Palm Springs offers plenty of ways to beat the heat. From garden courtyards and poolside lounges to icy treats and breezy sunset dinners, here’s your essential guide to staying cool while dining out this summer.
Eight4Nine
This modern spot in the Uptown Design District boasts one of the largest outdoor patios in town, perfect for catching the breeze or lounging under a shade umbrella. Their menu offers summer-ready options like the Watermelon Gazpacho, along with a Prickly Pear cocktail that tastes like pure desert vacation. The refreshing Smoked Niçoise Salad is made with smoked steelhead, artisan greens, peewee potatoes, Niçoise olives, haricots verts, capers, and a Gone Straw Farm egg—all tied together with a zesty tarragon vinaigrette.
Workshop Kitchen + Bar
Set inside a restored 1920s movie theater, Workshop’s architecture keeps things stylish and cool. The shaded patio provides a sleek, minimalist backdrop for their seasonal, farm-to-table menu. For a refreshing start, try the Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad, a crisp and flavorful dish that’s perfect on a warm evening. For your main, the Swordfish Loin is a standout—light, satisfying, and expertly grilled. Paired with one of their craft cocktails or chilled white wines, it’s a refined yet relaxed way to dine under the desert sky.
Blue Coyote Grill
A beloved downtown staple, this go-to spot for locals delivers big flavor with traditional Mexican cuisine served on a lush, mist-cooled patio. It’s an ideal spot for those long summer evenings when you want shade, style, and something spicy—but balanced with a refreshing twist. Try the Tropical Ceviche with their famous (and strong) Wild Coyote Margarita.
Del Rey at Villa Royale
Deep dive returns for a second season and is now offered every night Del Rey is open (Thursday - Sunday). Enjoy their cool, dark gem of a bar, the perfect respite from a blazing hot summer afternoon. Enjoy great cocktails, sangria, tapas, and a large selection of conservas (tinned fish). Cool off with their gazpacho blanco tapas.
Chi Chi Palm Springs
Nothing says summer like poolside dining, and Chi Chi brings the cool in every sense. Set beside the sparkling pool at the Avalon Hotel & Bungalows, this relaxed-yet-upscale eatery is excellent for morning brunches or afternoon bites under a cabana. Start the day with Farmers Market Fruit or the Acai Bowl. For dinner, beat the heat with shareable small plates, or the Chi Chi Cobb Salad—a colorful, refreshing take on the classic, packed with protein and crunch.
Happy Hour is 3 - 6 pm daily.
Wilma and Frieda's
Named after two iconic grandmothers, Wilma and Frieda’s offers outdoor seating to enjoy a refreshing morning brunch or breakfast. Locals swear by the Avocado Toast with chilled juice here, and their house-made berry pop tarts are summer on a plate. It’s a laid-back spot that knows how to satisfy a sweet tooth.
The Pantry at Holiday House
For the first time, Holiday House has converted its cool lobby and library into dining areas. Chef Jon Butler has introduced a summer menu featuring small plates and seasonally inspired mains for dinner, with a new lunch menu set to debut soon. Start with tuna tartare, Nashville hot cauliflower, heirloom tomato salad, or rice wine cucumbers. For larger plates, try the summer vegetables with goat cheese, grilled shrimp, or steak frites. Lunch is served daily from 11 am to 4 pm, and dinner is served from 5 pm to 9 pm.
Copleys on Palm Canyon
This award-winning hideaway combines 1930s Spanish colonial charm with an upscale menu that draws inspiration from tropical and European flavors. Snag a table on the mountain-view patio and savor the Pomegranate Balsamic Glazed Scottish Salmon or the Organic Chicken Schnitzel. For dessert, don’t skip the pineapple upside-down cake with Salted Caramel Ice Cream. Pro tip: Reservations are highly recommended—this spot fills up quickly!
The Barn Kitchen at Sparrow's Lodge
The Barn Kitchen is now climate-controlled, and everyone is happy! Chef Jon Butler's summer menu showcases the season's bounty, featuring ingredients sourced from small producers in the Coachella Valley. This is a MICHELIN Guide recommended restaurant. For lunch, try the shaved spring squash, shrimp ceviche, or heirloom tomato salad. For dinner, enjoy the chorizo-spiced zucchini, the mole for two, or the ricotta agnolotti. Open daily for lunch from 11 am to 2 pm and dinner nightly from 5 pm to 9 pm.
Sparrow's Lodge has also earned the MICHELIN Key Award, which represents the most outstanding hotels in the world.
Additional Hot-Weather Dining Gems
Tac/Quila
Stylish and shaded with misters and lush greenery, Tac/Quila offers upscale Mexican fare in a hacienda-style courtyard. Try the Ahi Tuna Salad or Grilled Lobster Tail Tacos for a cooling yet flavorful experience. Pair it with a craft margarita flight, and you’ve got one of the best summer escapes in town.
Farm
Tucked into a quiet courtyard downtown, Farm offers a breezy European café vibe and a French-inspired menu. Mornings here are magic—especially with the Strawberry Coulis French Toast, Roasted Pear Salad, or Vegan Wrap. Sip a sparkling rosé or lavender lemonade and feel the desert heat melt away.
Boozehounds
Dog-friendly and stylish, Boozehounds features shaded outdoor spaces and a fun, California-inspired menu. Refresh with their Magoru Tataki Salad with seared tuna, avocado, and vegetables, and finish with a creamy sesame dressing. Or a classic Club Sandwich with yuzu aioli, and wash it down with an endless summer bottomless Aperol or Hugo spritz. It’s a social, cool-down spot that welcomes everyone—furry friends included.
Happy Hour 3 - 5 pm daily.
The Colony Club
Located inside The Colony Palms Hotel, the Colony Club restaurant blends vintage charm with a shaded garden setting. Enjoy summer classics like the Watermelon Salad with candied ginger vinaigrette, along with the Grilled Branzino. Pair it with a citrus-forward spritz or rosé sangria. Quiet, breezy, and ideal for a romantic dinner.
The Restaurant at Palm Springs Surf Club
Enjoy new fresh summer flavors at The Restaurant with selections like whitefish mango ceviche, poke bowl, and grilled chicken and pineapple. Add a refreshing smoothie to cool you down after an afternoon in the lazy river.
Ice Cream Spots to Cool Down in Palm Springs
Wanna beat the heat? Cool off with a stroll and a scoop—Lappert’s serves up some of the most inventive ice cream in the desert, with 125 rotating flavors like Kauai Pie, Date Casablanca, and their must-try date shake. Kreem also boasts some of the city’s most unique (and organic) frozen offerings.
If you love small-batch and house-made sorbets and ice pops, Carmela can’t be skipped. Not in the mood for classic ice cream? Gelato Granucci offers traditional and vegan gelato in flavors like Joshua Tree Coffee and Torta Paradiso—perfect for a sweet pause on a warm evening walk.
Ready to chill out in style? Browse our full list of Palm Springs restaurants and find your perfect open-air table, frozen treat, or brunch-worthy breeze.
