Rise and Smile for Brunch!

The Best Palm Springs Brunches

By Kevin Perry

Is there any sweeter sensation than waking up to a day off? No hurry, no worries, just pure possibility.

As you meander out of bed to face the mid-morning, your mind turns to mealtime. You deserve the perfect pairing for your leisurely lifestyle, and Palm Springs is serving up brunch options to satisfy every craving.

Will it be a mimosa hootenanny, a diner extravaganza or a gourmet nosh-fest? How about all of the above? Peruse the menu below and prepare for a day full of yum!

Purely Palm Springs Brunch

Orange you glad you visited Trio? The eternally sunny hue of this Palm Springs mainstay will brighten your appetite, morning, noon and night! All rhyming aside, the hearty offerings at Trio will triangulate your hunger and send it packing. Try their fried egg sandwich with Applewood smoked bacon, cheddar cheese, tomato, and roasted red pepper aioli on a Croissant served with fresh fruit.

Just a block North is the trendy Eight4Nine. They offer a pretty extensive menu. Pair their smoked turkey and brie Monte Cristo with a deep fried bacon Bloody Mary. Served with house-made summer blueberry jam.

Just down the street in downtown Palm Springs is another luscious landmark shimmers into view. Lulu California Bistro tosses an array of yay, including everything from fresh greens to feisty proteins. Best known for their their three course prefix weekend brunch menu, which includes an appetizer, entrée and dessert. Add champagne or mimosas with complementary refills.

Also downtown in the La Plaza is Grand Central Palm Springs, a neighborhood bistro and bar. If you want brunch to go, they offer brunch in a box that includes waffles, croissants, eggs, bacon, sausage, fruit, syrup and butters. Or stay and sip on a mimosa flight.

Maleza at the Drift Hotel now offers a weekend brunch. Maleza’s crave-worthy offerings include Baja classics such as chilaquiles and queso fundido to churros and fresh made pastries to cure a sweet tooth. Crafted by Chef Yssac Ramirez, the buzzy hotspot will be offering a selection of brunch cocktails, standouts include the Rise & Shine, a spiked cold brew with reposado tequila and Mr. Black, and the Bloody Maria, Drift’s modern twist on the bloody mary. With both indoor and outdoor seating, weekend brunch can be enjoyed on the airy patio overlooking the pool while soaking in the desert sun.

One of the most unique joys of our downtown area is how cozily situated it is with the mountains that tower overhead. Get up close and geological with the San Jacintos by brunching at Spencer’s, located in the Tennis Neighborhood. Nestled firmly in the foothills, this must-visit vista gets creative with their top-shelf ingredients. Take lobster, for example – you can savor it in omelet form, atop a Benedict, sandwiched in a club, cavorting in a salad, or chilling in gazpacho. Now that’s what we call an ocean of variety!

Nestles in Uptown Design District across from Trio is Jake’s, locally owned hip American bistro that offers a weekend brunch in a private outdoor courtyard.  From egg dishes, to sandwiches, to salads, they offer a nice mixed variety for any time of day.

Brunch By Popular Demand

Remember when we implied there was no need to schedule a darn thing on your day off? Well, we may have exaggerated. Certain PS brunch spots are immensely popular, so you should plan accordingly to ensure a seat at the tantalizing table.

Cheeky’s, for example, doesn’t take reservations, but they will take your breath away. Ease into the morning with a bloody Mary and/or margarita. Now that your eyes are sufficiently opened, gaze upon a plate of custard cheesy scrambled eggs.

But let’s cut the baloney and talk turkey: brunch = bacon.

Enjoy next-level nomnomnom with Cheeky’s bacon flight. Five flavors, an array of textures, and scores of meal-mates trying to “share” with you. Back off and get your own!

Ahem, where were we?

Oh, yes: on the topic of in-demand eateries, be sure to be early at Wilma & Frieda. Their upscale ingredients blend brilliantly with down-home hospitality to create a buzz-worthy brunch experience. Choose from country fried filet mignon or griddled meatloaf and eggs, but leave room for dessert! W&F has plenty of treats to satiate any sweet tooth.

Speaking of indulgence (when AREN’T we?), remember to reserve a table at Norma’s, located stylishly at The Parker. Fashion your feast to fit your vibe, be it cheeseburger-casual or caviar-chic. Brunch it your way!

Make Some Mimosa Memories

There are few combinations as heavenly as orange juice and champagne. Peanut butter and chocolate, perhaps? Maybe blue jeans and world peace? But that might be a tad complicated to accomplish this early in the day, so let’s stick with mimosas for the moment.

Bottomless bubbly awaits at various brunch destinations throughout Palm Springs. For a raucous round of brunch, check out Pinocchio’s. They have unlimited champagne for under six bucks (90 minute limit), and that’s no lie!

Add some bonding to your bottomlessness at Bongo Johnny’s, a friendly and festive dining destination. It’s the ideal gathering spot for friends, family and anyone who’s up for good-time grub! Breakfast is served until 4pm daily. Did we mention their fried chicken benedict?

Get exotic at one of our many internationally themed brunch spots. Tropicale brings island indulgence to the desert with a wave of champagne and choices. Sweeten up your stay with blueberry waffles slathered in ricotta lemon cream or try Mary’s Farm Herbed Chicken Hash & Poached Eggs. Fulfillment ahoy!

Brunch Show-Offs

As you’re waiting for your next pre-noon cocktail, take in a show at one of the myriad theatrical brunches in Palm Springs. Oscar’s puts on performances throughout the week, but brunch is when things really heat up. Feeling peckish? Well then, ogle the pecs of Mimosa Men on Saturdays and then cop some attitude at their Bitchiest Brunch on Sundays.

And if you want to go that extra mile, hike up your hose and hitch a ride on PS Air. Tucked (pun intended) behind the Bouschet wine shop, this aviation themed speakeasy recreates the heyday of high-flying fashion. Fierce flight attendants entertain your brain with gonzo routines and meals served on airline trays to keep the illusion aloft. Disco Boozy Brunch is served every Sunday beginning at 11 am.

For a truly one-of-a-kind brunch experience, dig into PS Underground. Whether you’re in the mood for dirty bingo or good clean(ish) Broadway fare, this troupe is triumphant. The chef introduces each course of bespoke food and drink, and every morsel is themed to the show that plays out all around you. It is a creative space like no other, and it simmers with flavor personified.  These always change, so check back often.

PS Drag Brunch is now serving up some sass for brunch every Saturday and Sunday at Saguaro Palm Springs. A place so cool even the tables have drag queen names.

Diners, Delis & Deliciousness

If classic diners are your jam, explore away! From John’s to Rick’s to Sherman’s Deli to Billy Reed’s, the gang’s all here! Vintage modernism comes to life in these throwback tastemakers, so order your brunch with a side of style.

You really can’t go wrong with the midmorning majesty of Palm Springs’ foodie scene. And to think: the day has just begun. Lucky you…