Palm Springs Restaurants & Dining Guide
A Desert Dining Scene Shaped by History, Culture & Design
Palm Springs restaurants blend local flavor, midcentury charm, and a welcoming LGBTQ+ spirit into one of Southern California’s most distinctive dining destinations. Shaped by Hollywood history, Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians tribal lands, and a long tradition of hospitality and reinvention, the Palm Springs food scene reflects both its past and its modern creative energy.
Across the city, visitors will find everything from iconic diners and poolside cafés to chef-driven kitchens, historic estate restaurants, sunset dining, and globally inspired menus. Many restaurants are located near midcentury neighborhoods, resort hotels, and cultural attractions, creating dining experiences that feel deeply connected to the city's character and its relaxed desert lifestyle.
👉 Browse all Palm Springs restaurants (sortable listings)
Fine Dining & Upscale Restaurants in Palm Springs
Palm Springs is home to an impressive collection of fine-dining and upscale restaurants, known for elevated California cuisine, polished service, craft cocktails, and thoughtfully curated wine lists. Many are set within historic estates, boutique hotels, and architecturally significant spaces that enhance the experience beyond the menu.
Popular choices include Copley’s on Palm Canyon, The Colony Club at Colony Palms, Le Vallauris, Spencer’s Restaurant, Workshop Kitchen + Bar, Mr. Lyons Steakhouse, Bar Cecil, 4 Saints, Melvyn's, and The Steakhouse. Together, these restaurants showcase the refined side of Palm Springs dining, offering everything from romantic courtyard dinners to contemporary chef-driven tasting menus.
👉 Best Steakhouses in Palm Springs
Mexican Restaurants & Regional Cuisine in Palm Springs
Mexican cuisine is one of the cornerstones of Palm Springs dining. The city’s Mexican restaurants range from longtime family-run institutions to modern kitchens inspired by Baja, coastal, and regional traditions.
Favorites such as El Mirasol, Las Casuelas Terraza, Blue Coyote Grill, El Patio, Felipe’s, Tac/Quila, and Maracas Mexican Cantina offer a wide spectrum of flavors, from classic comfort dishes to inventive contemporary plates. Palm Springs delivers some of the desert’s most memorable Mexican dining experiences for those seeking house-made tortillas, handcrafted margaritas, or refined interpretations of traditional recipes
👉 Explore Mexican restaurants in Palm Springs
Casual, Iconic & Classic Palm Springs Restaurants
Some of the best places to eat in Palm Springs are the ones that locals recommend, visitors return to, and generations have embraced. These casual and iconic restaurants define the everyday side of the city’s food culture.
Institutions such as Sherman’s Deli & Bakery, Billy Reed’s, Elmer’s Restaurant, Pinocchio in the Desert, Lulu California Bistro, Tyler’s Burgers, Rick’s Restaurant, Cheeky’s, and 1501 Uptown Gastropub reflect the range of casual dining available, from classic breakfasts and retro comfort food to relaxed lunch counters and bustling neighborhood cafés.
👉 Best Burgers in Palm Springs
👉 Best Breakfast in Palm Springs
👉 Best Coffee Shops in Palm Springs
Vegan, Vegetarian & Health-Conscious Restaurants in Palm Springs
Palm Springs’ wellness culture is deeply reflected in its dining scene. Across the city, visitors will find restaurants focused on fresh ingredients, seasonal sourcing, plant-forward menus, and creative vegan cuisine.
Standouts include Farm, Native Foods, Chef Tanya’s Kitchen, Nature’s Health Food Café, and Palm Greens Café. Together, they help make Palm Springs one of Southern California’s most accessible destinations for vegan, vegetarian, and health-minded dining.
👉 Explore vegan and health-conscious restaurants in Palm Springs
👉 Best Juice Bars in Palm Springs
International Restaurants & Global Cuisine in Palm Springs
From Italian classics to seafood-driven Latin kitchens and Asian-inspired dining rooms, Palm Springs’ international restaurant scene reflects the city’s long relationship with travel, design, and creative exchange.
Options such as Il Giardino Ristorante, Johnny Costa’s Ristorante, Mario's, Rooster and the Pig, Pomme Frite, Sandfish Sushi & Whiskey, and 533 Viet Fusion highlight the diversity of global cuisine available throughout the city.
👉 Best Italian Restaurants in Palm Springs
👉Best Mexican Food in Palm Springs
👉 Best French Restaurants in Palm Springs
👉 Best Asian Restaurants in Palm Springs
👉 Tastes of the World in Palm Springs
📍 Where to Eat in Palm Springs by Area & Neighborhood
Dining in Palm Springs is closely tied to place. Many of the city’s most popular restaurants are located within walking distance of hotels, shopping districts, and cultural attractions, making it easy to build dining into any itinerary.
- Downtown Palm Springs restaurants offer the city’s greatest concentration of patios, brunch spots, nightlife dining, and people-watching cafés.
- Uptown Design District restaurants combine stylish interiors with modern menus and midcentury surroundings.
- South Palm Springs dining includes resort restaurants, destination kitchens, and mountain-view patios.
- Restaurants near the Palm Springs Convention Center are ideal for pre- and post-event dining.
- Historic neighborhood restaurants offer intimate local favorites tucked into residential districts.
👉 Browse Palm Springs restaurants by area
🌞 Outdoor Dining, Patios & Poolside Restaurants in Palm Springs
With more than 350 days of sunshine a year, Palm Springs is one of California’s great outdoor-dining destinations. Courtyard restaurants, palm-lined patios, rooftop lounges, and poolside cafés define the local experience.
From citrus-shaded breakfasts to candlelit garden dinners and sunset cocktail lounges, outdoor dining is not just seasonal here — it’s part of daily life. Favorites for patio dining include Eight4Nine, Spencer’s, Boozehounds, Birba, Chicken Ranch, Al Dente Trattoria, Tropicale, Kaiser Grille, and Bongo Johnny's.
👉 Find outdoor dining and patio restaurants in Palm Springs
Start Planning Your Palm Springs Dining Experience
Whether you’re visiting for a weekend getaway, a festival, a conference, or an extended stay, Palm Springs dining rewards a little planning. Reservations are encouraged during peak season, especially for fine dining and popular resort restaurants. Exploring by cuisine, neighborhood, or dining style can help you create a dining itinerary that fits both your schedule and your travel style.
👉 Browse all Palm Springs restaurants
Explore More Palm Springs Food & Drink Guides
- Palm Springs Food Lover’s Guide
- Best Vegan Restaurants in Palm Springs
- Best Brunch Spots in Palm Springs
- Bars & Lounges in Palm Springs
- Palm Springs Happy Hour Guide
- Best Tiki Lounges in Palm Springs
- Best Sports Bars in Palm Springs
- Best Bakeries in Palm Springs
- Best Kid’s Menus in Palm Springs
- Sweet Treats: The Best Ice Cream, Candy, and Dessert Spots
❓ Palm Springs Restaurants FAQ
What kind of food is Palm Springs known for?
Palm Springs is known for its diverse dining scene, including Mexican cuisine, classic American restaurants, fine dining, vegan and health-focused kitchens, and a wide range of international flavors.
Is Palm Springs a good destination for food lovers?
Yes. Palm Springs offers an unusually broad mix of dining experiences — from historic Hollywood-era restaurants to contemporary chef-driven kitchens — all within a compact, easy-to-explore city.
Are there vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Palm Springs?
Palm Springs has one of Southern California’s strongest selections of vegan, vegetarian, and wellness-focused restaurants, along with many traditional restaurants offering plant-based options.
Where should first-time visitors eat in Palm Springs?
First-time visitors often enjoy dining in downtown Palm Springs, visiting at least one iconic historic restaurant, and experiencing outdoor patio dining to fully appreciate the city’s culinary culture.
Do Palm Springs restaurants take reservations?
Many fine dining, resort, and popular seasonal restaurants accept or recommend reservations, especially during peak travel months.
