Palm Springs has been our go-to weekend getaway for the past few years! It's just a 2 hour drive from LA and it's all sunshine, palm trees and guacamole - and really, what more could you ask for?
I'm rounding up my favorite Palm Springs restaurants, hotels, and things to do while in the desert in this edition of Gaby's Guide to Palm Springs! And it's no coincidence that as fall and winter roll around, we now have plenty of excuses to head to Palm Springs and soak up some sunshine. Let's do this!!
COFFEE + BREAKFAST + BRUNCH:
Koffi - A local coffee shop and roaster.
Cheeky’s - My go to place for a casual breakfast! There always seems to be a line but it’s absolutely worth the wait! The chilequiles are to die for!! And if you don’t wake up in time to hop over there for breakfast, check out their sister restaurant Birba.
Norma’s - Nestled right at the front of The Parker, Norma’s is without a doubt the place to be. A boozy brunch here is beyond and you can meander down to the lemonade bar when you’re done so you can continue your leisurely morning.
Kings Highway - The coziest little cash-only diner. They've got it all from avocado toast to breakfast burritos to LOX to Belgian waffles and even biscuits.
Townie Bagels - For a quick bite, come here for old-school freshly made bagels.
Boozehounds - A cute dog friendly brunch spot that's also very instagramable.
LUNCH:
So.pa - An all-day outdoors only restaurant with some pretty epic Middle Eastern food right smack in the middle of Palm Springs. It's soooo cute!
Las Casuelas Terraza - A truly incredible family-owned Mexican restaurant in the heart of downtown Palm Springs. Their patio dining is also wonderful.
DINNER:
Bar Cecil - Bar Cecil is not to miss! They serve a Californian-American fare and you truly can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Plus they have freshly baked chocolate chip cookies for dessert... it's a no brainer!
Rooster and the Pig - A Vietnamese-American restaurant with incredible sharing plates.
Workshop Kitchen + Bar - One of the nicer restaurants in Palm Springs, Workshop is fab for a night on the town. It’s minimalist design is perfect for your instagram obsessed folks like me - and the food is amazing. Their menu changes frequently, but fingers crossed you can order the octopus because it’s the best!!
Melvyn's - This elegant Palm Springs' classic is located in the Ingleside Inn. They serve a traditional upscale fare including steak and seafood a la carte.
Birba - It's the sister restaurant to Cheeky's, and if you go you're in for some really incredible pizza and wood fired food. The cocktails are fantastic (and strong) and the scene is so fun! It's not to be missed.
4 Saints - Some truly epic food at Kimpton rooftop!!
Mr. Lyons - An old-school yet modern steakhouse with some amazing food.
Sandfish Sushi and Whiskey - A cozy scandanavian designed sushi bar serving hand-crafted sushi with whiskey
pairings.
WHERE TO DRINK:
Colony Palms - One of the best places to get a poolside cocktail and enjoy the scenery! Colony Palms is not only gorgeous, but it’s right smack in the middle of Palm Springs - so go toodle around and grab a mid-day cocktail here!
Cork & Fork - If you venture past Indian Wells into La Quinta (which is where all the amazing golf is) you’ll need to somehow make your way to Cork & Fork. It’s the cutest little wine bar in the desert and their tiny outdoor patio is gorgeous. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu but their Poke Nachos are kinda out of this world!!
El Jefe - I mean, what’s a trip to the desert without the best guacamole, tacos and margaritas. El Jefe takes the cake on that 100%
La Quinta Resort + Club - The sweetest piano bar with a pretty fantastic wine list! They also have about 3 other restaurants with amazing outdoor patios. The whole property is beyond gorgeous, so make sure to wander around and check out the sites!
WHERE TO STAY:
Travlr Home Rentals - Travlr is my favorite company to rent homes through. Their houses are impeccably designed and the best vibes
Colony Palms - FAVORITE Palm Springs hotel. Period. The pool is small and fun, the guacamole is out of this world. and it's right in town so you can walk everywhere.
Rowan Palm Springs - One of the newer Kimpton properties that is tres chic and great food. It's basically a little mini Vegas in Palm Springs so if you're going for a party... THIS IS IT.
Holiday House - Ugh. How do I even count the ways I love Holiday House. It's one of the newer and smaller properties in PS and it's glorious! Great pool / great vibes / and amazing poolside snacks.
La Quinta Resort + Club - Like I said before, La Quinta Resort is GORGEOUS! If you’re into staying a bit further out from Palm Springs proper - this is the place!! It’s perfectly situated if you’re going to the festivals or checking out the annual tennis tournament in Indian Wells!
And that’s a wrap on my favorite things to do in Palm Springs! If you’re looking for more city guides check these out:
- Gaby’s Guide to Los Angeles, CA
- Gaby’s Guide to Santa Ynez (and surrounding areas)
- Gaby’s Guide to Santa Barbara
- Gaby’s Guide to Ojai
- Gaby’s Guide to San Francisco, CA
- Gaby’s Guide to NYC
Did I miss anything? Shout it out in the comments below so I can go give it a try!!
Hi! Headed to Palm Springs for Thanksgiving this year. We have a large group of family and friends & I'd like to host dinner at our rental house one night BUT ideally would have it catered. Do you have any recommendations for local chefs or companies that provide and deliver prepared meals?? Thanks so much 🙂 (I deleted my Insta b/c ya know....social experiment I guess....otherwise I'd DM you!)
You could try reaching out to Whoa Nelly catering and ask them! They are LA based but they do events in PS all the time
Hi! In Palm Springs today - what’s your fave menu item at boozehounds? I’m indecisive lol;)!
Thank you Gaby. I am going in two weeks. Are there any updates to your list. Thank again and happy new year
Stephanie
I’m going to Palm Desert for 3 weeks, so thanks for the list. We’re golfers so Palm Desert is our favorite, and it’s next door to Palm Springs.
Any other places in the desert that you’ve been too?
You’re the best
everything is on the list but we go every few months so I will always update when I find a new gem!
We go to PS every year, and will definitely have to check out more of these recommendations!!!
FAZE
What’s the area best to stay in in Palm Springs if renting a house?
I like to stay as close to palm springs proper as possible so I can walk to dinners!
Great list Gabby. I only discovered the joy of Palm Springs last year, even though I've been in LA forever, and I have to agree - palm trees and guacamole. What more do we really need (except that list of fantastic places to eat). Cheers!
Great sandwiches can be found at Aspen Mills (look it up!). They bake all the bread in the store and you can buy loaves for the road. SO good!!