Our Palm Springs Recommendations

Dinner

Le Vallauris, French

385 W Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Our top recommendation, hands-down!
Delicious French Cuisine and impeccable service in an elegant setting.

Lola Rose, Mediterranean

414 N Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Second Floor of the Thompson Hotel
A welcome addition to the Palm Springs food scene, Lola Rose offers Levantine cuisine in an elegant setting.
Chef Quentin Garcia spent months in Istanbul finding inspiration and curating the unique menu.

Copleys, American

621 N Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262

Excellent service and high-end dining. Former residence of Cary Grant.

Tac/Quila, Upscale Mexican

415 N Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Try the Te Enamore cocktail and the Quesabirria Tacos.
Michelin rated. The owners are the same as Farm (below).

Bar Cecil, American

1555 S Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92264
It’s the most sought-after table in Palm Springs and well worth it! So reserve well in advance.
Michelin rated. Food, cocktails, and service are all top-notch.

Paul Bar, American

3700 E Vista Chino, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Don't let the strip mall setting fool you! Top-notch food and drinks are inside.
Paul, the owner and host, is charming. He’s created a gem worth the no-reservations wait at times.

Pomme Frite, Belgian

256 S Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Mussels and reliable brasserie food. Great selection of Belgian beers.
Just a hint of European snootiness to help you know it's authentic 🙂

Sandfish Sushi, Japanese

1556 N Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Best sushi in the Desert! It is so good that they just opened another restaurant in Phoenix.
It's all great, but we especially recommend the Hamachi Kama!

Las Casuelas Terraza, Mexican

222 S Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Joyful spot with live music most days. All of your Mexican food favorites.

Mr. Lyon's Steakhouse, American

233 E Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92264
Our favorite steakhouse in Palm Springs.
Impressive Happy Hour if you want something quicker, cheaper, but still delicious.

Brunch

Brunch is a thing everywhere, but in Palm Springs, it's an institution. The establishments below are great anytime, but we crave them for brunch.

Eight4Nine

849 N Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Glam decor. Amazing patio dining.

Jakes

664 N Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Small and stylish! Ask for a table in the courtyard.

Bongo Johnny's

301 N Palm Canyon Dr # 200, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Reliable, no-frills cuisine. Bottomless Champagne & Mimosas.

Spencers

701 W Baristo Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92262
A more glamorous choice for brunch. The courtyard dining is serene and beautiful.

Gigi's

333 E Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92264
We keep returning to Gigi's: stylish surroundings and elevated, modern brunch fare.
Try the Chilaquiles or the Flamingo Spritz, served in a Flamingo Glass.

Farm

6 La Plaza, Palm Springs, CA 92262 (Between Palm Canyon and Indian Canyon downtown)
They don't take reservations, but it's worth the wait. A delicious take on Provençal cuisine. The same owners as Tac/Quila (above).

Pinnochio's

134 E Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Before we lived here, no trip to Palm Springs was complete without a stop at Pinnochio's.
No-frills, tasty, huge portions, and bottomless champagne. It always feels like a party!

Quick Bites

Gabino's Creperie

170 E Palm Canyon Dr #4, Palm Springs, CA 92264
This is a true Hidden Gem! Walk behind the Kreem Ice Cream shop.
Featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives

Townie Bagels

650 E Sunny Dunes Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92264
Our New Yorker friends say that the bagels are legit! Get a sandwich or pick up a dozen to bring home.
Robert especially loves the Bacon Cheddar Bialy.

Chef Tanya's Kitchen, Vegan

706 S Eugene Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92264
Order online and pick up curbside, or pop in to pick them up.
Tasty vegan food. Try the El Cubano Sandwich made with garlic seitan.

Watering Holes

V Wine Lounge

600 E Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Excellent selection of wines and cocktails.
They have engaging weekly events, including karaoke, on Wednesdays.

Melvyn's Lounge

200 W Ramon Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92264, in the Ingleside Hotel
Get a taste of the Rat Pack Era! Melvyn's has reinvigorated its past charm when it was frequented by Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr, Liberace...
There's a restaurant, too, where the food is just meh…. But the Piano Lounge is not to miss.

The Tailor Shop, Speakeasy

140 W Vía Lola Unit A, Palm Springs, CA 92262
There's no sign. Enter through the door to the left of Bootlegger Tiki.
Classy, mixologist bar by the owner of Sandfish Sushi.

Seymour's, Speakeasy

233 E Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92264
Located in Mr. Lyons Steakhouse. Go through the unmarked door past the restrooms.
Great cocktails and a terrific, secret outdoor area with a fire pit and bocce ball.

Truss & Twine, Mixology

800 N Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262
It's one of the few genuine mixology bars in Palm Springs.

The Evening Citizen, Speakeasy

220 E Arenas Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92262
This one is tough to find but worth the hunt. Go through an unmarked door in the back parking lot between Street Bar and Division Menswear.
Proper mixology in this hideaway in the Arenas District.

Canopy Wine Lounge, Wine Bar

175 N Palm Canyon Dr, Suite 150, Palm Springs, CA 92262, behind Kiehl's Cosmetics.
Great selection of California wines, including some of their own.
Scenic view of the San Jacinto Mountains and the Marilyn Statue.

Attractions & Events

Palm Springs Celebrity Homes

Check out our Google Map.
Palm Springs has been a getaway for Hollywood celebrities for decades. It continues to this day.

Village Fest

Thursdays 6:00-10:00 PM
Downtown on Palm Canyon Drive.
Weekly street fair with arts, services, crafts, and food trucks.

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

1 Tramway Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92262

Stunning Views of the Coachella Valley.

Shopping

Trina Turk & Mr. Turk, Clothing

891 N Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Trina Turk is a local icon with a worldwide reputation—chic, colorful clothing for women and men.

Interior Illusions, Furniture

650 N Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262

Interior Illusions Outlet, Furniture

67800 E Palm Canyon Dr, Cathedral City, CA 92234
Both stores offer modern furniture and accessories. You can often find some steals at the outlet.

Palm Springs Farmers Market, Produce, Meat, Food Vendors

Outdoors October-May: 2300 E Baristo Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Indoors June-September: 401 S Pavilion Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Saturdays

Vintage Market, Furniture & Sundries

2300 E Baristo Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92262
First Sunday of the Month, October-May. Furniture and accessories.

On the Mark, Gourmet Deli

111 N Palm Canyon Dr #155, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Pick up some gourmet offerings for that special dinner.

Greetings

301 N Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Fun, kitschy t-shirts, mugs, artwork, and other iconic Palm Springs memorabilia

Day Trips

Joshua Tree National Park

North Entrance: Park Blvd, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
First-Time Visitors Guide
Buy a pass ahead of time and drive straight to the park entrance.

Idyllwild

54265 Village Center Dr, Idyllwild-Pine Cove, CA 92549
A quaint mountain town a little over an hour's drive from Palm Springs. Escape the heat and explore cute shops, decent restaurants, and scenic hikes.
We recommend taking the scenic Pines-to-Palms Highway (Hwy 74) out of Palm Desert.

Premium Fashion Outlets, Cabazon

48400 Seminole Dr, Cabazon, CA 92230
Premium fashion outlets. Alexander McQueen, Armani, Gucci, Marc Jacobs…

El Paseo, Palm Desert

El Paseo and Hwy 74, Palm Desert, CA 92260
The "Rodeo Drive of the Desert".

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, Palm Desert

47900 Portola Ave, Palm Desert, CA 92260
A well-appointed smallish zoo perfect for a family outing.
Feed giraffes and get up close and personal with wallabies.

LGBTQ+

Arenas Road

Much of Palm Springs' LGBTQ+ life centers around Arenas Road (E. Arenas Rd & Indian Canyon Dr) downtown. One block has seven gay bars, three restaurants, and four clothing-accoutrement shops. Here are some of our favorites.

Chill, bar

217 E Arenas Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92262
The spot for late-night dancing. Younger and more hip than others.
Here on a Monday? Everything is half-price, top shelf is included.

Street Bar, bar

224 E Arenas Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92262
The strongest drinks in Palm Springs (and pretty much anywhere). Rumor has it that the vendor who lost their vodka contract lost his job.
Super friendly. It's the oldest gay bar in Palm Springs (1991) and sparked the development of the Arenas District. It's a favorite spot for prime-timers, though not exclusively so.

Dick's, bar

301 E Arenas Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Leather-lite and bear-friendly. It's easy to strike up a conversation with others here.
Say hi to Scott, the owner. He owns the Barracks, too (see below).

QUADZ, bar

200 S Indian Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Want to sing along to Showtune Videos? This is your spot on the weekend!
It has a totally different vibe than its sister establishment in Las Vegas.

Blackbook, bar-restaurant

315 E Arenas Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92262
A bar that has transitioned into more of a restaurant. The drinks are a bit pricey (for PS), but the nachos are a MUST!

Gay Mart, shopping

305 E Arenas Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Cute, fun apparel, tons of swimsuits, and a spot for your other (ahem) gay needs.

Division Menswear, shopping

210 E Arenas Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Stylish clothing and jewelry.

Elsewhere in Palm Springs

Tool Shed, bar

600 E Sunny Dunes Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92264
A leather, Levi's gathering spot. They completed a massive, stunning patio in the winter of 23-24.

Cathedral City

Cathedral City was the center of gay culture in the Coachella Valley before Palm Springs took over following the AIDS epidemic. Now, it's having a resurgence.

The Roost Lounge

68718 E Palm Canyon Dr #203, Cathedral City, CA 92234
Friendly clientele and engaging, attractive servers.
This was the location of Arnold and Robert's first date.
Check out their calendar for great entertainment. We highly recommend Keisha D on Thursdays!

One Eleven Bar

667555 E Palm Canyon Dr, Cathedral City, CA 92234
This cozy bar is the best spot for drag in the Desert, often with Drag Race alum!
- Morgan McMichaels hosts the Sunday Drag Brunch.