Palm Springs has long been a popular spot for weekenders thanks to luxe hotels, wellness opportunities, incredibly trendy Airbnbs (including relaxing Airbnbs with pools and Airbnbs perfect for a bachelorette party), and desert adventure. And while the restaurant scene has historically focused around upscale hotel restaurants and long-standing diners, there’s a case to be made that there’s never been a more exciting time for restaurants in the area.
Photo: Bar Cecil
The 10 Top Rated Restaurants in Palm Springs
“We have been operating restaurants in Palm Springs since 2016, and I have seen an uptick in quality options for dining out,” says Liz Ostoich, the owner of Clandestino, FARM, and Tac/Quila. Ostoich notes that more varied options is one side of how restaurants in Palm Springs have gained ground, as well as spots that provide an experience with thoughtful interior design, top-quality chefs and bartenders, and a celebration of local produce. There’s also an uptick in plant-based restaurants.
Palms Springs is constantly evolving and “stepping up” its plant-based options, Tanya Petrovna, owner of the popular tempeh burger joint Chef Tanya’s Kitchen, tells Matador. This is mirrored in positive reviews on Yelp and Google Maps.
Matador combed through Yelp and Google to find the highest rated restaurants in Palm Springs. Those ratings, both out of five, were then added together for an aggregate rating of the top-rated places to eat. To ensure the establishments have their feet under the table, any place with less than 250 reviews was excluded. Customer reviews, of course, aren’t always the best metric — they can be gamed with things like giveaways, for one, and the rating that one person leaves may be influenced by ordering something they wouldn’t have liked anyway. That said, a combination of reviews across the two popular platforms is an excellent place to start when planning on where to eat.
If you’re planning a desert getaway, here are the best restaurants in Palm Springs according to customer ratings.
Traveling to Southern California? Check out Matador’s California accommodations guides:
- Get The Most Out of Palm Springs At These Guest Favorite Airbnbs
- 8 Gorgeous Palm Springs Airbnbs With Private Pools
- The 9 Best Palm Springs Airbnbs for a Bachelorette Party to Remember
- These Are the Best Cannabis-Friendly Airbnbs in Los Angeles
- 9 dreamy oceanfront Airbnbs up and down the California coast
- 10 soulful beach Airbnbs for the perfect SoCal yoga retreat
Chef Tanya’s Kitchen
Photo: Chef Tanya’s Kitchen
Rating: 9.7 (4.8 Google Maps, 4.9 Yelp)
At first glance, Chef Tanya’s Kitchen’s plant-based restaurant might be considered a breakfast or lunch hang, but the kitchen stays open until 8 PM and serves hearty salads such as the OhMyGatoTaco and the Tasty Thai Tofu with roasted peanut dressing and Tempeh Powerburgers — perfect for a grab-and-go casual healthy dinner.
Petrovna learned how to make seitan and fresh cultured tempeh while in college in the ’80s. Today, Chef Tanya’s Kitchen’s tempeh is cultured in-house for the potato bun burgers (and other dishes) and has gathered quite a cult following in Palm Springs. The loaded Gordo Chili Cheese burger is a fan favorite. It’s stacked with Heirloom Rancho Gordo bean chili, vegan cheese, barbecue sauce, red onion, and jalapeño pickle. The burger is “so bomb we have to serve it in a bowl,” Petrovna says.
The restaurant and deli have rave reviews on both Yelp and Google Maps. As well as creative and delicious dishes, attentive and friendly service has led to the business earning an almost perfect score. From take-out sandwiches to sit-down bowls of chili, customers have positive things to say about the quality of produce and flavor combinations. It seems Palm Springs is all aboard the plant-based train.
Chef Tanya’s Kitchen: 706 S Eugene Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92264
Peruvian Fuego
Photo: Peruvian Fuego
Rating: 9.4 (4.7 Google Maps, 4.7 Yelp)
Peruvian Fuego brings the flavors of Peru to Palm Springs. The small restaurant has top-notch service and is a great spot for lunch or dinner. The owner, Hyron, tells Matador that the lomo saltado, ceviche, and rotisserie chicken are all favorites. Marinaded in spices and Peruvian peppers, the rotisserie chicken (roasted over hickory chips) sells out daily. It’s a perfect sharing dish and can be paired with sides such as yuca fries and chocolo con queso (Peruvian corn with fresh cheese). Ceviches come with the house leche de tigre, Peruvian corn, and ad cancha (toasted Andean dried corn maize).
If you’re visiting Palm Springs with a group, Peruvian Fuego is an excellent option. Hyron’s authenticity and helpful service shine through the many Yelp reviews. Patron Roz E says Peruvian Fuego is “one of the best places we’ve been to during our trip in the Palm Springs area.”
Peruvian Fuego: 1751 N Sunrise Way Suite F1, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Clandestino
Rating: 9.4 (4.7 Google Maps, 4.7 Yelp)
Clandestino sits next to the San Jacinto Mountains off the main strip. Run by the owners of FARM and Tac/Quila, Clandestino is described as being “Tac/Quila’s moody sister.”
Expect Latin American small plates and hand-crafted cocktails. Try the “signature fried squash blossoms, filled with delicious melting Oaxaca cheese,” says Elizabeth Perezchica, general manager of Clandestino, or the vegan cauliflower poblano mole. Perezchica’s standout favorite, however, is the salmon with napa cabbage, pico de gallo, and dill cream sauce, pocketed in a house-made corn tortilla.
The high level of service is similar to what you can expect at the sister restaurants. “At Clandestino, we believe in delivering an unforgettable dining experience,” says Perezchica, “where every detail is meticulously curated to delight our guests.” And indeed, this sentiment is mirrored throughout the five-star reviews on Yelp. “The service was well done”, says patron Mylexus P. “All servers were professional, knew the menu well, and were able to suggest some popular items,” they continue. Book a table on the patio and enquire about the “secret menu” at the bar.
Clandestino: 175 N Palm Canyon Dr suite 160, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Miro’s Restaurant
Rating: 9.2 (4.7 Google Maps, 4.5 Yelp)
Miro’s is a Yugoslavian family-run restaurant serving hearty homestyle European dishes such as schnitzel, beef stroganoff, and osso buco. Since opening in 1994, it’s grown into a trusted establishment, promising reliable and warm service, excellent produce, and substantial portions. The beautifully lit leafy courtyard tables add to the charm.
Miro’s prides itself on the selection of rare bottles of wine from countries such as Austria, Croatia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The knowledgeable sommelier can talk you through the wine list and assist with food pairings.
A staple in the Palm Springs restaurant scene, the long list of helpful and five-star reviews on Yelp are from both loyal patrons and visitors. “If you’re looking for a classy food establishment without all the fuss, this place is a no-brainer,” says repeat customer and reviewer Mark B. “This is a place that always draws me in. It could be the incredibly friendly service or just the deep dive into ethnic comfort food that was so much a part of my childhood. Either way, I’m a fan,” proclaims Mark.
Miro’s Restaurant: 1555 S Palm Canyon Dr ste h-101, Palm Springs
FARM
Rating: 9.1 (4.7 Google Maps, 4.4 Yelp)
Known for its traditional Provençal cuisine, FARM’s patio setting is surrounded by greenery and floral arrangements, creating a garden oasis in the desert. While FARM offers a seasonal menu, some of their most popular dinner dishes include the savory crepes (French ham, Gruyére, and a sunny egg is a hit); duck confit with slow-cooked lentils, braised beets, and a blackberry sauce; and wagyu top sirloin steak with broccoli macaroni and cheese and sautéed asparagus.
Reservations are recommended, especially for dinner. However, breakfast and lunch are walk-in only. You can’t go wrong with what time of day you visit, but dinner offers a more elevated fine dining experience. Overall feedback on the quality of dishes and the charming atmosphere is positive from both locals and visitors. Five-star reviewer Amy S says, “I’m literally so in love with this spot and would have happily eaten there every day (maybe even for every meal) while in Palm Springs recently for a long weekend with friends.”
FARM: 6 La Plaza, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Bar Cecil
Rating: 9 (4.5 Google Maps, 4.5 Yelp)
Bar Cecil has had a couple of number ones since opening in 2021: The $50 martini and the Beaton Burger.
To dine here, you’ll need to be prepared to wait in line (walk-ins are welcome at the bar at 5 PM sharp). Unless, that is, you’re horribly organized and book a table 30 days in advance. Let’s not sugarcoat the situation: Reservations are hard to get. Your best bet is to keep an eye on OpenTable and set cancelation notifications, then pray to the god of splurge-worthy martinis for success.
That said, a walk-in bar seat is more than sufficient. It gives you a front-row view of the seamless bartenders as they pour Jean-Charles Boisset vodka and Alessio Dry vermouth into a chilled martini glass, garnish with a house pickled onion, and serve with a deviled egg, caviar, and sunchoke chips. Couple that with a splash of Sancerre, half a dozen oysters, steak tartar, and escargot, and you’ve got yourself a pretty sweet setup. For those with an appetite, the Beaton Burger, with the signature aioli and fresh-cut fries, has been called one of the best burgers in California (with an option to make it an Impossible Burger for an extra $4).
Yelp reviewers recommend Bar Cecil for a date night or weekend treat. High rankings are paired with return customers. “I can honestly say Bar Cecil continuously stands out as the best dining experience I’ve had in Palm Springs,” says Yelp reviewer Austin J. “Having been enchanted by its charm on three occasions, I can confidently say that every visit has been nothing short of extraordinary,” he continues.
Bar Cecil: 1555 S Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92264
Tac/Quila
Rating: 9 (4.6 Google Maps, 4.4 Yelp)
“Here at Tac/Quila, we have a balance between Palm Springs locals enjoying their favorite dishes and tourists from all over flocking to taste our fresh food and snap shots of our colorful cocktails,” Amanda Jasso, Tac/Quila’s general manager, says. “Expect to see margarita flights, our tepache colada, and house favorite, the tres agave, on the table.” The must-order margarita flight changes with the season.
Tac/Quila is one of the best spots for Mexican food in the city. It relies heavily on fresh produce, and 75 percent of that is organic. Each dish is prepared on the day of service. Fan favorites include fajitas dishes and the carne asada tacos with corn tortillas lovingly made from scratch. For those who want to deviate from the traditional, there are a few elevated dishes to get excited about. The ahi taco — sushi grade ahi, mango salsa, cabbage, cilantro, and avocado — is mentioned in multiple reviews. As are the jackfruit enchiladas. “Chef David Arreguin introduced three flavors of Aguachile and vegan jackfruit enchiladas this season. They are a huge hit,” Jasso says. Enjoy these with the Tepache Colado — tequila, coconut, lime, and chinola liquor with toasted coconut flakes around the rim. “It’s like a vacation for your lips,” Jasso says.
As an establishment with more than 2,000 reviews on both Yelp and Google, it stands up very well with its overall rating. This could be in part thanks to the tres leche desert, which customer Alex L calls “the real deal.”
Tac/Quila: 415 N Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Eight4Nine
Photo: Eight4Nine
Rating: 8.8 (4.5 Google Maps, 4.3 Yelp)
The contemporary restaurant Eight4Nine is located in the fashionable Uptown Design District of Palm Springs. With pops of color, the decor is ’90s Miami, and the menu is high-end and interesting. There are some standouts: the roasted cauliflower steak served with romesco sauce, pine nuts, golden raisins, and lemon herb ricotta; the miso-marinated Chilean sea bass; and grass-fed beef skirt steak with refried pintos, yellow corn esquites, and pico de gallo.
Eight4Nine offers a variety of catering services. They accommodate groups of 10 to 300 people, making it a excellent option for special events. The restaurant opened its doors in 2015, and since then, it’s had a lot of good feedback — especially for the VIP service. It’s popular for business dinners, pre-arranged group bookings, and with couples.
Eight4Nine: 849 N Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Copley’s on Palm Canyon
Rating: 8.6 (4.4 Google Maps, 4.2 Yelp)
Housed in a beautifully restored 1940s estate (once a guesthouse of Cary Grant), Copley’s has some of the best views in Palm Springs. It offers a casual, yet refined dining experience, perfect for a Palm Springs date night. Serving contemporary American dishes such as prime New York steak with caramelized onion and fennel, sautéed asparagus, and truffle parmesan fries; and swordfish with squash spaghetti and a smoked cherry tomato vinaigrette. Mains range from $29 to $56. Desserts are classic — try the chocolate souffle or vanilla and peach creme brulee — and finish the night with one of the vintage ports or a grappa di moscato.
Copley’s on Palm Canyon: 621 N Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Rooster And The Pig
Rating: 8.6 (4.5 Google Maps, 4.1 Yelp)
The low-key Rooster and the Pig is located off the main drag and hidden at the back of a strip mall. It’s run by chef Tai Spendley, who has brought Vietnamese recipes with a modern Southern California spin to Palm Springs. Spendley learned to cook from his mother and has crafted a fun menu with highlights such as panko-crusted chicken-stuffed rice balls, pork belly fried rice, Jasmine tea leaf salad, and the Chinese sausage roll.
The cashless restaurant is walk-in only, and you might find yourself rubbing shoulders with a few celebs — it’s a favorite spot of Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid, after all. 
Rooster And The Pig: 356 S Indian Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262