COFFEE
CAFÉ LA JEFA
750 NORTH PALM CANYON DRIVE, SUITE B
PALM SPRINGS
Opened in 2021, this place initially made its way onto my radar thanks to its perfectly pink aesthetic and very quickly became a preferred Palm Springs pit stop due to its stellar coffee and baked goods. (The croissants are especially tasty!) The sprawling sun-dappled patio and neighboring shops inside the Flannery Exchange are the cherry on top of this stellar addition to the Valley’s coffee scene..
CARTEL ROASTING CO.
1551 NORTH PALM CANYON DRIVE
PALM SPRINGS
Nestled on the grounds of the trendy Arrive hotel, this joint serves up supreme espresso drinks in an environment that the official website describes as “Tony Bennett featuring Lady Gaga having brunch.” A beloved chain with more than 10 locations throughout Arizona, the Palm Springs café is the company’s only California outpost and has therefore become a hot commodity. Taking java very seriously (“Life’s too short for shitty coffee,” their mottostates), Cartel hand-roasts its own beans, equating to some seriously tasty brews!
ERNEST COFFEE
1101 NORTH PALM CANYON DRIVE
PALM SPRINGS
This spot is the only independent coffee house in the area serving Stumptown java, but there’s so much more to be had! With cheeky décor, a banana-leaf-mural-adorned patio, and plenty of comfy spots to lounge, Ernest Coffee is a must-visit! Situated in the former Don the Beachcomber space, the café is named in honor of the landmark tiki restaurant’s founder, Ernest Gantt, and even retains some of the Beachcomber’s original detailing, like the bright orange tiki torches displayed above the entrance.
KOFFI NORTH
515 NORTH PALM CANYON DRIVE
PALM SPRINGS
Java at this spot is roasted in-house, so it’s no surprise that Koffi repeatedly lands on “Palm Springs Life’s” “Best of the Best” list. Its most notable feature, though, besides the coffee, is its rear garden. The lush oasis, dotted with small tables and boasting striking mountain views, serves as the center of The Corridor shopping complex and is one of the prettiest spots in the entire valley. Tranquil and serene, even when bustling with people, there’s no more idyllic venue to sip some joe and savor the city’s ever-present sun. Though Koffi has multiple sister locations (all worth visiting), The Corridor outpost is, quite obviously, the best.rtel hand-roasts its own beans, equating to some seriously tasty brews!
RISTRETTO
500 SOUTH PALM CANYON DRIVE, SUITE 100
PALM SPRINGS
This establishment serves up some of the best java in the desert. From iced lattes to americanos, you can’t go wrong with any order here. The ambiance is pretty stellar, too. Situated on the ground floor of The Five Hundred building, a landmark property originally built in 1968 to house Alan Ladd Hardware, the contemporary surroundings are so very Palm Springs! (Be sure to check out the fabulous fountain in the main lobby!) Ristretto (Italian for “narrow,” the name refers to a short espresso pull) also offers baked goods, salads and sandwiches.
FRISKY BUSINESS CAT CAFE
4781 EAST PALM CANYON DRIVE, SUITE F
PALM SPRINGS
Calling all feline aficionados! Frisky Business is THE spot for coffee/cat lovers! A $22 fee ($20 for seniors/military veterans, $17 for kids ages 7-15) grants patrons a 16-ounce java drink and 45 minutes in the Cat Lounge, where a bevy of furry friends – all available for adoption from the Palm Springs Animal Shelter – is just waiting to be loved on. And no – one need not be looking to adopt to visit. Anyone seeking some feline companionship is welcome! Don’t have time to spend with the cats? That’s OK, too! You can always pop in to buy one of the shop’s delicious Lamill Coffee espresso drinks to go, as well as a baked good, which are homemade in-house by Mr. Frisky himself. I recently spent my birthday at the café and it was an altogether heartwarming and memorable experience.
HOT LIPS COFFEE SHOP
68461 EAST PALM CANYON DRIVE
CATHEDRAL CITY
This retro-inspired coffee shop is a genuine vibe, complete with marquee signage, fabulously funky furnishings, rock walls, bright colors and vintage art. Newly opened by the endlessly adorable Tara Uziel (a Cathedral City native), the place was designed to be “a daytime disco for your mouth and soul,” and it certainly is! The fun ambiance, thoroughly friendly service and stellar coffee concoctions cannot be beat!
D’COFFEE BOUTEAQUE
36901 COOK STREET, SUITE 8
PALM DESERT
A true hidden gem, this whimsical cafe and tea house is like nowhere else in the desert! Populated with mismatched chairs and eclectic furnishings, with meals served on varied vintage china, everything comes together seamlessly at D’Coffee Bouteaque. The incredible baked goods and homemade breakfasts and lunches are just the cherry on top! Boasting an extensive menu, the specialty coffee offerings alone take up a full two pages, with craftings such as the Lavender Field Cold Brew, Oreo Lovers Latte and D’Mexican Hot Chocolate all sure to set your morning off right.
BUENA MATCHA
73833 EL PASEO, SUITE 101
PALM DESERT
My favorite matcha pop-up — created by my friends Nahum and Kayla — finally has a permanent home in the desert! If you’re even the slightest fan of the frothy green goodness, walk, don’t run, to this new spot. The shop crafts what I promise will be the best matcha you’ve ever tasted, utilizing organic ceremonial-grade tea and house-made syrups. The drinks are phenomenal — and highly addictive. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!
WONDER
74275 CA-111
PALM DESERT
This new café also secured a spot in my breakfast section above, as its morning (and lunch!) eats are stellar. But the coffee offerings are just as divine. In fact, this is my preferred Palm Desert pit stop for lattes and other espresso specialties. Serving up frothy delicacies in an utterly adorable environment accented in blush tones, you can’t go wrong with a coffee from Wonder!
THE MARKETPLACE
49499 EISENHOWER DRIVE
LA QUINTA
Hotel coffee shops aren’t typically known for serving up stellar brews, but The Marketplace at the La Quinta Resort is the exception to that rule. The java is on par with high-end roasters and the breakfast sandwiches are truly a marvel! And you can’t beat the setting, with the gorgeous shaded patio pristinely situated overlooking the stunning hotel grounds. It’s a great place to spend a lazy morning or a sunny afternoon!
YES PLEASE
78065 MAIN STREET, SUITE 100
LA QUINTA
Stop by this Old Town La Quinta coffee and dessert shop early, as the baked goods sell out by 10 daily. One bite of a delectable huckleberry scone topped with citrus glaze, melt-in-your-mouth buttermilk biscuit or buttery croissant, and you’ll know why! Homemade on the premises each morning by owner Gina Mallano, every item at Yes Please is crafted with the finest ingredients and plenty of heart! The coffee drinks are superb, as well, with the chai and horchata also made in-house, and the patio views are nothing short of stunning!
MAIN STREET COFFEE
78100 MAIN STREET, SUITE 102
LA QUINTA
While the lattes and baked goods at this spot are solid, at Main Street Coffee, it is all about the location! Tucked inside the city of La Quinta’s charming Old Town shopping center, the café boasts a covered wraparound patio with gorgeous desert vistas and fabulous people-watching opportunities, especially on Sundays during the center’s bustling weekly farmer’s markets.
CALI ROSINA TEA & CHOCOLATE
78120 CALLE ESTADO, SUITE 104
LA QUINTA
If it’s tea you’re seeking, Cali Rosina should be your first stop! The adorable tea shop boasts a massive and well-curated selection of fresh loose-leaf blends (over 200, in fact!), served both iced and hot, and the finest selection of chocolate I’ve seen in the desert! I’m not much of a tea person, but even I can’t resist Cali Rosina’s refreshing offerings. Opened by siblings Jodie and Josh Smith just a few days before the world shut down in March 2020, it speaks to the café’s excellence that it managed to survive and thrive, quickly becoming a local favorite. The place also features one of the cutest patios around.
EVERBLOOM COFFEE
81730 CA-111, SUITE 14
INDIO
This chicly minimalist coffee shop features some of the tastiest java and friendliest baristas you’ll find in the desert! Widely known for its specialty house-made syrups (as per the myriad glowing Yelp reviews), which include butterscotch, Madagascar vanilla, mocha and honey lavender, I am diabetic and, as such, haven’t been able to partake. But I’m happy to report that the standard lattes are nothing short of heavenly and certainly warrant a visit, as well.
ENCORE COFFEE BAR
82707 MILES AVE
INDIO
Located on a newly bustling stretch of downtown Indio, Encore, a combination coffee bar and music venue, opened its doors in October 2023 and quickly became a local favorite. Offering sumptuous Coachella Valley Coffee Company blends, tea from Cali Rosinaand exceptionally friendly service, the café is warm, inviting and relaxed – not to mention a thoroughly welcome addition to the neighborhood. Come nightfall, beer is also on tap, along with a variety of live musical acts. Fun fact – our new American Idol, Indio’s own Abi Carter, played a set here shortly after auditioning for the show and securing one of the judge’s elusive Platinum Tickets to Hollywood.