DINNER

ZIN AMERICAN BISTRO

198 SOUTH PALM CANYON DRIVE
PALM SPRINGS

My family’s favorite restaurant in Palm Springs – so much so that when we spent a week at a local downtown hotel for a staycation, we ended up dining at Zin every single night. With varied menu options, patrons can eat healthily or sinfully (XXX Adult Macaroni and Cheese, anyone?), and either way, it is guaranteed to be delicious! The entrees are also updated seasonally, so there is always something new to try. And be sure not to miss the bottomless champagne, bellini, and Aperol spritz offerings!

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BILLY REED’S

1800 NORTH PALM CANYON DRIVE
PALM SPRINGS

Initially established in 1975, Billy Reed’s is a Palm Springs icon! Serving up hearty staples in an inspired retro atmosphere, it is not hard to see why the place is so beloved. Boasting ample-sized booths, rich red accents, Tiffany-style lamps and carved woodwork at every turn, the place feels like Disneyland in the desert and is worth a trip the ambiance alone, though the food is stellar, too! The Cobb salad is honestly one of the best I’ve ever had! The eatery is also well known for its Boston Cream Pie and other sweets, with all desserts homemade daily in-house – “just as your grandmother wished she could make them,” per the menu.

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THE OLD SPAGHETTI FACTORY

71-743 CA-111
RANCHO MIRAGE

Walking through the doors of The Old Spaghetti Factory is like stepping onto a highly stylized movie set. Towering red tufted booths, crystal chandeliers, and wood-beamed ceilings throughout (there’s even a dining room fashioned out of a vintage trolley car!), the place feels more like the Beast’s castle from “Beauty and the Beast” than a restaurant. Fantastical, whimsical, and oh-so-much fun, there’s truly no other spot like it in the desert. And the food is excellent, too!

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MUSASHI JAPANESE RESTAURANT & SUSHI BAR

72-785 HIGHWAY 111, SUITE B4
PALM DESERT

In the desert and craving sushi? This is the spot I’d head. Originally opened in 1996, Musashi is a beloved landmark to locals in the know, long renowned for serving exquisite rolls crafted with the freshest of fish in an elegant setting at moderate prices. Not a fan of sushi? The eatery also offers plenty of additional Japanese fare, including chicken katsu, shrimp tempura and yakisoba. Housed in a more intimate space and insanely popular, reservations are highly recommended.

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FRESH AGAVE

73325 CA-111
PALM DESERT

A friend clued me into this place’s amazing quesadillas, which come complete with buttery mushrooms sauteed to perfection, several years ago, and I’ve been hooked ever since. In fact, when Covid restrictions were lifted and dining out became a thing again, Fresh Agave was the first place I headed. The tacos are also stellar, as is the ambiance, especially on the inviting front patio.

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PORTA VIA

73100 EL PASEO
PALM DESERT

Stunning from top to bottom, this “neighborhood restaurant with a world-class feel” serves spectacular fare in an absolutely gorgeous environment. Designed by Sophia Goineau, who looked to John Lautner’s famed Elrod House and the Sunnylands Estate for inspiration, the restaurant is as picturesque as it is appetizing! From delectable fish to fresh pasta to gourmet sandwich options, you’ll be hard-pressed not to lick your plate clean at Porta Via!

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ARMANDO’S BAR & GRILL

73260 EL PASEO
PALM DESERT

A Coachella Valley staple since 2001, Armando’s serves up some of the best Mexican food in the desert. As such, it is always packed! One visit and you’ll see why. The food is exceptional, the service friendly and the margaritas strong – so strong, in fact, that the restaurant limits patrons to two per visit. The front patio is a particularly pretty spot to spend a warm desert evening. And be sure to keep your eyes peeled for celebs – Armando’s has been known to attract its fair share.

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LARKSPUR GRILL

45400 LARKSPUR LANE
PALM DESERT

A newer addition to the Coachella Valley restaurant scene, it did not take long for this one to become a family favorite. Featuring tasty dishes with fresh ingredients sourced from local farms, sleek but inviting décor, an expansive patio, as well as live music, Larkspur Grill is a truly happening spot!

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GRAPEFRUIT BASIL

45000 INDIAN WELLS LANE
INDIAN WELLS

Located inside the Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort overlooking the gorgeous olive tree grove, this eatery (which also made my breakfast list!) is glamorous, entirely affordable (surprising considering it is a hotel restaurant), and utterly delicious. The island-inspired menu, which features dishes sourced from ingredients grown right on the hotel grounds, includes a wide array of offerings for those with dietary restrictions. The Spaghetti Squash with veggies and pistachio gremolata is a personal favorite. Oh, and the drinks are stellar, too!

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ADOBE GRILL

49499 EISENHOWER DRIVE
LA QUINTA

While the food here is undeniably excellent (I find myself craving the Enchiladas Verdes at least once a week!), the striking ambiance is what makes this place a must-dine spot. Situated atop the main plaza at the La Quinta Resort, Adobe Grill’s sprawling elevated multi-level patio overlooks a meandering fountain, vibrant red rooftops, towering palms, and the gorgeous peaks of the Santa Rosa Mountains. Strung with twinkle lights and boasting a plethora of seating areas, it is one of the prettiest places in the desert to enjoy a meal al fresco.

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PAPA HEADZ

82868 MILES AVENUE
INDIO

This popular food truck now operates out of the side window at Gabino’s Creperie each Wednesday through Sunday from 6 to 10 PM, offering up the best smash burgers in town. I’m talking perfectly crisped, with oodles of melted cheese and signature PH sauce! The fries, loaded with various toppings, including cheese, chicken, buffalo sauce, and ranch, are also not to be missed!

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