BREAKFAST / BRUNCH
Juniper Table
100 WEST TAHQUITZ CANYON WAY
PALM SPRINGS
Situated on the bottom floor of The Rowan hotel and boasting an expansive patio, this fresh fare eatery serves up some of the best breakfast in town. From homemade scones to basic morning dishes like bacon and eggs, as well as exceptional lattes, this is the perfect spot to start your day in downtown Palm Springs.
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BOOZEHOUNDS
2080 NORTH PALM CANYON DRIVE
PALM SPRINGS
While I don’t have a dog, this canine-friendly spot, which welcomes pups in its spacious atrium and bright patio areas, is one of my favorite places to grab brunch in the Valley! With a warm desert aesthetic, eclectic menu (the breakfast potatoes are superb!) and on-point cocktail and mocktail offerings, you can’t go wrong with a meal at Boozehounds!
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EIGHT4NINE RESTAURANT & LOUNGE
849 NORTH PALM CANYON DRIVE
PALM SPRINGS
This stylish eatery has been a local landmark ever since hitting the scene in 2015. Situated in a spacious 1954 building that originally housed the city’s first official post office, Eight4Nine offers sumptuous modern American cuisine in a hip, minimalist and pristinely retro atmosphere. Great for any meal, it is the brunch menu that keeps me coming back – namely, the Egg White Frittata. Crafted with house-smoked chicken, forest mushrooms, goat cheese, wild arugula and spinach, it’s the stuff of dreams!
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KING’S HIGHWAY
701 EAST PALM CANYON DRIVE
PALM SPRINGS
A reimagined former Denny’s located on the grounds of the popular Ace Hotel, this spot is retro in all the right ways – and it serves up some of the best avocado toast in the Valley. While the dish is changed up regularly (it currently comes topped with tomato jam, crispy shallots, opal basil, breakfast radish, and olive oil), I’ve never been disappointed by any variation. And the ambiance (read: globe lights, rock walls, old fashioned counter) can’t be beat! Bonus – the eatery offers 20% off to all locals!
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ESCENA GRILL
1100 CLUBHOUSE VIEW DRIVE
PALM SPRINGS
Offering some of the most stunning views in the desert, this local gem is tucked inside the private Escena housing development but is open to the public for breakfast, lunch, dinner and cocktails. Morning meals are exceptionally good here, not to mention beautiful, with the expansive, perfectly sited (and pet-friendly!) patio overlooking the adjacent golf course (which is also open to the public) providing a striking setting for stellar omelets and other traditional fare.
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KEEDY’S FOUNTAIN & GRILL
73-633 HIGHWAY 111
PALM DESERT
A desert staple since 1957, this greasy spoon is standing room only most hours of the day. But the wait times are certainly worth it! Serving up some of the best pancakes and comfort food in the entire Coachella Valley in an authentic mid-century diner setting, it is not hard to see why this place has been a classic for over six decades.
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IL SOGNO
73375 EL PASEO
PALM DESERT
Zagat-rated, this spot is best known for its extensive array of homemade baked goods, which are decadent, gorgeous, and delectable, to say the least. But Il Sogno (“the dream” in Italian) also serves up great European Old Country-style breakfasts and lunches! Per owner Mirjana Ilic, who is always on hand to answer any and all questions about her exquisite fare, everything served is artfully crafted on the premises daily. Originally founded in 1990 in the Pacific Palisades (where “The Wall Street Journal” deemed it one of the two best restaurants in all of Los Angeles), it moved to Palm Desert’s exclusive El Paseo shopping district in 2009. The quaint front patio makes for a lovely spot to enjoy a sunny desert morning – iced latte and baked good in hand.
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WONDER
74275 CA-111
PALM DESERT
A new addition to the desert’s culinary scene, this charming breakfast and lunch spot has quickly become one of my go-tos for coffee, baked goods and morning fare. Featuring an adorable pink-hued interior with marquee signage and a front counter full of enticing treats, the family-owned establishment is a gem!
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THE BLUSHING PEONY WINE BAR & CAFE
74929 CA-111
INDIAN WELLS
Accented in soft blushes, this minimalist cafe and wine bar is as adorable as it is tasty! Recently opened in mid 2024, it has already become my go-to local breakfast/brunch spot. Featuring such varied offerings as Truffle Deviled Eggs, Balsamic Burrata Mushroom Toast and Lemon Curd Waffles, the Simple Breakfast of poached eggs, olive oil toast, spinach, potatoes and bacon (the latter of which is cooked to perfection), is my favorite. The lattes here are also a creamy delight!
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GRAPEFRUIT BASIL
45000 INDIAN WELLS LANE
INDIAN WELLS
If you prefer your breakfast with a view, Grapefruit Basil, tucked amongst the stunning olive trees at the Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort, is the place for you! Easily one of the desert’s prettiest spots, the food is excellent to boot. (The All-American Classic and Miso Avocado Toast are my favorite dishes.) This place is also fabulous for dinner, not to mention happy hour, with the twinkling lanterns and canopy of branches providing a sylvan ambiance you won’t find anywhere else.
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BEAUTIFUL DAY
50949 WASHINGTON STREET, SUITE 1A
LA QUINTA
A newer desert addition, this farm-to-table joint utilizes ingredients sourced from local Coachella Valley farms, with a highly inventive and enticing menu – all prepared via a scratch kitchen. I personally love the Farm Fresh Scramble, but I’ve heard the Huckleberry Hotcakes are a must-try. The restaurant is also extremely accommodating when it comes to customizing dishes due to various dietary restrictions and patrons are always sent off with a “Have a beautiful day” farewell, only adding to the establishment’s charm.
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LA QUINTA BAKING COMPANY
78395 CA-111
LA QUINTA
Like a little slice of Europe right in the heart of the desert, the baked goods served here (all of which are homemade on the premises, along with pretty much everything else on the menu) are bar none! The rest of the fare is as exceptional – especially the omelets, which come complete with melted cheese on top. While La Quinta Baking Company offers breakfast, lunch and dinner, it has become a favorite breakfast spot for my family, with countless mornings spent together on the quaint patio enjoying creamy lattes and buttery croissants.
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