Best Places To Eat In Greater Palm Springs

From its early days as a haven for the rich and famous, Palm Springs has grown beyond its borders to include many sprawling communities in the Coachella Valley. From trendy sidewalk cafes to bistros, Greater Palm Springs includes some of the most notable places to indulge your culinary senses.

Indian Wells

Citrus and Palm offers regional fare in casual yet intimate indoor or outdoor dining. Only a fork is needed to consume the tender short ribs, and for a true taste of the desert, order the classic date shake topped with toasted coconut.

La Quinta

At TWENTY6 Restaurant, chef de cuisine Sergio Garza researches the best of locally available California produce to create a distinctive menu for the hotel's guests. Classic breakfast dishes are prepared with seasonal ingredients such as local peppers and farm fresh organic eggs. Diners can enjoy a hearty and healthy meal in the serene desert in either an indoor or outdoor setting.

Palm Desert

AC3 Restaurant + Bar has brightly colored original paintings and contemporary décor. It is located next to the newly established Hotel Paseo. Choose indoor or outdoor seating to enjoy a meal of American food but not too cookie-cutter, our server explained.

I enjoyed one of the best turkey club sandwiches ever that included slabs of roasted turkey, melted cheddar cheese, and a scoop of avocado on grilled whole wheat sourdough bread. I had no self-discipline with the side of crispy truffle French fries.

My favorite dessert, sticky toffee pudding, was served with mini scoops of vanilla bean ice cream, making this a perfect lunch by far!

Palm Springs

Kaiser Grille is a family-run restaurant with all natural, hormone and antibiotic-free beef, butchered in-house daily. Lamb, pork chops, and burgers are all on the menu as is a nice selection of seafood. This 20-year-old business has an excellent outside patio right smack in downtown Palm Springs, great for people-watching. Try the tangy spinach dip and the wood-fired pizza.

Johannes Restaurant in downtown Palm Springs has been on the corner of S. Indian Canyon and E. Arenas Road for 18 years. On the list of 1,000 Foods to Eat Before You Die, chef Johannes Bacher's Wiener schnitzel and side dishes are all made from scratch. Bacher, who has a huge fanbase that loves his food, creates modern European fare and has received awards galore. With the line extending out the door on weekends, needless to say, reservations are a must.

To get a real sense of the area, book a walking tour with Palm Springs Walk With Me. My tour guide Jade provided all sorts of interesting facts regarding the various architectural styles as well as the historical and celebrity legacies of Palm Springs. The 2 ½ hours guided walk was fascinating, and I even learned some botanical names of this region's palm trees and flora.

Jake's, offering intimate indoor as well as outdoor patio seating, is an American bistro serving top-quality lunches, dinners, and weekend brunches. All dressing and sauces are homemade, and customer favorites include The Miami Vice Salad with Key lime dressing and the meatloaf with mac and cheese. The establishment takes great care with their wine selection and also offers large servings of creatively flavored moist cakes like the vanilla salty caramel.

Maybe there's something about the peace and tranquility of the desert that makes one hungry? Whatever your taste, you will have many dining options from which to choose. These Greater Palm Springs cities are all just waiting to show off their culinary talents.

For more information: Visit California

Where to stay:

Indian Wells: Miramonte Indian Wells Resort and Spa, individual rooms are set among trees and lush landscaping. The staff is friendly and helpful and the rooms full of comfort and basic amenities.

Palm Springs: Hyatt Palm Springs, centrally located along Palm Canyon Drive, the Hyatt offers clean and well-equipped rooms and suites with views of the San Jacinto Mountains and Palm Canyon Drive.

All of the meals, transportation, accommodations, and attractions were provided at no cost for this review.