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Wally's Desert Turtle, Rancho Mirage, CA

Wally's Desert Turtle

4.8 (4072)
$50 and over
Contemporary American
71775 Highway 111, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270

Make a reservation

2 people
11:00 PM

About this restaurant

  • Good for special occasions
  • Fancy
  • Great for fine wines
"The Finest Dining in the Coachella Valley" Offering a refreshed and re-imagined take on Modern California Cuisine. And the local response has been "Amazing"!

An Official California Dining Destination, Wally's Desert Turtle in Rancho Mirage proudly supports local Ranches, Farms and Fisheries committed to the smart-stewardship of the planet through sustainable, earth-friendly and ocean-friendly practices.

The finest local ingredients, impeccable service and exceptional surroundings always make for "A Great Night Out" at Wally's Desert Turtle.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary American, Californian, Steak
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Tue–Thu, Sun 5:30 pm–8:30 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–9:30 pm
  • Phone number
    (760) 568-9321
  • Website
    http://www.wallysdesertturtle.com/
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Executive chef
    Alan Lopez
  • Private party facilities
    Wally's Desert Turtle is one of the desert's premier locations for upscale private dining. An elegant, classy and majestic space to host family celebrations, corporate events or just memorable moments.Please contact our special events department for bookings: wallysdtevents@gmail.com
  • Location
    71775 Highway 111, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
  • Neighborhood
    Rancho Mirage
  • Cross street
    Bob Hope Drive
  • Parking details
    Valet Parking, Private Lot Self-Parking, and Street Parking available
  • Public transit
    Sunline Transit AgencyBus Line #111Bus Stop #659Highway 111 and Rancho Las Palmas Westbound
  • Entertainment
    Great Live Entertainment Nightly with the Bolivar Brothers, Michael and John ... playing the standards, the classics, some current hits, and a sprinkling of guest requests ...Celebrating Springtime in the Desert with a $38 Three-Course Seasonal Prix Fixe Menu in our Bar and Sahara Lounge, from 5:30pm to 6:30pm, Sundays through Thursdays.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

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Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 4,072 people are saying

Wally's Desert Turtle reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.8Ambience
  • 4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Palm Springs / Palm Desert Cities

    Great for fine wines

  • Palm Springs / Palm Desert Cities

    Good for special occasions

  • Palm Springs / Palm Desert Cities

    Contemporary American

  • Palm Springs / Palm Desert

    Great for fine wines

  • Palm Springs / Palm Desert

    Good for special occasions

  • Palm Springs / Palm Desert

    Contemporary American

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Wally's Desert Turtle offers a "magnificent interior" and "exceptional service," making it a beloved culinary landmark in the desert. Diners rave about the "wonderful musician," Tony, and the restaurant's ability to transport guests to a time of "old world charm." Signature dishes like Dover Sole and Grand Marnier Soufflé are a must-try. The ambiance and attention to detail create a "special occasion restaurant" that's also perfect for everyday dining, though some find it "a bit pricey." Despite occasional service hiccups, the "top notch" cuisine and "beautiful atmosphere" consistently impress.
4,072 Reviews

  1. J VIP

    Orange County26 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 16, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Wonderful place to celebrate Father’s Day Dinner!

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  2. Julie

    Palm Springs / Palm Desert Cities6 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 16, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    A throw back to fine dining. Excellent food coupled with a team dedicated to ensuring you are being appropriately attended to. While sharing a desert, our server overheard that we would be celebrating our anniversary next week (after they close for the summer), a most unexpected, beautifully presented dessert appeared. After checking with our family to see who put the order in, we realized the good deed. A big draw for me is knowing that the incredibly talented Tony Bolivia plays his saxophones and woodwinds in ways you'd never thought possible. I've seen two horns played at once, but not playing different harmony lines. Having driven by Wally's Desert Turtle without stopping to have a meal, Restaurant Week's menu drew us in. The sauces that accompany the entrees, my favorite being the Braised Beef. Don't forget to order the souffle ahead of time. Looks like I'll have to wait until October to find my way back.

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  3. Barbara

    Phoenix / Arizona27 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on June 15, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 5
    The ambulance is always superb! Food always good to excellent the majority of the time. Service also great but sometimes rushed-you want a relaxing time to take in to enjoy. We got our favorite table! Great little desert on the house to celebrate our 60th wedding anniversary. This is one of our most favorite Restaurants -we always go back again and again.

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  4. Kelly VIP

    Palm Springs / Palm Desert Cities119 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 14, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This is an extraordinary restaurant, magnificent interior, old school, perfect service, with terrific food.

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  5. Mary VIP

    San Diego34 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 13, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We enjoy coming to Wally’s whenever we are in the desert. Lovely restaurant, exceptional service. Delicious food.

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  6. Janet VIP

    Palm Springs / Palm Desert Cities37 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on June 9, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Thought the food was very good although $65.00 for sole is very expensive. Fantastic service, almost too much hovering.

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  7. Alan VIP

    Palm Springs / Palm Desert Cities89 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 9, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I was at Wally's for Palm Springs Restaurant Week, as I have twice before. For $59 (plus a little extra for a souffle) you get a great bargain on a wonderful meal. I started with tuna tartar which you only eat at a very good restaurant, which this is for sure. My main was a delicious pair of large lamb chops cooked to perfection. It came with some very nice sides. I sat in the bar area because I had enjoyed listening to and meeting their sax and flute player Tony Bolivar. His playing and singing are both delightful and his musical selections are perfect for the diners at Wally's. They close for the summer soon but will return in October. Tony performs on weekends and I plan to be sitting in the bar several times. It is much busier in the dining room so the bar area works great for hearing him play and talking to Tony.

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  8. Kassie

    Atlanta3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 8, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had an outstanding dining experience at Wally’s last night. Every staff member was courteous and polite and exceeded our expectations! We had the short rib and cod curry and both dishes were some of the best meals we’ve ever had. Not exaggerating. It was for restaurant week but they don’t seem to have the cod curry on their regular menu, which is unfortunate. We will be returning.

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  9. thomas

    Palm Springs / Palm Desert Cities33 reviews

    2.0

    Dined on June 8, 2025

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 2
    The atmosphere was very hectic with the many waitstaff running around like a bunch of ants on steroids. It was obvious they were trying to move the tables as quickly as possible. Not a relaxing environment. The food was OK but not oustanding and not worth the price.

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  10. GARY VIP

    Palm Springs / Palm Desert Cities21 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on June 8, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 5
    We have dined at Wally's for many years. However our experience this time was not up to Wally's standards. Yes, the food was amazing as always. However the service teams was not very disappointing. Example, when we finished our starts. No team member cleared the dishes until the food arrived. Which has never happened before. And at the end of meal no team member asked if we would like desert, after drinks or even coffee. And top it off when it came time to pay the check the team member that took the payment which were Rancho Mirage Gift Cards. Didn't listen to what I ask him to do.. To use the Bonus Card with the expiration date on first. So hats off to Madayln the owner of Wally's for straightening out the issue. Again I want to repeat with all the side issue the food was wonderful....

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FAQs

Wally's Desert Turtle is rated 4.8 stars by 4072 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Palm Springs / Palm Desert Cities
  4. Palm Springs / Palm Desert
  5. Rancho Mirage

Make a reservation

2 people
11:00 PM
Google Map for Wally's Desert Turtle

71775 Highway 111, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Bob Hope Drive
  • Neighborhood
    Rancho Mirage
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Tue–Thu, Sun 5:30 pm–8:30 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–9:30 pm
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary American, Californian, Steak
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Parking details
    Valet Parking, Private Lot Self-Parking, and Street Parking available
  • Public transit
    Sunline Transit AgencyBus Line #111Bus Stop #659Highway 111 and Rancho Las Palmas Westbound
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Alan Lopez
  • Entertainment
    Great Live Entertainment Nightly with the Bolivar Brothers, Michael and John ... playing the standards, the classics, some current hits, and a sprinkling of guest requests ...Celebrating Springtime in the Desert with a $38 Three-Course Seasonal Prix Fixe Menu in our Bar and Sahara Lounge, from 5:30pm to 6:30pm, Sundays through Thursdays.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Website
    http://www.wallysdesertturtle.com/
  • Phone number
    (760) 568-9321
  • Private party facilities
    Wally's Desert Turtle is one of the desert's premier locations for upscale private dining. An elegant, classy and majestic space to host family celebrations, corporate events or just memorable moments.Please contact our special events department for bookings: wallysdtevents@gmail.com

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