Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Palm Springs / Palm Desert

OpenTable

Updated May 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes in Palm Springs / Palm Desert? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Trixie Motel

4.8

4.8 (255)

$31 to $50

Cocktail Bar

Palm Springs

About the restaurant

The barBARA Lounge is now open to the public! Stop by and join us for our famous signature cocktails and elevated bar bites. We are the pink fantasy wonderland you always dreamed about. Swing by our gift shop for Trixie Motel merchandise and the ONLY place you can buy Trixie Cosmetics outside of the website!

The BARbara Lounge is 21+ only. Valid ID will be requested upon arrival.
(All ages welcome to the Gift Shop 12pm-6pm Everyday)

Please call and speak with our team about any reservations exceeding 8+ people. We can ABSOLUTELY accommodate large groups (up to 18 people). We just want to ensure we set aside a proper seating arrangement for a fabulous experience. Any group who books multiple reservations for 1 seating, may not be accommodated upon arrival.

Top review

Connie

Dined 3 days ago

This was our second visit to Barbara Bar. Drinks and service were fabulous. We also had Parmesan fries which were great.

The Tropicale

4.7

4.7 (10713)

$31 to $50

Californian

Palm Springs

About the restaurant

A chic and sophisticated décor provides the setting for our distinctive "world cuisine", a provocative mix of zesty influences that creates a delightful dining experience in Palm Springs, California. Plush high-backed semicircular banquettes surround our dining room and offer comfortable and private seating. The cuisine has a light, exotic feel with an emphasis on Pacific Rim specialties, from Chilean Sea Bass baked in Banana Leaves or Kahlua-Barbecued Pork Chops to all sorts of tasty tapas, salads, wood-fired pizzas, and desserts. The Coral Seas Lounge, a hip mid-century style bar is lined with sexy black leather bar-stools and is reminiscent of the upbeat lounges of old Palm Springs. It wraps around the dining room and leads outside to a lush, tropical, 2000 square foot dining patio where a variety of specialty cocktails and old-school favorites are mixed - an ideal place where friends gather and martinis are sipped under the starlit desert sky.

Top review

BrianVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Fantastic dining experience as always from start to finish, well done Sergio and team!

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CHI CHI at the Avalon Hotel Palm Springs

4.6

4.6 (677)

$30 and under

Californian

Palm Springs

About the restaurant

Chi Chi at Avalon Hotel is a restaurant centered in the tradition of California wellness and clean living set in the playful pool-centric setting of Palm Springs. Serving up fresh, chef-inspired fare, our menu reflects a vibrant, spirited take on delicious real ingredients and authentic West Coast cuisine. Under the wing of our chefs, you'll have access to specialized menus and innovative dishes all though fully prepared to fit your unique affair.

Top review

WilliamVIP

Dined on Mar 31, 2025

We had a very good meal. The salmon tacos were amazing. We enjoyed a nice visit with friends over a leisurely lunch while sitting in the shade of a cabana - how perfect. We must do this again - and more often.

Vicky's of Santa Fe

4.6

4.6 (2602)

$31 to $50

American

Indian Wells

About the restaurant

Now Open 7 Days a Week. Indian Wells' award-winning Restaurant, noted for its outstanding American cuisine, has been consistently awarded "Best Hot Spot", "Best Live Music Venue" and "Best Bar Scene" by OpenTable. Established 1989. Owner Marc Laliberte likes to say, "It's not just the place. It is the people. Our guests become friends & family." A menu of prime steaks, fresh seafood, rack of lamb pair with any number of sides. A walk-in wine cellar features California wines from well-known winemakers to select boutique vintners. At the spacious center bar, signature cocktails shake up. Entertainment in the Lounge Room with a live music program by desert legend John Stanley King. Electrifying performances every night, two sets on Fridays & Saturdays, 9 Sets in 7 Days. No Cover. Please visit vickysofsantafe.com for the Live Music Schedule Now-June 2025. Dinner Reservations required in Dining Rooms and the Lounge. 5pm-9:30pm. Open 7 Days a Week.

Top review

SusanVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Great music … seriously talented band .. so fun!!

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4.6

4.6 (2038)

$31 to $50

American

Palm Springs

About the restaurant

The sophistication and glamour of the Rat Pack era comes alive at Michael Holmes’ Purple Room, the desert’s premier supper club. The Purple Room is where Frank, Sammy, Dean and their pals cavorted on and off the stage in the swinging 60s.

Step in and you’ll be transported back to the elegance of the era: an intimate and inviting room, classic cocktails, world-class cuisine and the best in live entertainment seven nights a week. Hobnob with celebrities, locals, and visitors alike at Michael Holmes’ Purple Room — where Palm Springs plays!

Tuesday-Thursday enjoy acclaimed jazz entertainers from 6:30 to 9:30, No cover.

Tuesday through Thursday is the best Jazz Happy Hour in Valley from 4:00 to 6:00

Friday through Sunday join us for dinner and a show (tickets required) featuring nationally-known entertainers.

The Purple Room has been voted #1 on TripAdvisor and one of the top 100 restaurants in the country by Open Table.

Top review

Dick

Dined today

We loved it….what a great venue for entertainment and food…….we will be returning soon

grnd sqrl

4.6

4.6 (27)

$30 and under

American

Twentynine Palms

About the restaurant

a beer and food oasis in the dez, grnd sqrl seeks to be a funky and delicious dose of memorable food and drink for those that need it. we offer scratch-made eats, the freshest craft beers, and top-notch desert vibes. stop by and see us in downtown twentynine palms.

Top review

KenVIP

Dined on May 6, 2025

Fantastic find for us. Great service and all the food was great. Can’t recommend this enough to bookend your Joshua Tree trip. There was 6 of us and all in agreement.

Jimmy B’s

4.3

4.3 (98)

$30 and under

American

Palm Springs

About the restaurant

Delicious Palm Springs: A Culinary Haven at Jimmy B's Grill, Cocktails, and Steakhouse (formerly Sam's Place)

Nestled in the heart of the sun-kissed oasis of Palm Springs, Jimmy B's Grill, Cocktails, and Steakhouse has become a culinary landmark, offering an unforgettable dining experience that tantalizes the taste buds and elevates the spirit. With a legacy of fine cuisine and warm hospitality, Jimmy B's has emerged as a beloved destination for locals and tourists alike.

Founded by the visionary entrepreneur Jimmy "Jimmy B", this establishment is a beacon of culinary excellence. Jimmy B, a passionate food enthusiast with a penchant for crafting mouthwatering dishes, set out on a mission to create a dining experience that marries the quintessential flavors of the desert with the sophistication of a classic steakhouse.

Top review

NicoleVIP

Dined on May 6, 2025

My favorite spot in town. The food is amazing, the staff members are always friendly. Can’t beat it!

Jackalope Ranch

4.2

4.2 (737)

$31 to $50

Barbecue

Indio

About the restaurant

JACKALOPE RANCH RETURNS!!!
Enjoy our mouth watering smokey meats with an ice cold refresher while escaping into The Jackalope Ranch. Amaze your gaze upon the lavish interior designs and relax with the palm breeze. Inspired by western culture with a Southwest Californian twist. Jackalope Ranch is a popular restaurant and event venue located in Indio, California. Known for its rustic and lively atmosphere, it offers a diverse menu featuring Southwestern and American cuisine. With its beautiful desert surroundings and extensive outdoor seating, Jackalope Ranch provides a memorable dining experience for locals and visitors alike.
The rustic charm of the venue, adorned with beautiful southwestern decor, sets the stage for unforgettable celebrations. The expansive outdoor spaces, including lush gardens and stunning desert landscapes, create a picturesque backdrop to provide a memorable experience with its scenic ambiance, delectable catering options, and attentive service.

Top review

Susan

Dined on Apr 9, 2025

Lovely outdoor patio! Lot’s of shade with misters.

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Popular dish

Cobb Salad

Babaloo Lounge

4.0

4 (355)

$31 to $50

Gastro Pub

Palm Desert

About the restaurant

We are a gastropub specializing in Cuban and Peruvian flavors. While still adhering to age old family recipes, we strive to be innovative and open minded, just as our ancestors were when these flavors were first imagined. Here at BaBaLoo, we want to take on this multicultural challenge by providing the most authentic dining experience that Lake Havasu City and Palm Desert have to offer. Cuba and Peru are rich in history, and nothing tells that tale better than their diverse flavor combinations. We take ideas from cuisines around the world; Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, Caribbean, and African flavors have heavily influenced Cuban and Peruvian food throughout history.

Top review

Lisa

Dined 5 days ago

We thoroughly enjoyed our evening at Babaloo Lounge. The food and service were excellent. The ambiance and vibe were cool. And the band was fantastic. Five stars from these first timers from Big Bear. We will be back!

Cava - Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa

3.8

3.8 (287)

$30 and under

Californian

Indian Wells

About the restaurant

Cava combines tropical elegance with innovative dining and an equally delicious view. The experience is superlative and the flavor is divine!

With a dynamic new wine list spanning each of the California regions, including an extensive selection by the glass. Cava is the perfect choice for a romantic dinner fro two, an evening with friends, or a private event for 10 to 50 of your luckiest guests. You will also enjoy the valley's best views while dining poolside on the outdoor terrace.

Top review

Carmen

Dined on Mar 5, 2025

We had an early dinner here before a speaker series. Our server was very attentive and pleasant. Overall the food was good. I had the falafel wrap with fries that were delicious.

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