Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Palm Springs / Palm Desert Cities

OpenTable

Updated July 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies in Palm Springs / Palm Desert Cities? 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!

SO.PA at L'Horizon Resort and Spa

4.7

4.7 (768)

$50 and over

Californian

Palm Springs

About the restaurant

An ADULTS ONLY destination by Reservation. SO•PA has a NO PETS POLICY.

Decadent, refined, and intimate, SO•PA offers a unique alfresco dining experience. Join us for dinner in an intimate outdoor setting under the stars as Chef Igor Krichmar presents the seasonally enticing menu. Your elegant, yet relaxed evening includes world class cocktails and a sophisticated, yet approachable wine cellar curated by our in-house Certified Sommelier. You won't want to miss an aperitif or digestif at our exclusive fire pit and poolside bar. VALET is COMPLIMENTARY.

**2024 Winner of Diners Choice Award**
During cooler climate weather, SO•PA maintains its temperate and warm ambience with strategically placed heaters in addition to our intimate alfresco firepit.

Top review

BrianVIP

Dined on May 3, 2025

Some of the best food in the desert. And beautiful outdoor dining area for warm (but not too hot) evenings. It’s very expensive but if that’s not a factor, I highly recommend it.

Italica

4.7

4.7 (359)

$31 to $50

Italian

Indio

About the restaurant

Parties of 7 or more should call 442-400-3479 or email info@italica.bar.

Italica is a unique, intimate hidden bar/restaurant with outstanding Italian cuisine. Our dishes are served tapas style and are meant to be combined and shared with others in your party. We have several dishes on and off our menu that are vegetarian and vegan friendly. Enter through the silver door on Miles Avenue to the right of Indio Taphouse.

Due to our limited capacity, reservations are required for dinner service. We welcome walk-ins at the bar, based on availability, and encourage late-night walk-ins to join us when possible.

To ensure that all our guests can savor our exquisite offerings, WE ALLOCATE A 90-MINUTE DINING TIME FOR PARTIES UP TO SIX PEOPLE.

Please note that Italica is an adults-only establishment. We kindly ask that our guests be above the age of 18 and are dressed appropriately.

We appreciate your understanding and look forward to providing you with an exceptional dining experience.

Top review

NancyVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Love this place…atmosphere and food are wonderful.

Kitchen in the Desert

4.6

4.6 (924)

$31 to $50

Caribbean

Twentynine Palms

About the restaurant

Kitchen in the Desert is a Caribbean and New American restaurant located just outside the Twentynine Palms entrance to Joshua Tree National Park. We pride ourselves in making high quality food from scratch using fresh ingredients and providing a comfortable environment to enjoy it in. We have a full bar plus beer and wine and are open nightly from 5 to 10pm. *Please be advised that all reservations are for outdoor seating, so please dress accordingly.

Top review

KarenVIP

Dined 7 days ago

The food was delicious, the drinks and service were outstanding, and the ambiance was exactly what we love.

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Popular dish

JERK CHICKEN

Popular dish

CRISPY ONION SMASH BURGER

Wildest Restaurant + Bar

4.6

4.6 (1444)

$31 to $50

Californian

Palm Desert

About the restaurant

Our philosophy is to attempt to source wild-caught fish, local pasture-raised poultry and grass-fed poultry, as well as plant-based meals that promise to be flavorful options to those who choose to eat meat-free. We offer allergen sensitive options for gluten-free, dairy-free, nut and seed free. Whenever possible we strive to offerproducts without hormones and steroids and the restaurant strives to be cruelty free and to supports local organic, biodynamic and sustainable farms. Provisions not made in house will be sourced from the coolest epicureans. Health conscious casual fine dine in a beautiful setting with live entertainment nightly. Indoor/outdoor dining. Palm Spring's Life best new restaurant and Wine Spectator award winner. GREAT FOOD, GREAT DRINKS, and a GREAT TIME!

Top review

KarlVIP

Dined on Jul 4, 2025

Excellent experience party of six services incredible, all the staff is very well trained and very efficient, the chef is very creative and her food is absolutely fantastic, highly recommend something fresh in the desert !

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Popular dish

Ahi Tuna Tartar

Popular dish

Grass Fed Filet Mignon

Mole Palm Desert

4.6

4.6 (424)

$30 and under

Mexican

Palm Desert

About the restaurant

Crafted with Passion, Served with Excellence. Under the visionary culinary artistry of Chef Roberto Madrid, Mole redefines modern Mexican cuisine. Chef Madrid masterfully blends traditional recipes with contemporary techniques and exquisite presentation, creating a dining experience that celebrates the rich flavors and vibrant culture of Mexico. Authentic Flavors, Modern Twist. At Mole, quality and creativity are paramount. Each dish is a testament to Chef Madrid's passion and expertise, crafted to deliver a unique and unforgettable taste journey. The restaurant's elegant atmosphere, attentive service, and innovative cuisine make it a premier destination for discerning food lovers.

Top review

Fred

Dined 3 days ago

This is a great restaurant for food and service. I highly recommend it.

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Popular dish

Ceviche de Camaron

Experience

🌅 Sunset Dinner Dinner Special

Experience

Happy Hour

Lola Rose Grand Mezze

4.6

4.6 (296)

$30 and under

American

Palm Springs

About the restaurant

Inspired by the flavor and flair of the Middle East, Lola Rose Grand Mezze is the lively, leisurely signature restaurant at Thompson Palm Springs. Sip and share from sunlight to moonlight with an array of savory spreads, charred meats, fresh seafood, greens and grains paired with a menu of playful cocktails. Open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch.

Our limited late night menu is available in our lounge after 10pm daily! Our kitchen and bar is open until 12AM Sunday-Thursday and 1AM Friday-Saturday. No reservations required.

Top review

DavidVIP

Dined 3 days ago

If you are looking for a fun place to hang out and graze through your meal… this is the place for you, good food great service, a cool scene, but very loud!

Tía Carmen-Indian Wells

4.6

4.6 (138)

$31 to $50

Southwest

Indian Wells

About the restaurant

Located at Hyatt Indian Wells, acclaimed Chef Angelo Sosa debuts his second location of Tía Carmen in Greater Palm Springs.

Paying homage to the beauty of the Southwest’s stories, land and farmers throughout the dining experience.

Top review

VanessaVIP

Dined on Jul 7, 2025

It was my husband’s birthday and I chose Tia Carmen for the occasion. We were pleasantly surprised by the beautiful interior design of the restaurant within the hotel and the inventive cuisine that the chef offers. It reminded us a Michelin star experience we had in the past. The service and dessert were outstanding..

Shorebird Palm Desert

4.5

4.5 (615)

$30 and under

Californian

Palm Desert

About the restaurant

Made from scratch daily. Shorebird Restaurant is a coastal eatery that proudly presents a sophisticated, yet casual, spin on classic Americana flavors with influences from traditional seafood and steakhouses. Featuring a wood-fire grill and rotisserie, Shorebird's signature dishes include Duroc Heritage Pork Chop with Brussels sprouts and brandy-poached apples, Faroe Island's Salmon Mignon with a cauliflower purée, and Harris Ranch Prime Skirt Steak served with a red chimichurri sauce. For those looking for delicious, shareable plates, our Avocado Fries with a green goddess dressing, Twice Fried Chicken Wings with a chipotle gastrique, or items from our "Raw Bar," are a great way to start your meal.

Top review

RobertVIP

Dined on Jul 8, 2025

Great place and service was fantastic We try and report on restuarants. This is a gem

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Early Bird - The Best Dinner Deal in the Desert

Maleza

4.5

4.5 (74)

$31 to $50

Mexican

Palm Springs

About the restaurant

Serious Mexican flavors meet Palm Springs’ ease at Maleza, Chef Ysaac Ramirez indoor and outdoor restaurant and bar featuring shareable Mexican classics like whole branzino and tuna tostadas crafted from fresh seasonal ingredients. At the bar explore the best of Mexico's spirits culture through a rare collection of mezcals and tequilas, inventive cocktails, beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages.

Maleza is open all-day and for all occasions, from laid-back patio hangs, to group celebrations, and intimate dinners for two.

Located inside the Drift Hotel.

Top review

GailVIP

Dined 7 days ago

This restaurant is a gem! The food is so well crafted and incredibly delicious. The cocktails are great and they have a really impressive list of Tequila and Mezcal. Just absolutely terrific all around. We've gone for dinner twice in the last few weeks and will be going again soon!

El Jefe

4.2

4.2 (76)

$30 and under

Mexican

Palm Springs

About the restaurant

Open for Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner. Fine Mexican food from Chef Ana Sabatino make your taco dreams come true. Featuring a vast selection of Tequila and Mezcal, El Jefe has the most refreshing fresh fruit margaritas in Palm Springs.

Our menu goes beyond the typical Mexican restaurant fare by offering an enticing assortment of tacos, tortas and street-style food. Each dish is crafted with traditional flavors and made with the freshest ingredients bringing each guest an authentic culinary experience.

We love our neighbors. Show your local address to receive our Local VIP Card which will give you 15% off your bill anytime you dine with us.

Top review

Parminder

Dined on Jun 25, 2025

Taco’s are very good but service is not. No one comes back to give you water

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Experience

Summer lunch at vibrant The Saguaro!

Explore Diners' Choice best of Palm Springs / Palm Desert Cities