Juniper Table: A Standout for Daytime Dining in the Heart of Palm Springs 

A Plaza Setting with Old‑World Charm 

There’s an old‑world feel to Juniper Table well before you even set foot in the restaurant. It’s set beside a recently created plaza, a kind of European oasis in the middle of downtown Palm Springs. On one corner sits the Italian restaurant Il Corso, on another visitors meet over coffee at the Starbucks Reserve. And in the middle of it all is Juniper Table, on the ground floor of the Kimpton Rowan, its patio spilling into the plaza.

It’s a marquee location for the Kimpton’s daytime restaurant. A block away from the Palm Springs Art Museum and adjacent to the Marilyn Forever statue, there’s a buzz of activity as tourists pass by in search of photo ops and Palm Springs’ finest flavors. The restaurant itself is surrounded by numerous large sculptures, including the endlessly iconic “PS I ♥ U” installation.

The Rowan’s Cultural Anchor

Juniper Table perfectly captures the rhythm, creating its own Mediterranean‑inspired haven. The name alone evokes imagery of coastal scenery, brightness, and cuisine. And even though it only appeared in 2017, it has already become a seamless beat in the pulse of Palm Springs culture.

The Kimpton Rowan is home to 4 Saints, one of Palm Springs’ eight Michelin‑recognized restaurants. To locals and tourists, it’s instantly recognized as the hotel’s rooftop restaurant that offers unparalleled views of the mountains and surrounding neighborhoods. But the Michelin aspect is pertinent, as Juniper Table draws on much of the 4 Saints philosophy, culture, and precision.

“Each restaurant has its own identity, but the same level of care should come through.”

Executive chef richard crespin

“Juniper Table is often a guest’s first introduction to dining with us, so it has to tell you who we are and what you can expect from our culinary program,” says Executive Chef Richard Crespin. “I run all of our kitchens as one team, and while each restaurant has its own identity, the same level of care and intention should come through wherever you dine with us.”

While 4 Saints showcases the Rowan’s dinner program, Juniper Table carries the energy and ethos into the hotel’s lunch and breakfast programs. It’s a rare thing in Palm Springs: a hotel café with a Michelin‑adjacent pedigree.

Bright, Contemporary Design and Café Rhythm

Inside, Juniper Table reflects the brightness you feel in the courtyard. The design is clean and contemporary: green tile along the back wall, warm wood, geometric ceiling accents, and an airy, lively layout. The music is ambient but subdued. It’s a Mediterranean‑leaning retreat.

It’s a dual‑purpose space that plays equal parts coffee counter and refined casual dining. During a visit, you’ll notice guests whisk in and out, grabbing their coffee drinks and to‑go orders. It blends together seamlessly and adds to the relaxed atmosphere of the place. If you’re looking to just grab a coffee or gather with friends, the adjacent hotel lobby is a vast space with plenty of places to gather or meditate — and evade the desert heat. But I’d highly encourage taking a seat and enjoying Juniper Table’s exquisite dining options.

A Scratch‑Made Menu Rooted in Heritage

A single menu covers breakfast and lunch — both concise and diverse — with dishes and ingredients that align with the ethos of brightness and originality. As Chef Crespin confirms, “All Juniper Table’s dishes are made from scratch.”

The concept predates Crespin’s time with the company; he joined in 2023. But having grown up in Spain, it aligns perfectly with his own European background, and he’s endeavored to bring flavors from his own heritage and memories.

Breakfast favorites include the Tostada (potatoes, chorizo, sunny‑side‑up eggs, roasted tomato sauce, queso fresco, crema, pico de gallo, avocado), Smoked Salmon Toast (sourdough, whipped lemon‑dill cream, pickled red onion, capers, radish, lemon wedge), and a Yogurt Bowl (organic fruit, honey, and a house‑made matcha granola).

My first visit was for breakfast, and if you follow my travels you may already know that I recently raved about the Turkish Eggs. It’s a dish prevalent around southern Europe but a curiosity in the Coachella Valley. It’s the kind of unique touch that Crespin is bringing from his heritage. “Like all of Juniper Table’s dishes, this dish is made from scratch using organically sourced ingredients,” he says. “It’s approachable and familiar, but there are layers of flavors that make it interesting.” Indeed. Multiple layers of flavor — yogurt, garlic, chimichurri, harissa, and perfect sourdough toast — make the Turkish Eggs a real treat.

My second visit was for lunch, and I was equally impressed by the Bánh Mì. It’s sliced BBQ pork belly with a pork pâté set against a crisp, vibrant, and flavorful vegetable medley of carrots, sprouts, cucumber, cilantro, and jalapeños, served on a freshly baked French baguette.

The rest of the menu is evocative in its imagery — bright salads, flatbreads with a wine‑country sensibility, and sandwiches curated around intentionally sourced produce and creative combinations and presentations. Beyond the depths of my exploration were the tantalizing Wagyu Burger and the intriguing Lime‑Agave Chicken Sandwich.

Thoughtful Service and a Standout Beverage Program

Across both visits, the staff was friendly and attentive. My servers on both occasions offered thoughtful recommendations and spoke highly of the dishes I ordered. There’s a genuine sense of enthusiasm that reinforces the quality of the program.

With a barista bar at the forefront, the beverage program at Juniper Table is also a standout. Beyond the coffee, “In Pursuit of Tea” is featured, and those same teas make their way into a couple of unique and interesting cocktails. The Jacinto Sunrise combines Earl Grey‑infused vodka, lemon juice, and lavender syrup, while a Paloma de Fuego mixes hibiscus tea‑infused Teremana tequila, grapefruit juice, and agave. They also have a quality craft beer and wine program designed around common brunch varietals.

Casual Dining – Michelin Refinement 

The proof is in the details. For many hotels across the Coachella Valley, the food and beverage program is an afterthought — a convenience for hotel guests. And at Kimpton Rowan, they could have easily made Juniper Table an afterthought to the marquee 4 Saints. But it excels beyond expectations, carrying the same thoughtful approach and quiet precision that define its Michelin‑recognized counterpart upstairs.

“Juniper Table is more than a hotel restaurant,” says Chef Crespin. “The vision is a place for locals as much as hotel guests — a place that continues to explore culinary boundaries to keep both our guests and our team excited about food.”

It’s a casual and hospitable space that simultaneously absorbs modern Palm Springs culture and blends in Mediterranean old‑world charm. And it’s equally a culinary experience designed around classic flavors, brightness, and contemporary flair — one that breathes the refinement and care you’d expect from a team with Michelin pedigree. As a local diner, Juniper Table is high on my choice of daytime dining options.