Full restaurant reviews and first looks from Palm Springs, Palm Desert and the Coachella Valley. What we ordered, what to order, and what to know before you go.
There are a few good Vietnamese restaurants in Palm Springs, but Rooster and the Pig stands apart. Lines form before opening for fresh, market-driven dishes — Spicy Okra, Sweet Potato Sesame Balls, Sauteed Eggplant, Pan Fried Tofu and Shaking Beef — served in a low-lit, high-energy room built for sharing.
Since opening in January 2018, Heirloom Craft Kitchen has set the benchmark for creative, scratch, thoughtful food in Indio. A breakfast, brunch and lunch spot in Citrus Plaza from Andie Hubka, it’s helped pilot the east valley’s craft food scene.
El Tranvia wasn’t on my radar until I started exploring downtown Coachella. On Sixth Street — the cultural heart of the city — this family-owned cantina traces its recipes to 1969 and its roots to Jalisco and Michoacán. Newly expanded and open from breakfast to midnight, it’s remained a neighborhood secret to most of the Coachella Valley.
Delicias Mexican Cuisine has been part of Desert Hot Springs since 2019. After three years away, I went back to the pink Pierson Boulevard restaurant I’d watched open and found brighter dishes and sharper plating than I remembered. Here’s what I ordered: a hibiscus agua fresca, a guacamole with mango and feta, an octopus taco, and a Vulcan seafood tostada.
Wilma & Frieda has been a morning mainstay in Palm Desert since 2013 and in Palm Springs since 2018. After a decade of visits, including two recent ones at the Palm Springs location, I break down the Short Rib Benedict, the Meatloaf & Eggs, the housemade pastries, the lunch menu, the price range, and how the two locations differ.
Yozu Asian Bistro has transformed the former Shorebird space on El Paseo into a stylish Japanese-inspired izakaya. From A5 Wagyu meatballs and Kurobuta pork belly skewers to creative sushi rolls and surprisingly approachable pricing, this Palm Desert newcomer quickly earns a place among the Coachella Valley’s notable Japanese dining destinations.
Tucked behind Bar Cecil, Beaton’s is more than a stylish speakeasy. A menu of creative small plates, late-night hours, and a surprisingly approachable atmosphere make it one of the most compelling new dining options on the South Palm Canyon bend.
Palm Springs’ most talked‑about smashburger destination delivers a focused menu, a standout Western Bacon, and an all‑day buzz inside its retro‑modern North Palm Canyon home.
Crudo Cevichería brings a fresh coastal voice to Uptown Palm Springs. With bright ceviches, modern California‑Mexican flavors, and a warm family‑run atmosphere, it stands out as one of the most vibrant additions to the Uptown dining scene.
Bubba’s Bones and Brews has been Cathedral City’s neighborhood BBQ favorite since 2017, serving classic barbecue, California‑fusion dishes, and one of the best happy hours in the west valley.
