Palm Springs restaurants are keen on farm to fork dining, where dishes are created from local and organic ingredients that can be easily traced. Southern California is full of farms, and the nearby Coachella Valley is especially abundant, providing dates, citrus fruits, and avocados to the local resort towns.
Uptown Design District
The hip Uptown Design District is an arty area, where older buildings have been turned into galleries and boutiques. It's where you'll find cozy Circa 59. Here you can choose a seat in a red leather booth, or one outside on balmy evenings, with the terrace surrounded by flickering candles and tall trees. The menu is classic Californian, with steaks and seafood that have been locally sourced, and plenty of cocktails or Napa wines to choose from. Jake's Palm Springs is a popular hangout for locals, and you can take a seat in the hip, minimalistic dining room, or out in the private courtyard. During lunch hours you'll enjoy the simple menu of sandwiches, salads, and simple meals created with fresh ingredients, and at dinner you can enjoy perfectly grilled seafood or steak.
• Circa 59, 1600 N Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs; • Jake's Palm Springs, 664 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs;
Downtown
Downtown Palm Springs has a charming, small town vibe with glamorous mid-century architecture and a multicultural community. Casa de Frida has a colorful, Latin interior, with exposed brick decor and Mexican artworks on the walls. Sip one of the many margaritas while you look through the menu of favorites such as zesty ceviche, sizzling enchiladas, and shredded carnitas. For seafood with an international twist, Shanghai Red's Oyster Bar has fish tacos, ahi tuna, and of course, plenty of oysters. This cozy bar and restaurant, with dark wood and red accents, is perfect for a cocktail with oyster shooters on the side, or for beers and a bucket of shrimp with friends.
• Casa de Frida, 450 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs; • Shanghai Red's Oyster Bar, 235 S Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs;
South Palm Springs
South Palm Springs is close to nature, with lots of wide desert spaces, and spectacular mountain views. This is where you'll find family-friendly restaurants and fast food chains. It's also where you'll find some older Palm Springs institutions such as the Purple Room, a former haunt of the Rat Pack which retains its vintage atmosphere and still features live entertainment. In the elegant dining room you can order classic cocktails, jumbo shrimp, steaks, and other retro delights, while enjoying shows from Judy Garland tribute acts to live Spanish guitar. Meanwhile, Tinto also has a laid back vibe, and serves Basque inspired tapas, served with jugs of sangria or Spanish wines.
• The Purple Room, 1900 East Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs; • Tinto, 1800 East Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs;
Cathedral City
An up and coming neighborhood, and a well kept secret among locals, Cathedral City offers a peaceful alternative to the bustling Palm Springs restaurants. Dish Creative Cuisine is a favorite with residents, with an imaginative menu of healthy, seasonal foods, served artistically. Classic fare like coq au vin or seared scallops are turned into photo opportunities. Trilussa is a cozy Italian with live music, wood-fired pizza, and all the favorite comfort foods from the area. Take a seat in an intimate booth, and browse the varied menu, with plenty of wine and freshly made desserts such as cannolis to round off your meal.
• Dish Creative Cuisine, 68525 Ramon Road, Cathedral City; • Trilussa, 68718 E Palm Canyon Drive, Cathedral City; Tel: +1 760 328 2300
