Michael Stern
April 10, 2023
Palm Springs is an eater's oasis in the desert. Bypass the boring chains to find the best local, affordable restaurants in Palm Springs.
Palm Springs – An Eater’s Oasis in the Desert
Just a few hours east of Los Angeles, Palm Springs is known for its warm weather, golf courses, midcentury-modern architecture, and fancy resorts. Many fine dining options abound in this vacationers paradise. But finding casual, neighborhood spots can be challenging in a sea of strip malls and fast food. We scoured the area and ate a lot, and here are places we consider to be the best local restaurants in Palm Springs.
Coming From the West
If you come on I-10 from the west, stop in Cabazon at Hadley’s Fruit Orchards (where trail mix was invented). Serving candy, milkshakes and an excellent Fluffernutter, Hadley’s is worth the stop. For hotter-than-hot sauce and great tacos go to Crazy Coyote Tacos.
From the East
Visit Shields Date Gardens in Indio for a date shake, date pancakes, and date ice cream. Also to the east, in Palm Desert, Mimmo’s Italian Restaurant and Bar serves memorable made-from-scratch Italian fare.
Cathedral City
Offering thirty-two hamburgers, eight sliders, and six chicken burgers, Tony’s Burgers is the place to go for an extremely well-dressed hamburger. Visit Salsas for a fantastic shrimp meal, grilled and served in creamy chipotle sauce, they are wonderful.
Palm Springs Proper City
We love for piled-high sandwiches and smoked fish; Felipe’s for blue-ribbon chilies rellenos and killer margaritas; Great Shakes for shakes and malts made to order; and Koffi for stylish caffeination along with beautiful pastries throughout the day.
Claiming to have invented trail mix, Hadley Fruit Orchards of California is a top source for a date shake as thick as a Midwestern concrete.
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Koffi
Superb coffee and espresso make Koffi a good destination for those in search of a quality caffeine fix in Palm Springs. Good pastries, too.
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Salsas
Salsas is a Cathedral City storefront restaurant with a full California Mexican menu that includes fantastic shrimp dishes and grilled tacos.
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Sherman’s Deli | Kosher Style Meals in Palm Springs
Sherman’s of Palm Springs, California, is an old-fashioned kosher style deli with tall sandwiches, salami omelets, and smoked fish plates.
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Great Shakes
From-scratch milk shakes in every imaginable (and unimaginable!) flavor make Great Shakes a best bet for sweet tooths in Palm Springs, California.
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Mimmo’s Italian Restaurant and Bar | Palm Desert Treasure
Masterful Italian meals make Mimmo's a Palm Desert treasure, from bruschetta to unforgettable tiramisu and mascarpone cheesecake.
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Shields Date Gardens | Date Shakes in Retro California
Located by a grove of stately California palm trees, Shields sells sumptuous date shakes and has a cafe serving excellent Mexican-accented food.
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Felipe’s
Felipe's is a modest storefront restaurant serving some of the best Mexican food in Palm Springs. Margaritas are great; dessert mustn't be missed.
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Tony’s Burgers | Best Mile High Hamburgers in California
Spectacular mile-high hamburgers dressed and loaded every which way make Tony's a Cathedral City destination for adventurous eaters in search of extremes.
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Crazy Coyote Tacos
Crazy Coyote Tacos shouldn't be missed by anyone passing through; for those who crave the burn of hot chilies, the salsas are worth a special trip.
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April 10, 2023
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