Joshua Tree National Park
It's a long road from Philadelphia to the high desert, but that's where Nikki and Claire decided to take their farm-to-table cuisine from pop-up to bricks…
Must-see restaurants in The Deserts
Greater Palm Springs
Hidden away in the back of the ornate 1920s El Paseo building, a large patio with olive trees leads to this starkly beautiful space. At its center is a…
The Deserts
Inside a country cabin sheltered by pine trees, a classically trained chef puts new spins on his Italian grandmother’s recipes. The outdoor deck has…
The Deserts
Elevating pub grub to fine-food status, this convivial brewpub spikes its menu with truffle kettle chips, mac 'n' cheese with smoked lobster and Scotch…
The Deserts
Try a Barely Legal Honey Blonde or a Whispering Pine IPA at this local brewpub with view of the steel vats from the woodsy drinking and dining area. The…
Greater Palm Springs
At the heart of downtown Palm Springs yet secluded from hubbub this delightful bistro sits in a country-style courtyard. All the better to enjoy classic…
Greater Palm Springs
Sushi in the desert may not make intuitive sense, but this modern, Scandinavian-designed sushi and whisky bar defies expectations. Starter cocktails might…
Greater Palm Springs
Waits can be long and service only so-so at this breakfast and lunch spot, but the farm-to-table menu dazzles with witty inventiveness. The kitchen…
Death Valley National Park
This formal restaurant delivers continental cuisine with stellar views of the Panamint Mountains. For a more chilled ambience, enjoy breakfast, lunch or…
The Deserts
Empty tables are as rare as puddles in the desert at this artily painted charmer in a central Borrego Springs bungalow. Carb-load for a day on the trail…
The Deserts
In the saddle since 1950, this Western-themed spot, ringed around an atrium and a full bar, is a fave with locals and Route 66 travelers. Surrender to…
Greater Palm Springs
A vibe of understated cool permeates this popular Vietnamese fusion place tucked away in a strip mall. It's a good match for the very fine, often…
Greater Palm Springs
The new art-filled restaurant by the Caliente Tropics Hotel offers generous servings of modern Mediterranean cooking: bold varieties of hummus, North…
Greater Palm Springs
For local color by the bucket and greasy burgers to boot, stop by this Salton Sea watering hole in a quasi ghost town. If you're lucky, you'll get to be…
Greater Palm Springs
This mood-lit local fave with indoor koi pond delivers creatively crafted classics from around Asia – tom ka gai to tempura shrimp and mandarin pork – but…
Greater Palm Springs
Every community with a sizable retired contingent needs a good Jewish deli. In Palm Springs, Sherman's is it. With a breezy sidewalk patio, it pulls in an…
The Deserts
Built in 1954 as a simple, nine-stool, three-booth diner, Peggy Sue's has since grown into a miniempire with ice-cream shop, pizza parlor, a park out back…
Joshua Tree National Park
This neighborhood-adored lair is in the business of thin-crust pizzas ranging from classics to creatives like the David Bowie: white pizza with mozzarella…
Greater Palm Springs
There's a lot to love at Lulu: prime downtown Palm Springs location, chic atmosphere, busy bar and a menu of straight-down-the-middle classics like…
The Deserts
Interstate truckers, blue-collar workers and Vegas-bound hipsters all gather at this simple, colorful Mexican cocina, tucked away inside a strip mall and…
Death Valley National Park
This charmer in the middle of nowhere has a limited menu but enough yummy choices to get you ready for a day in Death Valley. The coffee is strong, the…
Greater Palm Springs
From this humble mall base, Native Foods has helped pioneer America's vegan scene and now has branches all over the country. Its tempeh and seitan are…
Greater Palm Springs
Hot pink accents the all-white high-ceilinged lounge and dining room at this popular hangout in a converted post office. Come hungry for fare that is both…
Greater Palm Springs
The winning formula in this '60s modernist space: updated American comfort food (awesome Yankee pot roast) enjoyed surrounded by eye-catching artwork and…
The Deserts
Roy Rodgers and Johnny Cash came by and scenes from Easyrider were filmed at this old-timey honky-tonk dripping with memorabilia and character(s). It's…
Greater Palm Springs
Don't be put off by this French patisserie's strip mall location. Owners Christophe and Helene pour heart and soul - and butter, lots of butter - into…
Los Angeles to Barstow
As the name suggests, waffles are the main stock in trade of this classic dockside cafe. Choose from 17 sweet or savory varieties, including the luscious…
Death Valley National Park
Above-par cowboy cooking happens at this ranch house, which gets Old West flair from a rustic fireplace and rickety wooden chairs and tables. Many of the…
Los Angeles to Barstow
This storied Route 66 landmark has fed its juicy steaks to generations of meat lovers, including A-listers such as Marilyn Monroe. The menu brims with old…
Greater Palm Springs
After stints in the UK, Australia and Hawaii, chef Andrew Copley now concocts swoon-worthy American fare in Cary Grant's former guesthouse. Go for a…
The Deserts
This popular hangout fills hungry tummies with pizza, burger, pasta and most famously, a slow-roasted tri-trip. If you fancy filling your daily calorie…
Joshua Tree National Park
Before hitting the trail, rocks or road, fuel up at this JT institution with a carb-loaded breakfast, garden salad or fresh sandwiches that make both…
Los Angeles to Barstow
The classic sign featuring a chef's toque and the words 'World Famous Pastrami' greets hungry diners at the original Hat in Glendora where they've been…
Greater Palm Springs
A fine case of creative recycling, this former Denny’s is now a diner for the 21st century where the tagliatelle is handmade, the sea bass wild-caught,…
Los Angeles to Barstow
Easily recognized by its fabulous neon Aladdin's lamp, this 1955 Route 66 dining shrine sparkles with shiny dark woods and stained-glass windows. It…
Greater Palm Springs
Grab a table in the shade and watch the world go by. Marin is part bar (get a martini or mojito), part restaurant specializing in tacos, burgers and bowls…
Joshua Tree National Park
Now run by Sarah and Dennis, this been-here-forever roadside shack gets a big thumbs up for its scrumptious home cookin'. Lines can be extra-long for…
The Deserts
The best among the largely poor or mediocre eateries in Primm, GP's trains the spotlight on quality meats and seafood, prepared in classic fashion. Kick…
The Deserts
The menu is as long as a Tolstoy novel but the choices are good-old-fashioned Americana, hopscotching from burgers to pizza, steak to ribs, salads to…
Amangela's Sandwich & Bagel House
The Deserts
Mash up Angela and Amanda and you get Amangela, a sister-owned cafe with humble looks but stellar freshly made sandwiches – turkey pesto to French dip –…
