Must-see restaurants in The Deserts

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Sushi in the desert may not make intuitive sense, but this modern, Scandinavian-designed sushi and whisky bar defies expectations. Starter cocktails might…

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…

This formal restaurant delivers continental cuisine with stellar views of the Panamint Mountains. For a more chilled ambience, enjoy breakfast, lunch or…

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…

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…

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…

The new art-filled restaurant by the Caliente Tropics Hotel offers generous servings of modern Mediterranean cooking: bold varieties of hummus, North…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Interstate truckers, blue-collar workers and Vegas-bound hipsters all gather at this simple, colorful Mexican cocina, tucked away inside a strip mall and…