11 Restaurants in Palm Desert You Won’t Want to Miss

If you are looking for the best restaurants in Palm Desert, California then you have come to the right place! With many different styles and cultures of cuisines, and a myriad of upscale atmospheres, the restaurant scene in Palm Desert has more to offer than meets the eye. In this article today, I  have compiled a list of some of the best restaurants in the whole Palm Desert area. The list includes the restaurant's location, a Yelp review, a summary of the restaurant's style, and even a convenient link to the restaurant's website in case you want to order takeout or just want to preview the menu before you go in person. 

I tried to keep the list as varied as I could and provide as many options for both style of food, as well as the restaurant's pricing, to make sure there is a little something for everybody. I've even included links where you can get a GiftYa E-Gift Card for each and every one of the participating restaurants.

Virtual GiftYa gift cards make the perfect gift for loved ones and for anybody who likes to explore the Palm Desert or travel. These virtual gift cards can be sent and received within seconds. Usually with a special message inside with well wishes towards a loved one or special friend. The virtual gift cards are as easy to send as an email or a text message and can be purchased for nearly ten thousand different merchants and businesses. 

You can personalize the gift message, and send it directly to your recipient’s phone, all within seconds. GiftYa’s digital format provides not only a speedy delivery but also a convenient way to store and maintain different gift card balances. You don’t need to worry about having that particular gift card for that particular establishment on that particular day, as long as you have your phone, GiftYa cards are with you. Check out the list of top best restaurants in Palm Desert California below, including several that accept GiftYa!  

1. RD RNNR - Roadrunner Old Town La Quinta

Best Place In Palm Desert to Grab Dinner and A Drink

78075 Main St | La Quinta | roadrunnerlq.com

RD RNNR is the number one restaurant in Palm Desert for a couple of reasons. First of all they have hundreds and hundreds of positive reviews from their customers which is always a good sign. But on top of that, what I really like about RD RNNR is that it is a great place to grab a dinner and a drink. 

They are as much of a restaurant as they are a cocktail bar. So I think they fit the criteria of what a lot of people think of when they think of “best” restaurants. They have a full dinner menu composed of American classics and a drink to pair with each one. And as such RD RNNR makes a great choice for a date night or a night out with friends!

“Amazing dinner tonight. Our server Juan was so informative and JC and Marissa behind the bar made amazing drinks. If I could give 10 stars I would. Definitely come here if you're in old Town LQ!” - Yelp Review 

2. Eureka!

Another Spot In Palm Desert That’s Great for Dinner or Drinks!

74985 Hwy 111 | Indian Wells | eurekarestaurantgroup.com/locations/indian-wells

If RD RNNR wasn’t really your cup of tea, then be sure to give Eureka! a close look. They provide a collection of classic American cuisine that has been elevated up to the fine dining experience. And on top of being able to order all of your favorites, you can also pair them with any of the local craft beer, small-batch whiskeys, and cocktails that Eureka! has ready to pair with them!

“Good service, had a issue with my order but the staff was eager to make it right without hesitation. My Moscow mule was good and my sandwich was good as well. The server was attentive and apologetic which was refreshing in todays climate.” - Yelp Review 

3. Tommy Bahama Restaurant

A Great Spot for Lunch, Happy Hour, Or Dinner!

Grab a Tommy Bahama Restaurant gift card by following the link!

73595 El Paseo | Palm Desert | tommybahama.com/restaurants/palm-desert

The fact of the matter is that a lot of seafood places come in one of two forms, the local seafood place that serves up an all you can eat fried cod special every Friday, and then there are the high end seafood restaurants with the crystal goblets. And there’s nothing necessarily wrong with either of those two options, but they certainly don’t have a “fun young people” vibe to them.

And that is where Tommy Bahama comes into the picture. If you are a big fan of seafood, but don’t love the seafood restaurant experience then be sure to give it a try. They offer all the classic seafood dishes you would expect, but they do it in an environment that is equal parts seafood restaurant and equal parts cocktail bar. So it really has a completely different atmosphere than I have encountered at any other seafood place.

“Love the food and selection of cocktails. The Service was amazing and Management was super nice. Love the chef I took a pic with him as we met him out front.” - Yelp Review 

Grab yourself or a loved one a Tommy Bahama Restaurant gift card by following the link!

4. Mi Cultura Peruvian Colombian Cuisine

A Great Spot In Palm Desert For Some South of the Border Inspired Flavors

44795 San Pablo Ave | Palm Desert | miculturacuisine.com

Mi Cultura Peruvian Colombian Cuisine is a great addition to the list today. Not only do they have a perfect five star rating with hundreds of reviews posted, they also offer a whole new menu option on the list today. I will be honest, I’ve never had Peruvian or Colombian cuisine before, but just a couple minutes of scrolling their menu and I can’t wait to try it.

I would definitely give these guys a look if you are somebody who loves Colombian or Peruvian food, it’s the best you are going to find in Palm Desert. And if you are somebody who likes to try new kinds of food and you’ve never had it before, definitely give their menu a look. I’ll be quite surprised if you don’t end up ordering something.

“Amazing food! The staff was very nice and explained the different dishes to me and gave me a very good suggestion! Empanadas are amazing!” - Yelp Review 

5. Oceana Restaurant

Upscale Seafood Place In Palm Desert

Suite 2-4 77932 Country Club | Palm Desert | oceanapalmdesert.com

If you are looking for seafood in Palm Desert, and Tommy Bahama wasn’t really your kind of place, then be sure to check out Oceana Restaurant. As you might suspect from the name, they are a seafood place. And as you also might expect from the name, they serve that seafood in a modern upscale atmosphere. If you want the classic five star seafood experience while you are in Palm Desert then Oceana Restaurant is going to be the spot for you for sure. 

“Excellent meals!  Out of a 6 person group, everyone went away well pleased.  Nothing pretentious - just a simple little place  with amazing food and excellent service.” - Yelp Review 

6. Wilma & Frieda’s Cafe

Best Spot For Breakfast, Brunch, And Lunch In Palm Desert

73575 El Paseo Dr | Palm Desert | wilmafrieda.com

Wilma & Frieda’s Cafe is pretty much exactly what it sounds like. A small locally owned cafe. But at that cafe, they serve some of the best breakfast (brunch) and lunch that you can find in Palm Desert. So if you are looking for an amazing restaurant in Palm Desert, but you aren’t looking for a full dinner, then be sure to give Wilma & Frieda’s menu a look on their website!

“The service was pleasant and the food was delicious. We visited this place twice in a weekend. So good.” - Yelp Review 

7. Pacifica Seafood Restaurant 

High End Seafood Place in Palm Desert

73505 El Paseo | Palm Desert | pacificaseafoodrestaurant.com

If you want that classic upscale seafood restaurant experience, but Oceana Restaurant was all booked up, not to worry! Pacifica Seafood Restaurant is another great seafood place in Palm Desert that offers a top quality dining experience in every aspect. From service, to food presentation, to ambiance, Pacifica Seafood Restaurant really goes all out in order to compete for the title of best seafood place in Palm Desert.

“First time here and my wife and I enjoyed everything about this restaurant, from the view to great hospitality from our waitress shyan (sorry if I spelled it wrong) and the amazing food and topping dinner with this pie for our anniversary. Definitely recommend the seafood stew” - Yelp Review 

8. Outback Steakhouse

A Popular Steakhouse Chain With A Palm Desert Location

Grab an Outback Steakhouse gift card by following the link!

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72-220 Hwy 111 | Palm Desert | outback.com/california/palm-desert/72-220-hwy.-111

Outback Steakhouse isn’t going to be a mind blowing five star steakhouse experience per se. But if you really care more about a good steak, then you do about having a pretentious dining room to eat it in, then Outback Steakhouse is going to be a great choice for a steak dinner the next time you are in Palm Desert.

“I went for the first time. I love the food here, the service is good, the mood is very friendly!! Importantly, the food will not wait too long.  I will definitely go back to eat again.” - Yelp Review 

Grab a quick and convenient digital Outback Steakhouse gift card by following the link!

9. Red Lobster

A Great Seafood Restaurant Chain With A Convenient Location In Palm Desert

Grab a Red Lobster gift card by following the link!

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72291 Highway 111 | Palm Desert | redlobster.com/ca/palm-desert/72291-highway-111

Red Lobster is a chain of seafood restaurants that have proven to be popular all over the country. They feature all of the classic seafood dishes you would expect like crab cakes, lobster, and shrimp cocktail. But on top of all their great seafood, I really think they might be most famous for their cheesy cheddar biscuits so be sure to give them a try!

“Love this place. Best shrimp skewers! Never too pricey and always on time! Friendly staff and overall great atmosphere for family!” - Yelp Review 

Grab a Red Lobster gift card for yourself or a gift to a loved one by following the link!

10. Olive Garden Italian Restaurant 

A Chain Restaurant Take On the Classic Italian Dining Experience

Grab an Olive Garden gift card by following the link!

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72225 Highway 111 | Palm Desert | olivegarden.com/locations/ca/palm-desert

For those who are unfamiliar, Olive Garden is a popular dine in restaurant chain that provides the classic Italian dining experience. And by that I mean they provide a nice dining room experience with plenty of wine, pasta, salad, and seafood options. And I know Olive Garden isn’t as fancy as some high end Italian restaurants, but I think it does provide a pretty good bang for your buck. 

Olive Garden isn’t going to be as amazing as a five star Italian place, but they are also going to be drastically more affordable for a lot more people! And I want to make sure everybody finds something they can actually afford to go out and enjoy on this list

“Our server was Pharoh. He provided excellent service to our table. The soup and salad was good. There was a slight wait, but that was not a problem.” - Yelp Review 

Grab an Olive Garden gift card the next time you are in Palm Desert by following the link!

11. Buffalo Wild Wings

Great Sports Bar In Palm Desert California!

Grab a Buffalo Wild Wings gift card by following the link!

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72-920 Highway 111 | Palm Desert | buffalowildwings.com/menu

I imagine not too many of you are unfamiliar with Buffalo Wild Wings, but I understand that this gets posted on the internet and anybody could be reading it. So for anybody who is reading this article who is unfamiliar with Buffalo Wild Wings, they are a buffalo wing restaurant and sports bar. And I know chicken wings doesn’t scream “best restaurant in Palm Desert” to everybody, but like I just mentioned, this is online and I know there are plenty of guys out there who think chicken wings, cold beer, and sports on the tv sounds exactly like the best restaurant in Palm Desert to them. And I want to make sure everybody who reads these articles finds something that works for them!

“Yelp I love this BDubs! We've visited a few times and even when they're busy we can find an open spot at the bar area. Our waiter Jesus was fantastic! The food here is always hot and delicious and the beer is always cold!” - Yelp Review 

Grab yourself a Buffalo Wild Wings gift card by following the link!

There it is valued internet reader. That is a list of some of the best restaurants in the whole Palm Desert, California area. I tried to get as much variety in the menu options, as well as the pricing options as I could. But if you didn’t find exactly what you were looking for here, be sure to check out one of our other great articles on amazing places to eat in Palm Desert. If pizza is more your vibe, or if you are more of a sushi person, don’t worry, we have a list for that as well.