Author: lindsay

  • Ristretto

    Ristretto

    500 SOUTH PALM CANYON DRIVE, SUITE 100
    PALM SPRINGS

    This establishment serves up some of the best java in the desert. From iced lattes to americanos, you can’t go wrong with any order here. The ambiance is pretty stellar, too. Situated on the ground floor of The Five Hundred building, a landmark property originally built in 1968 to house Alan Ladd Hardware, the contemporary surroundings are so very Palm Springs! (Be sure to check out the fabulous fountain in the main lobby!) Ristretto (Italian for “narrow,” the name refers to a short espresso pull) also offers baked goods, salads and sandwiches.

    Website

  • Koffi North

    Koffi North

    515 NORTH PALM CANYON DRIVE
    PALM SPRINGS

    Java at this spot is roasted in-house, so it’s no surprise that Koffi repeatedly lands on “Palm Springs Life’s” “Best of the Best” list. Its most notable feature, though, besides the coffee, is its rear garden. The lush oasis, dotted with small tables and boasting striking mountain views, serves as the center of The Corridor shopping complex and is one of the prettiest spots in the entire valley. Tranquil and serene, even when bustling with people, there’s no more idyllic venue to sip some joe and savor the city’s ever-present sun. Though Koffi has multiple sister locations (all worth visiting), The Corridor outpost is, quite obviously, the best.rtel hand-roasts its own beans, equating to some seriously tasty brews!

    Website

  • Ernest Coffee

    Ernest Coffee

    1101 NORTH PALM CANYON DRIVE
    PALM SPRINGS

    This spot is the only independent coffee house in the area serving Stumptown java, but there’s so much more to be had! With cheeky décor, a banana-leaf-mural-adorned patio, and plenty of comfy spots to lounge, Ernest Coffee is a must-visit! Situated in the former Don the Beachcomber space, the café is named in honor of the landmark tiki restaurant’s founder, Ernest Gantt, and even retains some of the Beachcomber’s original detailing, like the bright orange tiki torches displayed above the entrance.

  • Cartel Roasting Co.

    Cartel Roasting Co.

    1551 NORTH PALM CANYON DRIVE
    PALM SPRINGS

    Nestled on the grounds of the trendy Arrive hotel, this joint serves up supreme espresso drinks in an environment that the official website describes as “Tony Bennett featuring Lady Gaga having brunch.” A beloved chain with more than 10 locations throughout Arizona, the Palm Springs café is the company’s only California outpost and has therefore become a hot commodity. Taking java very seriously (“Life’s too short for shitty coffee,” their mottostates), Cartel hand-roasts its own beans, equating to some seriously tasty brews!

    Website

  • Café La Jefa

    Café La Jefa

    750 NORTH PALM CANYON DRIVE, SUITE B
    PALM SPRINGS

    Opened in 2021, this place initially made its way onto my radar thanks to its perfectly pink aesthetic and very quickly became a preferred Palm Springs pit stop due to its stellar coffee and baked goods. (The croissants are especially tasty!) The sprawling sun-dappled patio and neighboring shops inside the Flannery Exchange are the cherry on top of this stellar addition to the Valley’s coffee scene.

    Website

  • Mélange

    Mélange

    78120 CALEO BAY DRIVE
    LA QUINTA

    There’s a lakeside eatery in the midst of the Coachella Valley? Yes, indeed! And it’s a beautiful one, at that! Nestled on the grounds of the exclusive The Chateau at Lake La Quinta boutique hotel, the California fresh restaurant and lounge offers gorgeous water views and a truly unique desert experience!

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    Website

  • Adobe Grill

    Adobe Grill

    49499 EISENHOWER DRIVE
    LA QUINTA

    Craving drinks al fresco? Look no further than Adobe Grill. While the restaurant, which is located on the bucolic grounds of the La Quinta Resort, is also included in my dinner section, its lower patio area is reserved for cocktails and is a stunning place to grab a drink! Tucked under a canopy of palms with ample cozy seating and the desert’s neverending blue skies offering a backdrop like no other, Adobe never disappoints!

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    Website

  • Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa

    Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa

    45000 INDIAN WELLS LANE
    INDIAN WELLS

    A newer addition to the Coachella Valley hotel scene, Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa was unveiled last year, along with a gorgeous signature exterior bar nestled amongst a picturesque grove of lantern-lit olive trees and a smattering of fire pits. Romantic, inviting and accented with Tommy B.’s landmark island style, this is a spot to truly kick back and watch your worries wash away.

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    Website

  • The Pink Cabana

    The Pink Cabana

    44-985 PROVINCE WAY
    INDIAN WELLS

    This spot, which is also included in my lunch section, is so stunningly gorgeous that the quality of drinks almost seems besides the point. Not to worry, though, the Aperol spritzes and bubbly offerings are stellar, and the Instagram opportunities endless, both inside at the brightly tiled bar and outside on the lush firepit-lit patio.

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    Website

  • The Nest

    The Nest

    75188 CA-111
    INDIAN WELLS

    The Valley truly comes alive at The Nest, a longtime area hot spot that attracts locals of all ages who dance the night away to live music until the wee hours of the morning. A scene like no other, The Nest has to be seen to be believed – if you can get in, that is. Lines are typically stretched around the joint most nights. My advice – reserve a table for dinner (the food is excellent!) and spend your post-meal hours enjoying the spectacle on the dance floor!

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    Website