A new addition to the desert’s culinary scene, this charming breakfast and lunch spot has quickly become one of my go-tos for coffee, baked goods and morning fare. Featuring an adorable pink-hued interior with marquee signage and a front counter full of enticing treats, the family-owned establishment is a gem!
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A desert staple since 1957, this greasy spoon is standing room only most hours of the day. But the wait times are certainly worth it! Serving up some of the best pancakes and comfort food in the entire Coachella Valley in an authentic mid-century diner setting, it is not hard to see why this place has been a classic for over six decades.
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Offering some of the most stunning views in the desert, this local gem is tucked inside the private Escena housing development but is open to the public for breakfast, lunch, dinner and cocktails. Morning meals are exceptionally good here, not to mention beautiful, with the expansive, perfectly sited (and pet-friendly!) patio overlooking the adjacent golf course (which is also open to the public) providing a striking setting for stellar omelets and other traditional fare.
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A reimagined former Denny’s located on the grounds of the popular Ace Hotel, this spot is retro in all the right ways – and it serves up some of the best avocado toast in the Valley. While the dish is changed up regularly (it currently comes topped with tomato jam, crispy shallots, opal basil, breakfast radish, and olive oil), I’ve never been disappointed by any variation. And the ambiance (read: globe lights, rock walls, old fashioned counter) can’t be beat! Bonus – the eatery offers 20% off to all locals!
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This stylish eatery has been a local landmark ever since hitting the scene in 2015. Situated in a spacious 1954 building that originally housed the city’s first official post office, Eight4Nine offers sumptuous modern American cuisine in a hip, minimalist and pristinely retro atmosphere. Great for any meal, it is the brunch menu that keeps me coming back – namely, the Egg White Frittata. Crafted with house-smoked chicken, forest mushrooms, goat cheese, wild arugula and spinach, it’s the stuff of dreams!
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While I don’t have a dog, this canine-friendly spot, which welcomes pups in its spacious atrium and bright patio areas, is one of my favorite places to grab brunch in the Valley! With a warm desert aesthetic, eclectic menu (the breakfast potatoes are superb!) and on-point cocktail and mocktail offerings, you can’t go wrong with a meal at Boozehounds!
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Just a mile east of Salvation Mountain is your final destination, Slab City. Originally a World War II training facility, the town takes its name from the concrete slabs left behind after the base was shut down, where those wishing to live off the grid eventually set up homes. With no running water, sewer system, or electricity, most residents inhabit tents erected on the slabs or RVs situated beside them. Though it might sound desolate and dreary, the community is welcoming, friendly and inviting, not to mention truly unique. And there is a great deal to see, from BYOB bar/nightclub The Range (887 Beal Road) to the open-air art museum East Jesus(East Jesus Road). Singular, whimsical and begging to be photographed, Slab City is an extraordinary slice of Americana.
Situated on the bottom floor of The Rowan hotel and boasting an expansive patio, this fresh fare eatery serves up some of the best breakfast in town. From homemade scones to basic morning dishes like bacon and eggs, as well as exceptional lattes, this is the perfect spot to start your day in downtown Palm Springs.
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Hello and welcome to the latest edition of Ask Lindsay, where I’m answering your latest questions about everything from where to snag a New Orleans staple in the Valley to my favorite local historic hotels. Enjoy!
XO, Lindsay
My friend (and current Leadership Coachella Valley president) Nicole asked me this question recently after her daughter was assigned a report on the state of Louisiana for a class project. And while we sadly don’t have any Cafe du Monde outposts in the Valley, there are still plenty of places to snag a stellar beignet.
Q’s Creole & Soul, a Louisiana-inspired pop-up and catering concept, serves up fresh, made-to-order beignets in the authentic New Orleans style at various spots across the desert, including VillageFest, Foodie Fridays and the Palm Springs Certified Farmers’ Market. Their handcrafted doughy delights are served plain (my preferred way), with chocolate, berry, or caramel sauce, or as mini versions (pictured). But perhaps best of all, Q’s boasts a beignet bar that can be booked for parties and events! Maybe a little over the top for a class project, but pretty epic nonetheless!
Additional options include L’Atelier Cafe in downtown Palm Springs, which serves beignets filled with raspberries or Nutella.
Palm Springs eatery Jimmy B’s offers housemade, fresh-cut beignets during breakfast hours, topped with powdered sugar, strawberries, blueberries, Chantilly cream (yum!), and agave syrup.
The bakery case at Palm Desert’s La Provence Patisserie & Café is lined with plump dark chocolate-filled beignets that are as beautiful as they are indulgent.
And DJ’s Louisiana Kitchen occasionally offers homemade beignets (alongside other New Orleans staples) at his popular pop-ups throughout the Valley.
This is a tough one! As someone who absolutely eats up local history, I’ve stayed at—and toured—more historic desert hotels than I can count. And while there are dozens of wonderful properties in this Valley worthy of a visit, these five have left the biggest impression on my heart thanks to their fascinating backstories, beautiful settings, and special memories I’ve made there over the years.
The Ingleside Estate – Originally built as a private home in 1922, this intimate retreat combines beautiful grounds with some of the richest Hollywood history in the desert. The guest list is pretty much unparalleled—Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston honeymooned here, Frank Sinatra was a regular at onsite eatery Melvyn’s, and opera singer Lily Pons lived on the property for more than a decade. It’s also where my husband and I got engaged, which means it’ll always be one of my favorite places in the Valley.
The Willows (pictured) – Literally built into the mountainside, this historic property was originally crafted as two private estates by architect William J. Dodd in 1925. With just 17 rooms and a wealth of original details, it’s one of the desert’s most intimate and unique lodgings. My family spent Christmas here a few years back, and it remains one of our most memorable getaways. In fact, it was around The Willow’s fireplace, while talking with fellow guests during the nightly happy hour, that I became inspired to start Everything Palm Springs. So, for me, staying here was life-changing!
Korakia Pensione – Many moons ago, my husband and I booked a two-night stay here for our anniversary. When we woke up on the morning of check-out, we simply couldn’t bear to leave. So we booked another night . . . and then another night . . . and then another, with two nights quickly turning into a week. Comprising three historic private residences (are you noticing a theme here?), Korakia is nothing short of magical. Between the sprawling grounds, gorgeous Moroccan-inspired architecture, and old movies screened each evening outdoors, this oasis offers a stay unlike any other in the desert.
Casa Cody – Palm Springs’ oldest hotel (and one of its most charming) was founded by Harriet Cody, an in-law of famed Wild West figure Buffalo Bill, in the 1920s. Expanded multiple times over the years, the property boasts countless notable historic elements, including a cottage originally built as athlete housing for the 1932 Olympics, an ancient adobe home once occupied by both Lawrence Tibbett and Charlie Chaplin, and the only known remaining section of the Whitewater Ditch water system. Painstakingly restored by the Casetta Group in 2017, it beautifully bridges Palm Springs’ past and present. We recently booked a day pass here for our anniversary, and the staff couldn’t have been more welcoming—offering an incredibly thoughtful historical tour of the grounds when asked. I’ve also attended events here over the years, and it’s one of those places that always feels deeply connected to the story of the desert.
La Quinta Resort & Club – Easily my favorite staycation spot in the Valley, my husband and I have checked in here more times than I can count. I never tire of perusing the grounds and soaking in all the history. This past December, I attended the annual historical walking tour led by longtime former GM Judy Vossler and her daughter Lisa—who practically grew up at the property (the resort’s own Eloise). I couldn’t get enough of their stories about the countless luminaries – Greta Garbo! Frank Capra! Clark Gable! – who’ve traversed the resort’s fabled pathways.
This list honestly could have been twice as long! Other historic hotels I love include The Sands, The Parker, Triada, Two Bunch Palms, The Colony Palms, and Avalon Hotel. In fact, I may have to dedicate an entire future newsletter—or Instagram carousel—to the subject!
I’m a huge Disney fan and have been anxiously awaiting the completion of the restoration of Walt Disney’s personal, custom-designed 1963 Grumman G-159 Gulfstream—nicknamed “Mickey Mouse One” or “The Mouse”—which has been on long-term loan to the Palm Springs Air Museum from the Walt Disney Archives since 2022.
Before arriving in the desert, the aircraft had been displayed at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando following its 1992 retirement from active flight. Initially featured on the Backlot Tour, when that attraction closed in 2014, the plane was relegated to a dusty stretch of the backlot and suffered years of exposure to the Florida elements.
Upon acquiring the twin turboprop (which bears the quite appropriate tail number N234MM), the Palm Springs Air Museum embarked on an extensive restoration project. If you’ve visited the facility in recent years, you’ve probably seen the plane standing behind barricades outside the European Hangar. And if you’re anything like me, you’ve been chomping at the bit to catch a glimpse of the interior, which had been completely stripped during its years in Florida.
The results of the museum’s restoration efforts were recently unveiled during a special D23 event, with the aircraft’s 15 seats, two bathrooms, office, and galley beautifully returned to their original orange-and-gold glory.
Unfortunately, The Mouse isn’t open for regular public viewing just yet. I reached out to the museum to ask when visitors might be able to step aboard, but for now it’s only being made available for special events.
I will definitely be sharing details as soon as it does open for tours, so stay tuned!
Adobe Grill is my absolute favorite restaurant in the desert. I’ve mentioned it countless times in this newsletter, and for good reason. Between the light-strung patio, mountain views, and enchiladas verdes, it never disappoints.
Le Vallauris offers gorgeous ambiance—especially on the patio—and even better food.
Spencer’s is another classic special-occasion spot, with a sprawling terrace and consistently excellent fare.
If you like your meals with a side of Hollywood history, Copley’s, located in what was once Cary Grant’s guest house, is hard to beat. Not into Tinseltown? It’s still worth a trip – the food and setting are some of the best in town!
Bar Cecil pairs cheeky artwork and ultra-hip surroundings with truly stellar food. (The bread rolls and homemade chocolate chip cookies are can’t-miss!) So it’s no surprise that this is one of the hardest-to-snag reservations in the desert.
For something delightfully old-school, I love The Sandbar. It’s been one of my husband and my go-to spots for special meals for years.
Lavender Bistro (pictured) earns my vote for the prettiest patio in the desert. You won’t find a higher concentration of twinkle-lit trees—or a better wild mushroom soup—anywhere.
Arnold Palmer’s Restaurant boasts another beautiful patio with solid food and a wealth of the golfing legend’s memorabilia.
Zin American Bistro is hands-down my favorite restaurant in downtown Palm Springs. It’s a place we visit for both celebrations and ordinary evenings out. The menu is constantly evolving, and every visit seems to bring a new must-try.
It didn’t take long for Italica, a newer addition to the desert’s dining scene, to become a staple. The Indio speakeasy serves delicious food in one of the valley’s coolest settings.
While Trattoria Tiramisu isn’t new (it opened in 2004), I only just discovered it last year and immediately fell in love. Friendly, intimate, and consistently delicious, it promptly became one of my family’s go-tos.
As for restaurants still on my list? I hear both Mister Parker’s and Jillian’s are excellent! I am dying to try Mister Parker’s for the legendary bread service alone!
This one comes from my friend Kim (the queen of all things historical in La Quinta), who came across a major production shooting on Racquet Club Drive last week. (That’s her photo above.) If you’ve been tooling around downtown Palm Springs recently, you’ve likely noticed the fleet of Star Waggons and production trucks parked all around, as well.
The project appears to be an indie feature called Youth Juice, produced by The Wonder Company and Altered L.A., though further details remain fairly limited. One thing we do know: the film received $1.8 million in incentives through California’s Film & Television Tax Credit Program. (Take that, runaway production!)
Palm Springs has a long history of serving as a backdrop for the big and small screens. Other projects filmed in the Coachella Valley in recent years include Behind the Candelabra, Don’t Worry Darling, High Desert, 7 Days in Hell, and (my personal favorite) Mack & Rita. If you’re a movie buff like me, you can learn more about those productions and their local filming locations in the Filming Locations section of Everything Palm Springs.
If there’s something you’ve always wondered about the Coachella Valley, send it my way. I can’t promise I’ll have the answer immediately, but I can promise I’ll enjoy tracking it down!
It’s the little pleasures in life that really excite me, and few things make my heart go pitter-patter quite like a good sandwich.
In nearly 15 years of living in the desert, I’ve eaten my way across Greater Palm Springs in search of standout sandwiches and, over time, developed a very specific list of favorites. Below are the ones I genuinely crave and return to again and again — each memorable for its own reasons, from family-inspired recipes to old-school deli perfection.
Bon appétit!
XO, Lindsay
The Wine & Cheese Shop on El Paseo
This sandwich is straight-up perfection. Inspired by the holiday ham-and-pineapple meals from owner Jen Iglehart’s childhood, it’s made with paper-thin slices of jambon, thickly layered with French double-cream brie and pineapple conserve, all tucked into a flaky croissant from The Real Italian Deli. Rich and buttery, each bite literally melts in your mouth. And I typically don’t even like ham! But this sandwich is something else entirely. Absolutely no notes. It’s divine.
Ever since gourmet deli and market Baby’s Marché opened its doors in 2023, their Le Poulet sandwich has been one of my go-tos. When my husband and I don’t feel like cooking, I usually swing by in the afternoon to pick up one of these beauties: thinly sliced roasted chicken, thick slabs of fresh mozzarella, shredded lettuce, balsamic glaze, and deli mustard piled high on a French baguette. Completely customizable, I typically skip the Roma tomatoes, pepperoncinis, and sweet onions it comes with. Fun fact: all of their sandwiches can be ordered deconstructed over a bed of lettuce, for those watching their carbs. That said, the baguette is so good it can absolutely stand on its own as a meal.
I’m not typically a salami person, but when my husband wanted to try this hoagie featuring Toscano salami (a dry-cured Tuscan pork variety), topped with lettuce, tomato, provolone, and homemade olive tapenade, I begrudgingly agreed to split it—and was promptly won over! Not only is it insanely good, but the tapenade is next-level. Offered on any of The Real Italian Deli’s bread options (all of which are baked fresh daily on-site), we went with a torpedo roll, as suggested by our server, and have never looked back. Now, I can’t drive down San Pablo Ave. without pulling in to order one.
I’ve literally never ordered anything other than this sandwich in all my years dining at Sherman’s—and have zero regrets. It was my very first pick on my very first visit, and I was immediately obsessed. It’s that good! Modified as a single-decker with cheddar cheese and avocado added, served non-toasted, and with the bacon extra crispy (I know, I know—I sound like Meg Ryan in When Harry Met Sally!), it is one of my favorite meals in the entire Valley. Simple (or I guess not-so-simple, in my case!), old-school, and an absolute classic, it’s pure deli counter magic.
This tiny deli is tucked away on a side street in Palm Desert’s industrial area and one could easily drive past without even realizing it’s there. But don’t sleep on this one! Inside, you’ll find some of the best sandwiches in town. My favorite is the Turkey Bacon Ranch: roasted turkey, crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, and homemade ranch on sliced sourdough. Then again, ranch on just about anything is usually a winner in my book. I also love the Turkey Pesto, made with turkey, alfalfa sprouts, provolone, and pesto aioli on squaw bread. Honestly, though, it’s hard to go wrong with anything on the menu.
In Julie & Julia, Amy Adams states, “Every time you taste something that’s delicious beyond imagining and you say, ‘What is in this?’ the answer is always going to be butter.” It should come as no surprise, then, that this sandwich—featuring Jambon de Paris, Gruyère cheese, and creamy French butter layered on a homemade baguette—is an absolute banger. Truth be told, everything at Les Filles is exquisite, from the croissants and cornettos to the cannoli, all made from scratch each morning by owners Candice and Paola, who hail from France and Italy, respectively. On my first visit, I was even sent home with a fresh batch of focaccia Paola was testing in the kitchen and it was easily the best focaccia I’ve ever had.
I’m not a vegan by any means (as evidenced above), but Chef Tanya’s Kitchen has quickly become one of my favorite local dining spots. My order is pretty much always the same: the Egg-y Salad Sandwich, featuring the eatery’s signature egg salad—a delicious combination of tofu, turmeric, red onion, pickle, Dijon, mayo, and spices—served with lettuce on country levain bread. I’ve become so fond of it that I actually prefer it to egg salad made with actual eggs! That said, my bestie Heidi would never forgive me if I didn’t also mention the restaurant’s Bahn Mi & You, which she swears is one of the best sandwiches she’s ever had.