In the desert and craving sushi? This is the spot I’d head. Originally opened in 1996, Musashi is a beloved landmark to locals in the know, long renowned for serving exquisite rolls crafted with the freshest of fish in an elegant setting at moderate prices. Not a fan of sushi? The eatery also offers plenty of additional Japanese fare, including chicken katsu, shrimp tempura and yakisoba. Housed in a more intimate space and insanely popular, reservations are highly recommended.
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Walking through the doors of The Old Spaghetti Factory is like stepping onto a highly stylized movie set. Towering red tufted booths, crystal chandeliers, and wood-beamed ceilings throughout (there’s even a dining room fashioned out of a vintage trolley car!), the place feels more like the Beast’s castle from “Beauty and the Beast” than a restaurant. Fantastical, whimsical, and oh-so-much fun, there’s truly no other spot like it in the desert. And the food is excellent, too!
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Even though this intimate restaurant is primarily referred to as a “hidden gem,” lines to get in stretch well past the front door most nights. One cocktail in, and you’ll know why. Paul Bar/Food is one of the city’s best spots – the kind that locals beg people like me not to mention on websites like this for fear of those nightly lines growing even longer. But the joint is certainly worth the wait, thanks to its meals, libations, atmosphere and service, which are some of the best you’ll find in the entire Valley.
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Initially established in 1975, Billy Reed’s is a Palm Springs icon! Serving up hearty staples in an inspired retro atmosphere, it is not hard to see why the place is so beloved. Boasting ample-sized booths, rich red accents, Tiffany-style lamps and carved woodwork at every turn, the place feels like Disneyland in the desert and is worth a trip the ambiance alone, though the food is stellar, too! The Cobb salad is honestly one of the best I’ve ever had! The eatery is also well known for its Boston Cream Pie and other sweets, with all desserts homemade daily in-house – “just as your grandmother wished she could make them,” per the menu.
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A Palm Springs landmark, Las Casuelas was originally established by Florencio Fajardo in 1958. Known for its stellar fare and vibrant ambiance, the eatery has been a local favorite ever since. (Even Elvis was a fan!) Still owned by the Fajardo family today, there are now multiple Las Casuelas restaurants dotting the desert, but the South Palm Canyon Drive outpost is the most beloved – and the most inviting! Comprised of multiple patios befitting of its name (“terraza” is Spanish for “terrace”), it is typically packed most hours of the day, but the long wait times are well worth it.
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My family’s favorite restaurant in Palm Springs – so much so that when we spent a week at a local downtown hotel for a staycation, we ended up dining at Zin every single night. With varied menu options, patrons can eat healthily or sinfully (XXX Adult Macaroni and Cheese, anyone?), and either way, it is guaranteed to be delicious! The entrees are also updated seasonally, so there is always something new to try. And be sure not to miss the bottomless champagne, bellini, and Aperol spritz offerings!
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