Category: Food

  • Spencer’s Banana Split

    Spencer’s Banana Split

    SPENCER’S BANANA SPLIT

    Spencer’s has long been one of Palm Springs’ most celebrated eateries. Their stellar dessert menu likely has something to do with the esteem, namely their Banana Split offering, which comes complete with hearty scoops of chocolate, vanilla and strawberry ice cream, homemade whipped cream, candied pecans, fresh berries, and chocolate, caramel and strawberry sauces. Absolutely massive in size, it is easily large enough to feed four! I have several friends who head to Spencer’s solely for the pleasure of noshing on this dish.

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  • Palm Springs Fudge & Chocolates

    Palm Springs Fudge & Chocolates

    211 SOUTH PALM CANYON DRIVE
    PALM SPRINGS

    Housed in the one-time dining hall of the now-defunct Lloyd Wright-designed Oasis Hotel, this den of all things sugary, which is locally owned and operated, is a true throwback. Offering countless nostalgic sweets like candy cigarettes, Necco Wafers and Jelly Belly jelly beans, stepping inside will bring you right back to your childhood. Also on hand are such scrumptious favorites as caramel apples, chocolate-dipped strawberries and old-fashioned fudge. Be sure not to miss the shop’s impressive scissor truss roof!

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  • Lolli & Pops

    Lolli & Pops

    111 NORTH PALM CANYON DRIVE, SUITE 140
    PALM SPRINGS

    While this spot is part of a chain with nearly 30 locations across the U.S., it is worth a visit nonetheless. Stacked to the brim with gourmet sweets and treats in an adorable Tiffany blue setting, Lolli & Pops’s extensive inventory of cocktail-flavored gummy bears, chocolate-covered delights, cotton candy and French macarons (including the shop’s signature Mac Pops, aka “macarons-on-the-go”) is sure to satisfy the sweet tooth of even the most discerning patrons.

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  • Balboa Candy

    Balboa Candy

    112 NORTH PALM CANYON DRIVE
    PALM SPRINGS

    Populated by barrel upon barrel of every saltwater taffy flavor known to man, plus a plethora of retro favorites, as well as gummies, lollipops, chocolates and homemade fudge, this family-owned spot is a candy treasure trove, not to mention an utterly charming spot to secure a sugar fix!

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  • Arnold Palmer’s Restaurant

    Arnold Palmer’s Restaurant

    78164 52ND AVENUE
    LA QUINTA

    One of the desert’s most beloved establishments, Arnold Palmer’s was opened by the golf great in 2004. Boasting priceless ambiance, sprawling side and rear patios, mountain views, a club-like interior, and plenty of mementos on display (including one of The King’s four Masters jackets), it’s a truly gorgeous and unique spot to grab a meal.

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  • Lavender Bistro

    Lavender Bistro

    78073 CALLE BARCELONA
    LA QUINTA

    A truly magical spot boasting a sprawling patio nestled under a grove of trees illuminated by hundreds upon hundreds of twinkle lights, a meal at Lavender Bistro is tantamount to dining in a magical fairyland. The food is also exceptional (I’m partial to the Wild Mushroom Soup). So it is no surprise that the eatery is regularly – and very deservedly – named Palm Springs’ most romantic restaurant by just about every publication out there.

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  • The Sandbar

    The Sandbar

    78120 CALLE TAMPICO
    LA QUINTA

    They say not to judge a book by its cover, and that is certainly true with this spot, which, from the outside, appears a little rough around the edges. In truth, though, it offers upscale American options in an absolutely elegant setting. Dimly lit, intimate, and reminiscent of the finest restaurants of yesteryear, more than a few luminaries have passed through its doors, including Gena Rowlands, who is a longtime regular, as well as Bob Hope, Andy Williams and Ginger Rogers.

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  • Castelli’s Ristorante

    Castelli’s Ristorante

    73098 CA-111
    PALM DESERT

    Retro in all the right ways, Castelli’s is a desert landmark – and one of my family’s longtime favorites. Established by brothers John and Michael Castelli in 1988, using their family’s Old World Italian recipes, the place quickly became a celebrity hotspot (as the many headshots lining the walls attest), welcoming the likes of Martin Short, Bob Hope, Robert Wagner, Andy Garcia, and Sylvester Stallone, just to name a few. Still going strong today, the restaurant is packed to the gills most nights, best loved for its stellar fare and warm ambiance.

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  • Bar Cecil

    Bar Cecil

    1555 SOUTH PALM CANYON DRIVE
    PALM SPRINGS

    If you know anything about the Palm Springs food scene, you’ve heard of this place – and it is absolutely worth all the hype! Offering fine dining in the non-stuffiest form (the menu even includes a burger!), this swank establishment opened in 2021 and has been the hottest ticket in town ever since! Named after British “rebel/aristocrat” Cecil Beaton, the vibe is excellently eclectic, with fine art and colorful collectibles lining the walls, and the fare is some of the best around. Not-to-be-missed items include Cecil’s Bread Rolls, Steaks + Frites (the fries are insane!), and the Chocolate Chip Cookies (served right out of the oven).

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  • Spencer’s Restaurant

    Spencer’s Restaurant

    701 WEST BARISTO ROAD
    PALM SPRINGS

    Opened in 2000, Spencer’s has been delighting discerning patrons for decades. Nestled on a stunning plot with three lush, light-strung patios abutting the San Jacinto Mountains, the four-star, adults-only restaurant exudes elegance and style and serves up some of the best food the city has to offer. The winner of copious awards throughout its lengthy history (including Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence), one step across the threshold and it’s not hard to see why the establishment has become one of the area’s most renowned and beloved gems.

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