This new gourmet deli/market serves up some of the best sandwiches in town (the Turkey & Brie and French Ham & Brie are my personal favorites), alongside truly stellar salads, pinsas (Roman-style pizzas), and cheese and wine pairings. The establishment also sells a highly curated selection of fromages and charcuterie boards to enjoy at home. The deli is adorable, welcoming, and oh-so delicious!
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As the name implies, this establishment is a truly authentic Italian deli and, as such, is stocked with a nice collection of European fare, including homemade noodles of every variety, imported meats, fine cheeses, gourmet olive oils, delicious baked goods, and a stunning array of deli sandwiches (all bread for which is baked on the premises daily). Not in the mood to cook dinner? The Real Italian Deli has plenty of to-go options, as well, like the Lasagna Bolognese, which is stacked about 12 inches high and, per the menu, is a “mouthwatering trip to Italy without the jet lag.” Indeed! (Bonus – there’s also a sister location in Palm Springs.)
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A true hidden gem, this tiny sandwich shop sits tucked away in a retail strip in the middle of Palm Desert’s industrial center. Despite being rather hard to find, The Lunch Spot quickly became a local favorite upon its inception in 2020. Featuring an extensive menu (there are even gluten-free options!) made with the freshest of ingredients, not to mention extremely friendly service, it is not hard to see why this place is so beloved.
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My monthly lunch group’s go-to spot, this vegan gem proves that plant-based can be downright delicious. Everyone I take here is bowled over by the fare, even the diehard meat-eaters. I’m partial to the Egg-y Salad, while my bestie Heidi swears by the Banh Mi & You sandwich. Don’t skip the onsite “kreamery,” serving some of the desert’s best ice cream, or the adjoining pet store, which regularly hosts cat adoptions.
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Vegan, gluten-free and, paleo friends – this is the spot for you! Owned and operated by functional nutrition counselor/chef Lorraine Ornelas, the eatery boasts a highly specialized menu offering smoothies, juices, elixir shots, and entrees geared toward every dietary restriction and preference known to man. Need a glow-up, toxin flush or immunity boost? Plant-based, low-carb, celiac? Lorraine has got you covered, no matter what ails you! And the fare is incredibly tasty, to boot!
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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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Zagat-rated, this spot is best known for its extensive array of homemade baked goods, which are decadent, gorgeous, and delectable, to say the least. But Il Sogno (“the dream” in Italian) also serves up great European Old Country-style breakfasts and lunches! Per owner Mirjana Ilic, who is always on hand to answer any and all questions about her exquisite fare, everything served is artfully crafted on the premises daily. Originally founded in 1990 in the Pacific Palisades (where “The Wall Street Journal” deemed it one of the two best restaurants in all of Los Angeles), it moved to Palm Desert’s exclusive El Paseo shopping district in 2009. The quaint front patio makes for a lovely spot to enjoy a sunny desert morning – iced latte and baked good in hand.
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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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