This darling creamery serves artisanal ice cream handmade with fresh produce in such flavorful varieties as Dark Chocolate Cacao Nib, Lavender Honey, and Rose Petal. Orders are served via cup, cone, or (best yet!) smashed between two homemade cookies in one of the establishment’s award-winning and much-ballyhooed ice cream sandwich delicacies.
While many places claim to serve “the best date shake in the desert,” Windmill Market truly has one of the most tasty! Although a bit out of the way, located on a dusty stretch of road about seven miles north of downtown Palm Springs, the establishment is worth the drive. Don’t let the rough-around-the-edges interior dissuade you. Not only are the shakes delectable and teeming with fresh dates, but the rear patio makes for a charming spot to indulge, and the market’s other fare, like tacos, hot dogs, sandwiches and burritos, are solid.
This family-owned shake shack is a local favorite thanks to its gourmet shakes crafted sans milk with the shop’s proprietary (and much loved) homemade soft-serve ice cream. The website notes, “Because we produce our ice cream at the perfect temperature, we have no need to add milk and blend it.” The result is a deliciously rich all-ice-cream concoction, especially the date and date walnut varieties. In the mood for a different flavor? Great Shakes has plenty – a good 40 options, in fact (including many dairy-free choices), all of which are a sheer delight!
Craving exquisite French food prepared by a world-class chef and served on a striking patio? Head straight to Le Vallauris, a gorgeous, Zagat-rated eatery housed in one of Palm Springs’ most beautiful and historic homes. Originally established in 1974 by Paul Bruggemans (who was also behind Los Angeles’ famed St. Germain), Le Vallauris offers fine dining at its, well, finest. Jerry Berns, longtime owner of New York’s fabled 21 Club, called it “one of the best restaurants in the world,” and that is not hyperbole. As such, everyone from Dustin Hoffman to Loretta Young has enjoyed its fare.
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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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A little slice of the Big Apple in the heart of the Coachella Valley, Manhattan in the Desert is a genuine New York-style Jewish deli specializing in lox, homemade soups, hot dogs and sandwiches, the latter of which are all served “mile-high,” stacked to perfection and with a free sampling of delicious pickled goods.
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Founded by Sherman Harris in 1953, this spot is a Palm Springs institution, with everyone from Frank Sinatra to Bob Hope to Rita Hayworth popping by in its early days! Still going strong more than 70 years later, the eatery’s signature Club (pictured) is hands-down one of the best.sandwiches.anywhere. But there are countless other offerings to be had, such as salads, pasta, incredible baked goods, and pretty much anything else you could ever hope to order, including gluten-free dishes. The deli also boasts a sister location in Palm Desert (which was featured on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives!”), but the original is the best.
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While this place whips up some spectacular sandwiches, On the Mark is so much more than just a deli. A relative newcomer, the upscale market is also stocked with shelf upon shelf of gourmet goods, including small batch olive oils, select wines, unique spices, exceptional desserts, a plethora of culinary-related gifts, and an overwhelming assortment of meats and cheeses, sure to elevate any charcuterie board. Bonus – sandwich offerings can be ordered to go or enjoyed on the front patio.
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Beloved for its formidable drink selection and award-winning American comfort fare, this spot is often heralded as having the best nachos in the desert – and that is not hyperbole! Served one-layer deep on a cookie sheet, allowing for an ideal chip-to-topping ratio, you will not find a better version anywhere else in the Valley! The eatery’s other menu items are just as tasty, with everything – and I do mean everything – made fresh in-house, and the craft cocktails superbly shaken and stirred by expert mixologists.
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This charmingly intimate café (an offshoot of the popular Farm restaurant next door) offers such deliciously inventive fresh fare as Cauliflower Ceviche, Tomato Tartar, and Watermelon Gazpacho. My favorite dish is the Hand-Carved Turkey Sandwich topped with avocado, provolone, basil pesto, and caper aioli, while my mom prefers the Beef Carpaccio, offered with watercress, frisée, and pecorino Romano cheese. The hand-crafted cocktails are also a must!
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