44 Best American Restaurants in Palm Desert

“I love this neighborhood diner! It is my go to breakfast place every Friday. The staff is very friendly and attentive. From the minute Helen greets us at the door until the wait staff comes to serve me coffee and water, I am always greeted with a smile. Servers Rafi, Rudy, Antonio, and Veronica are efficient and prompt in getting my order to my satisfaction. The cooks provide consistently attractive food, and my order arrives just the way I like it. If you are looking for reasonable prices, good food, and friendly service, this is the place to find it.“

“Excelent food and service. Ray was fantastic!!!“

“Really nice place for breakfast just off El Paseo - freshly cooked, good service, and a nice vibe. A real antidote to the major chains!“

“Love the matzoh ball soup and the #5“

“We had such amazing service today at this Denny's. Cenisa R is "THEE MOST AMAZING SERVER" She was so professional and on top of everything including refilling our drinks. Cenisa is a wonderful young lady, fantastic personality and service. Denny's should be very proud to have someone of this quality working for them. GOOD JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!“

“This was the best Peruvian food hands down made by Peruvians so the taste was authentic with authentic ingredients. My wife and I met the chef and she’s so passionate about her food and was very friendly. Think it may have been family working there every one was so polite and friendly engaged in conversation about Peru. My wife and I had the lomo saltado and I had to get the ceviche con chicharron it was absolutely delicious. We usually make stops throughout the places we visit to try the Peruvian food and this is it. The ceviche was fresh and had all the authentic ingredients it’s like if we were sitting in Peru eating. This is going to be our go to spot when visiting the area.“

“We had not been to Legends and Icons since 2020. Finally talked the hubby into going back tonight and let me just say...the food was absolutely delish and on point. Drinks were very good. The waitress and staff were amazing and friendly. Dessert was their yummy carrot cake. I can honestly say it's the best carrot cake I've ever eaten. Bobby has done a wonderful job turning this restaurant into a great success. Thank you Bobby and we will definitely be putting Legends and Icons back on our list of great places to eat and drink. 😊🤗💜😉“

“Great burger and French fries“

“Watched the Budweiser Clydesdale horses and had a fabulous lunch.“

“July Monday night
Sat at the bar Geoff took super great care of us. Filet mignon, wedgie salad, split pea soup. Oh, Did IUmention the AMAZING grilled vegetables. WE LOVE! One of the most outstanding meals we have had. cactus jacks TOP OF THE LINE.
Nice, cozy local hang. Casual and small. Make rez.
Wish we could visit more often. Love the Palm Desert“

“Great food, nice presentation, attentive service, we’ll be back.“

“We took our neighbor out for lunch, on Friday, recalling what a great experience we had with our son last October. The warmth and efficiency of the staff and our meals were top notch. Instead of heading toward the East side during Coachella, we decided that the eclectic menu here was far superior to unique bite. At 11:15 the place was hopping but we got a great center table. People of all ages love it here. We saw young people ready for concerts and elderly couples and groups. My husband loved the French Dip and he does not usually exclaim with a 5! Our neighbor had the tuna sandwich and side salad. Her sweet petite self had enough to bring half of it home with her. It looked good! My choice was the chicken tarragon on a croissant with those crunchy fries we like so much. An old school charm, consistently great meals and friendly staff make JT's a favorite in the valley.“

“We came on a pretty busy holiday weekend but we're super impressed. Everyone on staff worked hard to offer an exceptional experience to the guest, and that's exactly what we got. The food came out fast and everything tasted great. The drinks by Hunter awesome. Dana the manager was busy and still took time to greet us and make sure we were satisfied. We were, thus highly recommend this Islands for a casual, comfortable dining experience.“

“Chef Michael and staff did an outstanding job catering our outdoor celebration. The Mexican buffet spread was unbelievable and all of our guests had rave reviews. 5 stars from beginning to end!“

“I had the pleasure of visiting Canyons this evening.The Kobe burger was a great option-the burger ? is tasty, piled high with all of the fixings and a bun with sauce!The pretzel bread - my first time ever trying that - was warm, soft, and tasted jut like a pretzel!“

“Such a beautiful place. The clubhouse and restaurants are a must visit (with a member. Or better yet buy a home and become a member!“

“Woodhaven has a band Hotwyre who is the best band. Love their tune & set list. Lots of dancing to iconic rock n roll!“

“My husband and I stayed at the Embassy Suites by Hilton in Palm Desert. We were there for 3 nights and 4 days. It was more than I expected. The breakfast was great, you actually had real breakfast items. Not just a continental breakfast. The 5:30 to 7:30 free drinks was awesome! And the dinner was great!“

“We miss the buns you used to serve. Why don't you put them on the menu and charge for them? The replacement buns on the menu are NOT nearly as good. Also why did you tae the pork and burger sliders off the menu..they were great Happy Hour/anytime items .“

“This is a great place to eat lunch while in The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens. We got the (2) Piece Chicken Tender meal which was really great. I thought I was going to get just the chicken, but it came with garlic bread, plus very tasty French fries. Much more food than I expected. Plus, the chicken was the best tenders I've tasted in a long while and huge pieces. the squirrel also enjoyed the food :-) Good pricing and food, I would recommend.“

“What a great restaurant that embodies diners from the 60s. We went for breakfast at 7am during the summer, and they weren't busy at all. First off, the pancakes are huge and delicious. All breakfast prices are reasonable. The hash browns were crispy and not greasy. Service was excellent, and the restaurant was very clean. There are lots of seats around the counter that remind you of soda fountains from the past. If you are not looking for fancy but just good food at reasonable prices, this is a great option!“

“Great burger and fries. Delicious carne asada burger. 🍔 🍟 🥤 so good!“

“Lovely pool area with great food and drink. Enjoyed the fish tacos and chicken wings. Nice selection of cocktails and other drinks. Plenty of seating both loungers, high-tops and table seating. Options for shaded areas or sun! Thanks to Lety for her friendly and attentive service, credit to the facilities here ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️“

“Went to a 5pm fundraiser. Clearly they let an entire restaurant in early. There was not one seat available at 5. It was already maxed out with people wolfing down appetizers and wine with not one seat open. Not Cool. Clearly the good Ole boys got the we will let you in early memo. Too much competition around El Paseo to ever go back.“

“Great place all around! The food is AWESOME and the atmosphere is top notch. A must if you're in the area!“

“Literally a quaint Little Bar in the heart of Palm Desert. Great drinks and a welcoming atmosphere with a down home menu. A touch of the LA music scene is the desert. The burgers are awesome!“

“I can't believe I've lived here 7 years; and haven't been to this Goody's. The one in Palm Springs is lacks luster and ehhh. But this one, is awesome sauce!! Thanks for your fresh hot food, and amazing service... Cleanliness and teamwork!! And how many regulars you have!! Amazing! - You guys rock, n roll!! Wish I worked here. I'm in the same business. Thank you so much! Be back soon. Eric.“

“We have been to Boulevards 3 or 4 times for dinner, each time it was a great experience; service, food, and ambiance way above par...however, we had lunch for the first time a week ago this past Friday with 7 other people. While the service was good, the food was subpar...I had a professional LA Chef with us, who did not say a word, but neither he or his wife ate their lunches and I know them well enough to know they did not like it...I ordered chili, it was not very good and was luke warm, but the server took it immediately and warmed it. My partner ordered a club sandwich, it too was subpar, and another friend also ordered chili and felt as I did. While the others in the party were grandkids, the one salad looked like a bowl filled with lettuce thrown together, and not much thought at that, one had a sandwich and I looked at that, it too looked awful, and my one grandson said his lunch was good...I do not remember what he had. For a place that has no kids menu and prices are steep, everything should be served professionally. ALSO...I was in the restaurant business in LA and NYC for over 25 years and it is 2024 and time for Boulevards to have a voice mail instead of a message that askes the customer to call back when they cant answer the phone as they "are serving other customers" The customer should not have to keep calling back. By the way, I just called to make reservations for this coming Tues nite, 4 times over a 15 - 20 minute period, and each time I got this same message. We really like Boulevards for dinner, but as with all restaurants, and included my own, there is always room for improvement!“

“My family and I decided to stop in for some quick dinner after a long day of shopping! Not only was the food a 10 out of 10, the service a 10 out of 10, & the drinks a 10 out of 10, but the management team was exceptional! We had stayed late past the mall closing & were concerned about making it to our car on the other side of the mall safely. The manager, Art, took the liberty to escort us to our vehicles to ensure that we made it there safely. Our server Laurel, also took the liberty to alert the manager for us. Great customer service & a great dinner to end a long day! Definitely recommend eating here.“

“We tried Larkspur Grill for Prime Rib Monday and came away very impressed. The restaurant has a modern, comfortable atmosphere and attentive, friendly service from the moment we arrived.
We started by sharing the Yellowfin Tuna Tartare, which was outstanding. The tuna was incredibly fresh, and the avocado mixed throughout made every bite rich and flavorful. We also split the Caesar salad, which was crisp, fresh, and topped with plenty of Parmesan and crunchy croutons.
The highlight of the evening was the prime rib. It was everything you hope for—tender, juicy, and absolutely packed with flavor. The roasted potatoes were cooked perfectly, and the accompaniments complemented the meal without taking away from the star of the plate.
Larkspur Grill delivered a wonderful dining experience from start to finish. We'll definitely be back.“

“Great place to hang out. I like the Bloody Mary bar on Sundays.“

“Our new neighbors, Cahparritos Grill treated us to an outstanding lunch today! Thank you. 10/10 would recommend.“

“Incredible food and wonderful service“

“From the moment you walk in, Flora greets you with a smile. My server Lizzy, was great and kind. The cooks deserve praise for a fast, tasty food experience. And last, but not least, Tony, the floor manager made it all come together. Thanks, folks.“

“Thanksgiving dinner again was exceptional. The greeting on arrival, the incredible menu, amazing service deliver a five star experience every visit. The outdoor dining creates a unique ambiance and if you want the best in fine dining..Jillian's is outstanding.“

“I just want to say that today was a wonderful day ending the day with a great dinner @ Rockwood Grill 🙏🏼 they were able to help me with going out of their way and having time to do this night memorable for helping me propose my future wife🙌🏼 shout out to Esmeralda and Rockwood team management and servers for this wonderful evening.“

“Concise Review Great poolside food, drinks, & staff ----- Longer Review We have visited Marriott’s Shadow Ridge in Palm Desert since 2002, and afternoons at the pool, with food and drinks from Chuckwalla Bar & Grill, are a bit part of every trip. One of my all time favorite photos is from a nice afternoon, poolside, several years ago when the kids were little... it was one of our most fun and peaceful afternoons as a family anywhere... the photos is of our daughter, asleep on my wonderful wife, my wonderful wife smiling at me, and our son was on the chair in between us, smiling as he was drinking a strawberry smoothie from Chuckwalla’s... such a blessing. We visited Southern California - Palm Desert, Yucaipa, and Malibu - for Spring Break 2021. This trip we had more activities off-property than usual, so we only got one nice long afternoon at the pool, and RebekahM made it a little extra special. The sun, the water, fun in the pool... and smoothies... such a joy. Before I had a chance to think about it, smoothies were en route from Chuckwalla... strawberry, banana, and alcohol-free pina colada. Rebekah delivered them to us with a big smile and infectiously positive attitude. Rebekah turned the fun up a notch with her dancing and smiling and laughing as she took our orders and delivered to the families around the pool... everyone was extra happy when she was around. Thank you, Rebekah and Chuckwalla, for another memorable trip! ----- ----- -----“

“Our 60's rock band Woody & The Retros play at PDCC, and we love the vibe, people and patio. Come see us and dance to the Feel Good Sounds of the Swingin' 60's. 💃🕺For booking contact Woody Retro. Thanks to Robert Pescador for bringing us back each season. We truly appreciate the opportunity. We hope to see YOU on the dance floor!“

“Stayed at nearby Courtyard and walked across to Applebee’s for lunch. Servers were friendly and sat us down quick. Food was big portioned and deserves a 3/5. Would suggest going to nearby JT’s diner for better tasting brunch/lunch options with fresh avocado“

“Agave is a hidden gem. Kevin is an absolute professional and it’s nice to get such good service and quality food in the valley. The drinks are some of the best we’ve had, and we drive from LaQuinta just for the raspberry lemon drop. It’s so good! This place is worth a visit and Kevin will take care of you, it’s a local treasure with seriously good food and fantastic service. Stop in!!“

“very nice brunch location! its tucked away next to the trader joes, so theres lots of parking. jackie was super nice and welcoming as we came in and throughout our meal! on top of that, the food was delicious 🙂‍↕ the country fried steak was tasty and the strawberry cheesecake pancakes were so fluffy. the highlight was the biscuits and gravy! it was so flavorful! would love to visit again :)“

“Would prefer table service versus ordering at counter.“

“Great service should be tops on their list of reasons to come here. Tracy is the best!“

“Great food selection and daily specials. Healthy portions and excellent history lesson on the walls.“