21 Best Chinese Restaurants near Palm Desert

“We ordered hot and sour soup and cashew chicken. The soup was spot on. It had a spicy after taste. The cashew chicken was just right. We were impressed with the quality of our food. We also love the owner and his son. They made us feel very welcome“

“We had such a great experience at City Wok! The food came out fast but didn’t feel like fast food at all—everything was fresh, flavorful, and really well done. The indoor/outdoor space had such a fun vibe with great music, and the wait staff was fantastic. Geoffrey was hands-down one of the best servers we’ve had in years—super quick, attentive, and genuinely kind and intentional. Happy hour (3–6 PM) absolutely delivered—large portions, great food, and you don’t even need to order a drink to enjoy the happy hour menu, which we loved. We’ll definitely be back!“

“As far as fast food goes, this place is pretty consistent…. The food is usually pretty fresh and the serving sizes are good too. This location is always clean and well maintained. The staff here tonight were efficient and helpful, even though there was a line out the door. This happens occasionally mid week when they do a school fundraiser.“

“I got there 15 minutes before closing because someone really wanted orange chicken! The person who helped us was really nice and offered to make a little more when she saw my son was sad. He was really happy with his food! Thanks so much for the great service.“

“I've been to several panda expresses here in the desert. This place is closest to our home. The food is pretty good but they are out of what we order most of the time and have to wait to get new batch. Usually about maybe 10 minute wait. The portions are always different depending on who serves the food. Alec doesn't give you much where as Dayna gives you much more...We know now who is serving to know what and when to order. Some give larger portions than others. But there's normally no wait and service is pretty quick. The restaurant is fairly clean and plenty of parking. Good for fast food!“

“Food was excellent!! The service was little slow but it was very busy. Nice otherwise!!😋🥰“

“Food was kind of Sweet, tart and some spicy. Not too impressed by the place. Prices were kind of high for the type of Service that we had. I guess because of the name we expected more. Also the waiter would get lost most of the time that we were there.“

“fresh quality ingredients, deliciously authentic Chinese food, friendly service. i confidently recommend this restaurant 👌“

“We recently moved to Cathedral City from New Jersey and have been making it a point to try as many local restaurants as possible. China 8 was our latest stop, and overall we had a pleasant experience.

The service was friendly and attentive from the moment we arrived. We started with the fried potstickers, which were crispy and enjoyable. The egg drop soup wasn't our favorite, as it included corn, which was a little different from what we're used to, but it was still a nice start to the meal.

For our entrées, we had the Chicken with Snow Peas and the Chicken & Broccoli in Garlic Sauce. The snow peas were fresh and crisp, and the chicken was tender. The garlic sauce dish was packed with flavor and definitely had some heat to it—more than we expected—but it was well prepared and made with fresh ingredients.

While China 8 hasn't quite replaced our longtime favorite Chinese restaurant back in New Jersey, it was a solid meal and one we enjoyed. We would definitely come back and explore more of the menu, especially now that we know to ask for milder spice levels on some dishes.

If you're looking for a dependable neighborhood Chinese restaurant with friendly service and generous portions, China 8 is worth a visit.“

“it's a good place to eat 🤗“

“We went there tonight for the first time after getting a flyer for them. The dining area is clean and nice decor but a bit crowded when navigating between tables. We were asked for our drink order right away, and it delivered quickly. The male server came to take our order but we were not quite ready yet since this was our first visit and wanted to look over the menu. The server turned and left in a huff 🙄, sorry we were putting him out… Later a different server came to take our order. Again, I felt we were putting her out as well, not very hospitable or welcoming. Our meal arrived and it was very good; we really enjoyed it. Unfortunately after the meal was delivered our server went missing in action, no check back or refill on our drinks. In fact she was so busy chatting with the table behind me that she just reached over to set the bill for the meal on our table without breaking stride in her conversation with the other table. When it was time to go we asked for to-go containers for what we had not eaten; again I felt like we interrupted her as she returned with the containers dropped them on the table, turned and walked away. Later she returned to pick up our payment, not a thank you or how was your visit just grab and go. Bottom line for us, while the food was very good, well prepared and presented. The service was very underwhelming. We will have to think about returning for a second visit.“

“The food is absolutely delicious! The staff is very friendly and attentive. They have a great variety of Asian dishes and they are all absolutely delicious, you much give it a try!“

“It appeared that half of the Coachella Valley ordered from Wang's on Christmas Day. Understandably the wait was long and the staff a bit stressed. Despite this, the quality and taste of the food was FIRST RATE. Wang's Chinese food rivals what we used to have in NY.“

“all pandas are pretty much equal because they are chains and pretty consistent across the board. but sometimes you get a particular server who is beyond helpful and friendly and tonight i have to say that alexiia was that server.

she had service with a smile, offered me a drink because i had to wait a mere two minutes for some fresh orange chicken, and then made sure my food was packed up quickly and efficiently.

just had to point out that she was great.“

“very good food!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!“

“We stay at a timeshare near this restaurant. It is in the shopping center where I shop for groceries and I have seen it for years.\nLast night we wanted to go somewhere close by, so we tried it.\nIt was really good. The service was excellent and the food was very good. This will be a new regular spot for us when we visit.“

“11/5/24 - I just visited this panda express for the very first time, and I'm highly impressed with the customer service, food, and atmosphere. I ordered orange chic, fried rice, chow mein. It was packed and during lunch, but the handsome manager and entire staff were super fast and efficient. I agreed to wait for fresh fried rice, and I'm glad I did. It didn't take long and everything tasted delicious. The young man who bagged the takeout was very kind as well. Even the restroom was clean.

Thanks guys!
S“

“All I came to do here is to give a huge THANK YOU to Salma. I think that is her name. I went in last week and asked her for a small bowl and she took care of me. I think the girl that helped me was Salma, but if it was not Salma, It is a girl whose name starts with an S. I wanted to say, thank you so much for your amazing service. I walked in and shared with you about a past experience I had at that same location and she apologized. Then she went on to assist me. She definitely knows what customer service is all about. I will always be grateful for that orange chicken.“

“recently visited Panda Express and I have to say, this location truly stands out when it comes to consistency, cleanliness, and overall customer experience.

From the moment I walked in, the restaurant felt welcoming and well-maintained. The dining area was spotless, with neatly arranged tables and a modern, organized layout that made it easy to sit down and enjoy a meal comfortably. Even during a busy time, the staff kept everything clean and presentable, which is something I always appreciate when dining out.

The service was efficient and friendly. The team behind the counter moved quickly while still being attentive to each customer. They were patient, answered questions about menu items, and made sure portions were generous. It’s clear that the staff here takes pride in delivering a positive experience rather than just rushing through orders.

Now let’s talk about the food — exactly what you expect from Panda Express, but done right. Everything looked fresh, hot, and well-prepared. The Orange Chicken had the perfect balance of crispiness and flavor, the chow mein was cooked just right, and the fried rice had great texture without being overly greasy. You can tell the food turnover is high here, which means you’re getting freshly made items instead of something that’s been sitting too long.

One thing that really stood out to me was the consistency. Whether you’re a regular Panda Express customer or trying it for the first time, this location delivers that familiar taste you’re looking for — but with an extra level of care in both presentation and service.

The location itself is also very convenient, right off CA-111 in La Quinta, making it an easy stop whether you’re local or just passing through. Parking is simple, and the overall accessibility adds to the smooth experience.

Overall, I would highly recommend this Panda Express location to anyone looking for a quick, reliable, and satisfying meal. Between the clean environment, friendly staff, and consistently good food, this spot definitely earns a solid 5-star experience. I’ll definitely be coming back again.

The service stood out right away. The staff was friendly, efficient, and attentive without making the experience feel rushed. Even during a steady flow of customers, they kept the line moving quickly while still making sure each order was handled properly. It’s always a good sign when employees are working together smoothly, and that’s exactly what I noticed here.

The food was fresh and flavorful, which is what keeps me coming back to Panda Express. The Orange Chicken was perfectly crispy with just the right amount of sauce, and the chow mein had a great texture and taste. Everything looked fresh on the line, and the portions were generous, making it a great value for the price.

Another thing I appreciated was the consistency. You know what to expect from Panda Express, and this location delivers it at a high level. It’s a reliable spot when you want something quick but still satisfying.“

“The person taking my order was having a bad shift. I understand anyone can have a long day but it is not okay to be rude towards a customer who was being polite. Going anywhere to pay for things while looking forward for leaving a tip is crazy when someone’s attitude makes you not want to eat what they served.“

“I had passed by this buffet several times a day but finally decided to stop in and I'm glad I did. This was my first visit, and the experience was excellent from start to finish. Our group of five was seated right away, which made a great first impression.
The food selection was impressive:

everything was fresh, hot, and delicious. I especially recommend the baked mussels, white steamed fish, and dumplings-they stood out the most. The service was also great, and the staff made sure we were well taken care of throughout our visit.

Overall, a fantastic dining experience, and I will definitely be coming back.“