19 Best Italian Restaurants in Palm Desert

“When in PS, this is the only place for italian food. Reserve early to not be disappointed“

“Best Italian dining in Palm desert! Cozy and friendly atmosphere with high quality and originally italian made dishes!“

“Elio and Luba are beyond wonderful. The intimacy of the restaurant is wonderful. The food on the menu or on the specials list was delicious. Luba and Elio perform as if they are making dinner just for you!!! Will go back many times after this first experience dining with them last night. This will become our go to Italian restaurant in the Desert. Thank you, Luba & Elio. 🥂🥂“

“Went for my mom’s Birthday on the 8th. Super nice staff, I reserved a seat for inside but they tried to move us outside on the patio. I would’ve, if it weren’t so hot. They let us sit inside the bar which was nice. The manager (I assume) was super nice and the hostess was very welcoming.

Also whoever the bartender who was working on the 8th at 7ish is a super cool dude. Food was out very fast and delicious.“

“We had lunch special (sausage parmigiana and spaghetti meat sauce) each, then took home a large pizza. Generous amount for the price (less than $10 for lunch) and food is okay! I liked the atmosphere. The staff are very nice, and the restaurant is super clean. Large pizza (Mario’s special) is only $24.“

“The one in Palm Desert is good. Nice restaurants and area. Delicious food.“

“Very good food a wonderful experience !“

“We originally came because of finding you on the Upside app. Little did we know……Wow! Such an amazing meal and awesome service! Arturo was our server and was on top of his game. The Lasagna “Bolognase” was out of this world. Very rich and flavorful. The homemade sausage….out of this world! My wife had The penne with red and white sauce. Again….delicious! We will be back!“

“We couldn’t have been happier with our experience at Mamma Gina’s! We managed to book a table for a group of 13 just 45 minutes before arriving on a Monday night, and they handled it flawlessly—seating us comfortably in their private banquet room.
From the start, the staff impressed us with their warm welcome and attentive service. Our waters were constantly topped off, and we were served two kinds of warm bread accompanied by a delicious olive tapenade. The waiter kindly explained, “We can change the pasta type or sauce on your meal, so don’t hesitate to ask,” which really highlighted their flexibility and hospitality.
The food was outstanding. Starters included Caesar and mixed salads (each large enough to share), a beet salad packed with fresh beets, flavorful bruschetta, and minestrone soup. Several of us took the waiter’s recommendation and ordered the special lasagna—layered with a subtle, savory meat sauce and a heavenly béchamel white sauce accompanied by sautéed spinach. Others enjoyed the rigatoni with sausage and peppers, linguine puttanesca, and pomodoro—all cooked to perfection. The portions were generous, ensuring delicious leftovers the next day.
Mamma Gina’s also offers a well-curated wine list and a full bar. I highly recommend this restaurant for its outstanding service, top-quality food, generous portions, and inviting atmosphere. Several people in our group were still raving about the meal days later and telling others to give it a try—you’ll have a delightful dining experience!“

“atmosphere and food was very good. bit they didn't bring the bread or side spinach we ordered until hallfway through our entree. we had to ask for it. maybe just a little short staffed.“

“Found this fine establishment by accident. A great find. Was on a drive from NorCal to Phoenix & stopped in Palm Desert for the night. Will return their often!“

“The food was fantastic! I had the risotto and I highly recommend it!“

“Waldo’s is awesome!!! A group of 12 went to Waldo’s last night and had an amazing time. Every dish we ate was fabulous. Our server Barbara was amazing and so attentive. Our new favorite restaurant.“

“We were a group of six for dinner. There were no wait times, and the food was excellent. But the real highlight was our server, Russ. He was incredibly friendly and helpful, and it was clear that he truly loves his job. Thank you for the wonderful experience – the Germans.“

“Love this place! It’s our “go to”.“

“Fabulous dining Lovely Bistro type“

“So cool to have an authentic coffee place in our desert!! It feels like coffee shop straight out of Italy! Workers are so nice! Great customer service! The food is delicious! I recommend any of the paninis! And the coffee is great! Definitely worth a stop when near by and in need of coffee!!“

“Outstanding foods, so authentic. We’ve seen many postings in social media which do it little justice. We’re so glad we visited and came home with a big haul. Also, our neighbor brought is dinner the other day and we were instantly hooked!“

“My boyfriend (a competitive pool player) and I are in town visiting and needed a place to practice. This place has 3 nice pool tables and everyone is super nice. We talked to the owner for a bit and he is such a nice, down to earth guy. Some of these reviews state otherwise but from my experience those people just need something to complain about. Great atmosphere and people. Will be coming here everytime we visit.“