Oceana Restaurant

Day two of my wife's birthday celebration, the group had an hankering for some seafood and decided to check a spot we never heard of, but the reviews spoke highly of. Nestle in an outdoor shopping complex, Oceana is a hidden gem and I'm glad we discovered it.

Once we walked in it was if we were transported to a high-end restaurant where the staff was attentive, everyone is dressed to impress and we are all enjoying some of the best seafood we've had. Everything was fresh, hot and oh so delicious. The drinks packed a punch and pared wonderfully with the food.

The staff even made the experience extra special singing happy birthday to my wife and provided a delectable dessert to be enjoyed. Definitely my go to spot in Palms Spring for seafood. Not sure another spot could dethrone this local establishment.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Looking for a new restaurant for our trips through Palm Desert. What a wonderful find. Excellent food, great service, a varied menu, and the best truffle fries we’ve ever had!!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Unbelievably good dinner here and I like the setting, it’s not too fancy but it’s nice. The drunken shrimp was one of the best dishes I’ve ever had 😍

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Simply amazing. Seafood is the star here, but those preferring land-based protein will find nice selections too.

Our party of 10 was promptly seated for a late lunch in the side room across from the bar, and there was very ample room for 10 (maybe another 6 could be seated in the same area).

Our waiter came with seasoned vegetables (very crisp, cool, and refreshing with a hint of spice) and took beverage orders, and brought beverages back, answered menu questions, and then took orders.

The food arrived and most plates hit the table within a few minutes, with one plate a bit delayed, but not by much. Service that quickly for a group of 10 is tough, but the kitchen and waitstaff did their jobs well.

The food was fantastic. I had the Caribian Alhambres, that included octopus, salmon, and shrimp in a nicely spicy semi-brown sauce with pineapple bits, with a side of rice. The dish was outstanding, and I'd be hard pressed to not order it again at my next visit.

Others had the Orange Bacon Shrimp, the Ahi Tacos, the Diablo Shrimp, Crab Cake, Calamari, Trio Quesadillas, and Oscars Tacos (beef as I recall). Everyone raved about their selection. The tacos, served street style, were piled high with protein that required a fork for the first few bites, followed by the fold and hunch to eat the taco street style. The tortillas were very good and I suspect were house made. The Ahi on the tacos was really piled high and will also be on my list to try on a future visit. The Orange Bacon Shrimp was really different and reported as quite spicy, and the guest enjoyed every bite.

Oceana's waitstaff and kitchen took amazing care of our large group, and prices were very reasonable. I plan to go back for dinner and maybe do an all appetizer dinner like tapas!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Arturo was amazing he recommended amazing plates and was very attentive to our table. The food was 10/10

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Great dinner with friends. The Ahi Nachos were great and more than enough to share. Great service!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Had the octopus dinner, lobster soup and oysters. The oysters were ok. They were only served with shrimp cocktail sauce… expected a bit better sauces. The soup was good. The octopus dinner was a huge disappointment. It was not as expected. It was a whole octopus grilled with a chili sauce on it. The type of chili sauce you buy in a grocery store. It did not compliment the meat. Less than average. Not up to standard for a seafood place. We will not cheat there again.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 2

Service: 4

we chose Oceana based on other reviews - not disappointed Thomas our waiter was very attentive, We enjoyed the scallops in a river of orange bacon sauce, and the surf and turf. Hubby's birthday, and we finished with their luscious chocolate cake with a candle. We will definitely enjoy this restaurant again. Maybe sit outside next time!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Had a great dinner tonight. The scallops and calamari were delicious!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Visited this place and was a bit skeptical at first, but the reviews were great so decided to try it. I’m so glad I did! What a pleasant experience! From the greetings when I first walked in, to the attentiveness of Francisco, my server, to the absolute fabulous recommendations of food, everything was great. Started off with an appetizer that wasn’t on the menu but was the special for the day…it was a shrimp app with a garlic cream sauce placed in a bread bowl with spinach, tomatoes, some other delicious spices…10/10. I also got the Lobster Guacamole…it came with chips/pita points that were fried perfectly (not too hard or greasy) 8/10. For my entree, I got the BBQ Salmon sandwich with a side Caesar salad. This probably was my least favorite thing I tasted…it was a spin on a pulled pork sandwich, but the barbecue sauce was overwhelming. I would have enjoyed it more if there was less BBQ sauce. I would ask for it on the side if I were to get it again. 6/10. Overall, I REALLY enjoyed the experience and will definitely go back!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The food was amazing!! The service was great and the drinks were so good. So worth it!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

We had a great meal here. It seems more like a locals place rather than a tourist spot. The menu was extensive and the pricing was typical for Palm Desert. The night we went bottles of wine were half price. We would definitely go here again.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The service was bad and the food worse. Better go somewhere else.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 1

Service: 1

The best Mexican restaurant in town. Great atmosphere, food and prices. They serve you water in a tequila bottle.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Anniversary dinner small and quant location. The food delicious. I had the surf and turf dinner it was super delicious. Will return. Highly recommended.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5