We love the food at Normas, but my reason for only giving a 3 star is due to the experience with their new Peak Reservation system. It requires the customer to " buy a table". We only wanted to have brunch and sit on the patio. This is something we have done many times over the last 10 years. Now you have to pay Peak a $10-20 fee to pick a table. Peak then adds on taxes and a convenience fee. Norma's is not a Michelin star restaurant thus no reason to be buying a table just to get a reservation. Further confusing the situation is when I get an email the day before our reservation telling me that someone wants to bid on my table.It's not the dollar value that is of issue, it's how it makes a customer feel. I sincerely hope they get rid of this feature. Out of principle, I won't be returning and neither will my friends.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kyle Norton
We were denied seating at 11:20 when the place was empty….
joe udell
Such a disappointing experience for breakfast today. Of the 5 meals 4 were comped for either being burnt, cold, or just terrible. A very sad experience all around. Even with the comped meals, the bill was still $115 with no alcohol. Your mileage may vary.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Donuts
Linda Buckley
Breakfast on Norma’s patio was a great experience. Love the decor and atmosphere, even in the rain. Attentive service and yummy food. Norma’s Donuts are a must-have!
Arrived and had a great vibe and was looking forward to a good meal. Unfortunately the food and drinks were so bad. The Bloody Mary was the worst I’ve ever had. For food I had the lobster and mahi fish & chips. The batter was overcooked, oily and soggy. The salad was bland, tasteless but looked great. Such a shame but the food didn’t match the location or the vibe. Our server was great.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 4
Sam S.
So so bad. Are bots writing the good reviews of this place?? Service, food, organization - all terrible. The staff was the worst part of our experience, followed in a close second by the food quality. Observations: table across from us, food comped due to bad service. Table behind me, food comped due to bad food quality. The poor manager was the hardest working employee there; comping everyone's meals. Is this place going out of business? I will say, the guacamole was good. Everything else: shockingly bad. If you want to roll the dice and try this place, I hope you don't get the team that I encountered.
Kim J.
The food at Norma's was mediocre, at best. Nothing was seasoned properly and so bland. The menu is extremely over priced. Each wine pour was chintzy, 3-4 ounces per $17 glass. The service wasn't even good (and there were only 4 tables). We walked away paying over $200 for two and adults and two kids, plus valet! So over-hyped. Don't waste your money like we did!
John H.
Our serve, Dahlia, was so cool. She was fun, informative and friendly. She fit with the fun midcentury vibe that was prevalent throughput the whole hotel. They have really cool art pieces that are unique as well as quintessential pieces. The food was great. We had the lobster macaroni and cheese and fish tacos. We started with the crab cakes, the vegan crab cakes and the guacamole and chips. They were all good too but the vegan crab cakes tasted too mushroomy. The drinks were good too. I had a beer and margarita. Their beer selection was small with a cool assortment of foreign options.
Mishel Fletcher
Extremely slow service - we clocked in at 1 hour from arriving to receiving our meal. No one came to refresh waters, ask if we needed anything else and we had to track down the manager to inquire whether our food was coming soon. Same service at the valet as well - disjointed, confused and unfriendly. The donuts were delicious but the fish burger had no flavor and the fish tacos were burned.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 1
Recommended dishes: Donuts
Brianna Dueck
We had a delicious brunch at Norma’s! Expensive, yes, but the portion sizes are huge! And everything was amazing. Would highly recommend a visit!
Norma's in Palm Springs offers an exquisite dining experience. With a very quirky mid century modern and yet somehow worldly and diverse theme, the ambiance is chic yet cozy, complemented by attentive staff. The menu boasts an equally diverse range of dishes, from classic brunch options to innovative creations. The Upstream Eggs Benedict was a standout, perfectly poached eggs topped with caviar atop salmon lox layered on gluten free bread with a heavenly hollandaise sauce. That’s right… they offer gluten free bread. It’s a miracle.The fresh and vibrant ingredients showcased the chef's commitment to quality. Prices are on the higher side, my dish was thirty dollars! You might expect a wait before being seated but there is an impressive waiting area with a fireplace and the coolest designer MCM lounge spots. The culinary journey and impeccable service make it a worthwhile indulgence for those seeking a memorable dining experience in Palm Springs.Dietary restrictions: They offer gluten free options upon request.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Upstream Eggs Benedict, Short Rib Benedict
Greta T.
Fabulous. We had our BMW serviced and saw that this was nearby. Wow. Amazing menu and service. Much better than hanging out in a dealership. This is in a 5 star hotel which is known to be very "hip". I guess we are pretty hip now too! Oh yes I need to mention they are pet friendly and Bentley loves the dog treats and special attention. We will be back!
Jim H.
It was a very interesting experience. They had us wait 20 minutes for a table even though the restaurant was half full before and during our meal. There seemed to be enough staff on the floor and our food came out of the kitchen timely, however it seemed as though we were lost on the floor and had minimal service while we saw other tables receive excellent service. When we went to pay, they did not have change for a $100 bill. I am not sure what was going on there, but it really was not a good experience. The food was good and the restaurant and patio were really nice. I just know that there are a lot more choices out there and I would not recommend Norma's.
Bill H.
Three of us had an early dinner the other night and overall it was a meh experience, especially since it was very expensive. When we arrived no one was at the host desk and we waited for about 10 min. (and asked the hotel reception if we were in the right place) for the manager to appear. We were finally seated on the patio; service was slow for the rest of the evening and it appeared they were understaffed. Patio heaters were running out of fuel and several had to be changed out during dinner. One of the people in my group had issues with her cocktail: she ordered a whiskey 7 but got whiskey and club soda. After asking for an extra glass of 7 up or sprite to add to the very strong drink at the table, she was again brought club soda. An experienced server and bartender should have known how to make this drink, but it just turned out to be a $24 cluster f. The lighting is too dim; as darkness came, we had difficulty seeing the menu and then the food. We noticed others using their phone flashlights to look at the menu. Some supplemental lighting would be helpful. Plus the original patio lights on the side of the building are bright and shine outward, so if you're sitting as I did looking toward the inside dining room, they are blinding. There was a smell of sewer that occasionally came around the table; not sure if it was from the treatment plant across the wash or from the Salton Sea. It could also have been coming from somewhere on the resort grounds. The food was good: lobster mac and cheese, petit filet mignon, and Nonna's doughnuts. Parking is not free; it's $25 or $15 with restaurant validation, plus valet tip. Overall we spent well over $300 that evening and for that it should be an amazing experience. The hotel/resort/grounds are wonderful: very hip and quirky with several chill lounge areas to sit in. The service fell short though for us and that is why the 3 star rating.
ELAINE Anisko
We drove over from Hemet/San Jacinto area for shopping and lunch. The 3 of us had very delicious meals! Norma's is my go to restaurant around Palm Springs!!
We love the food at Normas, but my reason for only giving a 3 star is due to the experience with their new Peak Reservation system. It requires the customer to " buy a table". We only wanted to have brunch and sit on the patio. This is something we have done many times over the last 10 years. Now you have to pay Peak a $10-20 fee to pick a table. Peak then adds on taxes and a convenience fee. Norma's is not a Michelin star restaurant thus no reason to be buying a table just to get a reservation. Further confusing the situation is when I get an email the day before our reservation telling me that someone wants to bid on my table.It's not the dollar value that is of issue, it's how it makes a customer feel. I sincerely hope they get rid of this feature. Out of principle, I won't be returning and neither will my friends.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
We were denied seating at 11:20 when the place was empty….
Such a disappointing experience for breakfast today. Of the 5 meals 4 were comped for either being burnt, cold, or just terrible. A very sad experience all around. Even with the comped meals, the bill was still $115 with no alcohol. Your mileage may vary.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Donuts
Breakfast on Norma’s patio was a great experience. Love the decor and atmosphere, even in the rain. Attentive service and yummy food. Norma’s Donuts are a must-have!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Upstream Eggs Benedict, Donuts
Arrived and had a great vibe and was looking forward to a good meal. Unfortunately the food and drinks were so bad. The Bloody Mary was the worst I’ve ever had. For food I had the lobster and mahi fish & chips. The batter was overcooked, oily and soggy. The salad was bland, tasteless but looked great. Such a shame but the food didn’t match the location or the vibe. Our server was great.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 4
So so bad. Are bots writing the good reviews of this place?? Service, food, organization - all terrible. The staff was the worst part of our experience, followed in a close second by the food quality. Observations: table across from us, food comped due to bad service. Table behind me, food comped due to bad food quality. The poor manager was the hardest working employee there; comping everyone's meals. Is this place going out of business? I will say, the guacamole was good. Everything else: shockingly bad. If you want to roll the dice and try this place, I hope you don't get the team that I encountered.
The food at Norma's was mediocre, at best. Nothing was seasoned properly and so bland. The menu is extremely over priced. Each wine pour was chintzy, 3-4 ounces per $17 glass. The service wasn't even good (and there were only 4 tables). We walked away paying over $200 for two and adults and two kids, plus valet! So over-hyped. Don't waste your money like we did!
Our serve, Dahlia, was so cool. She was fun, informative and friendly. She fit with the fun midcentury vibe that was prevalent throughput the whole hotel. They have really cool art pieces that are unique as well as quintessential pieces. The food was great. We had the lobster macaroni and cheese and fish tacos. We started with the crab cakes, the vegan crab cakes and the guacamole and chips. They were all good too but the vegan crab cakes tasted too mushroomy. The drinks were good too. I had a beer and margarita. Their beer selection was small with a cool assortment of foreign options.
Extremely slow service - we clocked in at 1 hour from arriving to receiving our meal. No one came to refresh waters, ask if we needed anything else and we had to track down the manager to inquire whether our food was coming soon. Same service at the valet as well - disjointed, confused and unfriendly. The donuts were delicious but the fish burger had no flavor and the fish tacos were burned.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 1
Recommended dishes: Donuts
We had a delicious brunch at Norma’s! Expensive, yes, but the portion sizes are huge! And everything was amazing. Would highly recommend a visit!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Norma's in Palm Springs offers an exquisite dining experience. With a very quirky mid century modern and yet somehow worldly and diverse theme, the ambiance is chic yet cozy, complemented by attentive staff. The menu boasts an equally diverse range of dishes, from classic brunch options to innovative creations. The Upstream Eggs Benedict was a standout, perfectly poached eggs topped with caviar atop salmon lox layered on gluten free bread with a heavenly hollandaise sauce. That’s right… they offer gluten free bread. It’s a miracle.The fresh and vibrant ingredients showcased the chef's commitment to quality. Prices are on the higher side, my dish was thirty dollars! You might expect a wait before being seated but there is an impressive waiting area with a fireplace and the coolest designer MCM lounge spots. The culinary journey and impeccable service make it a worthwhile indulgence for those seeking a memorable dining experience in Palm Springs.Dietary restrictions: They offer gluten free options upon request.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Upstream Eggs Benedict, Short Rib Benedict
Fabulous. We had our BMW serviced and saw that this was nearby. Wow. Amazing menu and service. Much better than hanging out in a dealership. This is in a 5 star hotel which is known to be very "hip". I guess we are pretty hip now too! Oh yes I need to mention they are pet friendly and Bentley loves the dog treats and special attention. We will be back!
It was a very interesting experience. They had us wait 20 minutes for a table even though the restaurant was half full before and during our meal. There seemed to be enough staff on the floor and our food came out of the kitchen timely, however it seemed as though we were lost on the floor and had minimal service while we saw other tables receive excellent service. When we went to pay, they did not have change for a $100 bill. I am not sure what was going on there, but it really was not a good experience. The food was good and the restaurant and patio were really nice. I just know that there are a lot more choices out there and I would not recommend Norma's.
Three of us had an early dinner the other night and overall it was a meh experience, especially since it was very expensive. When we arrived no one was at the host desk and we waited for about 10 min. (and asked the hotel reception if we were in the right place) for the manager to appear. We were finally seated on the patio; service was slow for the rest of the evening and it appeared they were understaffed. Patio heaters were running out of fuel and several had to be changed out during dinner. One of the people in my group had issues with her cocktail: she ordered a whiskey 7 but got whiskey and club soda. After asking for an extra glass of 7 up or sprite to add to the very strong drink at the table, she was again brought club soda. An experienced server and bartender should have known how to make this drink, but it just turned out to be a $24 cluster f. The lighting is too dim; as darkness came, we had difficulty seeing the menu and then the food. We noticed others using their phone flashlights to look at the menu. Some supplemental lighting would be helpful. Plus the original patio lights on the side of the building are bright and shine outward, so if you're sitting as I did looking toward the inside dining room, they are blinding. There was a smell of sewer that occasionally came around the table; not sure if it was from the treatment plant across the wash or from the Salton Sea. It could also have been coming from somewhere on the resort grounds. The food was good: lobster mac and cheese, petit filet mignon, and Nonna's doughnuts. Parking is not free; it's $25 or $15 with restaurant validation, plus valet tip. Overall we spent well over $300 that evening and for that it should be an amazing experience. The hotel/resort/grounds are wonderful: very hip and quirky with several chill lounge areas to sit in. The service fell short though for us and that is why the 3 star rating.
We drove over from Hemet/San Jacinto area for shopping and lunch. The 3 of us had very delicious meals! Norma's is my go to restaurant around Palm Springs!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4