Palm Springs: Top 10 for Drinks and Food (for those of us over 40 but under 60)
We love Palm Springs not just for the weather (and the tennis) but also for the great food and drinks. All of these places offer acceptable non-alcoholic options according to my non-drinking husband. I like a good craft cocktail with fresh ingredients. Our current favorite places in Palm Springs are (in alpha order):
Azucar Palm Springs is located at La Serena Villas property right off the downtown Palm Springs strip. Reservations are required but you can often get in by asking at the front desk.
Drinks and food are delicious and the service is always good. For a difference experience, after 5, check out the Sugar High rooftop lounge which has a casual and fun vibe. My favorite drink is the Pamplemouss Sparkle (but the Palm Collins is also delicious!). The yellowfin tuna tartare and the chips/guac pair beautifully with both.
Boozehounds on N. Palm Canyon is worth the drive (or ebike ride). The cocktails are creative and the old standards like the eastside or the last word are perfectly balanced. Try the garlic noodles and leave room for dessert.
Bring your dog in through the doggy door to dine on the outside patio or enjoy the multi-faceted indoor dining, bar, and lounge areas with your fur-babies. We were there early and easily got seats at the bar. This is a very cool but unpretentious place.
Chi Chi at the Avalon Hotel is on S. Belardo, just down the street from Azucar. A number of years ago we dined by the pool, under the stars, with a view of the mountain. The food and service are reliably good.
Copleys on N. Palm Canyon is a Palm Springs classic that, while old school dining, isn’t just for Boomers. The food is fresh and modern and the property (part of Cary Grant’s estate) is tasteful and relaxing. Their lamb and scallops, whatever the preparation, are always perfect. Try the caesar salad just for the pineapple croutons. Nice wine list, good classic cocktails.
849 on N. Palm Canyon has one of my favorite dishes ever, the poblano chile relleno. I love the aesthetic of this place along with the food and cocktails. Grab a seat at the bar to enjoy a cocktail or dine inside or out. There’s a lot to look at and appreciate.
El Jefe at the Saguaro Palm Springs hotel on E. Palm Canyon. Walk through this beautiful and hip mid-century motel lobby, past the Barbies on display, to get to the El Jefe restaurant. Enjoy the El Jefe margarita with the shimp tacos and you can’t go wrong. One day, the chef will give me the recipe to their perfect roasted salsa. You’ll want to start with an order of that with chips.
Johannes is a block off the main strip in downtown Palm Springs and while everything on the menu is good, the schnitzel is amazing. The menu is eclectic and the atmosphere is bright and clean.
PS Air is a fun, airplane themed speakeasy in the back of the Bouschet wine and spirits shop on S. Palm Canyon. You will be greeted by servers dressed like pilots and quickly seated in one of the reserved airplane seat sections.
The tables are repurposed airplane wings and the decor is cleverly done to give the impression of being inside a commerical airplane. I recommend the aviation cocktail which they serve with an airplane shaped ice cube. Snacks and dessert are available although they were out of the first class (hot) nuts when we went. They often have live entertainment.
Spencer’s at the Palm Springs Tennis Club is our go to for brunch, lunch, dinner, or cocktails. The food is great for all meals and it’s especially nice to dine on the patio under the trees. Plan ahead and get reservations, especially for brunch or lunch (tennis players and locals quickly take over). Don’t be fooled by the old school look and feel.
Tac’Quila seems to have a line out the door but it moves pretty quickly and is worth the wait. Service is great. Try the Frida Kahlo cocktail, the Paloma, or the flight of four margaritas to go with their al pastor and shrimp tacos. Start with the grilled avocado salad if you want to feel virtuous.
About the Author
Terri Hanson Mead is the multi-award winning author of Piloting Your Life, Managing Partner of Solutions2Projects, LLC, and an advocate for women through all of her platforms including YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and this blog. Terri is the mother of two college aged kids, is based in Redwood City, CA and in her spare time, loves to travel, cook, play tennis, and fly helicopters around the San Francisco Bay Area, especially under the Golden Gate Bridge. Oh, and she loves a good craft cocktail!
