FAVORITE RESTAURANTS WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE
Surrounded by lush gardens inside the private poolside courtyard at Descanso Resort, it’s easy to forget that our location in the Uptown District is within walking distance of some of Palm Spring’s best restaurants and shops. There are so many great restaurants to choose from, we asked General Manager Kent Taylor and our ownership team to share a few of our favorites.
Right around the corner, you’ll find this new local favorite that opened during the pandemic. The casual dining room is open and airy, there’s an awesome wrap-around patio, and the menu highlights comfort foods prepared in style with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Reservations are recommended, but if you’re happy to sit at the bar or a high top, not necessarily needed. GF and Vegan options, brunch is available on Saturdays and Sundays. They are open until 10 PM on weekends, which is late for us here in the desert!
If you appreciate really good sushi, Palm Spring’s most talked about sushi spot is less than a 5-minute walk away. Sandfish is a smaller place with an award-winning sushi chef, so you’re absolutely going to need to make reservations in advance of your visit. Sit indoors in the sleek dining room, or outside on the groovy patio in covered sitting ‘nooks’ made from converted shipping containers. Everything is super fresh and super good. If you’re looking for an experience, the omakase chef’s tasting menu is a real treat.
The duo behind this smash-burger spot first gained a faithful following at the VillageFest street fair, later shifting to occasional pop-ups. Now they’ve settled into a permanent location right around the corner from the hotel, where they sell Harris Ranch beef cheeseburgers, fried chicken sandwiches, and in-house made veggie burgers on potato buns, as well as loaded fries and an impressive house salad.
In the mood for a blast from the past? Head to Billy Reed’s for generous servings of simple homemade comfort food like chicken pot pie, prime rib with all the fixins, or all-day breakfast. From the cozy red booths to the velvet-flocked wallpaper, Billy Reed’s is a true slice of Palm Springs history. And speaking of a slice, make sure you save room for some homemade pie for dessert!
The JWB Grill is a 5-minute walk up Indian Canyon inside the Margaritaville Resort. The poolside patio is a great place to sit in the evening, with a fire pit and lots of glowing lanterns. The limited menu includes an eclectic mix of California fair, from grilled seafood to chicken sandwiches and tacos, plus great appetizers. Breakfast and lunch are available, and JWB stays open until 10 PM on the weekend.
A little bit further up the road (about 15 minutes away) you’ll find Boozehounds, our own official ‘pet-friendly’ restaurant with an expansive covered patio and a fun indoor dining room. The Asian-influenced menu features dishes like Miso sea bass fish & chips, fresh crudo, and a good burger. Boozehounds makes great craft cocktails (including one of our favorite margaritas), has a daily happy hour, and is open until 11 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.
Heading towards downtown, El Mirasol at Los Arboles serves up authentic Mexican food and delicious margaritas in a pretty courtyard ringed by fruit trees. This family-run hidden gem is a favorite for locals and visitors who are in the know. You’ll definitely need reservations here, which are only made by calling or emailing in advance. Located just off Indian Canyon Drive inside the Los Arboles Hotel, El Mirasol is a 15-minute walk away.
If you are in the mood for something sweet, right around the corner, in the Arrive Hotel is a great local ice cream shop. Open until 10 PM Sun-Thursday and until 11 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.
The Uptown Design District is a great area to explore with lots of hip boutiques and some of Palm Spring’s top dining spots. Some of our favorites here include Jake’s, Trio, Workshop Kitchen + Bar, and Birba. A great meal is never far away from Descanso!