Palm Springs is a city built on passionate getaways and amorous retreats. From the boutique hotels and spas to desert adventures, there’s never a shortage of dreamy activities to work up your appetite. And when the sun sets? Well, then it’s time to search out some of the most romantic restaurants in Palm Springs. And we just so happen to have a list! Whether you live in Palm Springs or are just visiting, these restaurants are sure to inspire unforgettable evenings.
Lavender Bistro
It seems strange to call Lavender Bistro a hidden gem since it’s actually quite popular. Yet, its unassuming location in Old Town La Quinta makes it a somewhat surprising favorite for visiting celebrities.
Regulars and first-time guests alike rave about its warm, welcoming staff and gourmet food. Lavender Bistro prides itself on serving up a variety of seafood, Italian cuisine, and refreshing cocktails with strictly organic ingredients.
But its award-winning patio is what classifies it among the most romantic restaurants in Palm Springs. The well-sized patio exudes ambience with trees adorned in twinkling lights, tables set with decorative flowers, and the mellow sounds of live music in the evening air.
Johnny Costa’s Ristorante
If you’re looking for some authentic Italian and don’t mind braving downtown crowds, Johnny Costa’s is often a crowd-pleaser. This classically nostalgic restaurant is renowned as a favorite of Frank Sinatra’s. In fact, the crooner’s love ran so deep, he employed the original owner as his personal chef in his Rancho Mirage home.
Today, you can enjoy some of Sinatra’s favorite food at this popular Palm Canyon Drive location. While Sinatra’s endorsement doesn’t necessarily spell romance, the candlelit tables and classic Italian music work a distinctly passionate magic.
Takashin
The delicate beauty of sushi is perfect for amorous atmospheres so it’s little wonder that many of the most romantic restaurants in Palm Springs are sushi joints. We’ll cover a few of our favorites on this list, but first up is Takashin.
Notable for serving up traditional Japanese cuisine with a modern touch, it’s the perfect spot for wowing your date with edible art. You can always count on the freshest fish in Palm Springs efficiently served in an elegantly understated atmosphere.
Takashin is also renowned for their diverse sake selection. We personally recommend letting the knowledgeable staff take your taste buds on a guided tour with their sake flight. The only potential drawback with Takashin is a lack of outdoor seating.
Cork Tree
If Californian cuisine (and some matching wine) is more your speed, reserve a table at Cork Tree in Palm Desert. The friendly yet elegant staff serve up regional favorites using only locally sourced ingredients. Their food presentation is outstanding enough to give the sushi spots a run for their money.
But it’s the welcoming, cozy atmosphere that makes this one of the most romantic restaurants in Palm Springs. Even their menus light up! Grab a private booth and their delicious crème brûlée flight for dessert and your date will likely light up too.
La Spiga
If you want a trip to Tuscany on a Palm Springs budget, you’re in luck. La Spiga, a romantic Italian restaurant, takes influence from a Tuscan villa with its gorgeous architecture. We recommend reserving a table in one of their three gazebos. You can also take in the mountain vista from their patio that surrounds the building.
Wine aficionados will no doubt be impressed by their vast, diverse selection. And if you don’t know wine? La Spiga’s patient, knowledgeable staff are always happy to help with recommendations fit to your tastes.
Miro’s Restaurant
The flavorful European-influenced cuisine and outstanding service at Miro’s Restaurant is no secret. Often booked out weeks in advance, it’s one of the most popular spots in town.
It’s also one of the most romantic restaurants in Palm Springs with its pastoral outdoor patio. There, you can enjoy world-class meals by trees and floral bushes decked in soft lighting. And when the meal is finished, expect the owner to come out and personally thank you for your patronage. Now that’s class.
Sandfish Sushi and Whiskey
Sandfish Sushi and Whiskey is just the first of Chef Engin Onural’s restaurants to make this list. What can we say? Palm Springs loves their sushi.
While raw fish served with hard liquor in a Scandinavian setting may not sound amorous, Sandfish makes it work. Onural artfully pairs his handcrafted sushi art with top shelf whiskey for a one-of-a-kind experience. The presentation is off the charts and the flavor is right there with it.
Don’t know what whiskeys pair with which rolls? Don’t worry, the attentive and friendly staff will be happy to guide your palate with recommendations. Just make sure to plan your date well in advance, because Sandfish is always packed to the gills.
The Venue
The Venue is Sandfish’s sister restaurant and the second restaurant from Chef Engin Onural to make our list. A somewhat quieter atmosphere than Sandfish, The Venue is still popular nonetheless.
You won’t find whiskey here though their intimate menu offers some interesting sake options. But it’s the fashionable yet subdued atmosphere that makes it one of the most romantic restaurants in Palm Springs. And the food is exactly the kind of quality people have come to expect from Onural. The sushi rolls present a multitude of interesting textures and flavors without any aftertaste wearing out its welcome.
Mélange
What date isn’t amplified by a breathtaking view? Regal mountain and lake vistas factor heavily in Mélange making our list of most romantic restaurants in Palm Springs.
Situated lakeside on the grounds of a boutique hotel, Mélange serves up classic and contemporary cuisine alike using only fresh, farm-sourced ingredients. But you’re missing out if you don’t snag a table at their lakeside patio.
Worried about that desert evening chill? Mélange uses strategically placed firepits during the chilly months to maintain the perfect temperature no matter where you sit. We recommend reserving a table at sunset for the dreamiest views.
Otori Sushi
If you’d prefer a hidden gem for your date night, you can’t beat Otori Sushi in Cathedral City. Unlike most of the other high-romance restaurants on our list, this sushi joint doesn’t look like much from the outside. In fact, it’s somewhat hidden in an unassumingly basic strip mall. But the experience you can expect from Otori Sushi is anything but basic.
Generously sized portions are served up quickly by their friendly staff. The ambience doesn’t really touch places like Cork Tree, Miro’s or Mélange, but it’s also quiet enough to really connect with your date. It’s also more affordable than other restaurants on this list.
Thriftiness doesn’t spell “romance”, but did we mention this is arguably the best sushi in Palm Springs? It’s also quicker than trendy sushi spots like Sandfish and The Venue, so if dinner is just one phase of date night, Otori is a solid bet.
You left off the most romantic of all, for setting, ambiance, food and service – Farm!