Tommy Bahama Restaurant has a climate-controlled second-story patio overlooking El Paseo.
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY TOMMY BAHAMA
PALM SPRINGS
Spencer’s Restaurant: Set at the historic Palm Springs Tennis Club with a whimsically lit patio, Spencer’s offers an elegant yet comfortable place to nosh on everything from a Black Angus filet mignon for dinner to a loaded Benedict for brunch.
DESERT HOT SPRINGS
Delicias Mexican Cuisine: Locals love the tasty Mexican fare and craft drinks served in the spacious dining room and on the open patio at Delicias Mexican Cuisine. An extensive selection of cocktails (and a popular margarita flight!) are always tempting, as is the impressive food menu that includes all your favorites.
CATHEDRAL CITY
The Paloma Resort: When it comes to unwinding, this resort promises it all, from tapas-style bites at on-site restaurant Sol y Sombra to spa services at Grounded at The Paloma. Follow your poolside libation with a massage for the ultimate experience, then cozy up in a suite decked in murals of desert plants.
RANCHO MIRAGE
Las Casuelas Nuevas: Whether dining in the beautifully tiled dining room or outside on the romantic patio underneath string lights, there’s no bad spot to enjoy time-honored dishes like carnitas a la chipotle and chile verde de puerco from the Delgado family.
PALM DESERT
Tommy Bahama Restaurant: An expansive second-floor patio overlooking El Paseo sets an idyllic scene for tropical drinks and fresh seafood-centric dishes served by friendly staff. (Try the coconut-crusted shrimp.) There’s hardly a better spot to perch in Palm Desert.
INDIAN WELLS
Indian Wells Golf Resort: The Celebrity and Players courses are nicknamed “Beauty and the Beast” for their stunning yet challenging landscapes. Prefer to watch? Get a table at the on-site Vue Grille & Bar.
LA QUINTA
Lavender Bistro: Fine dining doesn’t have to take place in a stuffy dining room. This restaurant pairs its elevated dining experience with an elegant string-lit patio beneath a canopy of trees. It’s an exceptional backdrop for a special occasion.
INDIO
The Café at Shields: The expansive patio at this restaurant at Shields Date Garden is always buzzing with families and happy diners. A Mexican-influenced menu of California cuisine features gluten-free, vegetarian, and date-centric delights. After your meal, enjoy a stroll through the statue garden and date palms.
COACHELLA
Jalisco: Known for mariachi and tequila, the Mexican state of Jalisco is a cultural hub with a rich food scene. That’s exactly what you can expect to sample at this downtown staple, known for loaded tortas, tacos, and of course, juicy birria — stewed goat meat, a specialty of the region.
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