Escoffier-trained chef with years in Coachella Valley fine dining. These are my personal picks for eating and drinking in the desert, from taco counters to special-occasion tables. Every spot is vetted, and I update the list regularly.
Map
Sections
4
Cheap Eats & Hidden Gems
Date Night & Special Occasions
Cocktails & Wine
Coffee & Breakfast
Cheap Eats & Hidden Gems
My favorite spots
Authentic cuisine, incredible flavor and very fast!
Uncle Chai Thailand Street Food
The mole is incredible!
Los Arcos Mexican Restaurant
The best ice-cream in the valley!
Perfect Pint
Best affordable sushi spot in the desert!
Sawa Sushi
The asada tacos are the best!
Tacos La Fogata
The best Yakitori Ive ever had!
Mahoroba Charcoal Workshop
Great Ramen Chain in Tokyo.
Ippudo - Ginza
Ginza Ramen Shiraishi is a tiny 8-seat counter in Ginza 8-chome, famous for its kombu-water tsukemen: noodles in a silky kelp broth that you dip into a concentrated sauce.
Ginza Ramen Shiraishi
Date Night & Special Occasions
Fantastic Option for an incredible meal.
The Pink Cabana
Incredible omakase experience!
Silvers Omakase
Great option for a private chef services in southern California!
CVW Chef
Mabel's Gone Fishing is a seafood bar in North Park, San Diego, from the team behind The Rose, Secret Sister, and Bodega Rosette. The menu blends Californian and Iberian cooking around excellent local seafood. Start with oysters or a crudo, add a few...
Mabel's Gone Fishing
Petit Trois is chef Ludo Lefebvre's Parisian style bistro on Highland Ave in Hollywood, and it marked 10 years in 2024. The cult-favorite order is the Big Mec, a double cheeseburger swimming in rich bordelaise sauce. Round it out with escargot, steak...
Petit Trois
Cocktails & Wine
Great selection, cool atmosphere!
La Fe Wine Bar
The best spot for great wine selection!
Desert Wine Shop on 111 La Quinta
The neighborhood hangout spot!
Little Bar
Speakeasy in Osaka that I enjoyed!
BAR SIMON 大阪道頓堀 カクテル&ウイスキーバー
Coffee & Breakfast
The B.E.C is my favorite bagel ever!
H&H Bagels
Highly Recommend a pour over!
Rutina
Incredible coffee, Great breakfast!
They also open late night for special events.
Common
Brewman Tokyo Ginza is a minimalist pour-over shop in Ginza 2-chōme, run by one of Japan's most decorated brewers. Owner Ono won the Japan Brewers Cup in 2022, after finishing second in 2017 and 2019, and won Hong Kong's Love Press Championship in 20...
