Diners' Choice: Contemporary American restaurants in Palm Springs / Palm Desert Cities

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Contemporary American cuisine in Palm Springs / Palm Desert Cities? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Desert Moon Palm Springs

4.8

4.8 (102)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Palm Springs

About the restaurant

## Desert Moon Palm Springs: A Culinary Oasis in the Heart of California Escape to a world of culinary delights at Desert Moon Palm Springs, where California's vibrant flavors come alive on your plate. Our newly reinvented menu is a celebration of diverse influences, showcasing the freshest seasonal ingredients and innovative culinary techniques. **Indulge in a symphony of tastes:** * **Pan-seared Chilean Sea Bass:** Delicately cooked with a crispy skin, served with fragrant jasmine rice, sautéed spinach, and a tantalizing mushroom-edamame-mirin sauce. * **Blackened Poblano Chicken:** A succulent chicken breast stuffed with creamy cheese, nestled on a bed of mango rice with a vibrant avocado puree and seasonal vegetables. * **8oz Grilled Filet Mignon:** A classic cut of prime beef, cooked to perfection and drizzled with a rich rosemary demi-glaze. Accompanied by roasted garlic mashed potatoes, sautéed spinach, and a delightful cranberry-butter sauce. * **Thai Coconut Curry:** A fragrant and flavorful medley of shrimp, scallop, salmon, seabass, red bell peppers, tomatoes, and fresh herbs, simmered in a creamy coconut broth. **Sweeten your experience:** * **Chocolate Rum

Top review

JanVIP

Dined 2 days ago

This was our 2nd visit and both times the food and wine was excellent, the service professional, friendly and attentive. This restaurant has been added to the top of our favorites in Palm Springs. ,

Wally's Desert Turtle

4.8

4.8 (4070)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Rancho Mirage

About the restaurant

"The Finest Dining in the Coachella Valley" Offering a refreshed and re-imagined take on Modern California Cuisine. And the local response has been "Amazing"!

An Official California Dining Destination, Wally's Desert Turtle in Rancho Mirage proudly supports local Ranches, Farms and Fisheries committed to the smart-stewardship of the planet through sustainable, earth-friendly and ocean-friendly practices.

The finest local ingredients, impeccable service and exceptional surroundings always make for "A Great Night Out" at Wally's Desert Turtle.

Top review

KellyVIP

Dined 1 day ago

This is an extraordinary restaurant, magnificent interior, old school, perfect service, with terrific food.

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Popular dish

Honolulu Tuna Tartare

Eight4Nine

4.7

4.7 (5404)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Palm Springs

About the restaurant

Join us for Lunch, Brunch or Dinner. Reservations recommended but not necessary. Lounge and bar open all day long for walk-ins. No reservations for lounge or bar. Open 7 days a week.

Top review

WilliamVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Excellent, well priced and varied bar menu. Lovely staff. We are long time satisfied customers.

Copley's on Palm Canyon

4.7

4.7 (6968)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Palm Springs

About the restaurant

Please Note - Copley's is now open 7 days a week through June 2025.
Copley’s is an award-winning restaurant serving American cuisine infused with hints of tropical and European flavors. Located in part of the former Cary Grant estate in the heart of Palm Springs, guests experience an upscale and inviting dining experience either outside on the patio with stunning mountain views or by enjoying the friendly atmosphere indoors. Executive Chef Andrew Copley has an extensive 20-year culinary background at five-star restaurants and hotels across the world, and is well known for innovative dishes such as Asian Spiced Barramundi, Charred Berkshire Pork Chop and creative nightly specials. Come and see why we were voted Top 100 Patio Dining in America!

Top review

Andrea

Dined 4 days ago

Our server Eric was great! we celebrated our anniversary here & loved everything from the service to the food. all of Eric’s suggestions were amazing too!

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Popular dish

Asian Spiced Barramundi

Popular dish

Chilled Lobster & Shrimp Ceviche

Popular dish

Copley's Caesar Salad

June Hill's Table

4.7

4.7 (1260)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

La Quinta

About the restaurant

We are currently open and available for Indoor and Outdoor Seating as well as Takeout. Open to both Community Members and the public, June Hill’s Table recognizes June Hill McCarroll, one of Coachella Valley’s most renowned and important founding residents. June Hill’s Table serves a variety of seasonal dishes made from scratch using fresh and local ingredients. Live music on Wednesday evenings. Simply put, the feature dining experience at The Polo Club is set to showcase good food, done well.

Top review

Brad

Dined 3 days ago

New menu with some outstanding options. My wife enjoyed the petrale sole with sautéed spinach, and I thoroughly enjoyed the green curry chicken with vegetables and rice. Their Hummus is the best we've ever tasted. We've never been disappointed

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Popular dish

Fish & Chips

Popular dish

Our Famous Butter Cake

Bellatrix

4.6

4.6 (929)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Palm Desert

About the restaurant

Entertain your guests in style in our elegant Bellatrix Restaurant dining room for dinner under the stars or lunch overlooking our nationally recognized championship course designed by Arnold Palmer and a host site of the 2006, 2007, and 2008 Bob Hope Chrysler Classic. Visit with us at our Bellatrix Wine Bar featuring a selection of over 100 wines by the bottle and over 30 wines by the glass along with full service bar.

Top review

OnnaliesaVIP

Dined 2 days ago

From the valet, to the dining options, to the atmosphere to the service, everything was A+

Zin American Bistro

4.5

4.5 (2671)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Palm Springs

About the restaurant

For the past 20 years, Zin has been a popular spot for locals in the downtown area. We offer crafted cocktails, brunch, and dinner. We are proud to have received the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for our extensive wine list which boasts over 545 selections. In addition to inside bar and table seating we have a beautiful heated and cooled covered patio for outdoor dining.

Top review

Lauren

Dined 4 days ago

We had the absolute best dinner here! The food was delicious, the service attentive, and it felt like a friendly, neighborhood spot not a trap for tourists. Definitely recommend!

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Popular dish

Wild Mushroom Truffle Soup

Popular dish

Buttermilk Fried Chicken

Popular dish

½ Wedge Salad

POM - Fantasy Springs Resort Casino

4.6

4.6 (1015)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Indio

About the restaurant

POM is Fantasy Springs Resort Casino's answer to casino cafes. POM features breakfast, lunch and dinner in an atmosphere that's light, airy and modern.

Reviewers on Yelp.com give POM 4&1/2 stars out of 5 and for good reason. The food here is of top quality. Chef Freddy Rieger even gets herbs used for cooking and garnish from the garden just outside the restaurant's French doors. The food is inventive yet hearty and the service is friendly and attentive.

Patrons can also order cocktails here they won't find anywhere else around Palm Springs. How about a Date Martini or a hand-crafted White Sangria?

POM excites your senses and keeps you coming back for more.

Top review

JayVIP

Dined 1 day ago

The staff gave me a signed birthday card and sang Happy Birthday!!

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4.6

4.6 (1650)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Palm Springs

About the restaurant

With unparalleled views of picturesque mountains, 4 Saints provides a unique and modern space. Our menu is driven by bright, clean, soulful flavors that are influenced by the seasons. The beverage program provides a concise wine list, local brews, and masterful cocktails.

Top review

BarryVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Had dinner at 4 Saints during a very slow time of year in Palm Springs, so not crowded and very quiet. Top of the Rowan Hotel with good views of the mountains and downtown Palm Springs. We shared a beet salad (delicious) and then had a filet, cooked as requested and very tender, and a Chilean Sea Bass, also perfectly cooked as were the accompaniments to each dish. Followed by a wonderful chocolate torte, and decent wines, the dinner was very good.

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Escena Lounge & Grill

4.5

4.5 (1835)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Palm Springs

About the restaurant

Escena Grill is freshly renovated and open for indoor and outdoor dining, with full bar service! Browse or call for updates, hours of operation, specials and menus! (The kitchen closes 30-60 mins prior to the posted closing time.) The best view and outdoor dining patio in Palm Springs. Escena Grill pairs delectable California cuisine with eye-popping design and a playful, retro vibe. Spacious indoor and dog friendly outdoor dining areas frame majestic views of the towering San Jacinto Mountains. Ranked among OpenTable's 2015 Top 100 Al Fresco Dining Restaurants in America, Escena Grill offers breakfast, lunch, dinner and happy hour. Events are welcome. Hours, menus and event schedules vary seasonally; please call or check our website for current information. Escena Lounge + Grill is located within the Escena Palm Springs community and is connected to the stunning Escena Golf Club. Dining & golf open to the public year-round. Enter from Vista Chino 200 yards east of Gene Autry Trail.

Top review

Bill

Dined on Jun 7, 2025

The thing that will keep this restaurant in the `need to go back' column is the setting. The food was very good, the service was very good but the setting and views are what separates this restaurant from many other very good restaurants. Can't wait to go back especially when the temps drop into the double digits- we will definately be back before the temps are back in the 80's or 90's but that will be special when it's cooler outdoors.

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