Desert Dining Guide

Raising the bar on exceptional cuisine, cocktails and wine: sipping, sampling and savoring – By Alison Elsner

What begins as a chic or cozy bar outing quickly transforms into a standout culinary experience at these Coachella Valley cocktail and wine bars. They’ve elevated the ordinary by pairing world-class cuisine with expertly crafted drinks and superb wines. A bit simpler while more social, these inventive food-and-drink destinations attract locals and visitors—whether for quick bites or extended evenings of savoring and sipping. With a more personal touch from hands-on proprietors, many of these hotspots exude the charm of a neighborhood watering hole but with a refined edge.

Warning: may cause extreme contentment.

Bar Cecil

As the proprietors say, “Join us for a toast to life.” Bar Cecil (pronounced sessel) is an homage to Cecil Beaton, who was equal parts rebel and aristocrat, an artist who lived between classical charm and new world rebellion, with a style all his own.

The menu reflects the diversity and sincerity of the establishment, with selections such as red Thai curry mussels, flat iron steak with frites, Blanca’s ratatouille (vegan), Beaton burger, cacio e pepe Reggiano with pecorino, bread crumbs and capers, and other satisfying choices. A special attraction is the fifty dollar martini, prepared with Jean-Charles Boisset vodka and Alessio dry vermouth accompanied by deviled egg with caviar and sunchoke chips.

Sides include grilled broccolini with garlic and lemon oil, charred green beans, jumbo asparagus and potatoes au gratin.

Bar Cecil brings out the renaissance spirit in each of us.

1555 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Plaza del Sol, Palm Springs, 442.332.3800, barcecil.com

Bar Issi

Bar Issi, tucked inside the Hyatt’s Thompson Hotel between downtown and uptown Palm Springs, is about as hip as one can get. Curated cocktails with a twist are cool and casual, with options such as blueberry cobbler, del oro, verdi mai-tai and Negroni del sole. There’s an ample supply of fine wines and beer as well as high quality classic cocktails.

The raw bar is fresh and delectable, with chilled oysters, salmon crudo and tuna tartare. Appetizers include house made puccia bread, gazpacho, Greek salad, and squash blossoms, among other flavorful treats.

The house made pastas are light and tender, including shrimp linguini and agnolotti, and the wood fired pizzas offer pies such as roasted mushroom, marinara, and margherita. Entrées cover branzino, lamb chops and prime bone-in rib eye steak.

Each afternoon from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., bar bites and happy hour are offered, and on weekends, the brunch is sublime.

414 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, 442.334.2405, thebarissi.com

La Fe Wine Bar

In Spanish, la fe means “the faith.” In that vein, we can assure you of restored confidence with La Fe Wine Bar’s tapas-style menu that includes charcuterie boards, salads, flatbreads, gourmet small plates, and luscious desserts.

Favorite happy hour candidates (daily 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.) include Albondigas and pulled pork sliders. Small plates feature ahi (or vegan) stack, chicken skewers, and Spanish sandwich. Salads serve up Caprese, beet and Napa, and desserts tempt with tiramisu and chocolate cake.

Cocktails and wines form a match made in heaven, including Mezcal penicillin, banana nut fusion, and non-alcoholic Aperol spritz. The wine list reveals an impeccable lineup such as Francis Coppola “Directors Cut” chardonnay, Central Coast 2019 and Grgich Hills chardonnay, Napa Valley 2021. Reds feature Austin Hope cabernet sauvignon, Paso Robles 2022 and Domaine Drouhin pinot noir, Dundee Hills, Oregon 2022, among dozens of others.

And guess what? Wine is available to take home to keep the party going!

73900 El Paseo, Palm Desert, 760.565.1430, lafewinebar.com

Little Bar

Settle in for an agreeable evening with food and friends at this inviting bar and grill, serving lunch, dinner, late night bites and weekend brunch. Little Bar puts out a chill vibe and eclectic music. The speakeasy-style gathering spot has an oversized solid oak door with a peep slot that complements the cozy outdoor patio and big deck.

Items “from the kitchen” include fried chicken sandwich, Little Bar quesadilla, wedge salad, chopped cheeseburger salad and filthy fries (covered in melted American cheese, grilled onions and special sauce), among others.

Craft cocktails are a big draw here, delivering special concoctions such as hand pressed greyhound, hibiscus sour, kiwi basil, coconut peach margarita, espresso martini Xanadu, a mix of Banhez Mezcal, house made ginger beer, Ancho Reyes liquor, pineapple, lime and tiki bitters.

Happy hour every day until 6 p.m. has guests making repeat visits.

73560 Palm Desert Drive North, Palm Desert, 760.565.1965, little-bar.com

Paul Bar/Food

Owner Paul O’Halloran, from Ireland by way of the Bronx, has created the ultimate urban retreat. An inconspicuous entryway in a corner strip mall reveals a relaxed bar with a long mahogany counter, clubby booths and tuxedo-shirted staff.

Starters might include arugula salad or iceberg wedge, while cocktails flow easily, including brushfire with rye and ginger, knitting kneedle with gin, elderflower and Aperol, and birdcage with vodka, pineapple, lime and almond Campari. A condensed yet high quality selection of red and white wines and beer is available.

Small plates and large plates are both part of the experience, with offerings such as fried calamari, chicken wings, meatball with marinara, French fries, short rib dip, chicken schnitzel, pan roasted salmon and vegan yellow curry.

Happy hour Wednesday through Sunday is definitely a mood-lifter, for both pints and plates.

3700 E. Vista Chino, Palm Springs, 760.656.4082, thepaulbarps.com

1501 Uptown GastroPub

A cozy vibe radiates beneath 1501’s high wood slat ceiling. A wrap-around bar displays sporting events on TV (never too loud) as patrons share charcuterie boards and giant proverb Bavarian style pretzels over drinks. The handsome pub designed by famed Architect Chris Pardo lets guests celebrate life’s special moments on the patio overlooking the majestic mountains of Palm Springs.

Cocktail creations pour lemon drop, mojito, classic Manhattan, old fashion, uptown skinny, blueberry ginger smash and others. There are plenty of mocktails on the “sober stuff” menu, such as cucumber mint lemonade, virgin mojito and Chino Canyon mule.

Big plates offer chicken under a brick, sour cherry balsamic braised pork shoulder, linguini carbonara, pan roasted wild mahi mahi, beef stroganoff and many others.

Desserts wrap up the evening with recipes such as lavender crème brulée and bourbon and sour cherry bread pudding.

1501 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, 760.320.1501, 1501uptown.com