Tapas, tacos and a tavern: Palm Springs area spots we wish made USA TODAY' ik pal door s best list

 

USA TODAY released its Restaurants of the Year 2024 list. Among 47 of the best spots in the country, one Palm Desert staple, Alps Village, was one that made the cut.

Alps Village is a worthy restaurant to be spotlighted for its family-run business and delicious European cuisine. But the list also got us thinking about some other great eateries that deserve national praise as well.

The Desert Sun has rounded up eight other restaurants that offer a mix of delicious food and great times. From French fare and Vietnamese sandwiches to Mexican staples and juicy burgers, here are a few other Coachella Valley favorites that should have joined Alps Village on USA TODAY’s list of best restaurants in the U.S.

Catalan Mediterranean 

This trendy Rancho Mirage spot specializes in western Mediterranean cuisine from Spain, France and Italy, including tapas, octopus carpaccio and paella. It makes the perfect date night restaurant — it has a very romantic atmosphere inside with dim lights and a twinkling lights-wrapped tree — or a great spot to get a big group together for celebrations.

Some people might be turned away by limited menu options, but it's one of the best things about Farm in Palm Springs. The tucked away downtown restaurant has an ever-changing, prix fixe dinner menu that draws inspiration from all over the world and that highlights seasonal ingredients (reservations highly suggested). Farm also serves a more "traditional" restaurant experience during breakfast and lunch (walk-ins available). Another charming aspect to this spot is its cozy outdoor seating full of greenery and twinkling lights.

Many people claim to have the best burger, but Grill-A-Burger has more than 30 delicious and wildly unique burgers to choose from on its menu. If you're a huge Lady Gaga fan, you can sink your teeth into the Gagapalooza, which comes with frizzled imported Italian prosciutto, buttery Provolone cheese and homemade pesto mayo on a sourdough bun. Those with a taste for certain ingredients can scope out creative concoctions topped with avocados, mushrooms, bleu cheese and fire roasted green chiles, among others. There are also three options, the Tuscany, the Buddha and the Devil's Revenge, that caught "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" host Guy Fieri's attention as well. The spot also offers chicken sandwiches, turkey burgers, salmon, salad and other options for those looking for non-burger fare.

The taste of French cuisine is only a short drive away with Palm Springs' L'Atelier Café. Start your day right with a classic quiche Lorraine with ham and Gruyere or a variety of crepes, including lemon sugar, strawberry or salted caramel. For lunch, you can explore sandwiches and paninis, including a Nutella panini. No trip to L'Atelier Café is complete without stocking up on an assortment of pastries, including macarons, croissants and beignets.