01
Best overall pick
South of The Border
Along Palm Drive In Desert Hot Springs • Lively Family-Run Mexican Restaurant • Local Favorite
A longstanding Mexican staple known for generous combo plates, sizzling fajitas, and easygoing, friendly service.
This is the spot locals mention first when you ask where to get Mexican food nearby. Portions are hearty, the salsa is punchy without being over the top, and the menu covers everything from simple tacos to chile rellenos and seafood plates. Come hungry, bring a group, and expect a relaxed, no-rush meal that feels very Desert Hot Springs.
02
Best for a view
Azure Palm Café
At Azure Palm Hot Springs On Palm Drive • Spa Café With Health-Focused Fare • Best For Scenic, Laid-Back Meals
A bright café inside a hot-springs resort with skyline views, lighter California-style dishes, and good coffee.
Tucked inside Azure Palm Hot Springs, this café looks out over the valley and makes a mellow stop before or after a soak. The menu leans toward fresh bowls, salads, and sandwiches with plenty of vegetarian-friendly options, plus espresso drinks and fresh juices. It’s a great pick when you want something a little cleaner than classic diner food without losing the relaxed desert vibe.
03
Best for date night
Capri Italian Restaurant
At Miracle Springs Resort On Palm Drive • Classic Italian Restaurant • Best For Cozy Dinners
Old-school Italian with red-sauce comfort dishes, a full bar, and a low-key resort setting.
Capri sits just off the pool deck at Miracle Springs Resort, but it feels like its own little hideaway once you’re inside. Expect a familiar lineup of pastas, chicken and veal dishes, and shareable appetizers, all in portions that suit a long evening. It’s the kind of place where you order a bottle of wine, forget about the time, and walk out to hot-spring steam drifting across the parking lot.
04
Best casual hangout
Dillon's Burgers & Beers
North Palm Drive In Desert Hot Springs • Casual Burger And Beer Spot • Best For Burgers And Brews
A laid-back bar-and-grill turning out hefty burgers, tap beer, and game-day-friendly snacks.
Dillon’s feels like the neighborhood living room: lots of locals, plenty of TVs, and a menu built around straightforward, well-made burgers. You’ll find patty melts, fries, wings, and other bar staples, plus a decent draft selection that fits the unpretentious setting. It’s a natural call after a day on the road or in the pools when you just want something satisfying without dressing up.
05
Best for breakfast
The Cottage Too
Just Off Pierson Boulevard In Desert Hot Springs • Homey Breakfast And Lunch Café • Best For Hearty Brunch
A small, welcoming café serving classic breakfasts, comfort-food lunches, and bottomless coffee refills.
The Cottage Too is where early risers and night-shift workers overlap over stacks of pancakes and omelets that barely fit the plate. The room is cozy, the service is personal, and the menu hits every diner-note from biscuits and gravy to patty melts and salads. Stop in on your way out to Joshua Tree or swing by late morning for a lingering, talk-over-coffee brunch.