9 Spots to Meet Up for Coffee, Matcha, or a Great Meal in Palm Desert

La Provence Patisserie & Café

Chef Farshid Hakim focuses on artisanal ingredients and scratch-made recipes that offer a taste of France in the heart of Palm Desert. The pastry cases brim with chocolate croissants, airy macarons in rotating flavors, fruit tarts, white-chocolate strawberry shortcakes, and other delicious sweets. On the savory side, the menu does brunch right, with eggs Benedicts served on freshly baked croissants and hearty salads layered with seasonal produce and protein. Guests also single out the turkey chili, prepared like a French onion soup with crisped cheese on top. You’ll order at the counter, and there is often a long line — but locals will assure you, it’s worth the wait.

72785 Highway 111, Suite B1, Palm Desert
760-797-7557

Buena Matcha

Buena Matcha began as a pop-up before owners Kayla and Nahum Sarabi opened this hoppin’ spot on El Paseo in 2025. The café specializes in organic, ceremonial-grade matcha served hot, iced, or blended with inventive flavors like strawberry and banana cinnamon. Calm interiors and a cozy footprint make it an inviting stop between boutiques, while a steady buzz on social media has drawn a cult following. Whether you take your green tea pure or with a twist of vanilla, lavender, or seasonal fruit, each cup is crafted with intention — a ritual as much as a refreshment.

73833 El Paseo, Suite 101, Palm Desert 442-400-0901

IW Coffee & Chai Bar

If the iconic coffee shop Central Perk from the sitcom Friends packed up and headed from New York City to the desert, it might feel something like this laid-back spot serving irresistible coffee and tea concoctions. Folks who know the difference between spiced and sweet chais and have a strong preference about it will flip for the tea menu, ranked by spice level. Newbies can baby-step into the more peppery blends by sampling one of the vanilla-forward varieties. A solid selection of breakfast bagels and generously sized muffins (including gluten-free options) makes getting your morning started easy.

74868 Country Club Drive, Suite 101, Palm Desert 760-610-1596

SPONSORED

Café des Beaux-Arts

For a taste of Paris without leaving the desert, Café des Beaux-Arts delivers classic French bistro charm in the heart of El Paseo. Celebrating its 33rd anniversary in 2025, the indoor-outdoor café is known for alfresco dining, people-watching and a loyal local following. The menu spans breakfast through dessert, featuring crêpes, duck à l’orange, cheese plates and profiteroles. Vintage décor, a lively central bar and seasonal events add to the transportive experience.

73640 El Paseo, Palm Desert
760-346-0669

Musashi

A Palm Desert favorite since 1996, this family-run restaurant has earned a loyal following for its sushi and Japanese specialties. Executive sushi chef Masao Arai is admired for his artistry at the bar, where uni and toro arrive fresh from Japan. The menu also spans soups, noodles, teriyaki, and other traditional hot plates. Owner Stella Lee is the welcoming face, chatting with guests at their tables, recommending pairings, and keeping the intimate dining room humming. While a handful of seats at the sushi bar may be open to walk-ins, reservations are strongly encouraged. Along the back hallway, framed notes from celebrity diners hint at Musashi’s enduring reputation. (For a great bowl of ramen, check out sister restaurant Ramen Musashi down the street.)

72785 Highway 111, Suite B4, Palm Desert
760-340-9780

SPONSORED

The Wine & Cheese Shop on El Paseo
El Paseo Coffee

The Wine & Cheese Shop on El Paseo, created by Bob and Jen Iglehart, celebrates a passion for fine food, wine, and hospitality. The shop features artisanal cheeses, world-class charcuterie, and a curated wine list selected by Dr. Pat St. Pierre, a level 4 sommelier and master of Burgundy. Book catering services or stop in to enjoy cut-to-order cheese, charcuterie boards, sandwiches, fresh salads, authentic Italian pinsas, caviar, and refined wines. Extending their vision, the Igleharts will soon introduce El Paseo Coffee next door, serving beans from L.A.’s cult-favorite roaster, Stereoscope — making this culinary corner a must-visit for both locals and visitors alike.

73280 El Paseo, Palm Desert
760-610-5063

Trattoria Mezzomondo

Luba and Elio Cavallari bring the flavors of Northern Italy to the desert at Trattoria Mezzomondo, which they opened in 2018 after decades in L.A.’s San Fernando Valley. Elio’s cooking favors creamier sauces, porcini mushrooms, and spices like saffron, with housemade pastas including ravioli, gnocchi, and pappardelle. Specials often reflect inspirations from the couple’s travels — turmeric in chicken piccata or quail eggs in carbonara — and keep diners coming back for something new. The restaurant has developed a devoted following, with many regulars booking months ahead to savor Elio’s inventive Northern Italian fare.

73850 Highway 111, Palm Desert
760-636-0575

SPONSORED

Bellatrix Restaurant & Wine Bar

The Tuscan-inspired clubhouse restaurant at Palm Desert’s Classic Club, elevates country club dining with bold, seasonal cuisine. Executive chef Jose Torres emphasizes vibrant presentation, local sourcing and inventive techniques, including molecular gastronomy. The menu highlights seafood such as branzino and scallops, alongside house-baked breads. New themed dinners debut in fall 2025, while monthly wine lunches and biannual expos showcase global wines and unexpected proteins. Sweeping golf course and mountain views complete the experience.

75200 Classic Club Blvd., Palm Desert
760-601-3690