Best Casual Restaurants in La Quinta

La Quinta Cliffhouse offers a dining experience as captivating as its stunning location. The approach to the restaurant sets the tone for the evening—meandering through a beautifully lit pathway surrounded by rugged rock formations and desert flora feels like stepping into a hidden oasis—with a grand water feature. Once inside, the warm ambiance and classy decor only elevate the anticipation for the meal. Starting with appetizers, the calamari was perfectly crispy with a delightful dipping sauce, while the tuna appetizer delivered fresh, bold flavors with an artistic presentation. For mains, the salmon was flawlessly cooked, its buttery texture complemented by mashed potatoes and gravy, and French green beans. The braised ribs were melt-in-your-mouth tender, rich with deep, savory flavors, and the crab pasta was a creamy, indulgent treat, perfectly balancing sweet crab meat with al dente noodles—perfect al dente! Every dish was presented like a work of art, showcasing the chef’s attention to detail. Pairing the meal with a glass of crisp, effervescent Prosecco added a celebratory touch to the evening. La Quinta Cliffhouse delivers not just a meal, but an experience—combining incredible flavors, stunning presentation, and a setting that feels magical. It’s a must-visit for anyone seeking an unforgettable dining adventure.

Not too many options for a last minute Christmas lunch. Ernie’s has a convenient location, the food was tasty, the view from our table was very nice. Our server was pleasant. Will return.

So glad that we discovered this place on Christmas Day whole visiting Palm Desert. Great food and a lovely atmosphere. Great service too!

We arrived early and had an early cocktail in the beautiful bar area. Hostess came and got us when our table was ready. Lovely dinner and waitress, Zia, was so lovely. Our dessert order was erroneously delivered to another table, so Desert Club was gracious enough to not charge us for the dessert. Thank you for a lovely evening.

The food here is consistently outstanding. We love the tempura green beans and bacon wrapped dates as appetizers. This time we tried the short rib gnocchi and the potato crusted petrale sole. Both were delicious! The heirloom tomato salad was amazing. My husband has a hard time passing up the meatloaf. Of course, the coconut cream pie for dessert is a must.