Let’s be honest: you’re craving authentic Italian, but your last attempt at homemade pasta looked more like a kindergarten art project than a culinary masterpiece. Forget those sad, frozen lasagnas and the disappointment of mediocre marinara. Palm Desert’s vibrant Italian scene is ready to rescue your taste buds from despair.
il Corso
$$$ | (760) 341-6700 | WEBSITE
Il Corso can fulfill any and all Italian dining ambitions. This lovely restaurant is serving outstanding margarita pizza and fresh pasta, as well as a menu featuring raved-about lasagna and lobster spaghetti. If you want something special, there’s a beautifully designed interior with warm, friendly service, as well as a host who’s very accommodating with seating and Omar at the bar making amazing cocktails. Also – the restaurant is large party friendly and perfect for special occasions.
Sottovoce Cafe
$ | (760) 833-2909 | WEBSITE
We can’t explain the metaphysics, but there is real desert magic that takes place when you sit at Sottovoce Cafe’s patio in the Palm Desert Garden Mall on a sunny afternoon sipping an Italian spritz. While you can’t always enjoy their glorious open-air setting, you can still order their excellent coffee and panini sandwiches to your home. Check out their offerings online, and try to find a quiet corner or sunny window as a cafe substitute.
The Real Italian Deli
$ | (760) 836-1493 | WEBSITE
While you’re planning that next tennis match or stocking up for a cozy night in, consider treating yourself to a visit to The Real Italian Deli. They have a fresh selection of delicious sandwiches, pastas, meats, and desserts available for takeout. Grab your turkey pesto sandwich or mortadella creation from their counter, and check out their bakery section with treats like lemon cake and tiramisu while you’re at it.
Ristorante Mamma Gina
$$ | (760) 568-9898 | WEBSITE
Dim the lights, put on some Andrea Bocelli, and eat Ristorante Mamma Gina’s food with the confidence and leisure of someone who doesn’t have to do the dishes. This Italian spot in Palm Desert has a consistently excellent menu with dishes like the Carbonara sauce and polenta appetizer with gorgonzola sauce. Almost everything comes piping hot with generous portions, and they also have a wine list with Italian bottles exclusively in the $40 range.
You can check their website for more details and place your reservation online.
Trattoria Tiramisu Palm Desert
$$ | (760) 773-9100 | WEBSITE
If you’re in Palm Desert and you want something authentic and satisfying (or, if you’re reading this for someone else and want to treat them right), Trattoria Tiramisu is open for dine-in, starting at 5:00pm.
Karen’s Café
$ | (760) 772-2800 | WEBSITE
Ah, breakfast bliss. A perfect morning ritual. If you’re in the Palm Desert area and you want something satisfying without breaking the bank, Karen’s Café has a bunch of sub-$15 classics that you can enjoy at their cozy outdoor seating or take to-go.
Sweet Basil California Eatery
$$ | (760) 610-1698 | WEBSITE
This California eatery in Palm Desert has grilled naan bread to go, along with things like flank steak and eggplant cigars. Can you make shrimp and grits at home? Sure. But it’s your day off, and you should have a desert feast prepared especially for you.
Backstreet Bistro
$$ | (760) 346-6393 | WEBSITE
Backstreet Bistro has a thing called the Prix Fixe Menu available right now where you can enjoy amazing options like lasagna, ravioli, and chicken parmigiana with generous portions. They also have crispy calamari with great marinara sauce available and a fresh bowl of parmigiana reggiano and bread upon arrival, and they’ll provide warm bread with olive oil and balsamic, with butter on request. Check their schedule for details as they’ll be closing for the summer but plan to reopen in the fall.
Bucatini PALM DESERT
$$ | (760) 636-5906 | WEBSITE
Maybe your one tennis tournament wish is to eat something you can’t possibly cook in your apartment, like the salmon piccata or lasagna béchamel from Bucatini PALM DESERT. You can call this Italian place at their Palm Desert location – and know that they have generous portions and excellent service available too.