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City dining guide

Best restaurants in Big Bear Lake

9 guide-listed restaurants — Michelin, Bib Gourmand, Black Pearl, Must-Eat List, World's 50 Best and more. Reference quality signals; never ranked by commission, no in-app checkout.

Other guide picks 9

Boozehounds

$$International

What's in a name? In this case, at least, there’s a tongue-in-cheek précis: a dog-friendly cocktail bar. Diners and their canine confrères can enter a spacious enclosed patio area through a separate "doggy door," which offers access to an additional menu of bowls and treats for Fido and Spot. The stylish indoor space remains a humans-only domain, where the focus shifts to a top shelf drinks menu (replete with dog-themed nomenclature, naturally), as well as an appealingly eclectic bar menu that spans both snacks and more substantial fare. Standbys like truffled parmesan fried and blistered shis

TripAdvisor review sample · 3.8/5 · 68 reviews

Boozehounds in Palm Springs offers international cuisine and a pet-friendly atmosphere. Reviews highlight food quality, service, and ambiance, recommending dishes like margaritas, the Glow Up cocktail, truffle fries, seared tuna, garlic noodles, and steak sandwiches, alongside a dedicated dog menu. However, some negative feedback cites inconsistent food flavors (e.g., overly sweet shrimp and grits), slow meal pacing, and lack of air conditioning on the outdoor patio. With an average rating of 3.8/5, experiences vary significantly based on specific orders and service execution.

Suitable for visitors dining with pets who enjoy international cuisine and cocktails, avoiding peak hours for better service.

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Workshop Kitchen & Bar

$$$Californian

Farm-to-table food may seem like an impossibility in the middle of the desert, but nearby Coachella Valley is actually one of the nation’s most productive regions. Here you’ll find that bounty on full display. A dedicated garden in Rancho Mirage, along with a sizeable herb planter behind the kitchen, furnishes peak-season produce for wood-fired dishes like a flat iron au poivre, and even a simple yuzu tart is prettied up with farm-fresh raspberries and wood sorrel. The setting is a Spanish-style building from the 1920s, while the interior is a modernist temple of polished concrete—a mist-coole

TripAdvisor review sample · 3.8/5 · 80 reviews

Workshop Kitchen & Bar offers Californian cuisine with Michelin recognition. Food quality is polarizing: diners praise the perfect presentation and unique flavors of dishes like duck salad and lamb, while others report tasteless meals and pacing issues. Service varies widely, with some servers described as exceptional and others as rude or pushy regarding alcohol. The atmosphere blends brutalist and farmhouse styles, creating a cool but sometimes cramped and noisy environment. Value is debated due to high prices and inconsistent service. It suits adventurous diners seeking unique culinary experiences, but those prioritizing consistent service may find it unsatisfactory.

Suitable for diners seeking unique Californian flavors and an industrial-chic vibe; manage expectations regarding service consistency.

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Cheeky's

$$breakfast

Bacon is in the air at this perpetually packed daytime-only hotspot. After checking in, you’ll rub elbows with sunglass-clad locals while waiting for a text saying you’ve nabbed a seat on the ever-popular (covered) patio. There is a small dining area inside, and house-made pastries, like tempting cinnamon rolls, are available at the counter for those on the run, but the bulk of the action is outdoors. This kitchen taps into the area’s bounty, with most of the produce hailing from within 100 miles. The quirky menu with breakfast and lunch options changes weekly, offering items like a breakfast

TripAdvisor review sample · 4.0/5 · 80 reviews

Cheeky's is a popular Palm Springs breakfast spot requiring lines as it takes no reservations. Food quality is polarized; while many praise the bacon flights, avocado toast, and chilaquiles, others found dishes bland or misrepresented. Service varies significantly, with reports ranging from fast and friendly to slow and rude, often citing long waits for orders and coffee. The atmosphere is lively with a cozy courtyard, though the location can be difficult to find. Value perceptions differ, with some considering it worth the visit and others feeling the high prices do not justify the inconsistent experience.

Suitable for visitors willing to queue for unique breakfasts; arrive early to avoid peak crowds.

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Tac/Quila

$$mexican

Amidst the hacienda-inspired elegance of this popular Mexican venue in downtown Palm Springs, you may find yourself flanked by suit-clad business types quaffing top-shelf tequila on one side, and on the other, poolside-tanned tourists with clothes thrown over their bathing suits as they sip from margarita flights— with everyone seeming perfectly at ease. The sizable menu offers room for both street tacos with typical fillings like carne asada or al pastor, as well as more upscale options like lobster and seared ahi tuna. In all cases, the tortillas are made in house, the flavors are lively and

TripAdvisor review sample · 4.3/5 · 80 reviews

Tac/Quila offers authentic Mexican cuisine in Palm Springs with generally positive feedback. Dishes like fish ceviche, steak tacos, avocado fritters, and quesabirria tacos are highlights, though some find flavors bland or uncreative. Service is typically warm and knowledgeable, but pacing can be rushed, with reports of aggressive table turnover. The lively atmosphere features spacious indoor, patio, and sidewalk seating, and is dog-friendly. While many consider the value fair, some note high drink prices and a small bar area. Overall, it is a popular choice for its vibrant vibe and consistent food quality, despite occasional inconsistencies in service speed.

Suitable for diners seeking a lively atmosphere and authentic Mexican flavors who do not mind faster table turnover.

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4 Saints

$$American

Set on the seventh-floor rooftop of the posh Rowan Hotel, this is the highest perch in all of downtown. A stylishly modern room features leather banquettes and a handsome central bar, but it’s the sweeping views of the San Jacinto Mountains that will really make you swoon—and that’s before a few rounds of signature date-infused Old Fashioneds. Chef Ysaac Ramirez lends a Southern twang to a shareable menu replete with seasonal produce, as in grilled purple sweet potatoes with creamy Alabama white barbecue sauce and pickled red chiles. Larger appetites will be satisfied by an assortment of grill

TripAdvisor review sample · 3.7/5 · 80 reviews

Located on the top floor of a Palm Springs hotel, 4 Saints offers panoramic views and an elegant atmosphere suitable for special occasions. Service is frequently praised for being attentive and professional, with specific staff members highlighted for their hospitality. Food quality receives mixed reviews; while some diners enjoyed dishes like ravioli, chicken, and short ribs, others criticized portions as small, flavors as overly salty, and the menu as lacking innovation. Although the ambiance is attractive, outdoor seating views can be obstructed. Value is debated, with some finding the experience worth the cost while others feel the price is high relative to the food quality.

Suitable for diners prioritizing views and service for special occasions rather than culinary innovation.

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Alice B.

$$$American Contemporary, Mediterranean Cuisine

Alice B., from Chefs Sue Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken, is an inviting restaurant located within the Living Out community in Palm Springs. The dining room, tucked away from the bar serving its own bites, is a warm and inviting space set with flickering candles, stone tables and comfortably cushioned seating. Meanwhile, the menu features Californian cuisine threaded with Mediterranean influences, as in appetizers like tender, smoky grilled black tiger prawns with saffron red pepper aioli and entrees like skillfully hand rolled ricotta cavatelli with vibrant kale pesto. Don't skip dessert, espec

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Bar Cecil

$$$American

With sumptuous design that straddles garish and chic, boasting walls splashed with an impressive private collection of modern art (including pieces by Calder and Warhol) here you'll find a visual feast—as well as the hottest table in town. Reservations book weeks in advance, so if you're seeking a spur-of-the-moment meal, your best bet is to arrive before doors open and put your name down for a coveted bar seat. A precisely made martini is practically de rigueur; one particularly pricy option has a caviar-topped deviled egg for a garnish. While the burger is a signature for a reason, their cac

TripAdvisor review sample · 4.4/5 · 61 reviews

Bar Cecil is a highly sought-after American restaurant in Palm Springs, known for its chic, contemporary atmosphere and lively bar scene. Reviews highlight excellent food quality, particularly praising bread rolls, caramelized onion tarts, steak frites, and pork chops. Service is generally described as friendly and attentive, though some guests noted issues with meal pacing. While the ambiance is vibrant and stylish, attracting adults seeking a sophisticated dining experience, a minority of reviewers found the value lacking or criticized specific dishes. Due to high demand and difficult reservations, visitors are advised to plan ahead.

Ideal for adults seeking a stylish dining experience and quality cocktails; reservations are essential.

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The Barn Kitchen at Sparrows Lodge

$$Californian

Once an exclusive getaway for Hollywood elites, the privileged serenity of this quaint refuge no longer requires a SAG card to gain entrance (though you will need a reservation if you’re not staying at the property). With open-air communal seating in an idyllic poolside setting, this is hardly a typical restaurant, but embrace the relaxation and allow yourself to be pampered by the effortlessly disarming service. Matching with the general wellness retreat aesthetic, the ingredient-driven cooking tends towards wholesome Cali-style simplicity—think fresh salads, grilled cauliflower steak with sa

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