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Wally's Desert Turtle, Rancho Mirage, CA

Wally's Desert Turtle

4.8
4.8
3803 Reviews
$50 and over
Contemporary American

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 24 times today
Experiences are available.
  • Romantic
  • Good for special occasions
  • Fancy
"The Finest Dining in the Coachella Valley" Offering a refreshed and re-imagined take on Modern California Cuisine. And the local response has been "Amazing"!

An Official California Dining Destination, Wally's Desert Turtle in Rancho Mirage proudly supports local Ranches, Farms and Fisheries committed to the smart-stewardship of the planet through sustainable, earth-friendly and ocean-friendly practices.

The finest local ingredients, impeccable service and exceptional surroundings always make for "A Great Night Out" at Wally's Desert Turtle.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary American, Californian, Steak
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Tue–Thu, Sun 5:30 pm–8:30 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–9:30 pm
  • Phone number
    (760) 568-9321
  • Website
    http://www.wallysdesertturtle.com/
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Executive chef
    Alan Lopez
  • Private party facilities
    Wally's Desert Turtle is one of the desert's premier locations for upscale private dining. An elegant, classy and majestic space to host family celebrations, corporate events or just memorable moments.Please contact our special events department for bookings: wallysdtevents@gmail.com
  • Location
    71775 Highway 111, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
  • Neighborhood
    Rancho Mirage
  • Cross street
    Bob Hope Drive
  • Parking details
    Valet Parking, Private Lot Self-Parking, and Street Parking available
  • Public transit
    Sunline Transit AgencyBus Line #111Bus Stop #659Highway 111 and Rancho Las Palmas Westbound
  • Entertainment
    Great Live Entertainment Nightly with the Bolivar Brothers, Michael and John ... playing the standards, the classics, some current hits, and a sprinkling of guest requests ...Celebrating Springtime in the Desert with a $38 Three-Course Seasonal Prix Fixe Menu in our Bar and Sahara Lounge, from 5:30pm to 6:30pm, Sundays through Thursdays.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Featured in

Experiences

  • Christmas Eve at Wally's

    Dec 24, 2024 only
    Join us for a special Christmas Eve dinner starting at 3:00 pm. We will be serving a special preset menu, half portions will be available for children. Unless we receive 48 hours notice, there will be a cancellation fee of $15 per person. A la carte options will not be available.
    Christmas Eve at Wally's Photo

  • Domaine Carneros by Tattinger - Wine Dinner

    $175.00 per person

    Prepaid

    Feb 13, 2025 only
    5:00 PM
    Tattinger's Domaine Carneros wines will showcase their complexity and range in a meal fit for a Queen and King. Experience the versatility of sparkling wine in this Wine Dinner highlighting the versatility of Champagne style wines with our Wally’s Modern California cuisine. This limited-edition menu will feature elements of our classic menu with some contemporary twists across a savory and sweet experience. Brut 2019 Brut Rose NV La Reve 2016 Demi Sec 2020 Hosted in partnership with Domaine Carneros and curated by Wally's Chef and Sommelier.
    Domaine Carneros by Tattinger - Wine Dinner Photo

  • High Tea benefiting Shay's Warriors

    $160.00 per person

    Prepaid

    May 10, 2025 only
    12:00 PM
    Champagne High Tea in Honor of Nicole Botello. Join us for a Pre-Mother’s Day experience honoring the unbreakable bond of Mothers and daughters celebrating the gift of life. Starting at high Noon step back in time to be steeped in elegance and sweetness. Enjoy fashion pop ups from J McLaughlin, and LaDiDa Jewelry. Delight in delicious baked goods, tea sandwiches, sweet treats, bubbly, and live music. There will be no refunds for this event. All proceeds from this experience will benefit local attendees of the “I AM HOPE Survivors Reset Retreat," produced by Shay’s Warriors life after cancer.
    High Tea benefiting Shay's Warriors Photo

Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 3,803 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.8Ambience
  • 4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Palm Springs / Palm Desert Cities

    Romantic

  • Palm Springs / Palm Desert Cities

    Contemporary American

  • Palm Springs / Palm Desert

    Romantic

  • Palm Springs / Palm Desert

    Contemporary American

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Wally's Desert Turtle is a "grand establishment" that has stood the test of time in Rancho Mirage. Renowned for "delicious food" and "impeccable service," it offers an "elegant and relaxed" ambiance. The soufflés, especially the Banana Foster, are "beyond incredible." A must-visit for a "superb dining experience."

3,804 Reviews

  1. Michael

    VIP

    Las Vegas

    14 reviews

    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    A classic place and a must to visit. Great atmosphere and equally great food

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  2. George

    VIP

    Los Angeles

    133 reviews

    4.0

    133 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Classic restaurant from a bygone era. The menu is great for a first or second time dining. The menu needs to be updated with daily specials. I guess they ran out of fingerling potatoes as I had pastry piped mashed on my plate. Only one chicken dish, the same for years.

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  3. Dana

    VIP

    San Diego

    4 reviews

    2.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    This was a disappointing experience. My martini was served incorrectly, the Dover sole was overcooked and under seasoned, our chocolate soufflé was so undercooked we couldn’t eat it… my coffee was also served luke warm. Each course was a bummer. My husband’s salmon was actually delicious as was his French onion soup. Unfortunately wouldn’t go back and wouldn’t recommend.

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  4. Mary

    VIP

    Seattle

    19 reviews

    5.0

    19 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Wally's Desert Turtle is the most beautiful restaurant in the Coachella Valley and the finest dining experience I've had anywhere. We had a 6:00 reservation for dinner and started at 5:00 in the bar when they open. We were so comfortable sitting in the bar and frankly, that menu appealed to me more, so we just stayed where we were and listened to their charming musician as he wowed us playing a saxophone and another reed instrument at the same time! I ordered the mushroom soup, the breadbasket, and a Caesar salad. The first two items were delicious, but the salad tasted very fishy, and I had requested no anchovies. I've had their Caesar salad before, and this dressing was not balanced. Husband had the chicken dish from the regular menu. It was my birthday, and they brought over a bread pudding dessert with a candle when we finished our dinner and when it came time to pay the bill, they didn't charge us for the salad. It's a beautiful, elegant, delicious place to be and you will be lovingly cared for by their very professional staff. The Friday fashion show luncheon is a fun thing to do sometime.

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  5. Kenneth

    San Francisco

    14 reviews

    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    New to the area first visit - exceeded all expectations! This is old school dining experience with an elegant dining room, guests and staff nicely dressed, service impeccable and prompt but not overbearing, and food was exceptional. You pay for this kind of experience so be prepared for $50 entrees however the preparations and presentations were outstanding..really great can’t wait to go back!

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  6. Craig

    Palm Springs

    22 reviews

    5.0

    22 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Loved the night. Truly top-notch food. And the chocolate soufflé and banana fosters soufflé can’t be beat; what a gourmet treat!! It’s incredible. The soufflé’s are done absolutely perfectly. Top it off with great service, the seasonal festive holiday decorations, and relaxing live background music. Thanks for another truly memorable experience.

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  7. lisa

    VIP

    Palm Springs

    108 reviews

    4.0

    108 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 5
    Wally’s is always lovely however we had a strange service encounter. The team who was helping us was introduced by a small, quite loud woman who introduced herself and the team and then disappeared from us but appeared to be having an unpleasant encounter with another server (who appeared to try to avoid her). She then proceeded to complain to every server around us which caused them all to be distracted and stand around talking to eachother. This then caused us to sit for 20 mins with closed menus waiting to order. We finally caught her and asked if she would take our order. She proceeded to rudely call another member of the team to take care of us. This unpleasant server later showed up to give us our bill. It was a very uncomfortable situation and not indicative of Wally’s normal service level.

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  8. Mark

    San Francisco

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    It is our restaurant of choice for celebrations: birthday, mother's and fathers days as well as Christmas Eve. Been there once for New Year's Eve and were not disappointed! The owner's presence and attention to details keeps us coming back.

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  9. rebecca

    VIP

    Greater Boston

    89 reviews

    5.0

    89 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    It’s always a great time…..really enjoyed ourselves

    Is this helpful?

  10. Madison

    VIP

    Los Angeles

    15 reviews

    5.0

    15 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We've been patrons of Wally's for many years. Our experience last night was superb! Everyone at our table was effusive about how delicious their dinner was. Our server was very attentive and obviously loves his job.. he's so good at it. When walking into the restaurant, everyone was so welcoming. The energy in the main dining room was perfect, not too loud and not too quiet. We are looking forward to spending Christmas Eve at Wally's next week...

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Wally's Desert Turtle is rated 4.8 stars by 3803 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 24 times today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for Wally's Desert Turtle

71775 Highway 111, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Bob Hope Drive
  • Neighborhood
    Rancho Mirage
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Tue–Thu, Sun 5:30 pm–8:30 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–9:30 pm
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary American, Californian, Steak
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Parking details
    Valet Parking, Private Lot Self-Parking, and Street Parking available
  • Public transit
    Sunline Transit AgencyBus Line #111Bus Stop #659Highway 111 and Rancho Las Palmas Westbound
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Alan Lopez
  • Entertainment
    Great Live Entertainment Nightly with the Bolivar Brothers, Michael and John ... playing the standards, the classics, some current hits, and a sprinkling of guest requests ...Celebrating Springtime in the Desert with a $38 Three-Course Seasonal Prix Fixe Menu in our Bar and Sahara Lounge, from 5:30pm to 6:30pm, Sundays through Thursdays.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Website
    http://www.wallysdesertturtle.com/
  • Phone number
    (760) 568-9321
  • Private party facilities
    Wally's Desert Turtle is one of the desert's premier locations for upscale private dining. An elegant, classy and majestic space to host family celebrations, corporate events or just memorable moments.Please contact our special events department for bookings: wallysdtevents@gmail.com

Featured in

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