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Diners' Choice: Italian restaurants in Palm Springs / Palm Desert Cities

OpenTable

Updated November 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Italian cuisine in Palm Springs / Palm Desert Cities? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

A photo of Johnny Costa's restaurant

4.8

4.8 (2182)

$31 to $50

Italian

Palm Springs

About the restaurant

From the classic Italian music to the candlelit tables, the nostalgic atmosphere at Johnny Costa’s Ristorante feels like traveling back to midcentury times. It’s no wonder Frank Sinatra was once a regular at this fine Italian restaurant, which has been honored by Palm Springs Life as best Italian restaurant for 10 consecutive years. The Costa family continues the legacy of late chef-owner Johnny Costa, who was pals with Sinatra when he moved to Hollywood from New York in the 1960s, and a decade later served as the singer’s personal chef at his desert home. Costa’s pedigree lives on in his legendary recipes, including his classic cioppino. Open for dinner at 5 p.m. Closed Sunday & Monday

Top review

L

Lisa

Dined 3 days ago

Always our favorite place to come in Palm Springs and we have eats in nearly every restaurant imaginable in the city. Love that they still give a soup or salad with every meal. Prices are reasonable given the quality, which is consistently excellent. Eggplant Parmesan is my fave and my husband loves the veal marsala (which isn't on the menu anymore however they always accommodate). Love love love it here.

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A photo of Chicken Parmigiana of a restaurant

Chicken Parmigiana

A photo of Chicken Piccata of a restaurant

Chicken Piccata

A photo of Eggplant Parmigiana of a restaurant

Eggplant Parmigiana

A photo of Castelli's restaurant

4.8

4.8 (4630)

$31 to $50

Italian

Palm Desert

About the restaurant

Named by Zagat Survey America’s 1,000 top Italian restaurants. Enter the doors of Castelli’s and you’ll believe you have just stepped into a small bistro in romantic Tuscany.

No baseball hats, no tank tops and no flip flops.
Womens designer hats are allowed.

* As of Jan 31, 2023, Castelli's is no longer accepting the $25.00 Hanson's Garage Door Gift Certificates.
**The promotion has expired**

Top review

B

Brentvip

Dined 3 days ago

We had amazing food and the service was outstanding.

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A photo of Fettuccine Alfredo of a restaurant

Fettuccine Alfredo

A photo of Linguine Di Mare of a restaurant

Linguine Di Mare

A photo of Trilussa Ristorante restaurant

Trilussa Ristorante

4.7

4.7 (3311)

$30 and under

Italian

Palm Springs

About the restaurant

Trilussa serves traditional Italian cuisine in an intimate and family atmosphere. They serve great Italian seafood, steaks, pizza and pasta dishes with elegance and a smile. Front door parking to the restaurant available. Gluten-free pasta available. Live Music.

Happy Hour reservations not available.
Table requests are not guaranteed.

Top review

A

Arlene

Dined 1 day ago

Great food! Did not disappoint. Returning diners who enjoy the ambience.

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A photo of Calamari of a restaurant

A photo of Chicken Parmigiana of a restaurant

Chicken Parmigiana

A photo of Lasagna Bolognese of a restaurant

Lasagna Bolognese

A photo of Al dente restaurant

4.7

4.7 (1083)

$30 and under

Italian

Palm Springs

About the restaurant

Al dente Trattoria - A quaint cucina with a decidedly European atmosphere, has served Palm Springs and international clientele for over 30 years.

Al dente proprietor Kendra Riccio and Executive Chef Oscar Cardenas present an extensive menu of pastas with homemade sauces, beef, veal, and fresh seafood entrées for lunch and dinner in a casual fine dining atmosphere. Located on historic Palm Canyon Drive, downtown Palm Springs, within walking distance to major hotels, convention center, shopping and casinos.

Top review

J

John

Dined 7 days ago

A great Italian restaurant . Menu choices are good including a wide selection of pasta dishes ( choose the paste you like) . Food was excellent and a very reasonable price . Good selection of wines to accompany the good food . Service was excellent . Highly recommend .

A photo of Mimmo's Italian Restaurant restaurant

Mimmo's Italian Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (2019)

$31 to $50

Italian

Palm Desert

About the restaurant

We are open! Come and join us and check out our beautiful new bar and dining area.
The foundation of good Italian cooking is the freshest of ingredients prepared with simplicity, bringing together flavors so no one ingredient overpowers another. Mimmo’s Italian roots begin in his hometown of Bagheria, Sicily. The fresh fruits and vegetables picked from his family’s farm were on the table, or tavola, that night. Our logo of the lemon and lemon flower, or zagara, is a symbol of Sicily’s rich history of growing and exporting lemons, and a reminder of Mimmo’s many memories of lemon picking in his grandfather’s groves. APRIL 30TH 2012 WAS OUR OPENING DAY.
OUR HOURS ARE: MONDAY THRU SATURDAY FROM 5PM. HAPPY HOUR IS MONDAY THRU SATURDAY FROM 5PM TO CLOSE, AT THE BAR AND THE BAR DINING ROOM.
-GIFT CARDS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT: Mimmospd.com

Top review

K

Katie

Dined 4 days ago

Fabulous Italian food!! I would most definitely recommend.

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A photo of Bruschetta Classica of a restaurant

Bruschetta Classica

A photo of Crispy Polenta of a restaurant

A photo of Italica restaurant

4.8

4.8 (131)

$31 to $50

Italian

Indio

About the restaurant

Parties of 8 or more should call 442-400-3479 or email info@italica.bar.

Italica is a unique, intimate hidden bar/restaurant with outstanding Italian cuisine. Our dishes are served tapas style and are meant to be combined and shared with others in your party. We have several dishes on and off our menu that are vegetarian and vegan friendly. Enter through the silver door on Miles Avenue to the right of Indio Taphouse.

Due to our limited capacity, reservations are required for dinner service. However, we welcome walk-ins at the bar, based on availability, and encourage late-night walk-ins to join us when possible.

To ensure that all our guests can savor our exquisite offerings, we allocate a 90-minute dining time for all parties.

Please note that Italica is an adults-only establishment. We kindly ask that our guests be above the age of 18 and are dressed appropriately.

We appreciate your understanding and look forward to providing you with an exceptional dining experience.

Top review

T

tina

Dined 3 days ago

Very cool vibe , loved the ambience , and food was delicious . Small portions and hard to share ! Artichoke not so good and very small but all the other dishes Shrimp, penne vodka, chicken were delicious!!! Enjoyed the evening !!! And downtown Indio is really going in the right direction !!!!

A photo of Piero's Pizzavino restaurant

Piero's Pizzavino

4.8

4.8 (1781)

$30 and under

Italian

Palm Desert

About the restaurant

Four Key Ingredients for PizzaVino's true authentic Neapolitan Pizza--it's all about balance. The Oven, San Marzano tomatoes, Fior di Latte Mozzarella & Doppio Zero Flour. We are more than just pizza at Our Comfortable Home away from Home Restaurant. We offer Fresh Locally Grown, Organic Fruits & Vegetables, Fresh Seafood, Quality Cuts of Meat, Salads with our homemade dressings, as well as Desserts like Your Mom use to or still does make! We are OPEN LATER than Most!

Buon Appetito

Top review

A

Anniversaryvip

Dined 2 days ago

We had talked about dining here in the past but just never made it . We were both craving pizza and had gotten rave reviews about the pizza so we took a chance . The pizza was delicious and the crust perfectly cooked . The service was excellent and we will definitely be back . Thank you for making our first experience here a memorable one .

A photo of Sammy G's Tuscan Grill restaurant

Sammy G's Tuscan Grill

4.7

4.7 (3768)

$30 and under

Italian

Palm Springs

About the restaurant

Sammy G’s Tuscan Grill is located in the heart of downtown Palm Springs and near some of the city’s most quaint shops and hotels.

Established in 2009, Sammy G’s has is open seasonally for Sammy's weekend Brunch and lunch with an innovative menu, blending traditional Italian with California cuisine. Take a break from shopping and dine al fresco for lunch on the newly renovated patio and soak up the gorgeous desert weather, or venture inside and be transported to Tuscany with the restaurant’s rustic charm.

Dinner becomes a casual yet elegant event, and traditional Italian favorites mixed with updated classics are on the menu. A semi-private room is available for family gatherings or business events.

On Thursday through Saturday nights, the Sammy G’s Lounge becomes an energetic yet intimate place to meet up with friends and dance the night away to live music and enjoy Sammy G’s signature cocktails.

Top review

C

Chris

Dined on Nov 19, 2024

Had lunch. Very nice and attentive wait staff. Food and drink were fabulous. Loved the salmon and the caesar salad, the bread was warm and appealing. Nice to have tablecloths and linen for a comfy indoor lunch experience.

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A photo of Gnocchi of a restaurant

A photo of Homemade Lasagna of a restaurant

Homemade Lasagna

A photo of Chicken Marsala of a restaurant

Chicken Marsala

A photo of Backstreet Bistro Palm Desert restaurant

Backstreet Bistro Palm Desert

4.7

4.7 (972)

$30 and under

Italian

Palm Desert

About the restaurant

Come and enjoy our fresh and authentic italian cuisine our friendly and family oriented staff is looking forward to provide you with a delightful dining experience on our quaint and comfortable patio . We are looking forward to serve you with our delicious daily specials and our incredible hand selected wine list. You can make reservation by phone or on our website http://www.backstreetbistroelpaseo.com/reservations- . Backstreet Bistro, a place where friends meet friends!

Top review

J

Julie

Dined 6 days ago

Our group of ladies went for lunch and we seated on the patio right away. Everyone enjoyed the food and the service was prompt and very friendly. We will return soon!

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A photo of Sand Dabs of a restaurant

A photo of Lasagna Classic of a restaurant

Lasagna Classic

A photo of Chicken Marsala of a restaurant

Chicken Marsala

A photo of Kiki's La Quinta restaurant

Kiki's La Quinta

4.7

4.7 (454)

$31 to $50

Italian

Indian Wells

About the restaurant

Our restaurant prides its self in excellent food, wine, cocktails & experiences! Our Michelin trained chef has curated an amazing menu of modern Italian food, using quality ingredients you simply can't find in the valley!
We can not wait to welcome you into our version of a New York Italian restaurant, brought to you from native New Yorker Italians!

Top review

S

Sandravip

Dined 1 day ago

Both entree's we had were more than enough to share w/another person, or have leftovers. Martini's are small portions but strong.

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