One brunch spot here serves bacon as a flight, like a tasting menu for pork lovers. I love that someone looked at breakfast and decided bacon deserved its own sampler.
That is the kind of playful energy you find all over this desert town. Another kitchen bakes homemade pop tarts.
A third fills its menu with German pancakes and lingonberry crepes.
Many of these places skip reservations entirely. So on weekend mornings, the line on the sidewalk becomes part of the ritual.
You stand in the sun, stare at the mountains, and get hungrier by the minute.
I can’t think of a better excuse for a California road trip than food that makes strangers happily wait together. Some spots are retro and kitschy, some are fancy, and one welcomes your dog inside.
Which one would you line up for first?
1. Cheeky’s Palm Springs
Bacon gets the full wine-tasting treatment here, served as a flight so you can compare strips side by side. Somehow that feels both silly and completely reasonable.
Cheeky’s runs a modern, bright space on North Palm Canyon Drive with creative breakfast and lunch plates. The menu includes custard cheesy scrambled eggs, chilaquiles with avocado and sour cream, and a fried chicken sandwich.
Save room for the specialty cinnamon roll, a house signature. Duck confit hash, salmon cakes, and huevos rancheros also show up on the brunch lineup.
Vegetarians and vegans aren’t stuck with toast, either. The kitchen offers full vegetarian and vegan menus, which helps mixed groups agree faster.
Now for the wait part. Cheeky’s doesn’t take reservations, so weekend mornings often mean a line on the sidewalk.
Plan around the schedule, too, since the doors stay closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Hours run 8 AM to 2 PM on open days.
Dogs are welcome inside and out, so your pup can join the queue. Street parking is free but can take some circling, so build in a few extra minutes.
Address: 622 N Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262
2. Farm
A little slice of Provence sits off the main drag in downtown Palm Springs. Farm serves farm-to-table French country cooking, and breakfast is one of its best moves.
The patio is the star for many guests, with a fireplace adding charm on cooler desert mornings. Indoor seating offers an intimate, country-chic alternative.
Morning plates lean classic and French. Think croque madame, baked brie, a waffle, and brioche a la banane.
Need a gluten-free option? The menu includes gluten-free eggs Florentine, plus full vegetarian and vegan menus.
Weekends bring the biggest crowds, especially Saturday and Sunday mornings. Farm does accept reservations, and brunch reservations are recommended, though there’s usually still a wait.
So book ahead if you can, and bring patience if you can’t. The breakfast window runs 8 AM to 2 PM daily.
Fancy a return trip? Dinner service runs several nights a week, which makes Farm a two-meal kind of place.
Parking nearby can be tricky, with a mix of free and paid options. Walking over from elsewhere downtown may save you a headache.
Address: 6 La Plaza, Palm Springs, CA 92262
3. Broken Yolk Cafe
Early birds, this one opens at 7 AM, giving you a head start on the downtown brunch rush. That hour matters more than you’d think on a Sunday.
Broken Yolk Cafe is a cheery chain with a location right on South Palm Canyon Drive. It serves breakfast all day, with Mexican dishes mixed into the classic lineup.
Craving something savory? Huevos rancheros, a breakfast burrito, and a chilaquiles bowl all share the menu with classic eggs Benedict.
Sweet tooth calling instead? Nutella crepes and pancakes answer that call nicely, and vegan avocado toast covers plant-based diners.
No reservations are taken, and there’s usually a wait. Sunday mornings tend to be the busiest stretch of the week.
Weekday mornings run noticeably quieter, so that’s your window if lines aren’t your thing. Weekend hours stretch to 3 PM, an hour later than weekdays.
Parking here is refreshingly easy, with a free garage, a free lot, and street spaces. In downtown Palm Springs, that’s practically a luxury.
Families will find a kids’ menu and high chairs. Dogs can hang out on the patio, and free Wi-Fi helps the wait go by.
Address: 155 S Palm Canyon Dr Ste B-21, Palm Springs, CA 92262
4. Lulu California Bistro
Indecisive eaters, consider yourselves warned. Lulu California Bistro is known for a gigantic, eclectic menu that can take a while to read.
The setting is modern and colorful, right on South Palm Canyon Drive. Its outdoor patio makes a prime perch for people watching downtown.
Brunch is a weekend affair here, with doors opening at 9 AM on Saturday and Sunday. Weekdays start at 11 AM, so plan accordingly.
The menu wanders happily across styles. You’ll spot a lobster quesadilla, fried calamari, chicken piccata, and eggplant parmigiana.
Comfort food fans often go for the meatloaf, finished with mushrooms and a tomato glaze. Tiramisu makes a strong closing argument for dessert.
Reservations are accepted, and brunch reservations are recommended. Even so, there’s usually a wait, which tells you plenty about its popularity.
On a hot desert day, the cool interior is a welcome break. The patio works best when the temperature cooperates.
Groups, families, and solo diners all fit in comfortably. Free parking in a garage and lot nearby makes the logistics simpler than you’d expect.
Address: 200 S Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262
5. Wilma & Frieda’s
Homemade pop tarts on a grown-up brunch menu? Wilma & Frieda’s makes that childhood dream feel completely respectable.
The restaurant serves elevated homestyle dishes in a space with a large dining room, a bar area, and balcony seating. That balcony looks out over Palm Canyon Drive.
French toast gets serious attention here. Blackberry custard French toast and banana caramel French toast both appear on the menu.
Savory diners have strong options too. Look for a short rib scramble with mozzarella, griddled meatloaf and eggs, and biscuits and gravy.
Churro waffles, short rib Benedict, and tater tots round out the indulgent side. Bring friends so you can share bites.
Reservations aren’t accepted, and weekend brunch hours are usually as busy as it gets. Tuesday through Thursday mornings tend to be calmer.
Doors open at 8 AM daily and close at 2 PM. Arriving early gives you the best shot at a balcony table.
Families will appreciate high chairs and changing tables. Dogs are welcome outside, and there’s usually plenty of free parking around the building.
Address: 155 S Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262
6. Elmer’s Restaurant
German pancakes are the calling card at Elmer’s, and they arrive puffed and ready for a dusting of sugar. It’s old-school breakfast comfort in a diner-style room.
Many people call it a Palm Springs institution, and the steady crowds back that up. Hearty portions keep folks coming back.
The menu is huge. Cinnamon roll pancakes, lingonberry crepes, Yukon French toast, and stuffed hash browns all compete for attention.
Lunch and dinner lean comfortable too, with fish and chips and a prime rib dip. Elmer’s stays open from 6 AM to 9 PM daily.
That early opening is your secret weapon. No reservations are taken, and Saturday and Sunday mornings get the heaviest traffic.
Seating spreads across a large indoor room and an outdoor area. Mountain views add a nice bonus while you wait for a table.
Accessibility gets thoughtful attention here, including a braille menu. Free Wi-Fi and a kids’ menu also make it easy for families.
Free on-site parking is usually plentiful on East Palm Canyon Drive. Dogs can join you outside, so your four-legged friend doesn’t miss out.
Address: 1030 E Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92264
7. Pinocchio In the Desert
Kitschy decor and a front-row sidewalk view turn breakfast at Pinocchio In the Desert into a bit of street theater. Watching downtown stroll past is half the fun.
The vibe is lively and nostalgic, with plenty of personality on Tahquitz Canyon Way. Nobody comes here for a quiet, minimalist meal.
Portions are generous and the menu is large. French toast, a country Benedict, and a Denver omelette cover the morning basics.
Hungry crowds also love the biscuits and gravy, served in a six-half portion. Monte Cristo and French dip sandwiches handle the lunch crowd.
Don’t skip the house breakfast potatoes on the side. They show up as one of the menu favorites.
Reservations aren’t accepted, and weekend mornings are usually as busy as it gets. Weekdays tend to be calmer if you’d rather stroll right in.
Hours start at 7:30 AM daily, running until 3 PM Monday through Thursday. Friday through Sunday stretches to 4 PM.
Families get a kids’ menu and high chairs, and dogs can sit outside. A gender-neutral restroom and free parking options make the visit easy.
Address: 134 E Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262
8. Boozehounds Palm Springs
Dogs don’t just tolerate brunch here. They’re honored guests, welcome both inside the stylish dining room and out on the patio.
Boozehounds sits on North Palm Canyon Drive and serves Southern California plates with plenty of creative twists. The space captures that sleek Palm Springs aesthetic.
The menu draws on Filipino and Asian flavors in fun ways. Chicken adobo, adobo karaage, pork belly, and vegetarian lumpia all make appearances.
Lighter bites include hamachi crudo and a maguro tataki salad. Parmesan truffle fries and vegan Brussels sprouts are easy crowd-pleasers.
Brunch crowds peak on weekend afternoons into the evening. Saturday and Sunday open at 10 AM, while weekdays start at 8 AM.
Unlike several spots on this list, Boozehounds accepts reservations. Booking brunch ahead is recommended, especially if your pup is tagging along.
Full vegan and vegetarian menus make it simple for mixed groups. Free Wi-Fi and a gender-neutral restroom add easy comfort.
Parking is usually plentiful, with free and paid choices nearby. For California dog owners, few brunches feel this welcoming.
Address: 2080 N Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262
9. King’s Highway
A retro diner attached to a hotel pool sounds like a movie set, yet King’s Highway is very real. It sits inside the Ace Hotel on East Palm Canyon Drive.
The mid-century diner style fits Palm Springs perfectly. Outside, the pool patio adds music and a laid-back resort feel.
The menu leans Cal-Mexican and highlights locally sourced ingredients. Chilaquiles, chorizo grits, and avocado toast give breakfast a California personality.
Pancakes and a breakfast sandwich keep the classics covered. Key lime pie waits patiently for anyone saving room for dessert.
Plant-based diners will be happy here. King’s Highway offers full vegan and vegetarian menus alongside the regular lineup.
Sunday and Friday mornings tend to be the busiest. Reservations are accepted, which can help you skip some of the weekend scramble.
Hours run from 7 AM to 10 PM daily. That long day makes it easy to come back for dinner after a pool afternoon.
Free parking is usually easy to find. Families get a kids’ menu and high chairs, and dogs can relax at outdoor tables.
Address: 701 E Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92264
10. Bit of Country
Groovy 1970s-style decor sets the tone at Bit of Country, a laid-back diner that feels pleasantly frozen in time. In fast-changing California, that old-fashioned charm is worth protecting.
Homestyle American food is the whole point here. Breakfast and lunch come in filling portions without any fussy presentation.
Chicken fried steak tops the list of favorites. Biscuits and gravy and huevos rancheros make strong cases too.
Coffee earns its own fan club at this diner. It’s the kind of mug you’ll want refilled more than once.
Of all ten spots, this one is the easiest on your wallet. It’s a classic greasy spoon in the best possible sense.
No reservations are taken, and Sunday mornings get the biggest rush. Weekdays tend to be quiet, so a Tuesday breakfast can feel downright peaceful.
The patio offers lovely views while you eat outside. Dogs are allowed out there, and kids get their own menu.
Hours run 7 AM to 2 PM daily on South Indian Canyon Drive. Parking is usually plentiful, so the only line you’ll face is for a table.
Address: 418 S Indian Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262
