These 18 Coachella Valley restaurants are offering special dine-in menus this Thanksgiving

Jennifer Cortez, Palm Springs Desert Sun
Updated ·11 min read

Thanksgiving is around the corner — and whether you're preparing for a big feast or a small affair with your friends and family, you may be looking for some help on Nov. 23. Those looking to escape the kitchen can look forward to extravagant multi-course dinners, buffets or even take-out throughout the Coachella Valley.

Keep in mind: While these restaurants have tables available as of publication time, it's possible they might book up shortly, so reserve that table as soon as possible. Please note that this is not a comprehensive list.

Si Bon in Rancho Mirage

The European bistro, Si Bon, in Rancho Mirage is offering a special Thanksgiving dinner menu from noon to 9 p.m., plus a limited selection from its Belgian-inspired regular menu. Available alongside the roasted turkey are entrées such as a Florentine-style pan-fried whitefish and prime rib. For dessert, top off the night with a traditional pumpkin pie, pumpkin cheesecake, pecan pie or chocolate opéra gâteau. Additional appetizers and sides are also available, as is a $13 menu for children 12 and younger.

Thanksgiving dinner hours: Noon to 9 p.m.

Address: 40-101 Monterey Avenue, Suite E5, Rancho Mirage

For more info or to reserve a table: Visit sibon-sogood.com or call 760-837-0011

Cava in Indian Wells

Indian Wells' Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa’s signature restaurant Cava is serving a festival holiday buffet with stunning views of the Santa Rosa Mountains. From a cornucopia bread display to freshly prepared sushi, guests can choose from a variety of pastas, salads and traditional seasonal offerings of roasted turkey, glazed ham, prime rib and salmon en croute. On the dessert menu: pumpkin, apple, pecan, strawberry and rhubarb pies, as well as pumpkin cognac cheesecake, carrot cake, apple galette and more. The cost is $96 per adult, $42 per child and complimentary for those 5 and younger.

Thanksgiving dinner hours: 2 to 9 p.m.

Address: 44-400 Indian Wells Lane, Indian Wells

For more info or to reserve a table: Visit renesmeralda.com or call 760-836-1276

JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort and Spa is the city's largest employer and seeking to expand with a new 25,000-foot convention center in Palm Desert, Calif., on August 24, 2023.
JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort and Spa is the city's largest employer and seeking to expand with a new 25,000-foot convention center in Palm Desert, Calif., on August 24, 2023.

Rockwood Grill and Blue Star Lounge in Palm Desert

Located inside Palm Desert’s largest resort, JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa, Rockwood Grill and Blue Star Lounge are once again offering a special Thanksgiving holiday buffet. With four carving stations that offer roasted turkey, prime rib, stuffed pork loin and a baked honey ham, guests can also choose from a seafood tower, rotisserie chicken, various sides and over 50 dessert options. The cost starts at $130 per adult, $49 per child and complimentary for those 3 and younger.

Thanksgiving dinner hours: Noon to 8 p.m.

Address: 74-855 Country Club Drive, Palm Desert

For more info or to reserve a table: Visit desertspringsresort.com or call 760-341-1788

Lavender Bistro in La Quinta

Consider heading to the elegant hideaway that is Lavender Bistro in La Quinta for its romantic patio adorned with sparking lights this Thanksgiving. The three-course special menu offers diners a choice of an appetizer, an entrée and dessert. The special holiday menu will feature a braised cabernet lamb shank, oven roasted turkey, ginger marinated miso-glazed salmon, butternut squash ravioli, a roast crispy half duck and braised pinot noir short ribs. Special dessert options include pumpkin pie topped with Chantilly cream, pecan praline pie with ice cream and more. The cost is $87 per person.

Thanksgiving dinner hours: 5 to 9 p.m.

Address: 78-073 Calle Barcelona, La Quinta

For more information or to reserve a table: Visit lavenderbistro.com or call 760-564-5333

A woman enjoys happy hour at Pacifica Seafood Restaurant in Palm Desert, Calif., on April 23, 2021.
A woman enjoys happy hour at Pacifica Seafood Restaurant in Palm Desert, Calif., on April 23, 2021.

Pacifica Seafood in Palm Desert

Located on El Paseo, Pacifica Seafood has plenty of Thanksgiving staples on its menu — like the roasted turkey breast served with garlic mashed potato, mushroom stuffing, cranberry sauce — but classic seafood plates like the Chilean sea bass, served with ginger sticky rice, bok choy and a green curry-coconut sauce. The à la carte dishes — chilled poached prawns, baked scallops, bacon-wrapped medjool dates and crispy calamari — are also a great option to share around the table. Don't miss out on the cranberry lemon cheesecake, warm apple strudel and, of course, the pumpkin pie.

Thanksgiving dinner hours: 3:30 to 9 p.m.

Address: 73-505 El Paseo, Palm Desert

For more information or to reserve a table: Visit pacificaseafoodrestaurant.com or call 760-674-8666

Lulu California Bistro in Palm Springs
Lulu California Bistro in Palm Springs

Lulu California Bistro in Palm Springs

Lulu California Bistro in Palm Springs will again offer a four-courseThanksgiving dinner this year. Diners can select traditional oven-roasted turkey and holiday ham to enjoy as their entrée. Gluten-free and vegetarian entrées, such as the quinoa-stuffed acorn squash or spaghetti primavera, are also available. Choose from six dessert choices, ranging from the classic pumpkin and apple pies to a pumpkin churro cheesecake or Lulu’s spiced chai crème brûlée. The cost is $60 per adult, $25 per child under the age of 12. Weather permitting, nab a reservation in the climate-controlled patio. Lulu’s is also offering a to-go menu and suggests placing orders by Wednesday, Nov. 22.

Thanksgiving dinner hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Address: 200 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs

For more info or to reserve a table: Visit lulupalmsprings.com or call 760-327-5858

Wally's Desert Turtle will reopen on Oct. 1, 2021, after its summer closure, under the leadership of Madalyn Botello, the third generation of Botellos to run the family-owned restaurant that was founded in 1978 by her grandfather, Wally Botello.
Wally's Desert Turtle will reopen on Oct. 1, 2021, after its summer closure, under the leadership of Madalyn Botello, the third generation of Botellos to run the family-owned restaurant that was founded in 1978 by her grandfather, Wally Botello.

Wally’s Desert Turtle in Rancho Mirage

Wally’s Desert Turtle in Rancho Mirage, known for its modern California cuisine, will offer a special dinner menu starting at 5:30 p.m. (with last seatings at 8:30 p.m.) on Thanksgiving Day. In addition to the green bean casserole tartlet starter, guests can choose from a butternut squash soup or a tricolor fall salad. The restaurant will roast up four entrées for guests to choose from: turkey rôtie entière, Chilean sea bass, Hercules ranch filet mignon or cauliflower steak. To finish the night, classic pumpkin pie topped with homemade honey whipped cream will be served. The cost is $85 per adult and $35 per child under 12.

Thanksgiving dinner hours: 5:30 p.m. to close

Address: 71-775 Highway 111, Rancho Mirage

For more information or to reserve a table: Visit wallysdesertturtle.com or call 760-568-9321

Michael Holmes' Purple Room in Palm Springs

Jazz and turkey might just be the combo you didn't know you needed. If you'd like some live music to accompany your Thanksgiving dining experience, reserve a table at The Purple Room, which is offering a $79 three-course, prix-fixe menu for Thanksgiving day. Get started with your choice of a soup, purple pear salad, shrimp cocktail or Thanksgiving salad, then pick from herb-roasted turkey breast, Scottish salmon, vegan bourgignoun, pork tenderloin or short tribs for a main entree; and then finish it off with gelato, molten cake or pumpkin cheesecake pie for dessert.

Thanksgiving dinner hours: 5 to 11:30 p.m.

Address: 1900 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs

For more info or to reserve a table: Visit purpleroompalmsprings.com/thanksgiving

Jillian's in Palm Desert

Jillian's, a fine dining restaurant in Palm Desert, will host a traditional Thanksgiving service with a four-course dinner this month. To start, diners can choose from either the butternut squash soup or a Maine lobster bisque. For the entrées, four choices are available: the traditional turkey, a crown roast of pork, roast strip loin of prime beef or the presidential whitefish. And if you still have room for it, end the night with dessert: pumpkin pie served warm with Chantilly cream, an Indian pudding with vanilla ice cream or an apple dumpling served with vanilla ice cream. The cost of $115 per person.

Thanksgiving dinner hours: 5:30 p.m. to close

Address: 74-155 El Paseo, Palm Desert

For more information or to reserve a table: Visit jilliansfinedining.com or call 760-776-8242

The Tropicale in Palm Springs

The Tropicale, a favorite of many downtown Palm Springs diners, is offering a Thanksgiving dine-in special for $84 per person (and $2 for children under 12 including turkey dinner and dessert). It all kicks off with your choice of one of two starters: a roasted butternut squash soup with spiced crème fraîche and toasted pumpkin seeds or a butter lettuce salad with goat cheese and spiced walnuts as well as micro basil with pickled cranberries and orange vinaigrette. The main event is an herb-roasted Mary’s Farm organic turkey with sausage, apple and sage stuffing, as well as whipped potatoes, turkey gravy, buttered brussels sprouts and cranberry apple chutney. Top it all off with your choice of one of the following deserts: pumpkin slab pie with maple whipped cream and pecan shortbread with dark caramel or Dutch apple pie with walnut streusel and cinnamon gelato.

Thanksgiving dinner hours: 3 to 10:15 p.m.

Address: 330 E. Amado Road, Palm Springs

For more info or to order online: Visit thetropicale.com or call 760-866-1952

The city of Palm Springs can be seen from the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway in Palm Springs, Calif., Dec. 4, 2022.
The city of Palm Springs can be seen from the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway in Palm Springs, Calif., Dec. 4, 2022.

Pines Café and Peaks Restaurant in Palm Springs

With spectacular views from the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Mountain Station, dine at either Pines Café — a cafeteria-style restaurant — or at Peaks Restaurant, a fine dining establishment.

Pines Café’s dinner service begins at 11 a.m. and includes admission to the tramway for $41 per adult and $27.50 per child under 10. The holiday menu includes turkey, beef burgundy, or a vegetarian lasagna and, of course, pumpkin pie. Reservations will not be taken for Pines Café.

In addition to its regular menu, Peaks Restaurant will offer a special Thanksgiving menu with the traditional turkey, seasonal side dishes, and an apple tart topped with ice cream for dessert. Dinner service begins at 11 a.m. The cost is $40 per adult and $27 per child under 10. Tram fare is not included. Reservations recommended.

Thanksgiving dinner hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Address: 1 Tram Way, Palm Springs

For more info or to reserve a table: Visit pstramway.com/dining or call 760-325-4537

King's Highway at the Ace Hotel Palm Springs is offering several Thanksgiving dining specials this month.
King's Highway at the Ace Hotel Palm Springs is offering several Thanksgiving dining specials this month.

King's Highway in Palm Springs

As is their holiday tradition, King's Highway will be open for the big day. Attached to the Ace Hotel & Swim Club, the bohemian diner will serve a special holiday menu at $70 per person, featuring a roast autumn squash soup as the appetizer. For the entrée: a butter basted turkey with sourdough stuffing — or, if you're vegan, you can look forward Soyrizo served with cajun rice and roasted pumpkin as the main course. Plenty of comforting sides will be offered alongside the entrée, such as a baked mac and cheese, a fall salad blend, Yukon Gold mashed potatoes and caramelized sage roasted vegetables. Dessert options include pumpkin pie, apple berry cobbler and a vegan apple almond tart.

A limited à la carte menu will be offered for those looking seeking a nontraditional Thanksgiving menu. Reservations are highly recommended, particularly if ordering a vegan meal.

Thanksgiving dinner hours: 4 to 10 p.m.

Address: 701 East Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs

For more info or to reserve a table: Visit kingshighwaydiner.com/thanksgiving or call 760-969-5777

The Fresh Grill Buffet in Indio

The Fresh Grill Buffet, located inside Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, is hosting a Thanksgiving feast with various soups and salads to choose from, such as a butternut squash bisque to autumn mixed greens with dried fruit, strawberries and walnuts. For the entrées, the chef’s specialties feature New York steaks, braised beef short ribs or choose from the carving station for maple-roasted turkey breast, slow-roasted prime rib or honey mustard-glazed ham. Look forward to Fantasy Springs’ signature chocolate fountain, pumpkin pie, and more. The cost is $45 per adult and $35 per child under 11.

Thanksgiving dinner hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Address: 84-245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio

For more info or to reserve a table: Visit fantasyspringsresort.com or call 760-342-5000

Agua Caliente casinos in Rancho Mirage, Palm Springs & Cathedral City

If you’re looking to outsource every part of the meal, three Agua Caliente locations — Rancho Mirage, Palm Springs and Cathedral City — are offering its Thanksgiving menu for curbside pick-up on Thanksgiving day. All orders must be placed by 5 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 20 or until sold out.

Rancho Mirage and Palm Springs will offer a chef-prepared and conveniently packaged meal, which serves 6-8 for $250, that includes a whole roasted sage turkey and nine sides, such as a butternut squash bisque, baby spinach salad with caramelized onions, whipped potatoes and more. The meal includes a traditional pumpkin pie and a New York-style cheesecake.

For $55 per person, Cathedral City’s Thanksgiving menu will offer a sous vide and roasted turkey, kabocha squash bisque or a seasonal salad, various entrée options, and pumpkin pie for dessert.

For more information or to order online: Visit aguacalientecasinos.com

Jennifer Cortez covers education in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at jennifer.cortez@desertsun.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: What restaurants are open on Thanksgiving in the Palm Springs area?