It’s a new year, but one thing that hasn’t changed in 2026 is the appeal of these five Coachella Valley eateries.
Hidden in plain sight in strip malls across the desert — specifically in Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Bermuda Dunes and Cathedral City — live just a few of our favorite “hidden gem” eateries that might not be Instagram famous, but we love them for what they are: cozy spots with delicious food made by longtime residents.
If you’re a visitor who wants to eat where the locals eat, or if you’re a local looking to add a new place to your restaurant rotation, check out these five favorites among The Desert Sun staff.
Chada Thai
Don’t come to Chada Thai for a date or leisurely family meal: This restaurant, which has a mostly red exterior you’ll clock from the street, has been take-out only since the COVID-19 pandemic. But do come for the expertly made versions of Thai favorites like Panang curry and the Thai basil stir fry. The latter is among my favorites, as is the Combination Seafood dish that always features a generous helping of shrimp, squid, mussels and fish in a just-spicy-enough curry paste. I’m also known for dialing Chada Thai when I’m too lazy to make lunch during the week; it’s hard to resist when you can order a lunch-sized portion of many of their most popular dishes and get a side salad with it for about the same price you now pay for a burger and some fries at McDonald’s.
Details: 1418 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs. 760-322-3992, chadathaipalmsprings.com
— Paul Albani-Burgio
The Wrap Shack
Those of you who live in major metropolitan areas are lucky to be able to satisfy cravings for food from any corner of the world without much effort. Those of us in the Coachella Valley don’t have as many options to choose from, but fortunately there are some gems among the few Middle Eastern restaurants found here. The Wrap Shack is one of these gems, and felt like finding the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow after I moved here from the Los Angeles area, which in contrast to the valley is rampant with shawarma restaurants. The Wrap Shack offers shawarma wraps and plates, as well as other popular Middle Eastern foods like falafel and tabbouleh. It’s a casual restaurant located inside a plaza and most people have gotten it to go when I’ve been there, but they do have tables inside if you can’t wait to get home to eat.
Details: 40-100 Washington St., Suite 109, Bermuda Dunes. 760-360-8178, itsawrapshack.com
— Ani Gasparyan
Nina’s Traditional Greek Cuisine & Pizzeria
When it comes to Greek food in the Coachella Valley, nothing comes close to the quality served at Nina’s Traditional Greek Cuisine & Pizzeria. The second you step foot inside the cozy café — with tables adorned with blue gingham tablecloths and a colorful wall mural — you’ll feel as though you’ve been transported to the Balkans, and once you take a bite of the menu offerings, you’ll really get a taste of Greek life. You can never go wrong by ordering the gyro, which features juicy beef and lamb on soft pita bread topped with onions, tomato and tzatziki sauce, or the gyro plate. Other delicious bites include mousaka (similar to a lasagna, except it includes layers of eggplant and potato), stuffed red bell peppers, Greek salads and a unique selection of pizzas.
Details: 555 S. Sunrise Way, Suite 103, Palm Springs. 760-323-8552, ninas-traditional-greek-cuisine-pizzeria.restaurants-world.com
— Ema Sasic
Black Cat Pizza
Detroit is 2,265 miles away from Palm Desert — and it can sometimes feel even further than that. Luckily for Motor City expats, this strip mall pizza joint opened in late 2024 is helping to bridge the distance. While it’s still a relative newcomer to the local dining scene, the perfect balance between the crisp and chewiness of its Detroit-style pies — yes, that’s the square kind — have already made them among our local go-tos (we love the diavolo de miele, which combines pepperoni with hot honey). While you’ll want to split a ‘za or two with your companions, there’s also salads, sandwiches, desserts and a surprisingly varied selection of appetizers for a pizza parlor. Seriously, where else are you going to find fried calamari, Buffalo wings and Brussel sprouts with pancetta on the same menu?
Details: 72-795 Highway 111, Suite G-2, Palm Desert. 442-282-8019, instagram.com/blackcatpizza_pd
— Paul Albani-Burgio
Edoko Sushi
There are plenty of good sushi restaurants in the Coachella Valley, but one I return to time and time again is Cathedral City’s Edoko Sushi. Each time I go, it’s hard to pick what I want to eat because there are so many good options, and I’m happy to report that I’ve never left disappointed. Some of the sushi rolls I recommend are the Yami Yami (inside a California roll and topped with tuna and avocado), the Baked Salmon (inside a California roll and topped with baked salmon) and the Three Amigo (inside a spicy tuna roll and topped with avocado, seared tuna, salmon and albacore). If you’re looking to try a bunch of different items, try the bento box to sample meat teriyaki, sushi and miso soup.
Details: 69-195 Ramon Road, Suite C5, Cathedral City. 760-328-7770, edokosushicathedral.com
— Ema Sasic
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Best hidden gem restaurants in Palm Springs area? 5 favorite spots
Reporting by Paul Albani-Burgio, Ema Sasic and Ani Gasparyan, Palm Springs Desert Sun / Palm Springs Desert Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
