Trust us, dining in the desert has never tasted better than here in Joshua Tree. Our local restaurants allow you to discover desert delights outside your culinary comfort zone.
Wrangle your hunger pains the right way with cozy homestyle cooking and old Western vibes. The walls of these restaurants have heard many tales of those returning from the hiking trails and seen countless influencers scrolling their camera rolls for shots of their desert chic.
We know you’re looking forward to some great meals out during your stay with Fieldtrip, so here are 18 Joshua Tree restaurants we know you’ll love.
1. Pappy & Harriet’s
- Address: 53688 Pioneertown Rd, Pioneertown, CA
- Price Point: $$
- Best For: Dining with live music
- Website: pappyandharriets.com
Get down with the hootenanny at Pappy and Harriet’s. This legendary music venue has hosted artists like Paul McCartney, the Arctic Monkeys, and Lizzo—and just so happens to be one of the best spots in town to grab BBQ.
Enjoy live music sets from world-class musicians accompanied by hearty plates of Santa Maria barbecue.
2. Crossroads Cafe
- Address: 61715 29 Palms Hwy, Joshua Tree, CA
- Price Point: $$
- Best For: Hearty post-hike breakfast
- Website: crossroadscafejtree.com
Replenish your energy after a group hike at Crossroads Cafe. You passed a lot of forks during your time on the trails, and now, it’s time to stick this metal fork into a hearty sit-down breakfast.
The country breakfast will fill up any cowgirl hungry enough to finish it. It also has vegan and gluten-free options.
3. Joshua Tree Saloon
- Address: 61835 Twentynine Palms Highway, Joshua Tree, CA
- Price Point: $$
- Best For: A great happy hour menu
- Website: www.joshuatreesaloon.com
Trust your GPS because the Joshua Tree Saloon really is in the middle of nowhere. This western watering hole brings western chic to happy hour. Western-themed cocktails like the Cowgirl Gun Slinger and Saloon Margarita, accompanied by dos tacos, will have you tee-hawing all night! It has an open mic and live music on select nights.
4. JT Country Kitchen
- Address: 61768 29 Palms Hwy, Joshua Tree, CA
- Price Point: $$
- Best For: Homestyle cooking
- Website: jtcountrykitchen.com
There’s a reason why the oldest restaurant in Joshua Tree is still popular. It serves up delicious homestyle cooking of traditional comfort food like pancakes and sandwiches. Whether you dig into the House specials or savor Mama Uy’s Specialties, it will be a meal that warms your soul in every bite.
5. Kitchen in the Desert
- Address: 6427 Mesquite Ave, Twentynine Palms, CA
- Price Point: $$
- Best For: Caribbean food
- Website: kitd29.com
Kitchen in the Desert is a black-owned foodie hotspot that brings Caribbean food fare to Southern California. Tapa-style plates mean you can order a bit of everything for the table. Get a taste of the Caribbean during brunch with jerk chicken and waffles paired with the desert-inspired Cucumber cilantro lemonade.
6. Giant Rock Meeting Room
- Address: 1131 Old Woman Springs Rd, Yucca Valley, CA
- Price Point: $
- Best For: Live music and causal eats
- Website: giantrockmeetingroom.com
From the boardroom to the Giant Rock Meeting Room. Every day is a pizza party at this restaurant. Choose from more than a dozen pies at the pizza bar and enjoy the sounds of live desert rock music. It’s an excellent place for group team-building with weekly karaoke and morning yoga sessions.
7. Pie for the People
- Address: 58960 29 Palms Hwy Yucca Valley, CA
- Price Point: $$
- Best For: Build your own pizza experience
- Website: pieforthepeoplepizzadicirco.com
Bring your creativity to lunchtime at Pie for the People. It’s a BYOP (build-your-own-pizza) experience! Start with a thin crust and choose from a wall of toppings. See who will create the perfect New York-style pizza masterpiece that everybody wants a slice of.
15. Red Dog Saloon
- Address: 53539 Mane St Pioneertown, CA
- Price Point: $$
- Best For: Tex-Mex cuisine
- Website: reddogpioneertown.com
Strut past the false-front facades on Main Street in Pioneertown, and you’ll find an authentic taste of the Wild West. It opened in 1946 and feels nostalgic because of the archive photos on the walls. It specializes in Mexican staples like tacos, burritos, street corn, and chips & guac.
9. Frontier Cafe
- Address: 55844 29 Palms Hwy, Yucca Valley, CA
- Price Point: $$
- Best For: A quick breakfast
- Website: cafefrontier.com
Coffee is a must in the morning. Start the day off right with artsy coffeehouse vibes at Frontier Cafe. Get lost in the art decorating the walls of this eatery while waiting for your fresh drop coffee and breakfast sandwich to be ready!
10. The Tiny Pony Tavern
- Address: 57205 29 Palms Hwy, Yucca Valley, CA
- Price Point: $$
- Best For: Weekend brunch
- Website: thetinypony.com
Giddy up and head down to the Tiny Pony Tavern. Saddle up because you’re in for a tasty dining experience at one of the best brunch restaurants in Joshua Tree. Keep it light with homemade granola and yogurt. Or keep it country with shrimp and cream grits.
You can’t leave without snapping a few wacky pictures at the Photo Booth for your memories of good times!
11. Royal Siam Thai Restaurant
- Address: 61599 29 Palms Hwy, Joshua Tree, CA
- Price Point: $$
- Best For: Authentic Thai cuisine
Spice up your Joshua Tree stay with Thai cuisine. Royal Siam Thai Restaurant serves authentic regional dishes that will transport you across the world. Dip into a Penang Curry and Thai Iced Tea and thank us later.
12. La Copine
- Address: 848 Old Woman Springs Rd, Yucca Valley, CA
- Price Point: $$
- Best For: New American cuisine
- Website: lacopinekitchen.com
The decor at La Copine looks straight out of an Instagram Inspiration page. Live your best life with contemporary fusion dishes. The Steak Sando tops American beef with Japanese-inspired sauces. Meet at the crossroads of Southern and Italian flavors in the Chicken Piccata.
13. The Copper Room
- Address: 57360 Aviation Dr, Yucca Valley, CA
- Price Point: $$$
- Best For: Post-flight meal
- Website: thecopperroom1957.com
Touch down at Yucca Valley Airport in your private charter, and the iconic Copper Room welcomes you. It’s a former airport lounge from the golden age of aviation that hosted celebrities in the 1960s. It’s now reopened as a classy airport bar for a post-flight cocktail and Pilot’s burger before checking in to your vacation rental.
14. Sky High Pie
- Address: 61740 29 Palms Hwy, Joshua Tree, CA
- Price Point: $$
- Best For: Gourmet pizza
- Website: clover.com/online-ordering/sky-high-pie
Sky High Pie is a casual restaurant in Joshua Tree that is raising the bar for pizza to new heights. It has a pizza for every mood. The signature Sky High Pizza elevates your taste buds with fresh Italian ingredients. The Rise n’Shine pizza brightens your day with a sunny-side-up egg topping. Taste gourmet pizzas like the Lobster Langoustine & Truffle Cream and Korean BBQ Pork Belly.
15. Sam’s Indian Food
- Address: 61380 29 Palms Hwy #13, Joshua Tree, CA
- Price Point: $$
- Best For: An authentic taste of the East
- Website: samsindianfood.com
At Sam’s, you can get Indian food, pizza, or Indian food pizza. This restaurant has a unique take on traditional Indian dishes. Their signature curry pizza comes in Indian-inspired flavors like the Maharaja, Bollywood, and Panjabi pizza.
16. 2 Guys Pies Brick Oven Pizzeria
- Address: 56969 Yucca Trail A, Yucca Valley, CA
- Price Point: $$
- Best For: Brick-oven style pizza
- Website: 2guyspies.com
Test your music knowledge during lunch at 2 Guys Pies. The menu features pizza named after iconic music festivals. Relive your music fest days with a slice of Coachellafest, Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, or Woodstock.
17. The Dez Fine Food
- Address: 61705 29 Palms Hwy, Joshua Tree, CA
- Price Point: $$
- Best For: Picnic lunch
- Website: thedezfinefood.com
On days you don’t want to leave your Joshua Tree rental, the Des is ready seven days a week to bring food right to you. The takeaway and delivery service is a great option when you’ve got a day of shoots lined up and want something fast and delicious between outfit changes.
They serve mouthwatering hot and cold sandwiches with farm to table ingredients as well as a famous Buddha Bowl that you can’t leave without trying! Bonus points – they also have a picnic lunch option if you’re headed into the park for the day.
18. Yucca Kabob
- Address: 57345 29 Palms Hwy, Yucca Valley, CA
- Price Point: $$
- Best For: Mediterranean food
- Website: yuccakabob.com
The Mojave Desert is a far cry from the lush Mediterranean region – but, you can get a taste of greener pastures at the Yucca Kabob. They can put together tables to host large groups with authentic Mediterranean hospitality. Pack the tabletops with kabob plates, shawarmas, and Greek salads.
Luxury Desert Dwellings by Fieldtrip
Make dining out at the best restaurants in Joshua Tree part of your experience. Our vacation rentals are the ideal location for exploring all the best things to do in Joshua Tree and the many restaurants located just outside the park gates.