The service was great and the food was good overall! The chicken kabob and shrimp appetizer was a 10/10, definitely a standout. We also tried the brie and prosciutto, which was a bit on the salty side for us, but still enjoyable. The pizza bread was amazing, super fresh and flavorful. I do think adding a little more balsamic glaze would have really elevated it, but it was still very good. We had a great time, and they even surprised us with a complimentary birthday cake for my spouse, which was such a thoughtful touch. That level of service really stood out. I will definitely be coming back, especially for the service! read more

Went for a company work dinner and the service was great. They kept coming around to get our drink orders They have a nice outdoor area too Food Shrimp cocktail - 2 giant shrimp Shrimp satay - so yummy Carne asada mole - delicious Dessert platter - the standout was the cheesecake read more

visited The Tropicale on Mother's Day with my husband. Since I'm far away from my kids this year, he wanted to make the day special for me so I wouldn't feel sad spending Mother's Day without them. When we arrived, I noticed every woman around me was being given a rose for Mother's Day -- except me. At first, I thought maybe they had run out of flowers, but it still honestly hurt and made me feel overlooked on a day that was already emotional for me. Service was also disappointing. We ordered drinks and I was hoping to enjoy mine before the food arrived, but somehow our appetizer came first and my drink still hadn't arrived. I eventually had to get up and address the issue myself and even switch waiters. About 10 minutes later the drinks finally came, and the waiter blamed the bartender for the delay. The food itself was delicious, which is why this experience was frustrating. I just wish the service and attention had matched the atmosphere and the way other guests were treated. On a special occasion like Mother's Day, feeling ignored while watching others receive better attention was really sad. read more

I used to enjoy taking out of town guests to Tropicale for its classic Palms Spring vibe, solid food and fun drink menu. Unfortunately, this place has gone down hill in a big way,. It seems to be coasting off its past reputation and become the textbook definition of a TOURIST TRAP. While the retro neon signs and patio continue to impress, the actual dining experience is underwhelming to put it mildly. During my most recent visit, the service was fine but not particularly friendly. The staff kinda go through the motions as if you're eating at a Disneyland cafeteria. For the prices they charge (expect to drop $100+ per person), the quality is shockingly mediocre. The Pupu Platter was always their signature dish, but most of the components were bone-dry and tasted like they had been sitting under a heat lamp for an hour. I ordered the flat iron steak medium-rare but it arrived gray and tough. My friend's salad looked like it came out of a grocery store bag. After 3 straight poor experiences at the restaurant I'm sad to say, It simply isn't the same quality it once was. Trust me, Im not the only one who feels this way. Locals now know to steer clear of this place. So many good restaurants in Palm Springs; don't waste your $$$$ on this one. It's sad to see. The owner's response to criticism of his restaurant helps explain why Tropicale has gone down hill. He assumes everyone who has had a bad experience is a liar. Good restaurants value input and strive to get better. Have a look at this guys responses to poor reviews and it's clear he doesn't care about customer service or to improving his restaurant read more

It's been over a month and my mom still won't stop talking about the nice server and the great service and great food. I think I know what her favorite restaurant is LOL - We went out for a ladies' night and ordered the Pupu platter and the Chef's special - Scallop pasta. As a treat we also picked up the Mango Colada. Our very sweet server was so kind and catering and very fun to talk to. He made sure we had a great dinner experience and was so pleasant to talk to. Food was phenomenal and the scallops were cooked to perfection. Pasta was so good and we just about liked everything on the Pupu platter. The drink was so good and not too sweet. The vibe of the restaurant is fancy with low, intimate lighting, perfect for date nights. Highly recommend coming here and trying out the different foods. Overall rating: Food: 10/10 Service: 10/10 Menu: 10/10 Restaurant Vibes: 10/10 Price to Overall Dining (POD): 10/10 read more

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We've been to The Tropicale a few times in the past and it has yet to disappoint. This visit was for brunch and it was another great experience overall. We love the retro Miami meets Palm Springs vibes. The lounge is fantastic for having a few cocktails. We ordered the steak and eggs and the eggs Benedict, and both dishes were well prepared and satisfying. The flavors were solid and everything came out cooked just right. We both ordered Bloody Mary's, those were the only miss for me. Mine didn't have much flavor and the mix was a bit too runny for my taste. I switched to an espresso martini instead and that was absolutely fabulous. Our server was amazing and really elevated the experience. He went above and beyond and even brought out a slice of raspberry coffee cake that was super yummy and a really nice touch. We sat on the patio and the weather was beautiful, which made the whole brunch feel relaxed and enjoyable. Consistently good food, great service, and a perfect patio vibe we'll definitely keep coming back. read more

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Love the vibe! The outdoor dining is wonderful- a fun choice of music, excellent wait staff. The food? It's always been good. It's also creative! What more could we ask for? read more

The Tropicale - New American Near Me - Palm Springs, California

Tropical is high on my "Palm Springs fav" list. We love the ambiance inside or out, but the patio dining is my favorite. Lots of shade, and on the off season, they have misters and fans. The staff are welcoming, friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive. The menu offers a wide selection of regular items, as well as a weekly "specials" menu. Happy Hour is 4 to 7p daily and till closing Wednesdays. The Happy Hour menu offers another selection and nice discounts on their cocktails...which are fabulous! On our latest visit, Gabriel who has taken care of us before, gave us the great service we have always received at the Tropical! read more

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Alcohol may be man's worst enemy, but the bible says love your enemy -- Frank Sinatra And if you live the enemy as much as I do, here is your spot ;-) We were looking for a casual place after a hike on the mountain and this is the place google said was best rated. It's next to the Aqua Caliente casino and there is plenty of street, lot or dirt parking. We chose dirt ;-) It's Hawaiian nightclub themed and the interior is definitely Hawaiian 1950's and very IG friendly. I only took one pic though. We were eating early so tons of interior empty seats but the bar and outside seating was lively. The interior filled up by the time we left. Service was friendly and quick with only one hiccup. They brought all of our appetizers at once instead of spacing them out. I hate racing to eat apps before they get cold. Drinks were strong...very strong!!! Tasty and flavorful and lovely, but I was driving so I only ordered one Mai Tai. The blueberry mojito looked lovely too. Food surprisingly was very good for the theme. We had the Ahi poke, crispy tuna roll, Kobe steak skewers, firecracker shrimp and lamb meatballs. We split the carne asada skirt steak with mole negro. The wine list looked pedestrian. When we come back on a future PS trip I would bring my own bottle if I survive one of the strong drinks ;-) Highly recommended for a non downtown restaurant in Palm Springs! read more

The Tropicale - New American Near Me - Palm Springs, California

On our annual getaway to a warmer climate the gang decided to try The Tropicale for dinner. The entrance emitted an older Palm Springs retro vibe harkening back to the days of my youth (60s to early 70s). Inside the ambiance melded the retro look with upscale. Very attractive. I started with a dry martini with Hendricks Gin, nicely prepared and chilled with a twist of, just the way I like it. The others in our party enjoyed their drinks too. The menu provided lots of options which was great for the diverse appetites at the table--everything from small plates, to pizza to composed plates. I went with the ahi tuna bowl. It was fine. Generous pieces of properly seared tuna, on a bed of rice, with sprouts and micro-greens. Flavor was a bit one-note, I could stand something with a tad more spice, but many would find it just right. All in all it was a good choice for a group of seven and I'd eat here again. read more

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It's a Fun place to enjoy with Friends & Family. My girlfriend's drink was tasty and looked awesome A Raspberry Lemon Drop Martini My Bloody Mary was good, wish it had More Spice She had a Traditional Smoked Ham & Eggs Benedict I had the Grilled Wild King Salmon Benedict made with thick juicy chunks of Salmon and very delicious. Yum!! Service was great Ambiance was nice with the Palms & Decor And the Four of Us Enjoyed Ourselves and The Food! We'll definitely be returning to enjoy More Fun Food read more

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The Tropicale was incredibly accommodating. We had reservations on the patio for lunch, but it was very hot for us visiting Midwesterners, so they were able to accommodate us inside in the AC. Also, I ordered the flatbread and remembered after the fact that I forgot to order cauliflower crust. Server Martin literally ran to the kitchen and they were able to accommodate that as well. My husband had the chili Thai steak salad, and it was divine! read more

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Great space, friendly service, and very good food, but a wacky pricing model. Start with the good: the pizza is excellent, the coconut shrimp is a must, and the Thai lime steak salad is fantastic. Cocktails are creative and well made, and the wine list is strong. Overall, a fun place for dinner. Then the check arrives... and there are two prices. One for cash and one for credit cards -- with the credit card price about 4-5% higher. In theory it's a "cash discount," but in reality it just feels like a markup for anyone paying with a card. Rarely do I carry enough cash to cover a dinner that runs into the hundreds, and the restaurant is likely banking on the fact that most people will be in the same boat. It's the kind of pricing model I expect at a gas station, not at an upscale Palm Springs restaurant. Too bad -- because the food and atmosphere are otherwise very good. read more

We are locals and have been here several times. Palm Springs is a small town and as the majority of locals would agree, Tropicale has slipped in almost every way a restaurant can. On our last visit (the final straw), our food was cold, my chicken was overcooked, and the pineapple jalapeño margarita was a syrupy-sugary mess in a gaudy glass. Everything on the menu is so overpriced. Plain edamame for $19?!? I mean...WHAT?!?! That is borderline offensive and narcissistic. The server kept apologizing, but nothing was made right and we left the establishment down $300+ for a normal meal for 2 people that was worse than Abblebee's. We eat out 4-5 times a week and we will never be back. Old reviews reflect how the restaurant used to be. Sadly, thats not the case anymore. On top of that, Management was exceedingly rude to us. That is not the kind of experience or the kind of establishment that I want to give my money to. Your call, just don't say you weren't warned. So many new, fun, and exceptional restaurants have opened in PS in just the last year, there's no way I could ever recommend anyone even trying Tropicale. Why waste your money when there are many other great options in town now? read more

Lovely dining environment--felt like a scene out of the movie, Birdcage. Cocktails were delicious and will have to come back to try their eggs Benedict which looked divine! Our server was very attentive and easy to have quick conversations when he stopped by to check on our table. Will definitely be back for more! read more

The Tropicale - Brunch Cocktails - New American Near Me - Palm Springs, California

I was at the Tropicale in March of 2026. It was a very unpleasant and really sort of weird experience. The food was sub par. And when we mentioned it to the wait staff, the sort of accused us of not knowing what good food was. We had been to another very fine restaurant the night before. And had no problem with their food. Their flank steak salad was a 1 star. The steak was overcooked and tough, and didn't seem like a flank steak. Ambiance, I can't remember a darker inside restaurant. The outside area is OK. Service I'd rate as a 2 star. That's being nice. They were slow, and had a " don't bother me" attitude. There were 3 of us and none of us plan to return. Oops Tony is right, it was a "flat iron" steak. Toughest steak I ever ate. My cousin has the receipt from our night there, if needed we can post it. Around that time there were several negative reviews, and Yelp stopped taking reviews regarding Tropicale for awhile. It made the local news, and today I had time to write my review. I did it because I think the public has a right to know. And I don't do Yelp reviews that often. But my experience at Tropicale was so bad I wanted to put it on as many sites as possible. read more

We didn't plan to come here but the place ended up being super cute and the service was good. Pretty drinks! read more

The Tropicale - New American Near Me - Palm Springs, California

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Just finished Mother's Day brunch at the tropical and while the food was really good this review is mainly for the service. Our server Andy was so friendly and on top of everything we needed. He truly made the experience for my family so smooth and special. Thank you again Andy for the great service. We will definitely be coming back. read more

OMG, the food, service, and ambiance were great. The bartender, Albina, made the best martini for my wife. She gave us great service and there was a lot of fun. At our tabke we were served by Nico and he was fantastic. He recommended the fried chicken and it was the best ever. read more

The Tropicale - New American Near Me - Palm Springs, California

First time back at Tropicale after a long absence and things seem to have gone downhill in the kitchen. The space remains nicely buffed, and the staff is friendly as can be -- service on top of demeanor is also first rate. It all feels right until the food is served. The house specialty, boneless Southern fried chicken with mashed potatoes and succotash, landed at the level of a local coffee shop rather than a high-toned restaurant. The flavors were mild and forgettable. A shrimp cocktail, with shrimp billed as "big ass" on the menu, actually arrived with 4 large, but certainly not jumbo, shrimp -- and these shrimp were way too shrimpy to command a price of $8.50/ea. My own entree was one of the daily specials: seafood paella. Now, I'll grant you that the individual seafood components (shrimp, scallops, mussels), as well as andouille sausage, were all fresh and tasty, but the rice was underdone and bland; and there was no crispy underside, the "socarrat" that makes all paella meals worthy of mention. I ate the seafood and left the wan, unappealing rice to the plate. In the end, this was a no-hum meal served by well-trained adults in a lovely space. The kitchen needs to regain some magic and make sure the food coming out is up to expectations. read more

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This was an absolute delightful dining experience. The entire staff went above and beyond to provide an exceptional experience for every guest. They all appeared to love what they were doing. It was incredible. The wine list and cocktail menu were extensive and reasonable. Cocktails were works of art. The food was delicious and creative. Didn't try too hard to be trendy or precious. Just beautifully presented, perfectly executed and delicious. It had a cozy atmosphere, a happy buzz that wafted over the room. Truly a great experience. Everyone in the room was happy! How often does that happen? When in Palm Springs you must make a point to have dinner where everyone is treated as a valued guest, served by exceptional Tropicale ambassadors, and stuff yourself with absolutely inspired food in a Palm Springs mainstay. Ask for Sarah. Have the salmon.... Enjoy. read more

The Tropicale - Sarah our excellent server - New American Near Me - Palm Springs, California

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We went and sat in the bar area for happy hour. The decor in the restaurant is nice. We enjoyed a margarita style pizza, tempura shrimp, sliders and Thai chicken skewers. They offer drink specials also for happy hour. Everything was delicious. In my opinion the main menu prices are expensive. The service was OK but I noticed that the hostess and other servers were indifferent or impatient with customers. . read more

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Prices went up. . .cocktails in the mid $20's, no thanks. Their reputation is declining.

Wow what a great experience! The staff are without exception amazing. Visiting friends who brought us here and it way exceeded expectations! The Shrimp Louis salad was a work of art and the shrimp were incredible! We will be back!!! read more

The Tropicale - Shrimp Louis does not disappoint - New American Near Me - Palm Springs, California

Unexpected star of my Palm Springs staycation. Amazing food, vibrant atmosphere, and staff so funny and animated that we were laughing louder than we planned. read more

The Tropicale - Spaghetti Shrimp Scampi - New American Near Me - Palm Springs, California

Love the whole vibe here! Perfect place to come for a great happy hour. Service was excellent- from the host to the bartenders. Host was especially welcoming and friendly. We opted for two seats at the bar and ordered their happy hour gin martinis- the biggest martini glass I've ever seen, filled all the way to the top. So full that they had to put the olives on the side. Ooff- delicious but strong! We also tried the tempura green beans which were so good. Not too heavily battered. They are so good. read more

The Tropicale - Crispy Tempura Green Beans with Wasabi Aioli - New American Near Me - Palm Springs, California

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Came back with the guys and the food was much improved. Everyone felt 8/10 on their choices. Service was friendly and attentive. read more

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I now understand what the hype is about when people talk about The Tropicale. The interior is dark and moody with a buzzing energy running throughout the space. Phenomenal people watching from a table of girls having a bachelorette party to a large group of guys celebrating a bday before a night out, and of course your classic Palm Springs patrons who've been dining here for at least 20 years and will tell how how much the city has changed any opportunity they get. The cocktails were fabulous, and food wise there is something for everyone here whether you're a vegan or a meat lover. Below are a few things we tried: Miso Salmon Bowl w Black Rice - 4 stars. The salmon was cooked quite well and the veggies with black rice combo works great. Cacio E Pepe (With Steak) - 4 1/2 stars. The steak was cooked perfectly and the creamy pasta complemented the protein quite well. Carrot Cake - 4 stars. This was quite the huge piece of cake served with a rich butterscotch like sauce. The service was great from the moment you walk in the door. The hosts are friendly and smiling, our waiter was attentive and provided great recommendations and was always there to check on water refills and another round of cocktails. Definitely looking forward to my next visit here. read more

The Tropicale - Exterior - New American Near Me - Palm Springs, California

Palm Springs in December is way more bearable than the middle of the sweltering summer, which makes the outdoor patio at this local favorite a very appealing spot for brunch. Jamie W and I were reuniting with our old friend John who had moved to Palm Springs a few years back. The restaurant has been open only since 2007, yet it has a Rat Pack-type retro-vintage vibe starting with the pink exterior. We had a reservation in the back patio, and the weather was very nearly perfect with the umbrellas providing a nice filter for the sunlight. We started with the $20 Tropicale Bloody Mary's where they make their own mix and add vodka, muddled citrus, and various spices. Festooned with marinated vegetables, it hit the spot (photo: https://yelp.to/dzIK6N132c). It was the right drink at the right place and the right time. For our mains, we each ordered hearty plates. John went with the tantalizing $24 Tia's Chilaquiles with Mole Pipian Verde. It came with quite a mound of scrambled eggs, refried beans, queso fresco, and cilantro (photo: https://yelp.to/b3yeYXZU0q). The tortilla chips maintained their crunch, and the salsa fresca added freshness. Jamie ordered the homestyle $23 Huevos Rancheros with Yucatán Chicken Sausage, Corn Tortillas, and Fried Eggs (photo: https://yelp.to/ddQ6h3MoIu). It provided delicious comfort with refried beans, guacamole, melted cheese, chipotle cream, and salsa fresca added to the plate. I decided to go for the $34 Chilled Crab, Avocado, and Iceberg Wedge Salad with pear tomatoes, red onion, chopped bacon, and green goddess salad (photo: https://yelp.to/hMuYMln1_h). Just what I wanted, a mid-century salad in a mid-century-looking restaurant. I forgot to mention the complimentary Blueberry Muffin Loaf probably because we demolished it so quickly (photo: https://yelp.to/9JtWR7rGRk). FOOD - 4 stars...have a lotta brunch AMBIANCE - 4 stars...a nice patio during a PS winter SERVICE - 4 stars...quite attentive TOTAL - 4 stars...throwback charm at this popular oasis RELATED - Exploring Palm Springs? Here's my collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2uqw6KW read more

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My girlfriends and I came here for dinner on a whim on a Friday night in Palm Springs. From the outside, the place looks pretty basic, but once inside, be prepared to be charmed. We were there in December, but we were able to sit out on their expansive patio. They had a ton of heat lamps to keep you cozy during your meal. Our waitstaff were great and very helpful. I ordered the Grilled Creekstone Ranch Prime Flat Iron Steak which comes with a baked potato with bacon lardons, butter, horseradish cream, and chives. I asked for the steak to be prepared medium. Baby, when I tell you my food was so good! It was a huge portion but I ate the rest of my meal the next day! My friends really enjoyed their entrees as well. They both got a cocktail and the presentation was lovely. We found this place on accident and I'm so glad we did. I'd definitely come back here the next time I'm in PS. P.s- the little Italian fruit candies they have on the counter are so good! read more

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Had an amazing time at Tropicale for my besties Bach dinner. The food was a fusion menu and was great. We got fire cracker shrimp and a flatbread. Everything was tasty! The drinks were great too, we got a pitcher and it covered a drink for each of the 5 ladies. The service was lovely as well. Our server had the best banter and provided helpful menu tips. The ambiance is darkly lit, with good music playing in the background and feels secluded. read more

The Tropicale - New American Near Me - Palm Springs, California

Still on my "must-visit" list when staying in Palm Springs. And still the best Happy Hour in the desert! Complete with delicious small plates, and a wide variety of tasty pizzas (and with plenty of big and serious Red Wines to pair them with). During our visit we will do either Brunch, Lunch and/or Dinner. And along with each of those they have a pretty extensive Wine and Cocktail List. Much appreciated. And whether dining inside, outside on their spacious patio, or at the Bar, it's always fun to be there with the locals and their very helpful and friendly staff. read more

The Tropicale came highly recommended by a few friends and even my sister in law, so my wife and I made it our first dinner stop for our one year anniversary weekend. We were excited to try it but honestly the whole experience just was not what we hoped for. From the moment we walked in it felt more like a nightclub than a restaurant. It was loud, packed, and people were constantly moving around. Conversation was tough and instead of a relaxed dinner vibe it felt like everyone was there mainly for the bar scene. The staff, to their credit, were great. There were servers everywhere making sure drinks stayed full and checking on tables, and every person we interacted with was kind and on top of things. Food wise it started off promising. We shared the Thai pork lettuce cups with papaya slaw and those were actually really good with nice flavor, a little sweet and savory, and probably the highlight of the night. After that it went downhill. We ordered the Creekstone ranch prime flat iron steak which is twelve ounces and fifty four dollars and it came out bland and a little dry. We even asked for extra salt because it was just missing seasoning completely. The baked potato that came with it was literally just a plain potato with some toppings on the side and nothing special at all. My wife barely touched it. For my entrée I tried the miso glazed steelhead salmon with black rice. It was fine and tasted like a normal salmon bowl with a light teriyaki glaze but nothing memorable or worth coming back for. Considering the price point I expected something that felt a bit more special or unique. Everyone around us was ordering cocktails and big fun drinks which honestly looked like the main draw here. We do not drink so maybe that is the real hook of the place and why people rave about it. If you are looking for a lively bar and cocktail scene maybe it is great. But for a nice sit-down dinner it just was not it for us. The staff was wonderful but overall it is not a spot we would return to for food. read more

This place is still incredible. Due to weather conditions, we chose to dine inside this time around. It is definately a different vibe inside. For some reason outside felt more lively. However, we absolutely enjoyed the intimate aspect of it as we were with family. We went for their brunch. The waiter who assisted us was so kind and honest. My mom can only do a hint of spice on her food. So when we asked him the level of spice, he was kind enough to bring a bit of the salsa out for her to try. Thank goodness she did as she wouldn't have been able to eat that dish had she ordered it. Honestly, it was the level of service that makes this place exceptional. She was able to get a dish more her palette. We enjoyed their bottomless and good coversation. This place is a staple if you come to Palm Springs. read more

The Tropicale - New American Near Me - Palm Springs, California

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My friend and I decided to drop by here for Sunday brunch and I'm glad we did. To drink I ordered an Espresso Martini and wow! It was one of the best ones I've ever had! Not icy, silky smooth and not too sweet! To eat I had the chicken gyro and it was pretty good. The portions were also very good as well. Definitely give this place a try! read more

The Tropicale - Espresso Martini - New American Near Me - Palm Springs, California

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An amazing restaurant situated in the heart of Palm Springs. This is definitely a neighborhood fan favorite. We enjoyed the food here, as well as the cocktails. All the food came out rather quick! Service was also top-notch. I can highly recommend the shrimp and yakitori. read more

The Tropicale - Firecracker Shrimp - New American Near Me - Palm Springs, California

I needed a last-minute res on Mother's Day today and I am blown away with the accommodations and service we received! They give us blueberry coffee cake, fresh out of the oven upon arrival which was to die for! And that is just the beginning, divas! Go in there and ask for Mark to serve you. I haven't had service as good as his in years. Such a sweet person and so on top of it obviously, the the food was delish and if you need to hangover cure, get yourself a bloody Maria! read more

This food was absolutely delicious! Worth every penny. For big holidays it will be packed no reservations same day which is understandable. Probably best flavor I've had in Palm Springs. Perfect dinner night beautiful read more

First time here and it was amazing!!! The entire staff was fantastic. The space took me back to the 70s and I loved it!! We got a delicious coffee cake on the house and our meals came out about 15-20 min after. Pasta was cooked perfectly and his burger, "was fucking amazing" but he said he didn't realize it was going to be so big. Bloody Mary was on point and my tea was perfect. read more

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We had a blast! I had never been there before but had heard great things about it. We were in town visiting friends and celebrating a surprise birthday for one of our group and decided to have dinner at the Tropicale on Friday evening before our festivities the next day. We had a group of 14 and decided to sit out on the patio...everything was perfect. The food, atmosphere, service, everything. We loved it so much we purchased a gift card for our friend who was celebrating his birthday the next day. We can't wait to visit again when we are in Palm Springs..and did l mention we even had a five month old baby with us who loved the amazing vibes as well. Thank you for a wonderful evening. read more