Bar Cecil - Palm Springs (CA)

5 /5 Marianne - Italianwifey: Dinner on our last night in Palm Springs was at Bar Cecil. A friend gave me a hint to go early to sit at the bar. We arrived a half an hour before the restaurant opened to find we were put on a waitlist for bar seats. Yes, the bar seats had a waiting list for 1-1/2 to 2 hours! Restaurant reservations are booked 14 days in advance and are difficult to get one or two of those coveted seats. So what’s a little 2-hour wait after waiting for 10 hours at O’Hare to get to Palm Springs after our flight was cancelled. The wait was worth it! Bar Cecil is an intimate restaurant with a fun and colorful decor with great artwork that offers delicious food and creative cocktails, including a $50 caviar martini. Hubby and I started with wine while we waited and then ordered cocktails at the bar once seated. An old-fashioned for him and a bees knees for me. Hayley made them perfectly. We started with the bread service with to-die-for date & sage butter. We shared the steak tartare with a truffle aïoli and potato chips. I loved the thin salty potato chips with the fresh and tender raw steak. My husband had the pork chop with au gratin potatoes and broccolini. He loved it and I kept on snagging tastes of his potatoes. They were outstanding. I opted for the black cod for dinner served with collard greens and delicata squash. The cod was moist and flaky and melted in your mouth. We had every intention on getting the lemon tart for dessert, but we were stuffed. Next time! I did bring the uneaten rolls and butter back to our hotel to enjoy tomorrow. Bar Cecil is a Michelin-rated restaurant in Palm Springs and lives up to the hype.

5 /5 Kimberly Harding: I had the most wonderful birthday dinner at Bar Cecil! From start to finish, the experience was absolutely perfect. My sister and I loved every dish we tried, and our server, Jonathan, was so friendly and attentive—we adored him. The pacing of the meal was spot on—we were able to savor each course without ever feeling rushed yet never waiting too long. Every detail at Bar Cecil is beautifully considered, from the ambiance and décor (yes, even the bathrooms!) to the little touches that make it feel truly unique. Bar Cecil is a gem, and I can’t wait to come back. Thank you for making my birthday unforgettable!

5 /5 Masha Kaznachey: Walking into Bar Cecil feels like stumbling into the stylish layer of the most interesting person you know. The one who casually collects art, always orders the best wine, and somehow looks impeccable at all hours of the day. The service is warm, the martinis are cold, and the onion tart will make you consider writing your will around it. Don’t show up without a reservation, do indulge in cocktails, and pretend you’re a character in a Slim Aarons photo because here, you basically are.

5 /5 Edyson Morales: We arrived a little earlier than our reservation, and as soon as the doors opened, the staff was ready to welcome us—we were the very first ones called in, which I loved. The space is beautiful, with amazing artwork and a great vibe. We started with a bottle of bubbles and some mussels, which were absolutely delicious. At that point, we honestly wanted to stay for dinner (we didn’t even realize they serve dinner since we’re from out of town), but unfortunately, we already had reservations next door. We really loved this bar—it truly feels like the place to be in Palm Springs. Our server, Lorraine, was so kind and attentive, which made the experience even better.

4 /5 Christopher Plata: Cute place. Hard to get a reservation. Great drinks and cocktails! Beef tartare could have used more seasoning but not the worst I have had. Steak frites was also good. Chocolate chip cookies and deviled eggs were great!