Whether you’re road-tripping to Joshua Tree, checking in for a weekend away from Los Angeles, or planning your pilgrimage to Coachella or Desert X, Greater Palm Springs is far more than a desert playground—it’s a plant-based dining destination in its own right.
From oat milk cortados in Palm Desert to house-made seitan sandwiches in Cathedral City, the region is teeming with vegan options spanning comfort food, raw cuisine, organic cafés, resort menus, and quick-serve bowls for refueling post-hike.
Vegan standbys and local legends
Chef Tanya’s Kitchen is a non-negotiable stop. Tanya Petrovna, founder of the original Native Foods, brings serious cred to this fast-casual vegan deli. Favorites include the Pastrami Mami, a seitan-based house special with pickles and mustard on marble rye, and the Twister Wrap, filled with battered vegan chicken, greens, and creamy ranch. Everything is made from scratch, and yes, the peanut butter oatmeal cookie is worth the hype. A second outpost in Palm Desert expands access to this beloved spot.
Native Foods
Nearby, Native Foods continues to be a reliable staple. The 100-percent vegan spot serves up hearty, nostalgic eats like the Chicken, Bacon, and Avo Club, as well as crowd favorites like the cauliflower dippers, earth bowls, and peanut butter parfaits.
Palm Greens Cafe in Palm Springs has long been a favorite for clean, organic, and globally inspired meals. It serves a sprawling selection of vegan and gluten-free items, clearly labeled and generously portioned. Think tahini-topped grain bowls, tofu scrambles, and fresh juices alongside superfood-packed smoothies.
Cafés and coffee spots with vegan options
For caffeine with a conscience, head to Ernest Coffee, where almond and oat milk are always on offer, and the baristas know how to steam both to perfection. Try the honey-free golden latte or the vegan Mexican mocha.
Ernest Coffee
IW Coffee in Indian Wells offers coconut, soy, and oat milk options, plus a small rotating selection of vegan pastries. Their location is popular with both early morning golfers and post-yoga brunchers.
Check out the café at the Azure Resort in Desert Hot Springs for your morning oat latte, breakfast, or lunch. Filled with healthy plant-forward options, the café is as much of a destination as the resort’s spa treatments.
Açaí bowls, smoothies, and light fare
Fruit Wonders in downtown Palm Springs is known for its customizable açaí bowls, dragonfruit smoothies, and vegan paninis. Everything is plant-based, and they offer house-made nut milks and granola.
Nature’s Health Food & Cafe serves as both a natural foods store and full vegetarian café, offering everything from superfood smoothies to cooked plates and sandwiches. The market includes cruelty-free beauty items and bulk grains.
Fruit Wonders
Boozehounds has a strong menu of plant-based brunch items, including Veganwurst, pita sandwiches, and stir-fried tofu. The dog-friendly patio and stylish design make it a social hub.
Hotel dining with vegan options
The gorgeous Avalon Hotel Palm Springs offers a poolside menu that includes plant-forward dishes like quinoa bowls with roasted vegetables, fresh fruit plates, and hummus with crudité. The on-site restaurant, Chi Chi, rotates seasonal options, such as roasted squash steak and pasta dishes.
The café at the Azure Palm Resort & Spa in Desert Hot Springs offers a handful of vegan items, including a black bean burger, tempeh reuben, and avocado toast alongside smoothies and specialty coffee drinks.
The Ritz Carlton Rancho Mirage
The Ritz-Carlton Rancho Mirage offers a fine-dining experience with plant-based modifications available at State Fare Bar & Kitchen. While not explicitly vegan, the chef will accommodate requests with items like wild mushroom risotto or roasted beet salads.
Markets and grab-and-go
Whole Foods Market in Palm Desert remains a go-to for stocking up on essentials. Its hot bar usually includes a few vegan entrées, and the deli section carries vegan wraps, sushi, and desserts. The store also houses local vegan brands and snacks perfect for road trips or picnics in Joshua Tree.
Luscious Lorraine’s inside Clark’s Nutrition Natural Foods Market is a hidden gem. The menu includes vibrant salads, wraps, and cold-pressed juices. Most items are vegan or can be made vegan.
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Luscious Lorraine’s
Tower Market in Cathedral City carries local kombucha, organic produce, and a small but curated selection of vegan treats including cookies, energy bars, and cold items like tofu curry.
Vegan food near me: Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley
Whether you’re soaking in the mineral waters of Desert Hot Springs, exploring the surreal terrain of Joshua Tree, or dancing in the Indio desert, this plant-based dining guide ensures you won’t go hungry—and might just find your new favorite vegan meal under the sun.
1Azure Palm Resort & Spa
Grab your morning latte, smoothie, or avocado toast, swing back for a green goddess salad for lunch, and finish out the day with a vegan chili bowl or flatbread pizza.
Hours: Daily, 8am to 7pm
Address: 67589 Hacienda Avenue, Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240
Find it here
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