Natalie C

We spent one night in Twentynine Palms and we're looking for a place to eat around 7pm that had vegetarian options. It was a Monday night and a few restaurants in town were closed. We found Kitchen in the Desert listed with high reviews but weren't expecting too much. We were pleasantly surprised to approach the restaurant and see a glowing outside seating area. Because the place is about a block from the main highway there wasn't traffic noise. We were offered a blanket on our way to be seated in case we got chili in the late October air, and there was also a tall propane heater next to each of the outdoor tables that could be lit if needed. Each table has a small LED lamps with just the right amount of light, and there was a soft warm glow above us from string lights that criss-crossed the seating area. This would be a great place to go on a romantic date as it was quiet with interesting acoustic music playing in the background. I think maybe they weren't expecting so many people on a Monday night because there was only one server that we saw and it took a while for him to come and get our drink order, but we were pleased with the interesting selection of drinks that were available and when they finally arrived it was worth the wait (old fashioned and a whiskey sour). We were thirsty and one of the options was filtered tap water which was served from a wine bottle that they left at the table for refills. Unfortunately they were out of two of the three things we decided to order (the brussel sprout appetizer and the jerk chicken entree). Because one of us is vegetarian and the other only eats birds and fish, that left basically two options for us but we weren't disappointed. I ended up getting the fish plates which came on a bed of nicely seasoned coconut jasmine rice (with only a subtle coconut flavor). It was $43 and definitely worth it! The flavor was phenomenal and everything was perfectly cooked. My husband had the shiitake mushroom toast as a main course and it was a generous portion and also delicious. The chef at this place really knows what they're doing. This would be a great place for any foodie to seek out who wants an exquisite meal and unique, interesting ambience, or just someone who once a nice meal that is worth what you pay for it.

+3

Mackenzie Viera

I never write reviews but the experience was so great, I feel the need to say something— everyone’s incredibly hot & nice here. Food was really tasty & the energy was great. Shout out to Bree, (thanks for helping search for my phone), the server w the double framed glasses, & the bartender who also works across the street. Thank you girls for being so sweet 🫶🏽

Ellie Marlise Wesolowski

Loved this dining experience! The smash burger was amazing, as was the passion fruit spritz! Our waitress, Kayla, was the absolute sweetest and made our experience so wonderful! Highly recommend the matcha martini! We will be returning and asking for Kayla again!

Kent Carollo

As a return visitor, I always enjoy the atmosphere of Kitchen in the Desert, and this time was no exception. The food and drinks are always on point and dining outside in the covered desert oasis is dreamy.

+2

Manas Sarkar

Kitchen in the Desert is a very nice spot for dinner. The food is really good, and the drinks are equally enjoyable. The overall environment is very pleasant, and we really liked the vibe of the place. Although some of the outdoor heaters weren’t working, the staff managed the situation well, ensuring we were comfortable. I would recommend making reservations before going, as it can get busy. Another plus is that there’s plenty of free roadside parking available. A great spot for a relaxed evening with good food and drinks!

+15

Bep Bowley

This restaurant was highly recommended by a friend. Wish we had dined there before the last night of our trip because the food, drinks, atmosphere, and other patrons made the dining experience deliciously delightful! My husband and I enjoyed the Roasted Brussels sprouts, Mushroom Tartine, Grilled Hanger Steak, and Branzino. Everything was flavorful and seasoned to perfection. Serving sizes (in addition to the amount of food we ordered) was enough for 4 people to share, so we were able to take a couple of the dishes home with us to enjoy in the morning. Like my friend, I also highly recommend Kitchen in the Desert.

Troy Kudlac

Really cool place with a great atmosphere! The drinks were great and the food was phenomenal! It is so cool inside and outside. The staff is attentive and welcoming! The space is so cool and unique. A great spot worth the visit when visiting the desert!

+5

Courtney Yackey

We stopped here for brunch and had a wonderful time! The food was amazing and our sever was incredible. Their drink menu is awesome and I personally appreciated the unique assortment of spirit free drinks. This place has a great atmosphere even if you want to come chill and have drinks. We live locally so I’m stoked to go back to try out their dinner menu! UPDATE - we’ve gone back and this place truly is a 100/10! We are getting eloped in Joshua Tree this summer and are planning on bringing our parents here as our wedding reception brunch! So amazing!!!

Jennifer Velez

**A Majestic Desert Treasure!** This place is a true gem in the desert--a carefully curated retreat with Instagram-worthy moments around every corner. The outdoor seating area is serene, and the little shops add to the charm. But the real magic happens with the food. As an East Coast transplant, I've missed authentic Caribbean flavors in California--even in LA. Discovering this spot now that we live here feels like a gift! We ordered a variety of dishes to share (as recommended by our wonderful waitress, whose warmth and knowledge helped us navigate gluten-free options for my son). The jerk chicken, curry, lamb, Brussels sprouts, and both pies (key lime and rum peach) were absolute perfection. Even the drinks--honey blonde ale, passion fruit cocktail, and lemonade--were fantastic. Every bite was incredible--I kept thinking, *Can all of this really be* this *good?!* I also love that this is a Black-owned business supporting local small businesses--that community investment is so special. Tucked away yet radiating joy and deliciousness, this place is a must-visit. I can't wait to return (and hopefully try their Doubles next time--Brooklyn-level lines would be worth it!). We're so lucky to have this here!

+11

Vanessa Oberto

The food was amazing! My friend and I both ordered the breakfast bowls and it was one of the most flavorful, best meals of my life. My friend agreed. I don't know how they cook the coconut rice like that...every bite was so flavorful and delicious! The ambiance is also beautiful. Lots of blooming cacti and reclaimed furniture in the courtyard. Overall a really good experience - a wonderful spot to meet friends at for brunch. P.S. make sure to checkout the little book shop on the way out!

Chaz Nezha

We visited as a group of four on a Saturday evening. It was a walk-in, and the wait was about 40 minutes, but we didn’t mind at all—we enjoyed some delicious drinks at the bar while we waited. This place is a hit! The atmosphere, food, and décor are all amazing. I highly recommend stopping by for dinner, but maybe not for breakfast. The restaurant has both a cozy indoor space and a charming outdoor area with sparkling lights. We ordered several dishes to share, and every single one was chef-crafted and full of flavor. We were even fighting over the burger—it was that good! There’s also a fun photo booth where you can snap pictures for just $5. I’ll definitely be coming back if I’m in the area. This spot is officially on my must-visit list! There is parking lot area inform of resturant for parking. If I can give more than 5 stars, I will.

+34

Came here for a valentines dinner with my boyfriend and I couldn't have chosen a better place to make a reservation than this beautiful restaurant. The ambiance is stunning and there is so many seati…

This was one of our biggest highlights when visiting Joshua Tree. All the food dishes we picked was phenomenal. I've also never had a tart cherry pie and it was the best pie I've ever had in …

This was one of our biggest highlights when visiting Joshua Tree. All the food dishes we picked was phenomenal. I've also never had a tart cherry pie and it was the best pie I've ever had in my…

Incredible!! Not a vegan, but the vegan dishes were out of this world...and they do have meat on the menu. The cauliflower dish and the mushroom dish were fantastic. And the beer selection superior…

What a beautiful experience. Staff was amazing. I was skeptical because the menu was small, but I tried the mixed berry pie and it was SO SO SO good, one of the best pies Ive ever had.

If I could give 10 stars I would. Excellent date night on a Saturday. Great weather, cool vibe amazing food and drinks and outstanding key lime pie. Kudos to the chef, the beet salad was to die for…

If I could give 10 stars I would. Excellent date night on a Saturday. Great weather, cool vibe amazing food and drinks and outstanding key lime pie. Kudos to the chef, the beet salad was to die for…

We went to Kitchen in the Desert for dinner on a Wednesday night without reservations, and since the inside was completely packed, we were quickly seated outside. Despite the cold winter weather, we …

I'll start by saying: we don't have a lot of dining experiences like this at home. The atmosphere drew me in immediately - I love dining al fresco! We had a reservation for Sunday evening at their …

I'll start by saying: we don't have a lot of dining experiences like this at home. The atmosphere drew me in immediately - I love dining al fresco! We had a reservation for Sunday evening at their …

Enjoyed a delicious meal and delightful atmosphere while visiting JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK. Great service and a unique menu. The best meal we had in Twentynine Palms.

Super cute patio close to Joshua tree national park. Food was a little pricey for what you get, but definitely the best option in the area. It’s an awesome little reprieve after a day in the park. Great for families or groups too. There are a few little stores to walk through around the property as well.

Suzy Keidel

Cool find. A little pricey and meals are tasty but no frills meaning no sides with your entree. Enjoyed avocado toast, crispy onion smash burger and interesting beef choices. Cute general store. Love the plush Joshua Tree for sale. Super cute.

Tapan Katwala

A really cool dining experience .... we elected to sit inside as it was a little chilly but outdoor dining was really cool. The drinks and food were excellent. Recommend the lamb pop ... this is a must. I wish I had ordered two of them. Another recommendation is cauliflower and dan dan noodles. I would not recommend the chickpea curry...not enough spice for me and our potato and egg dish had undercooked potatoes. My key lime pie was excellent

+5

Would not recommend. The food and drinks were tasty, but it was so expensive. Food was priced as if they were entrees ($20+), but were in reality small "tapas," which you'd probably need 2 per person…

I got a few dishes from here to try after a long day of hiking in Joshua Tree. The service here was amazing and the waitress and staff were really kind. The food itself was okay and the ambianc…

Really cool place to go after Joshua tree but food is ok. Tasty salad albeit smallish. Avocado toast good. Burger was rated just ok by the 4 of our 6 who ordered it. I'd go again because it's cool

Odd vibes. Inside was hot and stuffy. Knife was dropped on us. Glass was shattering. Waited 50 minutes for food. Jerk chicken was decent, the coconut rice was dry.

The food was really good. We shared the lamb pops, beef fajitas, & jerk chicken. We also had the mushroom bread & potato tortillas. All were cooked very well and had great complimentary sauces. The…

What a unique restaurant. Loved, loved the ambiance and the service. An amazing outdoor seating area. Interesting food and drink menu. Food and drinks were good, but nothing that blew my mind. Wo…

Disappointed with food and especially the poor service. We had reservations so we’re seated quickly but waited a long time for anyone to come to the table. Ordered drinks and dinner at the same tim…

Roark Weil

The first impression of this place is great. Mostly outside seating under the stars, surrounded by small artisan boutiques. I really wanted this place to be a five star experience. The food was overall very good but not quite exceptional. The service and attitude left a bit to be desired. Everything was OK when we ordered. Then 15 minutes later the waitress returned to tell my wife rather unapolgeticlly the item she ordered was now out. We subbed a very second choice for my wife, and her main didn't arrive till well after the rest of us had finished. The waitress again unapologetically said your replacement item had to go back to the end of the line as a new order. My wife tried to find out if we came back could we reserve ahead of time the main she very much wanted to try. Again just an attitude no we won't do that, just take your chance. Very bad attitude.

Cali Mahoney

I was so excited to come here, and the atmosphere did not disappoint. A blend of rustic with some modern touches, under the desert sky. I had a reservation for 8:30. It took 10 minutes for anyone to acknowledge us. Once we checked in, we were told to wait in the waiting area until our table was ready. We waited another 20 minutes. Once to our table, it took another 20 minutes to get a server, and another 5 minutes until we got water (mind you it was 95 degrees). I have to say, the food was phenomenal. I have no complaints and only praise for the chef. The branzino, coconut rice, mushroom tartine and Brussels sprouts were divine. There is a Photo Booth by the bathrooms which was really cute, $5 though. Overall, great food & atmosphere, but sub par service.

The space has a nice design, but unfortunately can't say the same about food and service.\n\nFor a place that leans toward elevated European cuisine, it was surprising not to see a single Californian…

The space has a nice design, but unfortunately can't say the same about food and service.\n\nFor a place that leans toward elevated European cuisine, it was surprising not to see a single Californi…

The space has a nice design, but unfortunately can't say the same about food and service.\n\nFor a place that leans toward elevated European cuisine, it was surprising not to see a single Californi…

We had a lovely meal here and as other Yelpers noted, the ambiance is really beautiful. I'm just shocked at the prices for what we got. The waitress informed us that these are tapas-style and we sh…

We had a lovely meal here and as other Yelpers noted, the ambiance is really beautiful. I'm just shocked at the prices for what we got. The waitress informed us that these are tapas-style and we sh…

This restaurant is cute in ambiance and good drinks but the food prices are too expensive. They serve you small plates like if you're on a diet to make you order more but each plate is easily $20 o…

This restaurant is cute in ambiance and good drinks but the food prices are too expensive. They serve you small plates like if you're on a diet to make you order more but each plate is easily $20…

The space has a nice vibe and an attractive design, but unfortunately the overall experience did not match the prices. The food and service, in my opinion, fall short of the restaurant’s positioning.…

The space has a nice vibe and an attractive design, but unfortunately the overall experience did not match the prices. The food and service, in my opinion, fall short of the restaurant’s positionin…

The space has a nice vibe and an attractive design, but unfortunately the overall experience did not match the prices. The food and service, in my opinion, fall short of the restaurant’s positionin…

The space has a nice vibe and an attractive design, but unfortunately the overall experience did not match the prices. The food and service, in my opinion, fall short of the restaurant’s positionin…

We arrived at the restaurant at 2pm and they were still serving from their brunch menu. We asked what Pomodoro was and we were told it was from Israel. Good thing I looked it up. We got the beet s…

We arrived at the restaurant at 2pm and they were still serving from their brunch menu. We asked what Pomodoro was and we were told it was from Israel. Good thing I looked it up. We got the beet…

Great atmosphere, really good service, good drinks, decent food. We likes the tapas style of smaller dishes. We are vegetarians and there were a decent number of choices, but none stellar.

Great atmosphere, really good service, good drinks, decent food. We likes the tapas style of smaller dishes. We are vegetarians and there were a decent number of choices, but none stellar.

Great atmosphere, really good service, good drinks, decent food. We likes the tapas style of smaller dishes. We are vegetarians and there were a decent number of choices, but none stellar.

Great atmosphere, really good service, good drinks, decent food. We likes the tapas style of smaller dishes. We are vegetarians and there were a decent number of choices, but none stellar.

I really can’t remember the last time I eat out in the USA and didn’t leave a tip, service at this place was that bad. When we ordered a couple glasses of wine we were told that the cheaper (and b…

I really can’t remember the last time I eat out in the USA and didn’t leave a tip, service at this place was that bad. When we ordered a couple glasses of wine we were told that the cheaper (and b…

Kitchen in the Desert (KITD) had come highly-recommended and so we made a dinner reservation for later in the evening; we considered ourselves lucky that there was seating available. It was barely…

Very disappointing experience.\n\nWe left this restaurant feeling genuinely misled. The prices are completely unjustified by the quality.\n\nThe wine selection is far from impressive, portions are …

Very disappointing experience.\n\nWe left this restaurant feeling genuinely misled. The prices are completely unjustified by the quality.\n\nThe wine selection is far from impressive, portions are …

This place has no integrity. We ordered delivery and the driver informed us that they were out of jerk chicken. We still got charged for the chicken. The beet salad was basically only greens. \nA…

This place has no integrity. We ordered delivery and the driver informed us that they were out of jerk chicken. We still got charged for the chicken. The beet salad was basically only greens. \nAnd…

Here’s how to ruin a dining experience: have a pretentious, rude, maitre de who acts like they’re doing you a favor by letting you into the waiting area, despite having made a reservation months in…

Here’s how to ruin a dining experience: have a pretentious, rude, maitre de who acts like they’re doing you a favor by letting you into the waiting area, despite having made a reservation months …

First, they don't know how to handle reservations: we were waiting 20 min past our reservation time and told it’d be another 10-15 at least. The host seated at least half a dozen parties that arriv…

Please read my entire review to see why I gave 1 ⭐️ We visited kitchen in the desert after seeing many recommendations for this restaurant on social media. I want to start by saying that the food itself was actually very good, and the outdoor dining area is beautiful and enjoyable. Unfortunately, the overall experience was extremely disappointing due to the service. Horrible. Chris should not be working in customer service… When we were seated, the glasses brought to our table had visible lipstick marks on them, which was honestly quite gross and not something you expect when starting a meal. But we were nice about it and made a few jokes. There were also items listed on the menu that were not available, including a main dish. It would have been helpful if this had been communicated to us or clearly marked on the menus beforehand. When the food arrived, my daughter’s dish was not as described on the menu. It was supposed to include arugula and quinoa. Instead, it arrived with a small amount of microgreens and no quinoa at all. When we politely mentioned this to another waitress, she simply took the plate away to add quinoa but did not apologize or acknowledge the mistake. Later, when we asked for a specific dessert that the restaurant is known for, our server (Chris) told us it was not available. When I mentioned that we had heard it was excellent and suggested it might be helpful to note that on the menu, he responded sarcastically: “Yes, we’ll go cross it off each menu.” From that point on his attitude became very passive aggressive, sarcastic, and unprofessional. The situation continued to deteriorate. We were never given cutlery or napkins and had to ask another staff member for them. Even then, we were given paper napkins while other tables had cloth napkins and properly set utensils. Our server also claimed the restaurant was extremely busy, although there were only a few other occupied tables at the time. lol. The most concerning part of the experience was that a 20% tip was added to the bill without explanation. When I later spoke with the owner, Everton, he confirmed that this is not the restaurant’s policy. It appeared the server had manually added it. When I approached Chris about this he said its policy. He’s a liar and a cheat. To be fair, the owner did listen to our concerns and ultimately comped our brunch, which we appreciated a lot. However, the interaction with our server left a very negative impression. Good food and a beautiful setting unfortunately cannot make up for rude, sarcastic, and unprofessional service. I hope management addresses this, because with better service this restaurant could truly live up to the reputation that brought us there in the first place.

We spent my birthday weekend in Joshua Tree with our dog and had a wonderful trip overall. We visited Joshua Tree Saloon and had drinks and lunch with our dog with no issues at all. We also grabbed coffee at Más o Menos and spent time at Joshua Tree National Park without any problems. For my birthday dinner, we chose Kitchen in the Desert. Our dog briefly walked up to our server (Doug) and gave a small bark when he was surprised, but immediately settled down and laid quietly under the table. We had only ordered drinks at that point our food had not yet arrived. Shortly after, a manager asked us to put our dog in the car. Given that it was around 80 degrees outside in the desert, we were uncomfortable with that request. We understand restaurants have policies, but asking guests to place their dog in a warm vehicle didn’t feel like a reasonable solution. Rather than create tension, we asked for our food to-go and closed out. We respect that businesses can set their own standards. However, given how dog-friendly the area is and our positive experiences everywhere else that weekend this was disappointing, especially for a birthday dinner. If your dog is perfectly stationary and never approaches staff, you may be fine. Otherwise, this may not be the relaxed, dog-friendly experience you might expect.