Del Rey at Villa Royale

I definitely feel this place is under appreciated based on the ratings. The service was quick, friendly, and patient with our menu questions. The cocktails were so delicious and great for photos. The food was even more incredibly delicious and I would recommend anything from the menu. The price was very reasonable for 6 people.Even though the outdoor seating made for a bit of a sweaty dining experience(it is the desert after all) I made sure to dress light & they had curtains to block out the sun while dining. It was overall a huge hit with the bachelorette party & we all had a great time sharing the plates with each other.

Definitely recommend getting a reservation but an amazing and good vibe cocktail lounge with restaurant and outside patio (dog friendly). this place had so many good sounding drinks I had to go 3 rounds deep. Appetizer style eats but everything was really good. Food was Spanish style. Basque cheesecake was the pinnacle of the meal.

Amazing date night spot with delicious sharable tapas and strong drinks in a sexy and cute dark environment. A little more on the pricer side but worth it! The vaca skewers were honestly the best beef we’ve ever eaten. Tender, juicy and generous. We felt like we ate a small steak each!

Sultry, sexy place for excellent cocktails and absolutely tasty tapas. We were recommended to come here by their sister restaurant Bar Cecil and this hit the spot. We loved the patatas bravas, shrimp, the beet salad and the dates and Brussels - still dreaming about that! Do not miss out on the basque cheesecake - that is SO GOOD! They even have a happy hour!!! It was a fantastic restaurant with excellent service and cozy ambiance. Thanks!

Been to many restaurants around the states and this one is the best food and drinks I have ever had. The service was quick and friendly. The atmosphere is perfect for a group or just two. Better than I expected. Service manager Cesar came to our table and greeted us. He was so friendly. Never have had service this exquisite.

Met a Friend here for cocktails. Mural was right in front of me when I parked the car. Walked into the hotel lobby and desk clerk graciously led us to Del Rey. Beautiful romantic decor with low lighting. Tapas only on the menu, and the two we had were excellent. HH and waitress announced when it was ending...lovely gesture.

I recently visited Del Rey and was thoroughly impressed by my dining experience. Here's what stood out: - **Beef Skewers:** The beef skewers were the star of the meal. Perfectly grilled to bring out a smoky flavor, the meat was tender and juicy, hinting at a marinade that was both subtle and sophisticated. The balance between the seasoning and the quality of the meat was exquisite, making it one of the best dishes of its kind I've tried. - **Ambience:** The atmosphere of the restaurant was simply enchanting. The decor struck a perfect chord between modern elegance and cozy comfort, creating an inviting space that felt both upscale and welcoming. The lighting and layout contributed to a relaxed yet vibrant vibe, ideal for both intimate dinners and lively gatherings. - **Service, Especially the Bartenders:** The service was outstanding, with a special shout-out to the bartenders. Their mixology skills were top-notch, crafting drinks that not only complemented the meal but also stood out on their own. The bartenders were friendly, knowledgeable, and truly enhanced the dining experience with their professionalism and warmth. **Overall Impression:** Del Rey delivers not just on taste but on the entire dining experience. From the moment you walk in, you're enveloped in an ambience that promises a memorable evening, and the food, particularly the beef skewers, lives up to that promise. Whether you're there for a casual drink at the bar or a full dining experience, the staff ensures you feel taken care of. This place is a must-visit for anyone looking for quality food, great drinks, and an atmosphere that makes you want to linger. Would I recommend it? Absolutely. Del Rey has earned its place on my list of favorite dining spots in town.

I’ve been to this place before the remodel And now I visited after and was so impressed Get the bombas and shrimp gamb I also heard the empanadas take 2 days to make so get those too All in all a very positive and yummy experience and would highly recommend this spot for tapas, cocktails and shared plates

If you take an Uber/Lyft, make sure to drive PAST the Villa Royale sign on the right and get dropped off at the gate covered by greenery (see pictures). You'll go through a stylishly quirky lobby with a large painting of Montgomery Clift greeting you. You'll then pass through the Spanish style pool area to the restaurant. The bar indoors is VERY dark which isn't our scene so we opted for a table outdoors on the back patio. Our server was very professional and offered tips on the food. This place serves Spanish tapas on the level of Coqueta in San Francisco. The two plates pictured here are the albondigas and pulpo. YUM! I'm so happy we found this place as many other restaurants in town serving American cuisine have very similar menus. I would love to stay at this place in the future. It's a little ways from downtown Palm Springs but the rooms look super fun.

Delicious croquetas de cangrejo and vaca cooked to perfection. Atmosphere and drinks are on point. Can’t wait to go back.

Albondigas $23.00 Beef & Pork Meatballs, Agridulce Glaze, Preserved Lemon Ricotta, Manchego This dish was a bit interesting.. it was sweet/ tangy A unique flavor combination But I was uncertain of the flavors and didn’t finish them. The meat seemed a bit bland, dry and old tasting without any sauce. The cheesecake 🍰 Was delicious ! Creamy, sweet, and tasty.

Walked in an was greeted & seated quickly. Dark, but nice cozy ambiance with music and decor that was stylish. Good drinks and tapas menu. Very happy that it was a close walk to where I was staying.

Absolutely loved the food, services and decor!

Our favorite restaurant in Palm Springs — food quality and menu choices delicious, drinks delightful, vibe perfect, and staff wonderful (especially Michael G.!). Will continue to be our first stop any time we are in town.

We had great service tapas were delicious and so were our drinks! Our server was a sweetheart! I forgot her name, sorry but truly sweet experience from walking in the young lady at the desk all the way out. Fabulous tasty drinks and can't wait to go back!

When the ACE across the street gets too loud and rambunctious feel free to go across the street for some unique, tasty tapas and exclusive hand-crafted cocktails at the Del Rey. The superlative ambiance either in the dimly-lit speak-easy or outside-poolside is sure to take your vibe to the apex of chill. Bring a bunch of Benjies 💸 well worth the time🤘 @wardstr

A lovely happy hour place to meet old friends and share some delicious vegan tapas. I would have never found the place (or really ANY place in Palm Springs) without a local, as everything seems to be poorly lit and behind a high wall, but once inside, the secret coziness of places like this are worth the annoying-to-visitors privacy. The hotel lobby, the pool area, and the restaurant itself are luxuriously designed and delightful.

Thanks Scott and Lulu for a delightful stay and some small plates- I had the vaca and patatas at the bar. Great food and conversation.

Tucked in the back of a funky hotel with dark walls, rich wood, low lights, and cozy tables. Perfect for couples or small group. Great cocktails and tapas.

Can’t go wrong with the amazing cocktails, pinxos, and tapas at the Del Rey. Del Rey is in the equally amazing Villa Royale.

A true hidden gem in Palm Springs. The food is fantastic and the ambiance and decor are incredible. Great service as well. Recs - pan, crab croquettes, empanadas, and Basque cheesecake. The Del Rey salad is also good.

A fantastic little Spanish restaurant located some distance from the commercial strip… and worth the short trip. Entering through the hotel and the pool deck you get a whiff of 1960s zing. The restaurant patio (we didn’t go inside) is sheltered and well cooled with fans/misters. The service was friendly and prompt. The food was well on the finer side is good (with some great dishes) - lots of flavor if a tad heavy for the season (late May heat wave). We passed 2 hours with friends without realizing it which is usually the sign of a great experience.

Gorgeous restaurant tucked away at the Villa Royal hotel. Impeccable service, beautiful setting and wonderful food. We had the artichokes (very good, prob our favorite), potatas bravas - also very good, a large salad (can’t remember the name) and the crab coquettes. I thought the prices were actually really reasonable and the atmosphere lively, but private (we had a table tucked away inside)

Delicious food, highly recommend the albóndigas and bombas. Most of all incredible service by Enrique our waiter ! Absolutely one of the greatest waiters i have had, so kind and attentive.

Atmosphere and resort gas a great vibe and were well maintained. We only had a few tapas but were we ordered was good. The meatballs were my personal fave. My only complaint, is that the restroom seems absurdly far away.

Beautiful place with an eclectic speakeasy atmosphere; great service and well curated selection of Spanish wines, from Galician Albarinos to Basque Txakoli. With great anticipation and feeling nostalgic about the foods I grew up we started with the marinated olives and Pan con Tomate, the popular Catalan tapa made with simple ingredients including fresh tomatoes, hearty bread, garlic, and olive oil, unfortunately Del Rey version was a large, soggy piece of bread topped with a spicy pasta tomatoe sauce and fried Spanish ham, a complete insult to our humble yet delicious dish. The empanadas with mushrooms were nicely paired with Mojo Verde, the Manchego Bombas crunchy and delicate in flavour. The start were the the Gambas al Ajillo or Shrimp in Roasted Garlic Sauce..except for a gigantic piece of soggy, greasy bread they arrive hiding underneath meant for dipping in the delightful sauce. The Tarta de Queso Vasca or Basque Cheesecake..asked to be served as its done back in the Basque Country, without Dulce de Leche, without berries, without caramelized citrus peel was as close as it could be to the original Basque burnt cheesecake. A pricey tag for tapas, with some that are a complete misses.

First time here. It is located within the Villa Royale hotel. Specializing in Tapas, the presentations were beautiful. Great outdoor dining space. Indoor space is dark and comfortable in a speakeasy kinda way. I enjoyed the music and atmosphere. Tried several items. I liked it all but some were more interesting and flavorful than others. I liked the flatbread but the mussels were great. The salt cod was ok. I thought the shishito peppers were a bit bland and needed salt or some other seasoning. The Brussel sprouts and cauliflower were delicious. My complaint/suggestion is when you are serving tapas to share, then serve even numbers. Three of one item seems insufficient. Adjust the pricing and serve 4 so each person can have an equal number. Another option would be to put on the menu a price for additional pieces of a particular item. I.e. if the item comes with three pieces, (like the awesome lamb chops), have an option that for $x.xx you can add an additional chop. I considered the pricing for both the food and the drinks as a good value. I was disappointed that they were out of the pulpo. We will be back.

Wish I could give it a 4.5. The ambiance is a 5 but the food is 4 although drinks get a 5 for creativity and taste. I’ve read a couple of reviews that sounded like they were at the SF Culinary Institute; remember you’re in Palm Springs. The food is decent but the ambiance and drinks are the main reason you go. After all, half the people there are dressed like it’s Coachella weekend. I enjoyed the food and it’s priced about right for 3-4 shareable plates. Tbh, I’ll be going back just to post all those moments on my Insta.

Ir was hard to find the front door and then the dining area was tucked away but the setting was beautiful with low lights and moody colors. We ordered various plates of which the favorite was the Tempranillo wine. Everything was just ok. Great presentation but average food. Especially, the patatas bravas. We can boil potatoes at home. The servers wereattention, polite, patient, and accommodating. Def enjoyed them more than those potatoes.

Way too expensive for what it was. Come for a very expensive drink, don’t stay for the overpriced bland food. They did an excellent job keeping an eye on your water which I appreciate. The crispy Jamon on the bland patatas bravas was a disappointment (think: Jamon jerky). The grilled artichokes were good, but a difficult eating endeavor in this environment. The championes (mushrooms) felt like a wanna be vegan meat pulled pork somehow? Tasted very weird. And the chicken skewers were almost $40 for two skewers (assumed it would come with a rice or something) and were so bland, the lemon slice barely aided them. The veggies the chicken came with were shishito peppers with the stems on…such a mess.

Flickering firelight, sultry shadows, and a patio where everyone looks like a noir film extra. It’s Palm Springs, fully in character. The tinned tuna belly in yuzu kosho is delicately brined, dressed with capers, pickles, onions, and lemon. An interplay of flavors that’s deeply satisfying. But then things waver. The patatas bravas fumble—potatoes too plain, sauce too tempered, seasoning too hesitant. The short rib empanadas arrive dressed to impress, but the beef is somewhat tough and chewy. Grilled artichokes fare better—generous, charred, and brightened by aioli and lemon. Desserts echo the inconsistency. The churros a la mode, while warm, are more sponge than crunch. The spanish cheesecake, envisioning a rich interior and caramelized crust, presents more like an airy soufflé. The false alarm cocktail hits the right note—smoky slow-burn. It jolts you back into the romance of the moment. Del Rey nails the scene. Now, if the kitchen could match the mood, it wouldn’t just feel good—it would be great.

Very difficult to find the entrance of this restaurant. The inside is too dark to see anything, let alone eat the food. I did not find the food to be any special as well. Perhaps it just my liking, but I found this restaurant over hyped. The cocktails were okay, but overall pricey. We drove from 29th Palm just to check this place based on other reviews, but it was not worth the effort.

My boyfriend reserved a table at the Del Rey, which got us seated right near the outdoor fireplace. Lots of heaters on the patio, the ambience was very nice and the staff was kind and friendly! The indoor area was incredibly dark, so was very happy to be seated outside. The aesthetic and vibe were great, however the food is where things were unfortunately disappointing, especially for the price and the environment the Del Rey offered. The Bombas were fine, but dry and underwhelming. The Brussel Sprouts were steamed clearly, and overcooked, although the flavors with chorizo and dates were bomb! So close but disappointing. We got the Pulpo which was also clearly overcooked, but again, great sauce and great effort, just lacking. And lastly we got the Pan Seared Sole - strange because it was breaded and fried but somewhat soggy and overcooked too. It’s almost like the Del Rey made an effort to be a cool hip spot with a great tapas style menu with exciting flavors, but fell tremendously short when it came to a solid execution and lack of effort unfortunately. It’s a 90% experience and if they just took the added 10% to cook the food properly, to make a proper crema, to finish what they started, it could be a gem. Would not go back due to that even though the cocktails were four stars out of five.

We tried this place out as part of our ongoing culinary exploration of Palm Springs. It's an interesting little place tucked away in a residential area. The atmosphere may be best described as bohemian, a mix of traditional and contemporary. Our server was friendly and knowledgeable, which we appreciated; the hostess, however, seemed clueless, sitting us right below a stereo speaker in a dark corner when there were plenty of other tables available. As for the food, what we had was excellent but the menu is very limited.

Good overall but food was on the disappointing side considering the price of this place. Several of the plates come with the exact same dipping sauces ,I think it's the empanadas and artichokes, which is an obviously lazy cost-cutting trick, just makes a special place a lot less special. Crab croquettes were soggy, tasted more like fried bisque. Sangria was good as was the ambiance and service.

This was my second visit to Del Rey, this time accompanied by two friends for an early dinner around 6pm on a Monday. We were not surprised to see only a handful of people. The drinks and food were just as spectacular as the first time, but after we received our tapas, the service fell off in a HUGE way. We sat for 30 minutes post dinner without being asked if we wanted another drink or desert. No one came to clear the table. We finally had to go to the bar to ask for someone to come to the table. When our waiter returned, there was no apology or attempted explanation. He left again and didn't immediately return to clear the lingering dishes. After enjoying our delicious churros and ice cream, we waited and waited and waited more than 25 minutes... but the waiter again never returned. We had to again go to the bar to ask for the check. It's fortunate that the food and atmosphere is so amazing. But with this experience, as a local retail business guy who recommends restaurants to tourists, I'm not sure I can recommend Del Rey given the poor quality of service.

Hey Del Rey owners. Call it for what it is. No confusing menu can save you from misleading your customers. You got ZERO main dishes and you cannot be a “dinner place” when you only serve appetizers. Terrible value. Stay away.

The food was mediocre at best, the short rib empanadas were very obviously previously frozen. The short rib inside was dry and stringy. Jumbo shrimp were over cooked and rubberized. Service was sub-par we had to flag down our server if we wanted refills she didn't come to check on us once and we waited about 30 min after we finished eating before we got our check. No one cleared our plates and the silverware had spots. The place had def vibes tho.

Great room, okay cuisine, and terrible service. We had to ask other staff for our waiter's attention at least twice over the course of the night. He also forgot to put in our orders at least twice. Brought out the wrong drink once. And seemed unfamiliar with the drinks and menu pretty much the entire time. The food varied. Gambas were great. Pan and artichokes were okay. Steak skewer was overcooked (and wildly overpriced). Martini's were also hilariously overpriced at $30 and included a giant garnish of chorizo that smacked you in the face every time you tried to take a sip. Strange "mixology." Apparently this place used to be great. Not anymore.

For years our fave place based entirely on atmosphere and price of food during Happy Hour. Now that they've axed Happy Hour, prices are way overboard for quality of food and service is mediocre. After our most recent experience, I doubt we'll go back. Dropped by on a Tuesday night to see if we could have drinks and dessert around 8 pm - yes, a busy time but still, a Tuesday. The maitre d said he thought he might be able to accommodate us. Then a very unfriendly fellow staffer (a manager?) walked up and started berating this guy in front of us as well as another group hoping for a table. When I stepped a little closer to the podium, the rude guy looked at me and said aggressively: "Can I help you," like that was the last thing he wanted to do and then told me in a very condescending manner "We have NOTHING available."