Del Rey at Villa Royale

Del Rey at Villa Royale sits tucked inside the Villa Royale hotel, a few blocks off the main drag in Palm Springs. Getting there means weaving through the hotel entrance and past the pool deck. Most nights, the first thing that stands out is the glow from inside: low lights, a working fireplace, and a line of bar seats along one side of the room. Tables are set close together, so the whole space feels compact and intentionally dim. A patio stretches out back – sheltered overhead, with fans and misters running when the desert heat picks up. On cooler evenings, most people settle into the lounge inside, but once it warms up, the patio tends to fill first. Both areas are small and built for lingering rather than rushing through a meal. The menu sticks to Spanish-style small plates. Most tables order a spread: spicy tuna paté with grilled sourdough, vaca skewers (beef, grilled and sliced), chicken skewers, and a handful of sides like broccolini or bombas. Shrimp gambas and empanadas rotate in regularly, and there’s usually a bread pudding for dessert. Empanadas require some advance prep – two days, according to the kitchen – so they’re a staple worth planning for. The kitchen handles gluten-free and nightshade-free requests, but most people just share plates across the table. Cocktails draw as much attention as the food, with a full bar and a menu that leans classic but doesn’t shy away from house specials. Decor runs mid-century with Spanish touches – nothing flashy, but the details add up: tilework, dark wood, and just enough vintage to remind visitors this place has been here in one form or another since the mid-20th century. The remodel tightened things up, but the bones are old Palm Springs. Del Rey sits a little ways from the main commercial strip, so most people drive in and use the hotel’s parking. The entrance isn’t marked separately – just follow signs for Villa Royale and head in. Reservations are smart, especially for a spot by the fireplace or out on the patio when the weather’s right.