Last Updated: January 3, 2024
Joshua Tree attracts heaps of visitors from all over the country and internationally. It is mainly famous for the outdoorsy folks who love a good hike or camp in the desert and enjoy getting cozy by the firepit after a long day of exploring. Sure, Joshua Tree is famous for all that BUT don’t think for a second that the fun stops there. Once you visit, you’ll quickly come to realize that although Joshua Tree National Park is the crown jewel of the town, the food scene in the town is full of surprises too!
Our guide to the 8 Best Places to Eat in Joshua Tree includes some of the best restaurants in Joshua Tree which serve finger-lickin’ good food. Plan ahead and save these places to eat in Joshua Tree on your Google Maps so you don’t waste your time researching last minute for Joshua Tree restaurants.
Here are our recommendations of the 8 Best Places to Eat in Joshua Tree
8 BEST PLACES TO EAT IN JOSHUA TREE
1. JOSHUA TREE RESTAURANTS – COUNTRY KITCHEN
Country Kitchen looks like your typical American diner but one glance at their menu and you’ll be up for a surprise. Among the sandwiches, omelets, and their world-famous blueberry pancakes, you’ll also find a few Cambodian specialties. We bet you didn’t expect that! The diner is owned by a native Cambodian so the dishes are guaranteed to satisfy your taste buds if you’re craving something other than American favorites. You will find plenty of seating space inside and outside and they do take away too.
2. JOSHUA TREE RESTAURANTS – LA COPINE
If we’re speaking of Joshua Tree restaurants, then La Copine is undeniably one of the best places to eat out there. The minimalistic decor may not be everyone’s cup of tea (although we loved the contradiction between the clean decor against the desert backdrop). The food, however, is an experience in itself! This is one of those Joshua Tree restaurants where queues are almost always present so making a reservation is highly recommended. Like most places to eat in Joshua Tree, this too has indoor and outdoor seating, plus plenty of parking space. Do not leave his place without trying the Shrimp Roll, it’s divine!
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3. JOSHUA TREE RESTAURANTS – THE NATURAL SISTERS CAFE
Eating healthy has become a chosen lifestyle for many of us but when you’re on the road, it’s not always easy to find healthy food. The Natural Sisters Cafe has that covered for you. Their menu is rich, offering plenty of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options, making this one of the best Joshua Tree restaurants if you don’t want to compromise your healthy diet. They use seasonal and organic ingredients for all their dishes, including their delicious fresh juices. It’s no wonder that each bite hits the spot.
If coffee is your poison, then don’t forget to ask them to add a splash of their seasonal syrup to it. If you’re lucky, they’ll have the roasted marshmallows flavor – Heaven!
4. JOSHUA TREE RESTAURANTS – CROSSROADS CAFE
Crossroads Cafe is hands down one of the best restaurants in Joshua Tree, so much so that some regular patrons have been coming here for years! It’s a small, cozy place with a lovely vibe and serves some of the best food you’ll find in Joshua Tree. The menu is extensive, offering a variety of eggs (the sky’s the limit!), sandwiches, pancakes, and burgers. They’ve got vegan options too. Make a stop here for a power breakfast before you head to JTNP and you won’t regret it as this is one of the best places to eat in Joshua Tree!
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5. JOSHUA TREE RESTAURANTS – THE DEZ FINE FOOD
Who doesn’t love picnics? Even more so, after a few hours of hiking in the desert! The DEZ promises to make your lunch break even more enjoyable with its exceptional lunch boxes. This is exclusively a takeaway place and one of the best restaurants in Joshua Tree that provide takeout. Their lunch boxes are tailored to offer mouthwatering food that’s fresh and of course, easy to eat on the go. Options include amazing sandwiches, salads, and yummy baked goods. Be forewarned, there’s usually a queue but it moves fast. We’d strongly recommend that you wait, you won’t regret it. You can thank us later!
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6. JOSHUA TREE RESTAURANTS – JOSHUA TREE SALOON
Located right outside J-tree National Park, Joshua Tree Saloon Bar & Grill is a great place to have a cold beer and some comfort food after exploring JTNP. We love good ol’ Americana restaurants and this one ticks all the boxes. Cozy vibes, divine food, and friendly staff are the reasons why this has become a staple at Joshua Tree. The menu offers bar favorites such as finger food, burger, and ribs. Be sure to try the Baja Chicken which is their signature dish.
7. JOSHUA TREE RESTAURANTS – FRONTIER CAFE
We are coffeeholic (is that even a word?) and we’re always on the lookout for cute coffee shops that make exceptional coffee. If you’re like us, then you’re going to love Frontier Cafe in Joshua Tree! It has a unique and artsy vibe, and plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, plus cute clothes, trinkets, and unique souvenirs that you can buy to commemorate your visit. The food is noteworthy too, with lots of tasty vegan options. We have no doubt that once you try it, you’ll agree with us that this is one of the best places to eat in Joshua Tree.
8. JOSHUA TREE RESTAURANTS – PAPPY & HARRIET’S
Although technically, this place is located in Pioneertown, we love it too much not to include it with the rest of Joshua Tree restaurants. Dining at Pappy & Harriet’s in Pioneertown is a unique experience in itself and an unmissable thing to do in Joshua Tree. This place has been around since 1982 and ever since, many famous singers have performed on Pappy & Harriet’s stage such as Sir Paul McCartney, Arctic Monkeys, and Cyndi Lauper to name a few! They operate on a first-come, first-served basis so bear that in mind before you visit.
