My girlfriend booked us a reservation here for my birthday this past Saturday as we were staying in Palms Springs for the weekend. We ordered the deviled eggs and the onion tart (which was my favorite), for mains we got the steak frites and the pork chop. The food was great, we also ordered a couple cocktails, which were also really great, I ordered the vesper while my girlfriend ordered the brock, both very tasty and well balanced cocktails. What really set this place apart was their amazing service. Our server Joshua (I believe that was his name) was fun and lively, made us feel very welcome, and just provided the best service we could possibly ask for. They also left a card on the table for us as we arrived wishing me a happy birthday. Thank you to the staff at Bar Cecil for the great food, drinks and the warm service, my girlfriend and I will definitely be back! read more

Ambience - Excellent. A really lovely space. Staff - Very attentive and polite Cocktails - Very good Food - just ok. The onion tart was very good, the hamburger was served barely warm and was forgettable. Desert was a cookie with ice cream which I would not get again. Value - compared with other restaurants in Palm Springs was not bad. Bottom line this is a lovely restaurant / bar but the food was disappointing. read more

The hype is all true. It's MAGICAL! Wonderful service, amazing food! Yes, its pricey if you opt for a full three course dinner and drinks but you can also just go for the small plates and a cocktail and you'll still feel like you were in a very special place! Can't recommend enough....in a time of terrible service and awful food Bar Cecil SHINES BRIGHT!!!!!!! read more

A Palm Springs must! I've been here twice, once for a girls night out and then I had to bring my man back for date night. Lovely decor and details, strong cocktails, and amazing food. A few items on the menu that really shouldn't be missed: the warm bread rolls with local date & sage butter. OMG! Worth each sinful bite. The deviled eggs with caviar. Again, worth splurging. And if you enjoy a great steak with fries that have a perfectly crispy exterior and fluffy interior don't skip the steak & frites. The Parisian butter melts into every single crevice of your meat... Reservations are highly recommended as the space is pretty small but that does offer a very intimate setting whether you sit inside or on the patio. This is one of those places you'll always remember. read more

See all

We love it here - it's preferred to get a spot at the bar and soak in the atmosphere while having some amazing craft cocktails. Yes, it's nearly impossible to make a reservation but if you show up at the right time, it's worth the wait and they usually can work with you. Alex helped us this past weekend and he was a doll, got us in 2 hours after we checked in, just drank at the Parker until our table was ready! Also, I am celiac and love the options that they have for GF people, even their fries can be made GF in a separate frier, enjoy some cocktails and French fries before your steak arrives! read more

Bar Cecil - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Palm Springs, California

See all

We got reservations a few weeks in advance for a Friday night. Our table was ready right on time, and we were greeted quickly by Enrique. We started with drinks. I went with a dirty gin martini. I loved that they had a detailed classic martini list that you could adjust to your liking. Mine came out perfect! My husband and I decided to share small plates. We just had them come out as they were ready. The carmelized onion tart was first. It was very pretty. It was good overall with nice flakiness to the puff pastry. Next was the beef tartare. This was my favorite. The meat was tender, and it was packed with flavors. We also got the smoked fish rillettes and the green beans. Both were good, but I would probably try something different next time. The others with us ordered the steak and chicken entrees, and both said they were very good. The steak came with lots of fries, which I tried. They were nice and crispy. I loved the vibe and decor. The inside is definitely small, so if you want inside, make a reservation. The patio is nice though when the weather isn't too hot. Our server, Enrique was fabulous. He helped answer questions, checked on us often, and seemed to genuinely enjoy helping people. If I could give it a 4.5, I definitely would have done that. The only reason for 4 stars is that while all the dishes were good, I just felt a couple were just missing a little something. But overall we loved it and will be back! read more

See all

Was such an enjoyable experience from the moment we arrived. The atmosphere was relaxed and interesting make sure you check out the restroom. Our server was attentive and hip. Cocktails were exactly what I was hoping for. We ordered the deviled eggs, oysters & bread. For entrees we ordered the pork chop & the chicken Everything was excellent. read more

Bar Cecil - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Palm Springs, California

See all

The food was excellent! Excellent portion sizes we were sharing all our plates and we had more than enough from each plate to eat and be full. Our server was wonderful. He was knowledgeable about the food. Gave us excellent recommendations on what would be good.Thanks so much Tony! Atmosphere was great read more

Great vibe great server with decent food. Great spot for a dim light delicious cocktail vibe.

This place is a way more high end restaurant than you commonly find in the Palm Springs area. The burger was flavored to perfection and I accompanied it with the potato's au gratin, also delicious. Had a dirty martini to drink. For dessert I chose the ice cream sundae (vanilla with chocolate fudge), also enjoyable. The interior design and decor enhanced the overall experience, as it created an atmosphere fine for eating, drinking, and socializing. I ended up chatting away with someone next to me at the bar and the bartender. Overall great experience and highly recommended. Impossible to get reservations, so plan on joining others at the bar, with full menu, cheers!!! read more

Everything we ate was delicious especially the bread rolls, mussels, roasted chicken, and cacio e pepe. Service was hit or miss in tracking down our waitress or a runner not acknowledging a question asked but to their defense the restaurant was full. I was only able to reserve patio seating despite booking the reservation 30 days in advance. It's still quite warm even with misters and fans. Reservations are highly recommended. They had a sign at the front notifying people the restaurant was fully committed for the night. read more

Bar Cecil - Dottie Pepper, Grilled Artichoke, Cecil's Bread Rolls, Red Thai Curry Mussels, Deviled Eggs, Roasted Half Chicken, Cacio E Pepe - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Palm Springs, California

Absolutely divine experience here- I just wish I'd ordered a martini! I started with the Gardens of Giverny cocktail, which was light and herbaceous and refreshing. Then I had the pate with a cherry compote- just as decadent and flavorful as I was hoping for. Then I ordered the mussels in red curry sauce, broccolini and frites as my meal. What a treat! I was worried it wouldn't feel like enough of a meal but I couldn't finish it all. The broccolini were perfectly charred, wood fired grill maybe?, the frites were delicious, but the mussels- wow. I'm going to have garlic and curry coming out of my pores tomorrow but it was so rich and flavorful- absolutely worth it. The vibe is bustling- as soon as bar seats open they're filled- so go early, but as a solo diner the bartender was attentive and friendly (but he's busy!). The music was fantastic. The decor is like early 90s meets MCM meets hipster whiskey bar that all comes together in a perfectly cozy, modern way that somehow feels like it would be perfect whether it was pouring outside or sweltering. read more

See all

I'd long looked forward to dining at this highly sought-after restaurant, and it absolutely lived up to the anticipation. The decor was flawless, and the staff were exceptional--warm, attentive, and genuinely gracious. The atmosphere, filled with joyful and relaxed guests, made the evening all the more enjoyable. The $50 martini was silky smooth but a bit lacking in flavor. I know the French favor subtlety, so I'll try it with gin next time. I really enjoyed the house-pickled pearl onions. However, the dill chip seasoning was overpowering--perhaps a milder alternative would be worth considering. The deviled egg with caviar was just okay. It would've been better served cold. Personally, I'd prefer a spoonful of caviar atop crème fraîche on a crisp cracker. The escargot wasn't the best I've had, but it's always nice to see it on the menu. We only ordered appetizers, as we were on our way to a live show, and the pricing felt just right. I'll definitely be back. If some of this sounds overly critical, I apologize--the host and staff were truly lovely. As long as the happy crowd keeps coming, there's no need to change a thing just because I said so. So grateful to have Bar Cecil here in beautiful Palm Springs.. read more

Josh at Bar Cecil made my birthday dinner the best! So appreciate that, especially since my mother, as well as a relative from Oklahoma, were in the mix. One a tough customer on any given day, the other a foodie who knows how to and does make everything. Both worked in the hospitality business for many years. Everyone had a great time enjoying the atmosphere and meals. Right down to the Bar Cecil birthday card greeting Josh reworked (after realizing the one put on the table next to us was for me as it was not their birthday) all made for smiles and a great night. Much appreciated. Now, a favorite spot of all of ours! read more

Bar Cecil - Thank you Bar Cecil, it was great! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Palm Springs, California

I went to go sit at an empty bar seat and they said we have to check in first. When I went to check in they said it was an hour and a half wait but that I could see if the cocktail lounge had openings. While waiting for over 5 minutes for them to check a woman came in and asked if there were any bar seats available for one. They said yes and brought her to the bar. I didn't bother making a scene and left but it was really weird. read more

I wish I could relive my experience at Bar Cecil over and over again!!! Food- amazing, ambiance- a total vibe but I'm here to talk about service. Our server Ciera made our time Bar Cecil everything I wish every restaurant experience was like. From the jump she made us feel so welcomed and special. You can tell Ciera cares about her customers. From the way she confidently answered our questions about menu items and recommendations, her sweet and personable chat, the perfect amount of sincere check ins, the list goes on. To top it off she went above and beyond to acknowledge that I was celebrating a birthday. The night got even better when Ciera helped us get a table next door at Beatons, walked us over herself and even came to check on us as we were wrapping up there. She really is a gem and I'm so grateful to her for making our time at Bar Cecil one I will never forget. read more

I giving 5 stars because our service from Erick and all the bus boys was exceptional along with the ambiance, drinks, appetizers, and a good ice cream sunday for desert. We loved that they not only had misters on the patio but also real air conditioners outside! It made a 100 degree evening pleasant. The mussels in cream sauce, steak tartare, and onion tart were excellent and we would order them again for sure. The bread was tasty while eating the crust but seemed doughy and tasted like yeast near the bottom of the pan , maybe under cooked. Next time we might skip the bread. The hamburger and fried gets only 21/2 stars. We added avocado and bacon which made it a $31 Berger and fries. That's ok if they bring it but it was a thin patty cooked more than medium rare and run of the mill in flavor. The fries were not good at all, over cooked and dry. Skip the burger and fries in my opinion. We will be back for sure because we loved everything except the burger and fries. read more

See all

Everything from the ambience to the food is perfect. Make sure to make a reservation in advance to secure your next favorite meal. read more

Our server was very sweet, but the runner accidentally flipped my fork, and the pasta sauce spilled all over my shorts. I'm an adult who has been to multiple restaurants in various countries, and I've never experienced anything like this anywhere else in the world. The accident itself didn't bother me that much, but his attitude completely ruined our night. He didn't even apologize. Not a single "Sorry" or any acknowledgment that he had dropped half my pasta plate onto my lap. I felt humiliated, frustrated, and embarrassed. He brought over a cup of water and a napkin and handed them to my friend, as if it were my friend's job to clean up the mess he made. So rude. Incredibly rude. I honestly have never felt so disrespected in a place that takes months to get a reservation. The food was mediocre at best. There's nothing special about this place apart from being treated like you're a sink or a trash can. As a local, I would never, ever come here again. Bar Cecil? It's more like "Bye, Cecil" to me. read more

Really wanted to go in here and got a seat at the bar when my group & I popped in at 9.30. Ambience is great, music is great, art and vibe is great, mixologists are great (I didn't like my drink but that's because I decided to experiment- no fault of bartender). Would definitely come here for food, but i believe reservations have to be booked in advance. read more

Always dine here when in town. Best Gibson martini menu ever! The bar seating is my favorite seating experience there and the bartenders are great. read more

We were just a walk in on a Friday night and they were able to seat us right away in their outdoor (cooled) patio. The restaurant patio is nicely decorated and they do their best to keep it as cool as possible given the heat wave they're experiencing. Walked inside the restaurant to use the restroom, and it's absolutely gorgeous inside--next time I'll be making a reservation to sit inside. The staff were all incredibly nice and very attentive. We had Lorraine as our server who did a great job of managing all of her tables. Now the food--we started out with the grilled artichoke which my boyfriend loved, unfortunately not for me. Now that's on me cause I just don't like artichoke to start with. Lorraine recommended getting their ginger colada mock tail since I wasn't looking to drink tonight and OMG IT WAS ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE! 10/10 drink, it was so refreshingly delicious with a punch of flavor, even the foam on top had amazing bold ginger flavor. I'm coming back for that drink alone. I ordered the burger, after hearing so many great reviews about it and they're all well-deserved. The burger is perfectly cooked and juicy with great flavor. My boyfriend ordered the steak frites and really enjoyed his meal. The only downside from the dining experience here is the flies when you're eating outside get pretty aggressive (one flew into my eye while eating). But otherwise great experience and can't wait to come back! read more

See all

Bar Cecil is just lovely , from Host to service was exceptional . The food was more than exceptional . Something for all on the menu . Don't miss this treat while in Palm Springs. make sure you have reservation otherwise you'll have to wait for the bar which is delightful by itself so good have fun winner winner winner. read more

See all

Food is good to great. Depending on the day. Great little ambiance and good service once you're in and seated. Servcie prior to sitting can use some work and it's impossible to make a reservation. I came in just as a fluke to see if I could get a bar seat and I got lucky. Place is busy, so do get friendly with management if you ever want to make a reservation cause it's impossible. And if you do, play the lottery that day. Food is good but not worth the drama for a reservation. Just a dope vibe here. read more

A total joke. Food is mediocre. Service rude. We booked a month out and only could sit on the patio. Inside was empty at 6PM. Left att 8PM the inside was still half empty. The reservation waitlist is a Scam. Not worth the time or effort. read more

Bar Cecil is one of those restaurants that's hard to get a reservation for and do the "we only open reservations one month in advance at Midnight," kinda spot. It's like the Hunger Games of Palm Springs Epicureans. Parking is easy, giant lot there. Upon walking in you notice the small touches in the decor that are present throughout the entire space. It can be described as Boho Chic, with a French Bistro Influence -- so elegant! CECIL'S BREAD ROLLS - 4 1/2 stars. These were light and fluffy with a great flavor. It came with a sage butter that I didn't love. (3 stars for the butter) IMPOSSIBLE BURGER - 3 1/2 Stars. I love impossible burgers, I've been eating them for years since I don't eat a lot of red meat. This wasn't bad in any way, but very basic. The "meat" was a bit dry, and lacked a bit of flavor. FRIES -- 4 1/2 Stars. Crispy and packed with flavor. CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE - 5 Stars. I'm a sucker for sweets, and this cookie w ice cream was classic and delicious! Service was inconsistent. We were rushed to order, and rushed throughout the meal. I believe I was halfway through my burger and fries (and mid chew) when our waiter came over asking "are you finished with that..." All in all this is a chic and elevated spot in the desert for a fun night out in a beautifully decorated space. read more

Bar Cecil - (Filthy) Martini on the Left, Impossible Burger and Fries on the right. Fries were great, burger and Martini were just alright. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Palm Springs, California

Every time I have guests visiting from out of town, I try to snag a reservation at Bar Cecil. Last week, I took one of my dearest friends to dinner, and it did not disappoint. While the food and ambiance were top-notch, as always, it was the service that truly made the evening special. Edgar and Lucas went above and beyond to make our night memorable--especially Edgar. His warmth was contagious, and we felt like honored guests at a family dinner. It's Bar Cecil's unwavering commitment to excellent service that keeps me coming back to share this local favorite with traveling guests. I'm already looking forward to my next meal there--ironically, this coming week! Keep up the amazing work; you've got an excellent team at Bar Cecil. read more

I'm convinced Bar Cecil (pron: SESS-uhl) turns out probably the best, most creative food going in Palm Springs. The problem? There are approximately only a dozen tables inside, so reservations are notoriously elusive. We had the luck of being in town on the hottest day on record (124 degrees), and I had snagged a late cancellation on Open Table for 5:30pm, except it was on the patio where it was projected to be literally 110 in the shade. I got no fewer than 2 phone calls that day from the restaurant warning me that, even with the misters and blowers, it was "wildly uncomfortable" out there, but we thought we'd give it a shot. About an hour before our reservation, Jimmy calls and offers us the owner's booth inside by the kitchen window if we can get there at 5pm. We jumped at it, which led to one of the most satisfying meals I've had in PS. The menu leans French with some nods to local ingredients and flavors. THE FOOD: We ordered... CECIL'S BREAD ROLLS // so freshly baked, venting angry steam when you tear it open, accompanied by delectable local date and sage butter. GIRL & DUG FARM SALAD // Wow. Full of citrus, fresh feta, radishes, pepita, this was just a really creative and refreshing salad. RED THAI CURRY MUSSELS // I wouldn't have expected this curry to be SO DAMN GOOD here. But it is. STEAK FRITES // I would and did expect these to be solid, but... that may be the best version of this dish I've had outside of Paris. Anthony Bourdain's rendition at Les Halles in NYC special, but this cut had a robust beefiness that was deeply satisfying. I'd come back for this dish alone. PAN SEARED HALIBUT // Really fresh, springy, excellently cooked. Great dish for a hot day. For the desserts, the lemon tart was the only off-note, with the curd a little too grainy and coarse for our liking. The chocolate chip cookies, however, more than made up for them. THE SERVICE Our server was fantastic, warm, and friendly. Jimmy at the front was great. THE VIBE Really thoughtful and cool. Again, the joint is intimate and the bar takes up a lot of the space. The bathroom was one of the neatest bathrooms, and I loved the irreverent photo collage in the hallway. We'll definitely be back (hopefully during cooler climes) and will plan accordingly! read more

See all

We came here as part of our honeymoon stay in Palm Springs. This place impressed us from the moment we walked in with service , ambiance, food, energy, cocktails, everything in between. What a classy, unique place. It felt carefully curated. Every corner here feels styled to perfection. Cozy, electric, vintage, effortlessly cool. Can't wait to go back! read more

Waited 2.5 years to finally try this place, and it did not disappoint. Reservations are hard to come by, but you do happen to find one that suits your time and party snag it up quickly! We sat in the patio on a sunny and warm July afternoon. (I think it was 110° out). But you couldn't really feel the heat as the establishment had massive outdoor awnings as well as misters to keep patrons cool amid the summer heat. We got the baked bread with date butter (some folks said to pass up on this, but I disagree. It was deliciously brilliant - warm, flaky with salty notes, and the butter was sweet and voluptuous), the onion tart, grilled brocollini, and steak frites. (Ask for a side of house aioli for the frites.) We were celebrating, and the staff brought us two different desserts and a round of drinks. It was all so lovely, decadent, and tremendously generous. Josh(ua) was our waiter. He was grand, humorous, and, above all, caring. The guys working outside were all wonderful. The owners should feel lucky to have such a great staff on their hands. We'll try to come back next time we're in Palm Springs. Maybe 2.5 years again? Lol. read more

See all

THE place to go in Palm Springs. Reviews are not wrong- it's really hard to get in here, even on a random Wednesday. We got lucky and swiped seats at the bar. The ambience is amazing, service is impeccable, and the food and drinks are bizarrely delicious. Such a fun place to hang out and enjoy the evening. I had the Kashmir drink, then shared a brandy Alexander for dessert with my husband. He had the steak and frites and I had the scallops. Both were outstanding and filling. Perfectly prepared and balanced. We also started with the house rolls- also delicious. Oh, and their single person restroom is super cute. Can't wait to go back again! read more

See all

We have eaten at Bar Cecil 4 or 5 times over the years. Each time we have left thinking it was fine-- but not fabulous. The atmosphere is really lovely but the tables are too close together. The food is good but on the average side of good. The wine is way over-priced -- even by the glass. The cocktails are priced at the high end but are generous. The service is excellent. We feel like there are many other restaurants in Palm Springs that are better. I totally do not understand how Bar Cecil has even flirted with a Michelin Star. I don't plan to return. read more

With some creativity and persistence, I was able to snag a table at @barcecil for doubleheader birthdays this week. There's a good reason this Michelin-starred spot is still the toughest rez in PS, 4 years after opening during the height of the pandemic. It's just that good! The food, ambiance, service, and quirky touches (including a working vintage radio playing in the restroom) create the most delicious, fun, and satisfying dining experience in Southern California. And yes, topping some of the hottest spots in LA! We chose the most popular menu items: for starters, a puff of dinner rolls with sage butter, flower strewn summer salad, and buttery onion tart. For entrees, the halibut and asparagus in carrot and cream purée was perfectly cooked (even non halibut fans would be licking their lips) and iconic steak frites (with addictive crispy thin fries), were outstanding. And for the birthday dessert, their famous chocolate chip cookie smothered in an ice cream sundae. The owners greet guests at every table and Alex at the host stand is both a joy to meet upon arrival and a master of the group photo. All in all a fantastic birthday, or anytime, meal... if you can get in! Very highly recommended read more

What a wonderful dinner! The service was fantastic, just helpful enough but not overly involved in the meal, everything came out perfectly timed. We started with the artichokes and bread. Honestly the bread and butter was a highlight. The bread was piping hot and the sage date butter with salt was amazing... don't skip this! The artichokes had an aioli and brown butter, both a little elevated from the normal preparation. For the meal we had mussels and fries, which were slightly spicy but excellent and the pork chop with au gratin potatoes and green beans. The pork was cooked perfectly, it was a touch salty but it balanced out as soon as you had a bite with the seasonal cherry and golden raisin chutney. The potatoes were sliced paper thin and were so yummy. The green beans were a substitute to the normal broccolini and were a little over cooked for my liking, but still tasted delicious. For drinks we had the lychee colada mocktail and Garden at Giverney. The lychee was good but leaned to the sweeter side. The garden cocktail was my least favorite item ordered. The grapefruit and salted foam was a bit bitter and off putting. The decor was wonderful and so fun, it is amazing what you can do in a space in a strip mall. We were completely transported. We sat on the patio and they had fans that made it pleasant, even in August. read more

See all

Came for a birthday dinner this last weekend - between the service and food (which was amazing btw) our experience was a 10/10. I highly recommend coming for any occasion if you're lucky enough to make a reservation! I loved how intimate the restaurant felt - definitely a great spot for a date night. The mussels were my favorite but tried escargot for the first time and have to say if you've never had them... try them here! Delicious! Will be coming back every time I'm in Palm Springs! read more

See all

Our friends brought us here as they know I live to eat. They had a reservation. The restaurant is lush with romance. Everyone was delighted to be in this sublime space so the energy was lovely. The patio seating was comfortable and cool as they had an air conditioning unit outside. We were treated with hospitable attentive service throughout our dining experience. We started with a couple of appetizers. The duck liver pate was delicious and I appreciated the chutney and honey accompaniment. They even brought us extra crostini crackers upon request. We also shared a salad. The Girl and Dug Farm salad was as pretty as it was delicious. The roasted pepita seeds and peach vinaigrette brought a lovely crunch and tanginess to the mouth. Three of our party had the bone in pork chop. It was cooked perfectly. I had the steak and frites. The streak was cooked a perfect medium rare and it was delicious. The fries were especially memorable. The portions are large. We ended on a sweet note, sharing a rasberrylicious pavlova. We had more than dinner. We had an experience. Thank you Bar Cecil for a lovely evening. read more

See all

What a huge and rude experience we endured. The waitstaff didn't listen, follow up and we had to chase staff down constantly. We sent a side dish back and asked to remove from bill and his response was. I don't know if I can do that. All three desserts came out on sewage smelling plates. I called this huge overrated evening to manager Jessica. It seemed like a productive call as she asked for credit card and then did nothing and ignored multiple calls They keep saying they're in the Michelin book but don't assume they have a star as they don't and no critic would been impressed They're ate plenty of other restaurants that offer service consistent food and competent management for a lot less than $400 read more

I just don't get it. Yes, the interior is adorable but at what cost? They only make a few reservations available through Open Table to purposefully create scarcity. The service wasn't nearly as aloof as it was last time. Food fell flat. After waiting about 45 minutes for the food I was served a dried out half chicken, shriveled green beans and some roasted fingerling potatoes. Go for drinks and eat somewhere else. read more

A beautiful spot for dinner in Palm Springs and definitely a hot spot. The food is French inspired and chic. Loved the steak tartare! The drinks are done very well and they definitely don't skimp on the liquor. Service was great as well. We sat at the bar due to not having a reservation. We waited about 1.5 hours for the seating on a Saturday night. Reservations are hard to come by so plan accordingly if you're not someone who loves to wait. They only do bar seating without a reservation but honestly I can't say I'd rather sit anywhere else at this restaurant bc the bar was great. The star of the meal was the ambiance and decor. It was the perfect modern Palm Springs vibe that makes this place unique and fun. Recommend coming here for a beautiful date night! read more

See all

You can never get a reservation You can try off times 2 months in advance. Never able to book Either they aren't updating their system or they are unreliable and inefficient. Been trying for months and yeah I live here. I finally just gave up ! read more