This café is what people mean when they use the phrase "hidden gem." Sweet Basil is not really hidden, of course. It's right on the main El Paseo shopping street. You might call it "hidden," though, because it is such a small, unassuming kind of place. You might walk right past it, if you're deep in conversation. This is such a pleasant little café, simply decorated, with clever table separations and a happy vibe. It seems a bit like one of those "ladies who lunch" places, although there was a nice mixture of folks, when we stopped in. The owner/chef/servers all have a great energy, provide outstanding service and are happy to discuss recipes, if you are so inclined. (We were). Then, there is the food. Oh my gosh. Delicious. The Tomato Basil Bruschetta was, without doubt, the best one I've ever had. We loved the Chicken Curry and French Dip sandwiches. The wine list was concise, but well selected. Nothing, by the way, was too terribly expensive. In fact, for El Paseo, the prices struck us as a particular bargain. Highly recommended. read more

For my extended family out here in the outsize long-jump pit of Palm Desert, Sweet Basil has become a go-to location for celebratory meals of late. Unlike so many other parts of trips out here - the oppressive heat, dodging careening buggies driven by seemingly lost and possibly inebriated golfers, and the discovery of sand in eyes / nose / shoes / liver - it's a tradition that sits very well with me. I'd even go as far as saying that the food here makes all of the above worthwhile. The restaurant has a car park to the rear and limited street parking in front. The interior has a lovely ambiance, quietly refined by subtle lighting and a gentle arboreal theme. I've seen it busy and our party has also had the place to ourselves on late visits, but I'd definitely recommend a reservation just in case especially with a larger party. The staff provide attentive and genuinely caring service, and the portion sizes are substantial and easily justify the more-than-reasonable cost. The food itself though is the reason this place is always a highlight reel spot for me. Every dish is a feast for the eyes as well as the palette, beautifully presented and packed with flavor. My personal go-to is the perfectly seasoned and healthy Harvest Salad, usually with an added protein (the blackened chicken adds a real flavor kick and the variety in texture that I love in great food). Fortunately my partner happily defaults to the opulent and delightful Lobster Lasagna, as I'd be loath to miss out on a bite or three of that too. Appetizer-wise, I'm yet to regret any soup-of-the-day choice. The Zucchini last night was... well... yep, perfect is no overstatement. Sweet Basil is an absolute gem, and a must-visit for any visitor here. The only even remotely negative things I can think to mention is to be aware of the rather early closing time for at least part of the year. read more

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The naanwiches were unique and tasty. They were served grilled naan bread. The portions were generous too. We had the Grilled Portabello Mushroom topped with melted Gruyère, roasted tomatoes, garlic aioli. Very yummy that melted on top. The Chicken Curry with cashews, dried cranberries, garlic aioli was delicious as well! The naanwiches came with orzo pasta salad which I really enjoyed. The restaurant was pretty nice and comforting. The service was pleasant and attentive. read more

Sweet Basil California Eatery - Grilled Potabello Mushroom and Chicken Curry Naanwiches with a side of Orzo Pasta Salad - New American Near Me - Palm Desert, California

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My wife and I stopped here for a healthy(ish) lunch. I had the grilled portobella mushroom "naanwich" (instead of bread, naan is used). On top of the mushroom is gruyere cheese, roasted tomatoes, greens and garlic aioli. It was served with a wonderful orzo pasta salad. The meal (despite the gruyere cheese) was light, refreshing and delicious. My wife ordered the chicken curry naanwich, which had cashews, dried cranberries, greens and garlic aioli. Also, delicious! The ingredients for both meals were first-rate and fresh. The naans used were well-prepared. Our waiter was efficient and we didn't have to wait long for our dishes to come out. The decor is stylish with a look that lands somewhere between California and Thailand. The vibe is quiet and chilled. A nice, quiet meal. read more

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We have dined here twice since my original review. The food and service remain outstanding. Note that the streetside dining has been removed; only a few sidewalk tables are available for outdoor dining. Try the Barramundi - insanely delicious! read more

Love this place and menu is just amazing... we read the owners story and we r so happy that during Covid they made it through. Great service too. read more

The food and service were on point last night. We were even able to secure an outdoor (covered/shielded) seat without a reservation (recommended). Hostess is the owner and started it about 5 years ago. Menu was very broad to accommodate our vegetarian colleagues and still have plenty of meat friendly options. Food was delicious. The lobster lasagna was full of lobster meat (not chunks but full) and topped with a melted cheese. would order again. Veggies were crunchy and I felt were made fresh to order rather than sitting in a steamer or similar. Would highly recommend and it will be a spot I keep in mind for future business in the area. read more

Sweet Basil California Eatery - Sand Dubs - New American Near Me - Palm Desert, California

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Came here on a Friday night to have dinner. Very cute environment, lighting, and ambience is romantic and best in El Paseo. Service was perfect. Our waiter Joel was so friendly and very sweet. The food... wow!! We started off with appetizers of artichoke, and a Caesar salad. It was absolutely delicious. For the entrée, we got pasta with Bolognese and a lobster lasagna, which were absolutely phenomenal. We also got an order of fresh pressed coffee, which was bold flavor and so perfect! Definitely will come back again. If you're ever in town, come check this place out. read more

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On a nice cool afternoon in Palm Springs, my buddy and I decided to try this wonderful little spot. He enjoyed the Sally's pasta and I had the French dip naanwich. My dish is only available on the lunch menu, but let me tell you how wonderful it was. I never thought a French tip on naan bread would be that great. But boy was I wrong. We also tried the bar and cheese appetizer and it was out of this world. We got the opportunity to meet the owners Martin and Sally. What wonderful people they are. Very welcoming to make you feel like you've been a part of their family forever. I highly recommend this little spot on El Paseo. read more

Sweet Basil California Eatery - French dip on naan bread. Accompanied by a wonderful orzo pasta salad. - New American Near Me - Palm Desert, California

Wonderful hospitality from the owners who are always working from hostess through head waiter and their chefs use their homegrown recipes. A very personal, professional and tasty place to dine. read more

Sweet Basil California Eatery - Bruschetta is excellent. - New American Near Me - Palm Desert, California

A neighborhood gem. Great service, great food and low key ambiance without all the of distracting noise one finds in other restaurants today. The shrimp and grits were fabulous. read more

My boyfriend and I were surprised by how good the food was. Everything we had was flavorful, filling, yet light. Fried Chickpeas: lightly fried and seasoned. If they sold this in a bar, I would buy a whole box. One of the reasons I marked the place down a star is because the spoon that came with it had a water spot on it and decreased my appetite. Lobster Lasagna: the creamy Parmesan sauce had the right mix of richness and velvety consistency yet not too overwhelming thick. And it was full of lobster! Which tasted amazing. Gorgonzola Stuffed Filet Mignon: The second reason I marked this place down one star is because we ordered the Filet Mignon to be medium but the middle came out more on the rare side. It was still delicious and the cheese added a nice touch. Cheesecake of the Day: Creamy and rich. The fresh berries added to the freshness. The crust was perfection. Crispy with a buttery texture. Vanilla Crème Brûlée: This was probably my favorite dish. It was sweet but not over powerful. The custard was velvety and tasted like heaven. Definitely get this dessert. It is definitely a spot I would come to eat at again and you should too! read more

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Service was okay in this family run restaurant, but my meal left a lot to be desired. I ordered the build your own pasta with gluten free penne and selected their creamy pesto sauce and added grilled salmon. There was absolutely no taste or flavor to the sauce, and they barely put any sauce on it for the amount of pasta. The grilled salmon was over done. Most of my entree remained uneaten. My husband and I shared the sautéed lobster cakes with fennel slaw and spicy aioli. This was the only redeeming factor of our meal, not special, but at least the aioli had some flavor, just not all that much of it served with the dish. My husband had their special of the day, While it was definitely better than my entree, he was similarly not impressed. Can't really recommend this restaurant. read more

The service was excellent and the food was prepared with a beautiful presentation. Everything tasted fresh and there was lots of flavor and imagination. read more

Highly recommend making a reservation as the location is quaint and the beautiful outdoor seating is limited. Grilled artichoke was delicious with the aioli dipping sauce on the side. I highly recommend the Gorgonzola filet mignon which was as tender as filet comes. Didn't have any dessert but the food was well worth it. Service was great and the restaurant had a great family owned kind of vibe. People were actually dressed better than casual to dine here but they accepted us casual too and were super sweet about us dining with our baby. read more

We were there for dinner so the naanwiches were not an option. Good fresh food, but the dishes were a little boring. The veggies that come with the mains were nicely cooked. (not over or undercooked) read more

We were planning to have lunch inside a Palm Desert mall on our way back from the Living Desert and Zoo. Restaurants in the mall were 20-30 minutes wait, so we opted for Sweet Basil just outside the mall's parking lot. The food here reminds me of California fusion with some Asian, Italian, and American influences. Note many entrees are offered after 5pm. For lunch, you pretty much choose between salads, pasta and naanwiches, which is like Italian Panini except even flatter with toasted naan. We liked the grilled chicken naanwich the best, though the pork tenderloin wasn't bad. We got both with a side of their excellent orzo salad. For my son, we got salmon penne pasta. Salmon was grilled perfectly and moist and soft. However. the penne seemed undercooked and far from al dente - closer to rubbery! A good place for a quick, lighter lunch. I found the naanwiches creative and tasty. read more

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Food was terrific! Mista salad was delicious, bruschetta excellent, Blackened salmon seasoned nicely and cooked perfectly. Owner was so sweet. Visit! read more

Wonderful atmosphere - delicious fresh food - carefully prepared - great service - reasonable prices

Food is fantastic. However, I added one star for being turned away at 1:45pm when they close at 2pm. Note another person was in front of us was seated. While I understand the process, they should have it set for all. Shouldn't matter who the person is! Festival out of towners..make a note! Seems weird and unfair. read more

Can't say enough about this amazing restaurant. The food is wonderful, service unbelievably good and the ambiance is so comfortable. Love it like crazy and it is now definitely my favorite place for a perfect evening. Judy and Pete Filippone read more

Everything was wonderful. The food was delicious and the service was amazing. I love supporting local restaurants

Super friendly staff and owners. Mom and pop place with amazing food. Lobster lasagna and cheesecake was delectable! I'd highly recommend. Some gluten free options as well read more

Great food, terrific service, lovely space and atmosphere. Everything was terrific for our girls' lunch!

Good food, varied menu, great and friendly service Nice ambiance Lobster cakes are delish.

Food is always delicious and service is top notch. We ended our meal with their mini donuts and indulged in the sweet caramel, berry, and chocolate dipping sauces that are served along with the fresh, hot donuts. What a treat!! read more

Food: outstanding i tried Sally's pasta. So flavorful Cappelini with capers, fresh baby heirloom tomatoes, garlic, onion and good quality evoo. Service: Excellent service with both the server and the floor person. We felt like family. Ambiance: Eclectic best describes it. Pricing: $$$ 21.00 to $48 as of 1/2025. Alacarte read more

Food is consistently good, Service is friendly and prompt Room decor is clever, interesting and inviting read more

Sweet Basil is my new happy place. The wonderful and friendly servers remind me of home, yet make me feel ready for adventure. The atmosphere is so welcoming and it makes me feel so comfortable yet elegant. The food is amazing and delightful. It makes you full,yet hungry for more of this delicious food. The restaurant is kid friendly and my children loved it so much that they asked to go there for their birthday dinner! I 100% recommend this if you just want to relax and enjoy a great community inside of a restaurant. read more

As so many dining establishments are outrageously expensive, we were looking for a less expensive restaurant that still has excellent food, which we found to be the case at Sweet Basil. I had the flank steak with the small Caesar salad. Both were excellent. Steak was cooked as requested and the servicing portion was very good. The customer service was also excellent. read more

Sweet Basil California Eatery - New American Near Me - Palm Desert, California

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This restaurant is always great. Service, food, atmosphere and location. Don't hesitate to make your res and enjoy the experience.

You know a restaurant is good when the owner answers the phone, serves orders, seats guests, cooks the meals and does everything else to support her team members. Sally is a fantastic example of what makes a business successful. She's engaged with her operations as well as her clients. Her servers are well trained, and the food is delicious. She was very humble and sweet talking to my mom and I and she even told me where to get the delicious white beans that were in her soup of the day. This restaurant has tasty delicious food is fresh and I can honestly say it is made with love. She cares about what she serves her guests. You can see it in the presentation and in her adapting to all the needs that her restaurant requires. This restaurant is a must if you're visiting or local. Prices are reasonable and it's such a great location. You can walk and enjoy shopping and having a bite to eat all at the same time. read more

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Delicious food, very friendly owners and great ambiance It's our favorite go-to restaurant in Palm Desert! read more

Friendly and attentive service. Ambiance was very pleasant, cozy and aesthetic. Food was very good. I got the chicken parmigiana and my husband ordered the shrimp and grits. Both were delicious. Looking forward to coming back and trying more dishes! They had a lot of great dishes on the menu. read more

Loved this place! Very simply decorated inside with a cute outdoor patio on the sidewalk where we ended up sitting. Our server Martin, started us off with a glass of Chardonnay (me) & Pinot Grigio (my friend). Service was top notch. Ambiance was laidback, friendly and all about the food! Owner, Sally, does a lot of the cooking herself. She came over to our table a few times and even treated us to the special "gluten free lightly coated shrimp" after I told her I had mistakenly ordered the sizzling shrimp off the menu. Both were delicious. Sorry Yelpers, I was so busy chatting with my friend, I forgot to take photos of the sizzling shrimp and the delicious creamy tomato soup my friend ordered. Oy!!! We shared a harvest salad & a side order of naan bread with a very tasty herb butter spread that was so good I think I ate more of that than the bread:) *Moderately priced *They take reservations and walk ins *Relaxing - no rushing you in & out *All natural, organic ingredients *Friendly owner and staff *Heaters outside for the cooler weather *Plenty of street parking read more

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We loved this cute restaurant on El Paseo. Great food and service. Ordered the chickpeas, and Sally's pasta dish. Yummy.

After reading the reviews we wanted to give Sweet Basil California Eatery a try. I had reservations and we were seated on the lovely patio right away, but we had to wait an unusual long time until our order was taken. The wait time for the food was also long and they forgot my husband's soup. I had Sally's pasta with blackened chicken which was very good. My husband had the same, but with sausage, which was charred and he did not care for it. The ambiance was nice. read more

The food is always excellent. Sallie's recipes are delicious. Reservations recommended because the place is popular.

Great restaurant. The menu is so unique and delicious. Sit outside if you can. The wait staff is wonderful. read more

I had the Sally's pasta dish and loved it! It's a small resteraunt and Sally, the owner does a great job managing it. It was my first time there, and I will be back! Nice local spot! read more