Kitchen in the Desert

Please read my entire review to see why I gave 1 ⭐️ We visited kitchen in the desert after seeing many recommendations for this restaurant on social media. I want to start by saying that the food itself was actually very good, and the outdoor dining area is beautiful and enjoyable. Unfortunately, the overall experience was extremely disappointing due to the service. Horrible. Chris should not be working in customer service… When we were seated, the glasses brought to our table had visible lipstick marks on them, which was honestly quite gross and not something you expect when starting a meal. But we were nice about it and made a few jokes. There were also items listed on the menu that were not available, including a main dish. It would have been helpful if this had been communicated to

We had the most beautiful dinner at Kitchen in the Desert — truly one of those rare experiences where everything just feels right. From the moment we arrived, the host and our waitress were incredibly kind and attentive. We had a courtyard table right next to a heater (thank you for honoring our note!), blankets were available, and we were completely comfortable while watching a gorgeous desert sunset. The ambiance was quiet, intimate, and peaceful — perfect for a date night. The food was phenomenal. Every dish tasted like it was cooked just for us — thoughtful, flavorful, and beautifully prepared. We left absolutely stuffed and happy. Parking was easy since we arrived right at opening, and the reservation-only setup made the whole experience feel calm and unrushed. This was hands-down

If I could give more than 5 stars, I absolutely would! We had to wait an hour since we didn't have a reservation and I wouldnt chance a thing!! They have multiple gorgeous spots to hang out while you wait, plus a little general store that is fantastic!! All of the food and all the drinks were incredible!! I don't remember what all we had, but I know the mushroom dish was an all around favorite! We shared dishes and that made it so much more fun! I truly can't suggest going here enough!

Kitchen in the Desert was hands down my favorite restaurant during my brief stay in Joshua Tree. The food was delicious, hearty, and clearly made with love. When I found out the chef was Trinidadian, I already knew we were in for something good. We shared the jerk chicken and lamb pops, along with sides of brussels sprouts and coconut rice, and we demolished every single bite. Everything was incredibly flavorful and perfectly prepared. For dessert, we finished with a slice of pear and salted caramel cream pie which was absolutely delicious. Their ice cream was vegan and nondairy, and you could barely taste the difference. Such a treat. The service was also wonderful. Our server checked in on us frequently, made sure we were comfortable and warm by ensuring the space heaters were working, a

We spent my birthday weekend in Joshua Tree with our dog and had a wonderful trip overall. We visited Joshua Tree Saloon and had drinks and lunch with our dog with no issues at all. We also grabbed coffee at Más o Menos and spent time at Joshua Tree National Park without any problems. For my birthday dinner, we chose Kitchen in the Desert. Our dog briefly walked up to our server (Doug) and gave a small bark when he was surprised, but immediately settled down and laid quietly under the table. We had only ordered drinks at that point our food had not yet arrived. Shortly after, a manager asked us to put our dog in the car. Given that it was around 80 degrees outside in the desert, we were uncomfortable with that request. We understand restaurants have policies, but asking guests to place t