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Wally's Desert Turtle, Rancho Mirage, CA

Wally's Desert Turtle

4.7
4.7
3828 Reviews
$50 and over
Contemporary American

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 26 times today
Experiences are available.
  • Good for special occasions
  • Romantic
  • Fancy
"The Finest Dining in the Coachella Valley" Offering a refreshed and re-imagined take on Modern California Cuisine. And the local response has been "Amazing"!

An Official California Dining Destination, Wally's Desert Turtle in Rancho Mirage proudly supports local Ranches, Farms and Fisheries committed to the smart-stewardship of the planet through sustainable, earth-friendly and ocean-friendly practices.

The finest local ingredients, impeccable service and exceptional surroundings always make for "A Great Night Out" at Wally's Desert Turtle.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary American, Californian, Steak
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Tue–Thu, Sun 5:30 pm–8:30 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–9:30 pm
  • Phone number
    (760) 568-9321
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Executive chef
    Alan Lopez
  • Private party facilities
    Wally's Desert Turtle is one of the desert's premier locations for upscale private dining. An elegant, classy and majestic space to host family celebrations, corporate events or just memorable moments.Please contact our special events department for bookings: wallysdtevents@gmail.com
  • Neighborhood
    Rancho Mirage
  • Cross street
    Bob Hope Drive
  • Parking details
    Valet Parking, Private Lot Self-Parking, and Street Parking available
  • Public transit
    Sunline Transit AgencyBus Line #111Bus Stop #659Highway 111 and Rancho Las Palmas Westbound
  • Entertainment
    Great Live Entertainment Nightly with the Bolivar Brothers, Michael and John ... playing the standards, the classics, some current hits, and a sprinkling of guest requests ...Celebrating Springtime in the Desert with a $38 Three-Course Seasonal Prix Fixe Menu in our Bar and Sahara Lounge, from 5:30pm to 6:30pm, Sundays through Thursdays.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

  • Domaine Carneros by Tattinger - Wine Dinner

    $175.00 per person

    Prepaid

    Feb 13, 2025 only
    5:00 PM
    Tattinger's Domaine Carneros wines will showcase their complexity and range in a meal fit for a Queen and King. Experience the versatility of sparkling wine in this Wine Dinner highlighting the versatility of Champagne style wines with our Wally’s Modern California cuisine. This limited-edition menu will feature elements of our classic menu with some contemporary twists across a savory and sweet experience. Brut 2019 Brut Rose NV La Reve 2016 Demi Sec 2020 Hosted in partnership with Domaine Carneros and curated by Wally's Chef and Sommelier.
    Domaine Carneros by Tattinger - Wine Dinner Photo
  • High Tea benefiting Shay's Warriors

    $160.00 per person

    Prepaid

    May 10, 2025 only
    12:00 PM
    Champagne High Tea in Honor of Nicole Botello. Join us for a Pre-Mother’s Day experience honoring the unbreakable bond of Mothers and daughters celebrating the gift of life. Starting at high Noon step back in time to be steeped in elegance and sweetness. Enjoy fashion pop ups from J McLaughlin, and LaDiDa Jewelry. Delight in delicious baked goods, tea sandwiches, sweet treats, bubbly, and live music. There will be no refunds for this event. All proceeds from this experience will benefit local attendees of the “I AM HOPE Survivors Reset Retreat," produced by Shay’s Warriors life after cancer.
    High Tea benefiting Shay's Warriors Photo
  • New Years Eve First Seating

    $132.00 per person

    Dec 31, 2024 only
    Join us for a special Prix Fixed menu this New Years Eve! The first seating will begin at 5:00 and will feature a four course meal curated by our own Chef Alan Lopez. We ask for 48 hours notice for any cancellations or party changes to avoid a charge of $15 per person.
    New Years Eve First Seating Photo

What 3,828 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7
4.7 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.8Ambience
  • 4.4Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Palm Springs / Palm Desert Cities

    Romantic

  • Palm Springs / Palm Desert Cities

    Contemporary American

  • Palm Springs / Palm Desert

    Romantic

  • Palm Springs / Palm Desert

    Contemporary American

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Wally's Desert Turtle is a "grand establishment" that has stood the test of time in Rancho Mirage. Renowned for "delicious food" and "impeccable service," it offers an "elegant and relaxed" ambiance. The soufflés, especially the Banana Foster, are "beyond incredible." A must-visit for a "superb dining experience."

3,828 Reviews
  1. Douglas

    VIP

    Detroit

    19 reviews

    5.0

    19 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Superb service. Excellent food. I recommend the Dover sole or the Scallops. Presentation was beautiful. I definitely rate it as a class act of old world dinning.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Howard

    Palm Springs

    19 reviews

    5.0

    19 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I have been going to Wally's for decades and believe it is the best restaurant in the Coachella Valley. The food and service are consistently excellent, and the ambience is unparalleled.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Jill

    Palm Springs

    11 reviews

    4.0

    11 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Last Christmas, I dined at Wally’s and had an incredible experience, which was why I decided to once again get a reservation for dinner on Christmas day. We chose a later reservation time and perhaps that was part of the issue, but I will say that between my experience last year and this year, there was a great difference. We had to wait to be seated both years, but that was not an issue as the restaurant does an incredible job with turnover. We were immediately greeted once we receded, and our drinks came immediately which I appreciated. Our waiter came to take our order and we waited a very reasonable amount of time before our delicious salads came to our table. We were given water, but never received any bread until I asked for it halfway through eating my salad, and it was never delivered until after our salads were off the table. Not really a big deal but interesting that with everything else being so on time that the bread service was so slow I ordered the same exact meal last year because I enjoyed it so much which meant that I was again having Scottish salmon. The problem this year is that it was a very small piece of salmon that had clearly been cooked quite a while ago and had sat under the heat lamps before being delivered to our table. The salmon was dry , and the tiny amount of couscous was barely edible as it was over dry and very small. There were two tiny potato wedges that came with the meal that really made no sense, but were at least a little bit of a carbohydrate. The best part of the meal, was the dessert which the chocolate lava cake. It’s outstanding! I only add this review because to pay $90 for that meal. I do not feel that I got $90 worth of food. I have a feeling I will be making other reservations for Christmas dinner next year. .

    Is this helpful?

  4. Steve

    San Diego

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Classic. Just wonderful. Warm crowd, elegant setting, live music-entettainment, prompt service with a smile, fair price.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Carole

    VIP

    San Francisco

    38 reviews

    5.0

    38 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    As usual, everything was perfect, including our table location and the dessert. Happy holidays.

    Is this helpful?

  6. June

    VIP

    Palm Springs

    28 reviews

    5.0

    28 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Christmas day experience delightful! The restaurant was busy. However, we were never rushed and the staff gracious, professional, and very attentive. The preset menu options were varied, and the food presentation was perfect. Thanks to everyone at Wallys for going over the top.

    Is this helpful?

  7. Charles

    VIP

    Palm Springs

    29 reviews

    5.0

    29 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent menu selections and a filet mignon for which I didn't need a steak knife. Perfectly prepared to order. And warm bread and butter. Doesn't get much better.

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  8. Greg

    VIP

    Los Angeles

    14 reviews

    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    First rate from start to finish. The food, service and ambiance were all exceptional.

    Is this helpful?

  9. Suzi

    Palm Springs

    8 reviews

    4.0

    8 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Not as great as last year. We arrived early for our 1 o'clock reservation and had to wait in line quite a long time to be seated. I think they should consider opening at noon. The food, however, was great. My husband especially enjoyed his Dover sole almandine .

    Is this helpful?

  10. Javier

    VIP

    Los Angeles

    6 reviews

    3.0

    6 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Service was excellent. The food was not what I expected for a restaurant of this caliber.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Wally's Desert Turtle is rated 4.7 stars by 3828 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 26 times today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for Wally's Desert Turtle

71775 Highway 111, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Bob Hope Drive
  • Neighborhood
    Rancho Mirage
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Tue–Thu, Sun 5:30 pm–8:30 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–9:30 pm
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary American, Californian, Steak
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Parking details
    Valet Parking, Private Lot Self-Parking, and Street Parking available
  • Public transit
    Sunline Transit AgencyBus Line #111Bus Stop #659Highway 111 and Rancho Las Palmas Westbound
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Alan Lopez
  • Entertainment
    Great Live Entertainment Nightly with the Bolivar Brothers, Michael and John ... playing the standards, the classics, some current hits, and a sprinkling of guest requests ...Celebrating Springtime in the Desert with a $38 Three-Course Seasonal Prix Fixe Menu in our Bar and Sahara Lounge, from 5:30pm to 6:30pm, Sundays through Thursdays.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    (760) 568-9321
  • Private party facilities
    Wally's Desert Turtle is one of the desert's premier locations for upscale private dining. An elegant, classy and majestic space to host family celebrations, corporate events or just memorable moments.Please contact our special events department for bookings: wallysdtevents@gmail.com
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