Scrambling across boulders and scaling mountains works up quite the appetite. While others may not consider the town of Joshua Tree a culinary destination, it surprised us with a variety of solid options to fuel our adventures.
There is no food in Joshua Tree National Park, so it’s important to either stock up on food to make yourself or get familiar with Joshua Tree’s culinary scene. The town of Joshua Tree proper isn’t very big; we’re talking three restaurants open for dinner every night! But we were able to uncover a few gems. From grab-and-go options to bring into the National Park to wild-west-inspired saloons, we tried a variety of different eats.
So where should you go to find the best food in Joshua Tree? Check out this guide to the eight best local eats in town!
JOSHUA TREE DINING GUIDE: THE BEST PLACES TO EAT IN THE DESERT
#1: PAPPY AND HARRIET’S:
ATMOSPHERE:
Located about 15 minutes outside of Joshua Tree in Pioneertown, Pappy & Harriet’s is often seen as THE place to eat when visiting the area. The restaurant itself is pulled right from an old Western (literally! Pioneertown is a working movie set that was built to accommodate the filming of Westerns in the 1950s and 60s). Walking through the doors transports you into an old-time saloon with gun-slingin' decor and homages to the filmmaking roots. The restaurant doubles as a popular music venue, hosting concerts most weekends (including the night of our visit). Tour posters and photos of the previous performers accompany the old-west decorations, making for a unique vibe.
MENU:
Pappy and Harriet’s claims to be “The best open fire Santa Maria BBQ West of Texas” with a menu of grilled meats, sandwiches, and bar food favorites. The bar menu is solid with an over-index of tequila, mezcal, and whiskey cocktails. You can check out the menu for yourself here.
OUR MEAL:
Cactus Flower - Punchy little drink with Campo Azul Reposado Tequila, lemonade, cranberry, and lime. My immediate reaction was “Dang, this is strong.” The juices took a back seat to the tequila here and added the hint of fruit without the sugary sweetness. I really enjoyed this one!
Desert Queen - My partner ordered this one and it had a nice kick to it without being overly spicy. While this was still probably a hair too spicy for my tastes, this one was strong and they didn’t skimp on the alcohol. The bar gets a big seal of approval from us.
Pulled BBQ Sandwich with Cole Slaw - I’ve yet to find solid BBQ in LA, so I ordered a pulled pork BBQ sandwich with a side of coleslaw. The sandwich, while standard, offered a solid portion of juicy, lean meat with a tangy, Carolina-style sauce. The coleslaw provided a fresh flavor with a creamy base without being too wet.
Tri-Tip from the Grill with Garlic Mashed Potatoes - This looked incredible! I was too polite to ask my partner for a bite of his birthday meal, but he raved about the tenderness of the meat and the flavor of the potatoes. Mark this as a hit!
THE CONSENSUS:
The hype is real! We agree this meal ranked number one of all the places we visited on the trip. Plan to make a stop here for fantastic barbeque and a stiff drink (or two!).
#2: JOSHUA TREE COFFEE CO.:
THE ATMOSPHERE:
No Joshua Tree dining guide is complete without coffee. And a trendy coffee shop in the desert? Say less! With light pink walls and a large, natural-wood counter, this place could drop itself into LA and feel right at home. While waiting in line, you can browse massive shelves of super-cute merch and bags of beans. A picture window at the end of the shop offers a glimpse into the back of the house where beans are actively roasted. Just don’t expect to hang out inside too long; there isn’t much in the way of indoor seating.
THE MENU:
Don’t expect crazy custom beverages or elaborate lattes here. This menu is all about the bean with your classic preparations along with a variety of milk and syrup options. Interestingly, the menu doesn’t offer any food outside of some pre-packaged sweets at the counter.
OUR DRINKS:
Mocha with Oatmilk - I’m not much of a hot coffee drinker, but it was freezing outside, so I selected the mocha for a touch of sweetness for my morning pick-me-up. The flavors were good and I imagine this would’ve been even better with whole milk (I default to oat these days). I will say, the shop itself has an aroma of bitter coffee from the roasting process that was sticking with me for a little while, but once that dissipated and I got the full taste of this beverage, I was content with my selection.
First Roast - My partner likes his coffee black (he was a barista for a few years, so he can handle his coffee at high-octane levels). He said this one had a strong, rich flavor…. “Good coffee doesn’t need milk and sweeteners, and this one fits the bill.”
THE CONSENSUS: It’s coffee in the desert. Of course you’re going to go here. (But if you’re hiking a mountain right after, maybe re-consider… More on that in my Joshua Tree trip report).
#3: SKY HIGH PIE:
THE ATMOSPHERE:
Located right next door to the Joshua Tree Coffee Co., you can’t miss Sky High Pie from Highway 62. The massive sign and rustic curb appeal blend right into the desert vibes of Joshua Tree. Inside, the restaurant is a bit more sterile with white subway tile and black tables and chairs. The restaurant offers a small counter (where we sat) and patios in the front and the back for outdoor dining. In the peak of winter, the indoor restaurant bustled with visitors. We waited around 10 minutes for a spot at the counter during the dinner rush. The counter overlooks the open kitchen where the employees put on quite a show. My partner and I barely spoke over dinner, mesmerized by the assembly line of kitchen staff turning out pizza after pizza.
THE MENU:
As the name implies, this is a wood-fired pizza joint with build-your-own pizzas, as well as a line-up of house specialties. These pizzas are about 14” on a thin crust. If you’re coming off a long day of hiking like us, order one each! The restaurant is vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free friendly with pies to fit all kinds of dietary needs. In addition to pizza, you’ll find a couple of salads, bread, meatballs, and a few desserts (including pie… like pie-pie, not pizza pie). The bar menu left a bit to be desired with only bottled beer and wine available. See the menu here.
OUR MEAL:
Red Wine - The “Italian Red” as it was labeled on the menu arrived in a half bottle. This was a fine red blend, nothing special really. It was nice that the adult beverage was an option at all,
Diavola - I selected the Diavola, marked “spicy” on the menu, which includes mozzarella, house-made spicy sausage, calabrese salami, and Fresno chillis. Do I like spicy things? Not particularly. But I had a “Diavola” pizza at a spot in LA and assumed it would be similar. It was not. This was spicy! Like lips numb, chug a bunch of water, and compete on “Hot Ones” spicy. In hindsight, I should’ve gone with the Sky High, but for a spicy pizza, this was good.
Korean BBQ Pork Belly Pizza - My partner went the adventurous route and selected this specialty pie featuring Korean BBQ sauce, green onion, red onion, pork belly, mozzarella, and house-made bang bang sauce. I tried a bite and it was yummy, although my taste buds were on fire so I don’t think I could give a fair assessment. My partner raved about this pizza and loved the crispy crust with a unique flavor (in the best of ways). The best way he described it was “not gimmicky,” and intentionally crafted. He’d have it again.
THE CONSENSUS:
A pleasant surprise after a long day in the desert. I ordered the wrong thing, but we overall enjoyed this spot and would give it another spin on a return visit.
#4: THE RED DOG SALOON:
THE ATMOSPHERE:
Just around the corner from Pappy & Harriets in Pioneertown, The Red Dog Saloon is a no-frills, old-west watering hole serving up Mexican bites and quenching the thirsts of travelers. The interior is ripped from an old western movie with wood panel adorned walls, an antique bar with hand-carved names, and a historic piano tucked in the corner.
THE MENU:
As any good watering hole should, The Red Dog offers a well-stocked bar. The bartender mentioned they have something like 80 mezcals and north of 70 whiskeys. Interestingly, they have only one vodka (a locally sourced, hand-crafted option). There’s also a decent roster of beers on tap and a craft cocktail menu that reflects the spot’s Wild West roots. For food, you’re looking at light bites including tacos with various proteins, chips and guac, and an assortment of Mexican-inspired desserts. You can take a peek at the menu here.
OUR DRINKS:
The Tommy Margarita - A smokey margarita made with house mezcal in place of tequila. Admittedly, I haven’t had a ton of mezcal in my life, but I enjoyed this elevated take on a bar classic. This was a great nightcap for my evening.
Mezcal on the Rocks - Damian, the bartender, kindly explained the art of creating mezcal to my partner, offering a selection of three of his favorites at various price points. My partner was very impressed with his selection, calling the “the smoothest mezcal [he’s[ ever had.” The selection at the bar here really opened the world up for him, and for that, this place gets a big thumbs up.
THE CONSENSUS:
For a solid craft cocktail in the middle of the desert, this is a great stop. Mosey on in to steep yourself in a little Joshua Tree history, enjoy the company of those around you, and maybe cure some late-night munchies. This one is a big recommend in my book.
#5: THE DEZ:
THE ATMOSPHERE:
The Dez is tucked into a strip of stores along Highway 62. The store itself only allows four customers inside at a time, and for good reason because this place is tiny! Upon entry, you’ll find a grab-and-go refrigerator with a variety of bottled beverages, salads, sides, and pre-made sandwiches. At the counter, there’s a deli case featuring sample sandwiches and pastries. The walls of the shop are adorned with local goods for purchase, as well as old-timey photos and props. The cafe was jam-packed when we visited late in the afternoon on a Friday.
THE MENU:
The Dez offers a robust roster of hot and cold sandwiches in addition to salads, pastries, Stumptown Coffee, and to-go bottled beverages. The website also mentions catering and order-ahead picnic lunches, which was my inspiration for the visit. Check out the menu for yourself here.
OUR MEAL:
Both of us opted for the Genoa Grinder and picked it up when we arrived in town to bring into the National Park for lunch the next day. The sandwich was packed with Genoa salami, country ham, mozzarella, provolone, red onion, basil pesto, arugula & Tuscan tapenade. Despite spending overnight in the fridge at the Airbnb and all morning in a grocery bag with two frozen water bottles as ice packs, the sandwich held up with integrity. The vegetables stayed crisp and the bread didn’t have the soggy/wet feeling you get when you eat leftover Subway. And I must say, the sandwich tasted even better from the Key’s View lookout. Not a bad view for a grab-and-go lunch!
THE CONSENSUS:
A solid grab-and-go spot, especially if you’re on the hunt for something more elevated than the Subway across the street. This wasn’t the most gourmet meal of all time, but it felt great to support a local business on our journey.
#6: JOSHUA TREE COUNTRY KITCHEN:
THE ATMOSPHERE:
You can’t miss the big red barn that is home to Joshua Tree Country Kitchen. Nestled right in the hustle and bustle of downtown Joshua Tree, this establishment offers a decent amount of indoor and outdoor seating. Despite the winter chill, we opted to sit outdoors in the covered patio area at the bar. Expect a crowd on weekend mornings; we waited around 30 minutes for first available seating. Dogs are welcome on the outdoor patio.
THE MENU:
A classic diner in the desert! If you’re looking for a hearty breakfast or a quick lunch fix, this menu’s got you covered with all the American classics. Order from a variety of combos, or break it out into a la carte if portion control is more your style. Take a gander at the menu here.
OUR MEAL:
Orange Juice - Yes, I’m even reviewing the orange juice. Mostly to say it was real juice with pulp and not that Minute Maid instant stuff. So they’re doing something right!
Banana Pancake - It’s been a minute since I went out to breakfast, but my goodness this pancake was perfection. With a crispy outside, light and fluffy inside, and sweet and salty butter and bananas, I was pleased with this selection. Sometimes I feel overstuffed after eating pancakes, but this one settled in nicely. That said, I don’t think you need to order the combo with two pancakes, two sausages, and two eggs (unless you’re really, really hungry). This single pancake was the size of a dinner plate and about half an inch thick! I’d order this again!
Patty Sausage - Perhaps the only miss of breakfast for me, these sausages felt like the instant kind from Jimmy Dean. I’d recommend opting for the link sausages or ordering the bacon instead.
Hashbrowns - These were crispy and warm and had that comforting diner taste where you can kind of tell they cooked something with onions on the griddle beforehand. All this to say, they were delicious and I’m glad I paid a little extra to get these instead of eggs.
French Toast - My partner selected the French toast as his breakfast entree and raved about the flavors. Unlike me, he had no trouble putting down the full plate. He raved about the breakfast on our car ride home.
THE CONSENSUS: Come hungry and leave happy! Be prepared for a bit of a wait on the weekends, but this place is a great sit-down option for a slower morning in Joshua Tree.
#7: JOSHUA TREE SALOON:
THE ATMOSPHERE:
A Joshua Tree institution, you can’t miss the wild-west-styled Joshua Tree Saloon right on the corner of Highway 62 and Park Boulevard. With patinaed signs adorning the outside walls and floor-to-ceiling mementos and photos decorating the interior, Joshua Tree Saloon delivers on that Wild West watering hole aesthetic. This place isn’t huge with seating for around 100 inside and an outdoor patio with seating for another 150 or so. In the winter, arrive early or expect a long wait for indoor seating during the dinner rush. And good luck catching a coveted bar stool; I didn’t see one become available during our visit. We arrived at 6 pm on our first night and were told the wait would be over an hour and a half (We ended up at Sky High Pie). After learning our lesson to arrive early, we arrived at 5 pm the next night and waited around 45 minutes for our table. The restaurant was packed to standing room only during our visit, so we waited outside where things mellowed out. Outside, you’ll find an outdoor bar offering walkup drinks and food orders and a few heating lamps for visitors to gather and enjoy drinks. There’s also an outdoor stage for live music (though the classic rock soundtrack from the built-in speakers was the only entertainment offered during our visit).
THE MENU:
This menu is the epitome of bar food; plenty of fried appetizers, countless sandwich options “on bread,” some Mexican-fare “on a tortilla,” and some good ole’ fashion cookin’ “from the grill” make up the menu. See for yourself here.
OUR MEAL:
Margaritas - I ordered a margarita from the outside bar while we waited for our table and really enjoyed the flavor profile; maybe there was a touch more triple sec than I’d expected. Regardless, it was boozy and strong and I decided to keep the night rolling inside with a second round. Round 2 came out too sweet (Think Jose Cuervo marg mix with a light tequila pour). Chalk it up to two different bar tenders with two different takes. I’ll stick with the bartender outside.
Chicken Breast Salad - In a desperate search for some lighter fare, I committed what some would call a cardinal sin and ordered a salad at a saloon. But don’t worry, I opted for fried chicken and ranch dressing to accompany the salad toppings of tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, beets, and croutons (we can’t be too healthy at a saloon now, can we?). The salad was fine, nothing to write home about. I liked the ranch dressing which was clearly homemade and had a thinner consistency that felt like a salad dressing rather than a chicken finger dip (Yes, there IS a difference). The chicken was crispy, the lettuce was fresh. No complaints here!
Carnitas Tacos with Mac & Cheese - I’ll be honest, when this mac and cheese came out, it looked a little sus. Look at the photo and tell me that doesn’t look like the mac they served at lunch in elementary school. That aside, my partner says “It was good, actually.” He claims the tacos were some of the better ones he’s had and tasted “authentic.” I asked about the mac and cheese and he said “Did I have that?” So I guess it wasn’t memorable.
THE CONSENSUS:
One other thing to note is that service here was a bit slow. I mean, my partner’s meal came out about 15 minutes before mine… And I ordered a salad! That aside, what can I say? If you’re visiting Joshua Tree, you’re going to go here. But maybe stick to the apps and drinks if you can? Pappy and Harriet’s wins the saloon showdown this trip!
#8: ROAD RUNNER CAFE:
THE ATMOSPHERE:
Imagine putting an airport convenience store in a building right next to the Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center. That’s Road Runner Cafe! The “cafe” houses a few grab-and-go open-concept refrigerators, a deep freezer, a food warmer, and a few shelves of snacks for the on-the-go park visitors. This isn’t a place to sit and enjoy the meal; this is a true in-and-out establishment.
THE MENU:
Road Runner doesn’t have a set menu from what I can find online. Expect to see a variety of cold-cut sandwiches, warm breakfast sandwiches, soups, salads, and charcuterie items. The shop also offered a freezer filled with ice cream, bottled non-alcoholic beverages, protein bars, and salty snacks. We spotted several vegetarian and gluten-free options during our visit.
OUR MEAL:
Bacon Egg and Cheese Breakfast Burrito - This thing was DENSE! We’re talking brick in your hand, bursting at the seams, #thicc and delicious. With tangy cheese, hearty potatoes, salty bacon, fluffy eggs, and fresh pico de gallo served on the side, this was the perfect filling meal after a long morning of hiking. At $12.50, the price did feel a tad high for a grab-and-go, but call the markup a convenience fee.
Sausage Egg and Cheese Breakfast Burrito - According to my boyfriend, “it was good.” He thought it might be a little heavy on the potatoes and wasn’t the best burrito of his life, but felt the value was there for the purchase.
THE CONSENSUS:
This is a solid grab-and-go with healthier options than most fast-food joints and gas stations. It’s also the fastest option you’ll find out of Joshua Tree’s local spots. With plenty more to explore on the menu, I give this a thumbs up, especially if you’re on the way into or out of the National Park.
Did I miss anything?
Share your favorite Joshua Tree dining options in the comments and let me know what you think of my ranking!
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