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Wally's Desert Turtle, Rancho Mirage, CA

Wally's Desert Turtle

4.8
4.8
3902 Reviews
$50 and over
Contemporary American

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 37 times today
Experiences are available.
  • Good for special occasions
  • Fancy
  • Great for fine wines
"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
  • Website
    http://www.wallysdesertturtle.com/
  • 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
  • Location
    71775 Highway 111, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
  • 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

Featured in

Experiences

  • Yellowstone 1883 Wne Dinner

    $200.00 per person

    Prepaid

    Feb 21, 2025 only
    5:30 PM
    1883 Reserve Napa Valley draws inspiration from the land that Yellowstone Ranch is built on . True to Yellowstone series episodes, this dinner celebrates ranch life with its commitment to good stewardship, management and protection of the land and its ecosystem. Join us for a storied evening of Ranch Themed cuisine showcasing the Red, White, and Sparkling wines. Moses Rangel is a Grammy nominated Native American country singer that was mentored by Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard and toured with George Strait and has opened for Garth Brooks. We will be pairing acoustic country music with courses and wines along with stories of Yellowstone. Exclusive Wine purchasing opportunity for our guests.
    Yellowstone 1883 Wne Dinner Photo

  • Rombauer Wine Dinner

    $184.50 per person

    Prepaid

    Mar 13, 2025 only
    5:30 PM
    With Values that align to Wally’s Desert Turtle, Rombauer winery is known for its high-quality, family-style hospitality, and a commitment to sharing the Joy of Food & Wine with the world. Hosted by Rombauer’s Mike Otto. The 4 - course Menu will be Wally’s Classics reimagined by Chef Jose Valdez in a contemporary presentation, featuring Rombauer Wines: Chardonnay, Carneros 2023 Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands 2023 Zinfandel, El Dorado 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2021 Make your Reservation Today at $155 person plus Gratuity and Tax.
    Rombauer 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

Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 3,902 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

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

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Palm Springs / Palm Desert Cities

    Best Ambiance

  • Palm Springs / Palm Desert Cities

    Contemporary American

  • Palm Springs / Palm Desert

    Best Ambiance

  • Palm Springs / Palm Desert

    Contemporary American

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Wally's Desert Turtle offers a "magical atmosphere," "superb food," and "outstanding service," making it a top choice for special occasions. Known for its "classic old school dining room," the restaurant impresses with its Dover Sole and soufflés. Despite some service hiccups, it remains a "gem in the desert," celebrated for its elegance and charm.

3,902 Reviews

  1. Eileen

    Central Coast

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined today

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We have been to Wally's Desert Turtle several times and it always has impeccable service, outstanding food, and a polished, up-scale atmosphere. I am watching my carb intake so I ordered the braised short rib which was very good and I had never ordered before. I probably won't again as it was a little dry to my liking. I started with the tuna tartare which was superb! My son had the Chilean sea bass and said it was delicious. My husband had the chicken which he had never ordered before but said it was very good as well. The servers were attentive without being obtrusive. The only nit was that they brought our food before we had finished our appetizers so they took it back and kept it hot until we were ready. We really enjoy going to Wally's and will definitely be back!

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  2. Alison

    Chicago

    2 reviews

    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined today

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    Elevated nursing home food. Carrots cut like daisies and melon balled zucchini. No distinguishable mushrooms in the “mushroom soup “. Fast paced service with multiple wait staff was nice but at times seemed a bit overwhelming. I’m usually a go with the flow person but I really didn’t like my dinner (short ribs), said I didn’t like openly to the waiter when asked twice, didn’t eat it, and was just met with silence. Cocktails and bread service were the redeeming factors.

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  3. mark

    VIP

    Palm Springs

    100 reviews

    5.0

    100 reviews

    Dined today

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food and service. Started with a perfectly blended blue cheese olive Chopin martini. Next the Ceaser Salad followed by short ribs with veggies and mashed potatoes. All spectacular… would have loved to try the soufflé for dessert but overate.

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  4. Joe

    Palm Springs

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Always, Great Service, Delicious food  Great atmosphere with the perfect music in the background. Thank you. Joe 

    Is this helpful?

  5. Anne

    VIP

    Palm Springs

    17 reviews

    5.0

    17 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This is our favorite restaurant in the desert. The friendly service and great food make this a wonderful experience. The atmosphere with the sumptuous and comfortable design adds to the unique look of this elegant eatery!

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  6. Edith

    VIP

    Palm Springs

    11 reviews

    2.0

    11 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 5
    Service and server was awful. I love it there and go all the time. He was just horrendous. I know its a holiday weekend but still they should be prepared

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  7. Mary

    VIP

    Palm Springs

    29 reviews

    5.0

    29 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food was delicious as always. Wonderful Valentines Day dinner

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  8. Douglas

    Greater Boston

    7 reviews

    4.0

    7 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    I ordered the Dover sole. It was served on a screaming hot plate. The plate ended up overcooking the fish. The zucchini soup and beet salad were excellent. Wine by the glass choices were very good. The desserts were rather non descript.

    Is this helpful?

  9. Eric

    VIP

    Palm Springs

    16 reviews

    5.0

    16 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our Valentine's Day dinner at Wally's Desert Turtle was our first visit there and we were not disappointed - everything was fantastic! The pricing is high... but it's totally worth it, especially for special occasions. I had a filet mignon, my wife had the lamb, and both were delicious; the zucchini with toasted almond soup was incredible and the deserts were out of this world. In general, service was excellent, but the delivery of cocktails was a bit slow - understandable perhaps, because the place was packed! This is now one of our top five favorite restaurants in the entire Palm Springs area, and we will be back again for certain!

    1 person found this helpful

  10. David

    Palm Springs

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The service was impeccable as always, the food was delicious, and the ambiance amazing. The serving sizes were perfect. I highly recommend Wally’s to anyone looking for a delicious, upscale dinner in a restaurant with a classic Rancho Mirage vibe. A special shout out for the special Valentines Day desserts…..So beautiful and so yummy. The cappuccino with them made them the perfect finish for the evening!!!

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Wally's Desert Turtle is rated 4.8 stars by 3902 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 37 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
  • Website
    http://www.wallysdesertturtle.com/
  • 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

Featured in

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