A Boutique Culinary Gem in Coachella Valley
The restaurant embodies the boutique character of its host property, offering just enough seating to maintain an exclusive feel without sacrificing warmth or accessibility. As the desert day transitions to evening, High Moon transforms from a sun-drenched breakfast spot to a softly lit dinner haven, creating distinct experiences that celebrate the natural rhythms of desert life.
Retro-Modern Charm with Desert Soul
High Moon embraces Palm Springs’ architectural heritage with thoughtful retro touches that nod to mid-century design without becoming a museum piece. The intimate dining room features curved booths upholstered in jewel-toned fabrics that provide rich contrast against the predominantly neutral palette. Floral accents introduce organic elements while vintage-inspired lighting casts a flattering glow across the space.
Despite its modest footprint, clever design elements prevent the restaurant from feeling cramped. The layout encourages natural movement between the main dining area and the adjoining pool bar, allowing guests to flow between spaces as their mood dictates. Strategic window placement frames desert vistas while keeping the harsh midday sun at bay, creating a cool refuge from the Californian heat.
The overall aesthetic strikes a perfect balance between nostalgic elements and contemporary comfort, creating a space that feels both timeless and thoroughly current – precisely the ambiance sought by style-conscious festival attendees and desert aficionados alike.
Morning Fare: Sunrise Specialties
Breakfast at High Moon demonstrates how simple morning classics can shine through quality ingredients and thoughtful preparation. The restaurant transforms standard breakfast offerings into memorable meals without unnecessary complexity.
The Coachella Valley Classic exemplifies this approach – two perfectly cooked Chino Valley eggs paired with artisanal Nueske bacon and house-made sourdough toast. Sunrise potatoes, seasoned with desert herbs, provide a satisfying savory element, while fresh orange and strawberry add brightness. Rather than overwhelming diners with portion size, the dish achieves balance through quality and careful plating.
For guests seeking a lighter start, the New Moon Breakfast Bowl offers sophisticated nourishment with wild baby arugula serving as the base for local citrus, roasted walnuts, and a perfectly poached Chino Valley egg. Pickled onion and cherry tomatoes add visual appeal and acidic notes, while the balsamic glaze brings welcome sweetness. The addition of sunrise potatoes ensures satisfaction without heaviness – ideal fuel for a day of festival exploration or desert adventures.
Midday & Evening Plates: Desert-Inspired Dining
When the sun reaches its peak, High Moon shifts to casual yet refined lunch and dinner service. The menu maintains manageable scope rather than excessive options, allowing the kitchen team to execute each dish with consistent excellence.
High Tide Skewers
These herb-garlic shrimp skewers demonstrate the kitchen’s light touch with seafood. The shrimp maintain perfect tenderness while taking on subtle garlic notes, complemented by a lemon-garlic butter that enhances rather than masks their natural sweetness. Wild baby arugula and local citrus provide fresh counterpoints, while high-quality olive oil adds richness and mouthfeel to this starter.
Truffle Fries
This elevated snack achieves the ideal balance between accessibility and sophistication. Perfectly crisp fries receive a light dusting of Grana Padano and fresh garden parsley, with truffle notes present but not overwhelming. The accompanying roasted garlic aioli adds creamy richness without becoming heavy – perfect for sharing poolside or as a pre-dinner nibble.
Desert Bloom Short Rib
The kitchen’s signature slow-braised short rib showcases technical skill through simplicity rather than showmanship. The meat achieves remarkable tenderness through patient cooking, requiring only a fork to separate perfect bites. Roasted herb potatoes and heritage carrots provide textural contrast, while the sage demi-glaze adds depth without overwhelming the plate. This dish exemplifies the restaurant’s ability to create comfort food with refinement.
High Moon Burger
This premium burger demonstrates that casual fare deserves equal culinary attention. Mishima beef provides a rich foundation, topped with house-made bacon-date jam that balances sweet and savoury notes. Caramelised onions add depth, while pepper jack cheese brings mild heat. Local tomato and wild baby arugula contribute freshness, all contained within a pretzel bun that stands up to the robust fillings. Served with kettle chips rather than fries, the burger delivers satisfaction without excess.
Sweet Finales: Desert Indulgences
High Moon’s dessert offerings maintain the restaurant’s commitment to quality execution without unnecessary complexity.
The Chocolate Lava Cake achieves technical perfection through careful attention to detail. The flourless structure creates ideal density while the perfectly fluid centre delivers the expected drama when cut. House-made vanilla bean gelato provides cooling contrast, while hot chocolate ganache and a light dusting of powdered sugar complete the presentation of this crowd-pleasing classic.
For a lighter conclusion, the House-Made Chocolate Truffles offer bite-sized luxury. The caramel and milk chocolate variations showcase the pastry team’s technical skills while providing a sophisticated sweet note to conclude the meal – particularly appealing when paired with after-dinner drinks on the restaurant’s patio as desert stars emerge above.
Crafted Libations: Desert-Inspired Mixology
The beverage programme at High Moon reflects the same balance of accessibility and creativity that defines its food menu. Rather than overwhelming choice, the cocktail list offers focused quality with options suited to both poolside refreshment and evening enjoyment.
Sparkling Mojito
This effervescent take on the classic mojito demonstrates thoughtful updating of familiar templates. Bacardi Superior provides the rum foundation, while lime, pomegranate, mint, and fresh berries add complexity and visual appeal. The prosecco finish brings welcome bubbles and subtle sweetness – ideal for afternoon refreshment by the pool.
Heart of Gold
This gin-based creation showcases creative mixology without becoming precious. Bombay Sapphire provides botanical depth, complemented by fresh ginger, local honey, lemon, and mint. A soda top adds refreshing effervescence, while the honeycomb garnish provides both visual interest and textural contrast. This balanced cocktail transitions seamlessly from daytime refreshment to evening aperitif.
Poolside Paradise: The High Moon Pool Bar
The High Moon Pool Bar extends the restaurant’s culinary approach to an alfresco setting that maximises Palm Springs’ exceptional climate. This extension of the main restaurant creates a relaxed atmosphere particularly appealing to festival attendees seeking stylish recovery between event days.
The pool bar setup strikes the perfect balance between casual ease and thoughtful service. Comfortable loungers receive attentive attention from staff well-versed in reading guests’ needs without hovering. The menu transitions seamlessly to this outdoor setting, with items designed to be enjoyed without formality but maintaining the quality standards of the main restaurant.
The bar team brings equal dedication to poolside service, with cocktails retaining proper preparation and presentation despite the casual setting. As afternoon transitions to evening, subtle lighting transforms the space, creating a magical desert atmosphere that encourages guests to linger well past sunset.
