Spencer's
Palm Springs Tennis Club, Palm Springs
Restaurant in Palm Springs, United States
The Read
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
Spencer's is a practical Palm Springs choice for a familiar, low-friction meal rather than a destination dinner built around a named chef, tasting menu, or documented wine program. Book it when convenience and a known local setting matter; cross-shop Le Vallauris for a more formal French occasion or Sammy G's Tuscan Grill for an Italian-leaning group dinner.
About Spencer's
In Palm Springs, Spencer's is best described from the verified basics rather than from an invented culinary hook. The confirmed details are limited: it is in Palm Springs, the dress code is smart casual, it is open 8 AM–10 PM on Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, with Tuesday and Wednesday closed.
Because the available details do not verify a specific cuisine, chef, signature dish, price point, reservation format, beverage program, or service style, the safest way to evaluate Spencer's is by schedule and fit. Choose it when the hours and smart-casual dress code work for the plan, check the venue's official channels for current menu, booking, service details before committing.
Use it for a direct Palm Springs plan
For someone comparing options, Spencer's is easiest to assess by timing. Its verified open days are Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday from 8 AM to 10 PM; it is closed Tuesday and Wednesday. If you are also considering other Palm Springs dining rooms, Le Vallauris, The Pantry, Chi Chi are natural names to compare by occasion and current availability.
The drinks and menu angle should stay practical: there is no verified evidence here for a destination beverage program, pairing format, specific cuisine, or signature dish. That does not make Spencer's a poor choice; it simply means the decision should rest on confirmed basics and whatever current information the restaurant provides directly.
Who should cross-shop before committing
Cross-shop if the occasion has sharper requirements than the verified information can support. Sammy G's Tuscan Grill and Kaiser Grille Palm Springs are other Palm Springs names to compare when planning around timing and current availability. For broader planning, use our full Palm Springs restaurants guide, then pair the meal with our full Palm Springs hotels guide, our full Palm Springs bars guide, our full Palm Springs wineries guide, or our full Palm Springs experiences guide if the night needs a wider plan.
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Spencer's presents a composed, quietly scenic dining room that favors the measured rhythms of table service over casual, poolside energy. The Garden Room and its surrounding landscaping soften street noise and frame outdoor meals in late-afternoon light, so the place reads as intimate rather than bustling. Service and plating lean toward classical restraint: courses arrive in sequence, the meal unfolding from lighter to richer preparations. The overall effect is a serene, deliberate dining environment where attention is on the progression of the meal and the comfort of thoughtful, low-key luxury.
Best For
Spencer's is best experienced for an evening meal when its tasting-progression format can play out as intended. The room suits date nights and special occasions, and it fits business dinners where composed plates and discreet service are priorities. Outdoor tables reward timing—the late-afternoon "shoulder light" changes the character of the Garden Room—while the quieter service model keeps conversations comfortable. Brunch is listed among occasions, but the description emphasizes an evening sequence of courses, so dinner is the clearest calling card for visitors seeking the full Spencer's experience.
Ordering Tips
Expect courses to arrive in deliberate sequence rather than all at once; the house leans into a tasting-progression format that moves from lighter preparations toward richer ones. If weather and timing matter to you, request a Garden Room or outdoor table to catch the late-afternoon light, but be mindful that temperatures drop after sunset in shoulder seasons. Consider sharing to sample across courses, and be sure to try signature highlights called out for the room, such as the Chinese Style Kung Pao Calamari and the Boneless Slow Braised Beef Short Ribs, which reflect the kitchen's composed approach.
Planning details
Location
701 W Baristo Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92262 · Directions
Recognition and awards
Also consider
Also Consider
- Le Vallauris, French, French
- The Pantry, Notable alternative
- Sammy G's Tuscan Grill, Notable alternative
- Chi Chi, Notable alternative
- Kaiser Grille Palm Springs, Notable alternative
Restaurant context
How Spencer's Compares in Palm Springs
Choose Spencer's when ease matters more than a specific cuisine brief. Against Le Vallauris, it reads as the lower-pressure option: Le Vallauris is the clearer pick for a French special-occasion meal, while Spencer's is better for a repeat local dinner where the group wants comfort over ceremony.
For casual hotel or resort energy, The Pantry and Chi Chi are worth checking before committing. They are stronger fits when the meal is part of a pool-day, hotel-stay, or daytime plan. Spencer's makes more sense when the group wants a standalone Palm Springs restaurant rather than a resort-centered stop.
If the group has a cuisine direction, cross-shop harder. Sammy G's Tuscan Grill is the more direct choice for an Italian-leaning dinner, while Kaiser Grille Palm Springs is useful when downtown convenience is the main filter. Spencer's wins on familiarity and low-friction planning, not on a clearly documented culinary niche.
Explore Palm Springs
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Spencer's guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Spencer's
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spencer's | Palm Springs | , | 2026 Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence |
| Le Vallauris | Palm Springs | French | 2026 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Recommended2025 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #2302025 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence2024 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #2542023 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Highly Recommended |
| The Pantry | Palm Springs | , | Pearl Recommended Restaurants |
| Sammy G's Tuscan Grill | Palm Springs | , | No published awards |
| Chi Chi | Palm Springs | , | No published awards |
| Kaiser Grille Palm Springs | Palm Springs | , | No published awards |
How Spencer's Palm Springs compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Spencer's accommodate groups?
The verified details do not specify group accommodations. Spencer's is in Palm Springs and is open 8 AM–10 PM on Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday; it is closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Check the venue's official channels for group booking details.
Is Spencer's good for solo dining?
The verified details do not specify a solo-dining setup. If you are planning around timing, Spencer's is open 8 AM–10 PM on Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
Can I eat at the bar at Spencer's?
Bar seating is not verified in the available details. If bar dining matters, check the venue's official channels for the latest seating information.
What are alternatives to Spencer's in Palm Springs?
Other Palm Springs options to compare include Le Vallauris, The Pantry, Chi Chi, Sammy G's Tuscan Grill, Kaiser Grille Palm Springs. Compare them by current hours, availability, the kind of occasion you are planning.
Is lunch or dinner better at Spencer's?
The verified details confirm hours, not specific meal periods. Spencer's is open 8 AM–10 PM on Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
Is Spencer's good for a special occasion?
The verified details do not confirm a specific special-occasion format. Spencer's has a smart-casual dress code, so check the venue's current menu, booking options, seating details to decide whether it fits your occasion.
