King’s Highway

The Ace Hotel is not the most sophisticated place in Palm Springs. The entire place could use a tune up, and the crowd it draws is usually far more into the pool parties thrown weekly than the hotel itself. You’d be forgiven for giving a pass to King’s Highway, the diner-style restaurant located inside the property, especially if you’ve grown out of your more rambunctious days.

But that doesn’t mean you necessarily should. Built into a former Denny’s, King’s Highway is run by the same people that put together the unmissable Five Leaves in Brooklyn. It embraces its diner past while infusing culinary experimentation, making it perfect for either a casual breakfast or a nicer dinner. The Moroccan Scramble is just one example of their blending of ‘50s Americana with international appeal, while the mahi mahi fish tacos stand out on their lunch menu. Dining here is a little like living in a Norman Rockwell painting that’s been touched up by Salvador Dalí, and that’s an experience worth venturing into the thick of the Ace.