2 Best Restaurants in Joshua Tree National Park, California

You're going to think you're lost, but resist the urge to turn around because the tiny speck of sand that is Flamingo Heights really is that far out there, and this gastronomical goldmine—a roadside diner elevated by a lesbian couple who came to the desert for their honeymoon and never left—will likely be the best meal you'll eat this side of the Little San Bernardinos. Expect seasonally inspired brunch and lunch plates served without pretense and made using farm-to-fork ingredients and bits of culinary wisdom cribbed from the South (fried chicken), France (buckwheat ham galette), the Middle East (citrus and beets, a labneh-doused burger), and Philly's top kitchens (where the chef once toiled).

The husband-and-wife team behind this upscale, weekends-only restaurant likes to mix and match culinary cultures, resulting in a world tour for your tastebuds that might include dishes such as ahi tostadas with kimchi slaw or penne slathered in salsa verde. The menu changes monthly, but you'll consistently find attentive service, large portions of high-quality food, and an intimate low-lit atmosphere.