Trattoria Mezzomondo

We are locals but spend 3 months each year in Italy. It was so nice to find a real Italian trattoria right here in the desert. Luba and Elio are amazing hosts. Chef Elio creates amazing dishes and their staff is wonderful. Carlos and all the wait staff are so kind...it was a real pleasure dining with them. We will see you soon!!

Wow I’m speechless I was at Indian wells and I asked 15-20 locals what their favorite restaurant was and they said this was it. I ordered 4 pastas on the menu and it blew my mind. The chef (Elio) and his wife Luba were 12/10. Best lasagna I’ve ever had 12/10 The spicy rigatoni with a light Indian influence was a 10/10 Service 12/10 If you’re in Palm Springs you need to come here

Very little charming Italian restaurant. Owners are a couple. Husband is a wonderful Italian chef, and wife is a sweet and friendly Russian hostess. Real gem in Palm Desert. We love it

I had the pleasure of dining here last evening. We were walk-ins, with no reservation, and they managed to seat us at the bar. You must make a reservation. We had the Mezzomondo salad (delicious with fresh lettuces, shaved cheese and a very light and beautiful dressing) to start. Their garlic bread is also out of this world. We followed with the special: asparagus and roasted fennel with shaved cheese and small yellow cherry tomatoes. Delicious delicate flavor. I had the highly recommended lasagna and my husband had the pappardelle pasta with a mushroom sauce. He loved it. both pastas were homemade from that day and you could tell...my lasagna was otherworldly. I have never had lasagna that tasted that good in a restaurant, not to mention one that didn't end up with me having massive heartburn! It was light yet full of flavor. Both were the appropriate sized portions; not too big and not too small. just perfect. I only heard out about this restaurant last month and I've had a home here for 16 years. I would highly recommend this place.

My friend highly recommended we go to Trattoria Mezzomondo. I made a reservation, and they were booked up for over a week. We went last night and enjoyed everything - atmosphere, service, food and wine. Luba was very gracious and welcoming. I had a special seating request, and my table was waiting. We ordered a Caprese to share, garlic bread and a carafe of house red. The wine was Italian and delicious. The garlic bread was better than any I think I've had, and the Caprese a perfect starter to share. I had the Farfalle special and my husband the lamb chops. We share entrees and thought the food was perfectly seasoned. We cleaned the plates and shared the lemon tarte and I had a decaf espresso. The timing of our service was as we like. Slow but not too long. The pastas are house made fresh every day. Everything here is crafted so it's not a factory. We felt like we did in a Cafe Trattoria in Venice. This is going to be a regular spot for us to enjoy.

I have written a lot of reviews. Not many that are 5-Star, and not many that will go into the detail this one will. Mezzomondo is a gem, it is the single best Italian restaurant in the desert. This is a place you simply cannot miss if you are interested in a unique, delightful and memorable meal in the Coachella Valley. It is not your standard red sauce Italian. Featuring a Northern Italy themed menu they are much more interested in delighting you than checking off all the possible combinations of pasta and meats. It is a small facility, maybe 15 tables, run by a husband and wife team. Be sure to call ahead for reservations, and do it early. NoOpen Table, you need to call and leave a message. Lupa will call you back if they can accomodate you. They can not accomodate more than 6 guests at a table. The wait staff has been there for the 4-years we have been going, which speaks well of the owners. The wine list is limited but good. The menu has a number of favorites, but the highlight is very often the specials. Their seafood specials are always a good choice. My better half enjoys the freshly made pasta in the pappardelle pasta with a mushroom sauce.. I have to tell you the first time I tried the pasta e fagioli (a soup) I almost cried it was so flavorful. The Lasagna is unique, and deeply flavorful. Our favorite special was a dish of scallops presented raw and with a slightly spicy sauce. Like most things there, amazing and just the right size to satisfy without over weighing. The theory of Luba and Elio is to feed you well. And they do. The desserts vary, but if the lemon bar is available, get it. Any pasta will delight you, it is hand made. They are located in a small shopping strip center on highway 111 in Palm Desert. They are literally next to a 7-11 and you may drive past them the first time you go. Turn around and go back. This is a place not to be missed. This is food as good as you will have anywhere.

Lupe is a dream. So welcoming! So kind. Friendly atmosphere lovely dishes. Would love to see some pescatarian options.

We discovered this gem of a restaurants while looking for another place. The food is just amazing, I ca say some of the best in the desert. Service was awesome and all the staff were super friendly. We had 5 different dishes and one was better than the other one. I highly recommend this place.