Bar Issi

Ambiance Bar Issi has a cute, preppy, upscale feel inside that immediately sets the tone. The interior décor feels intentional and stylish. Unfortunately, the outdoor seating didn’t offer much ambiance. Despite having heaters, it was still quite cold, which made it hard to fully enjoy the experience outside. Food We started with the house-made Puccia bread (V) with a trio of butters, which was a lovely touch. I ordered the shrimp linguine and my fiancé had the Cacio e Pepe—both pastas were beautifully plated, with flavorful sauces that truly delivered. Our cocktails were stellar: the Cosmo del Fiore and Zingaro were boozy, well-balanced, and full of flavor. That said, the pepperoni pizzas ordered by our moms were hit or miss. One came out burnt and had to be sent back, while the replacement was slightly underdone. Overall, the drinks and pastas were standouts, but the pizzas landed at a more mid-level. Service Service was unfortunately the weakest part of the experience. We often had to look around to find our server, and when he did check in, he seemed distracted and disengaged. While the staff did correct the pizza issue, the overall attentiveness and presence were lacking. Overall: Bar Issi shines with its cocktails and pasta dishes, but inconsistent pizza execution, chilly outdoor seating, and poor service took away from what could have been a great dining experience.

I don't understand the low reviews for this place. Most of them seem to be diner error. READ THE ROOM. Anyways, we LOVED Bar Issi. Service was fantastic. Dylan and Milo were an incredible duo--attentive, warm, and made the experience so much fun. They made great recommendations. The decor was SO FUN. The velvet on the ceilings, bright pops of color, and a playful vibe made the whole place feel fun and lively. The food was outstanding. We started with the crispy octopus which was perfectly crispy and bursting with flavor, the special truffle linguini was rich but just right, the lamb was cooked to absolute perfection, and the pizzas were spot on. Already counting down the days until we go back!

Such a great and very special dinner tonight! Service was impeccable— from servers to back servers. The whole team was great. Food was delicious fresh and well seasoned The vibe was great. Gorgeous decor, good music choice and volume. Will definitely be back.

Honestly, poor service from start to finish. Initially the hostess asked us to sit on the couches to wait for our table. That wasn’t possible as someone was doing an insta/TikTok photo shoot so we stood awkwardly next to diners eating their entrees. We then were seated and it took a long while for our server to acknowledge our existence. Then the fun began. Our pizza came out burnt on the under carriage. Please see pics. Our server tried to ‘freestyle’ the truth and tell us that the chef used sugar to caramelise but it was burnt. Just own it dude. We sent it back because pepperoni and carcinogens is not a good mix. Last pic is what the pizza under carriage looked like after a new one arrived. Then when the bill came no hint of an acknowledgment of our experience other than the bottle of wine we ordered being more expensive on the bill than the menu. Awesome. Too be fair the manager was requested and handled it accordingly. Too little too late. Poor experience and will not revisit.

From the moment I stepped into Bar Issi, I felt transported. Yep, the vibe is bold, playful, and unmistakably Palm Springs. Nestled inside the Thompson Palm Springs, the space dazzles with vibrant wallpaper, luxe textures and outdoor-terrace charm. The food hits just the right note: house-made pastas, wood-fired pizzas, fresh coastal-Italian flavors with a California twist. I had the shrimp linguine, and the caviar, and you’ve got to try the Tiramisu - Memorable! The cocktail list is equally sharp — great for a stylish night out. Whether you’re a local or visiting Palm Springs, Bar Issi delivers on style and substance. Book ahead for dinner, and reserve a moment to soak in the design and atmosphere, it’s part of the experience. It’s definitely one of my favorite spot! (They have a Dj :))

We are delighted to welcome you to the prettiest restaurant, recognized as a premier dining destination in Palm Springs. We pride ourselves on offering exceptional cuisine within a captivating atmosphere. Our decor, coupled with our dedicated staff, creates a unique and memorable experience. We highly encourage you to visit and discover what makes us a standout choice. You will not be disappointed.

The food was fine. The pizza was really good. My main problem was that we decided to sit at the kitchen counter and thought that would give us a seat to watch all the action in the kitchen. As you can see by my photos and videos, most of the glass is made so you can’t see a thing. So basically you’re sitting facing a wall. The one pane that is clear is in the center of the counter and barely viewable because the way the seats are setup. That has never been my experience at other restaurants sitting at the kitchen counter. In fact, quite the opposite in that it is usually open and you interact with people while watching all the kitchen excitement. The bar looked fun and I might go back again. My neighbor had a better idea and said just order the pizza as take out. It’s good pizza and you don’t have to deal with all the hype and high priced other things.

Absolutely beautiful bar & ambiance. Bartenders are great. Happy hour at the bar is at 3pm and by 3:10 all seats are full until happy hour ends at 430. $6 beer and $5 wine specials. Dinner menu begins at 430.

Food was amazing. spouse comments " the best ravioli I had In life". That saying much since the age of a senior citizen! Haha. Definitely made w thought ,fluff. The ingredients from Italy. So we can't wait to return. Also went early so we would have quiet seats for the dogs. They gave us in a nice quiet corner. Loved it. Thanks so much. Also the inside it really nice for a special occasion. tres chic. For us it's just another fun new place that we would like to make a regular spot. Service was exceptional all levels quick and prompt !

Erratic. After three visits, the service and cuisine at Bar Issi have swung wildly--from genuinely excellent to frankly disappointing. For a restaurant at this price point, inconsistency is not a minor flaw; it's the core problem. All visits were with parties of five to six. One server was terrific--professional, attentive, and confident. Another seemed new and overwhelmed. A particular pet peeve at this level: servers asking "who ordered what?" when plates arrive. This isn't Applebee's, and guests shouldn't be doing the staff's job. To be fair, the overall attitude and friendliness of the staff are strong. When the kitchen gets it right, it really gets it right. The branzino and agnolotti are excellent mains, and the hamachi starter is a standout. Unfortunately, the clam linguine special was a letdown, and the Greek salad was simply not good. In short, Bar Issi feels like a restaurant still in beta. That might be forgivable at a casual spot--but not here. At these prices, diners are entitled to consistency, not crossed fingers.

Went for my sisters birthday brunch. It was good, however I wasn't feeling too well, so I kept to basic's. I got a shrimp cocktail & a simple fried egg. Now, that simple fried egg was worth it, & let me tell you why. The yolk was a rich amber gold. If you know eggs & egg farming & chicken keeping, you know the chickens get a lot of sun & are probably open pasture raised. Now service & cleanliness is different. We got a waiter who was maybe not so excited to be at work that Sunday. His attitude was very short & rude. Then, our silverware was not clean. When my sister was for new ones, she was met with side eyes and hugging and puffing. Overall, I would try it again, maybe on a less busy day.

The Dj was the best part of our dining experience. Great music, not too loud, not too soft (like elevator music), upbeat but not too fast, not too slow. They wouldn't add mushrooms to the margarita pizza when they have a mushroom pizza with white sauce ( my friend wanted tomato sauce). We ordered the bread appetizer (yes, you have to order bread) and it was delivered to our table burnt, after I asked them to check on our bread order. It looked and smelled burnt, but the server said that was the way it was supposed to look. We asked another server about it and he said it was definitely burnt , so he took it back to the kitchen. They brought us a new loaf, which you have to cut yourself, but which is fine only if you're given the proper tools (a cutting board and a serrated knife, but you have to ask for those) unless you're able to cut it with a butter knife. They have a caviar section on their menu, but they were out of caviar. We wanted a Greek salad, but they were out of feta. It was our friend's birthday, which our server acknowledged, but no birthday dessert was offered. Overall, the food was average, but the prices were slightly high. I don't need to return.

Second time visiting Bar Issi, with a much better experience this time around. Delicious drinks, great food flavors (the burratta is a must) and service has improved for the most part from last time. There was a couple off paced moments but generally speaking was good. The restaurant was busy; one thing I still don't like is how close they seat you to others- you can hear everything everyone is talking about. Also went to celebrate my birthday (which was noted on the reservation) and they didn't do anything for it which was a bummer, not sure I'd go here to celebrate anything.

About an hour before we arrived on a Wednesday, we called as there were no openings on open table before 8pm. They told us they had 2 seats on the patio at an earlier time, so we booked it. When we arrived, 2 seats opened up at the bar so that is where we ended up. Service: Excellent. The host has to be one of the happiest people on this planet and our bartender, Josh, was attentive, helpful and had a great sense of humor. The other bartenders checked on us also, leaving me with a feeling of a cohesive team who respects their coworkers. Food: The Greek salad had tasty, sweet tomatoes, olives, cukes and other deliciousness with a light vinaigrette that made this a very yummy salad. The slab of feta on top was quite generous. The mushroom pizza was savory, thin crust and very well made with quality ingredients. Bar: Comfy, oversized seats with the bar top being backlit, highlighting gold specs which look like chopped basil leaves. It gave off a cool vibe. The double sided menus were printed on thick, translucent paper, which was challenging to read without the backing also showing through due to the underlighting. A glass of chard is $24, a generous pour. The beautifully presented craft cocktails are often served in a small martini or coup glass. Atmosphere: Fun, uniquely decorated with a matching music track, which was not overly loud. The people volume was a bit loud when the restaurant was completely full, however, you could still carry on a conversation without shouting. Parking was available in the lot 2 blocks away. Bar Issi has been open about 5 months, and a lot of the Thompson Hotel guests seemed to be hanging out here.

Super cute interior, fun vibe, new vibrant hotspot. Service was excellent, and our food came out fast. I had the cacio e Pepe and my husband had the agnolotti ravioli type pasta dish. Both were excellent. We would come back here again.

I chose this spot after reading Eater's article mentioning its inspiration from The White Lotus Season 2, and the decor definitely lived up to the hype. I was happy to snag a reservation while visiting Palm Springs. The hostess who seated us was warm and welcoming, which set a great tone for the evening. As soon as you walk in, you're greeted by stunning decor with rich reds, greens, and earthy tones throughout the space. For drinks, we ordered the Zingaro (mezcal) and Bloom & Bitter (gin). Both cocktails were beautifully crafted and refreshing. For food, we tried the Greek salad, puccia bread with a trio of butters (the pesto butter was my favorite), skirt steak, and shrimp linguine. Everything was delicious and served in generous portions. Breaking into the block of feta on top of the Greek salad was fun, and it mixed perfectly with the rest of the ingredients. You can really tell the dishes are made with fresh, quality ingredients. The only downside was the tight spacing between tables -- our booth was already on the smaller side, and it felt a bit cramped. Aside from that, we really enjoyed our experience and were glad we got the chance to dine here during our trip.

My friends and I have nothing but shear frustration for this spot. It is overpriced to the MAX (and this coming from someone who lives in LA and goes to NY and DC frequently) for the portions - burger? Eff off, no fries. Deviled eggs? Only three halves, we threw the last half out just to spite you. The staff? They'll get around to you when they feel like. The bussers? Let us add some noise because the speakers are turned to volume 5. Honestly the nicest things about this spot were the wallpaper and table lamps. The hostess was super sweet too!

Bar Issi is now one of our favorite spots in PSP. Nick was the first person to welcome us and set the tone -- genuinely one of the best. And Alexander (yes, Alexander... no, I still call him Alex) delivers flawless service every time - personable, friendly and attentive (he still calls me Steve) Weekday Happy Hour from 3-4:30 is hands-down the best in Palm Springs.

Absolutely stunning restaurant! This is definitely the place to be in Palm Springs right now, it is extremely popular. Rightfully so, the food was absolutely delicious! The pizza was phenomenal, as are there salads and appetizers. The cocktails are beautiful and tasty. Food was made to order quickly and beautifully presented. Service is impeccable and the vibe is phenomenal! They really put their all into this and it shows. I suggest a reservation, not much luck with walk-ins due to their popularity. Highly recommended if you are looking for a beautiful night out downtown Palm Springs!

I really enjoyed small delicious plates and an excellent craft cocktail in a beautiful room .. what is there to complain about ? Super good.. btw the pasta was delicious freshly made and was an excellent cacio e Pepe I forgot to take a picture. It was so good but trust me great

Just an update to a previous review. The food is amazing, the staff are friendly and a fun scene. Enjoy!

We made a reservation for Saturday brunch. Had great seating near the bar area with comfortable oversized chairs and booth. Our immediate greeting by a server assistant was quick and we ordered sparkling Saratoga water which was a great start to sitting down after a long hot walk. Our server was a very nice woman who was knowledgeable about all food and drinks and was quick to take our drink order. The food came Quickly. We had a lobster roll, breakfast pizza, Greek salads, and hamachi carpaccio. The drink order was slow and we didn't get our beverages until we were 10 minutes into eating our food. The drinks were ok. The breakfast pizza was delicious tasting with a bit more blackened bubbles crust than we would have wanted, but still very tasty. The Greek salad was what our friends described as better than in Greece. Amazing feta cheese topper the size of a large hand. . Overall, we really enjoyed it and would return for other things to try in the menu.

Love this place. Service was so attentive to our large group and nearly every dish was a hit. The poke, hamachi, and oysters were delicious. But the shrimp cocktail was amazing! They had the largest, juiciest shrimp that I have ever tried. Then we had roasted veggies, broccolini, pizza, shrimp pasta, branzino, and skirt steak. They were all really good but the standouts were the shrimp pasta, steak, and broccolini. We sat outside which was great for catching up, sipping our drinks, and sharing bites. Inside there was a DJ and cute decor. I can't wait to go back the next time I'm in PS.

The service was absolutely terrible. The three hostesses at the front were beyond rude, which is wild considering their literal job is to welcome guests. Not sure how you manage to give bad service as a hostess at a restaurant I'm paying to eat at We can't even comment on the food because we left immediately after being seated. Unfortunately, the bartenders were just as rude, and at that point it wasn't worth staying. Do yourself a favor and go to Porta Via on El Paseo instead. It's chic, upscale, and actually delivers the elevated dining experience and attentive service Bar Issi clearly cannot.

We had a large party and were sat outside. It was a great vibe. The staff was very patient and attentive. Food: Shrimp linguini- This was everyone's favorite! The shrimp was perfectly cooked. The sauce was so good people started sipping their bread in it. 5/5 Puccia bread with the trio of butters was great. A perfect starter. The 5/5 Shrimp cocktail- the shrimp was huge! And so delicious 5/5 Skirt steak- was so good we wanted to order another one! Perfectly cooked and seasoned 5/5 Branzino- ok. could have had more flavor 3/5 Pepperoni Pizza- was yummy. Nothing amazing 4/5 Fries- too salty! 3/5

Loved this place for dinner! The best dinner I had while here. The most flavorful dishes were these. I went based on others reviews. I couldn't decide so I got both dishes and so glad I did. I can't wait to eat the leftovers. I was skeptical because they had less than 4/5 stars but so glad I didn't base off that. The service was great. It was busy. Was able to get a seat even though I didn't have a res but I would recommend it. The steak was very tender and I usually go for filet because of that. The recs were on point. Highly recommend this place. The lavandia drink was good. The wine was a big pour. They have valet. Self parking is validated for first 2 hours across the street. Street parking is free. Located in the Thompson hotel.

Bar Issi is new to the downtown Palm Springs but already has a solid reputation. I recommend reservations as this place is pretty popular. The ambiance is very posh and makes a great date night. Our server was really kind and had great recommendations. We ordered the pepperoni pizza($24) and the radiatori($34)which was a rigatoni pasta with truffle fries($12). They truly were delicious and filling. For dessert we ordered the chocolate budino ($16) and the hazelnut with the chocolate was airy and phenomenal. The food was top notch and enjoyed the cocktails as well. Overall a great new spot in downtown Palm Springs. I recommend!

From the moment you walk into Bar Issi, you can tell how much thought and care went into the design -- the space is absolutely beautiful, stylish yet welcoming, and sets the perfect tone for a great evening. The staff is incredibly nice and helpful, especially when explaining the menu. They really make you feel taken care of. We started with the Tuna Tartare, which was fresh, flavorful, and a very generous portion -- absolutely delicious! The Margherita Pizza was just like the ones I've had in Italy: light, perfectly cooked, and full of authentic flavor. The Burrata was another standout -- the combination of the creamy cheese with tomatoes, basil, and aged balsamic came together beautifully. For entrées, we had the Branzino, which was cooked perfectly and full of delicate flavor, and the Ribeye, a 20oz masterpiece that was seasoned and grilled to perfection. The Broccolini was the perfect side -- I highly recommend pairing it with the ribeye. The Shrimp Linguini was also delicious, with tender shrimp and a rich, balanced sauce that wasn't fishy at all. To end the night, we shared the Tiramisu, which was outstanding -- one of the best I've ever had! For drinks, we tried La Fresa Rosa, which was light with a lovely strawberry flavor; The Zingaro, which had a refreshing, slightly spicy kick similar to a Moscow Mule; and a Cosmopolitan that was perfectly balanced and delicious. Overall, Bar Issi exceeded expectations in every way -- from the atmosphere and service to the food and drinks. I can't recommend it enough and will definitely be coming back!

We came on a busy Friday night and this place was in full effect! Decor, Vibe and music were on point. Service was friendly and fun, but slow. My drink was good but not worth $18 in my opinion. We started with the bread which is like a doughier naan that came with pesto, plain and chili butter. It was good but $14 a bit pricey. The burrata app was good. My spaghetti cacao & pepe was undercooked and very peppery. I didn't finish it. My husband got the flank cooked steak medium well, but I came medium rare. He sent it back and it came almost medium. A manager came by before we got our food to ask how things were going but never came back when we had real feedback. Instead, he had drinks at 2 tables down from us with staff. They were out of soft serve so we opted for sorbet. The chocolate is dang good. For $100 each we don't feel the need to return. We had high hopes to bring out of town friends here the next week but changed plans. Hope they get it together.

Calling all white lotus lovers, this is the restaurant for you. From the wall paper to the music, this place is screaming resort. Food was really good. All the breads and pastas are made fresh at the restaurant and you can taste the quality. The grilled octopus was a little overdone but still delicious. The service was top tier. They are a new restaurant and still figuring a few things out, but you can tell the staff is experienced and deliver high quality service. Parking is difficult, I would suggest ride sharing unless you don't mind a walk.

Food was amazing. Service was smooth. Beverages were great. My god the caviar gougier is amazing

Say hello to the new hotspot in Palm Springs. Bar Issi brings everything you could dream of to the dessert - class, ambiance, and delicious food. First and foremost, the place is gorgeous. It's filled with vibrant colors and amazing textures and patterns. It's very Palm Royale meets Palm Springs. Service is amazing. There is an employee at every corner just waiting to serve you and make your day. We went for a dinner with the girls and had wonderful service. The dinner and drinks were delicious. Getting the bread is a must, and it comes with a side of three types of insane butter. The tuna tartare was fresh and simply incredible. The pizza was perfect and had the best crunch. Big fans of the shoestring fries with truffle! The drinks were also a big hit - even the non-alcoholic ones. The only disappointing one was the martini and I assume it had to do with the olives/olive juice. Now, the true gem? The pistachio ice cream. That may be one of the best things I've ever tasted and I don't even care for dessert. Do not skip it!!! While getting reservations may be hard, it's absolutely worth doing so. We had an amazing night and cannot wait to be back!!!

Great bar, attentive bartenders, good bar bites, cool cocktails, and swanky wallpaper. We didn't sit at a table for dinner, but the bar was fantastic. Will be back.

Trendy popular vibe with good energy and food. The bread was to die for, I'd go back just for bread and drinks! Service was good, overall great experience.

What a beautiful place! Great service by bartender Nick. This is not a place for cheap eats- this is high quality food and a fab atmosphere. A salad, chicken dish, and a side of fries with 2 drinks cost $125 without tip but everything was so good. Lot of characters at the bar- great for people watching. Definitely will come back!

My friends and I are on a girls trip and came here for dinner on a Friday night. We did have a reservation and were seated right away. It's super cute inside- great vibes and decor. The staff were all very friendly, super attentive, and welcoming. The food was also very tasty! Parking was fairly easy for us we got a spot right out front. Definitely recommend you give this place a try! Food/drink review: Rose: (5/5) Super tasty! I could have easily had 2 or 3 glasses. Puccia bread and butter: (3/5) It comes with 3 butters. Regular salted butter, I think a pesto one, and sun-dried tomato. The sun-dried butter was the best. It was OK, very burnt. Shoestring fries; (5/5) These were bombbbb. Def recommend. You can get truffle on top for an extra $10, but these were perfectly fine without it. Broccolini; (5/5) Simple, but well seasoned and flavorful. Ribeye steak: (4/5) It was cooked well, but we had more than half fat on our plate, which was a bummer for the price we paid. Agnolotti: (2/5) It was OK. The lemon zest really threw off the flavor for the pasta. We definitely wouldn't order again especially for $32.

That bread !!! OMG that bread !!! Totally worth going for. Deliciously wood fired bread made with flour from Italy apparently. No words !! Obviously we had "the bread", shrimp pasta, squash blossoms, Calabrian pepperoni pizza, rosé, and pornstar martinis. Not a clunker in the bunch. Great food, service, ambiance, 10/10

With so many great options for dining in Palm Springs, we were very picky in deciding where to go. I picked this one mostly because of the grand decor. We arrived and they told us they were bought out for the night and the only seating was outside. They had misters to avoid the heat, but I was sad we weren't able to eat inside. Service and food were just okay. I wouldn't recommend the pizza, but the Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe was good (a little salty). Drinks were yummy, i'd recommend the Lavender drink. I asked for a side of parmesan with the pasta that we never got, and wanted to ask for ranch with the pizza which I never got the opportunity to :(

This is such a Palm Springs vibe! I love it and will be back! Note: last call for food is at 8:45, although they don't close until 10.

Great food, ambiance, music. Really good experience. Oh and Joel was a fantastic server. Super attentive. Not sure why so many are complaining about the service. I'd say it's one of the swankiest, grooviest, places in town. Definitely recommend to others. We'll be back for sure.

Great Service and Great Food as well! Service, we were greeted by a kind young man that seated us to our table. Very polite and on point. ...Food!!! Well The fried octupus is superb and definitely a favorite and will go back just for that. We also got the half chicken!!! Hear me out I know it sounds boring, but it really is perfectly cooked! Juicy and Seasoned well. Lastly the pistachio soft serve with chocolate was a dream!!! That was pure perfection. We will definitely go back!

Food was fabulous, ambience is incredible - classy and like a part of Europe. Service was very good on basics but the waiter acted like we were lucky to be there. No follow up and really felt like we were not needed there.

Downtown Palm Springs has a poppin new spot; enter Bar Issi. Not just a vibe (and it IS a vibe!), but a culinary dream topped off with service that was truly off the charts. Unable to make a reservation online, we arrived for a linner sort of situation and were graciously accommodated by the hostess. Our waiter was great. Totally on it, zero qualms. But the support staff (and I mean ALL of them, not just the particular people in our 'section') were the true stars. My husband and I watched one of the waitstaff ACROSS THE RESTAURANT watching the gentleman two tables down who was frowning at something on his water glass and the server immediately came over with a brand new glass to replace it before the gentleman could even mention it. Several other waitstaff were also exceptionally attentive to us, in between our waiter coming back to check on us frequently. And then food arrived !! And WOW. The pasta (cacio &pepe) was SO deliciously perfect it ALMOST made the wonderful pizza seem lackluster (my advice, enjoy a slice of pizza first and then dig into the pasta). Overly satisfied on both our experience and food, we still indulged in dessert - which we never do - and the $19 (yikes) soft serve fancy pistachio ice cream with raspberry sauce (also option for chocolate sauce) was an absolute dream - worth EVERY penny. We will be back, hands down.

Where do I start, the ambience it's incredible you feel transported to a different era as soon as you walk in, The hostess very helpful and polite they really have a sense of hospitality. The food was The Cherry on top, the cocktails were amazing, the Branzino and the octopus were the highlight of the night. Thank you guys.

Great spot right in the heart of downtown Palm Springs. We celebrated my husband's birthday with some cocktails after just having dinner at another spot. We had made reservations a week in advance, and I'm glad we did because it was packed inside! It's a beautiful bar/restaurant in the Thompson Hotel. There's a variety of seating options for different sized parties. We sat outdoors and to our surprise, it was very comfortable and not super hot. It was around 7pm so the sun was just setting, but they have misters which made it super enjoyable. The standout drink was the punch bowl - definitely fun to share! The team was so nice and friendly during our visit. I would totally go back for drinks and try some of their menu items!

Didn't have an entree here but we tried a couple small plates and while it was decent I do think that the pricing is a bit high for what the food is. Also the service could've been better, we went at the start of August so it could be they were still working out links but waiters seemed to go missing for long periods of time which was unhelpful. We also had to get two different forks because my first set was dirty. Might give them another try when I'm in the desert again.

We checked out Bar Issi, the new restaurant at The Thompson Hotel. We were super excited to try it since it came highly recommended, but unfortunately, we left very disappointed. We arrived about 15 minutes before our reservation and were directed to the bar. Both bartenders (one being Nick) were extremely nice and attentive (great first impression)! At 4:35 p.m., when our reservation time arrived, we were seated. However, no server approached our table. After waiting until 4:50, we finally waved down Nick, who kindly came over, apologized on behalf of the staff, and took our order himself. He truly went above and beyond, even serving us additional drinks. We noticed Nick speak to the manager, who then spoke to the server assigned to us. Yet, she never introduced herself, never apologized, and barely acknowledged us. (She had brown hair pulled back in a ponytail, but that's all we know.) When our food arrived, it was good, but the service remained unacceptable. The server came by briefly but still didn't apologize once. What bothered us most was the manager's (bald man) response, or rather, lack of one. Even after being made aware of the situation, he never approached us or offered an apology. Instead, he seemed more concerned about how the napkins looked on the tables. To make matters worse, we saw another party seated after us who received immediate and attentive service from the same server. Why were we treated differently? We are paying customers too!!! Because of this, our server (the woman with the brown ponytail) did not deserve a tip. Instead, we gave Nick over 30%!! He was the only one who showed genuine care and professionalism!!!! Unfortunately, we will not be returning, nor will we recommend this restaurant to family or friends. Management, do better!!!!! A great restaurant is defined not only by its food but also by its service and on that front, Bar Issi failed!!!

I was a little bit apprehensive to come here due to reading a couple poor reviews and I was pleasantly surprised. From the food to the service - everything was superb. We got the hamachi carpaccio and Greek salad to start, shrimp linguini and skirt steak for mains, and pistachio ice cream for dessert! Everything was delectable. We also had dirty martini, zingaro, lavandia and glass of podere san cristoforo baci. My sister initially ordered the dirty martini "filthy" and it was too dirty for her but they were happy to modify it when she asked. Will definitely be back!

I was super excited to try Bar Issi as we have so few good Italian. I'd heard it even looked like The White Lotus Italy:) When we walked in, there was a DJ playing 80's hits super loud. The hosts were very nice and sat us quickly. They were out of the pasta I wanted so we ordered a mushroom pizza and a tomato salad. The tomato salad was very literal with very few of the herbs it was described as having. Basically heirloom tomatoes you can get at Ralphs with some balsamic. Not bad, though. The mushroom pizza was perfection. The crust is also amazing . But the music is so in your face and you just can't think about anything else. And it's not even cool ambient hotel/restaurant vibes. It's Michael Jackson. So instead of a sophisticated restaurant, it basically a douchey nightclub. A total tourist trap. It's so sad. I don't think I'll ever go again because of this.

I don't understand the low reviews for this place. Most of them seem to be diner error. Anyways, we LOVED Bar Issi. Service was fantastic. Dylan and Milo were an incredible duo--attentive, warm, and made the experience so much fun. They made great recommendations. The decor was SO FUN. The velvet on the ceilings, bright pops of color, and a playful vibe made the whole place feel fun and lively. The food was outstanding. We started with the crispy octopus which was perfectly crispy and bursting with flavor, the special truffle linguini was rich but just right, the lamb was cooked to absolute perfection, and the pizzas were spot on. Already counting down the days until we go back!

This place is an absolute gem! My family and I went for the first time and are all SO excited to come back for the next seasonal specials. The decor is stunning, and the food was top tier. We got the octopus, lamb chops, pepperoni/Margherita pizza, and truffle pasta - all 1000/10. The staff ultimately made the experience perfect, everyone was so kind and service was great! Thank you to our servers Dylan and Milo!!

Questo non è vero cibo italiano, Olive Garden sarebbe un passo avanti! Zero stars if possible!! They didn't have traditional bread and the waitress didn't even know if they had olive oil or balsamic, my spouse pointed out their burrata has aged balsamic which seemed to be news to the waitress. Epic fail.... Moving forward the waitress talked about Italian food like she has personally lived in Italia & the pompous attitude matched the horrendously made food that Olive Garden quite frankly wouldn't even serve even to the raccoons outside. The Puccia bread was bland, I've been to Salento where puccia originates from and it was extremely doughy/ yeasty while overly burnt. The waitress tried arguing about it with me including the underdone pizza that Little Caesars wouldn't serve. As an Italian this was insulting and condescending to have the waitress who hasn't stepped foot into my homeland, who didn't even know if this "Italian restaurant," had olive oil & balsamic to stand on ten toes to say that "this is how the food is properly made," when this joke of a restaurant hasn't even been open for more than a month. Never again!

The space at Bar Issi really is gorgeous..Palm Springs vibes to a tee, very aesthetic, very Instagram-worthy. Unfortunately... that's about where the positives ended for us. We ordered the branzino, wood-fired vegetables, and lamb chops, and let's just say: the flavors gave absolutely nothing. Plates were left not even half eaten, and surprisingly, no one asked if something might have been wrong with the food. Service was painfully slow.. though it was hard to miss the staff socializing with each other while guests waited. Drinks? Subpar. Truly, I can think of half a dozen spots in the area that serve a better cocktail without the hype. If you go for the look and want a cute backdrop, you'll probably enjoy yourself. But if you actually care about the food and service experience, I'd absolutely skip this one. Gorgeous restaurant, yes. Worth the hype? Not even close.

*Highly recommend reservation We had a reservation for a Friday night. We were seated right away and ordered drinks. The Mai Tai comes in the cool Zebra glass. It was sweet and refreshing. We ordered pizza, it is very thin and crispy. We enjoyed it. The Cacio e Pepe was creamy and delicious. Hamachi Carpaccio was light and zesty. Fries were crispy, salty, and so satisfying. We had a wonderful time! The service was amazing. It was a really hot day and we each drank multiple waters with our cocktails, the staff was very efficient and helpful. Funky meets glam aesthetic. We chatted with others near us. It was a great experience!

Just had an amazing meal at Bar Issi! The food was superb, the service on point, and the atmosphere beautiful! The shrimp linguini was to die for. Will absolutely be back next time we visit Palm Springs!

Had a reservation for 10/10 at 7:45, was seated almost 30 minutes late. The hostess ushered our party to the side of the restaurant with the promise of comp'd drinks for the delay. Once sat, food and service were great. No complaints up until we dealt with the general manager when our waitress approached to inform him of the comp'd drinks promise. He gave us the wrong receipt, came back, and snatched it out of my hands in a very belittling and demeaning way. Truly was shocked at this behavior, was offered an apology and was informed it was a, "knee jerk" reaction. Damage has been done, regardless. Can't say we'd recommend or come back, though the food was good, and our waitress was phenomenal, however their management clearly has serious lack of professionalism.

I started with a Greek salad that was absolutely amazing. It had no lettuce, just all of the deliciousness of a Greek salad and a huge slice of feta cheese.... My husband had cold gazpacho soup which he has asked for the recipe, amazing! Then came to pizzas, one mushroom and one pepperoni. It was hard to tell which one was better than the other. They were both so delicious! The ambience of the place is extremely high-end, amazing wallpaper, chandeliers, and decor ... the food cost, for Palm Springs, California, was very reasonable. If you're looking for a fun, new restaurant with great food and ambience, you will talk about for weeks... Come to bar ISSI!