La Copine
New American restaurant · Homestead Valley ·
New American cuisine in a minimalist desert oasis
New American cuisine in a minimalist desert oasis
"Widely regarded as the area’s best restaurant, this seasonal spot turns out fresh salads and colorful, creative dishes—think pork belly with papaya—and operates first-come, first-served, so arrive early for a table or be ready to hang out." - Lydia Mansel Lydia Mansel Lydia Mansel is a writer with more than eight years of experience editing and writing for both brands and online publications—with a particular focus on travel, fashion, and lifestyle. She’s also the founder of the travel site justpacked.com. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"La Copine in Yucca Valley is a must for exquisite, upscale California cuisine with seasonal menus — right now I'm enjoying their mushroom toast, shrimp roll, and gem wedge salad." - Kaila Yu
"I see La Copine as a bright, new-ish dining spot in sleepy Flamingo Heights — a High Desert brunch specialist that draws lines despite its far-flung location, part of the growing allure of the Yucca Valley/high desert area." - Eater Staff
"Even by Joshua Tree standards, La Copine is in the middle of nowhere. That said, this daytime cafe (open 11am-4pm) serves the best food in the High Desert and is worth the extra drive to Flamingo Heights. The fantastic, always-rotating menu is on the smaller side, but with options like shrimp rolls, steak sandos, and duck confit, it covers a lot of ground and is more upscale than most places you'll find around Joshua Tree. The bright, open space is the ideal hangout spot after you’ve immersed yourself in The Integratron sound bath nearby." - brant cox
"Minimalist desert style meets thoughtful and creative dishes at this stylish fine dining hot spot. La Copine hits all the right notes with its sun-bathed interior and seasonal dishes. The rotating menu includes an eclectic array of cuisines, which may feature items like rillettes de canard, beets and burrata, creamy grits, and warm beignets. Only open Thursday through Sunday, La Copine is very popular and only offers a handful of reservations booked via text message — but it’s worth waiting for a table. (Note: La Copine is closed for the first two weeks of January.)" - Matthew Kang