Why Locals Love Kiki's Dining & Drinks
Nestled in the heart of La Quinta, Kiki's Dining & Drinks offers an enticing culinary journey rooted in contemporary Italian flavors with a vibrant California twist. This charming restaurant is a haven for pasta enthusiasts and lovers of fresh, thoughtfully crafted dishes, delivering an experience that resonates deeply with those who crave authentic, heartfelt Italian cuisine without leaving the desert.
Step inside Kiki's and you’re immediately embraced by an inviting atmosphere—warm yet lively, perfect for intimate dinners or casual gatherings alike. The attentive staff amplifies this connection, bringing a personal touch that makes every visit feel special. While some have noted room for improvement in menu clarity and initial greeting, the consistent praise for the food and service speaks volumes about Kiki’s genuine dedication to its guests.
The menu sparkles with standout dishes that ignite the senses. Start with the Tricolore Salad—a colorful medley of arugula, radicchio, and endive dressed in bright lemon and olive oil, crowned with shards of parmesan that create layers of flavor. For a heartier salad, the Kiki's Salad delivers a refreshing crunch from snap peas, grilled asparagus, and silky goat cheese, balanced by the earthy brightness of Salanova lettuce.
But where Kiki’s truly captivates is in their pasta selection. Jennifer Velez, a devoted Italian cuisine aficionado, calls out their Bucatini Cacio e Pepe as a dream come true—perfectly al dente pasta coated in a luscious blend of black pepper, parmesan, and pecorino that dances on the palate with comforting simplicity. For those desiring richer flavors, the Mezzi Rigatoni Bolognese layers tender beef and pork with fennel and tomato, offering a rustic, soul-warming embrace. Seafood lovers won’t want to miss the Linguini and Clams, which harmonizes garlic, white wine, and chili flakes, brightened by fresh parsley and shallots for a delicate, aromatic finish.
Complement your meal with Kiki’s thoughtfully crafted side sauces—each just the right sidekick to elevate your dish. From the smoky herb ranch to the daring Calabrian chili diavola, these add-ons reveal the kitchen’s attention to detail and respect for bold flavors.
Guests also rave about the drink program here. Their mixologist Jason impresses with housemade cocktail elements, turning classics into fragrant and refreshing sips, such as a lavender martini that perfectly balances floral notes with crispness. The drink menu might benefit from a font size update for easier readability, but the quality of libations remains undeniable.
Kiki's Dining & Drinks warmly invites food lovers and pasta devotees to savor dishes that feel handmade, heartfelt, and thoughtfully composed. Whether indulging in the savory depth of their meatballs bathed in roasted tomato sauce and herbed ricotta or sampling a generous pepperoni pizza with a deliciously sweet hot honey drizzle, every bite offers satisfaction and charm. This is a desert culinary gem delivering a slice of Italy with every plate—certain to awaken your appetite and stay in your memories long after the last bite.
Located at 46660 Washington St #8, Kiki’s is a must-visit for anyone seeking elevated, authentic Italian flavors paired with attentive service and a cozy ambiance in La Quinta. Don’t miss the magic that local diners like Joe Andrade and Tyler Rochwerg have enthusiastically discovered—your perfect Italian dinner awaits.
See the Space & Food
What Makes This Place Friendly
- Identifies as women-owned
- Outdoor seating
- Delivery
- On-site services
- Takeaway
- Dine-in
- Fast service
- Great beer selection
- Great cocktails
- Great dessert
- Great wine list
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
- Wheelchair-accessible car park
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Wheelchair-accessible seating
- Wheelchair-accessible toilet
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Coffee
- Comfort food
- Happy-hour drinks
- Healthy options
- Small plates
- Spirits
- Wine
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Catering
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
- Bar on site
- Toilet
- Casual
- Cosy
- Romantic
- Trendy
- Upmarket
- Family friendly
- Groups
- Tourists
- Dinner reservations recommended
- Accepts reservations
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
- High chairs
- Kids' menu
- Free of charge street parking
- Free parking lot
- Parking
Real Reviews from the Community
- Mar 6, 2026
We were greeted warmly by the hostess who sat us immediately. Server came by and offered us water, wished she could have greeted us and either asked or gave us a small intro to Kikis Menu since menu on website is almost completely different than what we got, plus she could have suggested drinks and/or appetizers to start. Staying on menus, they need to increase the size of font on the cocktail menu, you really need an eyeglass to see what was offered. We all decided on our drinks after a few minutes and the housemate foccacia ( which we all enjoyed specially the whipped cheese) Our entrees we selected: (1) Hanger Steak, Half Chicken Parma & Pepperoni Pizza. The Pizza came out just the way we expected nice and hot, cheese was gooey and enough pepperoni (great for only $ 25) Now the Steak while it tasted wonderful it was cold and pricey $ 43 so was the Chicken Parma $ 32, it seems they sat waiting for pizza to be ready. But everyone enjoyed the flavors of all 3 dishes. When Manager and it seemed like owners approached our table and asked about our dinner, we shared with them and they did say we should have said something about the cold plates, we just wanted for them to know it for future. We ordered Tiramisu for dessert and flavor was on point. Just wished they would not put it on a bowl, so we could appreciate the layering of the mascarpone, lady fingers etc. All flavors were great, even though items were cold, a few items were over priced, server was friendly but on my opinion needs to be trained to offered another round of drinks, offer dessert, offer after dinner drinks etc. and we asked for the check it took long to arrive. Also we arrived when around 8pm there was enough light to see it was open, but when we left the front area looked dark, maybe strip mall needs better lighting for future guest see that they are open.
- Mar 3, 2026
For years, I've chased the ghost of perfect Italian cuisine...from quick weekend trips to Italy for a bowl of cacio e pepe to hunting for that authentic New York Italian-American vibe in LA. Moving to the actual desert, I genuinely thought I’d have to retire my pasta cravings or start making all my favorites myself. Then, Kiki's in La Quinta happened. I have been craving bucatini for literal years, and if you know bucatini, you know it’s a tricky pasta to master. The thickness of the noodle makes achieving that perfect al dente bite a real challenge. Kiki's didn't just meet the challenge; they obliterated it. The dish was phenomenal, a culinary reunion I knew I needed. It's rare to have a craving that lasts five years, and even rarer to find a dish that makes that wait absolutely worthwhile. But Kiki's is so much more than just the pasta. They deliver on their promise of eccentric design and sincere hospitality. The service was impeccable, the vibes were elevated, and their dedication to "quality imported ingredients and locally sourced produce" is evident in every bite. It’s the perfect place for a delicious Italian classic paired with a craft cocktail. A Quick Note on Allergies: My only "feedback" is a heads-up for those with dietary restrictions: they currently offer very few, if any, gluten-free options. I made the mistake of bringing my gluten-allergic child, and the only suitable main dish was a magnificent, albeit $80, steak. LOL (Which, to be fair, was damn well worth it!). Bottom Line: If you are allergy-free and seeking exceptional Italian classics, incredible ambiance, and a genuine connection to that molto bene feeling, Kiki's is your destination. Knowing I don't need to break out the passport to indulge in one of my favorite Italian dishes makes my heart so happy. Go see what everyone is talking about!
- Jan 31, 2026
One of the best restaurant in Indian Wells. The food exceeded all expectations. The Caesar salad came garnished with visible anchovies. Everything you taste has the chef's magic touch including the anchovies. Delicious. The pasta is perfectly cooked. Jason, their mixologist, makes elements for their cocktails in-house for incredibly delicious drinks. Try the lavender martini! The management staff went above and beyond in many ways, at one point they brought out a balloon animal for a baby in our party. Customer service is top notch, they truly treat you like family.
- Jan 31, 2026
My mom and I tried Kiki’s for the first time tonight and really enjoyed the attentive service and delicious food. She had the chicken parmesan and enjoyed the half portion (it was plenty). I had the pepperoni pizza with hot honey. They gave so much pepperoni. It was delish. I wish the pizza was a bit more well done so I could pick it up, because it could really only be eaten with a fork and knife. For dessert we had the Juniors cheesecake which was delicious. The owner also came by everyone’s table to say hello, which was very appreciated.
- Jan 11, 2026
My good friend Stephen and I spontaneously decided to try this restaurant after work today and we couldn’t be more impressed. From the moment we walked through the door, we knew we were in for a treat. The hostess was very nice and showed us to our table. Our server (Xavier) greeted us right away. Water was promptly brought to the table and our server took our orders, made recommendations, and helped me decide on my cocktail for the evening. We opened with the burrata (served with amazing focaccia bread) and carpaccio, both were very good and very fresh. Good portion as well, generous especially for the burrata. We split a margarita pizza and an order of crispy potatoes. Both were solid and between the things we ordered, we were both full and didn’t have room for dessert. I did have a delicious cocktail, the Sicilian Necktie. The service was amazing, they were all on top of it, very attentive and friendly. The atmosphere was great, very lively and a pretty crowded restaurant. There was a nice view of the mountains and an exterior water fountain as well. We also met the manager named Luca and he was a class act. We will absolutely be returning and will be recommending many people to try Kiki’s, job well done!
- Jan 8, 2026
Old fashioned was outstanding. Specifically ordered a very dirty gin martini and it was as clear as water (okay for some but not what was ordered). For starters: arancini and meatballs were both excellent. For main dishes (pictured): rigatoni was al dente and great flavor; chicken parmesan was good but drowned in thin sauce. Not pictured - the linguini with clams dish was so salty it was inedible. Dessert menu was a couple of scoops of gelato and sorbet and not much else. Service: Our waiter was okay (much more interested in dancing for the hostess team up front; otherwise at times was somewhat attentive to us. Another server/runner who helped to serve us - didn’t appreciate him running his hands through his hair multiple times and then immediately serving us). After being seated and starters/apps were served with no silverware and our waiter nowhere in sight, we asked a hostess for assistance…her response: “Like, what do you want? Forks? Like…knives? What do you want?” Meh.
- Dec 16, 2025
Kiki’s was fantastic! Not exaggerating. Beautiful decor and even better food! Would definitely go back anytime. We split 2 items, a massive Cesar salad that was excellent, and then a huge Chicken Cacciatore that was plenty of food for both of us. Reasonably priced too. Our friend had clams and linguine that had a ton of Manila clams. Looked great! Our server, Audrey, was also very fun and super nice, great sense of humor. If I could give this experience 6 stars, I would.
- Dec 5, 2025
We went with a large group of 6 and wanted to taste as much as possible. Nothing disappointed. Everything was delicious and filled us up! From the focaccia, steak, chicken parm, cacio e Pepe, pizza, bucatini and meatballs, to the sides, and ending with dessert- our favorite specifically the strawberry rhubarb tart it was all a delicious meal and experience. Huge shout out to Matt and the whole team we encountered they were all wonderful! Don’t forget to order the cheesecake too. I don’t think you can go wrong ordering anything there and that’s hard to say about any restaurant!