List updated 2.8.2021
I've lived in Joshua Tree since 2012 and have seen the area evolve and grow. Living here vs. visiting here only once makes a BIG difference in knowing what places are consistently good and even knowing the people who run these businesses.
Here is my list of high desert places I recommend:
TIP: Have a short amount of time to visit? Businesses marked with a ★ are the ones you can't miss if you are on a tight time schedule.
★Natural Sisters Cafe
61695B Twentynine Palms Highway, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
vegan and vegetarian options, indoor/outdoor seating
★Boo's Organic Oven
61675 Twentynine Palms Highway #3, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
usually has vegan options
Crossroads Cafe
61715 Twentynine Palms Highway, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
vegan and vegetarian options, will get packed at busy season, may have to wait
Royal Siam
61599 Twentynine Palms Highway, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
has had vegan options in the past if you ask for no fish oil to be used, vegetarian options available
Frontier Cafe
55844 Twentynine Palms Highway, Yucca Valley, CA 92284
vegan and vegetarian options
La Copine
848 Old Woman Springs Rd, Yucca Valley, CA 92284
usually has vegan and vegetarian options but check menu first, super good, make reservations if you plan on going
★The Station
61943 Twentynine Palms Highway, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
Mincing Mockingbird
61675 Twentynine Palms Highway Unit 2, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
★Black Luck Vintage
7350 Acoma Trail, Yucca Valley, CA 92284
Funky and Darn Near New / Desert Omen
55812 Twentynine Palms Highway, Yucca Valley, CA 92284
The End
55872 Twentynine Palms Highway, Yucca Valley, CA 92284
Acme 5
55870 Twentynine Palms Highway, Yucca Valley, CA 92284
Joshua Tree National Park - Oasis Visitors Center
74485 National Park Dr, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277
Big Josh at The Station
61943 Twentynine Palms Highway, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
★Pappy and Harriets
53688 Pioneertown Rd, Pioneertown, CA 92268
Mane Street
Mane St, Pioneertown, CA 92268 (behind Pappy and Harriets)
★Joshua Tree Coffee Company
61738 Twentynine Palms Highway, Joshua Tree, CA 92252
Frontier Cafe
55844 Twentynine Palms Highway, Yucca Valley, CA 92284
NOTE: Just because a business or location not on theis list, it doesn't necessarily mean it's necessarily mean you shouldn't check it out. There are some places I've purposely haven't visited yet, because I still want to have "new to me" places to go to since I reside here the whole year.