Palm Springs has always understood escapism. Sun. Space. Style. But now, the desert has something new to brag about. With the opening of Navigator, Executive Chef Michael Hung introduces a flagship restaurant that feels both grounded and transportive—part desert oasis, part global surf journey. Located inside the Palm Springs Surf Club, Navigator redefines what elevated dining looks like in the Coachella Valley.
This isn’t a novelty restaurant attached to a wave pool. It’s a serious culinary destination with sweeping views of the San Jacinto Mountains, thoughtful design, and a menu that travels the world without losing its California soul. For anyone tracking the evolution of Palm Springs dining, Navigator Palm Springs restaurant is the headline you don’t ignore.
Who Is Chef Michael Hung—and Why This Opening Matters
Chef Michael Hung doesn’t arrive quietly.
His résumé runs through New York heavyweights like Daniel and Aquavit, San Francisco institutions including Jardiniere and La Folie, and Los Angeles standouts like Faith & Flower. In Palm Springs, he earned Michelin Guide recognition for The Colony Club at The Colony Palms.
Navigator represents a culmination. As Executive Chef of Navigator and Director of Food & Beverage for the Palm Springs Surf Club, Hung now has a full canvas—one that blends resort hospitality, global flavor, and a sense of play. This is not a side project. It’s a statement.
Inside Navigator: A Global Surf-Inspired Menu
The menu at Navigator Palm Springs restaurant reads like a passport stamped by the world’s great surf destinations—Portugal, Morocco, Mexico, Indonesia, Hawaii—filtered through a modern American lens.
Signature dishes include Olive & Herb Dinner Rolls with Tomato Jam (dangerously snackable), Crispy Wagyu Beef Cigars, and Hawaiian-style Garlic Shrimp that leans into bold, fun-loving flavor. Large-format mains—like a pan-roasted whole rainbow trout or a 20-ounce ribeye with bone marrow gremolata—are designed for sharing, lingering, and ordering one more bottle than planned (relatable).
Vegan dishes, thoughtful sides, and desserts like Crème Catalan Parfait and Valrhona Dark Chocolate Mousse round out a menu that never feels restrictive. It’s confident. It’s flavorful. And it understands that Palm Springs diners want indulgence without stiffness.
Drinks, Wine, and the Art of Balance
Navigator’s beverage program is led by Beverage Director Anthony Dougherty, with a wine list focused on California’s best producers—clean, intentional, and food-friendly. The cocktail menu is equally dialed-in: handcrafted, refreshing, and built for desert evenings that stretch long after sunset.
There’s also a robust tap beer program spotlighting local brewers, reinforcing the restaurant’s commitment to regional craft. Nothing here feels accidental.
Design That Tells a Story
Navigator’s interior doesn’t scream “theme.” It whispers heritage.
Inspired by South Pacific navigators—early surfers who read stars, currents, and wildlife—the space blends teakwood furniture, woven textile ceilings, and a hand-carved outrigger canoe anchoring the dining room. The result is warm, nautical, and quietly luxurious. It feels intimate without being insular. Elevated without being precious.
This is a room designed for conversation, celebration, and the occasional “we should order another dish” moment.
Leadership and Vision
Service at Navigator is led by restaurateur Cameron Hirigoyen, longtime owner of San Francisco’s beloved Piperade. Her presence brings polish, warmth, and deep hospitality instincts to the dining room—an essential counterbalance to the restaurant’s ambition.
The excitement around Hung’s arrival is echoed by the Surf Club’s leadership:
“WE ARE THRILLED TO WELCOME MICHAEL HUNG TO THE PALM SPRINGS SURF CLUB FAMILY,”
COLIN O’BYRNE
Managing Partner
“His creativity and expertise are an ideal match for Navigator and our overall vision at the Palm Springs Surf Club, which is to offer guests an elevated dining experience and amenities alongside the world’s premier surf pool.”
Why Navigator Fits the Moment
Palm Springs is evolving. Travelers want experiences, not just scenery. According to Visit Greater Palm Springs, culinary tourism continues to be a major driver for the region, with visitors seeking destination dining as much as relaxation: https://www.visitgreaterpalmsprings.com.
Navigator meets that demand head-on. It’s rooted in place, expansive in perspective, and confident enough to have fun with it.
Mini FAQ: Palm Springs Navigator
Q: When did Navigator open?
A: Navigator opened Friday, November 15, 2024.
Q: What are Navigator’s hours?
A: Dinner nightly 5:00–9:00 pm; Lunch Monday–Friday 11:00 am–3:00 pm; Weekend Brunch Saturday–Sunday 10:00 am–4:00 pm; Happy Hour weekdays 3:00–6:00 pm, weekends 4:00–6:00 pm.
Q: Where is Navigator located?
A: Inside the Palm Springs Surf Club at 1500 S. Gene Autry Trail, Palm Springs.
Palm Springs dining
Navigator isn’t just a new restaurant—it’s a recalibration of Palm Springs dining. With Chef Michael Hung at the helm, the restaurant delivers global flavor, desert elegance, and a sense of joy that feels refreshingly unforced. Whether you come for the food, the views, or the surf rolling by in the background, Navigator proves the desert still has new stories to tell—and they taste very good.
