Johnny Costa’s Marks 50 Years Of Italian Dining, And Sinatra History, In Palm Springs

PALM SPRINGS, CA — Johnny Costa's Ristorante will begin its 50th season in Palm Springs next month, marking a half-century of family ownership and a culinary legacy tied to crooner Frank Sinatra.

The landmark Italian restaurant reopens for dinner at 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4, following its annual summer closure.

To commemorate the 50-year milestone, the restaurant will host a Golden Anniversary celebration and ribbon-cutting ceremony alongside the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce and Mayor Naomi Soto at 3 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 10.

"Celebrating 50 years is incredibly meaningful to our family," said Chef Vince Costa, son of late founder Johnny Costa. "My father built Johnny Costa’s on his love of cooking, family and making every guest feel welcome. We’re proud to continue the traditions and recipes he created and especially grateful to the generations of guests who have supported our family over the years."

Johnny Costa established the restaurant after moving to California from New York in the 1960s. When he came to the desert he worked at Club Trinidad in Palm Springs, which was a celebrity hangout to The Rat Pack. He became well acquainted with Sinatra and eventually served as the entertainer's personal chef at his desert residence.

The seven-year anniversary of the beloved founder's passing takes place on this year's seasonal reopening of Johnny Costa's. Born in Naples, Italy, he was 87.

Today, the restaurant maintains its traditional, candlelit atmosphere and continues to serve Costa's original recipes, including cioppino, clams linguini, and meatballs.

Chef Vince Costa continues to run the kitchen alongside family members and longtime staff. The restaurant has been voted best Italian restaurant by Palm Springs Life readers for 16 consecutive years.

Johnny Costa's Ristorante is located at 440 S. Palm Canyon Drive. Dinner service begins nightly at 5 p.m., excluding Mondays.