Retail Therapy + Italian Energy = Birba Bliss
- Ersilia Pompilio
- Jul 23
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 10
A Palm Springs Guide for Bachelorettes and Babes Who Leisure: Birba at Desert Hills Premium Outlets
By Ersilia Pompilio
Let’s set the scene: You and your besties are cruising into the Coachella Valley, playlists bumping, sunnies on, and the group chat is lit. Your mission? Slay the outlet racks at Desert Hills Premium Outlets before hitting Palm Springs proper. But we all know the truth—shopping isn’t just retail therapy… it’s cardio.
With deep designer discounts from Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, Saint Laurent (and literally every other fashion house you’ve ever thirsted over), the Desert Hills Premium Outlets are that girl. We’re talking 30–50% off retail. That’s not a sale—that’s a spiritual awakening.
But let’s get real for a sec: digging for fashion gold takes fuel. Enter your new pre-or-post haul hideout: Birba Ristorante + Bar + Mercato, aka your Italian daydream come to life right inside the outlets.
Birba: Where Fashion Meets Al Fresco Aperitivos
First things first—Birba (which means “rascal” in Italian) is serving more than just food. This new location at Desert Hills Premium Outlets is a vibe. It’s giving: Tuscan villa meets desert modernism, with chill patio energy, swaying palms, and panoramic views of the San Jacinto Mountains that scream “let’s take a selfie right now.”
This isn’t just a quick bite spot, it’s the first full-service restaurant to hit the outlets—and honestly, we’re obsessed. Whether you’re in stilettos or sneaks, Birba’s indoor-outdoor setup makes it the place to catch your breath, hydrate (with a spritz, obviously), and relive your shopping wins.
SQUAD-Approved Eats & Sips
Let’s talk food. Because Birba didn’t come to play—it came to slay. We rolled up during Aperitivo Hour (pro tip: you should too) and went full send on the small plates.
SQUAD FAVORITE: Nonna’s Spicy Meatballs
These meatballs are giving “Italian grandma, but make it gourmet.” Made with Berkshire pork + grass-fed beef, they arrive on a bed of creamy polenta that will have you saying "ciao, calorie count."
Oh, and the moment? The little spice rack situation that comes with it—yes, they bring out mini containers of Parm, spicy peppers, and Italian seasonings so you can DIY your flavor mood. We love a choose-your-own-adventure meal.
To wash it all down? A classic Aperol Spritz, because we’re classy like that. Sipping bubbly bittersweet orange goodness while surrounded by bags full of discounted Prada? It’s giving Amalfi Coast on a budget.
A Bachelorette’s Dream Stop
Birba is built for bachelorette energy. It's flirty, fashionable, and the kind of place where someone always ends up ordering "just one more round" because the vibes are immaculate.
You’re literally steps away from Versace and Valentino, so it’s the perfect pit stop to regroup, refresh, and maybe plot out that second sweep of the outlets (you know you missed something at Off-White).
And if you’re staying in Palm Springs? No stress—Birba is just a quick Uber or a 15-minute joyride away. Honestly, it’s the ideal pre-game or post-shop lounge stop.
Final Word from the SQUAD
Birba at Desert Hills Premium Outlets is your new not-so-secret weapon for turning a shopping spree into a full-blown Italian getaway fantasy. It's cute, it's chaotic (in the best way), and it hits every note: food, fashion, and fun.
So next time you're desert-bound with your girl gang, remember: You can ball out on Balenciaga and still catch a buzz over burrata at Birba.
It’s leisure, but make it luxe.
Birba Ristorante + Bar + Mercato Located inside Desert Hills Premium Outlets
Aperitivo Hour = happiness
About the Author
Ersilia Pompilio is the Editor in Chief of SQUAD Magazine, a Palm Springs guide for bachelorettes and ladies who love to leisure. With over two decades of experience in performing, producing live storytelling shows, and hosting a podcast, she has also taught storytelling classes and written professionally for several media outlets. Originally from Los Angeles, Ersilia is also a twenty-year resident of Palm Springs, California.
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