Like Coachella headliner Lady Gaga once wearing a meat dress, few places fuse music and food quite like the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. You can eat vegan before rocking out to Green Day or check out a Postmates pizza pop-up before seeing Post Malone — the options are as eclectic and varied as the lineup.

The iconic festival returns for two weekends April 11-13 and April 18-20 with Lady Gaga, Green Day, and Post Malone as headliners. But beyond music, there are more than 75 highly curated food joints and bars sprinkled throughout the festival grounds to let your taste buds have some fun as well. 

You’re out there for three full days of dancing, singing, and soaking up the sun — so staying fueled is key. From refreshing drinks that cool you down to savory bites, here’s where to recharge between sets. 


INDIO CENTRAL MARKET

A person holds a gourmet hot dog in front of the Indio Central Market sign at Coachella festival.

This is the primary food spot at Coachella. It has more than a dozen places to grab some grub, some you’ve probably heard of, some you haven’t.  Picnic tables and the coveted shade that can make or break a day in the sun are also prevalent.

Some popular places that have become well-known include chains like Dave’s Hot Chicken, Sumo Dog, and McConnell’s Ice Cream in the mix, but here a few that deserve some attention as well.

  • Kogi Tacos Por Vida: This is the spot for Korean barbecue and life-altering tacos.
  • Irv’s Burgers: Like your burgers big and sloppy? This West Coast burger joint is for you.
  • Prince Street Pizza: Detroit style thick, up-turned pepperonis with a drizzle of honey. You’re welcome.
  • Farmhouse Thai Kitchen: Let’s talk Thai. This Thai is tasty.
  • Forever Pie: An L.A.-based vegan pizza joint.
  • All’antico Vinaio: The place for big-old two-handed Italian sandwiches
  • Sandoitchi: A unique Japanese stacked sandwich. Try it.
  • MANEATINGPLANT: Asian comfort food is the order of the day.
  • Sweetfin: Premium California poke bowls.
  • Happy Ice: Colorful gelati and sweet bean ice cream — it’s yummy and dairy-free.


AROUND THE GROUNDS

Food and drinks at the Coachella festival.In every direction, you’ll see a happy music lover, but if you look past them you’ll also see a food booth or pop-up restaurant where they just grabbed something tasty to eat. Here's a quick breakdown:

  • Terrace North: Chipapas (burritos and fries), New Street Quality Grilled Cheese, Slider Kings
  • Terrace South: Burger She Wrote, Chick Next Door (fried chicken), Five03 Pupusas, Ghostix (Korean corn dogs), Good Boy Matcha by Monty’s, Lovebite Dumplings, The Boiling Crab, TKB (local sandwich shop)
  • Terrace West: Cheeky’s (local lunch spot with fresh fruit), Shlap Muan Wings
  • Coachella Courtyard: Fat Sals (sandwiches), Nash & Proper (hot chicken), Oh My Burger, Sunny Blue (omusubi), Tacos 1986, Truffle Boys
  • Sonora Food: All Dat Noodle, Birrieria Michi, Cena Vegan, College Boy Cheesesteaks, Fat Dragon, Gerard’s Paella, Gus’s Fried Chicken, Island Noodles, Oakberry Acai, Sandfish (sushi)
  • Something new: One new high-end option in the 12 Peaks VIP area is “Le Burger” by Camphor. The Michelin-starred team offers a playful treat including a “high-low” pairing of chicken nuggets and caviar.


OUTSTANDING IN THE FIELD

People seated at a long and winding outdoor table.One of the staples of the Coachella festival food scene is back, and that’s the famous "Outstanding in the Field" meal. Returning for its 10th year, this four-course communal dining extravaganza is served outdoors at a super-long connected table. There's a meal each of the six days of the festival, with six different chefs doing the honors. 

These six culinary marvels will lead the cooking at 6 p.m. each day:

  • Friday, April 11: Silvia Barban – Born and raised in Northern Italy, you can guess that Barban specializes in high-end Italian food, like the kind this “Top Chef” contestant serves at her two restaurants in New York: LaRina Pastificio e Vino and Briscola Trattoria.
  • Saturday, April 12: Diego Argoti – He is a Los Angeles–based chef and former punk rocker described as having a renegade style with his roving pops-up around L.A., including a popular pasta-based pop-up called Estrano.
  • Sunday, April 13: Tara Monsod – She is the executive chef of ANIMAE and Le Coq in San Diego, and her cuisine is shaped by her Filipino heritage. Two of her famous dishes are Tuna Kinilaw and Kare Kare Short Ribs.
  • Friday, Apil 18: Eric Greenspan – You’ve probably seen him on your TV on your favorite cooking show as a contestant or judge. He wrote the book, literally, on grilled cheese and specializes in comfort food. But don’t let that fool you: He trained at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, so he’s a serious chef, too.
  • Saturday, April 19: Byron Lazaroff-Puck – He’s from L.A. and got a familiar last name as the son of famous chef Wolfgang Puck, but Byron has struck out on his own in the culinary world, as well, including working the front of house at Spago.
  • Sunday, April 20: Danielle and Alessandro Secca – Does the notion of “Mexitalian” food interest you? That’s what you’ll get from this duo as Chef Danielle merges her Mexican heritage with her husband’s Italian roots.

Tickets for Outstanding in the Field are $350 and include a welcome cocktail, wine, and all-day access to the VIP Rose Garden.


DRINKS!

A variety of food and drink displayed at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.

Hydration is key at Coachella, but you can only drink so much water. If an adult beverage is something you might be interested in, here are some options:

  • The Beer Barn: When a domestic beer just won’t do, head to the Beer Barn for an expansive selection of craft beer options from IPAs to sours, kombucha to lagers, and everything in between.
  • Absolut: Absolut is the festival's official vodka, and their signature drink for the weekend is the Absolut Cosmo.
  • Aperol Spritz: Grab one from their retro truck in the VIP Rose Garden.
  • Block Party: Trendy cocktails located in the Indio Central Market this year.
  • The Cabin: The Cabin is dropped onto the grounds near the Beer Barn but makes you feel like you're in the woods somewhere in Big Bear. They are serving up some craft cocktails and some often much-needed shade.
  • Clink Wine Bar: In the VIP Rose Garden, it’s an L.A.-based organic wine operation with unique tastes and options.
  • Código 1530 Margarita Bar: The official tequila of Coachella, you’ll find these tasty offerings throughout the grounds.
  • Craft on Draft: A cocktail initiative with a commitment to fresh ingredients.
  • Dark Horse Wine and Frosé Bar: Cool down with these canned drinks. Frosé is short for frozen rosé, so you get the idea
  • Electrolit HQ: Help with your hydration. It’s necessary.
  • Everbloom Coffee: The Indio-based coffee spot will be easy to find at the Indio Central Market.
  • Golden Hour: Shhhh! This secret cocktail hideaway has strong drinks and golden vibes. But can you find it?
  • #JUICEBAE: At the Indio Central Market they serve up aguas frescas, smoothies, wellness shots, etc.
  • International Delight Cold Foam House: Be your own barista.
  • Lil Boba-Cita: Back again! Ice cream macaroons and emoji mochi donuts as well as, of course, boba tea. Find them in camping or at Mojave Food.
  • Menotti’s Coffee: Back for another year as a cozy coffee option.
  • Mixteca: New this year. Another secret bar/agave oasis. Find them and you can enjoy their curated selection of spirits.
  • The New Bar: For those who prefer their drinks sans alcohol. This full bar is stocked with a curated selection of non-alcoholic festival-inspired cocktails, wine, and beer.


With so many bites and sips to choose from, I think we can safely say that Lady Gaga can leave her meat dress at home (for now). 

Hungry for more? The flavors don’t stop at the festival gates. From award-winning restaurants to sun-soaked patios, Greater Palm Springs serves up something delicious for every craving. Check out more culinary hot spots HERE.