by Xochitl Peña
Music and food have always paired well together, and you can see that in the names of some of our favorite artists. Imagine a Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival poster that featured Cake, Bread, Cream, Jelly Roll, Fiona Apple, Bananarama, The Cranberries, The Black Eyed Peas, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Korn, and Meatloaf. That’d be a pretty tasty lineup.
This year, the festival returns to the Empire Polo Grounds in Indio for two back-to-back weekends, April 10-12 and April 17-19. Headliners include Sabrina Carpenter on Friday, Justin Bieber on Saturday, and Karol G closing things out on Sunday.
Sure, none of those headliners are exactly food-themed—unless Bieber sneaks in “Peaches”—but festival-goers with food on their minds will still be happy. That’s because the festival grounds are packed with enough food and drink options to satisfy just about every craving.
Here’s a closer look at all the places where you can eat, drink, and be merry at Coachella:
The Indio Central Market has become a mainstay at Coachella in the last decade and
it’s back to provide convenient food options, plenty of picnic table seating, and the oh-so-
valuable shade. It’s the perfect place to reset. You can even watch and hear the acts on The Outdoor Stage while you chow down. Here are some of the eateries and drinkeries that will call the Indio Central Market home.
Food trucks you’ll find include Fat Sal’s, featuring his massive sandwiches, and the food truck that started it all, Roy Choi’s Kogi.
The Street Food Alley vendors include the hand-scooped gelato of Innamorata, fan-favorite Spicy Pie, Gabino’s Creperie (a local favorite from Indio), fresh bowls from Unreal Poke, as well as Sumo Dog, Cena Vegan, and Café La Vecindad.
If you have a VIP ticket, there are some restaurant options that are just for you, and they are appropriately luxe. In the 12 Peaks VIP area, which is to the left of the main stage, is a premium dining zone. Inside you’ll find:
As you enter the grounds, you walk through the area they call the Terrace, which is lined with food options made for quick eating between sets. Many staples return with a few new spots mixed in like Churrería El Moro, making its Coachella debut with a pop-up near the Ferris wheel where attendees can watch churros being made fresh. Others include:
This long-standing, family-style meal returns to Coachella and is serving up much more than dinner. Set amid the picturesque Rose Garden, the Outstanding in the Field experience provides a delicious, laid-back escape from the festival buzz.
The evening begins with a welcome drink in hand as you stroll to your seat at a beautifully set, long and winding communal table. From there, you’re treated to a thoughtfully curated multi-course menu that’s as stunning as the surroundings.
There’s just one seating each night, and every dinner is crafted by a different chef, bringing a fresh, one-of-a-kind culinary perspective to the table. And there’s no need to think about what to drink, because each course is perfectly paired with wine.
Here is the chef lineup:
If you’re craving an elevated dining experience — literally and figuratively — then you’ll want to make reservations for Nobu’s omakase experience in the Red Bull Mirage.
The impressive, three-story, 20,000+ square-foot pyramid made its festival debut last year. It sits across the Quasar stage and is the perfect place to recharge between sets with some amazing sushi, or kick back with a great view of the action.
For those not familiar with omakase, it’s a multi-course meal featuring the finest seasonal sushi and appetizers.
Ready to indulge? Reservations are available through Dorsia.
Attendees with a plant-based diet have options out at the polo grounds like Gokoku and Maciel’s, both of which are making their festival debut. The Indio Central Market features vegan-friendly restaurants as well, including Maneatingplant, Forever Pie, and Cena Vegan. There’s also Café La Vecindad and Innamorata, all with plant-based menus at Street Food Alley. And Prince Street Pizza will have vegan slices this year.
Hydration is key at Coachella. There are a plethora of places to stop and get lemonade or refill your water bottle, and make sure to do that frequently, but if you’re looking for a beverage with a little more spirit to it, they’ve got you covered.
So there you have it: the tastes and smells of food, while you see and hear music. It’s a heightened experience for all your senses. Oh, and by the way, a quick sift through this year’s lineup revealed there are a few bands who fit the food theme, so make sure to check out Blood Orange, Creepy Nuts, and Dijon. Yum.
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.