A Foodie’s Guide To Coachella

By Ellie Smith

6 months ago

What to eat and drink at California's desert festival


Coachella season is almost upon us, which means your social feeds are about to start filling up with sun-dappled snaps against the backdrop of the famous ferris wheel. The internationally-renowned festival returns to Indio’s Empire Polo Club in the Coachella Valley (near Palm Springs), from 12–21 April 2024. Headliners this year include Lana Del Rey, Doja Cat and Tyler, the Creator – but equally as impressive is the foodie line-up. A string of Los Angeles’ best restaurants and chefs will be in residence, serving festival-goers everything from pizza to tacos to ice cream. Here’s a guide to dining at Coachella 2024.

Coachella Food Guide 2024: What To Eat At The Festival

Coachella’s food line-up includes an eclectic range of restaurants from across America, with food trucks dotted around the festival. 

Some key areas include:

The Indio Central Market

If you’re looking for a bite to eat with some shade, head to the Indio Central Market, Coachella’s food hall which has popped up every year since 2018. Highlights here include Prince Street Pizza, the cult pizza hotspot known for its New York and Sicilian-style slices – try the Spicy Spring, drizzled in hot honey. There’s also Victor Delgado and Jorge ‘Joy’ Alvarez-Tostado’s legendary taco truck Tacos 1986, and Happy Ice, renowned for its colourful sorbet-ice cream hybrid creations. Plus, be sure to try Kasem Saengsawang’s fried chicken-topped noodles, and Roy Choi’s Korean BBQ fries from his Kogi truck.

Other spots here include:

  • Battambong BBQ
  • Cena Vegan
  • Farmhouse Thai Kitchen
  • Burger She Wrote
  • MANEATINGPLANT
  • Ramen Hood
  • Sumo Dog
  • Sweetfin
  • Mcconnell’s
  • Sunny Blue
  • Everybloom Coffee
  • #JUICEBAE

 

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12 Peaks VIP

Holder of a VIP ticket? Lucky you: the 12 Peaks VIP section has even more foodie treats to explore. Enjoy seasonal small plates from Ronan, sushi from Valley Fusion, smoothie bowls from Backyard Bowls, fried chicken from Chick Next Door, poke from Sweetfin and much more. Plus, Postmates is debuting its Sauce Bar, where you can grab a burger and load it up with sauces from restaurants around LA.

Outstanding In The Field

This special pop-up dining experience is set in the VIP Rose Garden, offering a series of seated, communal dinners hosted by top chefs. These include: 

  • 12 April: Javier Plascencia, who runs prestigious restaurants including Jazamango, Finca Altozano and Animalón
  • 13 April: Melbourne chef Jo Barrett
  • 13 April: Esteemed seafood chef Josh Niland
  • 14 April: BBQ master Burt Bakman
  • 19 April: Gabe Kennedy, founder of natural health company Plant People
  • 21 April: Venezuelan-born chef Karla Subero Pittol

Drinks

There will be plenty of bars to choose from, too. Head to the Beer Barn for craft beers and hard kombuchas; Block Party and Craft on Draft for cocktails; Everbloom or Menotti’s for coffee; and #JUICEBAE for juices. Lil Bobacita will also be serving its freshly brewed bubble teas, alongside Milkshake Wasted, known for its decadent shakes. Also sure to be a highlight is The Cabin, a cosy mountain-esque hideaway for cocktails hosted by The Houston Brothers.

Teetotal? Fear not: The New Bar will be serving up tasty non-alcoholic tipples throughout the festival.

Find out more at coachella.com