What Do People Actually Eat At Coachella?

The Coachella Arts and Music Festival will be here before you know it, with plenty of timeless moments to experience in sunny California, but do you know what people actually eat at Coachella? This year's festival headliner performers include Bad Bunny, Frank Ocean, and K-Pop group BLACKPINK over the two festival weekends in April. Nothing complements a culturally enriching experience with some of the world's top artists the way great food does. The popular west coast festival seeks to impress attendees with a variety of options to enjoy, including exclusive communal dining options from renowned event planners, an exclusive sushi speakeasy, and an on-site food hall to indulge in during the event. Over 750,000 people attended the festival over multiple days in 2022, according to LAist. 

Some options require earlier ticket purchases depending on the experience guests seek at Coachella so plan accordingly. Let's take a look at the various food options that will available this year.

Those who plan ahead can enjoy an exclusive four-course meal at the Coachella VIP Rose Garden. Dinner comes complete with family-style options featuring top chefs and is organized by Outstanding In The Field, an outdoor dining event series that aims to bring diners outdoors. Exclusive meals will be held during the two festival weekends and offer a private retreat from heavy crowds. Outstanding In The Field was founded by Jim Denevan in 1999 and aims to "connect diners to the origin of food while celebrating hands that feed us."

Notable cooks this year at Coachella include Zarah Khan of Rustic Canyon Restaurant in Santa Monica, Tolu Erogbogbo of ILÉ in Hollywood, and Javier Plascencia, the ambassador of Baja California, México. Chef Jared Simons of the upcoming Argento and popular Nic's On Beverly will also host a meal, as will other chefs and restaurateurs. The max number of attendees per meal at Outstanding In The Field is 200 and space is limited to create a more intimate experience. Tickets are $350 per person to attend.

If sushi is more your style, Chef Phillip Frankland Lee's Sushi Speakeasy is hosting a 16-course Omakase and Sake pairing for visitors to enjoy. Sushi By Scratch boasts locations in major cities including Chicago, Miami, Austin, and Los Angeles, and was named in the Montecito Michelin Guide for 2021 and 2022. Seating times will be held at 3:30 p.m., 6 p.m., and 8:30 p.m. and dining will last up to two hours. Omakase experience tickets will cost $375 plus tax. All guests must be 21 years or older to dine.  

For those of us who tend to plan a little bit more last minute or want to live in the moment, there are plenty of casual food options to enjoy at Coachella, including the return of an annual food hall beloved by festival attendees. The Indio Central Market is a shaded food hall that will offer over a dozen options including a variety of cuisines at Coachella and offer a respite from the sun to recharge. The selection of food options at Indio Central Market will be revealed closer to Coachella's opening date and is sure to impress. Last year's options at Indio Central Market were eclectic and included vegan choices, dim sum, arepas, poke, a coffee bar, plant-based bowls, and more. 

Regardless of which choice you decide to eat, there will certainly be plenty of items to enjoy at Coachella so come hungry.