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Walk-through art exhibit at Coachella in 2024. | Pooneh Ghana The annual event that forever altered festival dining returns in April with outstanding drinking and eating options in the desert The unofficial launch of music festival season is almost upon us as the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival gears up to start its consecutive weekends of music in the desert on Friday, April 11. As expected, the artist lineup is top-tier with headliners Lady Gaga, Megan Thee Stallion, Post Malone, Charli XCX, Travis Scott, and Green Day performing at Indio’s vast Empire Polo Club grounds.
Alongside the artist line-up, this year’s festival is set to feature dishes from some of LA’s best restaurants. While music festival food used to be mostly hot dogs, fries, and pizzas, the group that produces Coachella, Goldenvoice, has led the shift in festival dining culture to what it is now. Industry veteran Adrian Garcia is charged with curating the festival’s culinary experience, which now includes popular food trucks, VIP sit-down dinners, shade-covered food halls, and known chefs inventing desert-friendly collaborations.
This strategic move has proven popular and expected by attendees. Plenty is happening for Coachella’s 2025 food lineup, so it’s time to dig in. If hanging out in and around the Coachella Valley, here are guides for brunching, drinking, and dining in the desert.
Goldenvoice 12 Peaks VIP section at Coachella. Coffee, cocktails, and moreHydrating and the occasional caffeine boost are key while standing in the sun all day, waiting to catch artists. This year, there are plenty of alcoholic and non-alcoholic options, including natural wine, beer, cold brew, cocktails, and more.
The Craft Beer Barn returns with every type of IPA, lager, and sour imaginable.The Houston Brothers will bring back the Cabin, a mountain-themed pit stop with craft cocktails on tap. It’s located near the Beer Barn.
LA-based natural wine club Clink Wine Club will serve in the Rose Garden VIP.Venice’s the New Bar will prepare nonalcoholic cocktails in general admission areas, 12 Peaks VIP, and the Terrace location.Indio’s own Everbloom Coffee will set up at Indio Central MarketMenotti’s Coffee will pull espresso shots and pour cold brew at 12 Peaks VIP.
Indio Central MarketThe Indio Central Market food hall offers a large shade structure to escape the sun and a lineup of fifteen restaurants. It’s located near the Outdoor Theater.Chef Roy Choi’s team will be on-site with Kogi and Tacos Por Vida.
Irv’s BurgersForever Pie will prepare its plant-based pizzas.All’Antico Vinaio, the legendary sandwich shop from Florence, Italy. Happy IceFarmhouse Thai Kitchen.
Juicebae.12 Peaks VIP The Arts District’s Michelin-starred Camphor will return to the festival with a new approach called Le Burger by Camphor. They’ll prepare a classic burger with pomme frites and a sparkling lime beverage.
They’ll also provide a caviar box with chips or nuggets served with creme fraîche and chives.Afters Ice CreamBirrieria San MarcosRonanTacos 1986The Coachella CourtyardFat Sal’sOmusubi shop Sunny BlueRose Garden VIPSmash burgers from Love HourWoodfire Wings KazunoriTerrace NorthMonty’s Good Burger, along with Monty’s Treats, Good Boy Matcha By Monty’s, and Monty’s Dog House. Terrace SouthThe Boiling CrabBurger She Wrote will serve its wagyu smash burger.
Lovebite DumplingsGhostix’s Korean street-style hot dogsFive03 PupusasTerrace WestPalm Springs’ longtime breakfast and lunch spot Cheeky’sShlap Muan WingsOutstanding in the FieldCoachella’s pop-up dinner series in the desert began 10 years ago and has since expanded to host events around the world. Throughout both festival weekends, Outstanding in the Field will welcome 200 guests seated at a long table to its outdoor dinners. A select group of renowned rotating chefs will prepare a multi-course menu showcasing produce from the Coachella Valley.
The schedule is below, and tickets are $350 per person:Friday, April 11 — Silvia Barban, New York City’s LaRina, Briscola Saturday, April 12 — Diego Argoti, former chef at LA’s PoltergeistSunday, April 13 — Tara Monsod, San Diego’s Le CoqFriday, April 18 — Eric Greenspan, the New School in Los AngelesSaturday, April 19 — Bryon Lazaroff-Puck, Los AngelesSunday, April 20 — Danielle & Alessandro Zeccam, Amiga Amore Goldenvoice A bowl of Bang Bang Noodles. Below is an almost complete list of participating restaurants and vendors at Coachella 2025:Le Burger By Camphor Alfalfa My LaiTacos 1986RonanBang Bang Noodles Chubby Club Sumo Dog Oakberry Açaí Dave’s Hot Chicken (Truck) ManeatingplantFat Sal’s The Goat Mafia Tacos Por VidaIrv’s BurgersForever Pie All’antico Vinaio Mcconnell’sHappy Ice (Truck) Kazunori Love Hour Monty’s Good Burger The Boiling Crab Burger She WroteYeastie BoysShlap Muan Cena Vegan Sandfish Sushi & WhiskeyBirrieria Michi Spicy Pie Chris & Eddy’sGus’s Fried Chicken Afters Ice Cream.
