The 15 Best Food And Drink Options At Coachella 2023

There's no denying that Coachella is one of (if not the) most famous music festivals in the world. Whether you love it or love to hate it, Coachella has become somewhat of a national holiday, especially for Angelenos. This two-weekend event features some of the world's most famous and beloved artists, DJs, and performers, along with incredible art installations, VIP lounges, and, of course, tons of amazing food. In true Coachella fashion, the food vendors go above and beyond to bring some of the best bites and drinks to the desert. In fact, many of the vendors and pop-ups hail from Los Angeles and range from upscale eateries to some of the city's most famous food trucks.

Whether you're going for the music or going to be seen, the Coachella 2023 food lineup is sure to steal the show. That said, we've rounded up some of our top picks for the best food and drink options to expect at Coachella this year.

Since 1999, this traveling kitchen has created unforgettable dining experiences that have brought guests to farms, vineyards, beaches, and orchards across the globe. For the eighth time, the roving kitchen will set up shop at Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival's VIP Rose Garden, offering a calm respite from the action-packed event. Outstanding in the Field will be hosting a four-course dinner on each night of both weekends of the festival, and each evening will be helmed by a different chef.

On weekend one, Friday's dinner will be crafted by Zarah Khan on Rustic Canyon, while Saturday's menu will be crafted by Tolu Erogbogbo of ILÉ, a West African Concept kitchen. Finally, Sunday's dinner will be led by Jared Simons, the chef at Argento, an upcoming restaurant in Silverlake. On weekend two, Friday night's dinner will be hosted by Javier Plascencia, who helms several restaurants in Tijuana and the Sea of Cortez. Saturday's meal will be cooked up by Monty Koludrovic, and Rene Andrade and Derek Christianson will be rounding out the series with their Sonoran-influenced style. Tickets to the dinner include a welcome cocktail, beer, wine, and access to the VIP Rose Garden.

Over the years, Sushi by Scratch Restaurants has become somewhat of a Coachella-urban legend. The "sushi speakeasy" is hidden in plain sight behind an unmarked red door, and if you can find your way to a table, you'll be able to enjoy Chef Phillip Frankland Lee's 16-course Omakase and Sake pairing. Sushi by Scratch follows a similar formula at its restaurants across the country.

In Chicago, Seattle, Miami, Austin, Los Angeles, and Montecito, a limited number of diners are seated immediately in front of the chefs that prepare each course. At Coachella, the Sushi by Scratch team hopes to pull you out of the event's churning hustle and bustle and into a relaxing, playful meal where mindfulness and detail are king. There will be three daily seatings on each day of the two-weekend festival, at 3:30 p.m., 6:00 p.m., and 8:00 p.m., meaning that just over 100 diners will be served of the 250,000 Coachella attendees.

When Prince Street Pizza started slinging pies in New York City, it was guided by the straightforward principle that "if you can put it on pasta then you can put it on pizza." In the years since, it's expanded across the country, with shops in Los Angeles, Miami, and San Diego, and now it's heading to Coachella. Head to its stand at the festival's 12 Peaks VIP area to enjoy its famous Sicilian squares and New York-style slices.

Pizza lovers may recognize Prince Street's signature dish, the Spicy Spring, from its seemingly endless pile of pepperonis, which top a Sicilian square slice of spicy Fra Diavolo sauce, fresh mozzarella, and Pecorino Romano. Classic pasta styles heavily influence slices like the Spicy Vodka with spicy vodka sauce, prosciutto, mozzarella, and Pecorino Romano, the Broadway Breadcrumb, which is made with marinara sauce, caramelized onions and herby breadcrumbs, and the Green Machine with homemade pesto, shredded mozzarella, whipped ricotta, and black olives.

Broad Street Oyster Co. is famous for bringing New England flavors to the west coast, with locations in Malibu, Downtown Los Angeles, and Santa Barbara. And now, festival-goers can head to the 12 Peaks VIP area if they're craving a refreshing bite of seafood after bearing the brunt of the Coachella Valley sun. In true California fashion, much of Broad Street's menu is determined by the seasons and what's freshly caught each morning. However, there are a few permanent menu items that can't be missed. If you're craving ultra-fresh decadence, the caviar-topped seafood tower is the way to go.

The hot lobster roll, complete with generous bites of seafood, butter, and a squeeze of lemon, is also a must-order. If you're craving something cooler, Broad Street also slings lobster rolls chilled on a brioche bun with mayonnaise and chives. Or, if a friend isn't a seafood fan, the restaurant also offers a mean burger, topped with American cheese, grated onion, pickle, aioli, and a sesame bun.

Another hit from Roy Choi, Best Friend is known for serving up some of the coolest Korean-inspired food in Las Vegas. At Coachella, this bar pop-up will be located in the Craft Beer Barn and will be entirely reminiscent of the Las Vegas staple. Expect a bodega-style setup, bright colors, and refreshing cocktails. Since the Best Friend pop-up at the festival is focusing on drinks, simply stop by Kogi before dropping by the Craft Beer Barn for your libations.

From fruity slushies to signature cocktails with sesame-infused tequila, there is sure to be plenty of options at Best Friend. If wine or beer simply are not catching your eye, this is without a doubt one of the best places to visit for a solid mixed drink. That said, Best Friend will also have plenty of craft beers and bottles to choose from if that's more up your alley.

Daves' Hot Chicken is without a doubt one of the most popular spots in LA for fried chicken. Located at the Coachella Courtyard, the Dave's Hot Chicken pop-up will be serving Nashville-style hot chicken tenders and fried chicken sliders. Be warned, the spice at Dave's Hot Chicken is no joke, so be sure to have a cold beer handy to cool off with. That said, there are several different spice levels ranging from no spice to reaper. Just choose wisely.

In addition to the spice, the crispness of Dave's Hot Chicken is what allows it to stand out among the competition. The creamy sauce also pairs perfectly with both the tenders and the sandwiches, and the zesty pickles add a refreshing twist. The portions are pretty massive and the food is filling, making Dave's Hot Chicken a great spot to get some food to share before heading back into the crowd.

Caught a craving for traditional Japanese omusubi? Sunny Blue is a Los Angeles staple that makes some of the best and most authentic omusubi in the city. These savory rice balls are filled with everything from spicy salmon to tuna to Japanese eggplant. The easy-to-eat rice balls are wrapped in a crisp sheet of nori and are seasoned with a furikake and other blends. One of the best parts about grabbing food at Sunny Blue is the fact that it can easily be taken on the go and offers a quick yet healthy bite in between sets.

This year, Sunny Blue will be located at the Indio Central Market with tons of other great food vendors and bars. Though the most popular omusubi options are filled with fish, there are also several vegan ones. This is also a solid choice for festival-goers looking for a gluten-free snack that is on the lighter side.