Grab your crop tops and sunglasses—Coachella is just around the corner. This mainstream music festival in the California desert is famed for its major headliners and all-day parties, but the multi-weekend event is also a destination for food enthusiasts. Check out some of the best vegan-friendly vendors set to serve up tasty plant-based fare this year, plus surrounding vegan-friendly spots (for when you need to refuel between the outstanding performances).
Vegan food at Coachella
Stay fueled for a weekend of music with Coachella’s plant-based options.
@aveganandher
1 Cena Vegan
This family-owned vegan pop-up dominates the Los Angeles food scene, so it’s only fitting that it has a spot at the state’s biggest music festival. This year, it’s serving up a special Coachella Taco Party menu—essentially vegan takes on Taco Bell classics. The Crunchy Tacos, for example, feature vegan ground meat and dairy-free shredded cheese in a crispy corn shell. There’s also the Burrito Extreme, Loaded Nachos, Crunch Wraps, and Mexican Street-Style Dogs (hot dogs wrapped in vegan bacon). Drooling yet?
GoKoKu | Coachella
2GoKoku
GoKoku has been serving up delicious vegan sushi in North Hollywood since 2016, and fortunately for festival-goers, the popular sushi and ramen spot is making its Coachella debut this year. Expect a range of options, from a flavorful Teriyaki Bowl to a crispy Tempura Bowl, plus drinks like vegan Thai tea and taro milk tea. Our personal favorite? The hand roll bouquet, complete with flowers. Eat the roll, then tuck the flowers in your hair. Does it get any more Coachella than that?
Maciel’s Plant-Based Butcher
3Maciel’s Plant-Based Butcher
You know that feeling, when you’ve had enough of the muddy fields and loud music, and all you want is a charcuterie board? Okay, it’s niche, but if the craving hits (and now that we’ve said it, it probably will), head to Maciel’s.
The popular plant-based butcher is making its Coachella debut this year, and in celebration, it’s launching the festival’s first vegan charcuterie board. Not in the mood for charcuterie? No problem. Maciel’s is also serving up a range of sandwiches featuring its signature vegan meats, plenty of tasty sides, and even a banana chocolate chip cookie.
Maneatingplant
4 Maneatingplant
Go ahead and slurp up some deliciously spicy noodles in front of thousands of people. One bite, and you won’t care if you have chili flakes all over your face. The less bold can take the safe route: puffy bao buns stuffed with fried mushrooms, cilantro, and chili oil.
5 Sweetfin Poke
Looking for a meal that won’t slow you down? Fuel up with a vegan poke bowl. The California favorite offers several plant-based options, usually packed with either tofu or sweet potato, with sauces like miso sesame shoyu and ponzu lime. You can also expect to choose from a range of toppings like Japanese eggplant, avocado, kale, cucumber, edamame, and sautéed shimeji mushrooms.
Tacos 1986
6 Tacos 1986
If you’re quite settled in the VIP area and not keen on traversing the grounds to get to Cena Vegan, Tacos 1986 will have options for you. Seasoned mushrooms are the star for vegans, accompanied by toppings like guacamole, onions, cilantro, and salsa ranchera on a handmade corn tortilla.
Farmhouse Thai
7 Farmhouse Thai
Find delicious Thai food from this popular California chain in Indio Central Market. While not exclusively vegan, the menu features a handful of tasty plant-based options, including dishes like crispy egg rolls and samosas.
Happy Ice
8
Happy Ice
When the heat is too much and you just need a refreshing sweet treat, head to Happy Ice. All of its water ice fruity desserts are vegan and come in a variety of tasty fruity flavors, including Sweet Watermelon and Strawberry Lemonade.
Cafe La Vecindad
9Cafe La Vecindad
When you need a caffeine boost, head to Cena Vegan’s sister café. There, you’ll find everything from strawberry matcha and dirty horchata lattes to café de olla (Mexican spiced coffee) and cold brew. Located right next to Cena Vegan, it’s the perfect accompaniment to your Taco Party treats.
Oakberry
10 Oakberry
When an açaí bowl craving hits, VIPs know exactly where to go: Oakberry. This go-to spot serves up rich, creamy açaí blends topped with a variety of delicious add-ons, from crunchy granola and juicy fresh fruit to nutrient-packed cocoa nibs. It’s the perfect refreshing treat to fuel your festival day.
El Moro
11El Moro
This beloved Mexico City churro shop is also making its Coachella debut. For a sweet treat you can enjoy while dancing, stop by El Moro—all of its churros are vegan. Its guava dipping sauce is also free of animal ingredients.
Looking for even more vegan options around the festival? All of the vendors below will also be offering plant-based options:
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Backyard Bowls
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Bang Bang Noodles
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Churreria El Moro
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Civico
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Drip Daddy
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Everbloom
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Kogi
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Laomazing Eats
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McConnell
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Menotti’s
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Oh My Burger
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Prince Street Pizza
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Saucy LA
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Spicy Pie
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Sumo Dog
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Villas Tacos
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White Sparrow Coffee
Vegan options in the surrounding area
Breathe a sigh of relief. There are vegan options outside of the festival grounds, too.
On your way out to Coachella, the first sign of vegan civilization you’ll encounter is Chef Tanya’s Kitchen. The founder of Native Foods, Tanya Petrovna sold the company in 2012 and moved inland. Her name-brand restaurant boasts two locations—one in Palm Springs and one in Palm Desert—and offers hearty plant-based sandwiches, bowls, desserts, deli sides, and more. Take advantage of the grab-and-go refrigerated options to stash at your hotel or Airbnb.
Closer to Indio, you won’t find completely vegan spots other than a handful of juiceries, but there are vegan-friendly eats. Your Pie and Cork and Fork both offer vegan options (the latter even offers a full vegan menu of appetizers and entrées). For Thai cuisine, seek out My Thai and check the vegan box when you place your order online.
For more on the best vegan options surrounding Coachella, check out our guide to the Coachella Valley and Palm Springs here.
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Tanya Flink is a Digital Editor at VegNews as well as a writer and runner living in Orange County, CA.
