Forget the Music, Go for All the Vegan Options at Coachella

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). 

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Vegan food at Coachella

Stay fueled for a weekend of music with Coachella’s plant-based options. 

@aveganandher

1 Cena Vegan

Indio Central Market 

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. Opt for Cena when you’re craving vegan tacos, nachos, or a soul-warming burrito the size of your head. 

2 Maneatingplant

Indio Central Market

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.  

Monty’s Good Burger

3 Monty’s Good Burger

Terrace and camping

A music festival would not be complete without the vegan rendition of In-N-Out. Grab yourself a plant-based Double Burger along with fries and a shake for the ultimate California-cool experience at Terrace North. You can also find Monty’s Treats (serving up soft-serve ice cream) and Monty’s Good Boy Matcha at Terrace South. If you’re in the camping area of the festival, you can also find vegan hot dogs at Monty’s Dog House.

4 Sweetfin Poke

VIP

Looking for a meal that won’t slow you down? Fuel up with a vegan poke bowl. Layered with tender sushi rice, sweet potato, avocado, carrots, cucumber, edamame, and tofu, this daytime meal will tie you over through the afternoon encores. 

5 Ronan

VIP

There’s a reason this Neopolitan-style pizzeria is in the VIP section. Don’t expect a cheap slice operation here—it’s all about high-quality ingredients and multi-day fermented dough at Ronan. 

Tacos 1986

6 Tacos 1986

VIP

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 guacamole, onions, cilantro, and salsa ranchera on a handmade corn tortilla. 

7 Word Of Mouth Truck

Camping

If you need some sustenance in the camping zone, head to Word of Mouth Truck. The award-winning, 100 percent plant-based food truck has everything you need to fuel you through a long day of fun and good music. Think vegan fried chicken, truffle fries, mac and cheese bites, and much more.

8 Farmhouse Thai

Indio Central Market

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 made with crispy fried tofu. 

Happy Ice

9 Happy Ice

Indio Central Market

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.

10 Juice Bae LA

Indio Central Market

Juice is always a safe vegan-friendly choice. Head to Juice Bae LA in Indio Central Market for plenty of refreshing, nourishing, and (crucially) hydrating cold-pressed juices and smoothie blends.

11 Oakberry

VIP

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.

Veggie Fam

12Veggie Fam

Indio Central Market

For meaty vegan chicken sandwiches guaranteed to keep you satiated, head over to Veggie Fam for a selection of hot fried chicken handhelds, epic loaded fries, and more.

Vegan options in the surrounding area

Breathe a sigh of relief. There are vegan options outside of the festival grounds. 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 pizzas with non-dairy cheese (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 valley and Palm Springs here.