Here's how much food costs at Coachella, including $11 for a slice of pizza and $33 for a turkey burger meal
Callie Ahlgrim
- Business Insider's music team attended Coachella in 2022 and 2023.
- We documented our meals throughout our time at the music festival, including the price of each item.
There's a variety of a food available at Coachella, but many options are difficult to eat in a festival environment.
Given how many festivalgoers there are, proper seating at Coachella is limited. Many people resort to eating meals on the ground or on the go.
This can effectively rule out many of the delicious-looking options at the festival, especially if they require utensils or a steady hand.
This fried chicken sandwich cost $17 before tax and tip.
While this sandwich was one of the tastier options we've tried, it was messy to eat and fell apart quite easily.
This slice of pepperoni pizza cost $11 and 30 minutes of wait time.
There were many pizza options at Coachella, but every line was absurdly long. This booth offered multiple toppings — cheese, pepperoni, pepperoni jalapeño, veggie, and vegan veggie — for $11 per slice.
This $16 grilled cheese was the most disappointing meal we've ever had at the festival.
This booth advertised "loaded grilled cheese" options, but we came to realize the only toppings available were bacon for $6 extra or tomato for $4 extra.
The standard $16 option, pictured above, was served on mediocre bread that wasn't even toasted all the way through.
The available sides were $14 onion rings or $12 crinkle-cut fries.
Both options were served lukewarm. Thankfully, the containers of ranch and hot sauce did not require an extra charge.
These $17 chicken tenders were basic but yummy.
They were served on a bed of perfectly crispy french fries.
This $13 "sumo dog" came topped with wasabi relish, spicy mayo, and minced onion.
This booth offered Japanese-inspired hot dogs, including one called "The Godzilla" for $18, which would cost just $11 outside of the festival.
Another booth served Chinese food, including this orange-chicken bowl.
The $17 dish consisted of orange chicken and white rice.
Some of the most egregious prices were attached to simple cups of coffee.
Our first experience at the festival in 2022 was exhausting. By 10:30 p.m. on Friday night, we were in desperate need of caffeine. (Headliner Harry Styles wouldn't take the stage for another hour.)
We were shocked to find that our go-to coffee drink, an oat milk latte, would set us back $15 each.
We paid $10 each, plus tip, for this tiny cup of black coffee.
The taste was average, but the energy boost was much appreciated.
For our second rodeo in 2023, we kicked off the weekend by paying $45 for two basic hot dogs and two sides of fries.
We had been waiting in line for chicken tenders, but the booth ran out before we could order. Hot dogs were the next-best option.
This basic order of chicken nuggets set us back $12.
They were served with packets of ketchup and a side of Sriracha sauce.
This turkey burger meal was one of the best we've had at the festival — but also one of the most expensive at $33.
The turkey burger was $16 and the side of french fries cost an additional $8, not including tax or tip.
I paid just over $18 for a large cup of strawberry lemonade.
The tasty beverage cost $15 before tax and tip.
Read more of Business Insider's on-the-ground 2023 Coachella coverage here.
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