scorecardTake a look inside Coachella's VIP dining experience, where a seat at the table will set you back $350 (plus fees)
  1. Home
  2. entertainment
  3. news
  4. Take a look inside Coachella's VIP dining experience, where a seat at the table will set you back $350 (plus fees)

Take a look inside Coachella's VIP dining experience, where a seat at the table will set you back $350 (plus fees)

Callie Ahlgrim,Courteney Larocca   

Take a look inside Coachella's VIP dining experience, where a seat at the table will set you back $350 (plus fees)
The author at dinner in Coachella's Rose Garden.Callie Ahlgrim
  • Insider's music team attended an exclusive dinner on Friday in Coachella's VIP Rose Garden.
  • A ticket to the event, hosted by Outstanding in the Field, costs more than $350 per person.

Each night at Coachella, a lavish meal for VIP guests is served in the famous Rose Garden.

Each night at Coachella, a lavish meal for VIP guests is served in the famous Rose Garden.
The VIP Rose Garden at Coachella.      Callie Ahlgrim

The table is quietly tucked away inside the Rose Garden, one of several exclusive areas for VIP festivalgoers at Coachella.

However, a VIP wristband alone doesn't get you a seat at the table.

However, a VIP wristband alone doesn
Callie Ahlgrim

It costs $350 per person, plus additional fees. Each night is sold separately.

In addition to the meal itself, a ticket grants access to the Rose Garden for the entire day — so you don't need a VIP wristband to attend one of the weekend's dinners.

The dinner is hosted by Outstanding in the Field.

The dinner is hosted by Outstanding in the Field.
Callie Ahlgrim

Outstanding in the Field, billed as "a roving restaurant without walls," has hosted the pop-up dining experience at Coachella for the past eight years.

On Friday night, we were greeted with welcome cocktails.

On Friday night, we were greeted with welcome cocktails.
Callie Ahlgrim

All beverages are included in the price of the ticket.

As people trickled in, guests were encouraged to drink and mingle.

As people trickled in, guests were encouraged to drink and mingle.
Callie Ahlgrim

Entrance for the dinner began at 5:45 p.m. and closed at 6:15 p.m. sharp.

Our gourmet meal was created by Zarah Khan.

Our gourmet meal was created by Zarah Khan.
Callie Ahlgrim

Khan joined Rustic Canyon, a Michelin-star restaurant in Santa Monica, as the executive chef in 2022.

The first course was seeded levain bread from Clark Street Bakery and pickled turnips.

The first course was seeded levain bread from Clark Street Bakery and pickled turnips.
Callie Ahlgrim

The delicious turnips were garnished with rose and sumac.

The second course was mushroom labneh, a creamy Middle Eastern-style yogurt.

The second course was mushroom labneh, a creamy Middle Eastern-style yogurt.
Callie Ahlgrim

The labneh was served alongside scallion and lion's mane powder laffa, a kind of Israeli flatbread.

Khan's cooking is focused on vegetables and inspired by Mediterranean influences, as well as her Pakistani heritage, according to a press release.

The third course was a salad with tahini green goddess dressing.

The third course was a salad with tahini green goddess dressing.
Callie Ahlgrim

The scrumptious dish also included green radishes, herbs, and edible flowers.

Each course was paired with a new wine.

Each course was paired with a new wine.
Callie Ahlgrim

Just before the fourth dish, we were served a dry, sparkling red blend.

The main course was local halibut with jade rice and snap peas.

The main course was local halibut with jade rice and snap peas.
Callie Ahlgrim

The fish was prepared with a green garlic and coriander crust.

We were almost too full for dessert but made room for the Gâteau Basque.

We were almost too full for dessert but made room for the Gâteau Basque.
Callie Ahlgrim

The French treat featured raspberries and beet-rose whipped cream.

After the sun went down, the dinner table was aglow with multicolored lights.

After the sun went down, the dinner table was aglow with multicolored lights.
Callie Ahlgrim

The dinner typically lasts two hours, ending around 8 p.m.

Unfortunately, that required us to skip a ton of artists we were excited to see, including Blink-182, Wet Leg, and Yves Tumor.

Even though we missed some of the festival's best performances, it was well worth it for the mouthwatering food and delightful experience.

Even though we missed some of the festival
Callie Ahlgrim

Because of its hefty price tag, the luxury experience is only available to a select few festivalgoers. It may even be Coachella's best-kept secret.

But it offered a much-needed respite from the heat and hectic energy of the festival — and it was easily one of the best meals either of us had ever eaten.

Follow along with Insider's 2023 Coachella coverage here.

Advertisement