With festival (and convention) season in full swing, our calendars have filled up with lobster fests, wine fests, corgi fests—seriously, all the fests. Some are brand new (welcome, BrunchCon), while others are coming back for another round. Taste of the Eastside Food Festival is making a triumphant return for a sixth year, throwing its annual fête on Sunday, May 1st—and yup, it's on our calendars, too.
The festival is a celebration of the restaurant and bar establishments that make up a patchwork of neighborhoods, including Silver Lake, Atwater Village, Echo Park, Los Feliz, Eagle Rock, Highland Park and more. Held at the Los Angeles River Center and Gardens, a collection of more than 30 vendors will offer attendees the chance to try some of the best food and drink east of the 101 (and, er, north of the 10, south of the 134, and a few other boundaries that are up for debate). On this year's docket, a couple newcomers will be handing out dishes: Okipoki, a Downtown poké restaurant; Donut Farm, a vegan donut shop; Barcito, a Downtown tapas bar; and Ozu East Kitchen, Atwater's newest Asian Fusion eatery. Diablo Taco, Kitchen Mouse, Wax Paper and Spitz will also be in attendance. Highland Park Brewery, El Segundo Brewing, Greenbar Craft Distillery and Eagle Rock Brewery will be offering beer and spirits, while plenty of dessert vendors—Pazzo Gelato, Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams, Gigi's Bakery—will cater to your sweet tooth.
As tradition dictates, there will also be a slew of bands and DJs providing music: Charlie Overbey & the Broken Arrows, Garth Trinidad, Anthony Valadez and DJ Aire, all bringing you some sweet jams to enjoy with that vegan donut. Tickets to enjoy both the food and entertainment are $40 for general admission and $70 for VIP (which includes early entry and drink tickets). Still curious? For a full list of vendors and entertainment—and to purchase tickets—check out the event's website. What's one more festival to add to your calendar?