burnessie
Well. It’s been a long time coming. Our beloved Glastonbury’s 50th anniversary festival is happening two years late, but as any veteran will tell you, it is always, always worth the wait.
Three years since we danced in Somerset fields, sweating through the heatwave, watching our favourite artists and bands at their peak and finding new ones to follow along the way. Hanging with friends, looking out for each other, crying when a cloud moved in front of the sun briefly…just me on the last one? Look, it’s an emotional time, and it really was hot.
Whether you’re thrilled about this year’s line up or not, it really doesn’t matter – it’s never not the best five days of the year in the best place on earth, and after two years of disappointment it’s going to be bigger and better than ever. One thing I can assure you of is that the food line up got the memo. Here are the Essential Eats of Glastonbury 2022.
See you on the farm!
It’s just not Glasto until you’re sat in the sun (we live in hope!) between sets at The Pyramid and someone creeps up with a massive pot of deliciously melty Anna Mae’s macaroni cheese, immediately shoving a spoon in your face and reminding you instantly how perfect this food is for soaking up those afternoon ciders. Available both in classic and pimped up versions, Anna Mae’s are renowned for the huge skillets of steaming cheesy goodness they serve up, and I can’t wait to see them back again this year.
Where? Between the Bandstand and Pyramid, as well as in the Acoustic Field
Confirmed
Buddha Bowls
The menu is small but that just means they do what they do really, really well. Wholefood Heaven’s Buddha Bowls have been a crowd favourite for a long time: vegan massaman curry bowls (unless you opt to add halloumi, which I personally can never resist) with potatoes, carrots, pineapple, homemade pickle, seasonal greens and brown rice. Healthy, full of flavour and a great way to get some much needed nutrition into your festival diet.
Where? Between Pyramid and Left Field
Confirmed
The big yellow American school bus serving curries is a part of the Glastonbury furniture. Paneer curries, veggie thali, daal and lassis make up The Bhangra Bus’ vegetarian and vegan Indian offering. One of the most unique things about this old favourite is you can also perch inside the big yellow bus to eat your food – a welcome respite.
Where? TBC but usually Left Field
Unconfirmed, but quietly confident
The big boys are back! The monstrous (in a good way) burgers from Burger Bear will be ready to fuel your all night dance parties in Block 9, just as the world should be. Recognising the ever growing vegan movement so readily welcomed at Glasto and beyond, this year they will be serving a plant based treat alongside their usual meaty monsters – a 3D printed burger called Redefine Meat. Knowing how seriously these guys take their burgers, I have no doubt it’ll be something to revere – they don’t do things by halves at Burger Bear.
Where? Block 9
Confirmed
Oh this was QUITE the find in 2019. I’ve no doubt with burgers that bang this hard I was well behind the curve, but this cheesy bacon burger did magical things to me. There comes a time at Glastonbury where all the fun just starts to hit you a bit, and you need a proper pick me up – for me this is usually around day 4. This is when I’ll head to Burger & Beyond for some sustenance that’ll light up my eyes just as it did three years ago – they taste that fantastic.
Where? The Other Stage
Confirmed
To my detriment, I am a full on coffee snob and I rarely function without at least two black Americanos first thing. At Glasto I have been well known to opt for a breakfast cider as I emerge from my tent, but Camper Coffee Co’s ethically sourced and freshly roasted coffee have made sure that I can get a great caffeine hit on my way down to the stages.
Where? Between Pyramid and The Other Stage, and backstage at John Peel if you’re lucky enough to have the status
Confirmed
Club Mexicana’s famous vegan tacos will be doing everyone a kindness and gracing Glastonbury goers with their presence once again this year. Having gone from strength to strength with three London outposts, you can be sure to hit the spot with one (or several) of their tacos between sets. BBQ short rib, cheezeburger, al pastor, fried chick’n and chorizo sweet potato…tacos, burritos, nachos – but they’re all vegan. Their Club Mex Fried Chick’n will also be making a return this year. Doing what they do like no one else.
Where? TBC
Confirmed
A Glastonbury classic by now, Dosa Deli are back again with their huge dosas and somehow even bigger onion bhajis. The Mysore Masala Dosa with spiced potatoes and hot garlic chutney is a hit, as is the paneer Chilli Cheese Dosa with red onion, tomato and channa dhal chutney. This year the brains behind Dosa Deli are branching out, with their 2019 Silver Hayes spot being transformed into Dippy Dogs, serving up vegan corn dogs to the masses.
Where? Dosa Deli at Williams Green; Dippy Dogs at Silver Hayes
Confirmed
Oh man, I love Eat The Farm. Vivid memories of one of their incredible breakfast burgers pulling me through Thursday morning after a big one at Beat Hotel (RIP). An absolute must pit stop this year too. Aside from their £5 breakfast burgers of sausage patty, melted cheese, crispy streaky bacon, and a fried egg in a toasted brioche bun, their huge, juicy burgers made with quality meat and perfectly melted cheese make these burger what every burger should be: beautifully messy. They’ll have a big old board out front and can proudly say they are without question, one of 2022’s Essential Eats.
Where? Between West Holts and Left Field
Confirmed
Fresh fish from the Cornish coast cooked in authentic Goan recipes make The Goan Seafood Company an continual favourite at Glastonbury. Their Goan Mackerel Masala Dahl curry is a festival staple, and their hot smoked salmon kedgeree serves as a welcome alternative to the usual bacon and sausage baps you often get for breakfast.
Where? West Holts
Confirmed
Greek Expectations
Kebabs but make them quality. Greek Expectations’ chicken is cooked in a special blend of herbs and spices, served with Mediterranean flat breads, and their halloumi is traditionally made in Cyprus, so you know you’re getting the real deal here. As well as kebabs they do falafel, salad boxes and stuffed vine leaves. There’s always a decent queue too, which is a very good sign!
Where? TBC but usually between Pyramid and The Other Stage
Unconfirmed but quietly confident
La Rotisserie
Did you know you don’t even have to miss your Sunday roast at Glastonbury? Okay, a bit of a stretch maybe, but La Rotisserie are back serving up delicious spit roast rotisserie chicken in boxes and pitta with sage and onion stuffing, coleslaw, salad and a dressing of your choice, which is a pretty solid alternative.
Where? The Other Stage
Confirmed
Got a few cans? A wedge of loo roll? Layers for later? Have you had your daily dose of melted cheese? All very normal questions when you find yourself leaving your tent for a day of euphoria on the farm. If the latter hasn’t been fulfilled, head straight for Le Rac Shack, where you’ll find a huge wheel of melting raclette from Annecy next to a stack of Toulouse sausages. This combination is sure to see you through – and particularly good if it does get a little chilly or wet at times. Warms you to the bones.
Where? Opposite the Somerset cider bus in between the Pyramid and Bandstand
Confirmed
My delight in confirming Luardos are going strong and back once again for 2022 is huge. Consistently one of the best Glasto food offerings, this isn’t only one of the best meals I’ve had on the farm but one of the best burritos I’ve had, period. Choose from slow cooked chipotle beef brisket, slow cooked pulled pork with fennel and orange, garlic chicken breast or vegetarian, add lashings of homemade salsa and banging guacamole and a sauce to suit your spice level, and you’ve got one hell of a meal. No excuses for missing this one – the Luardos truck is bright pink and sits in prime location at The Other Stage.
Where? The Other Stage near Left Field
Confirmed
More Words: here
Manic Organic
A Glastonbury institution for well over 30 years, Manic Organic are as much a part of Glasto as the pyramid stage. Veggie curries and stir fries make up just some of Manic Organic’s organic, plant based menu – definitely one of the more nutritious food stalls you’ll find on this list! Look out for their multicoloured letters in Greenfields.
Where? Greenfields
Unconfirmed but confident – is it really Glastonbury without them?
Mr Hamidi’s Halloumi Fries
Tried Mr Hamidi’s halloumi fries between sets at the Pyramid last festival and can confirm they are the perfect snack. I had mine with sweet pomegranate molasses, mint and sweet smoked paprika; but you could opt for the Italian (fiery tomato salsa, balsamic glaze and parsley), the fresh Greek Zinger (greek yoghurt, lemon juice, thyme, zaatar and lemon zest) or go a bit spicer with the Cypriot (sriracha sauce, Greek yoghurt, mint, sumac and crispy onions).
Where? TBC but were between Pyramid and the bandstand in 2019.
Unconfirmed but quietly confident
A bowl of No Bones Jones’ legendary veggie fritters is a Glastonbury staple. Served with salad and sauces, a bowl of these fried veggies are the perfect food to soak up a bit of cider and sustain you through a day of dancing in fields as you continue through til dusk (or dawn, if so inclined). Another all veggie and vegan stall also serving salads and curries, they value serving high quality food with minimal impact on the environment. It doesn’t get more Glasto than that.
Where? Yeoman’s Bridge near West Holts
Confirmed
Only Jerkin’
I’m a massive, massive fan of fried chicken. It’s my drunk food, it’s my hangover food, ergo, it’s my festival food. Having one of my favourite fried chicken street food trucks at Glasto this year is going to make me a very happy festival goer indeed. Their jerk gravy and homemade dips elevate their triple dipped battered chicken to a whole other level. I predict Only Jerkin’ is going to have a permanently long queue at the end of June, and it will be well deserved. A must try.
Where? West Holts
Confirmed
These guys will sort you out. The Cheese Truck takes the simple few ingredients to make the humble cheese toastie and add a bit of magic to create something to write home about. That magic is in the form of complementary ingredients to pimp up the type of cheese you’ve opted for – they usually have cheddar, brie, goat’s cheese and a blue, and all look and sound as good as the other. Perfect festival food.
Where? Between Pyramid and San Remo, near Oxfam tent. Second site is hospitality only, Interstage area between Pyramid and The Other Stage.
Confirmed
More Words: here
Tommy’s Pizzeria
Backafter roaring success in 2019, Tommy’s Pizzeria are moving from Block 9 to Silver Hayes, and I for one am smug as hell as the latter is far closer to my tent, which makes Tommy’s wood-fired sourdough pizzas the perfect late night snack. Or breakfast, who can say. I’m after their Hastings Hot; featuring Fior di latte Tommy’s tomato sauce, Nduja, jalapeños, sour cream and chives; which also comes as a fully vegan version. I’m thinking I’ll shovel one of these down between headliners and getting my lungs ready to belt out Whitney at the silent disco. Feel free to join me.
Where? Silver Hayes
Confirmed
If you’ve found the 4th edition of Glasto’s Essential Eats useful and want to show your appreciation, you can buy me a coffee (or a pint of cider!) to fuel me through scoping out more Essential Eats at Glasto for next year’s festival here. Thank you!
