Where To Celebrate Day Of The Dead In London For 2024

In Mexico, Day of the Dead is one of the biggest celebrations on the calendar. Known there as Día de los Muertos, the event falls annually on 2 November, following Halloween on 31 October, and All Saints Day on 1 November. The ancient tradition is all about celebrating the lives of loved ones who have passed away, but it’s not a gloomy day: colourful parties and parades take place across Mexico. You don’t have to catch a flight to get involved, though. Many London restaurants get involved by introducing special Day of the Dead menus and hosting themed nights; we’ve picked out the best of the bunch for 2024.

Day Of The Dead Menus 2024

Bōkan

Sky-high celebrations are taking place at Bōkan, the glitzy restaurant perched atop Novotel London Canary Wharf. The eatery is marking Day of the Dead with a five-course menu paired with tequila, running in collaboration with Maestro Dobel. Begin with a starter of Cornish crab with guacamole ahead of the main event: a maple-smoked and cured pork ribeye, served with tostadas and Mexican salsa. For dessert, there’s a palette-cleansing tequila sorbet ahead of Valrhona Araguani chili chocolate and cream cheese tacos. Each course can be paired with a tequila cocktail, such as the Sunset Apertura, a bittersweet cocktail made with Maestro Dobel Diamante, Campari and yuzu liqueur.

How much? £69pp, cocktail pairings for an extra £49pp

When? 31 October – 10 November 2024

Where? 40 Marsh Wall, London E14 9TP

BOOK: bokanlondon.co.uk

Cavita

Marylebone’s Mexican restaurant Cavita is marking Día de los Muertos with a selection of special dishes, drinks and decorations, culminating in a party in the hidden bar on 2 November. For five days, guests will be able to enjoy dishes like mole de olla: tender lamb cutlets with a rich mole sauce, and the signature pan de muerto (bread of the dead), which is traditionally offered to the souls of the departed. The venue’s exterior is being given a vibrant makeover, decorated with orange marigolds – the flowers traditionally associated with Day of the Dead, symbolising the connection between life and death. On party night, celebrations will be ramped up with cocktails, DJs and face painting. 

How much? Prices TBC

When? Dishes available from 29 October – 2 November 2024, party on 2 November 2024

Where? 56 Wigmore St, Marylebone, London 

BOOK: cavitarestaurant.com

Madera at Treehouse Hotel

Mark Día de los Muertos at one of London’s most stylish Mexican restaurants, Madera. Perched atop the ultra-Instagrammable Treehouse London hotel, the eatery offers impressive views of the city, and there’s always a buzzy atmosphere. On 2 November, guests can enjoy two limited-edition dishes: The Tama, mushrooms with black mole sauce and toasted sesame seeds, and the Sweet Black Skull, a chocolate fondant with sorbet and black crumble. Pair with cocktails like the Hibisco Ahumado, a twist on the paloma, and a pumpkin-infused margarita, with fire dancers and special guest DJs brought in to keep things lively all night long.

How much? Special dishes from £11

When? 2 November 2024, from 7pm – late

Where? 14-15 Langham Pl, London W1B 2QS

BOOK: treehousehotels.com

100 Wardour Street

In Soho, the best Day of the Dead party is taking place at bar and restaurant 100 Wardour Street, which is offering a special three-course menu. Expect Mexican-inspired dishes like chicken taquitos, tuna tostadas and guacamole and tortilla chips ahead of black bean quesadillas, baja fish tacos, and braised lamb shank with mole, with churros and buttermilk pancakes with caramelised plantain for dessert. Enjoy all this alongside Latin house music – with the option to kick things up a notch with bottomless margaritas (why not?).

How much? £30pp for two courses or £35pp for three, £30 for bottomless margaritas

When? 2 November 2024

Where? 100 Wardour St, London W1F 0TL

BOOK: 100wardourst.com

Great Central Pub At The Landmark

On 2 November, Matt Fletcher’s gastropub, set within the confines of five-star hotel The Landmark, is transforming into a Day of the Dead fiesta, complete with Mexican-inspired cocktails, nibbles and entertainment. Diners can enjoy special dishes like baked nachos topped with pulled pork, BBQ-spiced pulled pork tacos, and Cajun-spiced fish tacos, alongside spicy margaritas and music from a DJ. Be sure to snap a picture in the ‘skelfie’ mirror, too. 

How much? Prices TBC

When? 2 November, music from 7 – 11pm

Where? 222 Marylebone Rd, London NW1 6JQ

BOOK: landmarklondon.co.uk

Chino Latino

Chino Latino, the Pan-Asian restaurant housed within Park Plaza London Riverbank, is getting involved with festivities by introducing a four-course set menu. Head Chef Ederson Bonasso and his team have put together an array of Mexican fare for the occasion, kicking off with salmon and avocado tacos, followed by red snapper empanadas, and beef skewers with chorizo. Pudding remains mysterious: the menu simply says guests can expect ‘a passion fruit relic from the dead.’

How much? £50pp

When? 2 November 2024

Where? Park Plaza Riverbank, 18 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TJ

BOOK: chinolatino.co.uk