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One of Mexico’s most iconic and special traditions is approaching: the celebration of the Day of the Dead. It is a very important holiday to honor and loved ones, celebrating them with a great emotional party and accompanied by a gastronomic feast. So if you want to travel to Mexico without leaving the capital, we leave you six Mexican restaurants in Madrid to celebrate the Day of the Dead among altars, catrinas, flowers and, of course, with a gastronomic festival, including the sweet touch of pan de muerto.
Bakan
Bakan restaurant has prepared an authentic Day of the Dead party for November 1st and 2nd. The restaurant, located in Puerta de Alcalá, will celebrate this special date with a gastronomic proposal and a decoration that will teleport you directly to Mexico without leaving the center of Madrid.
Inside, an altar has been set up to commemorate the figure of José Cuervo, an emblematic Mexican character who founded in 1758 one of the most recognized tequila brands in Mexico. This special altar also has offerings arranged in 7 levels that symbolize the stages that the soul must go through in order to reach rest or spiritual peace, where there are elements such as calaveritas and cempasúchil flowers.
Regarding the gastronomic proposal, in addition to its dishes made with blue corn tortillas and the nixtamalization process, and its great liquid menu with more than 250 mezcals and tequilas, for this occasion they will also offer the traditional Pan de Muerto, which will be available in dessert format and will be accompanied by hot chocolate. And as for cocktails, there will be an exclusive one for this Day of the Dead, made with a mezcal base, including cider, lime, tangerine puree and sugar.
Where? At Pl. de la Independencia, 5, 28001 Madrid
Jerónimo
Chef Enrique Olvera’s restaurant, located inside The Madrid Edition Hotel, is also joining the celebration with different special activities. On the one hand, they have prepared a special dinner for November 2 and 3, in which they will serve an exclusive menu for 100 €, which includes snacks such as a delicious empanada with creamy cottage cheese, roasted cactus and onion or chili stuffed with tuna and a smoky touch of chipotle. And paired with the traditional Paloma cocktail, based on rested Volcán de Mi Tierra Tequila, pepper cordial, grapefruit and lime.
There will also be a tamale with eggplant and yellow mole as a starter, and as main courses they will offer grilled turbot with a cumin mole along with Brussels sprouts; and a low loin in black recado, black garlic and chives, accompanied by an Eclipse Tinto wine from Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico. And for dessert, the finishing touch will be a succulent pumpkin flan with a vermouth caramel.
In addition, mezcal lovers will be able to enjoy a tasting of Real Minero espadín largo and Koch distilled borrego, to explore the diversity and complexity of this spirit.
But that’s not all, because at Jerónimo they will also be serving the traditional Pan de Muertos (Bread of the Dead) at breakfast time throughout the week from October 30 to November 3.It will also be available to visit the special altar that Jerónimo has prepared together with Tequila Volcán de mi Tierra, adorned with symbolic components, such as the typical flower called cempasúchil, candles, sugar skulls and the favorite food and drink of the deceased.
Where? At The Madrid Edition Plaza de las Descalzas, 2
Tepic
The Day of the Dead is the perfect occasion to visit Tepic and try the proposal of its new chef Jardiel Varela, a Mexican who has already worked in important kitchens such as Pujol, Martín Berasategui or El Celler de Can Roca. In this new venture in Tepic, Varela arrives with the objective of maintaining the weight of Mexican tradition in the menu, but adding touches of haute cuisine and seasonal dishes from the main culinary capitals of the North American nation.
In addition, on November 1 and 2, the Mexican temple in the capital will offer three special dishes for the Day of the Dead:
- Grilled octopus toast, scallops, salsa negra and habanero mayonnaise
- Tamale with hoja santa, beans, salsa verde, beans and grilled chicken
- Traditional pan de muerto and spicy hot chocolate
So if you don’t want to miss the opportunity to try something different and special, make a reservation.
Where? C/ Ayala, 14, Madrid
Pacífico
Pacifico also dresses in Mexican tradition to celebrate the Day of the Dead. On October 31st and November 1st and 2nd, the restaurant will be filled with color, party, rituals and lots of food to celebrate this important date. They have prepared a special cocktail called Pan de Muertos (Bread of the Dead), and for the night of the 31st they have organized a party with a DJ, mariachis and a make-up artist specialized in Mexican make-up of Catrina, marigolds and monarch butterflies, some of the most representative symbols of this commemoration.
And all accompanied by the usual gastronomic proposal of this seafood restaurant, with delicacies that fuse Mexican recipes with Spanish and Japanese references. Among the proposals, the culichi shrimp tostada, the culichi shrimp tostada, the tongue tacos or the zarandeado octopus tostada stand out.
Where? At Calle Alcalá 81, 28009, Madrid.
Taquería La Chingona
Another mandatory stop to commemorate such a special day is Taqueria La Chingona, the true Mexican cantina belonging to Grupo Larrumba. For the Day of the Dead they have prepared two very cool delicacies. On the one hand, the pork roast taco with beans and rice; and on the other hand, the chicken tostada with mole negro, sour cream and red onion. They will be available for a limited time only, so hurry to visit during this week.
The special evening will be accompanied by the best mariachis that, along with the flavors of its menu and traditional cocktails, will transport you directly to the streets of Mexico.
Where? At C, Cam. de la Zarzuela, 23, 28023 Madrid
Chambao
The restaurant of the La Rosa Negra group, located on Paseo de la Castellana, also joins this special celebration through a unique cocktail called Catrina Soul. Made with volcanic tequila, aperol, tamarind and lime juice, this authentic explosion of flavors will be available only during November 1 and 2, when Chambao will be dressed in color, music and festivity.
In addition, they will also celebrate Halloween with the creation of another special cocktail, called Ghost. Although it sounds terrifying, it is a delicious combination of tequila volcano, marigold liqueur and coconut water. And all with plenty of traditional Mexican dishes to get your boots on.
Where? At Paseo de la Castellana, 4.
