A spirited affair: Where to celebrate Day of the Dead

published 31 October 2016

A colourful homage to those dearly departed, nothing quite exemplifies the unique culture of Mexico better than the country's famous national holiday, Dia de los Muertos – Day of the Dead. And just as Mexican restaurants are now prominent on Britain's dining scene when once they were few and far between, increasingly common is the sight of Day of the Dead-inspired sugar skulls and decoration. This November, Britain's best Mexican bars and restaurants will join in the celebrations with live music, dancing and, of course, great food.

Wahaca

If there's one person who can be credited with kick-starting Britain's love affair with Mexican food, it's Thomasina Miers. The British chef struck gold with her hugely successful Wahaca restaurant chain, bringing authentic yet inventive Mexican fare to practically every street corner across the country. This year, the Wahaca team has taken things up a notch with a special Day of the Dead fiesta, hosted in the suitably spooky Vaults in Waterloo in London. As well as having ample street-food stalls and tequila bars, the three-day fiesta promises a plethora of unique events and entertainment, including face-painting, lucha libre wrestling, music performances and even live street art.

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Roughly translating as "foolishness" in Spanish, Mexican-themed lounge and nightspot Tonteria certainly lives up to its name. This Sloane Square celeb favourite (Prince Harry is rumoured to use a secret entrance when he visits) is certainly not for the shy and retiring. After dark, expect scantily clad fire-eaters, live lucha libre wrestling and a miniature toy train delivering frozen margaritas to your table. Speaking of drink, Tonteria's extensive tequila menu simply cannot be bettered and features some of the world's rarest and most expensive varieties. If you're visiting on 2 November, it's probably a good idea to book the following day off…

It's a double celebration at this upmarket Mexican-inspired eatery on the capital's Hampstead Road. As well as installing a specially commissioned altar in the restaurant (nowhere near as macabre as it sounds) and traditional Dia de los Muertos specialities on the menu, Mestizo will be hosting its eighth annual Festival de Mole – a tribute to Mexico's love of the thick, sweet and spicy sauce (pronounced "moh-lay"). Visitors to Mestizo will be able to sample no fewer than 12 different varieties based on authentic regional recipes from across Mexico.

Nestled among the colourful houses in Brighton's North Laine is Day of the Dead-inspired restaurant La Choza – meaning "the hut" in Spanish. As its name suggests, La Choza is a simple, intimate affair with an emphasis on no-fuss, street food-style dining. It's also famed for its zesty interiors that take Mexican kitsch to another level. As well as installing a decorated shrine for the festivities, La Choza will run a Day of the Dead menu and sugar-skull colouring workshops for kids. In the evening, expect live music and special deals on cocktails and obligatory tequila shots.

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