What is the Mexican Day of the Dead and where to celebrate the date in São Paulo

One of Mexico’s most popular dates is the Day of the Dead—or Día de los Muertos in Spanish. Celebrated on November 2nd, like our All Souls’ Day, the celebration has festivities that start from October 31st.

“The tradition is a tribute to people who are no longer here and who come to visit us during this period,” says Antonieta Pozas, from the La Mexicana restaurant, in the Vila Olímpia region, south of the city of São Paulo.

A series of offerings are made to honor the dead. “We use candles so they don’t get lost along the way, we leave water for those who may be tired and we decorate the altars with flowers,” says Pozas.

“We also prepare pan de muerto, which are sweet breads that can simulate a tomb, with little bones and a skull. They are covered in sugar, which represent the tears we shed for them,” he says.

Discover three Mexican restaurants that celebrate the date in São Paulo.

The Mexican

“We really are Mexicans, we don’t have anything tex-mex”, emphasizes Antonieta Pozas, owner of the place. The house celebrates the date on Tuesday (2) with a special menu and extended hours —from 10:30 am to 4:00 pm. It pays R$79.90 to eat at the tacos buffet. There are also à la carte dishes such as atole de champurrado (a kind of sweet corn mush), tamales (a recipe reminiscent of our mush) and pan de muerto.
Minister Jesuíno Cardoso, 515, Vila Olímpia, south zone, tel. (11) 99319-6514. Instagram @lamexicanasp

Taqueria La Sabrosa

The restaurant offers root Mexican food in a fast food-like layout. There, the celebration of the Day of the Dead has recipes such as the new burrito pollito, a wheat tortilla with chicken, frijoles, cheese, caramelized onions, guacamole, salsa roja and lettuce and the traditional pan de muerto, available only in the store.
R. Augusta, 1474, Consolação, tel. (11) 2925-6189. Instagram @taquerialasabrosa. Delivery via iFood, Rappi, Uber Eats and WhatsApp (11) 99273-4671