This weekend, London gets a taste of Mexico City’s most celebrated bakery – and a splash of tequila, too. From 31 October to 2 November, Don Julio Tequila takes over Toklas Bakery for Panadería Don Julio, a three-day Día de Muertos pop-up blending Mexican baking, culture, and cocktail craft in collaboration with Panadería Rosetta.
For those who don’t know, Panadería Rosetta is one of Mexico City’s most acclaimed bakeries, founded by Elena Reygadas, recently named The World’s Best Female Chef by The World’s 50 Best Restaurants.
Known for reinterpreting traditional breads and pastries, from its famous guava roll to the iconic pan de muerto, Panadería Rosetta has become a symbol of contemporary Mexican baking.
This London pop-up marks Rosetta’s first-ever UK appearance, and it’s anything but a standard three-day event. The residency reimagines Día de Muertos through food, ritual, and nightlife. It’s part bakery, part tequila bar, and part cultural celebration – capturing the warmth of a neighbourhood panadería by day and the buzz of a Mexico City speakeasy after dark.
A typical Día de Muertos celebration
Each year on the 1st and 2nd of November, Mexico observes Día de Muertos, or the Day of the Dead. It’s a vibrant, colourful, and deeply meaningful national celebration that honours and remembers loved ones who have passed away.
During Día de Muertos, families create ofrendas (altars) in their homes or at cemeteries. They decorate these with marigolds, candles, photos, and pan de muerto, a sweet orange blossom-scented bread that symbolises the cycle of life and death. The belief is that these offerings help guide the spirits back to the world of the living for a brief reunion.
Far from a mournful occasion, it’s a time of colour, music, and storytelling – a way to keep memories alive through shared tradition. And to keep that tradition alive in London,
Bringing that tradition to London, Toklas bakery will be serving Reygadas’ renowned pan de muerto, baked fresh each morning and programme of events that pay homage to Mexico’s most symbolic celebration.
“Día de Muertos is one of Mexico’s most meaningful celebrations, where life and death meet through memory, food and ritual,” says Reygadas. “Pan de muerto is a gesture of care that connects us with those who are no longer here.”
What to expect from this pop-up
Throughout the weekend, Toklas Bakery will be transformed with marigold garlands, candlelit altars and traditional ofrendas, inviting guests to leave their own tributes to loved ones.
By day, the bakery turns into a true Mexican panadería, serving Rosetta’s legendary pan de muerto, and hosting hands-on Don Julio cocktail masterclasses. Visitors can also browse a Milagros-curated bodega, stocked with Mexican crafts, homewares and limited-edition Don Julio pieces.
By night, the ovens cool and the candles are lit. The space becomes an intimate speakeasy hosted by Handshake Speakeasy, the acclaimed Mexico City bar recently named World’s #1 bar. Expect classic tequila cocktails like Paloma and Margarita with a twist, and DJ sets inspired by Mexico’s underground music scene.
Where to book
Panadería Don Julio is open from Friday 31 October to Sunday 2 November at Toklas Bakery, 9 Surrey Street, London WC2R 2ND. For event listings and bookings, visit @donjuliotequila and @panaderiarosetta.
See also the launch of Tangra in Soho, Oui Madame, and Cicoria.