Cinco de Mayo London 2019: Food, parties and the best restaurants to celebrate Mexican culture

London is bracing itself for an overload of margaritas, tequila and tacos as Cinco de Mayo arrives.

The date commemorates Mexico’s victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla and has since evolved into a national day celebrating the country's culture.

The capital is going all out to mark the occasion, with mezcal-fuelled bottomless brunches and salsa-heavy dinners, not to mention plenty of mariachi music.

This year, May 5 falls on bank holiday Sunday, so there’s even more reason to enjoy a fiesta – these are the best spots to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in London.

Themed brunches are sweeping the capital on May 5. Santo Remedio is launching its new bottomless brunch this weekend, inspired by recipes from Mexico City, Yucatan and Oaxaca. There will something for everyone too, with both meaty and veggie Mexican favourites, including hibiscus flower enchiladas, torta ahogada (a Mexican sandwich) with pork belly and churros with a dulce de leche dipping sauce.

Gaucho Piccadilly will be throwing a fiesta of its own with an unconventional Mexican-themed Electro Brunch. Tequila-based cocktails and Latin Ameican-inspired dishes will make up the menu for the one-off celebration and guests can enjoy as much food and drink as they fancy for a 90-minute window, to a soundtrack of electro beats.

Over in Mayfair, Bagatelle will be hosting a Cinco de Mayo brunch event with DJs and a special menu put together by executive chef Dale Osbourne. Patriotic cocktails on offer include a Casa Piquante Margarita and a mezcal-heavy Pina Sour do Mayo.

Fellow Mayfair haunt MNKY HSE will be going back to its Latin American roots with mariachi band El Mexicano performing live. The restaurant will offer five exclusive dishes, including house fajitas, decadent nachos and a piñata-inspired dessert. The piñata theme won’t stop there, either, as there will be life-size ones scattered around the restaurant for guests to have a bash at. To drink, try one of the three margaritas: a classic number, one infused with avocado and another with jalapeno.

Elsewhere, Thomasina Miers’ Mexican chain Wahaca will be offering £5 margaritas across the bank holiday weekend. Bargain.

Farringdon bar Oriole is partnering with George Clooney’s Casamigos tequila, for an authentic fiesta complete with Latin American music. Four different Mexican-inspired cocktails will be on the menu, along with lashings of mezcal. DJ Dom Servini will be on the decks from 11pm, taking guests into the early hours.

Over in Soho, Corazon’s celebrations take place across two days, stretching from Saturday to Sunday. They’re going all out with the Mexican theme too, with live mariachi music, salsa and guacamole tastings and new dishes to sample, as well as a special agave drinks list to work through.

East London rooftop the Queen of Hoxton recently relaunched with a Mexican theme — just in time. Its event on Sunday will host female mariachis Las Guadalupes at 2pm, and Mexican wrestler La Rana Venosa, who will be on standby for photos. It'll also have a brilliantly-themed drop-in workshop on how to build-your-own Trump piñata.

Meanwhile, down in south London, Pop Brixton will be throwing a musical Cinco de Mayo extravangaza. Mariachi band Las Guadalupes will take to the stage along with folklore band Candelero. DJs Coco Maria, Gypsy Box and Cal Jader will also be keeping the crowds entertained well into the night.

Kingsland Road favourite TT Liquor will be ringing in Cinco de Mayo with its very own boozy creation. The Eight Battalion will have a tequila base, topped with cacao-infused Triple Sec, lime, chilli and hibiscus-infused pomegranate.

Elsewhere, the Coral Room will offer a selection of celebratory cocktails featuring Casamigos. Highlights on the specially designed drinks menu will include a house margarita made with rose sparkling wine and fruity Casa Coral with creme de banana and bitters.

Soho’s the Perception at W London will be marking the occasion with some new tequila creations, including the Smokey Bandit made with tequila, red pepper, coriander and chilli — a truly Mexican affair. Salud.