Día de Muertos 2026

The most iconic celebration of Mexico — where the six senses come alive in a vibrant, surreal expression of culture and remembrance.

OCT 29 – NOV 8
Reserve a Table See the Special Menu

Celebrating Día de Muertos on the Upper West Side

Every fall, Columbus Avenue fills with marigolds, candlelight, and the smell of mole drifting from the kitchen — Día de Muertos, right here on the Upper West Side.

A Mexican Tradition on the Upper West Side

With roots tracing back thousands of years to indigenous Aztec and Mayan ceremonial stews, mole has long been the centerpiece of Mexico's most important celebrations — a labor-intensive combination of dried chiles, nuts, seeds, spices, dried fruits, bread, charred tortilla, and chocolate, made to honor those it's shared with. Every Día de Muertos, we bring that tradition to the table in three expressions: verde, negro, and rojo.

The Cocktail

La Catrina

Named for the icon of Día de Muertos herself, La Catrina opens the table the way she opens the celebration — a little mischievous, a little elegant. Mezcal and a pumpkin spice cordial, brightened with citrus and a touch of black tea and ginger, garnished with the same marigolds that line our ofrenda.

Mezcal · Pumpkin Spice Cordial · Citrus · Black Tea & Ginger Extract

One of Mexico’s Most Sacred Rituals

Our Altar

We call it an ofrenda — how Mexico welcomes its dead home for one night a year, an altar layered with cempasúchil marigolds, candles, and the photographs of the people we don’t want to forget. This Día de Muertos, we’re building ours right here on Columbus Avenue, on the Upper West Side, just blocks from the American Museum of Natural History. Stop by Covacha, October 29 through November 8, and experience a custom most New Yorkers never get to see up close.

Get Directions

Good to Know

What is Covacha’s Día de Muertos celebration?
Every fall, Covacha celebrates Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) with a special menu built around mole and an ofrenda — a traditional Mexican altar — set up in the restaurant from October 29 through November 8.
What are some things to do for Día de Muertos in New York City?
Día de Muertos is celebrated all over New York. Covacha isn’t the only place honoring it — a few others worth knowing about:
  • New York Botanical Garden (Bronx) — a Día de los Muertos installation, October 3 through November 2. nybg.org
  • Rockefeller Center (Midtown) — the annual “Mexico Week: Día de Muertos,” with a community ofrenda, art installations, and a Día de Muertos walk. rockefellercenter.com
  • Brooklyn Army Terminal Arches (Sunset Park, Brooklyn) — a free community celebration with a communal ofrenda, organized by ArtBuilt and Casa Cultural, on October 31. nyctourism.com
  • Covacha (Upper West Side) — our own ofrenda and a special Día de Muertos menu, October 29 through November 8.
Do I need a reservation?
We recommend reserving ahead, especially on weekends, through Resy. Walk-ins are welcome if space allows.
Is the special menu available every day during the celebration?
Yes, the Día de Muertos menu is available October 29 through November 8 for dine-in guests.
Can the moles be modified for allergies?
Our moles are not modifiable. They’re made with a number of ingredients, including tree nuts and seeds, so please let your server know of any allergies before ordering.
Where is Covacha located?
368 Columbus Avenue, on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, just blocks from the American Museum of Natural History.

Plan Your Visit

Join Us for Día de Muertos Week

Covacha is a Mexican restaurant on Columbus Avenue, on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, and for many years we’ve celebrated Día de Muertos here every fall. The celebration centers on an ofrenda, a traditional Mexican altar, and a special menu built around mole, one of Mexico’s most important dishes. It’s a quiet, meaningful tradition for our team, and every year we open our doors so our neighbors on the Upper West Side can experience a small piece of it too.

Bib Gourmand — MICHELIN Guide
Dates Oct 29 – Nov 8
Address 368 Columbus Ave
New York, NY 10024
Reserve a Table Get Directions