Grab your sombrero off the hat rack – it’s Cinco de Mayo in Dubai (and everywhere else) this weekend.
All about good food, dancing and colourful celebrations, the day is a staple in Mexico, marking their victory in the 1862 Franco-Mexican War.
If you’re in the mood to fill up on quesadillas and burritos, pop on your party sombrero and have a swing at the piñata, you’ve come to the right place.
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Check out our full guide below on all of the Cinco de Mayo festivities in the city, and exactly how you can get involved.
Chalco’s Cantina
Hosting the party a little early, Chalco’s will be running a special Cinco de Mayo Dubai night brunch on May 4 from 7pm-11pm.
A family-owned Mexican restaurant, it can’t get more authentic for a Cinco de Mayo bash. Featuring DJ Edikson spinning some of the latest Latino beats, you can enjoy the live entertainment and a Mexican spread.
With the dinner featuring quesadillas, enchiladas, tostadas and house beverages, the night promises to be a lively one.
From Dhs299, Sat May 4, 7pm-11pm. Chalco’s Cantina, Marina Gate 2, Marina Walk, chalcoscantina.ae (052 112 8923).
En Fuego
Taking the celebrations seriously, En Fuego are not messing around when it comes to throwing an incredible event.
In fact, the venue at Atlantis, The Palm has put together a full four-day schedule to make sure Cinco de Mayo gets the recognition it deserves.
On Thursday May 2, the party will begin with a Viva la Noche ladies night, followed by a Fiesta Friday, a Viva de Carnaval Saturday brunch and one final La Familia Sunday BBQ on Cinco de Mayo itself.
If this doesn’t satisfy your Cinco de Mayo cravings, we don’t know what will.
Ladies Night, Dhs149 (2 courses), Dhs179 (3 courses), Thurs May 2, 9pm-1am.
Fiesta Fridays, Dhs350 (soft), Dhs450 (house), Dhs550 (sparkling), Fri May 3, 9pm-midnight.
Viva de Carnaval, Dhs450 (soft), Dhs550 (house), Dhs650 (sparkling), Sat May 4, 1pm-4pm.
La Familia Cinco de Mayo BBQ, Dhs120 (child), Dhs230 (adult), Sun May 5, 1pm-4pm.
En Fuego, Atlantis, The Palm, atlantis.com (04 426 2626).
Loca
One of Dubai’s Mexican restaurant stalwarts, Loca is having a colourful all-day fiesta on Saturday May 4, with everything you would expect from an extended brunch.
There will be an entire area dedicated to Mexican short beverages, live music and even a loteria area where you can get involved in the traditional board game.
Ongoing from noon-7pm, you can spend hours soaking up all of the Cinco de Mayo fun.
Dhs245 (house beverages), Sat May 4, noon-7pm. Dubai Marine Beach Resort & Spa, Jumeirah Beach Road, locauae.com (04 346 1111).
Rodeo Drive
Transforming the cowboy-themed venue, Rodeo Drive is getting ready for a fiesta on Sunday May 5. Although typically a cowboy-themed restaurant, it will be mixing in some flavours from Mexico to celebrate the day.
Think a mechanical bull-riding competition but with sombreros. Serving up dishes from guacamole to tamales, you can dine in and have a go at one of the piñatas.
Sun May 5, 6pm-4am. Rodeo Drive, Trade Centre 1, rodeodrive.com (052 899 3999).
Toro Toro
Toro Toro will be offering up both day and night events so that everyone gets a chance to enjoy the festivities.
Starting off with its Hola Hola brunch on Sat May 4, guests will have free-flowing food and drinks for three hours while they watch traditional South-American entertainment.
Then in the evening, a celebratory dinner will be served up on both May 4 and 5, offering up signature tacos, quesadillas and refreshing mixed drinks. A signature offer for Cinco de Mayo, diners can get three signature tacos and two mixed drinks for Dhs125.
Brunch, Dhs295 (soft), Dhs450 (house), Dhs799 (sparkling), Sat May 4, 1-4pm. Toro Toro, Grosvenor House, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Dubai, torotorodubai.com (04 317 6000).
Dinner, Sun May 5, 7pm-11pm, Toro Toro, Grosvenor House, a Luxury Collection Hotel Dubai, torotorodubai.com (04 317 6000).
Maya
Also on Cinco de Mayo itself, Maya will be offering its version of a Mexican fiesta for one evening only. Tuck into some delicious tacos while you enjoy the party atmosphere.
Inviting diners to get hands on with their dinner, you can create your own ceviche or tostada, leaving you with a tasty meal and a lesson in Mexican cooking.
Running from 7-11pm, the dinner is a perfect option to end the weekend on.
Dhs295 (soft), Dhs425 (house), Dhs175 (children under 12), Sun May 5, 7pm-11pm. Maya Mexican Kitchen Bar and Grill, Le Royal Méridien Beach Resort & Spa, maya-dubai.com (04 316 5550).
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