The “bread of the dead” is a sweet, slightly orange-scented bread traditionally baked for Día de los Muertos in Mexico, the Day of the Dead, celebrated November 1 and 2.

Soft, round, and often dusted with sugar, pan de muerto is decorated with small dough shapes that resemble bones and tears, symbolizing the cycle of life and death. It’s placed on altars — ofrendas — alongside photos, candles, marigolds, and favorite foods of loved ones who have passed away. Families and friends gather to remember, to celebrate, and to keep memories alive through food, color, and ritual.

What I love about this tradition is how it turns remembrance into something warm and communal. Instead of mourning in silence, there’s sweetness, light, and togetherness.

We were lucky to find a restaurant in New York that offered it — at New York–crazy prices, of course, but worth every bite. So tasty, and honestly, much better than all the Halloween stuff.