Always yummy with a bustling and friendly atmosphere. We often eat here before a show at DPAC

I made reservations at Mateo for a birthday dinner and was excited to see how the tapas stacked up to authentic Spanish food I'd tried in the past. The exposed brick and warm lighting made for a welcoming ambience. My boyfriend and I split an appetizer and six tapas- a perfect amount for the two of us. At the top of the heap was the Pan con Tomate and the Calamares. At the bottom was the Tortilla Española, which, other than the aioli, lacked flavor. Overall, the food was great but they went a little heavy on the aioli for several dishes. read more

Drinks were mid. The sangria was terrible, and I got 2 more mixed drinks after that, and they were soda downed. The bartender (I was sat at the bar) was amazing, tho very knowledgeable in their wine, sherry, and menu and suggested pairings with dishes we ordered. I got the bone marrow it was good, but crazy good..just fine. I also got the fried egg it was also good. Lastly I got the tomatoe bread that too was good. There were other things I wanted but I can not eat that much bread! Will go again because the vibes are immaculate. And the food is perfect share with a group. read more

Great tapas, food, vibe, and service. A wonderful spot to eat and connect. This is the kind of place where friendships are made and good conversations flow. read more

Cute place and great ambiance. Tall ceiling and spacious. Different styles of seating give lots of options. The tapas dishes are so creative mix with traditional and modern take. It was great especially the Pulpo (octopus) read more

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I always struggle to find restaurants that use adequate amounts of spice and flavor. Mateo, however, certainly didn't miss the mark, and every dish was extremely flavorful and decadent. I'm a vegetarian, and there were plenty of options for me, with the fried cauliflower special being my absolute favorite and unlike anything I expected from a cauliflower dish. I also had a beet dish with got cheese that was wonderful. You can't go wrong with their pan con tomate which is an excellent start to the meal. It's a shame I'm not from Durham, because I'd love to come back. read more

Mateo is a beautifully decorated restaurant that has the ambiance you are looking for on that special occasion. I know what you are thinking though, tapas? Very little food for more money? Maybe at other restaurants, but not at Mateo! The tapas are reasonably priced, AND the portions feed multiple people. I have been twice, both times in larger groups (10 and 15). With such large groups, two-three orders of each tapa were adequate and sometimes more than adequate to feed everyone. Also, did I mention how tasty the food was? Every dish is wonderfully plated and embodies such incredible arrays of flavors. Some dishes I enjoyed include the Calamares Fritos, Pan Con Tomate, Patatas Bravas and Pato Y Arroz (my personal fav). read more

Mateos is a go late night tapas spot that I've been to a number of times now. I'm usually here for the bone marrow and the octopus. This time wanted to make sure that I tried something new. All in all the food was good. The bread that was served was sliced a little too thick for my liking but the bone marrow never disappoints. The octopus dish has changed over the years but still a favorite. I'd recommend getting a reservation before hand if you can. read more

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Pretty good tapas with a spin on Spanish classics. The croquetas aren't as good as Barcelona bar in Raleigh. Great service! Calamari get the seal of approval but I wanted a lemon wedge and not the end piece of a lemon. read more

Tapas could be great but are totally ruined by an insane amount of salt. It's also very pricey for basic ingredients. Service is ok, room is very noisy. We won't go back. read more

We decided on Mateo after attending an event at Duke Chapel, we also chose it because it was open later than any of the other restaurants which was great! Because I wasn't for sure how busy they would be, I made a reservation online which was an awesome feature because when we got there were immediately seated! When we walked in we were greeted by a host I told her my name and shortly afterwards we were seated. Which was amazing! Our servers name was Cassidy and he was very knowledgeable of the menu. He made some awesome recommendations and made sure that we knew what we were ordering! The atmosphere is very lively, there were plenty of people there laughing, enjoying their food at the bar. It was awesome. We ended up ordering the octopus, meatballs, the red beans and rice & the shrimp everything was absolutely delicious. Oan the deviled egg which was good too. The food comes out as it is finished so that was really good. Because we were eating constantly and all of the dishes you can share which is awesome! I loved that! The bathroom was also really clean I loved it. The place is well decorated and I couldn't help but notice all of the amazing details. OVERALL I would choose this place again, our server was amazing and the restaurant is absolutely beautiful! read more

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Mateo is good, but it is not my favorite restaurant in Durham. I have had better Spanish food, for cheaper. Sometimes the portions seem rather small considering the price. More specifically, I wish there were more vegan and vegetarian options. read more

Mateos exceeded our expectations. We went (pre-COVID) to celebrate my Birthday. It was a very busy Saturday night and we didn't have a reservation so we waited for a seat at the bar. Everything we ordered was amazing! The ensalada de mariscos was my favorite. The boquerones were also really tasty. I loved the sangria. Thank you to Mateos for making my Birthday wonderful. read more

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Basically the main date spot for my wife and me. This place never disappoints. We always choose to sit at the bar and work our way through plates and plates while chatting to the bartenders. Staff is always so generous and the chef always seems to drop off a few extra plates for us to try. Very kind and groovin place. One of my favorite bar setups too. Hip and old school at the same time. read more

I enjoyed sitting at the bar for our anniversary. I do wish the food was paced out a little bit more. We felt rushed.

I love this place. Giving it 4 stars instead of 5 because the computers went down while we were there and they forgot a bunch of things we ordered for a long time until we reminded them and forgot the wine we could have been drinking in the mean time waiting for food. Things we love: their rice dishes, mushrooms with truffle sauce, olives, and shrimp. Their specials menu is worth checking out though for two small scallops for $16 that weren't even as hot as room temperature I'd skip those next time and order something else. Generally we like it here, having been a few times, and we'll be back! read more

Great fun place that I've taken my wife to a few times over the years. We always spring for the Mata: the combo of pepper jelly and creamy cheese on bread is so very addicting.. Tonight we ordered some new stuff that sounded promising - short rib and bone marrow, with pickled mushrooms: the beef is similar to pork floss in texture so we wouldn't get again - patatas bravas: great crema and tomato sauce but fingerlings aren't fun to eat in this dish - seafood paella: rice was cooked with too much liquid and a mush We usually don't get mocktails, but we gave them a try... sweet and sour mix on ice is not what we envisaged with the prompt "bright and citrusy". Overall we were quite stuffed with everything tasting great, just got hit by some unlucky picks from the menu read more

I met a friend here for an early dinner prior to seeing a show at the DPAC. This is a convenient downtown location and only a few minutes walk if you're headed to a show at either the Carolina Theater or the DPAC. There is street parking if you want to look for a while or there is a pay lot right next door. The pay lot does have an EV charging station but it's broken. We had a reservation so we got seated right away. One thing that bothered me is the closeness of the seats. I was able to hear the entire conversation of the people at the table beside us and when someone at the next table coughed, I actually felt it on my face. More spaced out seating is needed for both comfort and pandemic safety. The server was really nice, patient, and attentive. So kudos for that. They have queso boards which are basically charcuterie boards. The jam on the board was yummy. We also ordered tapas of shrimp and calamari. We didn't have time to get the short ribs before we had to head to the show and so the server kindly removed them from the bill rather than having us wait and be late. My friend got a cocktail and I got a desert wine flight. So few places have desert wines so I was glad to see they had a few but the selection was a bit overwhelming in terms of taste. Overall it was a decent experience. read more

Mateo - Quesos - Tapas Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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This place is way overrated. Our food was overcooked and dry. The duck and rice was almost entirely rice. I let the waiter know that there was no duck in the rice, and he tried to gaslight me and tell me it was shredded up and mixed in. I let him know after we ate some more that there was definitely not much duck in and he just shrugged, took it away, and didn't offer to add more duck to it or take it off the check. The waiter never checked to see if I wanted another drink. The clams were overcooked but the sauce was tasty. The paella was seasoned well but also was overcooked and most of the seafood and ham was dry. We were seated close to the door and the host didn't keep the curtain closed around the door so cold air kept rushing in. Also, people who were waiting on their table hovered near our table and were very annoying. The place is too small, super loud, and apparently they can't get their guests seated on time. I won't be going back. read more

Mateo has nearly 500 Yelp reviews, nearly as many photos have been posted, and the overall rating is a very solid 4 stars. My review, which will have little impact on those numbers, is simple - Loved the food (for the most part), hated the ambiance, service was a bit up and down, but finished stronger than it started - when you are invisible for the first 15 or 20 minutes, you are always a little ill at ease, always! The restaurant layout is a rectangular, shotgun design, with very small tables placed very close together (no, a bit closer even than that), and even at those very small tables you'll find yourself yelling at each other just to be heard over the general din, made even worse when you are sandwiched between 3 loud women discussing what foods they are intolerant to this week, and a table of horse laughing "professionals" loudly sharing stories only they can appreciate, or could even care to hear! We were finally approached by Larry G, who sought to find out if we required anything - and indeed we did, luckily we were in a restaurant that, from time to time, served food and drink! We were able to order adult beverages of our choosing, and thus it began! The bar here is a bit of a bottleneck, among an arena of other bottlenecks, but barely 30 minutes into our visit we had alcohol - of course by then it was time for the meds, but we endeavored to preserve, we were on foot, so we let it run! This is a tapas place, so we tapased! We ordered 2 daily specials Pea Shoots with Garlic, and a daily special Oyster item. We added Octopus, Bone Marrow, Pork Belly Meatballs, and Chicken Fried Chicken! The flow out of the kitchen was organized and impressive - this is a strength here. As the dishes were delivered, they were explained, instructions as to how to serve were included, and most of it worked. First out were the Pork Belly Meatballs, followed quickly by the Pea Shoots. The meatballs were excellent, full of rich flavor, and the broth with beans and herbs was delicious, as well. The Pea Shoots were awesome, sauteed with a light sauce and garlic, very tender. Next up was the Octopus, and this dish was a bit disappointing, and was prepared differently than the dish described on the online menu. Rather than tentacles, the octopus was cut into rounds, and had little flavor - the best part of the dish were the rich tasty greens at the very bottom., they were amazingly flavorful! The broiled Oysters, a daily special, was the next dish to arrived, and this dish fell a bit short. The oysters were small, and lacked real flavor. The Pollo Frito (chicken fried chicken) came, and was quickly followed by the Bone Marrow - and these 2 two dishes were the largest portion of the dishes we ordered. The chicken was stuffed with mahon, jamon serrano, and aoli, and topped with pickled salad, and it was a super taste experience.The bone marrow was served on toasted rustic bread, with smoked oxtail marmalade, pickled trumpet mushrooms, spring onions, radish, and benne seeds. The Bone Marrow was another amazing collection of rich, contrasting flavors, perhaps the best dish of the night, at least before dessert! We went with the Banana Pudding and the Chocolate Mousse, and I doubt there could have been better choices. The Banana Pudding was topped with marshmallow cream, and was incredibly flavorful and creamy. The mousse was exceptional as well, and the crumbles of dark chocolate sealed the deal. For the most part the food was exceptional, and the small plate approach is a great way to graze your way through a meal. The wait service was adequate after a slow start, but there was an overall lack of energy in the process, across the entire restaurant - perhaps they have lost a bit of an edge in this department. But the killer here, the one thing that the variety and quality of the food can not overcome, for us at least, is the ambiance - a noisy, cramped experience where you are literally elbow to elbow with some rather obnoxious people is not a dining environment we seek out, and would not repeat. read more

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I can't give enough stars to this restaurant. I've been a fine-dining server for 25 years and the team service my husband and I received in the upstairs dining room this past Saturday, 11/13 was impeccable. Give those two a raise. Team service can be sloppy and intrusive with too many random check-ins at a table, but it never was that way. We had everything we needed, right when we needed it, and otherwise attentive but unobtrusive service. We ordered one dessert and two coffees and our server (a hero) brought them all at once. All at once! This never happens in even the best of restaurants...usually there is an unfortunate lag between coffee service and the dessert. The food was perfect. We had a jamon and cheese board that our servers helped us pick and we loved, but ulitmately the farm cheese we ordered was the better and more decadent pick. The pollo frito is an incredible chicken bomb that we all wish fast food could be like. My partner wanted the deviled eggs and I was skeptical, but the chorizo crust is everything. Get them. The iteration of pulpo that they are doing right now (a mashed potato foam and cilantro verde middle layer) is one of the weirdest things I've eaten. Not at all in a bad way, we loved it. The flan we had for dessert was the best flan I've ever had. I've thought about it daily since our visit. This was my third visit and Mateo is so consistent in quality of food and really, really, really good service. 10/10. I'm not sure if I mentioned this, but the service at Mateo is excellent. read more

My friend (a seasoned Mateo veteran) and I (hesitant first-timer) recently hit up Mateo for a little Tapas Tuesday lunch action - two options for $10. I thought Mateo had a lot going for it, but ultimately left thinking it was unlikely to be a place I visited a second time. Everyone has their scoring quirks, and I am no exception. For me, the ONE CRUCIAL THING I judge any tapas restaurant on is their pan con tomate. My dad is Spanish, so I've made this a thousand times at home and I'm partial to his way. With that in mind, the Mateo version failed miserably for me. First, it was insanely heavy on the tomato, way more like a bruschetta. Second, I will give them a dollar if they're actually using pan de cristal to make theirs. Already grumpy about the bread sitch, I tried to turn an impartial eye to the rest of my meal. I thought the Huevo Diablo was a total standout - both in that its presentation totally surprised and delighted (oh yes, I said it) me and that it was tasty af. The tortilla, however, was bland-bland-bland-BLAND. I nibbled off a corner of it then ignored it like it was an ex-boyfriend. My partner-in-crime made quick work of a whole lotta farmer's cheese and shrimp and something else that I forget. Ambiance was lovely - tables are intimate without being claustrophobic - and our server Larry was the perfect degree of attentive. Honestly, I'm revising my opinion as I type - I might go once more just to try the lomo, which I (probably unwisely) skipped on this trip. read more

I came to Mateo for my second dinner. It's located on Chapel Hill St., which is a hot spot for restaurants in downtown Durham. Mateo is a great Spanish-American fusion restaurant, but it definitely isn't authentic Spanish food. I was in Spain for the summer and my expectations were a little too high. I was expecting a lot for the chicken croquetas, but they were too sweet and the shredded chicken had an interesting texture. Definitely not what I was expecting. The datiles were also too sweet for my liking and were lacking in flavor, but my boyfriend enjoyed them so I guess it's all up to preference. This review has nothing against Mateo -- I'm sure that all the other food on the menu is great and appeases the Southern soul. It just wasn't what I was looking for. read more

Mateo - Chicken Croquetas, Datiles - Tapas Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

I've heard great things about Mateo and all my expectations were beyond met when I finally had the chance to try it. Not one plate was a disappointment. I'm sure you hear this a lot, but it was truly love at first bite. read more

Outstanding place to eat. I'm quite happy with the quality as well as the variety at this restaurant. It definitely one of the best in Durham. I highly recommend the deviled egg which is wrapped in chorizo. Also, we had their bacalao frito and it was quite amazing. read more

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Well-known tapas restaurant in downtown Durham. I made a reservation for 7:45 pm for Wednesday night, but my group had to wait for 30 minutes before being seated! It's absolutely ridiculous that we had to wait that long even with a reservation. Regardless, the servers were attentive and allowed my group to order ahead of time since we were seated so late. I absolutely loved the brussel sprouts: juicy and crispy. The meatball and calamari were good too. At the end of the day, it's a great place for a small group during off-peak times. read more

Mateo - Tapas Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Good spot for pre-DPAC dinner. Everything was good. Service was really fast. I really liked the deviled eggs and the pimiento cheese. My friends liked a couple of the potato dishes. We did not try too many things. Will definitely return. read more

Went with several people for a quick dinner before a Dpac Wicked performance. The food was delicious and beautifully presented. The portions were small but large enough to share if you ordered 1 or 2 each. We really enjoyed the pepper jelly, farmers cheese and toasted bread option and shrimp. The Duck was also good and the calamari was good but average. The service was very quick and nice. The mixed drinks were very good and cold. We were all very pleased with the food and service. Next time I want to leave room for dessert. They all sounded delicious. Also be aware that a tip is added up front to your bill. read more

I'm a sucker for bone marrow so an easy 5 stars for me. Service, presentation and food were all amazing. Prices are high but not overly so, and fair for the type of food and specialty dishes which aren't of for dishes other places. Tapas are expensive but that's true of every tapas place. read more

Croquettes we're heavenly The fried egg was incredible The octopus was cooked perfectly The shrimp were great but would pass next time Great atmosphere! read more

Tried the scallop special, the chicken pâté, and the Brussels. All were so tasty, with a decent amount of food. The scallops were small but very satisfying! Definitely try it if they still have it when you visit. But the pâté... 12/10 would do again. Pros: Great food Service Cocktails Cons: Long wait so try to snag a bar seat if possible read more

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Second time during our visit to Durham Eclectic menu, paired flavors with amazing tastes. Worth getting several small share plates among table and an entree. You will not leave hungry And the CheerWine Sangria is the bomb! Cherry is also a delightful palate pleasing treat Always will be back read more

Oh MATEO! How much I love this place! Everything about this place is amazing. The atmosphere, the people, the food....   I don't love all their dishes but the overall experience is always awesome. Definitely make a reservation so you do not have to wait for hours. Even during the week it gets very busy and crowded. This place is definitely one of my favorite spots in the triangle read more

It's been ages since I've had tapas, but Mateo does not disappoint. We got lots of staples like blistered shishito peppers, garlic shrimp, patatas bravas and everything was great. They have created a really nice seating option outdoors in the adjacent parking lot if you want to dine outdoors too. They also have a big wine and beer selection too if you're looking for spirits. All in all, I really enjoyed my meal here and can't wait to come back. read more

Searching for charcuterie brought me to Mateo. Was a little bumbed to find out meat and cheese plates are sold separately. We ordered meat, cheese, Spanish tortilla and chorizo wrapped deviled eggs. Everything was tasty. My personal favorite was the chorizo wrapped deviled eggs. My partner loved the tortilla. Make a reservation online(OpenTable) if you're planning dinner. We arrived on Sunday evening. The restaurant quickly filled up. The bar is pretty big in case you want to grab food there instead. read more

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We've had some just "pretty good" meals there but the last time we went it was excellent with several stand-out dishes. I wish the menu changed a little more with more vegetable/salad options. Would five 4.5 stars if I could. read more

Being from Miami ... I have to admit The vibe was good, the tapas were great. They need to do something about their sangrias though. White sangria, red sangria... nothing wrong with the original... just saying! Please don't be shy with the portions people. If your charging that much for "apps" sliced Serrano and those succulent ribs... a couple more pieces on the plate aren't going to hurt you or hit your bottom line. You nailed the paella from what I saw... but Tortilla espanola cannot be put on the menu if your NOT going to cook it right. I'll personally help all the chefs in that kitchen and give them a master class on how Cubans and Spanish culture make their tortillas from Miami. Other than that...very good spot in Durham! Definitely going back!! read more

We came to Mateo with a group for dinner tonight during our trip to see family in NC. The service was great. The atmosphere was cozy and perfect for our occasion. The table shared most all of the dishes. Everything was delicious. The only time I remembered to stop for a pic was before slicing into the Bistec. I wish I lived closer so I could come back and try more. read more

Mateo - Bistec - Tapas Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

This James Beard nominated tapas place was the first restaurant I ever tried in Durham. Since then I've been back at least 3 times -- it certainly gets pricey fast but it's always worth it when I have visitors or a special celebration! The food is absolutely phenomenal -- often a place that does so many different things has to sacrifice quality somewhere, but despite having tried nearly everything on the menu I have yet to be disappointed by a dish. If I had to pick a few highlights I would say the patatas bravas, pan con tomate, albondigas, and of course the pulpo a la plancha, but again truly everything was above expectations! I have come with vegetarians and the veggie options are equally delicious, if a little less filling. They have a great drinks menu with cocktails, beer and wine options available. Would definitely recommend a reservation if coming at a popular time (e.g. Friday/Saturday evenings). As all the plates are small and meant to be shared, it's the perfect place for a large group for a special event! read more

Mateo - Calamares Fritos, Pan Con Tomate, Zanahorias, Pulpo a la Plancha, Almejas - Tapas Bars Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

One of my favorite places in the area for a date night! Mateo is a beautiful and intimate tapas restaurant serving up an extensive menu of both traditional and innovative Spanish tapas. Definitely make a reservation for dinner because this place gets packed, especially during the weekends. I shared five tapas with my friend and ALL of them were spectacular, but if there's one dish you must get, get the Pato y Arroz (duck and rice). The tender and savory pieces of duck are cooked into an almost creamy mushroom risotto-like rice that makes you keep coming back for more. The table next to us even ordered a second round of it!! My second favorite dish was the Coles de Bruselas Catalan (brussel sprouts), which were charred and drizzled with a fresh and bright saffron yogurt sauce. The dish didn't look like much at first, but I was surprised at how much flavor it had. As for drinks, I'm in love with their red cheerwine sangria - the pitcher is only $18 for nearly 5 glasses and it's totally worth it. The seating here can get tight, but the ambiance is lovely and the service is friendly and helpful. Will definitely be back to try more small plates! read more

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