Mateo Bar De Tapas, Durham - Menu, Prices & Restaurant Reviews

Is this an American restaurant?

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About

Mateo will be offering a $75 per person Pre Fixe menu May 10 - May 12. This menu will feature classic and special tapas - your choice of 3 tapas and 1 dessert. Our Seafarer and Vegan Paella, as well as our Cowboy Ribeyes will be available a la cart. A limited children's menu will be available for children 10 and under. Walk in room will be available at the bar with the option to order a la cart. ** vegans and those with allium allergies will be allowed to order items a la cart **Mateo Bar de Tapas is the first solo venture from chef Matthew Kelly, housed in the old Book Exchange building in the heart of downtown Durham. Featuring a menu that blends the flavors of Spain with beloved ingredients and dishes of the South. We offer a casual, yet refined, menu of Spanish small plates with Southern inflection. Accompanying the food is a robust Spanish wine list as well as one of the largest sherry offerings in the country!

PRICE RANGE

$39.00 – $39.00

CUISINES

American, Spanish

Special Diets

Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options

Meals

Lunch, Dinner, After-hours

FEATURES

Reservations, Seating, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service

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4.5

529 reviews

Excellent

299

Very good

144

Average

60

Poor

21

Terrible

5

Harvey C

Cincinnati161 contributions

Great tapas in Durham

Feb 2020 • couples

We love all this group’s concepts. The decor upstairs and down, service and food are just tops. We loved every dish and. I thing was weak. And with tapas, one can keep trying new dishes all the time. One tiny issue, and this is true of any genuine Spanish restaurant here or in Spain, the menu is heavy on pork. I could easily order around that personal issue. Enjoy!

Written 10 February 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Trophy Travel Experiences

Vancouver440 contributions

Good food and Understated Service

Jan 2020 • none

Went here for lunch. Found service really casual but stylistically, maybe that is just Durham. Not unfriendly but not overly friendly. Just very chill. Food was good. As good as in Spain. We tried a variety of tapas: chicken croqueta, gambas, patatas bravas, calamari and pork ribs. All the food was tasty and tasted very authentic. Food came out pretty quick. Would go back and probably a very busy place at dinner time.

Written 3 January 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

E Riehl

Raleigh3 contributions

Go Again

Mar 2020 • none

We had stayed in Durham for a period of time due to treatments at Duke Cancer Instiute and had reviewed this dining establishment. However, didn't dine until the treatments were complete due to crowds and taste. Delighted we didn't miss as one of the best findes in Durham. Very unique and outstanding service and food.

Written 15 March 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jenny M

1 contribution

Very dissapointed

Oct 2022 • family

This is the first review I have ever written for a restaurant. Other restaurants might have failed to live up to the expectations but this one just seemed to be a bigger let down than others. It might have to do with the fact that we just got here from hurricane torn Fort Myers and we were expecting a nice evening to distract us from the heartache we left at home. Instead, we were greeted with the warning that we had our table for a limited time since they had to rearrange their reservations. In spite of the lukewarm welcome, we still had high expectations for the food. Unfortunately, this was one of the most overpriced disappointing meals we have ever had. The tapas and cheese platter were fine, albeit overpriced. The huge disappointment was their meat platter. At $140 we were served cold chunks of tough steak that were inedible at best. Although our server was very nice and apologetic, the manager made little effort to rectify the situation and basically offered us a free dessert. While we weren’t expecting to have our meal comped, which the server offered and the manager ignored, it would have been a nice gesture to offer a little more than a $10 flan for an entire plate of uneaten meat. We sent the full plate back basically untouched and were quickly given a $250 bill. From there we headed back to campus for a much more satisfying meal. Sadly, we have crossed this restaurant off our list.

Written 13 October 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

4alexnyc

New York City1808 contributions

Good but not great

May 2021 • couples

Good food but didn't stand out. Paella was cooked properly but didn't have that nice chared rice stuck to the pan. The bone marrow was tasty but again, didn't stand out. Stay away from the corn based churrios which is missing the nice chewy flavor you would expect.

Written 15 May 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sun S

2 contributions

Stop

Jan 2023 • couples

🛑 stop if you want authentic Spanish food this is not the place. We were incredibly disappointed.How can an america chef cook authentic food from spain. Tortilla española was like scrambled eggs and the croquetas de jamón looks like cheese balls. The manager was really nice and so was the waitress but the food needs to be reevaluated and it lacked flavor. How can you have a Spanish restaurant and not know what Spanish food from Spain should taste or look like. Come on. If you read this restaurant, anything above a wine you yourself have no idea what food from Spain taste and look like he break this to you. This is not it what you need to do is higher a Spanish chef and cook authentic food from Spain and don’t put a southern twist to it.

Written 14 January 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

DanDDS3386

Raleigh45 contributions

Indifferent service

Oct 2021 • none

We were excited to meet friends at Mateo's, we got there early and sat at the bar. Scott the bartender was very friendly and helpful.When we were seated, our waitress did not appear to have any interest in us. One friend had a disability, hearing impaired. The waitress refused to speak louder or lower her mask. She had her hearing device with her, but the waitress's attitude was horrible. The manager did come to the table, but claimed to have never heard of the ADA. Fortune lately for Mateo, our friends are not litigious. Mostly, it was about a waitress and a manager who could care less. We won't return, many restaurants want our business.

Written 16 October 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Bill W

Charlotte147 contributions

Amazing Experience

Aug 2023 • couples

We had a great experience. We found this place while looking for a place that took reservations and was walkable to DPAC. Plus, we love Tapas. This was the best tapas we have had outside of Spain. We had a table but decided to sit at the bar and we were glad we did. Aiden served us and was awesome with her service and her recommendations. Everything was great. We did three of the specials, Shoshitos, Elote and pressed watermelon. Then we did the Pan Con Tomate-- which we loved and was the best I've ever had, including in Spain! We don't go to Durham often from Raleigh but are now looking forward to returning to come back to Mateo.

Written 31 August 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Dave G

19 contributions

Too much salt!

Jul 2024 • couples

Ordered tapas and pallea. Both way too salty! I think it was off night n the kitchen. Ask the tables next to us and they agreed. Management needs to hid the salt. Put on table let customers salt their own. Went to musical after and drank 4 bottles of water!

Written 1 August 2024

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ingleseitalianato

75 contributions

Great food, great (but loud) vibe, iffy service

Nov 2023 • couples

I have eaten at Mateo's regularly since its soft opening. I have mostly had excellent experiences here, but lately, something is off -- the food is slipping a bit and the service is definitely not what it used to be. At our last meal here, last Saturday night, we ordered four tapas -- two arrived within 20 minutes, and the other two had not yet arrived after 40 minutes (and both were quick-cooking seafood items). We noticed that the table next to us, which arrived after us, received one of the same dishes far more quickly. Instead of apologizing, the waitress went to check in the kitchen and told us our food was on its way. After 20 more minutes, it finally arrived (clearly, the order had not been placed the first time). When the same thing happened with one of our two after-dinner sherries, we knew the jig was up -- the waitress was simply forgetting our orders. We still think that the food, at its best, is nonpareil -- the clams, the gambas al ajillo, the octopus brochettes with kimchi (brilliant), the pork belly and bone marrow were all superb. Other dishes are uninspired and on occasion even unpleasant (and: why put mushy, tasteless boiled peanuts in everything?). It's a tapas bar, of course, so we don't expect polished service -- but we also don't expect dishes ordered at the same time to arrive a full hour apart. With a few exceptions, the staff don't seem to know much, or to care much, about the food or drink, which is too bad, given how brilliant the wine and sherry list is. This is the first time in 4 years that I've given a tip under 18%, even for a coffee -- I will return, of course, but I really hope things improve with the service next time.

Written 13 November 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Herman S

Oegstgeest3244 contributions

Amazing food in Durham

Oct 2023 • business

I was very impressed by the quality of the food and wines in this restaurant. Experienced in tasting food from many restaurants in Spain I can say that it matches the standards of a good tapas restaurant in Barcelona the highest compliment I can give.

Written 3 October 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Go Meeeeechigan

Sturgis119 contributions

Tapas disappointment

Dec 2021 • couples

Upon arrival our group of 4 was greeted by an employee who clearly sent the message I do not want to be a work tonight, The staff’s attitude was aloof yet haughty. From there was slowly down hill. Our server was a bright spot. She was helpful, knowledgeable and attentive. No food item was outstanding. We had 5 shares. The drinks were expensive and good. They should be great.

Written 2 January 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Yoram_and_Laurie

Simpsonville49 contributions

Wonderful Tapas joint in Durham

Sept 2021 • none

Great authentic Tapas menu, deliciously prepared. Great service. Excellent Spanish winelist. Everything we chose was superb. Excellent value for the quality. Qudos!

Written 27 September 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Courtney

104 contributions

Completely delicious!

Jul 2021 • friends

Completely delicious! Literally everything we ate was delicious. I’m vegetarian and was a little worried there wouldn’t be enough for me to eat, but we order an entirely vegetarian meal and I was stuffed! Make sure you save room for dessert too!

Written 9 July 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Leslie J

Atlanta27 contributions

The most RUDE experience I've ever had for mediocre food

Feb 2020 • none

Not only did it take 45 minutes to get the first part of our order (party of 4) - they all came out at different times - one at a time. When mine finally arrived - last- it was cold. When I asked the bartender to simply re-heat it he said they could not do it and would have to "fire" another one and it would likely take an additional 45 mins! When I said, I didn't want to wait another 45 he shrugged his shoulders! When I asked them to take it off the bill he said he would have to take the full plate away - or I could pay to eat cold food. He took it away and removed it from the bill. Our entire party will never return to the restaurant and will never take our friends or family.

Written 8 March 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Mateo Bar De Tapas

Mateo Bar De Tapas, Durham - Menu, Prices & Restaurant Reviews - Tripadvisor