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Tue, 03-19
20:00

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RATINGS
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Service
Value
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PRICE RANGE
C$41 - C$41
CUISINES
Spanish
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
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meals, features
Reviews (528)
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4
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Traveller rating
294
139
58
21
4
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All reviews tapas jamon flan spanish food southern twist dishes
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Reviewed November 13, 2023

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.More

Date of visit: November 2023
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Reviewed October 3, 2023 via mobile

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.

Date of visit: October 2023
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Reviewed August 31, 2023

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.More

Date of visit: August 2023
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Reviewed January 14, 2023 via mobile

🛑 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.More

Date of visit: January 2023
Helpful?1  
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.
Reviewed October 13, 2022

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.More

Date of visit: October 2022
Helpful?2  
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.
Reviewed January 2, 2022 via mobile

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.More

Date of visit: December 2021
Helpful?3  
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.
Reviewed October 16, 2021

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.More

Date of visit: October 2021
Helpful?4  
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.
Reviewed September 27, 2021

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

Date of visit: September 2021
Helpful?1  
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.
Reviewed July 9, 2021 via mobile

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!

Date of visit: July 2021
Helpful?1  
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.
Reviewed May 15, 2021 via mobile

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.More

Date of visit: May 2021
Helpful?1  
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.
Reviewed March 15, 2020

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.More

Date of visit: March 2020
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Reviewed March 8, 2020

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.More

Date of visit: February 2020
Helpful?2  
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Reviewed February 13, 2020

We had a family meal here - 3 of us, with 3 beers from their local on-tap offerings - and the tab was well over a Benjamin, but every dish we ordered was fabulous, as they say, "finger-lickin'-good." I esp liked the chicken croquettes, the...shrimp, and the red beans and rice. Don't bother with the pork ribs - mostly bones and very tiny.More

Date of visit: February 2020
Helpful?1  
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Reviewed February 10, 2020 via mobile

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!More

Date of visit: February 2020
Helpful?1  
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.
Reviewed February 9, 2020 via mobile

Fabulous freshly prepared and creative tapas, great service and wonderful seafront location. Will definitely go again!

Date of visit: February 2020
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MATEO BAR DE TAPAS, Durham - Menu, Prices, Restaurant Reviews & Reservations - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about Mateo Bar De Tapas

Mateo Bar De Tapas is rated accordingly in the following categories by Tripadvisor travellers:
  • Food: 4.5
  • Service: 4.5
  • Value: 4
  • Atmosphere: 4