Staff was so friendly and extremely helpful. Someone in our party has multiple food allergies. Our waitress went beyond in assisting him in what and how to order. The food was delicious.
David
Cocktails are good - had a Oaxaca Manhattan and one with reposado tequila and rhubarb with lemon and a fruit bitters. Beth good and well presented. Server was great, knowledgeable. Had chicken croquettes- well done - a bit sweet with honey mayonnaise. Great calamari. Also bread with tomato mixture (quite salty) with jamon and manchego- took off much of the tomato and it was quite nice. It's a reliable authentic bar/tapas place we keep coming back to when in town.
Tapas were good, the pate was the overall winner of everything we picked out. The duck was underwhelming, very little of it in the rice base (which was good on its own). The main server was rude, rushed us through out the meal, never asked how anything was. She seemed to have a problem with us from the start. We asked if there were any specials or recommendations that she had and she had none-only to find out that there were several specials that night after we were wrapping things up. I'd provide her name but she never introduced herself. So much for a relaxing birthday dinner with friends. The saving grace was the male server who chatted us up and let us know where the bread was sourced after he overheard us talking about it. He was very warm.
JustMe
Although I've always liked this place I had have started to avoid it because of the noise level downstairs. Upstairs is a treat, much quieter, less crowded, even when full. The service was friendly and efficient. While the food is very good, the prices are higher than deserved. I'd expect something exquisite in this price range. I'll be back, because I like the vibe, the service, and the food, but at these prices I won't be back often.
Our tapas were all delicious and came quickly after ordering. We had cheese and Serrano ham platter, shrimp, chicken croquettes, ensalata and then fried chicken, asparagus, and albondigas. We ended with cappuccino and banana pudding. Our waitress was very attentive. For early Friday night, it was noisy but bearable. Our guests and us truly enjoyed our dinner. We look forward to going back soon.
Annie P.
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.
Writerjeff
This was a great place to dine prior to a concert at the Carolina Theatre. We've been here several times because the menu is imaginative and intriguing, the food is delicious and the staff is friendly and helpful. We love being able to order a tapas, then ordering the next one while we enjoy the first. We will be back!
Selina Liu
Good was fine but the workers were nice.
Rajiv S
Food came out in odd intervals, with the cheese plate nearing the end; several items came out lukewarm, when asked if that’s how the dishes are served, our server became defensiveParking: Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to find parkingKid-friendliness: It is not designed for children
Such a wonderful experience!! I went there at 5pm, the time when they open the restaurant. I stayed there for about 90 minutes and it started getting crowded with time. The food was amazing, I really loved the banana pudding, would definitely recommend!! The staff was so kind, the service was really quick.
IreneW
My husband and I sat at the bar and had both a wonderful meal and superb service. The two specials we ordered were excellent, one a mouthwatering intensely flavored cauliflour and the other a lovely ramp and turnip dish. The bone marrow on the regular menu was also excellent, the octopus good but not great. What really made our dinner memorable was how engaging, helpful and knowledgeable our bartender Aidan was! Her sherry, wine and food recommendations were spot on! (The octopus choice was our own!) If you come, see if she is working and sit by her!
Fit Gear Hunter
Easily, EASILY one of the top 5 food experiences, of my entire life. They have a dish called "Marrow" w bone marrow and short ribs - served in the Bone! It was awesome. Plus as a bonus the full experience is to have a shot of Sherry or Bourbon down the bone channel after - I left that picture out - it was epic. A must try dish/experience (and side note they have a really good Special right now: a Turnip dish with Ramps, which I had never heard of before but was great)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Don Ross
A fun place to go and share dinner with friends.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sharon B. Cheng
Creative fusion of Southern and Spanish. Great ciders. Knowledgeable wait staff will help you enjoy your meal.
Staff was so friendly and extremely helpful. Someone in our party has multiple food allergies. Our waitress went beyond in assisting him in what and how to order. The food was delicious.
Cocktails are good - had a Oaxaca Manhattan and one with reposado tequila and rhubarb with lemon and a fruit bitters. Beth good and well presented. Server was great, knowledgeable. Had chicken croquettes- well done - a bit sweet with honey mayonnaise. Great calamari. Also bread with tomato mixture (quite salty) with jamon and manchego- took off much of the tomato and it was quite nice. It's a reliable authentic bar/tapas place we keep coming back to when in town.
Tapas were good, the pate was the overall winner of everything we picked out. The duck was underwhelming, very little of it in the rice base (which was good on its own). The main server was rude, rushed us through out the meal, never asked how anything was. She seemed to have a problem with us from the start. We asked if there were any specials or recommendations that she had and she had none-only to find out that there were several specials that night after we were wrapping things up. I'd provide her name but she never introduced herself. So much for a relaxing birthday dinner with friends. The saving grace was the male server who chatted us up and let us know where the bread was sourced after he overheard us talking about it. He was very warm.
Although I've always liked this place I had have started to avoid it because of the noise level downstairs. Upstairs is a treat, much quieter, less crowded, even when full. The service was friendly and efficient. While the food is very good, the prices are higher than deserved. I'd expect something exquisite in this price range. I'll be back, because I like the vibe, the service, and the food, but at these prices I won't be back often.
Our tapas were all delicious and came quickly after ordering. We had cheese and Serrano ham platter, shrimp, chicken croquettes, ensalata and then fried chicken, asparagus, and albondigas. We ended with cappuccino and banana pudding. Our waitress was very attentive. For early Friday night, it was noisy but bearable. Our guests and us truly enjoyed our dinner. We look forward to going back soon.
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.
This was a great place to dine prior to a concert at the Carolina Theatre. We've been here several times because the menu is imaginative and intriguing, the food is delicious and the staff is friendly and helpful. We love being able to order a tapas, then ordering the next one while we enjoy the first. We will be back!
Good was fine but the workers were nice.
Food came out in odd intervals, with the cheese plate nearing the end; several items came out lukewarm, when asked if that’s how the dishes are served, our server became defensiveParking: Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to find parkingKid-friendliness: It is not designed for children
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 1
Great place, great food, great
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Such a wonderful experience!! I went there at 5pm, the time when they open the restaurant. I stayed there for about 90 minutes and it started getting crowded with time. The food was amazing, I really loved the banana pudding, would definitely recommend!! The staff was so kind, the service was really quick.
My husband and I sat at the bar and had both a wonderful meal and superb service. The two specials we ordered were excellent, one a mouthwatering intensely flavored cauliflour and the other a lovely ramp and turnip dish. The bone marrow on the regular menu was also excellent, the octopus good but not great. What really made our dinner memorable was how engaging, helpful and knowledgeable our bartender Aidan was! Her sherry, wine and food recommendations were spot on! (The octopus choice was our own!) If you come, see if she is working and sit by her!
Easily, EASILY one of the top 5 food experiences, of my entire life. They have a dish called "Marrow" w bone marrow and short ribs - served in the Bone! It was awesome. Plus as a bonus the full experience is to have a shot of Sherry or Bourbon down the bone channel after - I left that picture out - it was epic. A must try dish/experience (and side note they have a really good Special right now: a Turnip dish with Ramps, which I had never heard of before but was great)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A fun place to go and share dinner with friends.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Creative fusion of Southern and Spanish. Great ciders. Knowledgeable wait staff will help you enjoy your meal.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5