Matador has the best throwback playlist on whenever we’re in! Food, service, and atmosphere is always perfect at this location!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cole Roberts
Solid for Seattle
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Joshua Schweigert
The Matador in Ballard is an absolute vibe. From the moment you walk in, the dark, moody ambiance mixed with energetic music makes it feel like the perfect spot for both a casual night out or a full-on celebration. It’s lively without feeling chaotic, and the space just works—whether you’re grabbing a quick drink or settling in for the night.
The service really shines here. The staff is friendly, attentive, and clearly knows how to read the room. Drinks arrive quickly, recommendations are on point, and you always feel genuinely taken care of without being hovered over.
And the cocktails? Solid across the board. Well-balanced, flavorful, and consistent—whether you’re going classic or trying something a little more fun. It’s the kind of place where you can trust the bar to deliver every time.
Overall, The Matador Ballard nails the trifecta: great atmosphere, great people, and great drinks. Always a fun stop and an easy place to recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Vilma Jordan
First time to this location in Seattle. Always wanted to go. Its definitely not my Tacoma location, but for this location Is very very cute. Resteraunts on both sides of the street. Cute cobble streets, location was awesome. The Resteraunt had the Matador vibe.. customer service was good. Just too small for me.. The Resteraunt is consistent with other locations.. Bring the pork belly!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Zigmund Berg
Absolutely amazing food. Great prices during happy hour.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dave McDonald
Nice happy hour with several food options, daily 4-6. Always happy with the margaritas and the service.
Jeremy Jones
Cool spot with a cool vibe. This place has a great atmosphere but delivers elsewhere too. The margaritas were a deserved signature and well done. A few are on the sweet side but they customized them no problem. What we had of the menu was better than expected. The Bar Nachos are on an entirely differently level than what you’d normally get. Street tacos were nicely done as well. Judging off those, I’d wager other menu items are good too. Very nice overall.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
trusted
best happy hour ever. bartenders and wait staff are also very polite. we went on Saturday and it was packed but we got a seat after about 15 minutes. my favorite part about this place is the ambiance honestly
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Xiaoke Tong
Very bad and rude attitude from servers and manager, remember to bring your physical id or you will take responsibility for a 5000 fine 🙄
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Hana “Ash” Cooper
I like going after ten o'clock because then the food's a little bit cheaper, I can feed myself and a friend for under thirty five dollars. Also, they have fantastic tacos.I always get the street tacos.
In luv with their shrimp tacos, some of the best salsa I’ve had too!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dragos ILINCA
They claim it’s a ‘tequila bar’ and minors are not allowed. When pushed about ‘all restaurants serve alcohol and it’s not a problem’ they said well we are a bar that serves a bit of food. That’s fine, but you can’t have it both ways.
Tom Gavin
Excellent food! Will be returning.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nicholas Liu
We were asked to present ID to eat. Not drink. Eat. And they didn't take drivers licenses either for international students, only passports. As an international student, who does not want to carry around a passport, this is obscene. At the very least, please inform people before they sit down and try to order food, instead of after they want to order! And why can we not eat food without a passport? I hope you lose all of your business from non-Americans.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Douglas James
Ridiculously cheap and tasty street tacos on their happy hour We have been very happy each visit
Matador has the best throwback playlist on whenever we’re in! Food, service, and atmosphere is always perfect at this location!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Solid for Seattle
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
The Matador in Ballard is an absolute vibe. From the moment you walk in, the dark, moody ambiance mixed with energetic music makes it feel like the perfect spot for both a casual night out or a full-on celebration. It’s lively without feeling chaotic, and the space just works—whether you’re grabbing a quick drink or settling in for the night.
The service really shines here. The staff is friendly, attentive, and clearly knows how to read the room. Drinks arrive quickly, recommendations are on point, and you always feel genuinely taken care of without being hovered over.
And the cocktails? Solid across the board. Well-balanced, flavorful, and consistent—whether you’re going classic or trying something a little more fun. It’s the kind of place where you can trust the bar to deliver every time.
Overall, The Matador Ballard nails the trifecta: great atmosphere, great people, and great drinks. Always a fun stop and an easy place to recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
First time to this location in Seattle. Always wanted to go. Its definitely not my Tacoma location, but for this location Is very very cute. Resteraunts on both sides of the street. Cute cobble streets, location was awesome. The Resteraunt had the Matador vibe.. customer service was good. Just too small for me.. The Resteraunt is consistent with other locations.. Bring the pork belly!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Absolutely amazing food. Great prices during happy hour.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nice happy hour with several food options, daily 4-6. Always happy with the margaritas and the service.
Cool spot with a cool vibe. This place has a great atmosphere but delivers elsewhere too. The margaritas were a deserved signature and well done. A few are on the sweet side but they customized them no problem. What we had of the menu was better than expected. The Bar Nachos are on an entirely differently level than what you’d normally get. Street tacos were nicely done as well. Judging off those, I’d wager other menu items are good too. Very nice overall.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
best happy hour ever. bartenders and wait staff are also very polite. we went on Saturday and it was packed but we got a seat after about 15 minutes. my favorite part about this place is the ambiance honestly
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very bad and rude attitude from servers and manager, remember to bring your physical id or you will take responsibility for a 5000 fine 🙄
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
I like going after ten o'clock because then the food's a little bit cheaper, I can feed myself and a friend for under thirty five dollars. Also, they have fantastic tacos.I always get the street tacos.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
In luv with their shrimp tacos, some of the best salsa I’ve had too!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
They claim it’s a ‘tequila bar’ and minors are not allowed. When pushed about ‘all restaurants serve alcohol and it’s not a problem’ they said well we are a bar that serves a bit of food. That’s fine, but you can’t have it both ways.
Excellent food! Will be returning.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We were asked to present ID to eat. Not drink. Eat. And they didn't take drivers licenses either for international students, only passports. As an international student, who does not want to carry around a passport, this is obscene. At the very least, please inform people before they sit down and try to order food, instead of after they want to order! And why can we not eat food without a passport? I hope you lose all of your business from non-Americans.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Ridiculously cheap and tasty street tacos on their happy hour
We have been very happy each visit
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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