So glad we found this place - A beautiful Wine selection and fabulous, fresh food. Reminds me of some of the little 'gems' in a big city...yet we parked right outside the door! We'll be back!!

Had lunch here last week with work colleagues. Excellent atmosphere, food and service. No complaints. Great variety on the menu. Looks like excellent wine and beer list. Would like to take my wife here. Awesome alternative to other places around there -

We had a reservation for 9 people at 6:00PM on a Friday night. When we arrived the restaurant was already packed and there was our empty table waiting for us. This is a tapas restaurant and one of the best that I have ever been to outside of Spain. To really enjoy tapas you need 4 or more people to... More

I love good tapas, and if you stick with the simple things at Mateo you're safe. The shrimp, mussels and clams were tasty, and each had a sauce begging to have the bread dipped into it. The pork ribs with a pepper jelly, while not exactly authentic tapas, were fall-off-the-bone tender and delicious. They struck out on their ensalada rusa,... More

don't think I have ever written 3 updates for a restaurant before but my recent experience at Mateo called for it. While my early experiences with the restaurant were not the best, things have gotten much better. Let me start out by saying the tapas here are some of the best I have ever had. I know I had previously... More

Mateo's was a very pleasant experience. The pace was buzzing with atmosphere, OK is was 6.30 om a Friday evening, but that is what a downtown is all about, hustle and bustle. While authentic Spanish cuisine might not be correct the local twist they put is refreshing, interesting and tasty. The "shrimp and grits" is the highlight of the menu... More

4 of 4 stars (excellent, casual dining). (see explanation of ratings below) Talented Chef Matt Kelly has opened a hot, new tapas (and I mean authentic tapas) place in the old Book Exchange building in popular downtown Durham. Impressive selection of fine Spanish sherry. Try the ribs: special cut, extra lean, lovely sweet-sour sauce. Duck was too salty. Flan is... More

Mateo is such a special place. The service is amazing, the food is really unique and something out of the ordinary. It made our stay in Durham really great. Highly recommend.

Arrived on a rainy Friday evening and settled at our table around 5:30. Good thing, since within the half-hour the place was packed. Atmosphere was casual and lively. I can't vouch for the authenticity of the tapas but I understand the food is more of a southern-Spanish hybrid. We selected several small plates, a Spanish beer and the Cheerwine sangria... More