Mateo Bar de Tapas

Mateo Bar de Tapas is a Spanish tapas bar in Durham, North Carolina, located near the American Tobacco Campus at 109 West Chapel Hill Street. Opened by chef Matt Kelly and his team, the restaurant draws on the traditions of Spanish bar culture — small plates designed for sharing, good wine by the glass, and an unhurried pace that encourages extended conversation and repeat ordering. The menu is anchored by cold and warm tapas that pull from across Spain's regional traditions: pan con tomate with good olive oil, gambas al pil-pil sizzling in garlic-and-chili oil, a jamón ibérico board with house accompaniments, and churros with chocolate for dessert. The kitchen source quality imported Spanish ingredients — cured meats, aged cheeses, excellent olive oil — while incorporating North Carolina produce where the seasons allow. The dining room has the feel of a proper Spanish bar translated to a Durham context: brick and warm wood, a well-stocked back bar with Spanish spirits and sherries, and enough noise and energy to feel genuinely alive on a weeknight. The wine program focuses on Spanish regions — Galicia, Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Andalusia — and the staff is knowledgeable about pairing. Durham's food-forward culture has made Mateo a popular destination in the Triangle's dining scene, and weekend seatings fill quickly. Reservations through OpenTable are strongly recommended for dinner.