Matador is where good food, great energy, and genuine hospitality come together. We’re an elevated yet laid-back spot where you can feel right at home. With a soundtrack that jumps from hip-hop to 80s throwbacks and classic rock, the atmosphere is lively, fun, and just a little cheeky. At the heart of it all is hospitality that’s warm, personal, and unforgettable. Come for the food, stay for the vibe.
Gaby
About two or three weeks ago, I visited this place. I had been to this same location back when it was an Italian restaurant, and honestly, that concept was executed far better than the current one.
My family is Spanish, I’ve traveled to Spain several times, and I know exactly how authentic tapas are supposed to taste. That’s why I can say with complete confidence that the food here is far from representing true Spanish cuisine. Even the sangria, which is usually very simple to get right, was disappointing.
We ordered several dishes to try different options, and even every dessert on the menu. Nothing stood out, and on top of that, the food didn’t sit well with us.
Later on, my husband had to go back because someone else wanted to “try” the place. That person apparently didn’t find the food unpleasant, which is understandable; when someone has no point of comparison or a minimally educated palate, it’s easy to be satisfied with anything.
My husband, on the other hand, confirmed exactly what we had already experienced: the food is not good, it does not reflect Spanish cuisine, and it’s not a place we would recommend.
And it’s truly a shame, because the restaurant is in an excellent location and very close to our home. If the food were genuinely good, we would gladly return often.
… moreBruce McClain
My wife and I went here for our 10th wedding anniversary. We don’t eat a lot so normally we get an appetizer and an entree to split when we dine out. Matador offered the perfect solution for us, Small Plates. We tried 4 different ones plus the Churros for dessert. They were all delicious, perfectly portioned and at reasonable price point. When I made the reservation online I noted that it was our anniversary. Normally this goes unnoticed at most restaurants. That was not the case here. The staff all knew it was our anniversary. The host, server and several other workers wished us happy anniversary. They even took our dessert off the bill. Shane, our server was great. He got to know us but wasn’t intrusive. I would rate the experience higher than 5 stars if I could. We will be back soon to sample some of the other small plates they offer.
… moreAmy Madden
The ambiance was great, the service(at the table and at the bar) was great, the food was average. You’re definitely paying for the atmosphere and area.
I really appreciate the clearly labeled vegetarian and vegan options. Would have loved to try the Brussels sprouts, but they were out the day we went. Definitely nice to have a vegan dessert option(almond cake) that wasn’t sorbet or fruit (sorry, no picture!).
… moreSubodhana Wijeyeratne
A wonderful place! We’re particularly happy to have found it because every time we searched for Spanish food online, it suggested Mexican food. But apparently there trick was to search ‘tapas’. And what tapas it was! The anchovies and calamari were flawless, as were the patatas bravas and brussels sprouts. The flan desert was also entirely authentic, though a wee bit on the sweet side. Also, surprisingly big portions, and excellent value. Recommended.
… moreyadira
I love that most plates are small, it’s perfect for trying a few things without feeling stuffed. We tried a handful, and our favorites were the Patas Bravas and Albóndigas. The restaurant itself is aesthetically pleasing, and we’ll definitely be back at some point.
… moreIbis L.
Matador in Carmel is stunning, with a modern, stylish vibe that matches the city’s standards. We tried nearly the entire menu and everything was delicious, fresh, and full of flavor. The service was friendly and attentive, and the cocktails were perfect. A fantastic spot for bold flavors, great hospitality, and a beautiful setting!
… moreAngie Skochdopole
Restaurant is beautiful, but food is meh. Some things were good, but shrimp was popcorn shrimp size with no real flavor. The vegetable paella was too al dente and had no flavor. The scallops had a too fishy smell, so I would not eat. The calamari was too greasy, carrots were delicious. Service was good. Nice ambiance. Food just did not equal the expense of food quality.
… moreLiliana Fuenmayor
I went to this restaurant a few days ago and I think it is a good option for Spanish food, we ordered some patatas bravas that were very good, hamburgers, some dates wrapped in jamon that were delicious! fried calamari, meatballs, the concept of the restaurant is tapas (small plates) so you should try many things, in general they served us very well, the only observation I can have about this place is that they should play some Spanish music to make the place more cool and with personality
… moreJoel Combs
No shortage of tasty things to choose from. Cooked to perfection and endless flavors.
… moreDestiny Moore
First time trying Matador and we were pleasantly surprised! The food and the service were great. We had an early dinner and they were not very busy when we arrived. Our food came to the table quickly and they have happy hour from 4-6pm. We tried the paella, the brussel sprouts, crouqetas, lamb, and the calamari. I would highly recommend checking them out, especially from 4-6pm for happy hour!
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