Great service and great food! The small plates are awesome and perfect for a group. The music and ambiance of the place is really cool too. Highly recommend! read more

Absolute worst experience in Carmel and possibly Indianapolis. The service was very lackluster. Would not follow clear directions, refused to own up to any mistakes. Didn't even ask if we wanted another round of drinks. We couldn't even get water!! The food is pretty bland. All things jamon had no pork in it. Everything is chock full of cheese and nothing else. We had croquettes, empanadas, patatas, calamari, shrimp, meatballs, and lots of other things that I forget. None of it stood out. It all tasted like heavy, greasy mess. My baile was great! However, because of the awful service, I wouldn't visit for drinks either. Stay away. I can't because I'm sitting here without a pen. read more

Overall, I'd say our experience here was pretty mediocre. Service was friendly but slow; the decor is nice but sound proofing is not great and it is very loud in there. The food was the mediocre part though, especially given the cost. We did like the lamb lollipops (though small), the brussel sprouts and the croquettes. The Paella, filet sliders and the Calamari were just meh. The burgers and the chicken skewers were not so good, and the meatballs were downright nasty. The sangria was good though. I was hoping to have a new go-to spot for tapas in Carmel, but I probably won't go back unfortunately. read more

My husband surprised me with dinner reservations to Matador in the charming Arts District in Carmel for Valentine's Day this year. He knew I had been wanting to try the Spanish tapas bar and restaurant ever since I first saw it pop up on Yelp last fall. We were impressed with the decor, service and food. We tried all three items from the "Pequeño"selection which are pretty much fancy sliders. One was the Hamburgusa with Wagyu beef, bacon onion jam and Manchego cheese. Another was the Albóndiga also with Wagyu beef as well as chorizo meatball and Manchego. Our favorite was the Pollo Pequeño with fried chicken, sweet chili, Aleppo pepper, and citrus crema. We ordered another one of these because it was delicious! We also had the Jamón Mac & Cheese with jam, béchamel and breadcrumbs. In addition to the spicy fried Shishito Peppers with black sea salt and Croquetas de Champiñones (mushrooms) with Béchamel and more Manchego!! All Very good! We washed it all down with Sparkling Paul Cheneau Cava and toasted to another year of celebrating romance and our love of great food! read more

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First time experiencing this restaurant. They have a great menu of Tapas as the main option like Mac & Cheese and Brussel sprouts, which I kept hearing were good. They lived up to their reputation. They many other delicious dishes to choose from. The service is fast and friendly. The hostess even chimed in with a few recommendations (give her a raise). They were definitely busy but a pleasant atmosphere that didn't feel overwhelming. I would highly recommend. read more

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The restaurant itself is beautiful. I have always loved this space and was curious if they had made any big changes from the restaurant that occupied this space before. Mainly the color scheme was the only major change I noticed. The restaurant still had a very elegant, luxurious feel to it. Our waitress was super sweet. She helped answer several questions I had about the menu. Many of the Spanish words used in the description I didnt understand. I could tell the waitress knew Spanish. My friend and I both ordered off the Devour menu. I started with a mocktail. I was excited this was an option since I am doing dry January. I got a mojito mocktail . The drink looked and tasted like the real thing . I ordered the meatball slider. The bread was delicious and meatball was flavorful . I also got the Brussel sprouts and mushroom. croquettes. Everything was absolutely delicious. But I was most impressed by the service. read more

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If you love a meal that's composed of tasting several different small things, as opposed to eating a meal composed of one or two large things, then you'll probably love Matador. This restaurant specializes in tapas: small plates of delicious Spanish-inspired food. Now, Matador does have a few meal-meals, and we ordered one of them: the seafood paella. Here's what we did, and I suggest you do the same. We got a meal-meal to split between two people, and then ordered three tapas. That was plenty for two people, but I probably could have ordered another two tapas. The paella was great! It was perfectly cooked saffron rice with mussels, scallops, shrimp, peppers and chorizo. If you just wanted to order one thing, the paella would be a great meal for one person. But you're at a tapas joint! You need to order some small plates. Everything on the menu sounded great, but we finally settled on the albondigas (meatballs) in a tomato sauce with Manchego cheese; the gambas (shrimp) which came with the best toasted bread that I'm still thinking about; and the Crystal Bread, which came with tomato sauce and cheese on top. We were dining with two other couples, so I also got to taste the ensalada (salad) and Brussels sprouts. The Brussels sprouts were the star! I could have eaten the whole bowl. Interestingly, many of the tapas, like the meatballs and shrimp, come in threes. Which, when you think about it, is kind of silly, because more than likely, two people will be sharing each tapas plate. So, each person gets one full thing, and then they have to split the third? Or do they need to duff it out to see who gets the last shrimp? I wish the chef would just throw another thing on the plate to make it an even four, and call it good. I ordered two glasses of red wine (Rioja), and each one was generously poured. Don't you just love it when you come back from the bathroom to find your big ol' glass of wine waiting for you? The ambiance at Matador is amazing. The lighting is soft, which isn't great for taking photos, but it's the best for enjoying a dinner with family or friends. read more

Definitely a fun restaurant. Took mother-in-law here for Mother's Day/birthday and they have a lot of dishes that are gluten-free and dairy free. All the little dishes were amazing, but I highly recommend the carrots. The staffs are nice and chefs is extremely innovative. read more

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I love Spanish style tapas! We were able to try many different dishes. My favorites were fried calamari, olives and potato bravas. The lamb dish was surprisingly good. Food was served in timely manner. Service was good overall. read more

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We dined in around 6:30 on a Friday evening. It's conveniently located just beside a parking garage, so we were lucky we didn't have to walk long in the cold. Being a Friday evening, it was bustling which was expected. We were seated at a 2-top table/booth. Walking space is tight and there's practically no space between neighboring tables. I think it may be more comfy to sit at the bar than a 2-top table, and I'll try that next time -- especially since it was very loud. My partner and I felt like we had to yell to hear each other. Our server, Nate, was fantastic. Very welcoming and personable. He was very knowledgeable about the menu and offered suggestions, and provided prompt service. We ended up ordering a few of the small plates and mostly enjoyed them all. - Albóndigas (Meatballs): * Partner enjoyed these. Quality meat in a slightly sweet sauce. - Atún (Tuna): * Served raw but not noted on the menu. On a salad of cucumber and avocado with a citrus dressing. The salad was the highlight of the meal. It was fresh and creamy. I wish you could order it separately as a vegetarian item. Delicious! - Patatas Bravas: * A generous portion of fried potatoes with a creamy, spicy aioli. These were excellent, and I would probably order this every time. - Crystal Bread: * Honestly, wasn't a fan of the bread. It was thin and too flaky. The pepper and tomato sauce was delicious! The huge shreds of Manchego cheese were too much for me. Probably wouldn't order again. There are several dishes I want to try next time, too. The shishito peppers looked and smelled fantastic. To drink we had: - Rioja Old Fashioned * My partner enjoyed this. - (108) Manos Negras "Red Soil" Pinot Noir * This was a very palatable wine. Soft, not too deep but still flavorful and almost sweet. Definitely recommend! All-in-all, we had a lovely experience and an enjoyable meal. We look forward to dining here again soon! read more

Enjoyed the happy hour (4-6) menu thoroughly! We sampled all 4 of the $10 sangrias which included the rotating one which changes weekly. They are not your typical blend but had vodka or tequila or other than just wine. All were delicious and intriguing. All tapas with a couple exceptions are also $10. So many to try but we went with the carrots, fried shrimp, patata bravas and chicken skewers all of which were hand delivered by the chef. Each plate had an incredible sauce! It's always a good sign when hubs says"I have a lot of good tastes in my mouth! Patatas bravas rivaled those I had in Barcelona! The chili sauce on the carrots was fabulous! Service was impeccable. So many more tapas to try!! read more

If you're looking to pay a lot for tapas, you won't be disappointed! The pros... Cool atmosphere and a decent patio (though not spectacular). We had a couple really strong bites. First, the figs were excellent. Second, the lamb chops were excellent though I didn't necessarily understand every element of the dish. The grilled Shishito peppers were also great. Service was pretty average, waiting a while for drink refills. The wine by the glass options are limited and they only have 2 beer options. I ordered an old fashioned from the bar and it was one of the smallest pours I've ever been served. Felt like half of what I expected. There were also several unimpressive dishes that hit our table. The meatballs and chicken were unimpressive. The custard dessert was not good with an oddly grainy texture. Overall, we won't be going back. As much as I loved the figs, $180 for 4 people before tip didn't leave us very satisfied. We could have done 2-3 more plates but it seemed wasteful at the average price of around $4 a bite. read more

I dined here with some girlfriends that were in town from Chicago. We were so excited to have a Tapas spot in town. The servers suggest ordering between 2-3 starters per person- and honestly I would do 3-4. They had run out of carrots and the seafood paella after we ordered it. The manager came out to offer us a comp paella next time we dined there- but as my friends were visiting from out of town we just picked another entree- the cod which was good! Will want to try the paella next time as I love paella. Will be interested to see how it tastes based on the other review from yelp. I loved the cocktail options, but was surprised how slow the bar was. We were dinning here in a Sunday night and it didn't seem too busy. Our drinks came out after some of the apps- even though we put them in first. Then two girls ordered another cocktail and they came out long after our dessert was ordered. Once again- they were ordered before dessert. Not a deal breaker- I'll be back and hoping that the bar speed is better. The chorizo Mac and cheese and brussel sprouts are two must orders! Both were great. Look forward to going back and trying more! I wish I had taken photos of how cute the inside was- but I was busy catching up with friends! read more

Nate was hands-down one of the best servers we've had in a long time. He knew the menu inside and out and made fantastic recommendations that ended up being some of our favorite dishes. His service was attentive without ever feeling overbearing, and he really listened to what we were looking for before making suggestions. Beyond that, he was charismatic, funny, and made the entire experience so enjoyable. You can tell he's experienced and genuinely loves what he does. Nate turned a great meal into a memorable night. If you have the chance, definitely ask for him--you won't be disappointed! read more

Indy is really in need of a good tapas place, so I was thrilled when I heard about Matador. My husband and I went for dinner on a Thursday night. The front entrance and interior decor were great. It took awhile for our waitress to initially check on us and take our drink orders. They have a lot of wine and Sangria, but the cocktail lis is a little limited. I had the Rioja Old Fashioned that really had a nice flavor. My husband go the Baile. It was very smoky and interesting. The staff were friendly. Our waitress was very sweet, but she seemed a little green and not super knowledgeable. We asked for our selections to be coursed out, but they all pretty much came out at once. Our favorites were the Shishito peppers, carrots, meatballs, and patatas bravos. Some dishes were a little heavy on sauce and salt, but overall pretty good. The quality and flavor of the meatballs were really good. I wouldn't recommend the Pincho (marinated chicken skewer). The sauce was good, but the chicken was dry and a bit bland. read more

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Disappointing, With a menu that's below average and services that could improve this restaurant is not high cuisine or remotely authentic in anyway to Spanish cuisine. Basic and simple dishes like Patatas Bravas were horribly made. We ordered multiple Tapas and most of them were disappointing. The Calamari were good and we did enjoy eating those. The Chef wanted to add a flare of uniqueness by adding his/hers own touch but it took away the authenticity of the dishes plus it did not taste right. The service was very average provided by untrained staff. The ambience was nice, spacious and nicely decorated. Good place for group dinners with friends and family. If you know Spanish cuisine you may be disappointed but if you don't go in with an open mind and find out for yourself. Cheers! read more

We visited within a month of opening so we were aware that they were still working out the kinks. We sat on the patio, be warned - not a lot of breeze during the day. Service was ok, we were left alone often but needed drinks refilled so it was a catch 22. The plates are small but mighty w flavor and taste! It was a welcomed treat for someone wanting more from their Latin cuisine! I've visited a few times and really enjoy the environment and know the service can be adjusted accordingly- and the food is necessary read more

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Pros: -Parking garage to the north of the restaurant provides a nice option if all of the street parking is filled on the surrounding streets. -Front door is a unique design that stands out from other places -Immediately taken to our table upon arrival on a Monday night reservation -Concept of a tapas place is unique compared to other dining options -Calamari was well prepared (not too oily nor overly breaded) and a decent portion size Middle ground: -Veggie Slider was simply a fried item that tasted fine, but nothing special with regard to flavor -Mushroom Croquettas was another fried item that was OK, but was indistinguishable with regard to ingredients involved Cons: -High-top table was a tad ricketty and chairs were mismatched with one that seemed like a high-chair compared to the other 3 -Shishito Peppers were plentiful, but lacked flavor from our experience in Spain (perhaps underseasoned?) -Service was inconsistent as we lacked refills on waters & dishes were haphazardly brought without any real explanation of what they were or to whom they belonged -We were initially given the ham croquettes that our friends ordered instead of our mushroom croquettes which had not yet arrived. Could not tell based on visual once we opened one. There was no attempt to compensate our fellow couple for the croquette that they did not receive once we realized and stopped eating it. Overall, we appreciate the concept as we really like being able to try various dishes via the tapas menu. Price point will probably prohibit another visit as it seems on the high side for the food that was served and the experience that we had. read more

We finally had the opportunity to visit Matador for dinner and we had an amazing evening with the best service. Our waiters Nate and Ava helped us become familiar with the menu, and the different sangria varieties. We tried all 4 and each was fabulous. On Nate and Ava's recommendation we tried the Dátiles con Jamón (Dates, chorizo, Manchego, jamón, and sweet chili sauce...something I would not normally order) and it was delicious. We also had the Atún (tuna), Hamburguesa slider, the daily specialty filet mignon slider, Ensalada Mezclada, and Empanadas. After ordering a second round of the empanadas, because they were that good, the chef came out to our table and helped us decide on dessert. They make the churros and chocolate sauce from scratch everyday, and were the best I've ever had. He also added a chocolate mint creme brûlée this week that would convert anyone opposed to chocolate mint. The almond cake was light, elegant, and exceeded our expectations. The decor is eclectic, artistic, and tastefully nods to the Matador theme. The designers found a way to balance high ceilings without the restaurant being loud by installing a curved wooden rounded wall as an accent and deploying felt circles from the ceiling. It is a beautiful, memorable space. We were so delighted by our experience and look forward to going back soon. read more

Had a lovely meal during Devour. This would be a fun place to meet friends and try a little bit of everything. That's exactly what we did! Most tapas come with 3 pieces (eg, empanadas, chicken skewers) so keep that in mind. They were out of the Brussels and potatoes the night we visited, unfortunately, but my favorite bites were the empanadas and the carrots. Service was excellent! read more

I cannot speak to the food since I met a friend her for a cocktail but I hope to go back and try the food soon. I had the Spanish martini and it was just okay. It did not have flavors I really enjoyed so that's on me for ordering the wrong thing. They don't have a very long list of specialty cocktails but I saw they had several sangria options and an extensive wine list. Service was friendly and the atmosphere and decor in the restaurant was nice. read more

After Tre- the restaurant formerly in this space- closed, the whole concept was reimagined and voila! Welcome to Matador! New chef, new cuisine. Along with another couple, we tried 9 dishes and 4 desserts. Filet sliders (a special), Brussels sprouts, shishito peppers, calamari, scallops, the dates, mushroom croquettes, the Cosmic salad and another salad with sweet potatoes in it. Everything was delicious. With a little bit of room left for dessert we had the Mango Milkshake Brûlée (a special), the Almond Cake, the Churros with a delicious dark chocolate for dipping, and another brûlée- Cinnamon and Citrus- that's a menu staple. All hits, no misses. And the service? Matched the food- flawless. Our waiter, Rock, was awesome and brought out his brother Jess, who is the chef. We talked to both on and off throughout our dinner. Such a personal touch. We can't wait to go back and introduce more friends to this great addition to the Carmel food scene. I apologize for not taking more pictures- I'll do better next time! read more

Matador - The calamari and the salad with sweet potatoes in it. Pretty big servings for a tapas place! - Spanish Near Me - Carmel, Indiana

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Matador is a great place to meet friends and family. Nice atmosphere with something for everyone including your vegetarian and gluten free loved ones. Nice wine and specialty cocktail selections. Staff was knowledgeable and attentive but not intrusive. We were with an adult group and tried a lot of the menu. No one went home hungry or unsatisfied. I specifically tried the lamb chops, Brussel sprouts, salad and chicken skewers. All were delicious but the lamb chops were a standout. I also had a bite of the paella which was delicious too. We ordered a variety of their dessert menu and the almond cake was exceptional in a group that was all delightful. The atmosphere was what I call laid back elegance.one to g to note is that food comes out at different times. Our waitress gave us a heads up so we were prepared but just something to be aware of as it isn't always in the order you may anticipate. Advice - just go with it. Keep up the excellence Matador! read more

Made a reservation for a birthday which wasn't acknowledged, uncommon for a place like that in my opinion. Service was good, drinks were decent but very very strong. The food was extremely average/below average. we got several options, skewered chicken was for sure the best. all of the plates were very underwhelming for what we expected of the restaurant. In my opinion there are better options in carmel especially for the price point. read more

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Great time with a group of 6. Matt made it very special with his suggestions and well timed presentation. We loved everything and look forward to returning often! Thanks! read more

Matador - Carajillo - Spanish Near Me - Carmel, Indiana

Matador is an excellent Spanish restaurant in downtown Carmel that offers the finest cuisine. Our foodie group came here one night for dinner, and we were definitely it for a treat. Matador is a tapas restaurant that offers small to large plates that you can share with your family or friends. It is a family style restaurant that is upscale and definitely caters to the customer. I was very impressed with the huge green door in front of the restaurant and the ambiance of the restaurant. It was very classy and upscale for a Spanish restaurant. I like the Matador picture on the wall and the cow's head as well. Our foodie group was very impressed with the food at Matador. The gazpacho was fantastic and a party in my mouth. I loved the smoky flavor it had on my tongue. The empanadas were the perfect texture crust and tasted perfect! The paella was very good, but it was not the traditional paella that I have had before in other restaurants. This paella had a nice combination of flavors and spices, but I was expecting more lobster in the paella, and I did not get it, but I did get enough shrimp, scallops, and mussels. The impossible Flan for dessert was wonderful and different, since it was a combination of the custard and chocolate cake. It still tasted good and was as piece of heaven. Our server was wonderful and took excellent care of our group, so we were treated very well and did not have to wait long for anything. Keep in mind the more small plates you order, the more expensive it will be for your meal. If you are on a budget, I would recommend just getting a couple small plates for yourself, or one of the large entrees for yourself, unless you want to share with others. The cocktails were top notch quality! The Riojo sangria was incredible and tasted amazing. It was the best sangria I have had in a long time, and I hardly ever drink sangria. Everything about Matador is first class and you will not leave the restaurant disappointed. This is highly recommended and you should check this place out for dinner whenever you get the chance. It is worth it!!! read more

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Ambiance was awesome, but overall our consensus was that we will not be back. The churros were the most disappointing part of the night. They were dense and doughy and found me craving a Costco churro (IYKYK). Service was good. Our waiter was attentive. The portions were small and pricey for what you get, but we expected that. The empanadas were okay but VERY oily...to the point it squirted oil everywhere when cut or bitten into. The Mac was really good. Everything else I would say was mediocre. Will probably not be back, but glad we tried it! read more

Tonight was our first visit to Matador, and we were impressed all around. The patio was dog friendly and the staff immediately brought out a large dog bowl and offered our pups a high quality "pup cup" as a treat. The service was excellent and the food was delicious. Best churros I've ever had, hands down! read more

Great menu and staff/management were very attentive. Only had the appetite for a few small plates but Mushroom croquettes were really good And the lamb was one of the best bites I have had in a while read more

Love the ambiance compared to the restaurant before. They did a great job updating the area to match a Spanish aesthetic. The food was good but I wouldn't say I'd run back for a feast like we had the first time. Would definitely frequent for drinks and some small plates, but I have confidence they can improve the main dishes. Figs were the best bite. Lamb tapas was solid but could have been a better cut, the beans worked well. Sauce with the empanadas were tasty. Bravas were standard. The paella was good but didn't blow me away. read more

Coming from someone who is not a fan of small plates, this place was so good! A huge variety of tapas and good portion sizes for the price. We got the calamari, croquetas de jamón, shisito peppers, and jamón mac and cheese - all delicious! Service was excellent and the patio was so pretty. We also got the verde, rojo, and naranja sangrias which we would all get again. Best Spanish food I've had in the area for a while. Cannot wait to go back and try more! read more

Matador - Sangria verde - Spanish Near Me - Carmel, Indiana

Great Spanish food! Loved the patatas bravas, jamón wrapped dates, and fried calamari. Tapas style is perfect for trying lots of dishes. Service was excellent just add some Spanish music for extra vibe. read more

Matador - Spanish Near Me - Carmel, Indiana

Amazing food, drinks and beautiful style/ambiance. We had brussels, scallops, paella, lamb and desserts. We also talked with Chef Jess for bit, he is amazing and has great experience to share with not just Matador but other spots he admires. We will def go back again and again. read more

This experience of dining was one of our best ever. The food and cocktails were delicious and most notably, the service and attention was superb. Great staff and hospitality. read more

Food is good - a lot of fun to try once. Not really sure it held up in return visit. Service was very good - excellent. The first time I went it was noisy, but doable. The second time was a Saturday night with four of us. Absolutely impossible to hear. read more

What amazing food and an awesome experience!! Definitely a place that all need to partake in! The chef personally came to check on our table as well as others in our area. read more

I love Tapas restaurants. You can try lots of different dishes without spending a ton. This place is going to be a big success. First of all, four kinds of sangria! And the one I had, the rojo, was terrific. Give me a pitcher! Then I had the gazpacho. Hands down, best I ever had. Lick the bowl good. I took a conservative route then and wished I hadn't. The chicken slider and the Mac and cheese were all right, but nothing special. But the lamb chops, Brussel sprouts and carrots that my neighbors had were really great. My churros for dessert were outstanding, hot, crunchy, spicy and the chocolate cream they were served melted on impact. Totally decadent! I will definitely be back to get those lamb chops. Some items could use a little tweaking, but Matador is off to a great start. read more

Yup. You're gonna be stoked. Try all of it. Skaggs and Sammi at the bar will take great care of you and are uber attentive. Best spot in Carmel hands down. Go with friends and share the whole menu!! read more

Great drinks, food, and service! Loved the sparkling sangria, the dates and the lamb were two of my favorite bites. Was prepared to be forgiving since the restaurant is still so new but there was no need. Beautiful spot! read more

The food has no authentic flavor, the servers are trying to turn tables and do not know the dish sizes flavor profiles, the vibe is very meh and seems like an after thought. The playing of food you can tell is reused form Tre and not Tapas or Spanish style. I would not waste your time or money. 1/10 The paella has no authentic flavor seems to be from a box and is served incorrectly, the proteins had no seasoning and were not fresh. We started with small plates as one does and the staff tried to push us straight to dessert ignoring that we were planning to move to entrees next. If you went to Tre the previous location you can tell it's all repurposed and not Spanish focused. Terrible addition to Carmel, will not last long. read more