Mateo Bar de Tapas ★ 4.8
Matt Kelly's Spanish tapas room has anchored Durham's fine-dining scene since 2012, with multiple James Beard Best Chef Southeast semifinalist nominations.
OrderSalt cod croquetas, Jamón Iberico, Wood-grilled octopus
Matt Kelly's salt cod croquetas are the single dish most associated with Mateo Bar de Tapas and the starting point for virtually every visiting food writer's meal. The combination of a properly bechamel-bound bacalao filling, a shattering-thin fried crust and the house aioli created a benchmark for Spanish cooking in the American South that has not been matched elsewhere in the Triangle. Kelly has been a perennial James Beard Best Chef Southeast semifinalist, and the croqueta is the dish most associated with that recognition.
1 editor pick for Salt Cod Croquetas in Durham, ranked by editorial score. All Durham signature dishes · Salt Cod Croquetas across every city.
Learn to cook it, or eat it with a guide
Salt Cod Croquetas makes more sense with someone from Durham explaining it. These are the classes and tours we have checked, with booking links.
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Durham: Private Full-Day Guided Walking Tour
Discover the history and culture of Durham on a guided walking tour. Visit the Durham Cathedral and Durham Castle, and enjoy coffee and cake at a local café and a beer...
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Durham: Private Half Day Walking Tour
Explore Durham on a private walking tour. Discover the city's history, visit the UNESCO-listed Durham Cathedral, and enjoy coffee and cake at a local cafe.
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