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​El Matador, began as an idea.A small, hidden wine cellar in Chichester( La Bodega de Chichester ) Translated to the wine cellar of chichester, historically known for being a bishop's wine cellar. That, like much of Spanish culture, draws its inspiration from the spirit of the matador. It’s not the spectacle of the fight, but theindividual qualities involved in the dance that ensues. The courage to stand your ground;the skill and flourish to create something beautiful; the respect for the craft.

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In Spain, the matador faces the bull with precision, patience, and a deep understanding oftradition. At El Matador, we see our role in a similar sort of way. For us, the bullring is in the kitchen with the flames, the flavour, and the passion. Our bull? Using those ingredients to create food that honours each of them; the growth, the cultivation, and the journey to our restaurant. Our dance, like most, involves a little timeless wisdom: we brine our chicken like our grandmother’s taught us, simmer our stocks with the same flavours that have been passed down through generations, and hand-craft each dish with the belief that tradition must be lived to be preserved.When the food leaves our kitchen and makes its way to your table, this is where our idea becomes reality.

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Whether you’re sharing tapas with a friend, enjoying a quiet meal alone,or lingering over a glass of wine and some good conversation, you become a part of the story, too. Because a great meal doesn’t end with the food on your plate - it lingers, like our guests, living on in the sobremesa, perpetuated in the connections it creates, the laughter that’s shared, and the moments that stay with you long after you’ve walked backup those stairs.Come experience the story for yourself.