Look Inside Matadora, Opening Tonight in Woburn

The newly renovated Hilton Hotel serves Spanish tapas and cocktails, courtesy of a well-known Boston restaurant group.

By Jacqueline Cain· 10/30/2017, 10:42 a.m.

Matadora at the Hilton Boston/Woburn. / Photo by Melissa Ostrow

In the midst of opening new restaurants and developing new concepts, COJE Management Group—behind Yvonne’s, Ruka, and Lolita—brings its flair to the northern Boston suburbs. Matadora opens tonight in Woburn, with a menu of “tailored tapas,” Spanish charcuterie, and wood-fired fare designed by COJE culinary director Tom Berry.

The restaurant is located at the Hilton Boston/Woburn hotel, which just underwent a $16 million, top-to-bottom redesign. Berry developed the culinary program, centered on a custom, wood-fired grill in the middle of the open kitchen. Chef de cuisine William Jimenez will execute it on a nightly basis, dishing out tapas like charred Galacian octopus, and Basque street corn; spicy Catalan mussels, wood-fired proteins like a 16-ounce dry-aged ribeye, and more. Build your own spread of Spanish meats, cheeses, and snacks, like Basque-style pickled guindilla peppers. There are hot churros, Cantabrian ricotta cake, and crème fraîche ice cream, too.

Matadora is also open daily for breakfast with hotel staples, plus build-your-own omelets, huevos estrellados with shoestring fries, tomato romesco, and Manchego; a breakfast bocadillo, and caramelized French toast. The Matadora team will also cater events, meetings, and weddings at the property.

The bar program is rooted in Spain, with a house gin and tonic, a sherry-and-Sprite rebujito, and a red wine-and-cola calimocho. Other cocktails include the Bullfighter, with rum, lime, honey, and ginger beer; and a seasonal sherry cobbler. There are also a handful of red and white wines, and beers; plus a red and white sangria.

Check out the opening menus in full online.

The hotel renovation recalls Woburn’s leather-making history, with reclaimed woods, and warm rugs and textiles used in the lobby. The entryway opens into a six-story atrium with a lounge, bar, and indoor pool.

Matadora’s entrance is off the lobby, though it is also located in the atrium; some mezzanine-level hotel rooms overlook the scene. The restaurant seats about 150, including at a communal table, and a nine-seat chef’s counter, plus high-top banquettes and other tables under a dramatic lighting installation in the dining room. Outside, find a 36-seat, fire pit-heated patio with lounge sofas.

Matadora opens tonight at 5 p.m. It reopens daily for breakfast from 6:30-11 a.m., and dinner from 5-11 p.m.

2 Forbes Rd., Woburn, 781-932-0999, matadorarestaurant.com.