4. Restaurants

Mataam Fez Moroccan Restaurant

4609 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO, 80220
  • (303) 399-9282
  • Store is closed

Mataam Fez Moroccan Restaurant Menu

  • Fez Featured Entree Favorite
  • Cous Cous Entree Selection
  • Lamb Entree Selections
  • Beef Entree Selections
  • Fez Featured Entree Favorite_A
  • Poultry Entree Selections
  • Seafood Entree Selections
  • Vegetarian Entree Selections
  • For the Children

Healthy Meal suggestions for Mataam Fez Moroccan Restaurant

  • Fez Featured Entree Favorite
  • Cous Cous Entree Selection
  • Lamb Entree Selections
  • Beef Entree Selections
  • Fez Featured Entree Favorite_A
  • Poultry Entree Selections
  • Seafood Entree Selections
  • Vegetarian Entree Selections
  • For the Children

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  • Russell G.

    I haven't been to a good Moroccan restaurant in a while and happy to say, this place nailed it! I liked the couches and pillows to sit on. You wash your hands with lemon water because you don't get utensils. You eat with your hands! Very fun and something different to do once in a while. The prices are a little high here but it is because you get so much with your order. All the main dishes come with soup, assorted salads, bastilla which is absolutely amazing and I wish I could eat it every day! Then comes your actual meal and finished off with tea and fruit. We tried the Lamb Mouchi and the Cornish hen with apricots and honey. WOW. Absolutely delicious. Since so much food comes with your meal, we had to take a lot of food to go. We simply could not finish it all. I highly recommend this place for a delicious meal and an activity out of the ordinary.

    (5)

  • Laurie M.

    We went for a friend's birthday and while looking for their address a "Groupon" popped up online. We purchased one and suggested to the birthday boy to buy one too. The Groupon stated only 2 can be used per party of 6, we had 12 on the reservation. I called the restaurant to be certain we could use them and were assured we can. When we gave the wait person our 2 Groupons, they denied using 2 since we had only 10 show up- and then we could only use them if applied to the group bill. What nonsense- the manager came over and would not allow the use of 2. If only 2 of us had dined alone, we could have used them. Our friend is having his groupon refunded. This is POOR customer service and as a result 10 of us will not dine there again- we spent 500.00 and they wouldn't give us an additional 20.00 off (and 20 percent gratuity was included)). This is inexperienced management- not a customer service restaurant-

    (3)

  • Meagan M.

    I really love this place. It is slightly dingy... Maybe it could be updated and cleaned a bit. But the food is fantastic. Ambiance and service is great. It is just a unique experience--sitting on the floor and eating with your hands. Entertainment is included. It's a 5 course meal I believe--I had the lamb and it was awesome. It was our anniversary so they did extra things like champagne and a special dessert. I've also been here for a birthday with about 10 people and it was fun for a group! Highly recommended for a special event.

    (4)

  • Gabriel L.

    My girl friend has been promising to take me here for a few years now and we finally made it. The place looks pretty questionable from the outside and the inside looks worn. Still I enjoyed the feel of it. After kicking back on the low cushions, I think I've decided to get rid of my couch and go Morrocan for the living room. The staff was friendly and pleasant. They were knowledgable about the menu and made some good recommendations. The lamb with honey and almonds was excellent. Dana had the rabbit, tender and flavorful. The appetizers and soup were perfect and I left full but not over stuffed. The belly dancer was talented, though the appearance was brief. We did enjoy watching the flame dance as we left. I certainly enjoyed the time and I think we shall return.

    (4)

  • Carolyn S.

    Hubby and I came with a groupon tonight. The atmosphere was incredibly authentic. Music, decorations from floor to ceiling, and sitting on pillows on the floor.... Excellent! We were encouraged to take off our shoes and get comfortable. Our waitress started and finished our meal by pouring lemon water over our hands to wash them. Each course was more delicious than the next. Unexpected flavors and combinations kept us intrigued and waiting for the next course. We will definitely be back, and we will bring friends. There is belly dancing on weekends, so we will be sure to visit then! I can't imagine enjoying it any more.

    (5)

  • Loren O.

    I have been to various Moroccan resturants in the past and they are always a treat. This Mataam Fez is FAR better than the Mataam Fez in Colorado Springs. Though, not as good as Imperial Fez in Louisville. Service is wonderful. The servers and dancers are very warm and welcoming. Talking with you and joking around if need be. The dancers are good, but I've seen better in Louisville and in Colorado Springs. The tea show is amazing and the decor in this location is better than all the other Moroccan resturants I have been to. The prices are competive for Moroccan. You will pay around $30 per person, but you get a 5 course meal and all of it is good. Yes, you do not get utensiles. This is why it is called MOROCCAN food!!! It is a part of the culture and experience. If you want a fork, go to Red Robin, I think they give you forks. Oh, and if it bothers you that much, if you ask, they will bring you out a fork! Once again, you have to remember, this is Moroccan food. Some of the food has losts of tastes and some if it does not. This is not a fault of the resturant, just merely how this type of food is made. This resturant is right up there in my opion for Moroccan resturants. Before you go though, you must ask yourself if you are willing to go through a different experience unlike any other and not sit around and cry about it later because it is not the Texas Roadhouse. You must be open to trying new things to dine at a place like this.

    (4)

  • S. Q.

    This is the place we like to go for birthdays since it is a fun place. The kids especially like taking their shoes off, sitting on the floor, and eating with their hands. The belly dancers are fun too...they had one really good one in January that I hope to see again. I like the food, but last time we were here 6-5-13 for my son's birthday him and his dad were sick the next day. Maybe the food they had? Or a random tummy flu picked up elsewhere. Hard to tell. The only consistent complaint I have is that it is so darn cold in there. I order the tea or spiced wine right away just to warm up! Go for the experience, go in a group of people you love.

    (4)

  • Klaus H.

    This is a nice deviation from your regular sit down dinner. You it almost at the floor and there is a ton of action going on. I felt there were at least 6 serving us. One greets you, on pours drinks, on brings food, one pours water of your hands, etc... Of course the ominous belly dancer is part of the mix as well. The food is good but nothing totally off the charts. You have to order a menu which means you can't eat there for $15 or $20 per head. If you price in the experience and are willing to pay for it then it is well worth it! Note: If you are into delicious deserts this is not your place. You'll get some fresh fruit and a couple of basic choices. Nothing for the connoisseur.

    (4)

  • Shawn S.

    What a great experience and the food was equally good. The vegetables and fruit were soooooo fresh! Great experience and perfect for groups of friends. It's a 5 course meal (you only choose your entree) and takes about 2-2.5 hours so plenty of time to enjoy with your friends/family. It's fun to eat with your hands :) The Moroccan Chicken Bastilla is amazing and the Roast Chicken was probably the moistest chicken I've ever had.

    (4)

  • Jessica R.

    My friend and I dined at Mataam Fez for my birthday during a business trip last month as we both love ethnic cuisine and were looking forward to the experience.at our first Moroccan Restaurant. The service was excellent (5 star rating), our waitress was very friendly, on top of it and very patient as she had a demanding customer across from us but kept a smile on her face and was timely in bringing everything out to all her tables. The food was ok. Our entrees were the the Chicken with Honey and Almonds and the Lamb Mouchi. The dinners include soup, assorted salads, an appetizer, fresh fruit and mint tea. Most of it was good but the bread was slightly stale, the fruit wasn't too ripe and the entrees were just ok. Although we liked some of the decor, it could use some refreshing as It seemed very dated and some areas a bit dirty - perhaps that is the authenticity. Overall I would give it a 3.5, the service was great, worth the experience (it is an adventure) and I would definately dine at another Morrocan Restaurant again. Reservations are required for this restaurant and would recommend for groups, families or a romantic date - it is quite the adventure!

    (3)

  • Tiffany N.

    I have to say I sat on a pillow and put my hands on some crumbs. It kind of made me feel icky, but I guess that is what happens when you all eat with your hands while sitting on the floor. My initial thoughts on Mataam Fez are that I'm glad I went and experienced it, but I will probably not go back again. I know that I'm paying for the experience, but I can't help feeling like I paid a little more than the experience was worth to me. The food seemed to be hit or miss for me. The starter was lamb and lentil soup with bread. I'm not a huge fan of lamb or tomato broths, which is what it was in. I take 3 sips and pass. Next came what they call a salad and I call a tray of yumminess. It had carrots, beets, potatoes, spinach, chickpeas and eggplant. Maybe that was all and maybe one of those is incorrect, but that was my conclusion of what they were. I discover it's hard to eat mashed up vegetables with your fingers. I try to use bread. It gets crumbly. Aha! The aforementioned crumbs are explained. Now they bring us meat dessert? It smells like a funnel cake. It's dusted with sugar and made of philo dough. But, inside is meat and cinnamon. I'm not a sweet and savory mixer of flavors so I try one bit, albeit a small one. Me no likey. Next please. I order beef on a stick. It is a very nice flavor. It is kind of hard to chew. It is served on cous cous with raisins and almonds, which is very delicious, but harder to eat with my fingers than anything I have tried so far. I think I would have had better luck with the soup. How do toddlers do this? Last course - the most delicious tea ever! And fruit. I like this tea a lot. But, it scares me to watch the server balance glasses on her forehead while pouring the boiling stuff out of a pot and into the glass. The server's tricks with all the dishes - juggling balancing and so on are amazing and worth seeing as is the belly dancer. But, by and large, the food I had just wasn't my cup of tea.

    (3)

  • Dale P.

    As others have said, it is not much to look at from the outside, and inside is rather worn and shabby. Food is very good and plentiful. It is not cheap to eat here. We had two birthdays in our group of four, and they overheard us talking about it and brought us a complimentary dessert. Service is very good and friendly. Belly dancing was a fun entertainment. This was my first time there and I will go back. Dale

    (4)

  • Jennifer B.

    With my Mom in town I wanted to try something new and unique, why not Moroccan. This place is located on Colfax and gets excellent reviews, so I listened to my fellow Yelpers and made reservations. I would rather they be on Open Table but their website is easy to use and I received a confirmation for my reservations. We arrived promptly at 7pm and were seated immediately in the back room. This is as authentic Moroccan as you get to sit on the floor on some comfy pillows with a lower round table to eat from. Even though there are a lot people seated per room the noise level is still very quiet which is very nice. The entree prices look steep at first with an average of $30, please keep in mind this is for 5 courses, you choose your entree and they take care of the rest. We had a couple of there classic Moroccan drinks that included plum wine, wowza, did we both suck down these drinks. Those were very tasty. Here's how the night progressed: 1. Place a white towel over your left shoulder for the meal (as your napkin) 2. Rinse your hands - warm water poured over your hands 3. The soup of the day (1st course) - Lentil soup for us - It was delicious and a nice beginning dish 4. Vegetable dish which includes, eggplant mash (my name), curried carrots, roasted beets, potato's, spinach, and a palate cleanser for between bites. This was by far one of my favorite dishes. Keep in mind you are eating all of this by hand, the authentic way. 5. A savory Baklava kind of dish with ground chicken, almonds, and spices wrapped in puff pastry topped with powdered sugar and cinnamon. This is delicious, it can be a little interesting to eat with your hands. Totally terrific with sweet and savory hitting all over your taste buds. 6. Entrees are next where we indulged in the Rabbit (their signature dish) and the Cornish Hen with lemon and olives. Both of which were amazing, the consensus was the Rabbit was the best and what we would order again. The couscous was a little difficult to eat with your hands, fun if anything. The roasted veggies were perfectly cooked and delicious. 7. Rinse your hands - warm water poured over your hands and then sprinkled with rose water to give yourself a wonderful fragrance. 8. Dessert - fresh fruit with a warm cup of tea which had such a wonderful aroma and taste. Delicious. 9. While enjoying dessert, enjoy a good 10-15 minutes of having a beautiful and exotic belly dancer doing her thing around the room. She was amazing and makes me want to take some belly dancing lessons. Make sure you put a dollar or two on the strap around her arm, she was truly a pleasure to watch and a great entertainer. **Using the Yelp Mobil application, if you check in you can get 15% off your bill, which is pretty nice. I would totally recommend this place for groups and for a great meal. Can't wait to come back with a group and try more items.

    (4)

  • Brittany S.

    If you brought a groupon beware that it's required to buy two meals if there is two of you, in the end it's not worth it at all.

    (2)

  • k m.

    Another place I want to like so much more than I actually do. Dinner at Mataam Fez is an experience: seated on the floor, eating with your hands, belly dancers and tea service, so much more interesting than the average night on the town, but before even showing up you should definitely assess whether you're really into that kind of thing. I think it's fun, others seem put off by it. Unfortunately, beyond the novelty aspect, the service is slow (our dinner for a large party this evening took almost 4 hours, much of which was spent just waiting), the entrees are pricy (but comprehensive-soup, bread, vegetables, meat and egg pastry, entree, tea and fruit...I just coud do without most of these things, especially since many of them appear to be filler, and NOTHING is a la carte or optional, it's kind of an ordeal) and honestly just not that good (there are far better $30 meals to be had elsewhere). If you do go I STRONGLY suggest keeping the party small. Between all of the performing and the mildly befuddled employees a large party here seems to throw the whole staff into a tailspin. Those in smaller groups this evening seemed to have a much better time.

    (3)

  • Dylan L.

    I went here with a big group a few years ago (my entire dorm floor) and had an absolutely great time. This place really does feel like an authentic experience without the cheese that can come with it-basically, I felt like they weren't over-doing it, it felt real. First of all, the inside is designed to look like it's under a giant desert tent-already very cool. As per custom, you sit not in chairs but on cushions on the floor with lowered tables. Before your appetizer (I've forgotten what we had), you wash you hands when they bring out a pot of warm water and run it over your hands, then it lands in a basin below. Same thing for when your entree comes out. I decided to have the rabbit (first time having it ever), which was a great choice. It was delicious, very succulent and juicy. Well cooked. Another part of this place is that you use no utensils-you eat with your hands. It was very cool just picking the meat straight off the bone. In addition to all this, they have very good belly dancers that will dance around but also pull people up and teach them how-it was really fun seeing my friends learn how to belly dance. I've only been here the one time, but I really need to go back-it's one of the better dining experiences I've ever had.

    (5)

  • Laura E.

    When this restaurant first opened back in 1979, the food and the service were stellar. Over the years, the food and the service began to deteriorate. My last visit---just three days ago---was abysmal. From the smelly mildew odor of the old carpet to the surly, sullen young man who "greeted" us, the experience went from bad to worse. The food---which for years had been heavenly---was barely edible. My favorite was always the chicken with lemon and olives. On this visit, the cornish game hen was overcooked and tasteless. There was one tiny slice of preserved lemon, no onions whatsoever, and exactly two olives. Another friend ordered the lamb with artichokes---normally a delicious feast. This time, it came as something unrecognizable. There was a small boiled lamb shank on the plate that was totally bland and a single undercooked artichoke. Another member of our party orderd the lamb brochettes. The two teensy shish kabobs should have been called lamb pellets because the pieces of meat were so small and overcooked. Obviously, there is no longer a Moroccan cook in the kitchen at Mataam Fez. A Moroccan cook would not turn out such tasteless, pathetic food that in no way resembles the wonderful cuisine of Morocco. Trust me, I have been to Morocco three times, and I never had a meal this lousy even from a street vendor! The fact that two members of the wait staff can pour mint tea into tiny glasses that rest on their upper arms or on top of their foreheads does not make up for the unfriendly service and the simply unpalatable and overpriced entrees. By the way, even the side dishes have been reduced in size. After over thirty years of going to this restaurant, I can adamantly say that I will never go again. This has been my worst dining experience in the past year, maybe the past five years!

    (1)

  • stephen c.

    We are so fortunate to have this experience here in Denver. Great for parties of adventurous people, maybe two or three couples to provide moral support in this cultural experience. I don't know how to eat the food with my fingers, whatever I tried was messy and not working. But I did learn how to belly dance and recommend that everyone take a break and shake it a little, it helps with the digestion. Where else will you find so many bottles of wine (malbec, shiraz) for $20? Its sure to help your belly dancing!

    (4)

  • Joy A.

    I only give this place a 2 star because of the experience. The food is disgusting: it's either too bland or over empowered with spices and the vegetables are cooked all mushy. Eating with your hands is a little too authentic for me. This place is over price for the quality of food. I only came to this place cuz a friend wanted to try it for her birthday but never again will I come back. I'm surprised that this place is still in business, I guess it's open for people who likes bland food. I would never recommend it to anyone. If you want the experience it's great but if you're looking for good food avoid mataam fez.

    (2)

  • Inna S.

    BEWARE OF USING YOUR GROUPONS HERE!! My husband and I came to this restaurant after purchasing a groupon deal ($22 for $40 worth of food). I had just come from a work event and was not very hungry, but wanted to enjoy drinks and the belly dancing show with my husband while he ate. We were told by the restaurant that they would not honor our Groupon as they required that we both order an entree (there weren't any options for a light entree such as a salad). No where on the Groupon does it say that two entree's are required per groupon. Instead, the manager/owner proceeded to tell me that it's "common sense" that they would require that two entrees per Groupon. This manager was extremely rude - to the point that we got up and left. I would not spend a cent in a restaurant that treats their patrons in this way and issues Groupons to simply scam customers. I can't say anything about their food, but will NEVER be back to experience it.

    (1)

  • Katalina O.

    The most horrific, tasteless, expensive meal I have ever had. I actually called the health department - it was that bad!!!!! Get this, dinner for three, no utensils, no dishes (seriously, you all grab off of one plate, no utensils) and no appetizers - over $150 dollars Lukewarm, tasteless soup, pickled stuff passing for salad (complete with a flying insect, hence the health department call), boiled mystery meat - we left before tea.. This ordeal took 2.5 hours - skip it as this is NOTHING like Moroccan food.

    (1)

  • Katie N.

    This place is a great experience!!!

    (5)

  • Tenacious P.

    The outside makes you wonder if the place is open. Once you're in, you feel like you're in Morocco. Great atmosphere, service was good, and food was good. It's an adventure.

    (4)

  • Grace C.

    I have been here several times and have had good food and entertainment every time. Their cornish game hens are so tender--they are practically falling off the bone. The belly dancing was fun to watch. Service was a little slow but they had 5 other tables being served.

    (3)

  • Elizabeth D.

    Valentine's dinner at my favorite restaurant- never disappointing. Now that I've traveled to morocco I must say that the food here is very authentic! The meal is several delicious courses and takes time, but that is the style of meals in morocco. Loved it! I'll be back!

    (5)

  • Robert K.

    The food is great (not the best ever, but great). The atmosphere is spectacular. The staff is very nice and efficient. It is super fun (with or without kids). The price is affordable. The entertainment, including the overall atmosphere and eating etiquette, was phenomenal.

    (5)

  • Whitney W.

    We go to about Mataam Fez once a year. It is definitely a "special occasion" place, as it would be too expensive to go more often. But for the experience and the food, it is worth every penny. Most nights there are belly dancers if you're there at the right time. The belly dancers are always fun and that, combined with the cushions on the floor and the pillowy atmosphere, make you feel like you're dining in a palace as a sultan's honored guest. The food is also fabulous. There are five courses, and everything can be made vegetarian. You start with soup and bread; followed by a salad plate; a bastilla (a flaky pastry with powdered sugar and fruit inside, with chicken for the carnivores); an entree; and for dessert, a fruit plate with mint green tea. The only part of the meal that isn't quite as exciting is the entree; there are three vegetarian choices, but they are all rather bland. You can get couscous with vegetables, an artichoke with vegetables, or just straight up vegetables. I would be okay eating the other four courses without an entree, and there would still be enough to fill me up. But wait! There's more to experience. You also take off your shoes in the restaurant, and eat everything with your hands. (Don't worry, the server comes between courses to rinse your hands with lemon water.) The server also gets into the act, pouring the tea with fancy flair and doing trick pours and twirling the glasses all about without one drop of tea spilling. And on a cold, snowy winter's night, there's nothing better than enjoying a belly-filling feast and being entertained in a most decadent way. Enjoy.

    (5)

  • Ian K.

    Came here for restaurant week and couldn't have been more disappointed... Food was below average at best.

    (2)

  • Ben H.

    For those of you who have never experience Moroccan cuisine, Mataam Fez is a must!! This place has been around for as long as I can remember, and is one of those "Colfax" gems. A meal here consists of sitting on fancy pillows around low tables, communal dishes eaten with your hands, and of course, talented belly dancing for entertainment. From the moment you walk in the door, you forget you are on Colfax, and even in the States. Moroccan food is somewhere between Ethiopian and Indian, with a heavy emphasis on honey, nuts, dates and other fruits. The menu is not very large, but it does not need to be, as there are many side dishes and every option is very good. I used to love going here as a kid, and it can be really fun with a large group. But keep in mind that the flavors, and eating customs, are significantly different than "American" restaurants.

    (5)

  • Amber M.

    This place is such a blast! Once you step inside it feels like you aren't in Colorado anymore. They do a wonderful five course meal with an exciting tea service near the end. Everything tasted full and fresh. I really enjoyed the 'salad' course where they bring out a number of cold vegetable dishes to sample and I loved them all. The spinach was was so flavorful and I even ate the tomatoes and beets (and I almost never eat those). I had the lamb and artichoke entree which was cooked perfectly. The fruit at the end of the meal was wonderfully ripe and juicy. When you go here make sure you keep an open mind and have fun with it. They are going to have you wear a towel on your shoulder, eat with your hands and they are going to sprinkle you with rose water. There is also a beautiful belly dancer and a neat, acrobatic tea service during the meal. It is going to be a long dinner so plan accordingly. We got there at 6:30 pm and didn't leave until 9pm. My only complaint here is the location but there really isn't much they can do about that.

    (5)

  • Aimee L.

    2.5 rounded up. I've been to a few Moroccan places like this, and I wasn't terribly impressed with Mataam Fez. We ordered the Lamb Mishwi ($32) and the Lamb Brochettes ($29.95). Prices are not on the menus. The entrees were mildly flavorful, but nothing special. The side dishes were good, but it was difficult to eat everything with our hands, especially the lamb mishwi (which is like stew), the couscous, and the some of the chopped veggies (consistency of salsa). The bastilla was probably the best part of the meal, in all of its flaky savory and sweet goodness. They pour warm scented water over your hands to clean them before your meal, but still if I went with a group of people, I don't think I could share a common plate with everyone with all the licking of fingers. The floor seating in the back room was interesting. It was a narrow space and the belly dancer bumped into empty tables a couple times. Service was okay, and the dancing was entertaining. The air was a bit dank, and the pillows, carpets, and tapestries could use a deep cleaning. Good thing the lights are so dim. Expect to be there for 2-2.5 hours. It's an interesting experience if you haven't visited a Moroccan place before. There are better ones out there, though.

    (3)

  • Jonny D.

    Good GOD this is delicious stuff. Just got back from eating a few of their lamb plates. Make darn sure to have their "featured" dishes, as they are unspeakably good. Five courses for around 30 bucks a person; a *perfect* romantic, exotic atmosphere that feels rich and luxurious; and the fun of being annointed with rosewater after your meal and watching a belly dancer. The soup was incredible from the first drop; the salad consists of a sample of 7 delicious mini-dishes; the b'stella was flavorful and flaky and delicious; the entrees were beyond mind-blowing; and the dessert was a small fruit plate, perfectly refreshing after getting completely, unbelievably full. We'll be back (often).

    (5)

  • Shanna K.

    I was really saddened by this trip to Mataam Fez. I used to come here once a year, every year, on my father's birthday. I have pictures of 5 year old me with the belly dancer, 6 year old me with a sword case on my head, the list goes on. I went here a few years ago, and it was as amazing as I remembered. A few weeks ago, they offered a groupon, and so I took advantage of it to take my partner in, who had never tried Moroccan food or eaten in such an interactive restaurant. Unfortunately, the experience did not live up to past dinners or even her base expectations. I made a reservation for 7:30...we weren't even greeted until 7:40, or seated until 7:50. Ok, they're busy, a good sign. We were then seated at a table without a tablecloth...the only one in the entire floor without one. Finally, after the first course was brought and no table cloth in sight, I asked for one, and felt like we received it grudgingly. One server was really nice...but the rest pretty much ignored us. We finished our iced teas before the first course, and we never offered a refill. I constantly had to ask for water refills. Some tables had their hands washed between courses, while we only had it done one. We were offered bread with the soup (the soup was delicious, as were the salads and b'stella), but not with the salads or main course as were other patrons -- we wound up getting up and walking to the bread basket to get our own. My partner ordered the Salmon (fish special for $32), and it was full of bones. Not just one back bone, but more than a dozen tiny bones, and that was just from the 1/3 she ate before the gave up, scared of choking on the bone she missed. For me, the vegetarian, they were out of their artichoke dish (my fav), so I paid $29 for a plate of cous cous and steam vegetables with absolutely not flavor. It then took use almost 40 minutes to get our check and pay once done eating...and on top of the $40 groupon, we paid another $30 in food and $12 in tip...so almost $100 meal with horrible service, and only a half eaten meal. I don't know if it was because we had the groupon that the service was bad (counter intuitive), or because we're queer, or if they were just having a really off night, but other patrons around us were uttering similar comments to ours. All I have to say is my partner has totally be turned off to Moroccan food, which breaks my heart, as I had such amazing memories here over the past 2 decades.

    (2)

  • Jack p.

    Dinner was 5 courses and around 70 bucks for 2 people. Food was exceptional, the belly dancing and hot tea pouring tricks was amazing. My date and I had a incredible time. The place opens at 530 and I suggest you get there at 530 when the place is clean and there is no wait. Very healthy food, the coos coos was fun to try to eat with our hands. And the chicken was incredible. They recommended the lamb, but I have had better. I will be back. :)

    (4)

  • Jim B.

    20 years ago this was fabulous - now, not so. Great concept still, but food and service were not so great. Sorry Mataam Fez, I wanted to still love you as I had some 20 years ago.

    (1)

  • Keith T.

    My girlfriend and I came here for Valentine's day and were very pleased with the experience. The service, entertainment and atmosphere was top notch. The food was fresh, well prepared and excellent.

    (4)

  • Isibella A.

    Mataam Fez is a fun exciting taste and sensory adventure! When I go for Moroccan food (Which isn't very often) this is usually where me and my friends wind up. The venue is perfect with lanterns, plush cushions and floor seating. It makes you feel like you stepped into Marrakech. Did I mention there's also belly dancing? With all inclusive embarrassing pick out your friend and make them dance with the belly dancer lessons! It's great for a laugh and all the finger foods make it a new sensory food experience which is a must do for all foodies. P.S the waiters will also do amazing tricks with the drinks. The hungry kitten says: Go here when you need to drink mint tea and see hot belly dancers while eating food with your fingers!

    (4)

  • Keith H.

    Food was excellent. Not a big veggie eater so I could have passed on the first couple of courses. Had the rabbit which was excellent (but watch for small bones). Plan on spending 2 hours + to eat your dinner. Of course you eat everything with your hands which adds to the experience but I would have been happier with a fork & spoon. $32 per person + drinks. A lot of food and we had left overs. I would recommend.

    (4)

  • Louis D.

    I ate here a couple of months ago but didn't get a chance to put in my yelp review, (sorry). The food here is really good. Some of the best Moroccan I've had. And great service. We came here on a Saturday night and was treated to the full belly dancer and acrobatic/contortionist server tea pouring experience. A lot of fun. The only thing that really kept it from getting 5 stars was environment. A little dark and a little dingy. But don't let that keep you away. I would (and plan on) coming back here again. So far, it's my favorite Moroccan restaurant.

    (4)

  • Edie S.

    After several years, I was able to visit this place again. The decor is still delightful and the dancer was superb and so was the service. But the food was not as good as I had remembered it. The soup and bread were okay, the "salad" was just barely okay. The Bastilla that I had dreamed of, and was salivating for, was skimpy and did not have the layers that the ones in the past had. It was okay but not like it was, glorious, in years gone by. One mistake that we made was that we ordered 2 entrees when one would have fed us just fine. So the entire meal was very expensive and my date pretty much hated the food. I liked it okay and took some home for my Mom who enjoyed what I brought her. I am a sad, sad person to have to give it this review.

    (3)

  • Jim W.

    This is one of those restaurants that is not just about the food but the whole experience. There is food and it is delicious. There is atmosphere and it is unique and cool. There is service and it is performance. We went here for our anniversary dinner and we decided to bring the kids (I know, how romantic) so that they could experience it. The kids were...stunned. At first they were kind of weirded out by sitting on the floor,eating off the table and sharing everything. By the time there was dancing, juggling and balancing a teacup on a foot while pouring the tea they were giddy. When you're in the mood for a nice change of pace Matamm Fez is the place.

    (4)

  • Norman P.

    Feeling like something a little different than the usual sit down meal experience. This is it! I've been here a few times over the years. Though it isn't a place I suggest to frequent, it will definitely be a fun night out with friends or family. The food is quite good. If you can't imagine yourself eating with you hands, be forewarned - there aren't any utensils here. As you are seated on the floor accompanied by pillows, you feel like royalty enjoying five courses with nothing but you and your bare hands. It takes you to the exotic land of Morocco as you enjoy savory wedding soup to Chinese gunpowder tea and everything in between. For the entree, I suggest the honey and almonds cornish hen - NomnomNom. The pleasant rinse of rose water between courses prevents you from feeling like a barbarian. But give your hands a chance, you don't really have a choice. Do you really want to be that guy/girl? You know, the not fun one? I thought so. The atmosphere isn't necessarily "authentic", but the experience most definitely is. Be sure to go on a weekend and be entertained by live belly dancing - get up there and learn some moves, it's a lot of fun! Overall, 5 stars because there's nowhere else like it. Definitely go! Stay hungry my friends!

    (5)

  • Misa L.

    So much fun! Great for dates or groups, this joint's got a lot of character. The menu can be a bit pricey for the product, but it's worth the unique experience. Kick back on the floor with an abundance of plush pillows and marvel in the entertainment. Scolding hot tea will be tossed about and belly dancers will frequently come your way, be sure to bring cash for tips. Reasons why I did not give the Fez five stars include my comfort with the cleanliness of the floor pillows, the awkward belly dancer tipping situation, and the price for the product. Otherwise, you can miss having this classic Moroccan resturaunt experience. Have fun!

    (4)

  • Joan P.

    At Mataam Fez, you always get a five-course meal, and you only have to choose the main course. You start off by washing your hands... because you eat everything with your fingers. That's right, folks! It was a bit strange, but I quickly adjusted. It was even a bit fun. The only thing that was missing was the opportunity to properly clean your hands in between courses; a small bowl of water on the table would have been nice, especially following the main course. My fingernails still smelled like my delicious main course, so I trimmed them when I got home. One other thing to note is that if you're using a Groupon, make sure to read the fine print: you can only use one Groupon per table, or two if there are at least six people. I found this a bit disappointing, as I purchased two Groupons for me and my friend; using both would have given us a free meal, but we were only allowed to use the one. This is a bit different from other restaurants I've dined at that take Groupons. As for the food... Five stars for the food! The food is hearty, flavorful, and DELICIOUS. The harira soup starter was homey and warm, followed by a vegetarian side dish course that consisted of spiced eggplant, spinach, a vinegary diced tomato dish, pureed cauliflower, and beets. All were delicious, but my favorite was the eggplant, which is surprising because I have never before met an eggplant dish I liked. You also get a palate cleanser of sweetened carrots and raisins. Following the two starters was the bastilla, which is a savory pastry filled with chicken and almonds, and dusted with powdered sugar and cinnamon. It sounds a bit strange, but it is extremely yummy. Be careful when digging in (literally, haha) because if you have sensitive fingers like me, you might get burned. For the main course, we shared the rabbit dish and the cornish hen dish. I personally liked both and thought they were full of flavor, but my friend did state that the rabbit dish was a bit bland. You also get a vegetable side dish with cous cous and sauteed veggies. In between the main and dessert courses, a waiter will come around and splash rose water on your hands - it smells DIVINE and does help in taking away some of the lingering smells from your main course, especially if you were tearing into meat like I was. I would definitely advise cupping your hands and getting as much of that rose water as possible and rubbing it all over your nails. Finally, you end with a sweet tea - I think it was a variation on mint tea, but I'm not positive - along with fresh fruit. Fruit doesn't sound that amazing, but when I think of feasting on fruit at a restaurant, I think of the old, cheap stuff you get at a Chinese buffet, so I was pleasantly surprised when the grapes, cantaloupe, and honeydew were in peak ripeness. Plus, I was way too stuffed to entertain a larger dessert. Service was excellent - the waiters were all very knowledgeable and courteous. The most memorable part of your dining experience, even with the delicious and saliva-inducing food, is probably going to be the entertainment. We enjoyed watching a belly dancer sashay to a heart-thumping beat while dexterously utilizing finger bells and, later on in the evening, little pots of fire. Be sure to bring some cash to reward her with a tip! We both felt bad that we didn't have any on us. Also, one of the waiters does a cool show when he serves the dessert course. He balances glasses of tea on his forehead, whisks them around without spilling a drop, and plays with the guests. I was the (un)fortunate guest who was the focus of his attention - only unfortunate because I think I ruined his act by refusing to catch a glass of tea he was winding up like a pitcher on the mound because I am TERRIBLY uncoordinated. I did get splashed a tiny bit when he did this action, but it wasn't terrible, though a little startling. All in all, I would definitely return! I would definitely recommend giving this restaurant a try.

    (4)

  • Chuck G.

    I thought this restaurant was really cool. As soon as you walk in you see a decent atmosphere. The seats are low and comfy. You can sit on a pillow or a bench seat. Also have the options to extend your comfort by taking off your shoes ( I didn't). Since there is no silverware they wash your hands and provide a towel. The food is good and very affordable. You order an entrée and it comes with a 5 course meal. They also put on a little show for the customers If you don't mind eating with your hands and you trust 4 of your 5 dishes being unknown then I would def recommend this restaurant

    (4)

  • Danielle S.

    I try to grab Morrocan food whenever I can when we travel and I enjoyed Mataam Fez very much. The service was great and the food was delicious. I loved the B'Stilla which was full of delicately shredded meat and plenty of ground nuts and spices. (Sometimes they are unbalanced - not here!) The rest of the food was likewise pleasing, especially the spinach salad, soup, and lamb dishes.

    (5)

  • Kelly P.

    Always wanted to try here, and finally got the opportunity with a groupon. Like previous reviewer said, it could use an update. The tables were quaint, and it looks really small from the outside, but is pretty spacious once you get in there. All the servers were very nice and explained things to us, so we knew how we were supposed to eat. The only frustrating thing was that it took 45 minutes (we were ending our second course) to get our drinks. Also we didn't have just one waiter. We had like 3 or 4, so never knew who to flag down. Also the tea service we got was meh. When we came in one of the guys was pouring it from his head, but when we were served tea he just poured it and waived his hands around and then gave us an already poured glass from a platter. The belly dancer was great, but get there early because they leave at 8:30. All in all a good experience.

    (4)

  • Nicole S.

    The Good: Excellent ambiance. I was mesmerized by the decor. Unique experience sitting on cushions on the floor and eating with your hands. Felt very intimate, and thankfully not too awkward. Also, FIVE courses! I thought the five course meal would be too filling, and it would have been if I hadn't taken some of the entree leftovers home. Perfectly flavored dishes and expertly cooked lamb. Probably the best I've ever had. Friendly service and great timing with the different courses. Also enjoyed the entertainment (belly dancing with a sword!). Perhaps my favorite part of the whole meal. The waiter also did some cool drinks with the drinking glasses. The Bad: Pricey, pricey, pricey. At least $30 a person depending on which entree you choose, and they don't let you share. The couscous served with the lamb was too plain for my taste, but I suppose it did help balance out the saltiness of the meat. Disappointed that "dessert" consisted only of fruit, but I'm told this is typically Moroccan fare. Also, not sure that belly dancing is appropriate for little kids, of which there were several at the restaurant. They only serve dinner and you HAVE to have a reservation to eat here. It gets full quickly. The Ugly: My Groupon wasn't honored. I was told I needed to purchase a two entrees in order to use it, even though this stipulation wasn't listed anywhere on the Groupon. I was forced to buy another full five courses, which set me back considerably. Overall: You need to be adventurous to dine here. Worth the price tag to have a unique experience! Just count on spending at least $30 a person or you're in for a shock.

    (3)

  • Cecilia S.

    Really great experience! Completely different to anything else you could do on Denver. Great food, excellent service!

    (4)

  • Jessie E.

    Ambiance much? The wait-staff is extremely helpful and very friendly. I ordered: Slow-Braised Lamb "Rocs" that was melt in your mouth tender. Cornish Hen - Lemon & Olives which was earthy, tasty, juicy, and again tender. Artichoke M'kally - Such good flavors in this artichoke dish. Complex in its simplicity. Sitting on pillows and eating with your hands makes this an intimate experience that I would enourage everybody to try. Belly dancers provide a sultry touch and the tea pouring techniques are breathtaking!

    (5)

  • David M.

    Mataam Fez is the upgraded Moroccan version of Casa Bonita. Instead of cliff diving, the huge draw is the hawthawthawt belly dancer. (Question: what do you call a beautiful belly dancer who twirls around with a sword balanced on her head? Answer: anything she wants to be called). Around for 40 (!) years at the same now semi-forlorn looking spot on Colfax, MF needs a nip and a tuck, but remains like your favorite aunt who doesn't know that her lipstick is a little smeared and she forgot to shake the bottle of hair coloring before application. MF is a 3 star place it's fun to go, especially if you're taking an MF virgin there for the first time. Sitting on the floor on bolsters in a tent-like setting. Having rose water sprinkled over you and eating gooey or hard-to-grasp foodstuff with your hands. It's all a hoot. It kind of makes you forget that your 5 course meal ( you choose the entree; the other 4 courses are always the same) is good, but not great, Moroccan food.

    (3)

  • Kelsey S.

    Delicious!!! Fun atmosphere, neat cultural experience! If you haven't been, you're missing out!!!

    (5)

  • Jackie F.

    The food was so-so. There are three vegetarian options, which is always nice, but I found the vegetables to be over cooked and mushy. The appeal of this place lies in the entertainment. We visited with friends and our kids, and they throughout enjoyed the unique experience. For the price, however, I suspect there are better options in town.

    (2)

  • Braden S.

    I should be clear that I gave this place 4 stars because of VALUE. You get a lot of bang for your buck (especially if you get the GroupOn). The good: -Food was better than average and the chicken b'stilla is incredible -Cheap and even cheaper if you have the Groupon -Sit on the cushion on the floor for the authentic feel -Belly dancers as entertainment The bad: -The decor is minimal and reminds me of being in a college dorm covered in tapestries -The belly dancers accept tips which you stuff in their waist-strap thing... this is awkward when little pre pubescent children are getting excited over giving money to the pretty ladies and when your hands are dirty from stuffing your face full of chicken b'stilla We really did have a good time here and would recommend it to others.

    (4)

  • Michael C.

    You definitely need to be adventurous to eat here. No, utensils, shared plates where everyone uses their hands. Its great for flu season. I don't want to be negative, but I've had better Moroccan in town. The atmosphere is lovely though and I would recommend it to try it once.

    (3)

  • Andy S.

    I have eaten here a number of times over the years I have been in Denver. Last night was enjoyable with some Delicious food. The inside has become a little beat up over time but you cannot beat the atmosphere, five course meal and fun time you will have. It is a great place to take a date and you get your money's worth for sure!

    (4)

  • Randy P.

    Entering the establishment, the first thing I noticed was that the decor was cheap and falling apart. This is usually an indication of the cleanliness of the kitchen. We were seated and we were amused by the host in his tea service routine, however, as soon as he came around to start, we were not given the option to participate in the Muslim traditions (we are Christian), they insisted we follow their Muslim beliefs. We should have been given a choice. We left instead of ordering. If there was an option to select zero stars we would have.

    (1)

  • Brian A.

    The place is nice and relaxing and it is nice to kick back and relax after you eat.The food is not that great ,Moroccan food should be full of flavor and it wasn't! I had the chicken with olive and lemon and I got it grilled with 2 olives and 2 lemons ,not Moroccan style in olives and lemon gravy!like it should be I will not go again,I can get grilled chicken at the grocery store if I want to and not paying $30 for it.. The tea was very good

    (2)

  • Nick A.

    My review of this place is 3.5 stars. The entertainment and ambiance of this place is really cool. The food is a bit on the expensive side and while not bad it's not fabulous either. I come here probably once a year and thats plenty for me. Keep an eye out for groupon's that make it a lil more affordable.

    (4)

  • Amanda T.

    Mataam Fez is not a place I'd choose to come to and I've only been twice in 10 years. The first time was for a company paid dinner at the closed Boulder location when I first moved there and the second time was last Friday for a friend's 40th birthday celebration. As others have said, you sit on the floor and you eat with your hands. Personally, this all makes me a bit squeamish. But when in Rome...or a Moroccan style restaurant on Colfax... What I learned this time around is food-wise you get ripped off, especially if you are a vegetarian. Yes, you get 5 courses and the vegetarian B'Stella is superior to the meat one with it's apricot, raisin and nut filling, but the entrees are weak and are the same price as the meat ones. We both ordered the Vegetarian Cous Cous. It's described as their featured vegetarian entree, with large cuts of seven fresh, seasonal vegetables, nestled atop a bed of couscous,garnished with raisins and garbanzos, and served with our hot and spicy harisa sauce on the side. However, what was served was a large bed of couscous that honestly tasted like could have been from a Near East box, with a small amount of limp zucchini, summer squash and carrots on top, sprinkled with a few raisins and garbanzos. There was no spicy harisa on the side. Honestly, all the dishes are skimpy unless you get one of the Cornish Game Hen entrees. So if you eat meat, I'd choose one of those. Additionally, the dessert is some sliced oranges and melons, which is fine since I was stuffed, but I think they should label it that way on the menu since there may be someone that's disappointed. If I was to rank Mataam Fez on the food alone, it would be 2 stars. But part of what makes Mataam Fez fun is the whole experience and for that they get an extra star.

    (3)

  • Stephanie D.

    We just went here for my sister's birthday and cannot wait to come back! We had such a good time and the food was to die for! The staff was so nice and entertaining too! They do these fun table side tricks and there's a belly dancer at the beginning of the meal. It was like we weren't actually in a restaurant, but a guest in someone's home. The ambiance is matched only by the food! We tried the Cornish hen with apricots, honey and almonds, the lamb (first thing on the menu) and the rabbit. I could rave on and on about how tender, succulent, juicy and savory each dish was but words would not suffice. We found out about them on Groupon and used the offer ( $40 worth of food for only $20). We will be returning, time and again!

    (5)

  • Paul D.

    Wonderful food. Great Atmosphere. I've enjoyed it every time I've gone. The multiple courses are great to share. Some of them better than others. All of the entrees i've had have been wonderful. the starter courses are hit and miss. Great place to bring friends for something different. (Don't bring friends who can't handle eating with their hands though)

    (4)

  • Franklin H.

    Excellent food and very entertaining! Had the beef brochette with couscous. Have also had the lamb brochette - it's delicious as well! Definitely great for groups. Sit in the main dining room for belly dancing and even a quick group lesson! :) Will be returning soon!

    (5)

  • Heather C.

    I have never experienced a restaurant quite like this. The ambience was welcoming and relaxing. We sat on cushions with our shoes off. We washed our hands at the table and also ate with our hands. The belly dancer was a nice amusement while eating as were the servers who did little acrobatic tricks with the glasses, drinks and such. The food was delicious. I especially enjoyed the beets and mashed potatoes, both seasoned as I have never had them like that before. Excellent experience! Price was in the high side but the manager did fix the errors on our bill. A treat but not a place to frequent often.

    (4)

  • Sid R.

    I love it here the food is so good and the staff are vary nice, it is a bit expensive but you get lots of food because all of there meals are 5 courses.

    (5)

  • Robin S.

    We have been going to the Mataam Fez Restaurant for over 30 years, off and on. Our recent visit was very disappointing. The service was mediocre at best, the food was well prepared but not especially tasty as it has been in the past. The best part of our experience was the belly dancer. She was very professional and very good. The most disappointing part of our visit was when we tried to pay the bill and use our Groupon coupons. The waiter came back and rudely told us that they refused to accept our Groupon coupons because it was restaurant week and they didn't accept them during restaurant week. However this was not posted anywhere except on the bottom of their menu which no one noticed. Very disappointing and we won't be going back.

    (2)

  • Scar R.

    I've been here 3 times. Once on a field trip on high school for my French class-the food was absolutely delicious, the atmosphere was so culturally rich and the belly dancer was nothing short of mesmerizing. The second time was about a year ago and I went with a friend and her family after her graduation ceremony. We took a big group and they had made a reservation so we were seated almost immediately. I haven't mentioned that you sit practically on the floor on a little pillowed couch-like seat. Shoes are optional. Anyway- yet again, the five course meal was astounding and I ate every last bite. Then, I went last night on a date with the love of my life. We made a reservation, seated right away by the nicest host and had,as is customary, our hands washed in a big gold bowl with lemon water. Because... If you didn't already know, you eat everything with your hands. Then came the delicious, warm lentil soup, which we slurped quite quickly because we were so hungry! Then came the salad, a mixture on cucumber and tomato, potato, spinach, beets and a palate cleanser of shredded carrots with pineapple and raisin (super yummy!) and we took our time with that. Then, the pastry which I cant remember the name of.. But if you know what Baklava is, the outside crust is like that, with a hefty coating of powdered sugar and cinnamon- and then you dig in and it's piping warm beef..: mmmmm. This is my favorite course. Then then main course varies depending on what you chose from the menu, and I got the apricot lamb with honey and it was to die for. He got the hot and spicy chicken which he said was very filling and delicious (it has curry!). Then came desert which was cantaloupe, honeydew and kiwi. And then a big surprise which I won't spoil, but a few awesome things happened when we were served a delicious gunpowder spearmint tea. Yum. Yum. Yum. The people are so nice and the food, obviously well worth the price. Which by the way, is about a max (not including beverages) of $34 a person with a minimum of about $24. Sooooo worth it!

    (5)

  • Lisa S.

    Wow. So glad my friend envied me to dinner. The atmosphere is so inviting. Loved the seating. Low couches lined the walls with pillows for additional seating on the opposite sides of the round tables. Very comfortable. The staff was so welcoming. Since it was our first time there (and our first time eating moroccan food) our servers explained the courses and traditions. We order the signature cocktail which was delicious (similar to a light sangria). For our entrees we took suggestions and were wowed by the food. My friend had the lamb "rocs" and I had the salmon. Both were amazing! We were served a 5 course meal that was just mouth watering good! Eating with your hands took a little getting used to but not hard at all. The best part is the it created an intimate dinner (even if it was just between friends) Can't catch up on your social media when your eat with your hands. Great place for a date, dinner with friends or family. At $30 per person average dinner price I think it's a great value. 5 courses include soup, "salad" plate (egg plant, beets, spinach, potatoes, cucumber and tomatoes) which were pickled or stewed (so good!) and palate cleanser, a pastry course, entrée, and desert of fresh fruit with tea. All courses were a great portion so you feel satisfied but not too overwhelmed. They offered to box up what we didn't finish from each course. This restaurant takes pride in their food, service and culture. Highly recommend if you want to try something different. Can't wait to go back!

    (5)

  • Meghan W.

    This is one of my favorite special occasion restaurants. When my parents flew in to visit, this is where I took them. The place doesn't look like much from the outside but it is wonderful on the inside. It has a bit of the shabby-chic thing going on as the restaurant has been around for a while, but it is decorated to look like a Bedouin tent and I love that. You take your shoes off and sit on pillows around a circular table. Because you eat everything with your fingers, they start you off by bringing you a towel which you wear over your shoulder and use to wipe your hands. They also bring out a big cauldron which everyone at the table puts their hands over and they pour warm water over your hands so you can wash them. The meal comes in five courses: fresh bread and Moroccan wedding soup, various salads, b'stella, entree, and fresh fruit and tea. The food is well spiced and tasty. I have tried the lamb, rabbit, and cornish game hen, with the lamb emerging as my favorite. During the meal you are entertained by a belly dancer and after the meal your fresh fruit is served with a gun powder tea served in grand theatrical style with many pouring tricks. If you have kids the servers are really great at entertaining them and involving them in the show. Mataam fez is a little pricy so we reserve it for things like birthdays and family visits and know we are paying for the immersive experience that they take you through, not just a single meal.

    (4)

  • Crys A.

    I'm happy I tried this place and for that reason, you should perhaps try it too. I also enjoyed the staff, even though I didn't see them very often as I think they forgot our table several times throughout the evening. It took a lonnnnnnng time to get our drinks and our check. Still, for the novelty and staff, I'll give this place two stars. The food was ... not great. I had the spicy chicken and it was really very bland. The best thing is the chicken in phyllo dough, but there wasn't enough there to serve four people. Good thing our friends ordered a veggie option, as well. The other problem I have with this place is that it's super dingy. I'd be afraid of what I'd see if the lights were on full force. The carpets and rugs are run down, the tablecloths are subpar, the tapestries are tattered and hanging oddly. Walking into this place feels like walking into a scary apartment building. The waiting area was bad. Last (and worst of all) the price is just way too high for what you get. Not even the belly dancing or tea pouring is worth paying all that money for what can only be called unimpressive food.

    (2)

  • A B.

    Ambiance? If you like the scent of mold and the looks of old sheets covering alley ready cushions, this is your kind of place! Of the 'five courses' included one was bread and another was not vegetarian-or at least we were told there was none available for that course except fora repeat of the salad. The service was retched, although friendly. We requested a bottle of wine four times before someone finally told us (at course 4) that they didn't have it. If you do buy a groupon and end up here make sure you get the Cornish hen-it was the only thing that was remotely palatable-and indeed, quite good. Slow braised lamb was overly fatty and grizzly. When meat was detected it was tender. Shrimp was so rubbery it could have been marketed as a teething ring for toddlers. Sadly, there were no belly dancers-if so, my review would been two stars. One waiter was quite capable of comic tea pouring and tossing glassware. That was fun.

    (1)

  • Courtney R.

    From someone who REALLY appreciates a cultural experience and ethnic food Mataam Fez was big fuzzy flop for me. The belly dancers are fun but the food isn't good and ultimately this is a restaurant and the food has to be good...over priced at that.

    (2)

  • Shannon G.

    This place is positively fabulous. All those whining about sitting on the floor and eating with their fingers may as well go home and leave it to the foodies. Then they complain about the bill - please this is a taste of another world without having to fly elsewhere! Perhaps McDonalds and a movie is more your style. The food is authentic, the atmosphere is enthralling, the service is attentive, the entertainment is awesome and it's all worth every penny of the bill. I have visited with a gal pal on girls night out, with my husband on date night, and as part of a large group, and have never been dissatisfied. The Pastilla is to die for! The finale of Chinese Gunpowder tea is such a thrill - the servers really go the extra mile. If you are into cultural experiences, have fun! If not ~ go complain somewhere else.

    (5)

  • Dan S.

    Definitely for special occasions as it's not a cheap place to eat at all. But you go here for the experience. Went with a group of six the other day to celebrate a birthday party and it was a lot of fun sitting on pillows with our shoes off and eating with our hands. The food seemed authentic as far as I could tell and the quality was excellent. Had the rabbit and it was very tasty.

    (4)

  • Tara B.

    I had an absolutely fabulous time - and then the check came. I think it shook out to be about $100 a couple, which I did not expect. Luckily, Todd had been here once before and knew to bring a bank roll. The rest of the night seems to echo my experience with the check. The - "I love sitting on the floor" transitioned an hour later into - "My knees are killing me! Did I just kick someone under the table?" The "This is fun! I'm eating with my hands!" transitioned into "How the hell am I supposed to eat couscous with my hands!" ...and so on. The entertainment was awesome. The belly dancers and the teapot tricks were the best parts of the evening. It was a little awkward when the belly dancer approached our area and asked a bride-to-be to get up and dance and she began to cry. A noble friend volunteered in her place. Of course, my heart began to pitter-pat because I just knew she would eventually make her way over to our group. Being one of the only females on the side of the table you could actually extricate yourself from, I sensed my impending doom. As if in slow motion, I was invited to learn to bellydance. My wallflower side said "No!" but my daredevil side said "Why not?" - and I rose to the challenge. It was a little embarrassing, but I just tried my best to focus and see this as a learning opportunity and NOT make eye contact with anyone I knew so I wouldn't burst out laughing. I wouldn't say I did a good job, but I don't think i did too shabby, either. Overall, a pleasant evening I recommend experiencing - once. The food was good and you'll get a good description of it in other reviews, and while I left full, I didn't leave feeling like "OMG, that was such a great meal, I just couldn't stop eating." which I gotta be honest is what I expect for a $100. I simply gave up eating when my hunger was assuaged, which is maybe the point. Eating couscous is problematic - sure it tastes good, but it is hard as hell to scoop/dangle into your mouth to eat. Having couscous fall in my shirt is not fun.

    (3)

  • Todd W.

    The place is all about experience. I've been twice: the first time was Amazing, and the second was just pretty okay. The food is quite tasty, in an unexpected way. The check is also quite unexpected. Once you've had a meal at Mataam Fez, you'll find yourself wondering if you ever need to go back, except to expose someone you care about to what is really a very unique dining experience. And once for them is also probably enough. That being said, it really is worth the one-shot. The food is pretty decent, and the sit-on-the-floor-and-eat-with-your-hands serving style makes for an exquisite and novel experience. Even the Casa beer is pretty tasty. Add in the belly dancer, and there's just no reason not to give it a try. Make sure to bring a wad of cash. Include some singles to tip your belly dancer. It's totally worth it, if only for the extra-personalized shaking...

    (3)

  • Rebecca M.

    My first visit to Mataam Fez was for the April Book Club meeting. I wasn't exactly sure what to expect. Tara filled me in on the whole sitting on pillows thing, I wasn't too excited but it was part of the whole experience. I was a bit uncomfortable with the whole sitting in the dark on dirty pillows and cushions, but I got over it. I wasn't too excited about my entree, the beef skewers. They were a little chewy and the accompanying couscous was flavorless. As stated before it was definitely a bit of a hassle to eat with my hands. I did enjoy the soup and salad assortment served before the meal. The b'stella (sp?) was a bit odd, but pretty good. It was really hot so it was hard to break into it with our hands, plus it was covered with powdered sugar. Although there was a lot of food I still feel like I overspent. If the menu was available a la carte I might enjoy it more. The entertainment was great and created a festive atmosphere. Tara's belly dancing was the highlight of the evening. Thanks for taking one for the team. I probably won't be back unless I have amnesia.

    (3)

  • Rosabelle W.

    It was such a nice place for a large gathering last night! Hope to do it again

    (4)

  • Sharon S.

    Um....no. Service strange at best, food not even close. Never again.

    (1)

  • Geraldine D.

    Yes, I'm giving it five stars. Five stars, even though the decor was horrifying. Five stars, even though the bathroom stalls were the size of coffins. Five stars, even though I really, really, really wanted a goddamn fork. Why? Two words, dear friends: meat dessert. The flakey, sent-from-heaven bastilla, esentially a savory chicken pie made with filo dough and topped with powdered sugar and cinnamon. I awoke the next morning, a smile playing on my lips, because that night, I had dreamed I was eating it again. It's that good.

    (5)

  • Dondi B.

    LOVE the Mataam Fez...in Boulder. Was bummed to find out the Denver one was the only one still open. Still.... Waitstaff: good, if a bit stiff. Think the guy was maybe new though the woman seemed to know what she was doing and was more comfortable with the service. A little bummed that we were too early (5:45pm arrival) for the belly-dancing, though I think my TDH boyfriend was probably relieved not to be sucked into a sultry dance in front of me (as if I care. I know with whom he is coming home.). Regardless, we were very well attended-to and enjoyed every dish thoroughly, as one should at Mataam Fez. We loved: -Having our hands washed with lemon water before our meal -The soup (vegetarian, though neither of us are, we could both certainly use more veggies in our diets) was thick, delicious and wonderful. Bread was offered instantly by the (somewhat nervous-seeming waiter) immediately with the soup. My glass of Shiraz was delivered quickly and without disruption. -The salads: how would anyone guess cold veggie salads comprised of" fava beans & spices, potatoes & light vinegar & parsley (& I'm sure other secretive spices), tomato & cucumber (I enjoyed the cucumber & my honey enjoyed the tomato & a bit of cucumber), spicy carrots (I'm guessing cumin, cardamom, turmeric, cayenne, paprika & probably others), beets (I've never liked beets until I ate them at Mataam Fez tonight...er, last night), slightly-limp-yet-comfortable spinach. All cold, all delicious...even the beets. Carrots with honey and raisins as a palate cleanser... -And then, the heaven of all heavens, the beauty of Moroccan cooking, B'stella. B'stella is a magic mishmash of beef and lamb and chicken with nuts wrapped in layers of phyllo or pastry dough and covered in an ample layer of confectioner's sugar and a bit of cinnamon. God, it was amazing, even if plunging into the dish meant sometimes I'd come out with pretty burnt-up fingers (my wonderful boyfriend, who handles hot metal all the time, barely noticed). Otherwise: sweet, tasty, delicious B'stella that I'm used to getting at the Fez. My picky boyfriend picked out all of the chicken--he's the only person in the world I know of who hates chicken, though I can't really badger him...I am the pickiest eater I know. And I ate the picked-out pieces. It was everything I could do NOT to lick the plate clean. -Our entrees: he had the featured lamb entree and I had the Cornish hen with almonds & honey (which my darling tried and blanched, pronouncing "bird meat", of which he is not fond). We dug into our entrees. Then came tea and fresh fruit for dessert. Our (female) server spilled a LITTLE tea in the process but it's a TOUGH process, serving tea they way they do at Mataam Fez, acrobatics and such included. Overall an--as usual--fascinating, delicious, delightful experience. We left thoroughly stuffed and having greatly enjoyed the atmosphere, the careful attendance of the servers, the perfectly-prepared food. Oh, and to the nay-sayers: get over yourselves. These people are running a business. If you have to wait 10 minutes because you made your reservations for seven-and-a-half on a busy Friday night and have to wait awhile for service or seating, get over it. These are some of the hardest-working people i've ever met & I am incredibly grateful to them for their knowledge & experience, their craftsmanship and generosity. Your problems with these people are because of YOU, not THEM. Mataam Fez is a must for anyone visiting Denver. If you want good Ethiopian, drive an hour or so north to Fort Collins and go to Nyala's. Oh, Ethiopian heaven...but tonight...Moroccan heaven.

    (5)

  • Bridget B.

    We had a group of about 15 for a friend's birthday there. It was cramped in the private room, but they should be glad they put us in a separate room. Actually, I was glad they did, because everyone could have their conversations at their end of the table, but when something funny happened, the whole group could witness/hear it, too. I do think the food is slightly overpriced, but then perhaps it's eating with my hands that left me hungry, because it is difficult to neatly break off a piece of b'stella without coating one's self in a pound of powdered sugar.... And it's sort of a social experiment - I think people eat far less when they have to share. There would be food leftover in the two middle courses, but no one finished off the last of each thing. The food was very good, except we had vegetable soup as the first course, due to a bunch of vegetarians in our group. I don't eat lamb, but vegetable soup is my sworn enemy. The broth was seasoned/spiced really well, though. The 'salad' course is amazingly good - not a salad, so much as a platter with sections of carrots, potatoes, beets, fava beans, and there were supposed to be a couple other things on our platter that we didn't ever get. But the potatoes and fresh beets and fava beans (mashed a bit, so this is the one thing I really didn't enjoy eating with my fingers) were all really tasty. With vegetarians, we got to try both the vegetarian b'stella and the meat-filled version. Both were delicious. Like everyone says, meat + powdered sugar - who knew? The veggie one had fruit in it, mostly, I think. This is the can't-miss course. I got the hot and spicy chicken as my entree, and it was really good, both the chicken, and the sauce. The problem was, they put a community platter of cous cous and vegetables in the center of our table, but conditions were so cramped in our room, that to try to reach the center of the table, scoop up some cous cous (and invariably lose half of it in my drink, I'm guessing) would have been a major production, as we were all sitting there, limbs carefully folded origami-style. So I actually felt less than full after all those courses, and for $56 (but that did include at least a couple Marrakesh layered wine drinks). If you think I'm kidding about the cramped conditions limiting my ability to reach the cous cous, let's just say that the belly dancer came in to perform for our group, and she was essentially stuck in the confined space of the doorway, and couldn't fully extend her arms. It's our fault for having a big group of people, but both she and our server who did the elaborate tea service after dinner had limited room to do their performances. Nonetheless, we had a blast. It's not some place I'd eat regularly, but the food is simple, yet good, and it was definitely fun for a special occasion and a big gathering of great friends.

    (3)

  • Maria M.

    Seek dining elsewhere!! We had reservations at 8:30, but didn't get in till 9:00! The place wasn't crowded, so I'm not sure what the wait was for. As many other reviewers noted, it's dirty! The carpet is filty, tha tables filty, the good is horrible . The service is really bad! The waiters are bothered by your questions , never show up at your tar to see how things are going, and are just generally missing. We went fort friends birthday and they forgot to bring him a birthday celebration cake, they didn't give us the "famous " tea show and the belly dancer only came out one time. The music went from duper love to barely audible . DON'T go, save you money go yo another restaurant !!

    (1)

  • L A.

    Very disappointed. Restaurant is run down, with crumbling plaster walls, threadbare carpets and rugs, and strange mildew smell emanates from carpet. Waitstaff try hard to be warm and welcoming. First course of lentil soup was tepid. Second "salad" course consisted of a plate of various obviously canned vegetables with some seasoning added. Third course of B'stella pastry, a phyllo pot pie dusted generously with powdered sugar, was good. Fourth course, your main entree, turned out the best. I had the Mishwi lamb stew. A large plate of saucy meat was good after all the previous misfires. In between the courses, our hands were rinsed with lemon water that did not smell of lemon. The belly dancer was talented and interesting, trying hard to entertain. The final hand rinse included rose water and the scent was pleasant. The tea pouring tricks were fun and the final course of sweet tea and fresh fruit was yummy. On a side note, in trying to find the bathroom, I stumbled into the kitchen and it was very clean, but the cook spoke only Spanish. The bathroom was clean too. For a meal that cost $39 including glass of wine, I was sorely disappointed in the rundown appearance and bland canned food.

    (2)

  • John H.

    Last night, some friends that were visiting Denver for an Iron Maiden concert took me to this not-quite-Turkish delight for dinner before the show. One of them had dined here before, and could not stop raving about the place's entertainment and menu. And although the list of dining experiences that would cause me to be late for Eddie and Co. is a short one, I must confess, this makes the cut. Mataam Fez proved to be one of the most fun, educational, and--most of all--sumptuous dining experiences I've had in ages. For those of you who are new to the Moroccan dining experience (as I was), here's what you can expect (multicultural pros or 'spoiler sports', feel free to skip this part): -You will sit on the floor. You will probably bump knees with your tablemates. You will get used to it. -You will wash your hands with lemon water, and your face will be splashed with rose water. You will feel strangely refreshed and fragrant. -You will wipe your hands with a hand towel draped over your left shoulder (cultural reasons--stray from the lefthand path). You will do this a lot, since your fingers are your only eating utensils for this meal. -You will be served a delicious, filling five-course meal. You will only select the main course, from a short list of entrees (including lamb, hen, chicken, rabbit, and vegetarian dishes). The kitchen staff will do the rest for you. -You will leave feeling content, not bloated, unless you are a finicky eater, too much of a wuss to sit on pillows for a couple hours, or a combination of the above. If this applies to you, your adventure ends here: turn to page one and start over. Once we got past the short-lived culture shock of this foreign approach to eating (not a bad thing), the food took center stage. For the first course, we were each given a small bowl of the day's 'wedding soup', which consisted of a warm, lentil-based porridge. I literally licked the bowl when I was done. First course, very promising. Second course came in the form of a plate arranged with various chilled veggies, legumes and starches: highlights included the fava beans and spicy carrots. I couldn't get past the 'dirt' taste of the shredded beets, personally, but the rest of the fare was gone in a hurry. The middle course was both the strangest and most savory one of all--we were treated to a Middle Eastern pot pie (forgiveness, please) consisting of spiced chicken, baked in a crumbly phyllo dough crust and topped with powdered sugar. The closest thing I can liken it to on my clearly limited palette would be baklava...it was the kind of dish that would've provoked a gag reflex on paper, but proved absolutely delicious in person! Must be tasted to be believed. Up next was the penultimate serving, or main course. Everyone chose their own entree according to taste (plenty of diversity, in spite of limited selections), and dug in, fingers first. The table shares a 'side' plate of cous cous, veggies, and dipping (?) sauce. Feeling sweet, I opted for the cornish game hen with peaches and almonds. Afterwards, I'm now convinced that the bird is the word at this restaurant. The hen was well done, and fell right off the bone, juices dripping as I raised each bite to my mouth. For those of you who appreciate a well-done round of poultry, be sure to try this dish. The peaches were a mystery, as they had the telltate appearance (and taste) of the Del Monte variety--not what I'd expect for the pricetag here. Otherwise, I was wholly satisfied by my selection, and awaited the final course with a light heart and content stomach. For dessert, entertainment takes precedence over abundance, as our server performed a different 'trick' before serving each one of us our glass of sweet, hot tea. Fancy footwork now behind us, we chowed down on a plate of fresh fruit (slices of melon, orange, kiwi, and a stalk of grapes) while awaiting the bill--anxious not to keep Brucey-Bruce waiting. As other reviewers have commented, the damage at Mataam Fez can be considerable...figure $30-$40 per person. But consider this: When was the last time you got all of the following for thirty bucks while dining out: - A diverse, but undeniably satisfying, five-course meal - A meal consisting primarily of fresh fruit and veggies, and no processed foods - A free dance lesson with a trained exotic dancer (prepare to add the 'tush push' to your dancefloor repertoire) -An educational experience that matched your dining - An extremely diligent, friendly, and patient staff (our server was quick to answer all our n00b inquiries, even asking kitchen staff about the origin of oriental dancing in Morocco) To be sure, I will be back to Mataam Fez someday. The only thing that's holding me back from a five star review is my suspicion that the other entrees cannot stand up to the excellence of the Cornish game hen--and the possibility of fresh peaches hiding from me in the kitchen. Hopes are high. Oh, and one more thing... Scream for me, Morocco!

    (4)

  • Lauren D.

    The atmosphere is so much fun, belly dancing (sometimes better than others), traditional Moroccan style, tea dancers etc,

    (5)

  • Meredith G.

    This was probably my favorite stop last night on the Feast of the Fax. I can't wait to go back and eat off the regular menu.

    (4)

  • Daniel R.

    As a healthy eater I thought I might try out this moroccan food place popularly known for it's belly dancers, finger food, and no chairs. When I walked in I had a deja vu from a dream I think I had a few months ago. Plus points for the mood set by the scenery and as far as I know, authentic food. Like people said, the four course meal is pretty healthy. My favorite part was the sweet pastry like appetizer that had chicken inside it. At first it sounds weird, but when you taste it you're surprised that poultry can be the main kick in this delicious starter. The other thing I liked a lot was that you can eat as much of those thick square shaped pieces of wheat bread. My main course was the honey almond lamb that seemed to disappear way too quickly. The main reason this place wasn't five stars for me was because I didn't like the fact that I had to eat on the floor with my hands. I absolutely can't stand feeling and being messy. Even though I'm not the one who's going to have to clean it up, I felt extremely terrible for leaving crumbs all over the place. I also couldn't help but wish I had baby wipes with me because my fingers were all sticky and wet. If you don't mind sitting on the floor and eating with your hands than this place will be phenomenal for you. But for people like me, I think I might just take the food home and eat it with a fork even though this terribly destroys the whole purpose of the experience.

    (4)

  • Lauren R.

    Ahhh. Mataam Fez. The place that will always hold a special niche in my heart as The Place I Ate A Sheeps Spine And Then Had Diarreah For Two Days. BUT. Did you see that i still gave it four stars? Its delicious! I got the wrong thing. I dont even remember what thing I got but it was basically the equivalent of an elderly sheep's back and tasted like carcass of grandpa, but we all make a mistake here and then. However, the pastille is pretty much my favorite thing ever, and the bread you use to sop everything up is something I wish I carried around with me at all times. The chicken with apricot sauce is delightful. I also love a beet, and fortunately Moroccan cuisine also loves themselves a beet. See? We're friends. I dont let a little Old Sheep Spine get in the way of a beautiful relationship.

    (4)

  • Sasha S.

    Carpets and couches are a bit dingy but the food and the atmosphere are amazing! This is SUCH a nifty place to visit, ESPECIALLY if you've never had this type of food. The authentic feel of siting without shoes, no silverware, belly dancers and other decor is wonderful. Highly recommend.

    (4)

  • Jennifer K.

    My boyfriend and I and another couple tried this place and were somewhat disappointed. We had bought a Groupon based on the good Yelp reviews and thought it would be something different to try. The belly dancing was entertaining but also a bit awkward. It's also pretty awkward to share a meal with another couple for the first time, when you are using only your hands and no silverware. This was an oversight on our part but I am including it in my review so others can be prepared. The food was OK but honestly not worth the price. Most of it seemed mushy and overcooked. The tea service at the end was very entertaining but there are plenty of restaurants in Denver that serve better food at more reasonable prices. And this is probably better for a couple, a family, or a closer group of friends. I won't be back.

    (3)

  • Sasha R.

    loads of food, loads of fun. went with my husband (carnivore) and a friend (vegetarian) and a great time was had by all. spring for a bottle of wine, this is the kind of place where you should just go "why not"! the belly dancer was cool for the ambience, and yes they DO accept dollar bills! my husband had suggested we bring some, and i had responded with a vehement, "they're not strippers"! but turns out they like the cash. all that aside, the tricks of the tea man were the highlight, hands down. the five courses were delicious and fun too. we were there, comfortably entertained and sincerely enjoying each course, for 2.5 hours. we won't be going regularly, but what a great time!

    (4)

  • Penelope W.

    Okay, actually, Mataam Fez is closed now but if you want an image. Think like, Carry Bradshaw's some-odd birthday celebration when Big invites himself (bastard) and incidentally spoils the fun as he becomes too hammered. If that was too obscure of a reference 4 u, (haha), then think outrageous belly dancers, flamboyant colors. Fine Moroccan food. In fact, not a bad choice for a B-day celebration, not bad at all. Just don't invite big.

    (4)

  • Doug Y.

    I usually don't like mixing entertainment with food. ie I like Mariachi music but I hate a loud frigging trumpet next to my head when I'm trying to eat and I don't like to feel obligated to tip someone because they are doing something I didn't ask for. That said I admit I had a pretty good time and meal at M. Fez. When I think of finger food, I think of small easy to pick up items like grapes or olives, cold cuts, chips, etc. After a really tasty lamb and lentil soup served with a heavy wheat bread, we were brought out a salad tray that had five or six different vegetable dishes spread on it. 4 of the 5 were the consistency of mashed potatoes or refried beans and there were two shredded carrot salad finger/palate cleansing bowls set next to it. So the deal is this, you have a gym size towel over your left shoulder to wipe your five finger eating utensil (don't use your left hand, that is customarily reserved for bathroom duties), it's a communal plate so try not to lick your fingers. I guess the SOP for accomplishing feedage is to group a little pile of food, pick it up between your index, middle finger and thumb, raise it to your mouth. With your thumb on the top and then flick it in your mouth with your thumb. Well that may sound easy but it isn't and my towel soon looked like a 60's throwback tie dyed bandana (why a beet salad? I looked as if I'd been shot.). Of course at this point, here comes the belly dancer. Pretty lady, wickedly talented, and kind of frightening (she has a dull edged but pointy metal sword that she balances all over herself. At that point I was wondering if they've ever had a customer fatality. Okay, tip, tip, clap, clap, where's the food?) Next up was the huge B'stella sweet meat pastry which was the favorite dish of our friend that invited us and the dish she raved about the most (unusual but good). The timing of each course and the entertainment is very good and well rehearsed. I guess it would be. The owner sat and talked with us and told us that they've been at this for thirty years. On his recommendation I tried the Mechoui (meesh-wee) special. It's a dish of roasted lamb seasoned with a Ras el Hanout sauce. Tasty. We shared the Hot and Spicy Chicken, Lemon roasted Cornish Hen, and the Beef Brochette (what no sauce? but you said Morrocan's love their sauce WUWT) which was the least favorite dish. A couscous with roasted veggies was also served but the pile and scoop method just did not work on couscous. Our friend also cautioned us not to order the salmon because it was a steak and not a filet and was pretty boney. My last warning is after you've eaten and are about to get your hands washed again (once at the start) and your server tells you to put out your hands and close your eyes, don't open them until they tell you to or they'll wash the contacts right out of your eyes when they spray you in the face with the rose petal water (it can't cause blindness, can it?) :) Kind of the Casa Bonita experience but with actual food. Yep, it took three hours from being sat on the floor at our table to trying to stand after sitting on the floor for three hours. Really, we had fun and learned a thing or three.

    (4)

  • Amy F.

    Appalling service and bone in soup. Just like everyone else I made reservations at Mattam Fez thinking they would treat me and my date like Moroccan royalty, instead they made it more than clear that everyone in the restaurant was putting them out. I made reservations a month ahead of time for Valentine's day. When I got there no one was there in the waiting room but customers. It was that way for 15 minutes. When a server finally showed up she let us know there was no reservation list, THEY COULDN'T FIND IT. And since she was so overwhelmed we would have to figure out ourselves who was to be sat next. Not a big deal, Mattam Fez has lost my reservation before and this is an experience not just a rush through meal. When its finally our turn the server takes three couples back to what was a hallway with tables. I have never seen this part of the restaurant - I have been there at least 5 times. She seats each couple while the rest of us wait in this crowded hallway, in the way of other servers trying to pass out food. When its finally my turn I get say at an unfinished, homemade table with NO TABLECLOTH. We climbed into the table, practically sitting on the laps of the people next to us. Of course the server who sat us didn't stick around long enough for us to ask for a table cloth. In about 5 minutes the busboy, who latter claims to be the Manger, brought us some water. We asked if we could by chance get a table cloth. Then another waiter comes about 10 minutes latter to take our drink order. We order a bottle of wine and ask for a table cloth. After this the lady to our right offers us one of hers. The raw wood table was offending her eyes too. Then about 5 minutes latter, our wine comes. I debate not having them open it till I GET A TABLE CLOTH, but the waitress was very nice and at least looked like she was listening to my request. Again more time passes and no table cloth. The lady next to us is ready to take her food off her table to give us one of hers. But at this point its matter of principle. The guy came to wash our hands - again we ask - NO sorry, Just they are very, very busy. WELL THEN DON'T TRY TO SERVE so many people it you can't handle it. The fifth time we ask we get a greasy stained table cloth. Then the soup comes. And mine has a inch long pointed shard of bone in it. I ask for the manager as nicely as I can. I explained to the server I knew he didn't make the soup, but that size bone is DANGEROUS. The lady next to us is appalled at how we are getting treated. And complimented us on how calm we are being. Then the busboy claims to be the manager. We explain the issues we had asking 5 times for a tablecloth and then get a bone in the soup. Never an apologies given, he first says it wasn't a bone, but that isn't gonna fly cause at that size you could see the marrow. Then he says its lamb and lentil soup and WE SHOULD EXPECT BONES. What???? I told the young Man that I was not satisfied with his total disregard at my comfort with the table cloth or my safety with the bone. When the lady next to us suggested that he comp our meal or at lest our bottle of wine- he gives the look of death to her. So we left, with the busboy chasing us out arguing with us over OUR bad attitudes and our refusal to pay full price for the bottle of wine we took 2 sips of. I can only say the night was TOTALLY saved when we went down the street to the Cork House. We were welcomed and sat in minutes in a room not overly crowded, warmed by a fireplace and filled with couples looking like they were having the best Valentine's day ever. Our server was divinely charming, the wine was refine and the cheese flight to die for. The Cork House certainly saved my day. I have since sen their last Health Inspection - dang glad I didn't stay to eat.

    (1)

  • Justin W.

    First of all, Mataam Fez is NOT CLOSED. It's much alive and every bit the unique and delightful experience I had hoped for. (Note: the Boulder location is the one that is now closed, but the one on Colfax is definitely still going strong) There is certainly no other restaurant in the city like this-- I don't know if this is truly what it's like to eat in Morocco, but if it is, I don't see how anyone can get anything done the rest of the time! As one reviewer mentioned, it is a meal you need to allot 2-3 hours to enjoy. It's mostly a prix fixe menu that comes with 5 courses, where you choose the entree. This includes an excellent lentil and lamb soup, an assorted salad/appetizer dish, B'stella (a sweet pastry that's an appetizer but for those of us with a sweet tooth, how can you not love it when dessert comes BEFORE dinner?), your entree selection, and a fruit salad and mint tea to top it off. We had the special for the day-- a juicy hen served with honey, almonds and peaches which I highly recommend if it's available when you go. Our other dish, a braised lamb with artichoke, was decent, but nothing to write home about. Service was great, with talented servers who find unique and acrobatic ways to pour your mint tea. For the most part, we enjoyed eating sans utensils, but if you get the Cous Cous, I might recommend a spoon for that dish only. Other surprises await, but I won't ruin them here in this review. Bottom line-- great, romantic and fun place to spend a relaxing meal... reasonable price (expect around $30 per person) and good, though not fantastic food.

    (4)

  • Maggie T.

    Just went to Mataam Fez for the first time last week. Overall, I really enjoyed the experience. The food was hit or miss, to my taste anyway, but overall a filling and satisfying meal. They serve 5 courses so even if you only like 3 of them, you'll get a good meal. Two of us went on a quiet night, so we got a large-ish corner table. This made the whole sitting-on-the-floor thing pretty comfy because we were able to shift around and stretch out our legs if we wanted to. I can't imagine going with a big group or on a busy night and being crammed in there on the floor. My legs would fall asleep. I had a lamb entree that came with an artichoke and olives (two of my favorite things) so I was pretty happy. My boyfriend had a spicy chicken dish that was also very good. I think it's a little annoying that they don't put the prices on the menu. Customers should be able to know what they're getting into. Also, the only wines by the glass are a basic, cheap merlot, chardonnay or rose. Overall, a fun experience with great service. The belly dancer was a little noisy and distracting, but that's part of the fun. The tea service was probably the most entertaining part to me (they do all these sort of acrobatic tricks with the glasses and boiling-hot tea). I probably won't be back on my own accord, but if friends were having a party there I'd happily attend.

    (3)

  • Stefan R.

    I had an amazing experience at this restaurant. At first I was a little worried about the location and price of the menu but the experience was well worth it. It was fun eating with my hands, and I was very grateful the waitress cleans the guests hands with lemon water before the meal begins. The Chinese gunpowder tea was amazing with the dessert. Lots of fun!

    (5)

  • Becky S.

    This place is nothing short of amazing. It is definetly an experience that is worth having over and over again. Every course was simply devine. I loved the Cornish hen in lemon juice & garnished with olives. My boyfriend was more adventurist with the rabbit. (to be honest, I didn't think I would like it but it tasted like roasted dark meat chicken). Another great compliment to our meal was the wine. We had a three layered wine (white, rose, & merlot) and each layer stayed separated within the glass. The entertainment and atmosphere was incredible, all keeping your mind in a distant land. Between the two of us we spent $50 after tax and is going to be worthwhile for another date night or special occassion

    (5)

  • Ty G.

    One of the few places in town where you can take in some culture with your meal. They wash your hands in a basin at the tables where you sit on the floor and a belly dancer provides entertainment. If you are lucky one of the wait staff will do a tea dance. At the end of your meal they will also come by with rose water to wash again. It smells...Rosy and wonderful. We went for dinner during 5280 Restaurant Week. A perfect time to try it out because you save about $20. You get to pick whatever entree you'd like and they take care of the rest. I tried the cocktail Marrakech and it was really refreshing, similar to a Sangria. The Casa beer was crisp too. The five course meal starts with soup and bread, which were tasty. The next course was a phylo bread pastry filled with chicken and topped with powdered sugar. I usually don't like to mix sweet and savory but it was baked perfectly and delicious! Keep in mind that you are eating with your hands so it gets a bit messy at times. Third course was salad: beets (we don't like beets) but the tangy eggplant, spinach, carrots and potato were excellent. They also provide a carrot slaw on the side to cleanse your pallet. It's soaked in orange blossom water. Not my favorite. For the entree I had the Cornish game hen (it was good but the honey was too sweet for me) and my boyfriend had the lamb with onions. Very tender and moist! I've read some reviews mentioning the food inconsistency. This is deliberate and true Morrocon cuisine - my way of cooking. Love it!

    (4)

  • Laura L.

    The food did not meet expectations in flavor, presentation, or value. While the five course meal is a lot food, the quality is poor. I had the vegetarian artichoke and it was overcooked along with the bland vegetable. The seasoning and spices were lacking throughout the meal. The bread was horrible and tasted old. The decor is dirty and poorly executed. The belly dancer never performed in our area of the restaurant and the special tea service was performed by an unhappy employee with no spark or interest. I much rather had spent our money else where for a $120.00 bill for four with no alcohol.

    (2)

  • Cass D.

    Very nitch. If you don't know what you are doing when it comes to Moroccan food, you probably won't be very happy. The decor is bad, this place seemed really grubby, and it wasn't just because of the location. I'm kind of a germaphob so the experience was pretty traumatic for me. WHAT? Eating off the same plate as 8 other people with our hands?! Can I at least have a napkin?! *SHUDDER* Sure is different, which is nice I guess. Just make sure you wouldn't mind swapping spit or who knows what other excretions with your party.

    (1)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Tue

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : No
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Intimate
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Outdoor Seating : No
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : No
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : No

Mataam Fez Moroccan Restaurant

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