Jose Garces is a James Beard Award-winning Iron Chef, renowned restaurateur, author, entrepreneur, and food innovator. He is recognized as a leading culinary authority, particularly for his expertise in Spanish and...
Amada is Chef Jose Garces' iconic first restaurant, opened in 2005 in Philadelphia. It's known for its authentic and modern interpretation of traditional Spanish tapas, served in a gorgeous rustic-chic restaurant and bar setting, making it a celebrated destination for a romantic dinner or group gathering.
Customers consistently praise Amada for its delicious Spanish tapas, exceptional paella (though it can have a significant wait), and well-crafted cocktails. The ambiance is frequently described as beautiful and rustic. Reviewers highlight the accommodating staff, especially for dietary needs like vegetarianism. While dinner and happy hour are highly recommended, some brunch experiences have received mixed feedback regarding menu changes and service timing for paella.
Additional Details
Amada opened its doors in 2005. There is also an Amada location in Atlantic City.
Dinner and happy hour are highly recommended for the best experience. Brunch is also available, but be prepared for potential menu changes and a longer wait for paella.
5
Amada (Old City) — Solid Tapas, but Mixed Results for Brunch
I’ve visited Amada in Old City about three times and have also been to their Atlantic City location, but this was my first time trying their brunch. While the atmosphere and decor remain beautiful and rustic, our recent visit for a party of eight was a bit of a mixed bag.
The Food
Overall, the group enjoyed their selections. We tried a wide variety:
• The Classics: The Crab Benedict, Shakshuka (with tomato piperade), and the Mahon Cheese Toast were all hits.
• The Sides: The Espelette Glazed Bacon and Patatas Rösti were solid additions to the table.
• The Paella: I ordered the Paella Valencia. While the menu warns of a 30-minute wait, it took quite a bit longer than that despite the restaurant not being crowded. It was good, but definitely something you have to plan your afternoon around.
The Disappointments
I was really looking forward to the family-style menu and the Sangria Pancakes, but I was told they are no longer offered. It was disappointing to see them still advertised on their website during our meal, and the service regarding that specific letdown felt a bit indifferent.
Service & Vibe
The rest of the staff was friendly, and they provided some complimentary starters for the table (it seemed like Frittada and Prosciutto), which was a nice touch even if it wasn't officially announced. Most of us enjoyed the mimosas, which added a nice touch to the brunch vibe.
Final Verdict: I still love the decor and the quality of the tapas, but I’d likely stick to dinner or maybe try happy hour here in the future. It's a great spot for a group, but the brunch menu changes and service timing were a bit of a letdown this time around.
im gonna think about this meal for 30 days and 30 nights. I went for a team dinner and we ended up doing the chefs tapas tour and everything was absolutely delicious. they were also able to accommodate for the vegetarians in our group! my personal highlights were the bacon wrapped dates and the garlic shrimp. also the seafood paella is 100% worth the wait! will return when i’m back in philly
We sat at the bar and the AC was blowing on us. Asked the hostess if they could adjust the temperature and they did! We were so happy that they're very accommodating. Our bartender was also friendly and knowledgeable. Paella with squid ink was worth the 30+ minutes wait. Loved the food, and the great service even more.
Spanish tapas style restaurant. Adequate wine/beer list. Excellent service. Seafood could be fresher. Our paella was not as good as we had hope.
The service made our outing a resounding success.
Good cocktails,delicious seafood tapas
We visited again spontaneously yesterday. The tapas were great as always, and the cocktails too! We tried a couple of new dishes: peppers and a dessert! Both were excellent!
