Amada Tapas and Wine Welcomes Spain's Football Team to Chattanooga

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee, June 12, 2026 — Amada Tapas and Wine, one of the few Spanish restaurants in Chattanooga, played a central role in welcoming Spain's national football team to the city this week. Owner Amanda Trotter and her team served red sangria, bacon-wrapped dates and watermelon skewers at the official welcome party for La Roja and its players.

The moment carries weight for the city's independent food scene. A small restaurant, open for just under four years, gained a place alongside one of world football's most recognised teams as Chattanooga steps onto the global sporting stage.

Amada Tapas and Wine Builds on Spanish Tradition

Trotter opened the restaurant after travelling to Spain and connecting with the country's food culture and social style of dining. She set out to introduce Chattanooga to Spanish cuisine, anchored by shared tapas plates and traditional preparations.

Amanda Trotter, owner of Amada Tapas and Wine, traced the tapas tradition to old Spanish custom, where diners rested a slice of ham over a wine glass to keep flies out the cover, or "tapa," gave the format its name.

The menu features dishes such as paella, a saffron-infused round rice preparation, alongside a wine list focused on Iberian producers. The selection spans Spain and Portugal, giving the restaurant a regional identity uncommon in the local market.

Spanish Restaurant Gains Spotlight Ahead of Team Arrival

Ahead of the squad's arrival, organisers recognised the restaurant and invited Trotter to help host the welcome event. She also hosted interviews involving Tim Morgan, president of The Sports and Events Corporation, and CNN.

Trotter said the recognition felt both serendipitous and earned after years of teaching local diners what tapas are. She described sharing the stage with the visiting players as "such a huge honor" for a small business owner in the city.

Small Business Wins From Global Sport in Chattanooga

The team's presence highlights how major sporting events create direct opportunities for local hospitality operators. Restaurants with authentic cultural ties stand to benefit most when international teams and their followers arrive in host cities.

Hours and menus are available on the Amada Tapas and Wine official website.

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