4. Restaurants

Columbia Restaurant

411 St Armands Cir, Sarasota, FL, 34236
  • (941) 388-3987
  • Store is closed

Columbia Restaurant Menu

Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.

Sorry, We are updating this restaurant blood pressure menu details.

Sorry, We are updating this restaurant cholesterol menu details.

  • Francesca D.

    My husband and I waited for over 15 minutes for water to come to our table. We finally walked out and explained to the host she said sorry thanks for coming. If there were an option to give zero stars I would! HORRIBLE SERVICE WOULDN'T GO BACK!

    (1)

  • Jason H.

    Delmonico and Sangria were amazing!!! The 1905 salad was quite good. The paella and chicken valenciana were their signature dishes but very average. They had good flavors but they totally lacked any texture or depth, they were homogeneous and soggy. The service was fantastic, very nice people. Overall the food was good but not great.

    (3)

  • Meg S.

    As a hybrid local/out-of-towner, this is one spot I always have to hit when I'm in Florida. It's a little crowded, but the people watching is good. Oh and their Cuban sandwich and famous salad are to die for!!! They are simple and pure delight-especially when paired together. The sandwich it rich and slightly salty and the fresh vinaigrette on the salad is a magical compliment. I wish it was easier to come by, but it's worth the wait!

    (4)

  • D J.

    We asked the nice young lady in Le Macaron what's a good place to eat & she told us this place was popular. Welllll, not so much! This place was pretty busy so I thought the food would be A+++. First, there was an awkward smell when we walked in that made me want to sit outside but it was extremely hot. We were seated immediately & our server brought out warm Cuban bread in parchment paper w/butter. The bread was average. My husband ordered a chorizo española appetizer & breaded steak Milanese which he enjoyed. I had the mojo chicken which was just "ok" but the fries were great. I wish I would have just ordered the 1905 salad which everyone raves about. If we go back that's what I'll order.

    (2)

  • Amy S.

    While the food was edible, it wasn't great. We got there around 8 so it wasn't crowded. Apparently the waiters thought it was closing time because the service was almost non-existent. All the waiters just hung around by the bar gabbing. I got three different tapas to try. The scallops were way overcooked which I let the waiter know. He just stared at me, said ok and walked off. The albondigas were the best of the three but not anywhere close to others I've had in other restaurants or in Spain for that matter. And the croquettes were just over fried. It just wasn't good. The atmosphere was nice, the location is great and the little gift shop next door was cute. Oh, and the sangria was decent. But the service and food left much to be desired.

    (2)

  • Sean Crystal G.

    A very special and relaxing dinner with the family. Excellent food and service. We had a great dinning experience. Looking forward to returning very soon.

    (5)

  • Michael N.

    The menu really catches your eye with the history and variety of Cuban/Spanish dishes listed. The location is terrific also as is the decor. Shame is that neither the service or the food can keep up. My chicken was Overcooked and my wife's dish lacked taste despite being described as cooked in lobster bisque. Guarantee they pour the bisque on top! A must go place if you are in the area, but the food needs to be improved.

    (3)

  • Courtney K.

    This place is the BOMB. Easily the best restaraunt in all of Sarasota. The paella, 1905 salad and all of the appetizers are great. Whatever you do, order a mojito because they make it right at your table, and it is so fresh , yummy and STRONG. The salad is big and you can get one to share between the whole table when dining in a small party. The decor/atmosphere in general is so awesome too, good for groups or dates.

    (5)

  • Jorge L.

    Great location; server was very nice and attentive. Food is fresh. Will come back from Miami.

    (5)

  • J F.

    Excellent place for a great Original Cuban sandwich and a pitcher of monitors made right at your table

    (5)

  • Faith D.

    Lively atmosphere. Delicious sangria - both red and white. Good tapas, Salads, Shrimp and chicken. Four of us all enjoyed our meals. Indoor and outdoor seating. Attentive service. $$$. Would go back to try paella which looked great!

    (3)

  • Selmy B.

    This is a chain restaurant and this location is better than most. The service is steady and can be great when there are less dining. The food is okay. I enjoy the tapas and sandwiches. The meals are pricey for Cuban food but you go there for the ambiance so you pay for it. Outdoor seating that is pet friendly is a huge draw to this site. Go early or plan on standing for quite some time before getting one of the crowded tables. In fact, that is the biggest complaint. The tables are stacked and you have to bump your way between people to move in and out. In fact, that's the same problem the staff encounter serving you, which could explain why service is not that great when they are crowded. They have enough servers, it just the server can't get to you.

    (2)

  • Brad B.

    I went here awhile ago but sure do I remember it! I ordered a ginger ale to start, and it took 30 minutes for it to come to my table. I ended up just ordering s Cuban sandwich, it seemed simple. It took 2 hours for a FREAKING SANDWICH!!!!! Will I ever come here again? Maybe, but the service is dreadful. May I suggest the Main Street Sandwich Shop if you want a good sandwich!

    (2)

  • Alicia O.

    The restaurant is in a great location with many shops surrounding it. It was very crowded on a Friday night so you might want to make reservations if you go after 5pm. The red AND white sangria were both phenomenal! Also, the house salad was so good I am still thinking about it! I ordered the shrimp with rice and platanos. It was ok. I was hoping it'd be spicier but overall not bad. I would probably try something else next time. A nice experience, the staff was friendly and the floor is VERY slippery. So be careful!

    (3)

  • Greg E.

    Ok, it is a chain restaurant, which I typically avoid. However, the menu is varied and the food quality very good. Service was excellent given how busy the restaurant was the evening that we had dinner. Seating outside is cramped, but it is fun to people watch while dining. Prices are very reasonable. You can do much worse given the many pricy and over rated restaurants on the circle.

    (4)

  • Matt G.

    Nice atmosphere, good location -- but the food doesn't live up to the ambiance. All 4 of us had "average" quality dishes, nothing special. Waiter mistakenly charged us for an extra $10 glass of wine -- corrected without apology.

    (2)

  • Coleen A.

    We had a wonderful time! We loved how everything was prepared in front of us and was explained to us by our waiter (Michael). We have been here multiple times and will go again and again!!

    (5)

  • Gigi R.

    I came here on a Tuesday night. No reservations needed. We were seated indoors right by the back door leading to the patio despite there being plenty of tables. The entire night the waiters kept bumping into me and my chair I ordered the Empanadas de Picadillo which are made with spiced ground beef, garlic, tomato, onions, raisins and olives, wrapped in two pastry turnovers. They were a bit soggy not as crispy and crunchy that I've been accustomed to. Overall, the empanada was okay. It was nothing too special. Even with my distaste for olives I still finished the empanadas. The bread they provided was really good though! After glancing around and watching a waiter make the Columbia 1905 Salad I ended up ordering the Columbia's Original "1905" Salad which consists of "crisp Iceberg lettuce with julienne of baked ham, natural Swiss cheese, tomato, olives, grated Romano cheese and our famous garlic dressing." After I placed the order and reread all the ingredients I tried to hail my waitress down to tell her to strike olives from my salad. After a half hour later, the waitress finally approached my table to refill my empty water she told me that it was too late. Once she came back with our orders she essentially made the salad in front of me which was fun to watch. However, I internally cringed watching the amount of cheese she was grating into my salad though. It looked like she just kept going and going and going with it. Let me also point out I'm lactose intolerant and I can only tolerate small amounts of dairy. The salad was also a lot spicier than I anticipated due to the garlic dressing. The salad was basically 90% lettuce, 4 half slices of baby tomatoes, a few small slivers of ham, and lots and lots of cheese. For dessert we ended up with the bread pudding which we ate like two bites of since were so full.

    (4)

  • Richard J.

    Went for the tapas and was not disappointed. The sea scallops baked in a mini casserole dish were the best of the three I had. The pork riblets were meaty and had a great glaze but were a bit over cooked and dry. Prices for tapas were generally $9-$12, but you can save a few dollars on a set of three. They make a big deal of their house salad, and if you are an iceberg lettuce fan then you will love it. It has julienned ham and swiss in a tasty lightly garlic dressing. The wines by the glass were good quality, including Meiomi chardonnay and pinot noir, as well as interesting Spanish wines. Located right on St Armands Circle, it is good for people watching.

    (3)

  • Ashley G.

    2nd time here while on vacation! Awesome sangria made table side! Mojitos are fresh and delicious! The 1905 salad is a must have...with cheese, ham and a dressing that is indescribable. Definitely a must when in Sarasota!

    (4)

  • Ashley A.

    4 stars for the Sangria! White & Red Sangria are both worth the stop here!! Food was decent too. Fresh baked bread is served to each table. The Marilyn & Joe Salteado was pretty good too! I had to buy the cute Sangria pitcher to take home :-)

    (4)

  • George A.

    great service, very attentive in keeping my children part of the dining experience. The table side 1905 salad rocked, as well as our server Jorge. He made wonderful recommendations and all of the food was spot on.

    (4)

  • Matt S.

    You should read this review before going to this place --- I've been to Columbia 4-5 times before the last incident, all times were good except the last; which ruined any decent previous experience. I went there with my folks, they ordered a stuffed lobster which we were told was $20/lb at 3 pounds yet were charged $120 for it. However the first real complaint would be the front doors were wide open and dozens of flies were sworming around the entire time, so as you and your family or date were trying to enjoy your $100+ meal, you were being attacked my house flies and trying to swat the away. (Health Dept code violation maybe), Second and main complaint would be when the server delivered my dinner, a bowl of seafood pasta which was quite watery, as he slipped from rushing over the entire plate slammed onto the table and exploding everywhere. (I actually had this sever before too). He shouted a rush to remake the plate; 45 minutes later it arrived, long after I shared the lobster with my folks. Me and my mom also each had a couple $8 mango daiquiris - Not one apology, not one comped drink, still had to pay for all the overpriced dinner, that was thrown at us and 45 minutes late. Manager came over and offed pay the cleaning bill for my mom's purse. Total douchebag, could hardly speak english. To top it all off I called their Corporate office, their response was, we will send you a formal letter of apology, No refund, gift certificate, apology from the executive, and they never actually sent the letter either. So In closing a long review - WORST RESTAURANT SERVICE EVER, THEY DONT CARE ABOUT THEIR CUSTOMERS ONE BIT. *One more thing, as a previous server in Sarasota, I have met and spoke with at least 20 people (servers & cooks) who all said Columbia has the absolute dirtiest kitchen in Sarasota, they may have good food but kitchen is disgusting, how do they pass inspection was my question.

    (1)

  • Sandy T.

    I had high expectation there but was bit disappointed. Seating was pretty fast at busy noon (like 5-10 mins). Food was just okay. Had the famous 1905 salad and it was just too tangy...too much flavor for either being a side or entry. Breaded steak was soggy (isn't the skin supposed to be a big crispy?) husband had some baked bean in Tortilla with cheese--very mediocre. Only the devil crab was nice. I will probably not go back there, considering there are so many other restaurants around that I can explore.

    (3)

  • Michelle B.

    This is my 2nd time eating at Columbia Restaurant while on vacation. We ate at the Ybor City location too. It was a perfect lunch consisting of a cup of Black Bean soup and "1905" salad. The homemade bread is yummy delicious. The service was good and we were lucky to sit at a table with a view. My only words of caution is that the tile floor is very slippery. My sister-in-law and I both almost slipped and fell.

    (5)

  • Paul H.

    Decor: 4/5 -very large dining area -if you plan on dining here, make a reservation the day before. Wait was 45-60 minutes at 6pm on a Saturday Service: 4/5 -Calvin was our server. He was friendly, professional and fulfilled our requests asap. Food: 2/5 -Cuban Sandwich was mediocre at best. Exactly as what the other reviews had described it. High chance you've had better and the sandwich was served warm at best. -1905 Salad is also exactly what others had described it as. Salad was drenched in dressing and skimped on meat.

    (3)

  • Otto A.

    First timer. Seated promptly and courteously. Tile floors are slippery with what may be the very light odor smelling like a light coat of oily, greasy stuff. The server brought individually wrapped bread to each person, very crisp on the outside, tender on the inside...so good. Signature 1905 salad, two others thought it was great, I thought the lettuce seemed wilted under the weight of to much dressing. Everyone ordered the Cuban sandwich, and the chef graciously agreed to prepare them even though they are not on the dinner menu. I ordered the combination plate, complete, and it just wasn't my cup of beans. The meat was a little to dense and pressed for my taste. Don't get me wrong, I didn't feel the food was bad, just not my style for sure. Me myself and I, won't be back.

    (2)

  • Clarice K.

    The food is great, dont order too much because the portions are big enough. Really like the house salad! The only down side for me is the fact that service can be a little slow, maybe because they are always so busy. But definately a must-go!

    (4)

  • Sharon H.

    Great vibe, excellent service, delicious food! We came for lunch and had a great experience. They start off by giving everyone individually wrapped warm baked bread. I loved the espresso Cuban coffee. The fiancée got the half & half combo with their classic Cuban sandwich and their famous 1905 salad which they mix in front of you--- both were great. His sister got the Merluza, which was my favorite dish of the table--- a perfectly breaded and grilled Spanish fish. We shared a few dishes from their Tapas menu which were all good as well. We had the Empanadas which were delicious in perfectly baked pastries, the spinach & garbanzo beans, and the lobster croquettes.

    (4)

  • Tim R.

    Took my cousin here with my kids - she and her husband were visiting. She was very impressed with the ambiance and the menu. My kids didn't like the menu doesn't have pictures. I had the Snapper Alicante - a signature dish - and my cousin, too. It came with breaded, deep fried eggplant and two very big shrimp. The whole thing was topped with marinara sauce. She said it was very tasty. I should have read the menu (or looked at a picture) because the fried food with the marinara activated my acid reflux. The dish was delicious but I would not order it again. The Columbia has curbside seating but big trucks and loud motorcycles roll through St. Armands so I can't recommend sitting there. My boys split the Crema Catalán (pudding carmelized with a blowtorch) which put them on a sugar high on the drive home - they loved it! We will go back to the Columbia.

    (4)

  • Carol B.

    First let me mention I used to live in Spain so,I may be a little picky but this place,is very commercial and overpriced Bread and butter is a nice touch. The salad is overdressed and overpriced. The sausage tapa was terribly overcooked and I sent it back. I ordered a side of white asparagus and it came soggy and from a jar! That would never happen in Spain. It would be steamed fresh with a light sauce. The shrimp were small fresh but bland. Won't be going back

    (3)

  • Elise K.

    The Colombia had such a unique history! It is definitely neat to dine at a restaurant (chain) that started in 1905. I am confused by the restaurant a little - is it Spanish? Is it Cuban? I like both cuisines, but think they really shouldn't claim Spanish when the serve so many Cuban dishes. That aside, I like it! I've now been twice in as many months while visiting family down in LBK. The service is professional and quite good. Have a reservation in season or if you don't want to wait. We went tonight after 8 and walked right in... The Spanish never eat so early anyway. My first visit we sampled the 1905 salad and Sangria for the table. I had a sampler of Cuban food that was passable, but not like the great Cuban you'll get near Miami. My second visit I had Sangria by the glass. Good, but not quite the same - it doesn't have the brandy. We chose to go tapas style splitting a small 1905 salad, gazpacho, and meatballs. While all good, not amazing. Madrid does it better. When on the circle, you can't go wrong here, but there is a little to be desired!

    (4)

  • M R.

    Not sure why the business person from this restaurant wrote the comments below. I am of Spanish and Latino heritage and I'm very familiar with authentic Spanish and Cuban food, which I love, and I didn't like Columbia restaurant's food and judging from other similar reviews, you have a problem, regardless of the "110 years." I will not go to your restaurant again and as bad reviews are bad for business, I suggest that you listen to the poor reviews and have a heart-to-heart with your chef. The comment below should have ended with the period after "We will use your comments for improvement." The empanadas were greasy and the food was not memorable. The service was so-so. Find out why.

    (2)

  • Anthony P.

    Food is authentic and good. Right up with Don Pepe in Newark, NJ. Portions are generous and well cooked.

    (4)

  • Andy D.

    I enjoy the Columbia chain of restaurants a lot. I do not really care for the Sarasota location though, It seems the quality of the food isn't the same as their other locations. I usually order a Cuban and a side 1905 salad and today was no exception. For an appetizer we ordered the Calamari, it was very well prepared I must say, cooked perfectly, tender, and the tentacles were crunchy, my favorite. But the salad was thoroughly soaked in dressing and the Cuban was meh... The service was great as n aside. I like the Columbia at Clearwater Beach much better.

    (3)

  • SG P.

    Back again tonight. It's just so good ! The service tonight was excellent - warmer weather so sitting on the outside railing area great people watching. It's busy but the food is excellent. Mojitos , the BEST anywhere, 1905 salad, warm bread, paella delicious. Now the churros for dessert always the perfect ending

    (5)

  • Nora F.

    We heard so much about this restaurant so we decided to try with our friends who visited the city and our friend who lives here. It has a nice ambience but can get warm after a while. When in Florida, grouper would be the way to go for those who like fish. I ordered their best grouper meal on the menu as per the waiter. It was not bad but I had better. My grouper came with asparagus and brown rice. One of our friends had quite a delicious plate, chicken and shrimp with yellow rice. Another friend had some grouper in a casserole with some potato and some other meat? Another with grouper with tomato and rice. My husband ordered croquettes, small dish for the night. I must say the rice is pretty good. I have to try many other dishes to raise the star but I tried all of the 7 dishes from every plate, so I think I did good for the night.

    (3)

  • Elizabeth S.

    The food was wonderful as always. The service was eh. We ordered glasses of wine when we ordered our salads and did not receive them until after we were half way through our entrees. Yes I understand that they were busy, being Halloween, but it takes 30 seconds to pour a glass of wine, not 45 minutes.

    (3)

  • Robert P.

    Wow was served raw chicken so order Saltidao at your own risk! Manager was a bit of a liar as he said it was on the edge of being cooked. It was 100% raw don't like to be insulted.....

    (1)

  • Justine F.

    I had been planning and researching places to eat for our Sarasota vacation for a couple months. Based on many reviews, Columbia was on the top of my list. Their menu looked amazing and I was ready to budget in the expense of some great food. We went on a Wednesday night around 7pm and were seated quickly inside. I ordered Paella, which I have had many times before, and is one of my favorite dishes. My boyfriend ordered their steak chimichurri ( a dish we both love). They brought out their Cuban bread in parchment paper. It was great, but not anything out of the ordinary. We ordered a side 1905 salad and it was delicious. Our entrees came and we were both underwhelmed. I paid almost $30.00 for my Paella and I have had better at half that price. The chicken was dry and the dish just lacked the flavor that I have come to love about other Paella dishes. My boyfriend enjoyed his meal for the most part, but again I thought the portion was tiny. When I pay almost $30 an entree, I expect the food to be awesome. But it was bland. I wanted to love this restaurant. The location and ambiance is great and my waitress was very good, though a bit shy. Everything was great, except the food. I think unfortunately while this regional restaurant chain started out great, when something like this gets bigger, I suspect the kitchen staff starts becoming comprised of people who did not grow up cooking these dishes. It shows. For the money, I would have liked to have gone somewhere else. The salad was great and I could maybe see myself returning for that as a lunch item. But salad isn't really what gets this foodie excited. We ended up going to Sofrito Mamas a few days later and it blew this place out of the water.

    (2)

  • Marty C.

    We were greated at the door by Pedro. Seemed very nice we were seated outside as requested. Pedro said the server would be right with us.. we waited for 30 min just for water. The server Dustin seemed overwhelmed. Two couples set down beside us and the girl that waited on them was also very rude the couple's wanted one pitcher of sangria the server told them they needed two so she would not have to go back and forth the couple's said no only one.... we laughed at the kind of service we were all getting.... we left without getting our food after waiting for a (hour).... WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS RESTAURANT

    (1)

  • Manny M.

    food was blah, and overpriced.

    (1)

  • Mark T.

    Tapas and full plate restaurant. More European than the name suggests but the family is Cuban and has been running this place since 1905. Every dish was good - maybe not great. I had the mixed seafood tapas plate. Good sized tapas portions.

    (4)

  • Mike C.

    If not the best then close to it....Fab at St Armands and Ybor city...

    (5)

  • Linda M.

    Well, I was a little disappointed with this place. Maybe because I had such high expectations. Columbia came highly recommended by a few of our friends so we decided to stop in while we were staying in Sarasota. We dined here when it was extremely busy and maybe that's why they were not up to par. Either way, we probably won't be returning to try other things because they seem to always be busy. The service was slow. Our waitress was not attentive and she was not very friendly. After we got our food and drinks, she checked on us maybe twice and then gave us the bill. In the end, we felt it was overrated and overpriced for the quality of food we received.

    (1)

  • L S.

    The crowds outside the restaurant are deceiving. This place is good for a drink and people watching but not the food. However, the Armand salad was very delicious. The shrimp saltado was barely worth eating. Dont bother with the empanadas.

    (3)

  • Mike O.

    Easter Sunday, Mom had the Virginia baked ham dinner, which looked like the 6th grade cafeteria mystery meat, with string beans and mashed potato. Girlfriend had the Salmon with two eggplant and two shrimp, can't think of the name, we wrapped most of it up, tried to give it to some homeless cats, even they said yuk! I had the Filet steak salteado, which are sirloin tips with yellow rice and veggies mixed in with some sauce. Tasted and reminded me of the old days when my mom would pop the TV Dinners into the oven,30min @350, only thing missing, was being forced to watch Lawrence Welk. If you want real Cuban food, this is not the place. I will recommend the free bread, salad and Ice tea. Then, go home.

    (1)

  • Brenda Y.

    Not sure what the hype is all about, service was VERY slow at lunch and we were there before it got crowded. My Cuban sandwich was just like deli meat on a dry bread with mustard, not even pannini pressed. The plantain chips were like the crumbs at the bottom of a chip bag. My granddaughter, who is 5 ordered the kids Mac and cheese and it was bright orange like the boxed stuff. My daughter had the chicken which was basically a breast with stuff on top and pre made rice. I am not a food snob at all but I won't be back.

    (1)

  • Shana L.

    Food & service was awful! $40 for 2 cubans. Black unknown specks floating in my drink I ordered. Servers ignored me for 5 minutes and had horrible attitudes. This place sucks. Period.

    (1)

  • Elizabeth L.

    We came expecting columbian food and was very disappointed to find us looking at Cuban food. The food was horrible we couldn't not eat much of it Our waitress noticed and asked if everything was okay? We told her what we thought about the food, she insisted to let her manager know and he came over and apologized. He did not have us pay for diner! So that's was great, but stay away! The name fools you in to thinking it is Colombian food, I figured that when I read the menu so I ordered ropa vieja/ shredded beef which is a typical Cuban dish, but it was greasy with no taste. It Is a shame because the place is nice.

    (1)

  • Bruce C.

    I had heard from several locals about how great this place is that there was a pretty big letdown. I was looking hard for a respite from the forgettable mall chow that chokes the So Florida landscape and this seemed perfect. A 110 yr old family owned restaurant w real charm. While the decor and story were great, the food was truly pedestrian. A wilted Caesar salad was the biggest disappointment followed by tasteless mushy lobster croquettes. The mussles were good though and the bread they served warm in a wrapper was fantastic. I can't comment on the Cuban sandwiches as I didn't even try it. the presentation was with iceberg lettuce and mushy tomatoes so I have confidence the bar would not be raised if I had. All in all another sad addition to the Florida food wasteland argument. Can someone please prove me wrong on this one!?!

    (2)

  • D. B.

    I recently had dinner at the Columbia Restaurant. We were a party of four, and two of us had great food, while the other two weren't impressed. First of all: the wait. The place was mobbed around 7 on a weeknight. I would definitely recommend reservations. We didn't have any, but we were told the wait would be about 30 minutes, which we deemed acceptable. Unfortunately, it was more like 45-50 minutes by the time we were seated, which was a bit of a let down. When we were finally seated, we were seated under the roof, but practically outside. As it was a chilly evening, it was rather uncomfortable, especially for the older folks in our party. The bring out bread to start, which is tasty. I opted for a Caesar salad, which was also good (not spectacular, but good). My dining companions ordered some tapas to start -- Shrimp and Crabmeat Alcachofas and Empanadas de Picadillo. They were both decent. The alcachofas was pretty tasty and a fair portion, but you only get two tiny empanadas, which made it hard to share. As for dinner, I had the Shrimp Supreme, which I would order again in a heartbeat. It was delicious. My boyfriend had a different shrimp dish (I forget exactly what it was), and loved it. It came with nearly a dozen (good size) shrimp. Our other dinner guests were less pleased with their meals. One had the salmon in parchment and thought it was a bit bland (could have benefited from more sauce), the other had a steak dish with vegetables and wasn't that impressed. Our server was pleasant, friendly, and reasonably attentive. But, as I mentioned, it took awhile to be seated and then we were crammed in a corner bordering the outdoor seats, which was pretty uncomfortable. From observing the restaurant, I'd say that more than half of the servers were on top of things, but that a distinct handful were slow or clumsy. One last note: the menu is a little overwhelming and the prices are a tad bit high. I can see why this place is popular, but touristy. All in all, I'd eat here again (if I made a reservation in advance). :o)

    (3)

  • Jennie A.

    I had the chicken and yellow rice. The chicken was a little dry and over cooked and the rice well it looks very impressive was pretty bland. Now the red sangria was wonderful and the "1905" salad is so delicious but had a giant hair in it! Not noticed till I was pulling it from my mouth! The ambiance is nice, dined outside. No problem with service we had a later dinner. I would give this place a second chance. A very large menu to choose from!

    (4)

  • Lea T.

    Good but not exactly living up to the legacy this restaurant has being established back in 1905... Located on St. Armand's Circle, the Cuban and Spanish cuisine combination is appealing to both tourists and locals alike. The Cuban bread is delicious and I assume the Cuban sandwich must be very popular as well. There are quite a few options for vegetarians and paella dishes take about 30 minutes to prepare. I wasn't thrilled with the Paella Valencia and the Steak Salteado. The Shrimp Supreme also seemed very heavy I would've preferred purely bacon wrapped shrimp or battered fried shrimp but both just seems like too much. The Ropa Vieja was my favorite and the price seemed reasonable at $18. The portions here seem to be decent or on the small side compared to the very high prices which are probably conducive to the location on St. Armand's Circle. I think this spot would be the best for lunch and to sit outdoors. Personally the prices seem high for dinner and the crowds around dinner time become unbearable during high season.

    (3)

  • Tara J.

    After a full morning of browsing the shops in St. Armand's Circle, we were jonesin' for some eats. The line at Columbia was LONG and clustered around the front entrance, so we sat at a nearby bench and Yelped other area eateries. There are a ton in the circle, but we wanted to see them all on our trusty Yelp apps to make a better decision. Lots of choices, but after asking about the wait at Columbia, and being told we could get seated immediately (there were only 2 of us), we decided to stay put and we were glad we did! It was 2pm, so well before dinner, but we didn't want to pork out. The two of us split the Coco de Langosta (lobster on flatbread -- like a pizza!), the black bean cakes (tiny but good -- only $5.95 for a little batch of 4), and the Croquetas de Langosta. All of the food was amazingly good! Almost forgot -- try out the Sangria de Cava. So good! It's basically sangria with champagne and brandy instead of red wine. Good stuff! Service was good and fast, but almost too fast. Our server tried to clear my plate while I was still eating, and when she came back to clear it a second time I was STILL eating. That was odd, but not a huge deal. Over the course of our 3.5 days on Longboat Key, this meal at Columbia was by far the best, and priced the most fair compared to other spots. We'd easily dine here again.

    (4)

  • Hayden F.

    Probably one of the worst places I ever eaten at. The fact that this place is always packed proves that this pompous rich idiots in longboat and Sarasota have no clue what good food is.

    (1)

  • Heather B.

    The food was wonderful and the patio was great for people watching! Will definitely go again.

    (4)

  • Chad L.

    First time trying this place after i was told great things. First off we had reservations and it still took us 30 minutes to be seated. No worries i went to the bar and tried a cigar city beer they had, Delish!!! Are table is now ready and thats when everything went wrong. It was very hot and we found out the air condtioner was broken so fanning was are only option to cool off. When asked for order they have a very big menu so i asked for chicken and yellow rice which they replied isnt on dinner menu! Okay, well how about a cuban sandwich? No thats not on are dinner menu either. Well i settled for somthing that was like chicken and yellow rice which i never even tasted because by the time it came out i was covered in sweat. I asked them to box it up as i might eat it later which they did but i never ate it so i cant tell you how it tasted. No one really said they were sorry about that night which left a sour taste for me to return. Maybe the Tampa location is better and i might try it one day.

    (1)

  • Jeff H.

    decent little spot ... super busy at almost 10pm on a saturday night. I would say the most popular in st. armand circle. the 1905 salad was great. our waiter was nice although he did disappear for a while and left us without drinks or water for quite a while. Paella was good but light on actual sea food. I would definitely eat here again but it wouldn't be a regular spot if I lived in the area.

    (3)

  • Steve G.

    This really is the standard in Cuban cooking, so it's hard to say anything bad. But... ...there's a decided shortness in the service when you sit down here. You feel rushed to order. The only way I can describe it is it feels like I'm eating at a NY pizza place or something -- everyone knows the menu, and the accent makes it a little difficult to understand the server, and... Not that it bothered us -- we know what we want. But our out of town friends had a look of discomfort that I think reflected being hurried in their decisions, especially since they aren't familiar with Cuban food. Take from that what you will... As for the meal, the Cuban sandwich was perfect, the black bean soup delicious, and the ice tea freshly made. A great location on St. Armand's and an open table at lunch made this a great visit! Recommended!

    (4)

  • Tammy R.

    We have eaten here on several occasions. We came for lunch. Had the house special salad and the empanadas. They were very good. Our waiter was very friendly. However it was quite warm inside the restaurant. But it was enjoyable

    (4)

  • Katie L.

    Delicious authentic Cuban Restaurant. We started with the fried calamari (our favorite) and it was delicious. The squid was tender and not greasy at all. It is served with a honey mustard sauce which I've never seen before but it was good. Their fresh baked cuban bread is absolutely delicious. Warm and fluffy, just like it should be. We both had the cuban sandwiches served with plantain chips and it was exactly how I remember my grandmother's cuban sandwiches. Overall, a wonderful meal.

    (5)

  • Nina T.

    Great food. White bean soup: great (waitress recomm over black bean) House 1905 salad: also great Sangria: went down like great kool aide New york strip: great seasoning, huge Salmon in parchment: good. Felt very healthy eating it Very popular spot for good reason.

    (4)

  • Carmine R.

    one of the best most beautiful restaurants I've been to and by far the best in the Sarasota/Bradenton area with consistently excellent , inexpensive dishes especially the waitresses and staff that serve in unison at five star levels. You'll never hear a loud mouth, deep south hobo, tattoos or rudeness Columbia Restaurant somehow filters out by their family values and work ethics an oasis in the middle of a jungle of disorganized, awkwardly run FL businesses.

    (5)

  • Scott T.

    Wow they have been around for a long time and I grew up in Tampa /Ybor City where the first started. Everything is OK - I have never had anything GREAT! But have had some 4.5 star meals and so 2 star meals. It's a little pricey, and you pay for the decor and the story. One of their better and more expensive dishes is the Paella which is worth the wait if you are not starving. They do give you ho cuban bread and butter to hold you over. Black bean soup is very good. Clean bathrooms too! Nice birthday flan (free) if you tell them.

    (3)

  • Jenna A.

    I had a pleasant late lunch slash afternoon snack at the Colombia Restaurant while spending the day in the Sarasota area. Service was very friendly, attentive and genuine. Mojitos seem to be their thing, but I'm not a huge rum drinker so I ordered a glass of white sangria made with champagne. It was yummy, although a little heavy handed on the booze but hey I'm not complaining! The mojitos looked good with lots of fresh mint and a sugar cane. My dining companion and I shared a tapas sampler comprised of three small plates of your choosing. We picked crab cakes, scallops and baby pork ribs. I thoroughly enjoyed all of them but if I had to pick a favorite it would probably be the scallops. They were deliciously breaded and sat in lemon butter. The crab cakes were mostly crab (as they should be!) and not a lot of junk filler. They came with a passion fruit aioli. The baby pork ribs were great as well - very tasty seasoning and had a few pequillo peppers and caramelized onions tossed in. The restaurant itself is pretty large but I can definitely see some gruesome wait times, especially during "season". We came at an odd hour and were able to get a nice table outside in the shade right away, but when we walked by a few hours later there seemed to be a good amount of people waiting to be sat. Our tab was less than $50 for two cocktails and three small plates, and I thought that was pretty reasonable given the ambiance, food quality and surrounding area. I didn't find CR to be "touristy" as some people mentioned.. I mean yes there were probably lots of tourists there, myself included, but when I think of touristy I think of kitsch and cheesy waiters with fake "spiels". I didn't find any of that here.

    (4)

  • Edgar M.

    Service was rushed...noise incredible......food mediocre.....servers suggestion was not to my liking....crowded....too expensive for what we got. Will not return to this place.

    (1)

  • Jan P.

    The only thing that could be better is if a Columbia Restaurant was in my hometown of Asheville. When I leave Florida it's always the thing I miss most. We have a good Spanish restaurant in Asheville but Columbia is all about great Cuban food. It is my hands-down favorite restaurant in the state of Florida. This is just my humble opinion. If you go don't miss the croquetas; and they have the tastiest empanadas I've ever had!

    (5)

  • Curt W.

    I live in the area and had not been to the Columbia for a while. Short staffed, poor service we waited forever to be served, Martini tasted like water and tapas was so salty we had to send it back. The bread presentation was cool but the bread was he worst I have ever had at a restaurant. So sad that it turned out so disappointing.

    (1)

  • Ashley R.

    A family favorite since I can remember - get the 1905 salad for sure. The extra wait is worth a spot outside. Great people watching and excellent service. A local staple to Sarasota. The Sangria is fantastic!

    (5)

  • Jason K.

    Some work friends and I were on a trip to visit some Sarasota Target stores and we were staying within walking distance to the Columbia and St. Armand's Circle. My buddy goes to this area twice a year and recommended it to our 8 person group. There was a wait for 8, but if we split into 2 tables, we could be seated soon, so we split up. I ordered a Mojito to start, which seemed to be the main drink of choice. When it came out, I couldn't really taste any rum in it, but my friend said they make their own and it was plenty strong. It comes out with a sugar cane stick, and it was plenty sweet and refreshing. Very nice. I ordered a Cigar City Jai Alai after that, which was a pretty solid IPA. I ordered the signature Cuban Sandwich, now Cubans are my favorite sandwich type, which I just discovered about 5 years ago, and this establishment says that they invented the sandwich. So I HAD to try it. I ordered the 1905 side salad to go with it and our cool waiter mixed it up right at the table. Solid veggies and a fantastic vinaigrette. The Cuban came out with a perfectly pressed elongated panini style and there was ham and pork and pickle and mustard. It was good, but I have had some better ones in the Twin Cities at Allie's or MacKenzie. It wasn't bad, but I would have liked more mustard and pickle. Our waiter, atmosphere, friends, and salad all pushed it from a three to a four star restaurant. It is a real cool atmosphere inside. Good recommendation!

    (4)

  • Dr Laura B.

    We went to the Columbia Restaurant to celebrate my daughter's birthday. I ordered the Paella Vegetariana. This dish is priced at $23. The entree was mostly yellow rice with a little bit of frozen green beans & peas. I couldn't believed that they served me frozen veggies with a huge serving of yellow rice. It had no flavor at all! The waiter asked me how was my meal. I told him it was awful and I had a hard time finding the veggies. I left most of the food. They refund the price of the meal. Afterward, I ordered the Flan and the Flan was very good! I just don't understand why this place is so popular!

    (2)

  • Steve M.

    Our server was excellent, Offered great descriptions of the entrees and was very attentive. The food was good, not great, but solid. I recommend the muscles - they are done in a unique broth with vegetables - these were a highlight. Prices are a bit high but not unexpected for the location.

    (3)

  • Jim D.

    Drinks should include either mojitos or sangria - both are excellent. Start with their fabulous "1905" salad, made at your table. That evening we then shared the Tapeo sampler of three tapas choices - ours included stuffed mushrooms, fried calamari and crab cakes on a three-tiered platter. If you like roast pork, the Columbia is the place to get it. We always look forward to dining here!

    (5)

  • Deke K.

    The Columbia is a Florida "must do" and can be a five-star experience in this 100+ year old establishment. The St. Armand's restaurant is bustling all the time, chaotic and noisy and is best with a reservation. (However, they save a portion for walk-ins; it was frustrating they would only accept reservations for six not eight and then had half the restaurant empty when we arrived.) There are also lots of outside seats. It is a Spanish restaurant (not Cuban though this sandwich is on the menu). We chose to eat "tapas style" ordering many small plates rather than an entree. I had the half 1905 salad ($5), a "limp" salad made tableside with ham, swiss, olives, parmesan, lettuce and a very HEAVY garlic dressing (I was breathing and sweating it for hours--great going down, annoying later.) I followed this with a cup of cold gazpacho soup, also dressed at tableside with fresh veggies. (Yum, $4) My third round was grilled mushroom caps stuffed with artichoke hearts--heavenly. Others in the party got shrimp or scallops, arriving in different ways. We kept cleaning our plates. Our finish was a ginormous double piece of white chocolate bread pudding that came warm and heavenly ($7). I took one star for the noise and chaos followed by waiters standing around and not there at check time or fill-water time. It's a landmark and should be part of everyone's Florida memories! 11/2013. Phenomenal Spanish garbanzo bean soup! $5 yummmm

    (4)

  • Ann E.

    Very pricey for what we were served. Salads were an up charge and all iceberg lettuce. No impressive toppings. Seafood type small plates had poor quality breading and would have been better left off. Will not return.

    (1)

  • Lance R.

    Had the Bambino steak and it was exceptional...will definitely be back on my next visit to the area...wish they would expand to S.FL!!! Excellent service as always. Loved the stuffed mushrooms that came with the steak. Also the house salad..mixed table side is very good.

    (5)

  • Bob B.

    A St. Armands Classic.... Black Bean Soup, a 1905 Salad (extra olives) and a Garaffon Margarita. Pure bliss. Small sidewalk tables are great for entertainment. I have been coming here since 1970!! Go see Terry at the bar inside. You will be in good hands.

    (4)

  • Todd G.

    The 1905 Salad is the best salad in town. Sometimes they can be inconsistent with it though because the waiters are the ones that prepare it table side. Black Bean Soup, Shrimp Supreme and Black Bean Cakes are excellent. While the Cuban sandwich isn't the best in town, it's certainly very good especially on their fresh made bread.

    (4)

  • Lauren S.

    Ridiculously overpriced. Food was disgusting and not authentic. Asked for regular non-bottled water, and got water that tasted and looked like it came from the restaurant's toilet. This place should be closed.

    (1)

  • Juan R.

    Sangria was good. Service was good but the food was not great at all. The "good rice" is actually horrible. The empanadas were bad. So disappointed that we did not want to try the desert. I would never come back.

    (1)

  • Drew P.

    Very delicious food. The piccadillo and pork here are of particular note. Atmosphere in here is lovely, tables crowded a bit closely. The service here is not great, surprisingly so given the atmosphere. Incorrect order taken for one member of our party, menus left on the table, infrequent check ins. All servers carried their trays in the 'palmed' style rather than fingertips. With the crowded tables this led to numerous dropped bottles, silverware, and plates during the visit. Service here needs to step it up!

    (3)

  • Melissa A.

    Nice view on the circle. The bread they bring out before the meal is be best thing about this place. Not a must eat at restaurant in my opinion. The 1905 salad is extremely salty and over dressed- hence the lettuce gets soggy very fast.

    (3)

  • Mary A.

    This was.my 5 th trip here and it will be my last. Food is excellent but hostesses were standing around doing nothing. When were finally seated, no water for 10 minutes, took 15 minutes for a pitcher mojitos. Waitress seemed put out by waiting on us. This has happened every time.

    (1)

  • Jonathan K.

    I was recommended the Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City when we were passing through, but was unable to make it. Much to my surprise I found out they had one in Sarasota, where we were actually staying. It was tough to get a reservation and when we arrived it was mobbed, so I expected a long wait but they were right on the money with our time. There areas to sit inside, inside right on top of the street and street seating, which makes for some good options. We were seated and waited on promptly. The waiter was friendly and professional. He brought us a pitcher of Sangria which was outstanding. The tables were kind of small and tight on top of each other, but they worked much better than expected. We were able to fit everything on there. The table-side salad was extraordinary as well as the Cuban bread that accompanied the meal. The Calamares, Cakes de Cangrejo and Pollo al Ajillo plates were absolutely out of this world; the Pinchot Mixto not so much, the chicken and pork were very tough/dry but still passable. We were stuffed but still wanted to squeeze in some dessert, but unfortunately they don't have Tres Leches on the menu and were all out of the Brazo. The gift shop was a neat touch with a lot of cool things. All together I'd love to go with a 4.5 star rating if half stars were permitted. Earlier in the week we ate at another restaurant nearby and paid the same price for what seemed like half the servings as well as minus the Sangria. Absolutely outstanding experience.

    (4)

  • Deb W.

    Our lunch at Columbia was fabulous. We tried to keep it light by ordering tapas and the white asparagus salad. With the wonderful bread it was too much. But we were determined to enjoy dessert. The white chocolate bread pudding was to die for. Had to bring half of it home even though we split one order. Columbia is always a treat. Packed house. Good thing we had reservations.

    (5)

  • Gabrielle P.

    I was also with Mark C's party, and we did inform our waiter of our complaints. In addition to his comments, I would like to point out that coming from a Puerto Rican and Spanish family that has a strong love for food, I found this restaurant to be a poor representation of Cuban cuisine. #unauthentic+disappointing

    (2)

  • Jay J.

    Authentic, comfort food with a nice spacious layout. Take your pick from dining on the patio, Main dining room, or back in the more intimate dining room. Overall: Great experience if you crave authentic S.A. food.

    (3)

  • Jim K.

    Great food and service. Price is right. Beautiful decor. You will not be disappointed.

    (4)

  • Maj A.

    Pretty good the big salad Colombia is the best

    (5)

  • Jessica K.

    I give 4 stars for overall experiences I have had there, but last night our server made our experience kind of negative. When we go to the Columbia (about once a year when we visit family) it has always seemed like a show-- the servers are bright and engaging, and bringing out salad and sangria to make in front of you is always a unique aspect of the experience. Our server last night seemed much less interested in providing that kind of experience for us. My father in law was pretty disappointed with this, and even my husband noted that it was as if she was super anxious and didn't want to waste any time. She even discouraged my husband and father in law from getting the paella, which is what they really enjoy getting and basically why we come there. Now, I am all for a server providing recommendations when asked or when there's something they really love or think we should try, but really, it didn't seem like that was her intention. She was very short with us-- sangria was brought out already made, and the 1905 salad prep was way more of a chore for her than any of our previous servers. Food was fantastic as always. I got a seafood noodle dish that was really great, and i loved the red sangria, although i think the white sangria is my favorite.

    (4)

  • Megan B.

    First time going to the one in Sarasota, but have been to the one in Celebration. This time, the service was horrible. Absolutely horrible, it was 4pm so it wasn't terribly busy, either. We sat outside because of my small dog, it was hot and we all were thirsty. It took 12 minutes for our first drink order, then when all (4) of our drinks were out we had to wait till the server brought our salads out for us to mention refills...we just had him bring us out x2 drinks. At the end, We asked for 2 to-go boxes and a bowl of water for my dog..he came back with a check. No box no water. I asked again, several minutes later he came out with 2 boxes and no water. I just gave up and gave my dog the water out of my glass. The food was alright, but for a restaurant of this quality and price, I would expect a lot better service...I regularly get better service from Dennys. My family and I will not go to this Columbia again. I am not a nit picker on foods, but This was a huge disapointment.

    (2)

  • Joelle B.

    My family's been coming to the Columbia for generations. I am vegetarian and was sorely disappointed in the vegetarian paella. It had great broth and rice, but instead of using fresh vegetables WHICH THEY HAVE IN OTHER DISHES, they threw in canned red and white beans, canned artichokes and asparagus, and frozen peas and green beans. The vegetables were mushy and tasted terrible. It's a really simple fix to just put fresh vegetables that you already have in a vegetarian dish, especially if you're charging $23 for it.

    (2)

  • Susie B.

    Visited Colombia Restaurant on St. Armand's Circle in Sarasota yesterday for the first time in over 25 years, and the food was just as good, if not better, than I remember. My Chicken and Yellow Rice meal was delicious (loved the flavor of the rice), and my 1805 Salad was almost as good as having dessert. Superb meal. My friend Sandy had a 'real' Cuban Sandwich, and loved it. It was so big she took part of it home for dinner. Service was attentive, professional and very fast. Eating at the Columbia Restaurant [repeatedly] is a must!

    (5)

  • Naomi W.

    The location is excellent! The numerous shops and other restaurants provide the area with a lively atmosphere. Parking was not to hard to find and walking up to the restaurant I was surprised to see people seated outside dining with their dogs..Well mannered dogs, as we walked passed them to enter the restaurant they did not try to lick, attack or bother us. Am I back in Europe? We arrived around 6 pm and checked in with the hostess. She informed us there would be a 15 min wait, no problem due to all the shops nearby which help to pass the time. Gone for a little longer than expected we arrived back to the Restaurant where the hostess informed us our names had been scratched off the list because we had been called with no response. NOT TO FEAR! They bumped us to the front of the list and we were sitting at a table in less than 5 min. The waitress was excellent and the Sangria was very good. The open window/wall facing the street allows for an excellent breeze and great people watching opportunity's while you wait for your meal. The wait for our entree was not long and the food arrived cooked to perfection. My snapper was delicious! The portions were very large, I'm assuming this is why the price was a little high. Our waitress also gave us a coupon for a return visit because we paid with a credit card. Nice. I would like to try the Tampa Location, I herd its better than this location! WOW!

    (4)

  • Ryan D.

    Wait staff was excellent. They were so helpful with the menu and very courteous. If you go, make sure you try their home made sangria. The "1905" house salad was also great, especially if you like garlic. For my main course I ordered the Shrimp Supreme. Marinated shrimp, wrapped in bacon, battered and fried. It was SO good! Next time I'm in the area I will be back because there are so many other things on the menu I want to try!

    (5)

  • Ian T.

    Really 2.5 stars not bad but not near as good as it's been in the past This is the 5th time in 5 years we've dined here ( last time 2 years ago) 1.5 -2hr wait on a wed at 1pm. ( hostess took cell # and said she would call when table was ready) Service was a little slow --waiter was very ready to have his shift end. We ordered 1. Regular sized 1905 salad and 4 half 1905 salad half cuban combos The salad seemed a bit oilier and not as well seasoned as we remembered it. Sandwich Portions were noticibly smaller than our last visit. But i left full Great atmosphere and cuban bread though. Great outdoor seating as well We might be back on a future Trip but there are lots of restaunts in the area that might provide a better dining experince than than we had today

    (2)

  • Jared W.

    Food is so good its wow. Eat here, you have to when going to st. Armonds circle.

    (5)

  • T F.

    Must have's... the house salad! Great flavors and just a fun place for lunch.

    (4)

  • Patsy T.

    excellent lunch again! got the half salad and half cuban sandwich and it was plenty to eat.

    (4)

  • Melissa S.

    Just back from dinner here with a large group (8 adults, 4 kids). Let me start by saying the service was impeccable. Like I said, big group, kids, separate checks -- a server's nightmare, I'm sure. He handled our table beautifully, though (dammit, I wish I could remember his name! I want to say Marco, but don't quote me on that). Friendly, efficient, accurate, we never waited around nor felt rushed, nobody's glass went empty. As for the food, it was good. Not "OMG, best ever!!!1!!" but solidly tasty & good. We all received an individually wrapped, giant hunk of warm bread to start... nice. I had the "famous" 1905 Salad with shrimp for my entree. Fabulous flavor, but previous reviewers are correct that it is swimming in dressing. Seriously, half as much dressing probably still would've been too much. Thank god for that warm bread, perfect for sopping up the extra. I also swiped the plantains off a friend's plate -- so good, nicely black & crispy on the outside, soft & sweet in. My husband had the mahi-mahi, and he deemed it "alright." My two friends nearest me cleaned their plates, so apparently they were pleased with their entrees. Oh, and the sangria is a delight. So, really four-and-a-half stars for service and maybe three-and-a-half for food. Overall, it wasn't so off-the-charts fantastic that I'd go out of my way to eat there again, but if you're in the area, it's definitely worth a try.

    (4)

  • Joshua P.

    This place was absolutely amazing and had SUPERB food! I strongly recommend going when you are in Sarasota visiting. Wine was great as well as any of the 6 main course meals I sampled from the group we were with! I will be back next year when we visit.

    (5)

  • Sundi P.

    We love this place! St. Armands is a great place to spend a couple hours just walking around and visiting shops. There are several restaurants, but we always end up here. Food is great. We usually share the 1905 salad and it is definitely big enough.

    (5)

  • Lucretia R.

    I ate dinner at the location at st Armand circle and the food was decent. So I thought how bad could a chicken Cesar salad be at the airport. Well the answer is pretty bad. I threw it out. It was a disgrace.

    (2)

  • Khadijah A.

    My daughter and I stopped here first when dropped off by our driver because he recommended the food highly. We were seated and waited 20 minutes. No one ever come ever to greet us, take drink orders or anything. We kindly got up and went to Crab and Fin where we enjoyed a great meal.

    (1)

  • Asif F.

    Had dinner here with my family over spring break. Service was very good considering how busy it was. Quality of food was ok. My father in-law ordered the Ribeye steak, I took the waiters recommendation and ordered the NY Strip, My wife and kids ordered seafood. All the beef served was choice quality and very fatty. I"ve had better at Outback at half the price. Half the volume of the steak was left as fat and grissle. Even through they tought steak as a specialty, this is not a steak joint. You will be disappointed. Go here for the ambiance and the service. Food is mediocre and over priced. Much better options are available around the circle. At the end of the meal, my father in-law pulled the waiter aside and explained that he received a bad cut of meat. The waiter told him that he should have notified him earlier and he would have replaced the steak. What the waiter should have done is take the steak off the bill. Highly unlikely we would revisit this restaurant.

    (2)

  • Emmanuel R.

    GOOD LORD IS THIS FOOD GOOD! I always get the chicken manchego and it never disappoints. You can tell a lot about the quality of a restaurants food by the amount of people in the restaurant and this location is massive and it stays packed. Located on St. Armand's Circle Columbia has a beautiful atmosphere and great food a pretty decent prices. Don't expect you typical Spanish food because this is authentic Spanish cuisine

    (4)

  • John L.

    Service was prompt, friendly and helpful. For the location, the prices were ok . We ordered 4 tapas and 2 desserts. The experience was 50/50. Half the tapas were good, one just ok, and one not so much. Guava tart for dessert was to die for. Key line pie. Bought better in grocery store.

    (3)

  • Dinesh P.

    Pompano Papil looked very insipid but tasted fabulous! Highly recommend this flavorful dish. Crab cakes and Mojito were also good. Took off one star due to rude server.

    (4)

  • Mina A.

    We waited almost an hour for a table. We anticipated a really good meal since the place was packed and it has been in business for 108 years. Ordered the seafood paella and it looked beautiful. Unfortunately, it was way too salty and the flavors too concentrated. Crab cakes were delicious though. The location in the center of St. Armand's Circle is wonderful too.

    (3)

  • John W.

    Although parking in St. Armands can be a real pain, we have eaten here on several occasions and generally enjoy the experience very much. The atmosphere is great as most of the restaurant is open to the exterior, which allows you to enjoy the beautiful Florida weather even while dining indoors. In addition, there are dining tables located adjacent to a nice, although a bit overly-busy sidewalk. This is a relatively big restaraunt for the St Armands area, which is nice for large walk-in parties. In the recent past, we have walked in with as many as 6 on a busy weekend and not had to wait more than a few minutes for a table. The food is good and relatively inexpensive, although falls far-short of great. Some things, such as the Cuban sandwich are just plain weird as the cooks include some kind of salami-like product in with the ham and mojo pork. The soups are hearty and generally very good. Indeed, we will often order the soup/sandwich combination, which is plenty of food for most, so as to sample a bit of both. Be advised, each diner is given a large piece of Cuban bread at the start of the meal, so order your food accordingly. The only major issue we have ever had here is with the service, which can vary greatly in speed and quality. For example, the last time we went, after ordering, it took probably 30 minutes for us to recieve our food. But what the hell?! You're in beautiful St Armands so relax, get another beer, and enjoy the beautiful weather and the people watching.

    (3)

  • Dayna G.

    If you come here, it must be for the atmosphere/location because thats all this place has going for it. I've been here twice and have no intention of returning. First experience was decent with a really nice gentleman server but the food just seemed so cheap. Everything seemed fried, and while some of it was tasty, frying all your food means your trying to cover up how much it sucks. Their famous 1904 salad or whatever its called is probably one of the grossest things I've eaten, to be blunt. I had two bites and called it quits, and people I'll eat just about anything I don't like food going to waste...This salad however, is waste-worthy. You can shove garlic, oil and vinegar in your mouth and have the same experience. Second time around, the food was horrendous. For $25 my father and I each had grouper and never in my life have I eaten worse fish. The bottom wasn't cooked and the top was rubbery and inedible...I just lowered my review from 2 stars to 1 thinking about that fish because it makes me want to gag. My dad loves grouper and said I shouldn't let this be my final opinion of it because he said it was the worst he's ever had, yikes. Our waitress was extra unpleasant this night as well (I'm a waitress so I feel I can critique these things) and when you have a four top ordering wine, cocktails, appetizers and expensive (albeit disgusting) entrees, you show a little hospitality. By the way, their sangria comes out of a soda gun. You are paying $5 for kiddie juice. You aren't going to enjoy the taste or a buzz from that crap.

    (1)

  • Brad S.

    The Sarasota version of the famed Ybor City restaurant in Tampa is, as far as I know, exactly the same restaurant in terms of food. We went here on their annual 1905 anniversary day when everything is supposedly at 1905 prices. That meant $2.95 entrees, $1.95 salads and 50 cent soups, as well as 5 cent coffees, yet $4.95 for a pitcher of sangria. I doubt they charged $4.95 in 1905. That would have been extremely expensive. It would be difficult to say if they serve lesser quality stuff on this low-price day since I rarely eat here. I know I would not pay more than 1905 prices for what we received. The entrees of chicken and fish were dried up and the yellow rice was crunchy and undercooked. Their signature salad was the best thing: even though it's only iceberg lettuce and a few other things like green olives, they dress it up with a tableside-prepared garlic dressing that includes fresh squeezed lemon and tobasco sauce, as well as grated cheese. It's pretty good. So is the fresh baked Cuban bread. The Spanish bean soup was tasty, if lacking in garbanzo beans. Mine was mostly broth, but it was savory, and by that I mean super salty. Yet I've had all these items in better quality at La Teresita cafeteria in Tampa. Their prices are about a third what the Columbia Restaurant charges on normal days. The red sangria was just ok, but I did not catch the slightest buzz, which made me wonder what was in it, exactly, besides sugar. Certainly not brandy, which is essential to a decent sangria. The red wine must have been very cheap This place has a big reputation, enhanced by uncritical media coverage, and the decor at the Ybor City location is nice and historic to look at. However, I would leave these places to the tourists. If you want Cuban food, you can do hugely better all over Tampa.

    (2)

  • Ivan C.

    Had the Lulla Mae salad on 6/25 - horrible! Not fresh, came out of the fridge. Some ingredients were canned, not fresh. How can one mess up a salad? Don't order!

    (1)

  • Kristi P.

    I just ADORE the mojitos here. Made perfectly every time. Paella was good but I like their apps better.... Oh and the Key Lime pie was pretty darn good!

    (5)

  • Princess D.

    This is one of my favorite restaurants in Sarasota. I always make sure to eat here whenever I'm in town. First off, I love the location. It's right in St. Armands Circle, which has many upscale boutiques and restaurants. There's always a lot of activity and energy in the town. It's close to the beach, too. The restaurant itself is very large, clean and overall has a great ambiance. The food is excellent. I love their Cuban sandwich, Lula Mae's chopped salad, sangria de cava (best sangria I've had), Spanish black bean soup, pollo riojana and paella "a la valenciana." Their plantains, white chocolate bread pudding and flan are also very good. If you like coffee, you must try their cafe con leche. Everything that I've had has been delicious.

    (4)

  • Christian S.

    Great Mojitos!! The tapas were tasty

    (3)

  • Jo E.

    I love this restaurant for its great tapas and tableside sangria! They also have the best Paella on the planet! Nothing is nicer than sitting outside at St. Armands and eating with friends and sipping on sangria!

    (4)

  • Ryan E.

    We happened to come here on the annual 1905 day, the wait was long but the food impressed! The 1905 salad is awesome, and so is their black bean soup. Also, their sangria is amazing! Try their flan, a definite thumbs up! This is a great restaurant with good atmosphere too.

    (5)

  • Danielle G.

    It's disappointing for me to write this, but I feel bad not sharing. I've been living in sarasota for two years and working in st. Armand's for half that time so I've heard all the rave reviews and excitement over this iconic restaurant. My mother and I finally went to Columbia on a Monday (it is off season so there was no wait, although we had made reservations just in case) and were sorely disappointed. Now we know it is just a tourist trap and that there are much better restaurants tucked in Sarasota's corners. We stared with the 1905 salad and although watching them make it table side was nice we were able to see the tons of garlic and oil that went into it, which stayed on my breath no matter how many mints I had on my way out the door. It was a different taste and although we weren't impressed we weren't completely turned off from the rest of our meal, yet. My mom had ordered the paella, which we were warned took 30 min to prepare, came served with yellow rice, which was strange. The meal contained two shrimp, two clams, two muscles, two scallops, a ton of rubbery over-cooked chicken, and what seemed to be the whole salt shaker. (We were told later by the manager "the dish can end up being salty, some people love it and others hate it") I ordered some sort of shrimp stuffed with crabmeat baked with lemon? All things I love and all sounded good. Seemed that they may have left the shrimp in the oven while my moms paella was cooking for the full half hour because it came out hard and crispy, which I suspect wasn't intentional. As if having the shrimp and crab meat being rock hard wasn't bad enough, the bite that I did manage to cut off was like a mouthful of pepper and salt. Never in my life have I had a meal and a restaurant which I could not put a happy face on and suffer through, besides this occasion. When our server (who was the only excellent part of this restaurant experience) noticed that our plates were basically untouched and our faces told how disappointed we were he had the manager come over to talk to us. He didn't argue with us, although he did make the comment about the paella which in his delivery of it really irritated me, and took both entrees off our bill. We paid and left quickly because we were both left starving, although I wish we would have tried some of the desserts, the choices all seemed enticing but after having rancid seafood in our mouths nothing would have been satisfying.

    (1)

  • Gabe P.

    Ate the for the first time and had the filet mignon "Chacho" style and it was worth every bite. For desert had some Churros. Overall restaurant had a good vibe to it, service was on point. Food cost was a little on the high end but we'll worth it.

    (5)

  • steve s.

    1905 salad is the best thing on menu. My wife shrimp and scallops was terrible. She said to fishy. Will not go back.

    (2)

  • Jason S.

    This was my 2nd time dining here. The 1905 salad is one of the best salads I've ate. The Sangria (Red or White) is OH LA LA!! The atmosphere is typical open island dining. St. Armand's circle is a very busy shopping area so obviously a great restaurant like this will be busy. My girlfriend and her parents have ordered different dishes each time we've went. They have been very good, not blown away outstanding but very good. It's a very good place to eat.

    (4)

  • John D.

    POPULAR TOURIST STOP Success over the years has caused this once lovely place to turn itself into a small chain in order to serve the masses of tourists. We had the Pollo "Riojana" with yellow rice, a cup of Spanish Bean Soup and the "Merzula" Russian fish entree. The menu, while intriguing, has clearly been dumbed down for the visiting Midwest palate: i.e., no spice or interesting flavor at all. The chicken was decidedly average, while the Merzula fish was a stupendously huge slab of flavorless white fish; it was fresh, but poorly prepared. The Eggs a la Russe with it were diced (? - they should be sliced) and there was no discernible Russian Dressing as promised on the menu. The Spanish Bean Soup was merely an attempt to drown a handful of garbanzo beans in broth; once again, no flavor. I samples the Black Bean Cakes that a friend ordered and they were dry & nasty. Try out this place once just to check it out. You may or may not be back.

    (2)

  • J R.

    Great table side mojitos, and the food is excellent, but sometimes the service is a little lacking. I don't think this is the fault of the waiters, but more the sheer amount of people they have to contend with.

    (4)

  • Mike H.

    We enjoyed our lunch at Columbia! Scallops were delicious! Sat outside in the warm sun and had a great time. Culture was upbeat for an older crowd. Def would come back.

    (4)

  • Marlene H.

    Love Columbia Restaurant, however, I'm very disappointed that the St. Armand location is not serving my favorite Chacho Manhattan cocktail. Chacho must be rolling in his grave! Please bring it back! MMHERKOT

    (3)

  • Robert W.

    Came here for vacation from Miami.... so Im used to spanish cuban food. It was ok. I had the Complete Cuban combo. Yuca was hard, needs salt. Lechon is like a slice of pork lion, was expecting pulled lechon asado. it was ok. My wife had Shrimp criollo. Shrimp a salty but good flavor. A little spicy. Nice contrast of flavor with sweet plantains inside

    (3)

  • David A.

    I hate to wait, but Columbia is always worth it.

    (5)

  • Didi D.

    I stopped in for a second visit here with two of my cousins, and a three month old baby just a few weeks ago. We decided to have a late lunch here, because some years back we had a fabulous (if somewhat tipsy) dinner at this place while my cousin was visiting from Sweden. I enjoy the fresh baked wrapped breads that are served here as a starter. Yum! My cousins rave about the 1905 salad, but I have to admit that I'm neutral about it. I ordered a few types of tapas to start with, and the three of us found them all enjoyable. Tiny foods that I can nibble at sans silverware is a real win. I love eating foods with my hands like a savage, and even more so when I'm out in public. Our waitress was really chatty and friendly, and gave honest congratulations when my cousin and I told her that we were both pregnant. The subject came up when we sadly had to turn down drinks, and more specifically, had to refuse a big pitcher of sangria. (Our group went through several pitchers during our first visit. Have you ever noticed that food tastes soooo flippin amazing when you are half in the bag?) I decided to get a grilled chicken Caesar, and I was very happy with the decision. The greens were crisp, the chicken grilled to perfection, and the dressing was good. Overall our second visit was a good experience. We like the atmosphere and the staff. The doors were open, so I did notice flies buzzing around, but thankfully the little suckers left us alone.

    (4)

  • Krishnaraj B.

    The food was excellent lot of vegetarian choices in the tapas section a must try for any one visting lido beach area Its a good try for Asians who are interested in trying something different our server maria was excellent

    (5)

  • Patty D.

    Food is ok, service and attitude of staff is terrible. Very rude, consistently. I live near by and only go when I have guests who want to try it out. Our group of four was actually asked to finish our wine quickly so they could turn the table....this after a $287 dinner. Trust me, our plates had been cleared away only minutes before. They are always busy, so there doesn't seem to be any concern or effort made to use basic courtesy and maintain repeat business. Also, tables are jammed so close together you can depend on being knocked around during your dinner. I have to assume all the good reviews about service are written by employees :/ There are so many other great places on St. Armands; Shore Diner, Tommy Bahama, Cafe LeEurope and Crab and Fin run circles around this place. Even the super casual places like Daiquiri Deck and Cha-Cha coconuts have more attentive and polite service. Very unpleasant. Just don't.

    (2)

  • Ruth G.

    I had some of the best salmon at this bustling restaurant. A group of us all really enjoyed the 1905 salad, gazpacho soup, and fresh bread. Service was prompt and friendly. Arrive early as this place gets packed!

    (5)

  • Leigh V.

    I loved this place! My mom and I got pretty lucky and got seated outside almost right away because everyone was requesting inside. It was a tad chilly out, but we didn't mind! The atmosphere was beautiful sitting along the railing people watching everyone walking by. Their menu is huge! It took us forever to figure out what we wanted. I ordered their famous mojito and my mother had a glass of wine. The mojito was pretty good. Not very strong, but not too sweet and very refreshing. We also ordered the black bean cakes as an appetizer. They were absolutely delicious! Perfect with the quacamole and sour cream. We had it gone in seconds. It took us awhile to get our drinks/appetizer which was fine because it was pretty busy, but she mentioned she would bring us out bread as well and didn't bring it till everything else came out. We were starving! I just wish they could just drop off the bread right away so we would have something to munch on before the appetizer. Just a thought! The bread itself was so good. Crunchy on the outside, warm and soft on the inside- just how we like it! Being a lover of bread, I also loved how my mom and I each got our own little half loaf to ourselves. No fighting over the last piece! Our food didn't take long at all. I ordered a small Caesar salad that my mom and I shared and the eggplant paella. My mom got some kind of grouper dish that she wasn't thrilled about. She didn't think it was horrible, but it was just "ok". Something about the sauce she didn't prefer. I kept trying to share some of my eggplant with her because I thought mine was delicious! It was breaded and topped with a little bit of cheese. It sat in a tomato sauce with garlic and capers... Yummmmm! I took half of it home because I was already so full. Can't wait to have it for leftovers! So, overall, I personally loved every single food item tremendously! Love the atmosphere of this place. The only downfalls for me were that my mom didn't love her food (could just be personal preference) and our waitress seemed a little out of it the whole night. My moms meal was supposed to come with veggies and she forgot to bring them until we asked. She was not rude, but just not really friendly at all. It was like you felt bad asking for something else. I just think her head was in the clouds and she just could've been more personable. Other than that, loved this place and would definitely come back!

    (4)

  • Jose R.

    Great restaurant to go. Food is authentic Cuban. Big crowd therefore service can be slow. Paella was excellent. Sangria de cava was awesome. If I'm in town then I will repeat.

    (4)

  • Khanh L.

    Came here for my wife's birthday and it was awful. We were last here 3 years ago and only had tapas which was good and which is why we came back. We decided to order entrees this time and what a mistake. The rice in the paella was not done, it was still hard and not edible. The meat was dry and tough. The roast pork entree looked like they took a pork loin and sliced it and was way too salty. I've had roast pork at other Cuban places and this was by far the most expensive and worst. Waiter brought out a plate of yellow rice to make up for the in inedible paella. What he should have done is take it off the check since we didn't touch it. Never coming back next time I am I'm Sarasota. Only reason it got 2 stars was the two tapas we ordered were pretty good.

    (2)

  • Melly S.

    After major disappointment in our Columbia experience in Ybor City, we were looking forward to our second visit to the St Armand's location. The positive: Pleasant if harried server, great people watching location, interesting menu, great Cuban bread. The negative: Server was not able to handle her given tables, therefore very poor service to us; overdressed salad (forgot to say light dressing) and food not as appetizing as the menu described ("large shrimp" nowhere to be seen on our table). Manager looks over heads of guests, rather than giving assistance to over-busy server and lending a hand. Bottom Line- I've given Columbia several tries, but no more - they can cater to the many tourists that flock there, but faulty service - again - trumps all.

    (1)

  • Andi W.

    After an amazing experience with a business associate, I decided to bring my family (and visiting relatives from far away) to experience Columbia in St. Armands Circle for lunch. Well, my family is no longer speaking to me. It was a weekend, so we opted for a later lunch to avoid the 'lunch rush', arriving at about 2pm. More than half of the tables were empty and the four hosts standing around the front podium gave the appearance that we had indeed arrived at the correct time. Nope. We were mistaken. The harried hostess (the only one of the four who was mobile - though I applaud Columbia for hiring individuals with various physical limitations - like walking) could not contain her distress when there were "Two Fives" waiting for tables. During our 20 minute wait (for what, I'm not exactly sure), we were mad-dogged by several members of staff and the general manager, leading us to believe that we had entered a 'theme' restaurant complete with shady drug lords and a few former colleagues 'disappeared' out back. Several of us actually discussed whether we should cut our losses then and choose someplace else. They sat us in the back corner, separated from the majority of our server's station. (That's just cruel to do to our guy - he's 147 years old and waiting tables - cut him a break and put him in a station where his people are close together, for crying out loud!) After a good wait, he remembered we were there and brought our drinks. 20 minutes passed before we saw him again. Another 40 minutes after that means we waited an hour to get any food on the table besides our 'cuban bread' hunks and butter (we had to flag down our server with intricate smoke signals from our corner of the country for refills on drinks - and he apologized for getting caught up talking with another table - so at least he was paying attention to someone - probably folks in a better climate). I was embarrassed by the service, as I had been building this place up for months. The service - top to bottom- was beyond poor, though we were dropping well over $120 on lunch for 5. I'm sure this place is consistently busy enough that they don't have to worry about less-than-stellar service - (and the food is good, but overpriced for the tourists) -but this was beyond disappointing. During our longest waiting period, however, we did get to watch two of the staff canoodling in the corner and giving each other massages. (Waiting tables is hard work, so I'm glad to see that employers are more permissive than they were when I waited tables. Carry on, horny co-workers!) The entertainment did result in the tiniest bit of forgiveness from my family (at least they got a show!) but in general, I'm pretty sure I still owe them an apology... and a better lunch.

    (2)

  • D T.

    We dined here twice during our stay in Sarasota. Dedicated gluten-free menu which was nice. Not a huge menu for gfree vegetarians but the location makes it a good place to stop. There is something for everyone on the "large" menu. We dined both inside and out and preferred sitting outside on a warm evening. I enjoyed the black bean soup and a salad. Husband had eggplant parm (twice) - he loved it. Service not great, very busy restaurant but would return.

    (3)

  • Joanie A.

    Every time I visit the Sarasota area, I return to Columbia's. In the last 30 years, I have never been disappointed. We arrived around 2:30 pm for a late lunch. Although there were people standing outside waiting for a table, we were told there would only be a 20 minute wait. There were two stools at the bar so we took advantage and ordered a spicy Bloody Mary and their own Margarita including brandy. Both were mixed to perfection and served with beautiful garnish. While waiting for our table, we had time to peruse the menu consisting of many tapas, soups, and salads and much more. Our server, Farbod, was helpful and made several suggestions. He knew what wine would go well with our dishes. I started with their black bean soup which was served over white rice. If you like your food spicy, you may want to add Columbia's Hot Sauce, which can be purchased in their gift shop. Next, I had the Columbia's Original Salad. These are two old standards that are just delicious. The server prepares the salad table side and again, the dressing can be purchased in their gift shop. I chose the scallop tapas which was baked with mushrooms, white wine, cheese and bread crumbs. They were tender and mouth watering great. I have never been disappointed by this fine establishment and look forward to next year's visit.

    (5)

  • Susan D.

    We love the ambiance of this restaurant. It has a classic South American feel to it, with fab outdoor dining space. Their bread is served fresh and hot, which is a rarity these days. That said, this is the second time we dined here - this time for dinner, whereas the first time was for lunch. I ordered the classic Caesar, which is normally prepared fresh at the table, but mine was not this time. It was served at the same time as my Gazpacho and Scallop Casimiro tapas dish. By the time I got to it, it was soggy. The Gazpacho was ok, nothing special, and the croutons were mushy - they had sat out for too long, exposed. The scallop Casimiro dish was fantastic. All that was very filling. The entrees are pricey, and portions are huge. Just about everyone had a "to go" box. My husband had the Tortilla Espanola (a lovely omelette, similar to a frittata) and the Lula Mae salad - a massive salad, that can be shared in two. Their wine selection is great - we each had a glass of Licia Albarino, which was a perfect accompaniament to our meal. In short, for what one pays here and given the classy ambiance, we would have expected the service to be better - water glasses refilled, plates removed from the table, the salad prepared at the table, and asked when we might want it, in relation to the rest of the meal.

    (3)

  • Joseph S.

    Food was good if you enjoy Cuban. Avoid Gaspacho--not cold enough. Chairs are uncomfortable. Service was good.

    (3)

  • G T.

    I know it is an institution but the pork cubano was tough and not much taste. We also tried to upgrade to a full pitcher of the Sangria but they wouldn't just leave two glasses of Sangria that we already got out of the pitcher. We were going to be charged the two Sangria drinks and then the full pitcher if we wanted more. The Sangria also is mostly fruit juice and not much wine. Also, the water tasted terrible. It smelled and we couldn't drink it. The hype by mostly tourist wasn't warranted and I would rather find a hole in the wall where the locals go and it would have been better food.

    (2)

  • Joseph N.

    Original salad is really delicious. Tapas options are excellent. Price is reasonable.

    (4)

  • Jason C.

    We have eaten here and at the one in Tampa and just have loved it each tiime!!

    (5)

  • Gail O.

    Having passed by this restaurant many times and seen the delicious salads I decided to go there with 2 friends who were visiting We were seated right away and our server was quick to attend to us We ordered red sangria and decided to get the salad and 2 orders of paella Sangria was very good as was the fresh salad made at our table However the paella was another story. It was served hot out of the pan and looked good. However, it was so salty none of us could eat it. Now let me say we are all heavy eaters. Not at all fussy but it was pure salt. We talked to the server and she was very kind but we requested the manager Address the situation. He did come over, listened to us and did not comment at all. They comped us one dinner but quite frankly they should have done more. The funny thing is after this we looked around and no one in the restaurant was ordering paella. Did they know something we didn't??? I for one will not return again and my advise to anyone who goes is DONT ORDER THE PAELLA,,,,

    (2)

  • Jack E.

    Yeeeeees. This was a great experience for my family and I. The food and ambiance was great. It was packed so be prepared to wait. Great food. Really great. You will enjoy.

    (5)

  • Jason M.

    We visit Sarasota several times a year and love to stop into Columbia for lunch. The 1905 salad and Cuban sandwich combo are delicious. The bread is fresh and crusty, and the salad is deliciously garlicky. The restaurant is huge but it does tend to fill up and there is frequently a wait during peak season. Our last visit was for dinner and we shared the baked goat cheese, the 1905 salad, and a mahi mahi dish with a plantain crust. It was all delicious. However, we were seated at a very small table by the kitchen that was very loud and hectic. We asked for a table outside, but it seemed like they saw us walk in with our kids and put us by the kitchen. Our kids dine out frequently and behave very well in restaurants. Next time we'll specifically state where we want to sit.

    (4)

  • C. N.

    1905 salad is great! Can add it to any entree or tapas item. Cuban bread is fresh and hot. Can be drafty since windows are open to the outdoor seating area. Cuban sandwich could have been better. Spanish bean soup was outstanding! Make a reservation on open table. They get busy... Parking is street side. The menu is a book, enormous and overwhelming due to the family stories mixed in with menu items. Beautiful interior!

    (4)

  • Nicole K.

    We met up with friends in Sarasota and someone suggested this restaurant. When we arrived it was packed but we sat down right away. I think we might have had a reservation for 7 but got there at 6:15. I looked at my hubby and said we have been here before in Celebration fl near Disney for out anniversary 2 years ago. We remembered the good was really good. The service was very good Bianca was out waitress. I had the 1905 side salad with the Mahi coconut special. My friend had the jimmy grouper and stuffed shrimp. My hubby had shrimp camarones creole (sp). He also had Caldo gallego We had warm bread pudding. Omg everything was really good just like we remember I am sure they are great at every location We will visit again

    (4)

  • Cheri D.

    Stopped in here as a recommendation from clients. Forget the Red Sangria~White all the way. Great place, very busy with oh so good White sangria! We stopped in to try the sangria. Red was ok, a lot smoother than something you buy out of a bottle but just ok. Somehow we ended up with a different bartender who told us to try the white sangria, then recommended to buy it by the pitcher cause it was a little cheaper. He turned out to be an absolute character. We did not get to eat but from the looks of the place and the wait time around lunch I would have to say the food must be great. I would definitely visit any one of their locations again.

    (4)

  • George R.

    We go to this restaurant every time we visit Sarasota, but only because of the food. We live in Orlando so we've been to the Columbia Restaurant in Celebration many times as well. The staff there is always friendly and genuinely happy to be there. I wish I could say the same thing about this location. Every single person working in this restaurant looks like they would rather be anywhere else in the world but there. The only reason I gave 2 stars instead of one was because of the food. Everything we've had here is delicious and obviously, we go back for more. The last time we were there, the table next to us was occupied by one of the other waiters that works there, but was off that day and came as a customer. Our service was so bad, we didn't even get refills the entire time we were there. He was more concerned with visiting with his co-worker he sees on a daily basis. He must have stopped at their table 15 times while we sat there. I also feel the food is not always as consistent as I would like. For example, sometimes they have a great dirty rice served with the entrees, but other times they have a sub-par yellow rice. Only regulars would know this though, so if you've never been, it wouldn't be an issue for you. Plus, they seem to keep the large windows pulled back all year round, which is great for the one month out of the year that Florida is actually cool enough. For the other 11 months, it's a bit much. Needless to say, we only go when we're in town because of the delicious food. Don't go expecting to be wowed by the service, because you won't be.

    (2)

  • Laura C.

    Everytime I visit family in Sarasota, the only restaurant I want to go to is Columbia. The 1905 salad is a must everytime as well as their Sangrias of which they make both tableside and always fun to watch them make. Te restaurant is located in the perfect setting of St. Armand's Circle with tables that look out on the street for some fun people watching. Love, love, love it here!

    (5)

  • Ayla Z.

    Came in for tapas and a glass of wine after work and really enjoyed the hustle and bustle of Colombia. It's always packed when I walk past and many of my friends have told me to go. They sat people fast and kept a steady flow of customers coming in and out of the door. Only issue I had was that the bartenders seemed to be totally swamped and it took longer to get service then I would have liked and the entree prices were really steep.

    (3)

  • Jamie K.

    The second most important thing to booking our hotels once we decided on our destination was to make reservations for the Columbia. A Tampa favorite I spent years being spoiled with arroz con pollo anytime. It has been a while since we've visited our absolute favorite Spanish restaurant. Ok, if I'm being honest, my husband originally tried to keep these reservations as a surprise because he knows it's one of my favorite places, but I sniffed it out in dos segundos. See what I did there? We left Siesta a little early so we could walk around St. Armand's Circle which I definitely recommend. While most of it is relatively touristy, it is fun to browse in and out of the shops around the circle; plus it's a great way to enjoy the weather and kill time. It was a good thing we got there early because we walked passed Columbia along our stroll and it was packed; easily the busiest restaurant there. Our reservations were for 8 p.m. but because preggo here was getting a little hungry, we popped in around 7:30 to see if they could take us any earlier. Surprisingly, despite the wait, they did and we didn't even have to wait long! We were seated outside which I was stoked about because nosey me likes to people watch while I eat. Our server came over right away to take our drinks and bring us their delicious, hot, bread (one for each of us; they must have known I was coming.) My husband ordered an alcoholic drink and when I announced I wish I could have one but that I'm preggers, the server had a great idea - a virgin drink. Duh! If you are in the mood for a cocktail with your dinner (or lunch, no judging here) the sangria and mojitos are to die for! We both ordered the arroz con pollo although I contemplated ropa vieja which is another one of my favorites. Our mounds of piping hot, yellow rice and plate sized chicken arrived before we knew it. Our server arranged everything on our plates for us because it is A LOT of food, but not so much that we were going to pass on ordering plantains. The best! Dinner was just as mouth watering as we remembered. The chicken was fall off the bone with a ton of flavor. The rice was fluffy with pieces of pepper and bursts of deliciousness. We ate as much as we could and it looked like we barely touched our plates. These are some of the best leftovers! Unfortunately we didn't have room for dessert, but a dinner at Columbia was a treat in itself.

    (5)

  • Jodi M.

    Excellent service & fantastic food. First time here nd it was on Labor Day right around 12:15. We were seated right away and greeted by our waitress right away. She brought out warm wrapped Cuban bread and butter. It was simply the best I've had. We had the crab croquettes which was full of crab, Cuban sandwich and the 1905 Salad which was amazing. I would highly recommend this restaurant.

    (5)

  • Craig L.

    Place is very cool and great Cuban food. Must get the "1905 salad" it's delicious. Atmosphere is nice and laid back!! Service is stupendous!!

    (5)

  • Benard L.

    I'm only giving it 4 stars because I had to endure eating here with my mom. The service was great however I could feel the servers attitude that we were not a high end big check table. He did what he had to do to get the tip. He made a great suggestion on what I should eat. The atmosphere is great, always busy. Anyone who knows anything about dining in Sarasota would suggest this place. A gem.

    (4)

  • Guy S.

    The service is excellent. The location and layout are excellent. The Cuban sandwich and the mahi mahi sandwich, however, leave much to be desired. And my beer was warm. I'm certain we ordered wrong. I have no idea why we didn't order tapas like everyone else? This is a lesson well learned that when at a tapas restaurant, order tapas. My mahi mahi was dry. My moms Cuban sandwich was sad, or rather, average. Just average. My moms dessert, fresas bizchocho, was also average. My moms friend ordered scallops and he said they were good. so there ya go, we found a silver lining. This elegant restaurant was absolutely packed for lunch. Looked like a 15 minute wait to be seated when we left at about 1:30 pm.

    (3)

  • Pizza L.

    Columbia restaurant is very, how do you say....Collummbian...(it's in the wee hours of the morning, so forgive me for being loopy). In human years, its 110 years old! Another staple in the circle and still going strong!!! I've eaten here for longer than I can remember - and I'm not going to give away my age so lets just say I've been here many times. This restaurant is definitely 'unforgettable'. It is Cuban food at it's finest - I can't even begin to tell you all the Cuban dishes they offer - take a gander at their menu, it's a pretty extravagant list. From traditional dishes, to some 'modernized' selections. Cuban sandwiches, to Ropa Vieja, Tapas (huge selection), seafood (red snapper, grouper (5 different ways), pompano, mahi mahi, shrimp, salmon...) I'm a sucker for seafood...but they also have carnes, pollo, & vegetarian dishes too....super extensive list of delectable dishes... The paella is unbelievable & it's the best I've had so when I'm in the area this is what I want...the paella marinera (seafood: clams, mussels, shrimps, scallops & calamari). I haven't found a restaurant in Chicago that makes it quite as good as Columbia, so I usually always order this. They have signature cocktails, private label wine list, and some fantastic Spanish wines as well, really nice selection. Sangria is pretty yummy too... The restaurant looks fancy on the inside, but its more on the casual side and you can dine outside....average amount of tables on the walkway - you may people watch as you eat as you will find many strolling right past you while they 'walk the circle'. So if you don't like strangers watching you eat or staring at your food, I recommend sitting inside ;) Service is friendly and accommodating.. Columbia is a legendary restaurant... You MUST check it out if your ever in the area. Ole'! Viva Cuba!

    (5)

  • Jorge V.

    La mejor comida española cubana the best Spanish food and Cuban food service was exellent very nice restaurant

    (5)

  • Amy M.

    This is the 2nd time I've visited Columbian in St Armands Circle. We absolutely love the mussels and chorizo get extra bread for dipping, my mouth still waters thinking of it! It was very busy on a Sat eve but we did get in on our 8:20 reservation. Server Jessica was a doll very informative.. I would have given a full 5 stars but u could feel the tension from the Hostess

    (4)

  • Diane H.

    What this restaurant has going for it is location, location, location - right on St. Armands Circle with patio dining and a dining room that feels very open due to the large windows. We went for early lunch on a Thursday afternoon, and were seated promptly and our waiter was very attentive. I just can't say I'm a fan. The food was OK -- the cuban salad was way to cheesy for me, and my entree was just okay. I would look somewhere else before going here again.

    (2)

  • Elena C.

    The two things I liked at this place was their "Calamares Fritos" in plain "English" Calamari. They were tasty, fresh and flash fried, also they served us good "croquetas"which are the Spanish version of a fish cake, with the difference that it is elongated and the best ones are made with bechamel sauce. Now that famous salad is horrible. I understand the success of cheap food and all that but this place is way overrated.

    (2)

  • Jerry G.

    Stopped in here on a recent Friday night with friends after visiting the Ringling Museum just north of here. it is situated on St. Armands Circle. Parking: has valet right out front. There is parking along the street that is random. We drove on by, hung a left and went behind the place and found parking along the street behind it next to a parking place. Food: I live in Tampa, so the Columbia Restaurant there is better known to me. And, i'm not too big a fan. I tend to review the menu, order their paella, and have been disappointed. It just doesn't pop. But, I do love their Sangria de Cava and 1905 salad. Here, we ordered the Sangria de Cava and loved it. I ordered the 1905 Salad along with a dinner entree of Filet Steak Salteado. Absolutely great. Sauteed Beef tips with garlic, spanish onions, peppers, some potatoes, sausage served with a side of yellow rice. The Sangria, then salad, then more sangria, then salteado......pretty good night. Service: the place was packed but they had an adequate number of staff to handle the customers. At no time did we have a problem in getting our drinks replenished and the orders came very quickly. Atmosphere: large restaurant, a lot of people,....not too quiet. We had a front table so we could do some people watching as well. Their is a small store associated with the restaurant and we were touristy enough to head over and buy one of the Sangria pitchers. Go Back: sure when we're back in the area. great location. a lot of people. take it slow.

    (4)

  • Monica P.

    If it was possible, I would give this place ten stars! It was a perfect lunch and one of the best my husband and I have ever had! Our waiter was Novi and he was an absolute delight! Professional, efficient and funny! His beautiful wife and two adorable children showed up at the end of our meal and we were not surprised that he had such a wonderful family! I had the 1905 small salad and the pincho mixto. It was a perfect combination. My husband had the Ropa Vieja which I now have to learn how to make. It was absolutely delicious! The presentation of everything was spot on! Plus it has a doggie dining area which made it perfect since we had our dog with us. Cannot recommend this place highly enough. A rich history of over 100 years plus outstanding food! They even have a dress code which is no sleeveless shirts for men. We will definitely be back when we are in Sarasota again.

    (5)

  • Mike L.

    Had lunch while on the way to Longboat Key Resort. The tapas was great and consistent with the location in St. Augustine. Loved the layout of the tables around big glass windows in a half moon shape. A bartender, Terry S (#879), had such a smart mouth, we left the bar area and asked for a table just to get away from him. Once at an inside table Lisa G. (#503) was friendly and fun, although I had to ask several times for water and realized she was quite absent minded (not a good trait for a server). My wife and I purchased the 1905 salad dressing and the seasoning from the store. Tried the seasoning later that night and it was delicious.

    (3)

  • Deborah H.

    Wow, this place was so busy, and even though it was a little cool, we decided to sit at a small table outside so we could have a conversation during lunch. This is the third Columbia location we have tried, and have loved the food each time. We tried the Ybor chicken and rice, which was delicious with a a cup of black bean soup. The only reason for my average rating is that the service was so s-l-o-w. It took almost an hour to get our entrees

    (3)

  • Nadine S.

    Wanted to give 5 stars as really love this restaurant but today not quite as good as usual. Was big arts and crafts fair at St. Armand's circle so everywhere was jam packed with people. Only waited about 15 minutes for a table so not bad at all. Waitress was really rushed and when she made by salad at the table she had food sloshing out of the side of the bowl when she kind of "plopped" it down on front of me. Heard other waiters and waitresses being much more personable and heard the lunch specials by eavesdropping as she never offered to share with us. There was a specials menu on the table but she certainly did not promote it or provide any additional information about it. I had the lobster, shrimp and scallop cannelloni and my husband had the lobster croquette. Both were yummy, nicely played and hot. Sauces on all of their food are always excellent. Bathrooms could use some cleaning attention and very few stalls for the size of the restaurant. When leaving there was several areas where good had been dropped on the floor and almost slipped on something squishy. Gift shop cute with some nice products. Bought 2 bottles of their salad dressing and they double wrapped them in brown paper before putting in bag. Nice they pay so much extra attention to protect your purchases. Free samples of sangria in the gift shop also which is a huge bonus. Nice to taste it while waiting for your table. All in all still very good restaurant and certainly will frequent them again and again. Just a few small things preventing me from giving them 5 stars this visit.

    (4)

  • Karen P.

    One of a kind! The bread was amazing- warm with crisp crust. The chicken had the crust to die for; perfectly seasoned. A perfect meal topped off with the best sangria. Wished there was a Columbia in Ohio!

    (4)

  • Julian A.

    5 stars were given based on my experience for the night. My wife had an a well balanced exquisite pineapple mojito and it was on point. I order the crab cakes and they were to die for. Services was great. I have eaten many times there and I really don't like their salads. Food is good service is great.

    (5)

  • Laura W.

    Took a client there today for lunch. I eat at the Ybor location frequently and told our client its the best. Today this location was not the same as Ybor. The 1905 salad was prepared table side with an obnoxious amount of grated cheese. I ordered an eggplant entree, it was so salty and the skin was so tough, I couldn't eat it. My clients breaded steak was full of fat and bone pieces. My husbands chicken and yellow rice was mushy and tasteless. Needless to say we were embarrassed. Service subpar, they left the salad prep trash next to our table, and the tables are so close together you can even get out without waiting for servers or other customers to clear the path!

    (2)

  • Angela A.

    I love this restaurant! It is one of my favorite places to go in Sarasota. Their 1905 salad is the best! And their white Sangria is also excellent. I love the atmosphere and the beach is in walking distance. It's a little above casual but because it's by the beach casual beachwear is totally acceptable.

    (5)

  • Bill H.

    This is the 3rd year my family and I have had dinner at the Columbia while vacationing in Longboat Key and as always we enjoyed it. We each had the 1905 salad prepared at our table (great)! My wife and I have the ropa viajo and we both would highly recommend it! Also, recommended is the Sangria which also was prepared table side. If your looking for a menu that is not your average fare try the Columbia!

    (4)

  • Nichole N.

    Ambience- The location is wonderful, the space is very nice and it spans two sides of St. Armands Circle. The patio is cool and fun for people watching. There is a cute gift shop attached as well. Service- Sorely lacking in a welcome, being seated or being treated kindly during our meal. There were literally ten staff members standing in a line at the entry door and not one of them welcomed us into the restaurant and not one showed us to a table until we had to ask. Really? Our waiter was lackluster, thank goodness another spotted him for a break as the replacement was an improvement. Food and drink- The Strawberry daiquiri was amazing! Ask for whipped cream though; it doesn't come standard so if you like it, go for it! It is the real stuff! My friends said the 1905 salad was amazing as well. We then got to the entree which was not as tasty. I had some kind of dip appetizer that was not great and then my tapas with ground meat (friends had the same) was very dry...could have used potatoes and more of the onion and some kind of sauce to make it moist as it definitely had potential to be good. Side note: Went again to give it another try; same lack of greeting, sat in the bar as it was late afternoon. We had daiquiris again served in smaller glasses and had a funky taste; not the same at all as the ones we had in the restaurant. We sat at the high bar tables and the bartender yelled across to us to get our order. It was hard to hear him across the din of the restaurant...all in all; way better restaurant service elsewhere in Florida. I guess maybe being a chain has made the management forget what makes a restaurant work; excellent customer service.

    (3)

  • Helen L.

    The sangria is great. I can see why it's a local favorite. The paella is delicious, but it does take a while for them to make it. I am not a fan of their "1905" salad since it is made of iceberg lettuce. My favorites for lunch are the Ropa Vieja and Merluza "Russian style." The staff is always great.

    (5)

  • loli p.

    I can give it 0 stars. It is the worse Cuban food I have ever tried. Real Cuban food is delicious. Please don't waste your money. This not authentic Cuban food.

    (1)

  • Roxanne E.

    Wonderful food, service and location. Had a great experience. The Sangria was tasty. I initially did not enjoy my dish (not the restaurant's fault as I misread the menu) but they replaced my dish without any hassle and the manager came over personally, without me even having to ask, to make sure that everything was fine. Our server was pleasant and efficient. If you're on a low carb diet, consider cheating for the day as a the cuban bread is delicious.

    (5)

  • Billy S.

    This is the third Columbia Restaurant my wife and I have been to. They are all excellent. One of our favorite parts is the fresh warm Cuban bread they bring to the table. On this particular visit it was at the end of a very long day of a lot of walking. So we decided to keep it light and just order a selection of Tapas. Everything was well prepared and the service was quick and friendly. Great way to end our day.

    (4)

  • Andy R.

    Excellent food, outstanding service and reasonable prices make for a success recipe. Shared some tapas, a paella and a pitcher of sangria and left very satisfied.

    (5)

  • Sasha M.

    This is THE best restaurant!! The 1905 salad and black bean soup are awesome and you have to get a pitcher of the imported sangria!!

    (5)

  • Molly H.

    Wow was this place great! I haven't had Cuban food in a long time and I'm sad that I was only visiting the area. We didn't have to wait long even on NYE lunch time. The place was packed, but they seem to be flowing the service easily. Service. A+. Our server explained things to us on the menu in great detail. Water never left empty. Cleared dishes promptly. Not to mention, very friendly. After ordering a DELICIOUSLY, toasty warm baguette of bread was brought for each of us. EACH of us. Oh my goodness. I could have sliced that baby open and curled up right inside of it. Should I have eaten the entire loaf? No. But I think it might have been a mortal sin to leave any bit of it. My friend did not finish hers but tucked it in her Togo box! Wines and sangria red and white, multiple mojitos and beer selections. The sugar cane in The mojito was delish. I wasn't sure if I liked the mojito so I HAD to order a second one juuuuuuuust to make sure. Yep. Top notch. I opted with the black bean soup and deviled crab croquettes. Divine. I wanted to try everything on the menu. It all looked amazing. Others had Cuban sandwich and crab cakes. No one complained or left much behind. What was left was 100% put in a Togo box for later munching. Plantain chips were tasty. If you're in this area,GO! Go hungry. Can you all build a Pittsburgh local?

    (5)

  • Susan C.

    Amazing food, atmosphere, and sangria! A must if you visit St Armand's. Anytime we have company visit we go to the Columbia for lunch or dinner. I love getting the tapas. The 1905 salad is great and they make it at the table. It's always busy but we never have to wait too long. It's nice to stroll around the circle if there is a wait. There's nothing else around that's like it.

    (5)

  • Mark M.

    One word. Boo! Tourist trap that has become victim of their own success. For real Cuban cuisine, try the small mom and pop places in Tampa. Even off season, had to wait for a table. Ordered paella which was so overly salted with mushy rice and over cooked seafood. Service was absent and unfriendly.

    (1)

  • Alaina M.

    The 1905 salad is AMAZING! Very reasonably priced for the area and always delicious. The sangria is made table side is fantastic as well.

    (5)

  • Gina S.

    Everything is amazing but no matter what you choose , add a 1905 salad. It's awesome . I could make a meal just on that and the amazing piping hot bread. But I would not dare miss the opportunity to eat one of their specialties. Enjoy!

    (5)

  • Adam C.

    Love this place, don't know how it only has 3.5 stars. Whenever we have guests in town we bring them here and everyone always loves the food. Great menu with something for everyone. Service is always good too. Great locarion on St. Armand's Circle to boot.

    (5)

  • Patricia V.

    This restaurant is awesome. Same great food and service as in Ybor City. Outdoor seating makes this a great place to people watch while eating your lunch. Large portions and great service. The Cuban is so large, two can eat one order. The caesar salad was excellent and just the right temperature. This is the second time I've had lunch here in a week.

    (4)

  • Christina F.

    Well even after the deplorable experience at the Columbia in Celebration, we decided to give it a go. It was CRAZY BUSY, at 2pm on Sunday, and we had about a 20 minute wait. We had read the menu while waiting, so ordered our food with our drinks, Anthony had a Havana Club and black bean soup, Lynne had a Cuban and spicy bean soup, and I had chicken and rice. Service was fine, not great, but definitely completely acceptable. The chicken was good, but the rice was a little too salty. Everyone elses sandwiches were great, with the Havana Club not being an authentic cuban at all. They also had free serve yourself Sangria in the gift shop. Part of the excellent review is the price, lunch for 3 with non alcoholic drinks, $32.

    (5)

  • Carlos H.

    Okay so it's kind of odd that I've never reviewed this restaurant because my family takes me here almost everytime we go up to St. Armand's Circle and visit Lido Beach. This restaurant is set up with a mostly outdoors design, it's refreshing to not be closed up like you would normally be at another location, the Ybor City one is great for the dancing, the St. Pete one is great for the view of the sea because of high up it is, and I think the main appeal of this one is that it's truly relaxing to have an upscale dinner here. I ordered a George's Burger for lunch today and it was great! I've never had Cuban bread on a burger and had it taste so good. The meat was cooked to perfection, it wasn't burnt or soggy and all the toppings went on perfectly without it being sloppy or falling apart after my first bite (one of the most frustrating things for a person who orders burgers pretty much everywhere). Now I'm kind of regretting that I didn't have my camera with me today so I could show everyone, I need to make it a point to take more pictures. The waiter was very friendly and quick to fill our orders, bring out our bread (and I was heavy in anticipation because of how hungry I was), and he kept up with the level of our drinks well. He seemed to have a large load of tables though, so he was always on the run. Unfortunately, it's been too long since I've had dinner here to provide a very good review of their dinner, but I can say that I remember it being delicious. Next time I go to St. Armand's I'll be sure to update this.

    (4)

  • Alana K.

    It was different, but good. We had the beef empanadas and fondutta appetizers, which were very good. I had a chicken ceaser salad for my meal, which was okay for what it was. My dad had a fish sandwich, which he enjoyed. And my brother had the russian fish dish, which was interesting. We had key lime pie for dessert. It was excellent.

    (3)

  • Tiffany W.

    This location is busy. I've been to all the locations and they keep the same flavors consistent. Sangria table side is so delicious. Love their 1905 salad with shrimp. I'm always a return customer at the Columbia!

    (4)

  • Ann D.

    Took my kids here for their first time and we weren't impressed. Yes, the location and ambiance were there but the "attitude" of our waiter started us off on the wrong foot. I'm sorry if we are "snowbirds" and we make their life difficult. Maybe they should just put out a sign that says they don't want us. The food was average at best. The drinks were good. It will be awhile before I haul someone in for that dining experience, again.

    (2)

  • Jackie P.

    I've been here this once but my boyfriend had a just ok experience one other time. Food and service were nothing special. Maybe we got the wrong thing but we were definitely not impressed especially for what we paid. Not returning..

    (2)

  • Chris W.

    Been coming here for years. Great lively atmosphere. Great Spanish food. Great wait staff of lomg timers. The bartenders are top notch 1 has 25 years the other 30 years says a lot about a store when employees stay long term!

    (4)

  • Ken I.

    I am quite ambivalent about this restaurant. On one hand, because of its history, hype and location (in the upscale St. Armand Circle), it's worth a visit, but on the other hand, you could have better Spanish and Cuban food elsewhere. The food is ok, but bordering on forgettable (in fact my dinner companions don't remember what they'd ordered when asked for this review). As for myself, first, I had the famous 1905 salad that everyone rejoices about ... I am not much of a salad eater ... so what do i know - they made it right on the table, which I thought was great. The dressing was very good and tasty BUT the lettuce was wilted, so I thought, this didn't bode well. But, my doubt was alleviated when I had the caldo gallego soup - excellent and very hearty - and reminds me of the soups my uncles (who are chefs in my hometown) made when I was a kid. Then for my entree, I had the Cuban sampler plate (la completa cubana) with roast pork, boliche (roast beef), empanada, platano, yuca, black beans, rice etc ... what a feast for the eyes. But what a let down for the tongue - it was quite bland, sort of "Americanized" as I heard people say about ethnic foods toned down for the American palate, whatever that is. Twenty odd years ago, this was probably good, but for contemporary tastes looking for authenticity, the corner Cuban dive in the outskirts of town is probably a better place to sample a Cuban sampler. We also had the paella (a la Valencia) to share - we didn't even finish it, it was just so-so, you could probably make a better one following a recipe downloaded from any recipe site. As for dessert, I got flan (I am such a flan addict) - it was good but nothing to write home about. On the plus side, the sangria (de cava) - was excellent - very refreshing before dinner drink. The wait staff were ok - some were very friendly, some were brusque and harsh but efficient. We actually went there for a birthday dinner (mine) - so it was a little bit underwhelming especially because of the hype - but then again, the waitstaff gathered around our table and sang happy birthday, so I couldn't complain. That was sweet. As i said, I am quite ambivalent about my dining experience here.. If it is the scene that you are into - I especially like to gawk at tourists - this is a good place to be, but for food, I have to go there another time in order to get a better judgment. The shop next door though ... with Cuban baroque art and trinkets - that's another story. I absolutely love it!

    (3)

  • Tamar K.

    Ole! This is my second time at this restaurant, the first time was a lot of years ago. It's nice to see that it's still the busiest place on the circle, the biggest place, and yet, we had a table within 5 minutes. We stuffed ourselves because...why? No, seriously. Why'd I eat THAT much food? We had the tapas sampler, calamari, seafood dip (oh yeah), and meatballs (not your Italian grandmother's), then salads, then I had a shrimp dish (wrapped in bacon and fried? yes please) and he had chorizo w/tri tip and rice. We enjoyed it all very much. And a coconut drink that was yummy and made me a little wobbly til our food came. Also, they had a "gluten free" menu, which was actually a list that told you which things didn't have gluten in them, a little hard to order that way, but I give them credit for the effort.

    (4)

  • CJ N.

    Such a great place. Get the table-made salad!

    (5)

  • Robin W.

    I soooooooo wanted to love this restaurant. Went here with some work folks while in Sarasota for a meeting. I had missed going to the Columbia while vacationing in St. Augustine, so this was my "do-over". I ordered the bean and chorizo soup which was awesome. Then I had the chopped salad, which was wilted and greasy with the only flavor besides oil being garlic. My entree was the grouper which was dry and over cooked and possibly sitting for a long time under heat lamps. My companions also complained of over cooked and dry tasteless fish. The service was prompt and very attentive. The atmosphere was perfect. The 3 stars are for service and atmosphere and also wondering if I ordered the wrong thing. I would do back for drinks with friends.

    (3)

  • Julia S.

    My boyfriend would give this 5 stars because of the steak but I was not a big fan of his steak or of my chicken parm like meal. The food is good I am just not a fan of Columbian. I will say that the steak had a great presentation since it was on fire!! The bread is delicious and the fried lobster appetizer that I ate was amazing. Service is great. Key Lime from there is my dads favorite but I will admit I was not impressed. All in all good experience but not my favorite. Little pricey

    (3)

  • Audri H.

    Best meal was had here while visiting Sarasota! Per other yelp reviews, ordered the white sangria (made with champagne) and the 1905 salad to start. Perfection! Next, ordered a dinner of tapas: empanadas- perfectly prepared with just the right amount of spices and meat, so savory and delicious! Scallops that were sautéed in butter and coated in breadcrumbs... so good and tender. Next, 4 huge shrimp wrapped in crunchy bacon, breaded and fried served with a wonderful lime aioli cream for dipping. Did I mention the crusty fresh made loaf of bread served to each guest that can be used to sop up every last bit of this magnificent meal? And lastly, even though I felt I might pop, ordered the white chocolate bread pudding...OMG!!!! There are not enough adjectives to describe the lusciousness of this dessert. And it's massive.. I shared this with 6 other adults and we still were only able to get through half of it! Go to the Columbia! Be VERY hungry... ENJOY!

    (5)

  • Suzanne B.

    A solid three stars from me. The resaurant is lovely, with plenty of ac indoor seating or patio seating. The service was great, no problems there. I ordered a 1905 salad and got my garlic fix. Very tasty. Next was a lechon asado plate. I am used to my lechon asado looking more like shredded pork rather than cutlets. It was just ok. The black beans were excellent. We also ate ate at the Columbia restaurant in the Tampa Intl Airport. The key lime pie was very tasty, probably the best we had in Florida.

    (3)

  • J PAUL B.

    Excellent meal and facility. We went for our Wedding Anniversary and were not disapointed I need to go back and try 12 or more wonderful entrees!

    (5)

  • Carey Y.

    Sometimes I think atmosphere is equally important to food for a dining experience. In the case of a gorgeous day and wanting to eat outside, this was one of those times. Gabriel and I were walking around the lovely St. Armand's Circle in Sarasota when we found ourselves ravenously hungry for lunch. Having been to Columbia Restaurant before with my mother a few years ago, I remembered having a good lunch salad here and suggested we try to get a table outside for lunch. We went to the hostess who told us it would be 5-15 minutes for a table and that they'd call our names when they were ready. 5 minutes later, a waiter came and started leading us to an indoor table. When I stopped him and told him we'd requested outside, he took us back to the hostess and informed her of the mistake. She told us that it would be another 5 minutes or so for an outdoor table. 10 minutes later, an outside table opened up and we noticed it being cleared, presumably for us. Two women walked in, went up to the hostess and were immediately seated at that table. Confused, we went up to the hostess to ask why people who'd just waltzed in got seated before us since we'd been waiting. She was a bit nasty, explaining that she just takes the names and doesn't choose who sits where. We made our aggravation clear and a few short moments later a waiter asked us if we wouldn't mind one of the umbrella tables. Being that those are also outside, we answered that sure, that was just fine. Hmmmm. So far, not impressed with the service here. A few minutes later the waiter came over with water and menus and some warm bread and butter. He was sort of gruff in his explanation of the specials and I noted his name tag, Sandor. I ordered the gazpacho to start and the Mahi Mahi with rice and plantains for my entree. When he came over with my cup of soup and the platter of chopped veggies to top it with, I opted to have a little of each added. I asked for just a few croutons and he, again rather snottily, said 'Well, I can only fit a few anyway'. Hmmm again. Gabriel and I exchanged a look wondering what we'd done to be treated so rudely. I know it doesn't sound so bad, but it was his tone and attitude and the way he ordered me to 'please enjoy the food.'. I wish I could capture the sarcastic tone better in my writing. My soup was actually pretty good. I enjoyed the very garlicy flavor and the fresh vegetables. The crunchy croutons on top were a nice textural addition and I finished my cup in just a couple of minutes. My entree arrived shortly after. The plate was half filled with rice- way too much as far as I'm concerned, but the fish in a citrusy sauce was tasty- even though it was smothered in far too many onions. My fried plantains were both greasy and mushy, and I happily gave most of them away to Gabriel. Sandor didn't check on us once during our entree, even though we noticed him checking on the table next to us (seated with 3 attractive women) more than a few times. When we were clearly done, he asked if we were ready for the check. Ok. I guess dessert was not an option. (even though the menu made it clear that it was). We did not hesitate in tipping 15%. We tip 20% pretty much everywhere we eat, so that was pretty indicative of how we felt. I will not be returning. There are plenty of other options in the area for outdoor eating minus the nasty service.

    (2)

  • Helmut B.

    Consistant Sarasota performer. Can be crowded and the service can seem hectic and rushed at times. The food is almost always very good. The 1905 salad is an iconic favorite and is something I always get. The seafood is very fresh and the menu has many options. I usually gravitate toward the grouper or shrimp and sometimes something from the raw bar. There is a beef filet dish with brown gravy that is very good as well. The sangria is also a great choice and really compliments the food. I am not generally a sangria fan- but this stuff goes down really easy. Great location and a diverse, if older crowd. Lots of prime people watching is just a bonus. It's not always just a dinner out...sometimes it's an event. OMG I got a bit carried away...I love the Columbia.

    (4)

  • Rob B.

    Been here many times and it's still great. Service is expedient but to the cost friendliness. Of course the 1905 salad is perfect. More thoughtful service would improve the experience.

    (4)

  • Fuzzy B.

    The salad was the best aspect of our lunch there. The black bean soup was good, too. The place is huge and sitting outside is fun for people watching. BF had the original cuban sandwich and it wasn't as the good as the one at Paseo in Seattle. GF had the mahi-mahi sandwich and it was OK, but nothing to write home about.

    (3)

  • Grant M.

    I was really impressed with Columbia. The decor was classy and elegant, and it is in a great shopping district of Sarasota. The sangria was fantastic. We got two bottles of the imported (which is sweeter than the domestic). My girlfriends father kept refilling my glass every time half of it was gone, but luckily the sangria was fairly weak in alcohol content. All of the appetizers and entre's were very good. I got the Pollo Salteada which was really good, but even better the next day. The artichoke, crab and shrimp dip was good but salty. I would definitely recommend the house salad! It was one of the highlights of the meal. I would definitely recommend Columbia for any special occasion, or just slightly pricey night out.

    (4)

  • Raquel Z.

    Absolutely amazing food! I would definitely recommend the mojito! I live in California and I would fly all the way to Florida to have one! A must go to restaurant!

    (5)

  • Rose A.

    Some of the BEST Spanish food I ever had. I was in FL last week. Been to the Columbia in Tampa a few times, also very nice, but very happy to have gone to the one in Sarasota. Food great as always. The 1905 salad is a MUST!!!! Sangria and Mojito and cafe con leche are EXCELLENT! I am sorry I didn't have room for dessert. Everything on the menu is fresh and just so tasty. I never know where to start. Jesus was our waiter and just so professional, attentive and easy on the eyes. Gave us great advice about Siesta Beach. Highly recommend to visit any one of their FL locations!

    (5)

  • Rose F.

    I just love this place from the food to the atmosphere!!!!!!!! The sangria and the mojitos are amazing!!!!!

    (5)

  • MandA R.

    Just returned from any early bird dinner (with no discounts) at what I think is the second oldest location of their 7 units This one is located in the upscale tourist area of St. Armands circle. Having been a "Cuban" food fan from my many years living in Miami, I feel I am uniquely qualifed to judge the current state of this Tampa instituion. Can you say "overated". Though slightly authentic, this restaurnat could barely stay in business on "Calle Ocho" (8th Street in Miami). Charging tourist prices, but not delivering the real deal hurts no one, as there are not many repeat customers on which to build a business. Tonight we started with the Gazpacho soup which is a Campbells tomato soup base with cut up Green pepper, cucumbers, Hot onions, fresh tomatoes and croutons thrown in. Besides being cool, not cold, it was weak and better replicated at home. On to the classic "1905" Salad. We had the version with turkey added and it tasted good, but somewhat drowned in dressing. Onto the Seafood paella. Maybe I set the bar too high, as I have been to Barcelona, Spain.but serving overcooked scallops, the tiniest clams possible and having a heavy handed salt addict in the kitchen is no way to impress a Paella junkie. Too bad, becasue at $27 it was an ample serving. Unfortunatly we skipped dessert as the basics were present - flan, tres leches, key lime pie, etc. So if you can't get to Cuba, Miami or Barcelona and want to try the Olive Garden of Cuban food stop by this 1905 former legend.

    (3)

  • Debbie P.

    Very disappointing experience tonight. Wait was much longer than explained. Restaurant wasn't full but they couldn't find a table for 6. After being seated and waiting another 10 min, had to stop a server and ask if we had someone assigned to our table. He finally showed but was very inattentive- didn't even refill drinks without us tracking him down. It was my birthday celebration and he forgot to place the special order. Food was wonderful as always but the service makes me wonder if I should go back.

    (2)

  • William B.

    They were great at one time, but, the food gets worse and worse every time I go here. I think I'm through.

    (3)

  • Dean N.

    One of the better examples of this family run restaurant chain. The 1905 salad is amazing though sometimes its like they leave ingredients out to see if you are paying attention. Currently their black beans are bland, but I am hoping that changes as the chef matures.

    (4)

  • Evan D.

    When I'm in Sarasota, I always have to make a stop at Columbia on St. Armand's Circle. If their stone crab is in season, it's definitely worth an order; otherwise, I opt for a mojito, 1905 Salad, and palomillo. The service is always friendly, the location can't be beat, and the delicious food have kept my family coming back for years. Just be prepared to eat--between the salad, the hot, flaky bread, and your entree (which is sure to come with at least two sides), Columbia is best experienced on an empty stomach.

    (4)

  • Bethany B.

    Skip it. It looked at tasted like cafeteria food! I've been to several of these: Tampa, St Augustine, St Pete...always had a great experience. This was the exception. The place is HUGE and it's no wonder the food is below par. Serving great food to the masses if just too difficult. Skip this one, but put it on your list for St Augustine!

    (2)

  • Greg A.

    Come here every year for Spring Break. The food here is unique and very good. Great atmosphere on St Armonds Circle. Can be very loud and very busy. Would highly recommend having a reservation. The service is always good. I love the Columbia Salad and the Shrimp stuffed with Crab. Always have a pitcher of Mojitos to share with friends! Great place to bring kids as well. Enjoy!!

    (5)

  • Yvonne Y.

    We shared the $24 tapas combination (baked scallops, crab croquettes and shrimp in garlic oil). The scallops were excellent. Love that butter. Dessert is why I gave it a 4 star. That bread pudding with chocolate sauce is simply divine and enough for 3 people to share. The waterboys tend to spill the drinks and drop the wine glasses a lot. Twice during my lunch. Our waiter, Enrique, was very friendly and honest about the food tastes and portion.

    (4)

  • Moraima D.

    This was pretty good, of course Spanish food is always a favorite, I'm a little biased there. They serve you Cuban bread, so good! I had the red sangria and was really good. Although I was told afterward that the white sangria is better yet, I will have to go again and try that. The chicken croquettes delicious! And the picadillo empanadas were really good, but I have to warn you is the real picadillo which is a little sweet. I had the shrimp criollo and it was delicious! My husband had the arroz con pollo and was also delicious. The only thing I was disappointed with was the spanish Crema, Spanish version of creme brûlée, the cream part wasn't creamy enough it was too soft, felt and tasted like powdered pudding from a box :-/ Maybe should've had the flan. But overall, will go back in a heart beat.

    (4)

  • Kathleen M.

    This a really big, busy restaurant. Four stars for the gluten free menu - there are loads of options!

    (4)

  • Febre Z.

    Great Cuban dishes. Walked right in for a table of 5 even though the place was pretty packed. Good host who made recommendations. The Ropa Vieja was a wonderful shredded beef dish with platinos served on the side. Plan to spend $20+ for dinner, but the unique tastes are quite worth it.

    (4)

  • John H.

    Had not been to this location but do enjoy the Columbia. We went wile vacationing on Lido Key for our 34th wedding anniversary. This time I had the Paella Marinara, very good but mostly rice with a small amount of seafood. My wife had the Steak Palomilla, which was excellent.

    (4)

  • Brock H.

    1/2 and 1/2 Cuban sandwich and 1905 salad. Can't go wrong.

    (5)

  • Sherry M.

    My husband and I went for an early dinner on a sunday night, Columbus Day weekend. We had no trouble getting a table outside and there were plenty of tables inside. We had the 1905 salad with shrimp and it was very good. The shrimp was slightly over cooked but not to the point that the were terrible. The salad is prepared table-side and there isn't much to it; lettuce, tomato, parm cheese, little green olives and dressing but it was really good (we weren't looking for a big salad). We had an order of the lobster flat bread and I am still thinking about it 4 days later. Lobster piled on crisp flat bread with charizo and a romesco sauce. We also had the crab cakes which we didn't need, as we were full. They (2)were a bit on the small side bit they were good and packed with crab. The Tango mango daiquiri was fantastic and refreshing.

    (4)

  • Emily G.

    I've never been fond of spanish food but I have fond memories with my family here. Colmbia was always my father's favorite resturant and we always went there for his birhday until he passed away. The service is always good and they make amazing mohito's. I highly reccomend them.

    (4)

  • Lon A.

    We stumbled across this historic landmark while walking around St. Armand's Circle. My wife and I decided to check it out for lunch. It was packed, but we were sat quickly along the railing. Service was impeccable. You can tell the servers deal with a high volume of people and food. The Cuban sandwich was one of the best Cubans I have ever had. My wife had the 1905 salad which was prepared at the table. It was delicious. We enjoyed it so much we went back 2 other days for lunch before heading to Lido beach for the afternoon. We discovered the Mojitos the first day and decided to get a pitcher the two other days. The mojitos were also prepared at the table and were some of the best mojitos we have had. We took our left overs to the beach for an afternoon snack. Great place and can see why this is a Sarasota institution.

    (5)

  • Keri K.

    this place gets an emotionless "wow" where do i begin? i'll say upfront that the signature salad is good. it's tossed table side and is plenty for a meal. thin slices of ham and cheese with green olives tomatoes and iceberg lettuce. typically i'm not a fan of iceberg but it goes with this salad and the delicious dressing. the bread is good too. the service is poor and gets 1 star. the rude waiter made a remark about just ordering a salad for an entree and not ordering additional courses. our bill was still $30 and thinking back i wish i wouldn't have tipped that waiter 20% on the total check. here's the topper- a 4 top close by had an entree dropped on a lap. the waitress accidentally dropped an entire and still handed the table a check. WHAT?! luckily the guy who got it in his lap was nice and didn't make a big fuss. it was just a little shocking to me that he still received a bill...i can't say for sure what he was charged and i will say the waitress was apologetic...still...why give the table a bill? his shirt and pants were completely ruined. bottom line the people watching here is entertaining, the salad and bread are good but the service is despicable.

    (2)

  • Alex F.

    Great location. Definitely worth a try.

    (4)

  • Adam W.

    I really enjoy the sangria and the mojitos ~ as far as food goes, I would suggest the sampler platter or the paella. Also, get the specialty salad with the table-side dressing. I ended up buying the cookbook in the small connected store.

    (4)

  • Mike F.

    I have memories of eating at the Columbia Restaurant in St. Armand's key as a child on family vacations 30 years ago. Recently, i brought my own family there. It is even better than i remembered. Sangria--awesome. 1905 Salad--awesome. Grouper--excellent. More casual than i remembered and very kid-friendly. Great food. Great service. A classic!

    (4)

  • Ram H.

    Went back for the second time since the food and service was good the first time. Asked the host at 6:50 PM how long of a wait for an inside table, he looks around for 2 seconds and says it will be 9:00 before we get a table. Strange since hardly anyone is waiting, but we accept and go next door to eat. We swing by around 8 and go in to ask how long of a wait just to be told a table is available now! I say this is what happens when a restaurant is too successful and doesn't particularly care about their customers.

    (2)

  • Elise J.

    Amazing! They make the mojitos and sangria along with the 1905 salad at your table. We got the mariscos diablo which I highly recommend. It is linguine with jumbo shrimp scallops crab and prawns in a light red sauce. For vegetarians, the vegetarian cubano is a variety of vegetables perfect for someone looking for something different. I highly suggest this restaurant for anyone looking for a great atmosphere and food expierience in the area.

    (5)

  • Jennifer G.

    I love the 1905 Salad at the Columbia, the sangra is good, the chicken and yellow rice is good. The croquettes were disappointing and the cuban sandwich is kinda whatever. I would still make a stop here if for nothing else but 1905 salad and sangria (or a mojito, but thats up to you!)

    (4)

  • Kyle T.

    One of my favorite places to eat. Had dinner here and it was nice. Lots of food, awesome waiter. I chose to go with the combination platter that had a variety of spanish foods....Mmmmmm. It was really good. We all ate well and a lot. It was super packed, but we still received great service. Maybe we caught them on a good night, but the place was really nice. We ate outside on the sidewalk.

    (4)

  • Nikki K.

    Kind of dissapointing, for Columbia. We had a couple salads, yuca, and lobster croquettes. The croquettes were the only good part. I think you have to order protein here in order for it to be good. The setting is great. Our server was good except it took a little while before we had one. Overall, I would save my time and money and go to the original in Ybor.

    (3)

  • Bri C.

    I've been to this restaurant twice, and the one in Ybor City once. I'm a fan of Columbia! The 1905 salad is very yummy. They toss it right at your table. It's not a huge plate of salad, but definitely a good appetizer and way to start your meal. Good mixture of lettuce, great dressing, cheese, ham, olives. Our favorite at lunch today was the Palomilla. A very tender steak filled with lots of great flavor. The yellow rice is really nice also . I got the Sarapico Chicken and thought it could use some additional flavor. Maybe some hot sauce, or more salt. The chicken just needed a little extra kick. We also tried a special pasta of crab and enchilada sauce. It was also very good. I would recommend getting a mojito as well. Yummy for my tummy! The restaurant is also in a great location at St. Armands Circle. Fun to watch people go by, and to each in such an open atmosphere.

    (4)

  • Darcy S.

    I love 3 things here, the bread,the Caldo Gallego soup, and the 1905 salad. I get it every time! I haven't tried anything else, but a friend had the chicken and rice and it was very good! I love the atmosphere, and the service has always been good when I've been there.

    (4)

  • Stacey L.

    Second time dining here. Just as good as last years visit while on vacation. We tried the Cuban caviar, which is their spicy black bean dip. It was very good. We had the stuffed shrimp and their special shrimp supreme. Both were very tasty. Service was good as well .

    (4)

  • Rob M.

    Pollo Rosarita was great chicken and yellow rice. Empanadas are great here, too. The outdoor seating is an amazing view into the wacky subculture of Floridas tramp stamps and tykes in Crocs visiting grandma...

    (5)

  • Tony H.

    The place is huge - and the place was packed with a 20 minute wait for a table for 2. We thought that was a good sign ... well in fact I think it was a bit of a tourist trap. The whole thing about being around for 100 years is hyped up - I am not sure how they did that to be honest. In any case - it was overpriced. The grouper with artichoke, sundried tomato and rice was luke warm, and very forgettable... diner style. The poor waitress dropped our order on the floor - fortunately the contents did not splatter us or any other patrons. The service was horribly slow. We won't return there.

    (1)

  • Memo D.

    Lots of fun. Great service. Try the 1905 salad if you are not on a diet. The pork was a little overcooked and dry. Rice and beans were very good. If I could add another half to the rating, I would.

    (3)

  • Jennifer L.

    My fiance and I went here for my birthday while on vacation based on the recommendation of a coworker and I am SO glad we did. It was spectacular. The ambiance is fabulous - you feel like you must be in an open air cafe in Havana. The service was friendly and accomodating - we were 45 min late for our reservation and they still sat us with smiles on their faces! Our waiter, Jesus, was equally sweet and attentive. The food was excellent. Starting with the simple but EXCELLENT fresh bread at the table to the appetizers - shrimp, scallops, and queso fundido trio. I can't tell you how scumptuous that seafood was. For our entrees, I had the filet mignon Chacho with the tableside bourbon flambe (SO cool and different) and my fiance had the crab-stuffed shrimp. Both were beyond delicious. The steak was very tender, cooked perfectly. The shrimp meal was generous in portion and savory in flavor. To top it all off, they brought me out the chocolate mousse cake with a candle and sang me happy birthday in Spanish. It was embarassing and adorable. If you are in the Sarasota area, Columbia is a must-go restaurant. I can't wait for my next vacation to go back!

    (5)

  • Brian S.

    The food is like Baltimore - hard to hate, hard to love. Their signature "1905" salad is their claim to fame. It's good if you're a fan of salad. I like salad. I'd get the salad again. Hard to go wrong with salad. The food itself is ho-hum. Queso Fundido was disappointing. Shrimp & Crab Alcacho was okay. The Beef Salteado was described as "great" by the waitress, and it was "good" but not particularly notable. Ditto the Filet Mignon "Chacho" style. Margaritas got props. I coveted my neighbor's Mojito. And the gigantic woman behind us seemed to love the churros, because she had a dish all to herself - no doubt before blaming her weight on a faulty pituitary gland. The service was good considering the place was packed solid. She was friendly and definitely a 20-percenter. It's a kid-friendly place, and that was pretty obvious. This is the kind of place I'd go back to every now and then, but I'd keep on the lookout for other options.

    (2)

  • Athena H.

    We were here for lunch while on a short getaway. We started off with mojitos, queso fundido, and crab cakes. All were very good. The crabcakes were not overly bready and the queso was of the Spanish/Cuban variety with tomatoe sauce as the base and melted cheese on top served with crisp toasts. We shared the roasted pork and it was delightful. I was pretty full from the appetizers so didn't eat much of it. The best part of the place is the atmosphere. It's a sidewalk cafe with indoor/outdoor seating. It reminded me a bit of being along the boardwalk in San Tropez. There's a European feel to it and the people there are very diverse. Next time, I want to try the burger on Cuban bread. Yummy!

    (4)

  • Eldita B.

    MAJOR disappointment. This place is more about the nostalgia... Please do not expect "authentic" Cuban flavors or "sazon" here. The Sangria was decent; service was a bit slow (however, friendly). The food is fresh(and overpriced), lobster cannelloni is good, but if you ask for classic Cuban dishes (Palomilla, Boliche,Ropa vieja ) don't expect a mouth full of joy, ESPECIALLY if you are familiar with Cuban cusine. Unfortunately, it's a bit of a tourist trap.

    (2)

  • Molly S.

    Great food & outstanding service. We had a party of seven (3 kids) and everyone had great meals. The sangria was wonderful and everyone enjoyed their meals. Our server Hans was the best waiter we have had anywhere in a long time.

    (5)

  • Nicki M.

    Pretty good food, really bitchy waitress. The 1905 salad is a must also very good sangria.

    (3)

  • TP F.

    Lackluster and overrated in every way. From the chewy overcooked calamari to the over-dressed 1905 salad to the listless waitress who incredulously asked "Really?" when I suggested I wanted to take home what was left of my over-dressed salad. We asked to start with the calamari but she, knowing better, brought the soup first instead. The shrimp on the 1905 salad was strangely flavorless. The best of the lot was my companion's black bean soup but it wasn't something so wonderful (or delicious that I couldn't make it as easily myself in my own kitchen for pennies) that I can recommend this restaurant.

    (2)

  • C B.

    We went for lunch on the recommendation of a friend. We found the service good, the food was as good as it gets. We will go out of our way to go again if in the area. The plantain encrusted mahi with citrus butter sauce is one of the best new dishes I have tried in a long time. So many good choices on the menu, one trip is not enough.

    (5)

  • Cristina P.

    Very classy, nice place. Still not bad for kids. Great food, nice decor. Cute gift shop next door. Staff very good. the signature salad is wonderful!

    (5)

  • J M.

    Love the Columbia in any city! Consistent good food and service. The original in Tampa is our fav, bc of the beautiful older buildings where it is located, in Ybor City. All the Sangrias are amazing (red, white and the one made w champagne) Mojotos are the best I've had anywhere. 1905 salad a classic, also Ropa Veja and black bean soup wonderful. Queso Fundito great for an appetizer.

    (5)

  • Kaylin O.

    I went today with my boyfriend to enjoy a nice day out in St. Armand's Circle and Lido Beach. We didn't really have anything planned. During the summer, it's not too busy. It can get very hot so please wear light clothing and plenty of sun screen. We parked our cars on the street since it was pretty early (11am) and there weren't many people there. We walked around St. Armand's Circle checking out the diverse array of shops, restaurants, and ice cream parlours. After making our rounds, we decided to head out to Lido Beach. It was a gorgeous day. The white sand amidst the beautiful turquoise waters. It was a little windy today giving way to choppy waves. After walking in the water, we headed back to St. Armand's Circle for lunch. My boyfriend had mentioned a cuban restaurant someone had recommended to him. He didn't know the time. I thought this might be the place considering the origin of its owner and that this restaurant has been in business since 1905!! According to their history, their original owner came from Cuba to America and opend his first restaurant/cafe in Tampa in 1905. Since then, his family have opened a total of 7 restaurants all across Florida. You have the option of sitting in-doors or outdoors. Considering how hot it was and sweaty we were in the sun, we opted for the cool in-door seating. For drinks, we had sangria, coke, and water. They gave us nice hot bread to start us off with. We ordered 2 dishes and their signature salad. Their salad was pretty good. It was made of lettuce, tomatoes, pickled olives, ham, cheese with their signature dressing lime/lemon and worcestershire sauce. We were already full after salad and bread. For our entree, we ordered lobster/scallop/shrimp cannelloni in a rich cheese/sherry sauce. That was pretty good too. We also ordered a steak dish with onion, cilantro, lime, plaintains, rice, and fries. It was a nice lunch. Our entrees were $13-14 for each entree during lunch and $4 for salad. The coke was $2.50 with unlimited refills. The sangria was $5. Not bad.

    (4)

  • Terry H.

    This restaurant is in THE BEST LOCATION on Saint Armands Cir, the best area of Sarasota. It is also the most crowded with white tablecloths, attentive waiters, beautiful open air seating and great food. Huge portions, excellently cooked. The salads are massive to me, esp the 905. The steaks are tasty even though I don't really like meat without sauce on it. That's strange but I like what I like (Cooks hate me, I know by their looks). They also serve HOT, crunchy, tasty bread as part of the meal. I love when restaurants do this, too bad so few do. Yea Columbia. columbiarestaurant.com/s… But the people watching is the best reason to come here on top of the food. Everyone walks on by here, peering in to see the activity of this very busy establishment. I read some other yelpers complain about the food and service but I have never found it to be negative in that way. The menu is varied and extensive so how can you expect someone to pick a meal for you. They don't know what you like and don't want the responsibility of choosing wrong and ruining YOUR meal. St Armands Circle is world-famous, next to the 3 best beaches in Florida: Lido, Siesta Key and Longboat Key so expect parking to be slim and the crowds to be thick. But no matter the hassles, just being here is one of the greatest experiences a person can have. You feel like you are in Cuba or Puerto Rico or Jamaica with the food and weather. The sweet spot of the world.

    (4)

  • J. S.

    A group of 4 of us went there yesterday for dinner, and we all absolutely loved our meals. We each got a meal from a different ''category''...chicken, seafood, pork, etc., and each was very good! We all enjoyed the appetizers, sangria, and desserts, too. Our bill was under $200. Considering that included alcohol, appetizers, meals, and dessert, that's not bad at all. I don't mind paying for a great meal in a nice environment, and this place had both. If you like bread pudding, please try the white chocolate bread pudding. I was a bit skeptical since I'm not a huge white chocolate lover, but this dessert did not disappoint...huge portion and delicious!!! (Just a personal note...What's with the staff having to wear long-sleeve shirts?!?!...It's Florida in the dead of summer! For cryin' out loud...let the staff wear short sleeves! I was sweating just looking at them! OK...thanks for letting me get that off my chest.). Enjoy! You won't be disappointed.

    (5)

  • Patricia A.

    This restaurant came highly recommended. Perhaps our expectations were too high The Sangria was quite tasty. The salad was beautifully prepared, but the main courses were mediocre. The paella my husband had was especially disappointing. The rice was mushy and tasteless. All the dishes were quite expensive.

    (2)

  • Leah W.

    I really wanted to love this place but the food was good not great (didn't think it was worth the price) the vegis looked like they were frozen and the whole time I felt like the waitress was trying to up sell me and i got a 26 dollar plate and desert so it's not like I was being cheap. I personally wont go back... Wish I could have really enjoyed it

    (2)

  • Jennifer K.

    Best place food in St. Armands Circle. Get the sangria and order anything on the menu and you wont be disappointed with the food. The only disappointment was I threw my husband a birthday party and the staff was very impatient with us. I understand that we took a long time to order. However, they were eager to boot us out as soon as possible to get the next group of guests in to our seats. I was upset and I felt rushed to get through dinner. Plus the waiter decided that we were not worth his time. Instead, they should have embraced the fact that they had a decent amount of people willing to shell out cash for liquor and food. We could have stayed longer than we did and spent more money on drinks after our meal.

    (3)

  • TAZS T.

    Their 1905 Salad is the one item that I can rave about. The rest of the food in average., This is more of a tourist trap and most local avoid it during the winter season.

    (3)

  • Darren S.

    Be ready to decipher their wordy menu. We started with a very small pitcher of extremely sweet red sangria which was not enjoyed by anyone at the table. The black bean cakes were good. The black bean soup was just black beans over white rice in a soup bowl, but tasty. The gazpacho was a raw garlic puree and they offer you some diced vegetables to add to it table side. It was my least favorite gazpacho ever. Their famous 1905 salad was also loaded with a tremendous amount of raw garlic but it was tasty. The overall consensus at the table about their meals were: "It was OK."

    (2)

  • Nick M.

    We stopped in for a quick bite while doing some shopping on St. Armands, and the place was quite busy, being 12:30ish, Instead of waiting we sat at the bar which was empty. We had great service from the bartender,. We ordered tapas which consisted of the calamari...which were cooked perfectly with a very nice seasoned flour, the chorizo was good...but I have had better....in Grand Rapids of all places., and we also ordered artichoke , crab, shrimp which was quite flavorful. Great atmosphere, fun place.

    (3)

  • C K.

    You can get your entire meal made table-side. They offer tableside drinks, salad, entrees, and dessert! Make those waiters work. Pretty good food - can be a long wait when it's busy, though.

    (4)

  • Larry H.

    Chicken (Pollo "Riojana") was very good. Palomilla steak was very good. They have a nice wine list. Nice Spanish bread. Good salads. But extra and not offered to us... So minus 1 star. It was busy and we had to wait longer than expected. The service was good and speedy.

    (4)

  • Elena V.

    I think the food is really good, but I've had a generally poor experience with the customer service here. I got unclear information trying to secure a table for my group, and I left feeling as though I didn't matter. I agree with the Yelper who said that it feels like the restaurant has been around so long, and it's so successful, that staff can take or leave you. I like the food, but there are plenty of other restaurants on St. Armands and in Sarasota that I'll be heading elsewhere from here out.

    (2)

  • Sam D.

    This was recommended to us but this was nice but ordinary. The better half has the Lula Mae salad, very nice and very big. I had the Shrimp and crabmeat. The portion was medium and the seasoning was plain. The " good rice" was tasty. The service was fairly good. We sat at about 8 which is the tail of the busy time in the summer. By 9 there were plenty of seats. Two glasses of wine and the meal described above (no desert, sans tip) $59.95

    (3)

  • Bill T.

    We love this place, the tapas and table side sangria are off the hook. I finally tried their paella and it was okay, but it was pretty much just their yellow rice, which is pretty good, with some seafood and chicken. It was not a nice crispy paella with the rich integrated flavors I was hoping for. The tapas we had for started were awesome though, the mussels with chorizo is amazing and the queso was delicious. Plus, their Cuban bread is to die for. Service was fantastic as well. I would highly recommend this place any time. The location is great too, well worth spending some time to walk around and check out the shops and scenery.

    (4)

  • Adam C.

    What a cool restaurant. They certainly have been around for a long time and for good reason. I've been to both the Ybor City location and St. Armand's. The Ybor City location feels bigger and older, probably is. The Sarasota location has a lot of windows that were closed when I was there, but I imagine they open them up on nice days. Both are very nice restaurants, I consider them borderline fancy. I've been for lunch both times. There's a mix of casual diners in shorts and t-shirts as well as business people who are dressed nicer. I didn't feel out of place in jeans and a t-shirt but I probably would want to put on something nicer for dinner. The food is really good! They put out fresh bread and butter on the table, it's warm and you're going to have trouble not eating it all. The first time I went I had the half an half combo. Half the 1905 salad and a half Cuban Sandwich. Who knew iceberg lettuce could be so delicious? The salad is prepared at the table which is cool to watch. I think it's their garlic dressing that makes it so amazing, and it is that good. The Cuban was very good, I've had better but not complaining. The second time I visited I had a Mahi Cubana. It was perfectly cooked on Cuban bread with onions, mushrooms and peppers. It also had cheese on it which I don't think works with most fish, but it was very good with a firm fish like mahi. I need to get back for dinner some time to try one of their fish entrees. Since I'll likely be in the area at lunch time again I think I might try their Black Bean Soup and half 1905 salad, gotta have some of that salad. The feeling of a fancy restaurant comes as much from the service as the beautiful spaces. The servers are professionals and they do their jobs very well. I look forward to going back soon. It deserves a Yelp bookmark for when you are in the area.

    (4)

  • Paul D.

    Cuban Sandwich, Cuban sandwich...etc Formerly of Ybor City, making and serving food for the torcedors of the day; now serving quality food for the locals and snowbirds. Cuban Sandwich.

    (5)

  • K C.

    Delicious Spanish food! The homemade sangria was made in front of us at the table. It was so smooth and refreshing on a warm September afternoon. The 1905 salad was different than most salads I see, very good. The seafood paella was full of tasty mussels, scallops, shrimp and other great seafood. I think I even saw octopus. I look forward to my next trip to St Armands circle just so I can return to Columbia!

    (5)

  • Andrew D.

    It's no surprise Columbia has been in this friendly beach vacation community since the 1940's! What a unique, laid back lunch experience. And this is coming from a Chicago guy, where we have every sort of ethnic food! If I had to, I'd classify this place as General Hispanic? The huge menu covers selections from Spain, Cuba, South America, and Mexico. My lunch consisted of the half sandwich/half salad. The Cuban sandwich was on point, but the salad was the star of the show. It had so many different ingredients I cannot even remember, but by all means order this salad! I don't even like salad normally! They make it right at your table and it is easily the best I've had in my life, anywhere in the world. Great place for lunch in St. Armand's; especially if it's sunny outside! Only beef I have is the place is usually too cluttered and chaos ensues if they are past capacity. But the servers try their best and food is incredible. P.S. Great sangria, too.

    (4)

  • Mel M.

    Visited the restaurant five o'clock on a Sunday and it was moderately busy which was expected. Our waitress Jessica was really nice but the atmosphere was not what's expected from a place your paying $30 per entree. I feel the authenticity of the place has been compromised seeing the selection on the menu, as if it's been catered to a certain crowd versus staying true to Columbian cuisine. Fancy words on the menu describing entree's isn't fooling a real Latina woman. Unfortunately I was not able to try any food due to the amount of horse flies flying on me and my husband, other guest and our table. It was hard to even read the menu due to all the flies. We should've known due to the restaurant smelling like a bar as soon as we walked in. No worth the environment and cost. There's a much nicer place....Shore Diner for the same cost with an amazing clean atmosphere.... just around the corner

    (1)

  • Julie M.

    We have been to several locations of the Columbia. This is the one we visit most often. The experience is about the same at all locations. Typically service is mediocre (at best). The ambience and tradition raise the rating for me. The black beans & rice (w/ a side of sour cream) and the 1905 Salad are a must. The sangria and mojitos are delicious. I just wish the servers and hostesses would take more pride in working for such a historic franchise.

    (4)

  • Mary T.

    I like this place for the food, not the service. If the service were any worse I wouldn't be a repeat customer like I am. Located on St. Armand's Circle, this is a packed house on your normal weekend night. My recommendation, make a reservation or plan on waiting. First off, if you are on the larger side, beware because the tables aren't very big and you could feel a bit crunched. I never understand when I see a hostess seat the largest people in the restaurant at the smallest table. I'm sure there is some reason behind that. I saw a couple of those instances occur while dining. Second, please don't come here with the expectation that there is killer service because it is anything but. If for some reason you do have killer service, then you definitely beat the average. Lastly onto the food. The things I really enjoy here are the classics: -Sangria (I've had some servers make it at the table, and others that don't. Either way it's good but it adds more when they make it at the table, and should I say adds more to their tip when they make it at the table) -Black Bean Soup (they forget onions all the time so you may have to ask for some, I also suggest asking for their hot sauce) -The Classic 1905 salad (it's very large so plan on sharing or order the small, unless you want it as your entree) -Cuban Sandwich The atmosphere is really cool, the food is good, and the service is ya know, not great, but with the right company it can be a darn good experience. I'm a fan and if you wander in her I'm sure the food won't disappoint you at least the things I mentioned won't. Food = 4 Service = 1.5 Atmosphere = 4 *which brings the average to a 3. Cheers & Enjoy!!

    (3)

  • Vinny A.

    We came to this place with the whole family and the friends who recommended this stop. Something about this restaurant feels like stepping back in time a bit...to a simpler era...almost Hemingway-like, in a great way...located in a great spot on St. Armand's Circle. The place was packed for lunch, but we were promptly attended to and seated quickly at a comfortable table that afforded a view of the entire restaurant and outdoor surroundings. Service was great for how crowded it was and lunch was pretty, darn good, too. Our party dined on some of the various tapas offerings as well as some Cuban sandwiches and salads. The food was enjoyed by all as most of the plates were empty (or close to it) at the end of the meal. If you're in the area and looking for some good bites to be shared with friends - look no further. Just make sure you wash it all down with a fresh mojito! ;)

    (4)

  • Leonardo L.

    From the minute I stepped in I thought I was traveling to a fellow Hispanic country(In a good way lol) It had been a long time since I last saw a bustling restaurant playing salsa music for both the young and hip and the seasoned client. A friend and I wen to get desserts only, so I chose the most flamboyant of the desserts on the menu : Brazo Gitano.--and by flamboyant I mean, the dessert was literally lit on FIRE on my table!! (The only minus I would point out is that the desserts can be too sweet, so make sure you get a good drink) After all the sprezzatura that I had to endure, my friend and I ordered 4 mojito's to end on a high note. I haven't found a mojito quite like the one I tried here, which was prepared in the traditional way (cane sugar, fresh mint, and a loooot of rum) Overall, I think this is a fun place to take a friend/date to in Sarasota. It's classic, energetic, and varied enough to celebrate a good night out.

    (4)

  • Jo R.

    no thanks. the service is the worst. the food was very blah. The waitor was pushy on drinks & I'm not a drinker. Seemed angry that I only drink water, sorry.

    (1)

  • Lalitha K.

    Fabulous food! Black Bean cakes for appetizer: so delicious!! Four nicely sized, flavorful, slightly fried black bean cakes with guacamole and sour cream, the cakes just melt in your mouth. For dinner: try the Eggplant Riojana, yummy!!! Definitely a portion size worth sharing for two. The Vegetarian Cubana, very, very good. My spouse ordered that entree. The Tostones could have been a bit more flavorful, we like our food a bit spicier than most, the overall dish so tasty. Their black beans are made to perfection. Our favorite: each patron gets a small loaf of homemade bread with soft butter, one bite is not enough! You have to eat the whole thing. We also tried their Black Bean soup, again so tasty! We tried this restaurant on a whim, not disappointed. Even though they were busy, they still seated us pretty quickly, the service was excellent! We ordered their house chardonnay, made especially for the restaurant, named after the founder, we found it to be more like a PInot Grigio. Light, not bold and buttery like a true chardonnay. It didn't stop us from drinking it. A perfect wine for a hot Summer evening in a seaside town.

    (4)

  • Claudia M.

    This place is appealing because it is huge. Lots of tables and the sangria is enticing but the food is Meh and over priced. When I was there I had a bacon wrapped shrimp dish with rice that was so salty. I wanted to return the plate but I just let it go. The sangria was pretty good. Service was quick and attentive but I doubt it if I will eat here again. Not for me.

    (3)

  • Marty F.

    Great atmosphere and awesome food! The 1905 Salad was terrific, made table side and abundantly fed the 4 of us. My wife had roast pork with black beans and rice, I had the stuffed chicken with yellow rice, both were excellent.

    (4)

  • Richard C.

    This is an iconic landmark of the Tampa Bay area. Of course it is not the same as the one in Ybor city but the place is still fantastic. The food is good, the atmosphere is great and you would do yourself a favor eating here if you were visiting from out of town.

    (5)

  • Mike B.

    Ate here twice. Service was great once and not great the second time. Food was okay. Based on their history and "reputation" I was totally disappointed. Our second visit was also influenced by having to listen to a Spanish female server arguing with an older Cuban couple about whether a dish was Spanish or Cuban. WTF! Who cares! Let them enjoy their meal and don't drag everyone into your uppity Spanish attitude and lack of ability to have tact and consideration for your customers. Totally not cool!!! Our overall experience was disappointment. Also, as we waited for a table we had to listen to a bunch of servers who were either at the end of their shift or beginning of their shirt, congregating by the entry talk about how much they made or expected to make. That left us with the impression that nobody at this restaurant gives a rats ass about their customers or their "dining experience." I am giving three stars only because they have survived so many years. There must be something more to this place we were not able to experience. At least, that is my hope.

    (3)

  • Laura R.

    You have to get the 1904 salad, it's one of the best salads I've ever had. This restaurant had great open seating with a gift shop next door. I loved that it was right on the street around St. Armand's circle. I always get the pollo manchego, which is fantastic. I've never been with anyone that's not loved what they've gotten! Try and go at an off time, i.e. not prime lunch or dinner times

    (5)

  • Roderick R.

    This is without a doubt the most popular, trendy inside and out, take over the whole corner Nuveo Cubano dining experience in this Sarasota lido beach area. Certainly a wait for prime times, so reservations are smart. It is huge and lots of seatings, so it does go fast if you were waiting. Has a decent bar area if needed and the outdoor seating areas are prime, but most indoor seating has a very open and outside feeling. The Sangria's are something to have...white or red and are made at your table. It is a nice presentation and helps to bring the excitement of drinking it all come together. Most salads are made with a similar at your table mixing extravaganza! Each waiter adds flair to this presentation or process...so adding fun to this is a must. We ordered a starter soup bowl that came in a kettle and really was an amazing soup that could have feed a small army. Really, really good! Try any one! The individual Cuban bread given out was warm and tasted almost like a Miami bread. Our entrees included the bistec palomilla...very good!!! The Cuban and fish special sandwiches were also filling and very good again. The chicken sandwich with aioli sauce was again very good!!! Most came with a side, fried thin plantains, FFries etc. Kids meals were generous, and great value! Notice that very good is the trend here. It is is not fine dining...although can be a wonderful celebration experience and really good food, service and value! Certainly recommend!!!

    (4)

  • Tara B.

    Visiting from DC and dined here. Had reservation, didn't seem to matter. Host staff was apathetic and disinterested. Glasses on our table were spotty and greasy. Server wasn't as attentive as he could've been, but pleasant nonetheless. Food was decent and portions were big, but menu is somewhat overpriced (even by DC standards). Probably wouldn't return for dinner, but might for lunch.

    (3)

  • Jason H.

    We were on vacation from Atlanta and read the information on Trip advisor as well as local publication and internet. What a great opportunity to create an amazing cultural and historical connection for the concept. We were promptly sat upon arrival however once our server showed up, (did not introduce himself or welcome us) we were treated like second class citizens. My family and I could have spent the evening and indulged as it was my birthday night out. We chose to limit our time there and after appetizers and our one drink ( as we had to ask a floor manager for refills on water) we chose to order only two entrees. Unbelievably rude, arrogant, slow, inconsiderate service. Too bad we didn't look like a piggy bank to the server. I still tipped 35% because I am an industry professional.

    (1)

  • Dean S.

    This is my favorite restaurant in Sarasota and a must for anyone who wants to dine on St. Armands Circle. The atmosphere, food, and service are exceptional. You should have a 1905 salad with any entree. So unique and delicious!

    (5)

  • Frank W.

    Our family visited for Father's day. We had a 5:30 PM reservation and were quickly seated. Everyone enjoyed the food, however the way management treated us is the reason I am writing this review... An hour into drinks and appetizers (6:30 PM), we were reminded that a 8 PM reservation will be arriving, and we should hurry and submit the rest of our orders. Within the next 15 minutes, we were reminded of the 8 pm reservation three more times. This "factory" annoyed me enough to write this review two days later. We spent nearly $500 dollars, celebrating four fathers, three of which are out of town visitors. This is certainly not the way an upscale establishment should treat its customers. Very disappointed.

    (2)

  • Irina F.

    If you have mostly eaten in chain restaurants around Florida, you may think this place is a star. But if you've been exposed to truly good restaurants with authentic farm-to-table food you'll be very disappointed. Fish has been previously frozen and defrosted. Salad is full of canned vegetables and comes with literary a gravy boat of calorie-laden dressing. Followed by remorse from the $100 wasted for lunch.

    (1)

  • Grant E.

    -4.5 star- I was surprised when I saw the negative reviews on here - this place was great! The restaurant is open-air, and overall has a great feel to it. The staff is attentive and friendly, and the food is impressive. My family ordered sangria, which wa

    (5)

  • Shannon B.

    heaven, always get the 1905 salad. freaking amazing

    (5)

  • Kelly C.

    Enjoyed our lunch, especially the specialty salad made tableside. My mango daiquiri needed to be a little more sweet and I was a little disappointed in the"cuban" bread. We also had several types of tapas that were all OK, but nothing great. Love the open atmosphere and the waitstaff were friendly.

    (3)

  • Joe D.

    I've had the pleasure of eating at Columbia on many occasions when I'm in Sarasota. Delicious fresh fish and a great Cuban sandwich. Like most of Florida, the food is upscale in a very comfortable, casual Spanish themed setting. Almost always crowded, you can help yourself get seated quicker if you opt to eat outside, but it was pretty down right HOT, the last time I was there so we waited ten minutes and were seated in the air conditioning. I was torn between the Grouper and the Cuban sandwich, (which was rated very high on a fellow Yelper's list of best Cuban sandwiches) I figured I could get Grouper anywhere on Anna Maria Island, which is where I was staying, and got the Cuban. Wise choice, garlicky pork, salty smokey ham, and surprise, SALAMI! The Swiss cheese was sliced a little thicker than normal, perfectly melted , crunchy dill pickles, the mustard was grainy, dark, and delicious. The cuban roll was perfectly grilled. Crunchy crust, soft inside. It came with a side and chose fresh fruit, instead of the fries. My lunch partner couldn't resist the crab cakes and proclaimed them very good. I need to find a vegan version of a Cuban since I dropped meat from my diet since the last visit to Columbia.

    (5)

  • Jennifer K.

    Service was eh, slow and the staff was overwhelmed (it was very busy) and seemed rushed... however the food was AMAZING and came out quickly. We had the lobster flatbread and it was out of this world... my BF woke up the next morning wanting it for bfast. We split the taste of columbia plate which was a good taste of everything (if you want a good amount of food I dont suggest splitting). We got the pitcher of sangria which was a great deal for the price... a little sweet for my taste but hey it was sangria. We went back the next night for dessert, had the guava cheese pastry. It was good but wasnt worth the $7 price, it only came with one pastry... I know there is a markup on desserts but this would be something that would cost less than $2 at a bakery... felt there should have been 2 given. We sat at bar area and service was terrible, took forever to come over for drink order and if I didnt flag the guy down I dont think he would have come back to take our order.

    (4)

  • Mark C.

    Good apps, good service. Cold veg paella, overcooked grouper, salty eggplant. Read all the reviews and save your money.

    (2)

  • Ryan S.

    RUDE, RUDE, RUDE. Biggest bunch of a-holes I've dealt with in a long time. If you want to be ignored long enough to finally be insulted, then this is the dump for you!

    (1)

  • Rice B.

    Four of us went there for lunch during Memorial Day weekend. The place was crowded and noisy. Service was a bit slow. My entrée was excellent, mussels and chorizo in a light flavorful tomato wine broth. The 1805 salad, house salad, made at the table was also excellent. One person in our group was disappointed with the "flavorless" redfish entrée. The menu had many other options that I would like to try when we dine here again.

    (4)

  • Lisa G.

    Tough call on the star rating. Food 3 stars but the experience 5 stars. Bread is hot and delicious. 1905 salad was good and I loved the dressing which you can buy if you like. However the salad plates were warm which is a personal pet peeve of mine. I ordered the Grouper Jimmy which was recommended by our waiter. The fish and crab meat were bland and not piping hot when it arrived to the table. In fact all the dinners were not hot enough. The Marilyn and DiMaggio my husband got was described as a stir fry but was more of a stew. Tastier seasoning which I liked and hot sauce is provided to kick up any entree. I did try a bite of my friends lemon crusted chicken breast which was crispy and nice. There were two kinds of rice both better than average. The waiter was a hurricane Katrina transplant and was timely and friendly making me overlook some of the negative about the food. Bottom line I would give it another try.

    (4)

  • Gustavo U.

    Food was pretty good, wish it wasn't so expensive but everything was served in good time

    (4)

  • James B.

    great 1902 salad...sat at the bar...waitstaff very friendly and food was very high quality

    (4)

  • Amber B.

    This place was amazing the 1905 salad was so good I had to buy the dressing in the gift shop, mojito's were great along with a wonderful sangria. Lobster flatbread and Blackburn cakes were my favorite tapas and the loaf of bread the gave each person at the table was gone before we knew it.

    (5)

  • Ami T.

    Sangria is the best sangria I've had ever! You must try it. The waitress was really helpful and attentive. Everyone starts the meal off with a loaf of bread each it seems which is yummy. I had the black bean cakes which are seriously amazing!!! So delicious. They make a great appetizer. I also had a bowl of the Cuban black bean soup which is a lot of beans and comes with some onions you can put on as garnish. My friends had the seafood dishes and chicken which they said was delicious as well. The atmosphere was wonderful. We sat outside and felt the cool breeze while enjoying our food.

    (5)

  • Coty S.

    I have been to this location multiple times while shopping in the area, mostly with co-workers or family that frequent St. Armands. While the location is very upscale yet casual and the service is amazing, the food leave more to be desired. Epcot's World Showcase would be perfect for this sort of restaurant, that scratches the surface of the bold flavors that you would normally get with this type of cuisine. However, I believe that patrons dine at Columbia for the open atmosphere and the house salad over everything else. The 1905 Salad is excellent and full of fresh garlic, but not worth the drive. If I want a decent Cuban Sandwich, Ropa Vieja, or Picadillo- I travel to smaller local establishments that have homemade flavor. If someone offers me a free meal here, I will not decline the offer. And, those are the only times that I have dined at Columbia. The desserts are entirely a different story- the Cheesecake, Churros with dipping sauces, and White Chocolate Bread Pudding are all scrumptious. I also hear that the drinks are spectacular. Frankly, Columbia is a tourist destination geared for a tourist's palette.

    (3)

  • Olivia B.

    I visited the Columbia in St.Armand's today with my family. My family is back and fourth from here and Minnesota. This place was highly recommended by friends Ect. The food and the staff were great. During our dining experience, we sat in the dining room with table cloths.. And my God, I was very hot. We had been out in the sun and weather during the day here and there. We sat inside to escape the heat. It was very uncomfortable. The food and the service was great. Server was very personable.. And during the whole dining we fanned ourselves do to the temperature inside. We spoke to a manager on our way out and he was very apologetic. The staff kept good spirits even though it was quite warm inside. I don't know what to say about this matter.. But the doors shouldn't be open or something. Or is it the air conditioner failures?? Other than that, our over all experience was good. Beautiful place, and love the beach!!

    (3)

  • Yasemin F.

    Great food, great place, buzzing atmosphere. We'd an enjoyable time there. Excellent service.

    (5)

  • Ric W.

    Stopped by after a walk on the beach for drinks and tapas. Waiter was excellent- knew the menu and had recommendations that were right on. Food was excellent. I'll go back next time we're in Sarasota!

    (5)

  • Gina B.

    Been here a couple of times with reservation (a must)! Place is amazing...though very crowded and touristy. Service is slow due to volume but great people watching if you happen to sit outside so the wait didn't bother me. Definitely get the 1805 salad and follow up with a few choices of tapas. Awesome everytime!

    (4)

  • Lauren D.

    This is a truly romantic spot on St. Armand's circle, you MUST have the 1905 salad. It is amazing and we continue to make the salad here in Connecticut. The cuban sandwich is also amazing. I can't say much for the staff, because I'm normally too focused on the food! High recommendations if you want to sit on the outdoor patio and watch people stroll on the circle. After sunset of course, otherwise it's a little too hot out there.

    (5)

  • James D.

    Great food. Great atmosphere. On a nice night its awesome to sit outside and enjoy the weather. It can be a bit pricey depending on what you get. Overall it's a great spot.

    (4)

  • Christina B.

    During our visit to Sarasota we had heard wonderful reviews of this restaurant and we weren't disappointed. We started off with the sangria cava (definitely recommend) and the famous 1905 salad (not as great as we thought it was going to be). We then moved on to the main course of grouper, stuffed shrimp and mahi mahi (coated with plantain chips, yum!)-- the portions was perfect and everything was delicious! The rice, the sauces and the veggies topped off these yummy fish dishes. For desert we tried the key lime pie (a must), churros and banana bread pudding (take it or leave it). We even stopped off at the gift store to take home a few souvenirs. The only complaint would be the service. While everyone around us had perfectly nice servers, our was a pill. When asked what dishes she would recommend, we were directed to the most expensive steak dish on the menu and nothing else. Throughout the meal she continued to share very personal details about her life, without being prompted (everything from a family member's rehab stint to 9/11). Although this was a major turn off, we still enjoyed the food and would go back to the restaurant.

    (5)

  • Theresa H.

    First time eating there, we went to the one in Sarasota. The greeter taking your name for a table was certainly in the wrong job field. Oblivious and certainly no experience with the public, but aside from that the food was delicious!!! From the salad and fresh warm bread all the way to your entree. Very fresh and tasty. I will be back for sure.

    (4)

  • Saffi S.

    All food was so salty!!!

    (1)

  • Michael B.

    I know it gets mainly good ratings but my experience was terrible. I was visiting Florida from Oregon and wanted a true Cuban sandwich. Why not here, the original right? I was with my family and we first got seated directly in the servers path to other tables. After ordering, three of four orders were wrong. I never got my salad and all four soups were warm at best. We all got Cubans and all seemed to sit for a while as mustard seeped into the bread, the meat was cold and my sandwich had one pickle the size of a bread and butter pickle. Thankfully I got my good Cuban sandwich before leaving at cigar city brewpub. Very disappointing.

    (1)

  • Desiree C.

    Excellent Original 1905 salad minus the ham. Great Cabernet. I can not wait to taste my Eggplant entree.

    (5)

  • Bree G.

    I really like this place. They have breakfast that I like a lot. However I'm not sure if this location serves breakfast though. I almost always get the 1905 salad and a glass of sangria (red) can't go wrong

    (4)

  • Susan D.

    The waiter was the worst we have ever experienced . He was rude, condescending, and barely interacted with bare minimum descriptions of food when asked. The crab cakes were good. The day was beautiful and we ate outside. The only redeeming factor was the history of the place. Probably will choose a different restaurant on the circle next time.

    (2)

  • david h.

    I try to be fair in my reviews so as I sat here eating at Columbia I kept asking myself, "Is this not that good or do I just not like Cuban food?" The answer - "yes". I thought the atmosphere was quaint. The menu looked inviting. It had been highly recommended. And then... The service was middling at best. Our waitress acted like she was going through the motions and didn't really want to be there. The food was average. I haven't had great Cuban food so I don't know how to compare this place but the food we had was just average. The 1905 salad was good. My wife's gazpacho was room temperature and bland. The crab claws were fine. The only reason I ate all of my chicken riojana was because I was starving. Wouldn't go back, wouldn't recommend it and this place may have killed Cuban food for me in the future. Slightly down turned face

    (2)

  • Jack B.

    Have been dining here for many years and have never been disappointed either lunch or dinner. Had a late lunch there with family today. Wait staff is friendly and helpful, some of there menu items require table side preparation and the show is worth watching. The menu is Cuban-Spanish. Our daughters always request this being there first dining stop upon arrival at LBK.

    (4)

  • Kristin K.

    A really great restaurant. You can tell because its totally huge and totally packed. Granted, its a lot of old people but that's Florida, what do you expect. Anyway, we would see other restaurants that were dead empty but this one, always filled. So we tried it out and its Cuban food and really good. The service was timely and pleasant, lots of people to handle all the customers and the food comes out super quick too. I have a feeling whoever is running this thing understands the concept of turning the tables over quickly by getting the food out fast. This is a positive thing. Definately one of the better restaurants in this area and the price is reasonable. I would recommend trying it, I think you'll enjoy it.

    (4)

  • Michael C.

    My wife and I stopped here for a late lunch on a weekday. The Cuban grouper sandwiches were great as was the service. I will certainly go back when I'm in Sarasota again.

    (4)

  • Angela S.

    While the food is good, the Columbia in Ybor City offers better individualized service.. This location is far too commercialized..

    (3)

  • Beth Z.

    Great dinner, outside dining was delightful, a pitcher of Sangria was shared by three of us and was very refreshing! I highly recommend the tapas, they're more than enough for dinner! Service was very good as well!

    (5)

  • Jessica D.

    Excellent sangria- mahi mahi topped with blue crab was terrific - distinct and welcoming charm despite being a very large restaurant and FL chain - I definitely recommend it!!

    (4)

  • Nancy F.

    I will never go back and I would never recommend this place. The food was not good at all. And we were hungry! Anything tastes good if you are hungry. Well.. not here. The only good thing: empanadas. Service was ok and quick. We ate outside as they have outdoor tables.

    (1)

  • JEREMY G.

    One of the best spots in Sarasota. Never have had a bad meal. If your out for the evening get a pitcher of mojito. They make it right in front of you and it is definitely one of the best mojitos around.

    (5)

  • Bob H.

    Dropping to a 3.5 Star. We had very high expectations on our return for a planned light sammie lunch on a beautiful day off Lido Key on St. Armands Circle. We arrived a bit earlier ~11:20. Sangria, Spanish Bean soup, cuban bread, and their iteration of Cuban sandwiches - AND churros. We were seated promptly in the dining room and our server was a bit below par this go around. The Sangria (by the glass this time - white) - was good (and potent) but not as tasty as the Sangria de Cava. Again the warm cuban bread was delish. Little let down by the Spanish Bean soup - the chick peas were firmer this time, I assume from not being simmered as long - but still delicious and satisfying. The cuban sandwich - excellent flavor but was not warmed through - warm bread to the touch - surmising sat in the window too long. The cheese was melted, salame warm but the cold ham gave it flavor of cheap boiled ham. It COULD HAVE BEEN wonderful. Churros for dessert! Excellent choice. I'll return but I'll let them know the last Cubano was cold when it got to me. $65 for a light lunch w/ sangria is a little high to not expect a wonderful experience.

    (4)

  • Steph G.

    A Tampa original. Black bean cakes are to die for. 1905 salad is a classic. Skip a glass of sangria- go for the pitcher!

    (4)

  • Rob W.

    This is my favorite Columbia due to the awesome location, I really like St. Armands Circle. It is really a nice place to spend some time. The fare is the same as the other restaurants. I like the 1905 salad, the sngria and the cuban combination. Not the best Cuban food I have ever sampled, but still good.

    (3)

  • Tony M.

    Excellent lunch, great outdoor seating and great waitress. I had original Cuban sandwich and my wife had combo Cuban sandwich and salad. Great meal and am going back for dinner some time.

    (5)

  • Tayler J.

    Columbia is fantastic, no other way around it. The snapper dinner, 1905 salad, sangria, and many steaks are delectable. This is a really big place so it's easier to get a table here than most of the other places on St. Armands but that's not because it's empty, it's probably the most popular restaurant in the area. Spanish cooking may not be for everyone, but there are things on the menu that all people can relate to and enjoy. Ask about their seafood specials, last time we had snow crab claws. Unbelievably good.

    (5)

  • Liz H.

    Good food - very slow service. Rude waiter. Looked down upon younger patrons over ordering a drink, and did not clean table or take dirty plates until we asked him to.

    (2)

  • Mac O.

    Columbia is a local Florida chain with a few restaurants in the Tampa area. The original opened in 1905. I don't know exactly how long this one on St. Armand's has been operating, but 40+ years at least. When Moms was a college co-ed in Sarasota, she used to eat at this very Columbia, which is one reason I love to come here when we're in town. Moms hasn't been back to Sarasota since she graduated, but I like to sit on the patio and imagine what St. Armand's must have been like when she was in school -- it must have been so much sleepier since over the years this place has been developed considerably. Nostalgia aside, Columbia makes good food. I've never been tempted to try anything but their tapas, honestly, because I love to sample as much food as possible when I go anywhere. Too many of the options are fried, and it's not very veg-friendly. But -- the Black Bean Cakes are quite tasty, and the marinade on the Langostinos is absolutely delicious. To cut the fry-oil fatigue, I *love* the Lula Mae's Chopped Salad which has two of my favorite salad fixin's of all time, hearts of palm and artichoke hearts, alongside white asparagus, carrots, tomato, cucumber, and chopped hard-boiled egg. All mixed together with the garlicky parmesan dressing, this salad is fresh and satisfying. You can't go wrong with a pitcher of sangria, either. I like the cava made with sparkling wine, prepared table side. It just seems appropriately beach-y and is definitely refreshing. Good food, good drinks, good prices, and feeling a connection to Moms makes Columbia a must-stop for me in Sarasota. [15 Minutes of Fame: "The Today Show"]

    (4)

  • Anthony S.

    If you like Cuban food or want to try it this is the place! Couldn't say how many years we've been coming here but have never been disappointed. Get the sangria de cava, Cuban sandwich, 1905 salad, black bean soup, or well anything on the menu and enjoy!

    (5)

  • Terry H.

    Love the food, especially the salad and bread before the entrees. Steak dishes are the best

    (4)

  • Jennifer F.

    My husband and I ate at this location for the first time yesterday. It was our first time at any of the Columbia restaurants. I have been wanting to try it for years. I grew up in the restaurant business as my father owned a fine dining establishment in Washington D. C and I enjoy eating at restaurants with such acclaim. Let me start off saying the food was amazing. My husband, an American meat and potatoes kind of guy, was very skeptical and was won over very quickly. This was not the issue here. Unlike the other reviewers our experience with service was awful. From the beginning we were asked if we wanted seating inside or out. We said inside and were seated outside. When we asked our waitress to go inside she seemed annoyed. She refilled our drinks only once during the hour that we were there. We got there early (11:30ish) and at first I didn't understand why there was such an enormous amount of waitstaff just milling around, especially since we were not being offered drink refills. I later saw that the restaurant was packed by the time that we left but it was awkward as a patron of the restaurant to just see all these waiters hanging out in the back looking bored while we ate. Lastly, a waiter dropped a wine glass right by our table, practically hitting my husband, and it shattered all around us. We had to deal with at least 10 minutes of waiting while a broom was retrieved and we had to do the shuffle as we moved so they could sweep the shards of glass that were all under only our table. They never apologized or offered any recompense. My fathers restaurant would have offered a free app, drink etc.... Anyway, the food was great but we won't visit this location again.

    (3)

  • Steve S.

    The service was top notch! This is a classy place right on the square. There were 4 of us for dinner and we all had soup (we all thought the soup was fantastic). The main course was rated as excellent by 2 of our party, very good by one and poor by me. I would not recommend the Paella "A la Valenciana". It is the first time I've ever gotten paella that was slimy. Our waiter was very attentive but was not at all pushy nor did we feel rushed (we got there around 4pm on a weekday so they were not busy).

    (3)

  • Ashley H.

    Well, I swore I wouldn't return, but did anyway for a late lunch (7/28/13) on my annual vacation to the area. Last time I gave it a 2.5, but I would give it a 3.5 this time. Marginally better. I was shopping with my grandma and future sister in law. My SoL doesn't eat fish, so this was a good choice for her. My grandparents spend a month in Longboat Key each year and had already tried this place for lunch the previous week, saying that the service was atrocious but they continue to come for the amazing food. I'll admit that I went in knowing the service was bad from our last visit, and being upset with them anyways because no one treats my grandparents that way! When I walked up to the hostess stand (3 girls standing around looking bored), I told her 3 people. She said it would be a 10-15 minute wait. There were 4 tables in the left area available with 3 set for service, and 2 tables RIGHT NEXT TO ME, set and ready. I looked at her and said "Really? I mean, I clearly see tables available". She gave me this annoyed look and said there were other people waiting before us. This was true, and I couldn't figure out why. I saw a group of 4 and a group of 5 waiting. The tables all hold 4 people (at least on the left side), and it would have been easy to seat the 2 groups waiting and us immediately. I gave her my name anyways (I was craving the great food, I'll admit) and we stood very close to the hostess stand looking over a menu. I guess they didn't like us standing so close (the other groups were waiting outside) so they sat us in 4 minutes, before the other groups who were there before us. If I were in those other groups, I would have been pissed, but I was still glad to be seated. After this, the service improved. Our server's name was Sandor and he did a great job even though he clearly had a lot of tables and was running around a lot. Not the best service I have ever had, but certainly the best here. Again, the food was so good and I ate so much! I also had a Chevo (sp?) Manhattan and it was so good a strong! I had a desert this time, too. Try the guava pastry! This place could be an amazing 5 star. They are usually packed and the food explains that, but the service is so bad and RUDE. They know they have good food and a good location, and it doesn't seem like they care about improving service since they get plenty of business no matter what.

    (3)

  • Annie T.

    Food was flavored to perfection. Had the mahi mahi, shrimp criolle and yuca appetizer. Prices are on point and the portions were just right. Don't miss their fresh, out-of-the-oven bread. :)

    (5)

  • Sharon R.

    My family and I just had a terrible experience dining at Columbia. First off, I must agree with other reviewers that the (imported) sangria was delicious. If you want to go for drinks, and don't mind waiting for both sitting and the check, then go ahead. For good food and service, skip ahead. My boyfriend and I shared crab croquettes, chorizo and mejillones (sausage/mussels) for tapas and the lobster canelonis for our entree. The crab croquettes were okay but could have used a sauce, but the mussels were almost tasteless with a dirty water aftertaste. We had to send them back and instead got the scallops which were okay (though the excess of fried crumbs was unnecessary). The canelonis were drenched in cream. Other foods in the party ranged between megh and good. While the food was not great, the true problem came with the service. Our server neglected part of the party. Someone had to ask for a drink several times until she finally got it. At the end, all our bills (we had 4 bills, for a large party) came mixed up. One of the bills had an extra drink that had not been ordered (clearly from the time that one of us had to order the drink several times until it finally came). When I pointed out that only two margaritas had been ordered he told me "No. It was three." Then the bill comes again, messed up in a new combination. Finally, we handwrite our bills, separating them ourselves. By this time we have been waiting for our bill for a full hour. The bills come back, with the third margharita STILL included. When we complained to the manager Joe he had the audacity to tell us that "things had been deducted" even though I counted everything in my bill and it came out exactly to what it had to be, but also that all he could offer was his "apologies". With mediocre food, bad service and management, we will definitely not be coming back to this restaurant.

    (2)

  • Robert N.

    Great Sangrias! A pitcher for $19.99! The star of the show though is the Spanish Bean Soup: it is incredible and absolutely worth eating. In a city full of great food this soup is a stand out. You will crave it. Trust me.

    (4)

  • Susan W.

    Enjoy a pitcher of Sangria and great food while sitting in a quaint sidewalk cafe. We had an almost perfect afternoon here a little while back. The weather was wonderful and we were thrilled to be seated along the outside patio. We ordered a pitcher of house Sangria, red wine with fresh citrus juices. It tasted great and with a little imagination, we could convince ourselves that we were sitting in a little cafe in Madrid. I'm a sucker for table side preparations, so it was especially fun to watch the famous 1905 salad assembled and tossed right in front of us. The salad is chocked full of ham, cheese, tomatoes, olives and covered with garlic dressing. Absolutely delicious. We split the Cuban sandwich, lots of meat and cheese on crusty toasted bread, very tasty, but needed extra mustard. I've spoken with local FL residents and they say that Columbia Restaurant can be hit or miss. I can understand that given their several locations, variations in cooks, number of customers, etc. I'm happy that we hit it just right and enjoyed great food and wine, in a wonderful and quaint setting.

    (4)

  • Andrew D.

    My GF and I had dinner at Columbia on Nov 23, 2014. We started with glasses of white and red sangria and the complimentary hot bread, and then split an order of paella marinara. The bread was excellent: crispy crust without any burning and a little soft, even doughiness inside. The paella was fabulous: tender rice saffron and scallops, mussels and shrimp cooked just right - firm and hot without any hint of rubberiness. For dessert, we split the delicious bread pudding which was a true bread pudding (baked bread in milk and butter instead of soupy like rice pudding) and was more than we could eat together. We are not big eaters, preferring delicate tastes and fine quality over big portions. The waiter was knowledgable, friendly and gracious. He showed up when we needed him and did not intrude. The location, right on St. Armand circle, was conducive to people watching (hint: get a table near the big open wall to the sidewalk). The only negative was the Sangria, which was just fruit punch at $21 per small pitcher, and that is the reason why a 5-star meal received only 4-stars. I don't like restaurants making money on watered down drinks. Next time, I would avoid the Sangria and get a nice bottle of wine instead.

    (4)

  • Selena C.

    Kinda pricey but nice place to eat with family once in a while. I've never been to the Tampa one so I can't compare but I've never left unhappy with the food. I like the alcoholic gazpacho thing. Nice and spicy kick with buzz.

    (4)

  • Lady J.

    Nice place - feel of an upscale old fashioned cafe - waiters formally dressed - a little snooty but get the job done. They bought warm and crispy french bread with butter - each of us had a piece Around 6 inches long - seriously delish and the best part of the meal. Had the 1905 salad - a bit like some lettuce with garlic - dressing seriously strong and a bit overwhelming - although nice touch mixing it your table though. Ordered shrimp with salad - ok but nothing special. Seemed to be cooked in oil with a chili? Hubbie had Cuban sandwich. Not sure we get this - lots of unidentifiable layers of meat with an unappetising yellow sweet mustard on French bread which looks like it has been steam rollered. So nice surroundings but food average - but best bread and butter in Florida.

    (3)

  • Dennis B.

    Based on some of the reviews, we were a little apprehensive. But after only a few minutes, we knew this would be one of our favorite places to eat during our visit to Sarasota. Like most others before us, we enjoyed our individual loaves of warm bread, and my wife liked her glass of sangria - very light and refreshing. Our waiter Raul was perfect. He was fast, attentive, courteous and extremely knowledgeable of the menu. I had the Filet Steak Saleado (tenderloin tips, onions, peppers, mushrooms, potatoes and sausage in a spicy red wine sauce). My only regret was that I ate all of it and was too full for dessert. My wife and daughter both had the Filete y Gambas (tenderloin of beef with skewers of shrimp). Both would have rather had the yellow rice instead of the "Good Rice" which came with it, but they did not think to ask. I took off one star only because my daughter's meal was slightly undercooked. But the kitchen took care of that right away. They also shared a side salad prepared tableside - very tasty and fresh. My youngest daughter had the children's menu chicken strips and fries, which looked great, and she loved it. Exceptionally affordable at under five dollars. Our dinner guest had the Palomilla (thin cut marinated sirloin steak). She said it was done perfect. As for many others who commented that this place was a bit pricey, I feel we got what we paid for. It was a quality meal, served in a quality place, by quality staff.

    (4)

  • Karen C.

    Came straight from the airport after accidently skipping breakfast and had a nice lunch at Columbia. I did the 1/2 and 1/2 signature salad and cuban sandwich. I really loved the salad but it was slightly overdressed. Excellent flavors though. The sandwich was meh, but I don't know if it's because I am not a huge sandwich fan to begin with or if it was something about Columbia's sandwich. It just wasn't very exciting to me. Waitress was nice but a little too overenthusiastic/friendly/chatty for my mood at the time. Well priced, pretty decor, it's worth a stop if you're in the area. Next time I would just get the salad!

    (3)

  • Lindsey B.

    The food here is okay, not sure what the big deal is about this place. It is ALWAYS packed, especially during high season. Even though this place is enormous, prepare to wait for a table, even for lunch. Nice open-air atmosphere, decent service, decent food. I've never had anything horrible but I've never had anything great. Overpriced. Touristy. Columbia is worth a try but it most likely will not astound you.

    (3)

  • Olga G.

    Really Love their food, especially 1905 salad, to die for! but service can be bad, hence the 4 stars. Our other favorites: black been cakes, shrimp supreme, crab croquettes, garbanzo and black bean soups, paella, Cuban sandwich, chicken tenders and fries. Their fresh bread is unreal! The location is awesome the patio sitting, and the whole interior is pretty as well. definitely recommend

    (4)

  • A. L.

    Very excited to go here last Thursday, July 31. We were seated immediately (it was about 1pm), and our server came over directly and offered drinks. We ordered and she returned with them and asked what we wanted to order. We told her we hadn't decided (it's a large menu!) and she sighed and said "Fine." Then she came back 45 seconds later. Literally! I told her we were still perusing the menu (there were over a dozen empty tables just in our area, so they weren't pressed for space.) One minute later (with no signal from us, she didn't have another table at that time, just went back and stood behind us) she was back. I asked if it was alright if we just looked over the menu for a few minutes. She said nothing, just went back to standing with her arms crossed. We considered leaving, but I'd really been anxious to taste a few things on the menu, so we stayed. After two more visits, she finally got our order, and another table. She brought our soup and salad (both large portions and well-made), and just more than four minutes later, brought our three tapas. So, do we eat the tapas while they are hot, or do we finish our soup and salad and let them get cold? She brought our check before we'd finished eating, never asking if we wanted dessert which we did. When I told her this, she asked if we needed to see a menu. Yes, please. She brought one (there were two of us). My friend even mentioned that she'd also like to see a menu, but our server just walked away. She brought our desserts, then ran off, not leaving spoons or forks (we needed both). She was truly a dreadful server and her incompetence really ruined the lunch for us both. The food was okay, but not even close to good enough to overcome this service. She only had one other table the whole time we were there. They need better training and more oversight of servers. I still left 20%, I mean she did actually bring the food and take the order, but I would never return and never suggest this as somewhere a friend should go.

    (1)

  • Jeff G.

    Gotta laugh at some of the other reviews....1.ugly woman is jealous of attractive women patrons and doesn't understand sometimes "regular patrons" get preferential treatment. 2. A review by a competitor that is a one timer,,,,b.s. The Cuban food and seafood here are great!!! The steaks could be a little thicker but that is the Cuban style....the flavors are excellent!! Great spot to eat outdoors and people watch. Love this place!!!!!

    (4)

  • Stephanie D.

    Food is awesome! Mojitos are delicious! Service is great! Very clean and a good place for the whole family.

    (5)

  • Scott P.

    The best place to eat ! In the longboat area

    (5)

  • Rachel M.

    I've been to almost all of the Columbia Restaurants, and I think this is my most fave. Bc of the ambiance of St. Armand's Circle, and the sidewalk cafe area. I really love it here and always try something different. The sangria is to die for, and this time I had the 1905 salad with some tapas and split an entree. Go at lunch time, the prices are very reasonable! I always come back when I have friends come visit from home - chicago.

    (4)

  • Mopsie B.

    Sheer perfection. Seriously, you will not find more authentic Cuban food unless maybe you drive down to Miami. The ambiance is great- half indoors, half out, the bar is serious...You've probably never had a real mojito. Try one here. That's how it's done! The bread that comes with your meal-- amazing. And don't get me started on the delicious gazpacho and especially the seafood. There is also a gift shop filled with beautiful pottery (ok, most of it is made in Portugal or Mexico, but still...). If you like coffee, do yourself a favor and order the strong Cuban coffee. And the key lime pie...oh, the key lime pie! Yes, no trip to Florida is complete without a trip to Columbia.

    (5)

  • Douglas S.

    First let me say, St Armand's Circle is one of my favorite places to go! Relaxing...great for strolling, people watching and alfresco dining. Now, back to the subject at hand, how was the dinning experience at Columbia? In a word, uninspired. We had a trio of tapas, black bean cakes and muscles with sausage. Recall of the third dish fails me, despite being there last night, which illustrates my point of the truly uninspired, tasteless experience. A sure sign that the staff is onto the poor quality of the food is when they rush, without prompting, to offer their branded hot sauce, which only marginally improved the dining experience. For the main course, we shared baked red grouper with potato, tomato, onion, etc. Again, a huge disappointment in the flavor, texture, and presentation. If you are looking for a place for drinks and an appetizer, and the other possible locations on the circle have a wait, well, it is St Armand's Circle and as I mentioned this is relaxation paradise. But if it is a good overall dinning experience you seek, go elsewhere.

    (2)

  • Dick S.

    The service is unbeatable. The decor is like a bit of Spain. The location rivals El Paseo in Palm Desert. Colorful pitchers of white and red sangria decorate the tables. The food is dumbed down so everything tastes safe. The boliche is just pot roast. The Cuban sandwich is simply a pressed ham sandwich. The usual Cuban flavors of cumin, oregano, Seville oranges, garlic and paprika are vitally lacking. Like every other local and tourist I still go to any one of the Columbia Restaurants because it is the place to go when in Tampa Bay. I doubt this local chain would last any place else where the history is not so ingrained.

    (3)

  • Evie S.

    I really love their vegetarian beans and vegetable paella, and salads. Fun atmosphere too. The only thing I would change is people who take to go orders are not that nice and can seem snooty. I still go there and recommend it-- great place.

    (4)

  • Charlie K.

    While this doesn't compare to the Ybor location in sheer spectacle (what does?), it's still got some pretty solid eats. Maybe I enjoyed it a bit more because I wasn't paying this time, but the food was great. I had the special of the day, Mahi and "good rice" and wasn't disappointed. I really don't have much to say about it. It's a little expensive, but then again it's in a high-end shopping area. If you haven't experienced eating at a Columbia, definitely make the stop.

    (3)

  • P L.

    Decent place for Cuban food in Sarasota. There are many better choices for Spanish food, but it wasn't bad at all. I actually liked the sangria and the waitress presented it well... the Ropa Vieja was alright, but it lacked meat. The Palomilla (steak) was pretty good, heavy on the onions though. I liked the paella. I thought it wasn't too salty and heavy. Price was expensive (Ropa - $18; Palomilla - $19; Paella for 2 - $26) but the price for the sangria was worth it ($16 for a pitcher). The best part was the bread that they gave us in the beginning and an empanada appetizer I got, which had a pretty good salsa on top! The area was great though...

    (3)

  • David F.

    Being from Indiana, I don't get exposed to spanish food much, but I love the Columbia. I go here every time I am in St Amand's Circle. It is a busy place, especially on weekends during the season. The lunch crowd is as large as the dinner crowd, it seems. Be prepared to wait. The 1905 salad is wonderful. I always get a Cuban sandwich, too. The atmosphere is great too. It maybe a better atmosphere than food. It's definitely worth a try!

    (4)

  • James M.

    Always a treat. Locals and tourists alike. Great food, service and atmosphere. You won't be disappointed.

    (5)

  • Ben R.

    Just stopped in for a couple of drinks but the environment was good and service prompt. Family ate there a few days prior and enjoyed themselves. I would of liked to try the food but didn't happen this time.

    (3)

  • Dallas Tampa D.

    Server was great! The management was anything but! I wore a sleeveless shirt (sitting outside in 85 degrees) and was attempting to use washroom. This isn't fine dining by any stretch! I looked around and saw 4 women in tanks sitting INSIDE! I am male and very well-groomed! Anyway--not impressed!

    (1)

  • Portia H.

    The first time we dined here was 4 years ago. We drove up from Fort Myers. We'd just come from Lido Beach and we looked at several restaurants and chose thus one. We sat in the open air section. We enjoyed the table side dinner. Luis got a bowl full of different types if fish. I forgot what I got? This time we dined in the closed section which had air conditioning. My mother wanted this section. I don't mind the open air section, but we'd just flown in. The lunch opened with warm bread wrapped in white paper? The bread was good and accompanied by chilled butter in a lovely chilled round serving cup. I had the 1905 salad with Turkey $10.95. They should rename it the Salt and Too Much Oil Salad. Yuck! Luis got the Cannelloni de Langosta plate $14.95. He was impressed when it read read Maine Lobster. It came out looking like 2 long, rectangular, orange, and flat ravioli. It tasted like a Lobster Bisque. It was not enough food. He was hoping for the same dish he'd gotten last time, but he misread the menu. He should've described it to the waitress so that he could get the same dish he had last time. My mother got the Eggplant Riojana $12.95. She liked it, but brought half if it home and it's still sitting in the refrigerator. I'll probably get the Cesar Salad if we dine here again. We got a pitcher of the table side Sangria $19.95 but it just didnt have the same appeal that it had last time in the evening without my mother dining with us. She didnt care for it anyway, but she hardly ever drinks a cocktail. She said she would've liked a nonalcoholic version if it. Luis was still hungry so I convinced him to get the Key Lime Pie $6.95. He was glad I did because he loved it. It was very sour like key lime should be. It did not have any whipped cream on top. I thought whipped cream would have been an excellent topping for so tart a pie. My grandmother used to make a tart Lemon Meringue Pie with a moderately sweet meringue on top.

    (3)

  • Mariko F.

    This place is crowded, but they try to make space for you. I rocked up with a group of 9, at 1pm, and they tried to be accommodating. I liked that they took down my cell phone number and called me when my table was ready, 30min later. The staff is friendly, but the service is slow. I wonder if a few people didn't show up for work that day or something. Anytime I asked for something, it took 15min to get to the table, even if it was something simple like another glass for the Sangria. The food took a good hour to come out. That said, when it did, it was good. Not great, but definitely good. I think the salad is a bit overrated. I mean yes, it's a good salad, but it's based off of iceberg lettuce. I would happily eat it, but I'm not going to recommend it to anyone. I had the Cannelloni with lobster sauce. It was very good. I have to say that my favourite part of the meal was the bread that came before the food. It was sweet and fluffy. It was hard to stop eating it! All in all, it was pretty good.

    (3)

  • Alicia D.

    1905 salad is great. Good sangria. Solid restaurant.

    (4)

  • John C.

    You always know what you are getting at this chain. Great food and atmosphere. They had a salmon and rice special that was great. We have eaten at all of them.

    (4)

  • Bonnie G.

    Three of us had lunch here today just before noon. Server was prompt, knowledgeable and efficient...drinks were brought prompty, as was bread. Mojito was excellent. Two friends had the cup of black bean soup and half portion of the "1905" salad, both said everything was delicious. I chose the salteada with shrimp and I made a terrific choice. I asked that it be prepared without mushrooms and it was. Four good-sized shrimp, sauteed onion, green pepper, potato chunks, and chorizo made for a very tasty meal. Portion was ample, esp. considering it was only $11.95. I'd go back and recommend Columbia to others. The place was packed by the time we were halfway done with our meal, but the servers seemed to be handling it with ease.

    (4)

  • Marisa B.

    Columbia is home to great drinks, pretty good food, fantastic sauces and consistent service. After skipping lunch, my husband and I opted to go an hour before our original dinner reservation. We were seated as soon as they found us on their list. Our baby-faced waiter was friendly and talkative, checking on us often and refilling water without prompting. I sampled some sort of coffee martini and was in absolute bliss within seconds. This drink is potent stuff and goes down VERY easy! I should have had it for dessert. It was a bit too sweet for a starter. My husband's margarita was a house specialty (can't remember the name) that featured a dash of Cointreau or bourbon or something...? Whatever that extra jigger contained, it was magical. The margarita was rich and smooth, and introduced a lovely haze into my food-deprived head (insert sloppy grin here)! Two more margaritas, please!! Get the 1905 salad as a starter. It's a great blend of flavors, from olives to a dash of Worcestershire sauce. I was slightly disappointed that the salad used iceberg greens. The lettuce itself was crisp and fresh, but just seemed rather bland. For me, butterleaf or red leaf would have been a better match with the dressing. Overall, though, this is definitely a great appetizer, and the tableside prep is fun for the whole family. My main course was the Red Snapper Adelita. Again, the sauce was superb -- hearts of palm and artichoke hearts mixed with garlic and a warm spicy seasoning. The snapper itself tasted slightly overcooked, but it was fresh and the portion was enormous. My husband tried La Completa Cubana, a combination entree with a little bit of everything, from roast pork, boliche & empanadas to platanos and rice & beans. Very tasty, though also a bit on the well done side. The platanos ROCKED the house, and I snuck in a couple extra when my hubby wasn't looking (sorry, babe!). We were way too stuffed for dessert, so we wandered out into St. Armand's Circle and walked off our happy buzz laughing at the crazy window displays. Good times.

    (3)

  • Julia M.

    We came here for my mom's birthday and had a great time. I was kind of worried because I have read all the negative reviews, but our experience was nothing like those. We started off with a pitcher of Mojitos which was put together by the waitress at out table. Then we ordered the paella valencia, the mahi mahi (I really wanted the pompano, but am trying to eat only sustainable seafood), and I cant remember what the other lady with us ordered. We also all enjoyed the 1905 salad. The food was awesome, the paella was enough for 2, if not 3 people and the salad dressing was great. When we informed our waitress it was mom's birthday she brought a complementary flan (but looked panicked when we suggested she sing to us). All in all this was a very enjoyable dining experience with great food and a great waitress.

    (5)

  • Gary E.

    This could be my favorite restaurant in Sarasota - but is not because their execution is so spotty. Columbia specializes in Spanish cruisine with lots of long time family recipies. They are part of a small chain that originated in Tampa. We ate in their original location several years ago and loved it. In Sarasota, we really enjoy their drings, their 1905 Salad and their location. Eating outside on a warm Sarasota evening is wonderful. Except for the main courses. Everytime I have been there, there has been something wrong with the main courses. I had a veal dish with crab and beanaise (doesn't that sound great!), but it was way too salty. I could not eat even half of it. I've had overcooked fish, oversauced meat, and dry appeitizers. My extended family, who I took their last Christmas, would not go back there again if I paid them (wait , I did pay them is when I paid the bill!). Go there for drinks, the salad, and sitting outside. Don't go there for the main courses.

    (2)

  • George C.

    We have been to this restaurant probably 15 times over the last 43 years. Our experience is that if you order their old tried and true dishes, you will not be disappointed. This restaurant is a satellite of the main one in Ybor City, Tampa, with an old and proud history. It used to be that a waiter had to apprentice for years before becoming a full camarero, a station of great dignity and finesse. They were polite, formal, knowledgeable, helpful, and proud of their profession and their food presentation. Things have changed, but there is still a lot of that old pride in this family-owned business. My recommendations are the 1905 Salad (complete with tableside ceremony), the Seafood Paella, the local flounder dishes, the Garbanzo Bean Soup, the full range of appetizers, the Red Snapper and the Sea Bass Pappilotte dishes, and a very interesting Poached Halibut with Beurre Blanc. Since we don't imbibe, I can't help you with the alcoholic beverages.

    (4)

  • Princess C.

    I went with my boyfriend and his family and we had a great dinner. The waiter Jacinto was really nice. the only thing is the seats are not very stable.

    (4)

  • Jeff B.

    Amazing! I have the filet mignon chacho each time I visit and it never fails. Great staff, better food, and overall one of the best places in the circle.

    (5)

  • Kyle G.

    Although I've read most of the reviews on here, I've got a different take. While I have sampled most of the menu, and have nothing bad to say about it, I'd suggest people stick with their infamous dishes (1905 salad, cuban sandwich, fresh sangria). Sure, there might be a little better quality food in the neighborhood, but the service and location are fantastic.

    (4)

  • Mark L.

    My local friend kept telling me not to go to this restauant because I would never get in.. But he doesn't know how much I love eating at the bar. Friendly staff.. had a nice spanish red, gazpacho soup, and a chopped salad, I know its not the most spanish thing to order.. but it was all good. Oh, I asked for olives and the bartender gave me 100 of them in a large glass...

    (5)

  • Jessica F.

    One star only because I couldn't give them 0 stars

    (1)

  • Kelly W.

    boy, am i 1905'd out! since my visit to the columbia restaurant two weeks ago, i've had 5 other separate occasions of homemade 1905 salads. i took home 3 bottles of dressing with me from their gift shop with good intentions of giving it away, but only 1 made it out the door. yes, i got sold, but only because it was so darn good! now, if only i can remember the awesome experience so i can share with you fellow yelpers. my gf and i sat in the patio (big portion of the restaurant is patio) because it was such a nice day. our server jesus was friendly. we ordered a pitcher of mojito (equivalent to about 6 glasses), and boy was that GOOD! jesus recommended their calamari as appetizer, which like any calamari was good. but their mustard mixed cocktail sauce was quite exquisite and different, we liked it. the restaurant was very busy as it's centrally located in st. armands, and parking can be tough. but don't let that scare you away because their food is a must try.

    (4)

  • Tracie L.

    What a disappointment. We have better Cuban food in California. The mojito was not very good, my ropa vieja was not very memorable (and overpriced for the quality/quantity/sides) and the service was terribly slow (however, friendly). And the waiter couldn't help me decide when I asked him for his recommendation. The menu is pretty vast, so there was a lot to choose from. My overall impression was this was one big tourist trap.

    (2)

  • Marjo B.

    We always go here when we come to Longboat Key. The 1905 salad is wonderful and the cuban bread they serve is very good -- real butter, too. The best part is the sangria -- especially the version with sparkling wine and brandy -- to die for -- very refreshing to sip this and people watch on St. Armand's.

    (4)

  • Adrienne B.

    The Columbia is always a must when my family is in Florida. The 1905 salad, lobster cannelloni, palomilla, Cuban sandwich, margarita, and sangria are favorites. As other reviewers have mentioned parking can be slim, but St. Armands is a great place to stroll around after lunch or dinner.

    (4)

  • Peter C.

    Been there many times but this past Thursday the service was horrible! Went from four stars to two...food was very good but had to wait 20 minutes before Milan apologized that no one had come to our table. Service was very slow...a sangria took over 20 minutes to get. My wife complained to a manager who apologized because he had to not because he wanted to. She felt as though he was just blowing her off. I told him I'm in the restaurant and bar business and don't complain often. This was just plain awful service and bad management response. Our bill was already paid, we were not looking for anything other than letting them know how our family dinner had been. There were nine of us and as an owner I would want to know if there was a problem. The manager should have at least acted as if he cared! We are visitors to the area but also own a home there so we do return to places we like and tell others of places we don't care for. Just thought you should know...

    (2)

  • Lou L.

    As a birthday treat, my grandmother and I go to the Columbia for a late lunch. We all know from my previous review how un-impressed I was with their lack of service. I figured though, my grandmother really likes this place and does not get to go out all that often, it would be nice. We choose to sit outside because it was a stellar day. It was also a different time of day I was coming so I figured this would be my final opinion of this place. Service was SLOW. And I saw no reason for it. They were not busy. We got our food promptly. Water was needed and we had to flag our waiter down for it. They did not have a small version of the 1905 salad to go with a cup of soup for our small appetite and would not cook my daughters steak how she wanted. My grandmother ordered the 1905 salad and the ONLY impressive thing about that was the dressing. I ordered the spanish bean soup and was not too impressed with that either. So now I can say this place is lack luster lunch and dinner. Save your money and go eat at Two Senoritas or Two Amigos.

    (2)

  • Justin R.

    Sarasota is kind of like Saint Pete, but smaller, but they actually have some good eating hear. We went down to the circle area, with really no clue where we were going or what we were doing, because neither of us had ever been to the SRQ. Well we walked around and noticed there was a Columbia restaurant in Sarasota as well. We know the one in Tampa is renown, so we figured we would try this one for lunch. Everything was fantastic. They were extremely busy, but we were seated within a matter of minutes. Service was prompt and exact, actually it's some of the best food service I have received in along time. I didn't go to crazy for lunch, and just ordered a Cuban, but it was one of the best Cubans I have had since being in Florida., it was also served with an amazing soup I think called Caldo de Gallo, which consisted of Chorizo, ham, and I believe onions and radishes. Our waitress was very prompt, and everything was amazing. They had the sliding doors open as well, and the people watching was great too, highly recommended.

    (5)

  • A K.

    One of the many restaurants located in the St. Armand's Circle area, Columbia Restaurant notes that they are one of the older business residents (since 1905). Touting a Spanish/Cuban theme, I decided to try their Cuban sampler when I met a co-worker and her friend here for dinner. The glass of red sangria I ordered came with a red maraschino cherry - a concession to the tourist customer base wanting that 'beach experience'. The bread roll that was served when we were seated was a mini version of a crunchy Italian loaf. The famous 1905 salad was over-seasoned with the house salad dressing, making the eating experience heavy on vinegar and salt from the green olives and ham slices. My main entree - 'La Completa Cubana' - was a nice sampling of various individual items (an empanada, slices of roast pork & boliche accompanied by several plantanos, some yucca root, black beans and yellow rice. But I'm not so sure that this was authentic Cuban ... The highlight of dinner was the dessert - the homemade bread 'pudding' was actually not a traditional bread pudding, but 2 slices of the Italian loaf bread drenched in a sweet white chocolate/rum sauce.

    (3)

  • Mike P.

    Excellent Cuban sandwich! The Gazpacho was very tasty and mixed with fresh ingredients table side. Very much "the scene" restaurant on St. Armand's Circle. Overall very good food with eager to serve waiters, very family friendly.

    (4)

  • David F.

    Being from Indiana, I don't get exposed to spanish food much, but I love the Columbia. I go here every time I am in St Amand's Circle. It is a busy place, especially on weekends during the season. The lunch crowd is as large as the dinner crowd, it seems. Be prepared to wait. The 1905 salad is wonderful. I always get a Cuban sandwich, too. The atmosphere is great too. It maybe a better atmosphere than food. It's definitely worth a try!

    (4)

  • Melissa A.

    Nice view on the circle. The bread they bring out before the meal is be best thing about this place. Not a must eat at restaurant in my opinion. The 1905 salad is extremely salty and over dressed- hence the lettuce gets soggy very fast.

    (3)

  • Mary A.

    This was.my 5 th trip here and it will be my last. Food is excellent but hostesses were standing around doing nothing. When were finally seated, no water for 10 minutes, took 15 minutes for a pitcher mojitos. Waitress seemed put out by waiting on us. This has happened every time.

    (1)

  • Portia H.

    The first time we dined here was 4 years ago. We drove up from Fort Myers. We'd just come from Lido Beach and we looked at several restaurants and chose thus one. We sat in the open air section. We enjoyed the table side dinner. Luis got a bowl full of different types if fish. I forgot what I got? This time we dined in the closed section which had air conditioning. My mother wanted this section. I don't mind the open air section, but we'd just flown in. The lunch opened with warm bread wrapped in white paper? The bread was good and accompanied by chilled butter in a lovely chilled round serving cup. I had the 1905 salad with Turkey $10.95. They should rename it the Salt and Too Much Oil Salad. Yuck! Luis got the Cannelloni de Langosta plate $14.95. He was impressed when it read read Maine Lobster. It came out looking like 2 long, rectangular, orange, and flat ravioli. It tasted like a Lobster Bisque. It was not enough food. He was hoping for the same dish he'd gotten last time, but he misread the menu. He should've described it to the waitress so that he could get the same dish he had last time. My mother got the Eggplant Riojana $12.95. She liked it, but brought half if it home and it's still sitting in the refrigerator. I'll probably get the Cesar Salad if we dine here again. We got a pitcher of the table side Sangria $19.95 but it just didnt have the same appeal that it had last time in the evening without my mother dining with us. She didnt care for it anyway, but she hardly ever drinks a cocktail. She said she would've liked a nonalcoholic version if it. Luis was still hungry so I convinced him to get the Key Lime Pie $6.95. He was glad I did because he loved it. It was very sour like key lime should be. It did not have any whipped cream on top. I thought whipped cream would have been an excellent topping for so tart a pie. My grandmother used to make a tart Lemon Meringue Pie with a moderately sweet meringue on top.

    (3)

  • Mariko F.

    This place is crowded, but they try to make space for you. I rocked up with a group of 9, at 1pm, and they tried to be accommodating. I liked that they took down my cell phone number and called me when my table was ready, 30min later. The staff is friendly, but the service is slow. I wonder if a few people didn't show up for work that day or something. Anytime I asked for something, it took 15min to get to the table, even if it was something simple like another glass for the Sangria. The food took a good hour to come out. That said, when it did, it was good. Not great, but definitely good. I think the salad is a bit overrated. I mean yes, it's a good salad, but it's based off of iceberg lettuce. I would happily eat it, but I'm not going to recommend it to anyone. I had the Cannelloni with lobster sauce. It was very good. I have to say that my favourite part of the meal was the bread that came before the food. It was sweet and fluffy. It was hard to stop eating it! All in all, it was pretty good.

    (3)

  • Alicia D.

    1905 salad is great. Good sangria. Solid restaurant.

    (4)

  • John C.

    You always know what you are getting at this chain. Great food and atmosphere. They had a salmon and rice special that was great. We have eaten at all of them.

    (4)

  • Jonathan K.

    I was recommended the Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City when we were passing through, but was unable to make it. Much to my surprise I found out they had one in Sarasota, where we were actually staying. It was tough to get a reservation and when we arrived it was mobbed, so I expected a long wait but they were right on the money with our time. There areas to sit inside, inside right on top of the street and street seating, which makes for some good options. We were seated and waited on promptly. The waiter was friendly and professional. He brought us a pitcher of Sangria which was outstanding. The tables were kind of small and tight on top of each other, but they worked much better than expected. We were able to fit everything on there. The table-side salad was extraordinary as well as the Cuban bread that accompanied the meal. The Calamares, Cakes de Cangrejo and Pollo al Ajillo plates were absolutely out of this world; the Pinchot Mixto not so much, the chicken and pork were very tough/dry but still passable. We were stuffed but still wanted to squeeze in some dessert, but unfortunately they don't have Tres Leches on the menu and were all out of the Brazo. The gift shop was a neat touch with a lot of cool things. All together I'd love to go with a 4.5 star rating if half stars were permitted. Earlier in the week we ate at another restaurant nearby and paid the same price for what seemed like half the servings as well as minus the Sangria. Absolutely outstanding experience.

    (4)

  • Deb W.

    Our lunch at Columbia was fabulous. We tried to keep it light by ordering tapas and the white asparagus salad. With the wonderful bread it was too much. But we were determined to enjoy dessert. The white chocolate bread pudding was to die for. Had to bring half of it home even though we split one order. Columbia is always a treat. Packed house. Good thing we had reservations.

    (5)

  • Gabrielle P.

    I was also with Mark C's party, and we did inform our waiter of our complaints. In addition to his comments, I would like to point out that coming from a Puerto Rican and Spanish family that has a strong love for food, I found this restaurant to be a poor representation of Cuban cuisine. #unauthentic+disappointing

    (2)

  • Jay J.

    Authentic, comfort food with a nice spacious layout. Take your pick from dining on the patio, Main dining room, or back in the more intimate dining room. Overall: Great experience if you crave authentic S.A. food.

    (3)

  • Jim K.

    Great food and service. Price is right. Beautiful decor. You will not be disappointed.

    (4)

  • Maj A.

    Pretty good the big salad Colombia is the best

    (5)

  • Jessica K.

    I give 4 stars for overall experiences I have had there, but last night our server made our experience kind of negative. When we go to the Columbia (about once a year when we visit family) it has always seemed like a show-- the servers are bright and engaging, and bringing out salad and sangria to make in front of you is always a unique aspect of the experience. Our server last night seemed much less interested in providing that kind of experience for us. My father in law was pretty disappointed with this, and even my husband noted that it was as if she was super anxious and didn't want to waste any time. She even discouraged my husband and father in law from getting the paella, which is what they really enjoy getting and basically why we come there. Now, I am all for a server providing recommendations when asked or when there's something they really love or think we should try, but really, it didn't seem like that was her intention. She was very short with us-- sangria was brought out already made, and the 1905 salad prep was way more of a chore for her than any of our previous servers. Food was fantastic as always. I got a seafood noodle dish that was really great, and i loved the red sangria, although i think the white sangria is my favorite.

    (4)

  • Megan B.

    First time going to the one in Sarasota, but have been to the one in Celebration. This time, the service was horrible. Absolutely horrible, it was 4pm so it wasn't terribly busy, either. We sat outside because of my small dog, it was hot and we all were thirsty. It took 12 minutes for our first drink order, then when all (4) of our drinks were out we had to wait till the server brought our salads out for us to mention refills...we just had him bring us out x2 drinks. At the end, We asked for 2 to-go boxes and a bowl of water for my dog..he came back with a check. No box no water. I asked again, several minutes later he came out with 2 boxes and no water. I just gave up and gave my dog the water out of my glass. The food was alright, but for a restaurant of this quality and price, I would expect a lot better service...I regularly get better service from Dennys. My family and I will not go to this Columbia again. I am not a nit picker on foods, but This was a huge disapointment.

    (2)

  • Joelle B.

    My family's been coming to the Columbia for generations. I am vegetarian and was sorely disappointed in the vegetarian paella. It had great broth and rice, but instead of using fresh vegetables WHICH THEY HAVE IN OTHER DISHES, they threw in canned red and white beans, canned artichokes and asparagus, and frozen peas and green beans. The vegetables were mushy and tasted terrible. It's a really simple fix to just put fresh vegetables that you already have in a vegetarian dish, especially if you're charging $23 for it.

    (2)

  • Susie B.

    Visited Colombia Restaurant on St. Armand's Circle in Sarasota yesterday for the first time in over 25 years, and the food was just as good, if not better, than I remember. My Chicken and Yellow Rice meal was delicious (loved the flavor of the rice), and my 1805 Salad was almost as good as having dessert. Superb meal. My friend Sandy had a 'real' Cuban Sandwich, and loved it. It was so big she took part of it home for dinner. Service was attentive, professional and very fast. Eating at the Columbia Restaurant [repeatedly] is a must!

    (5)

  • Naomi W.

    The location is excellent! The numerous shops and other restaurants provide the area with a lively atmosphere. Parking was not to hard to find and walking up to the restaurant I was surprised to see people seated outside dining with their dogs..Well mannered dogs, as we walked passed them to enter the restaurant they did not try to lick, attack or bother us. Am I back in Europe? We arrived around 6 pm and checked in with the hostess. She informed us there would be a 15 min wait, no problem due to all the shops nearby which help to pass the time. Gone for a little longer than expected we arrived back to the Restaurant where the hostess informed us our names had been scratched off the list because we had been called with no response. NOT TO FEAR! They bumped us to the front of the list and we were sitting at a table in less than 5 min. The waitress was excellent and the Sangria was very good. The open window/wall facing the street allows for an excellent breeze and great people watching opportunity's while you wait for your meal. The wait for our entree was not long and the food arrived cooked to perfection. My snapper was delicious! The portions were very large, I'm assuming this is why the price was a little high. Our waitress also gave us a coupon for a return visit because we paid with a credit card. Nice. I would like to try the Tampa Location, I herd its better than this location! WOW!

    (4)

  • Ryan D.

    Wait staff was excellent. They were so helpful with the menu and very courteous. If you go, make sure you try their home made sangria. The "1905" house salad was also great, especially if you like garlic. For my main course I ordered the Shrimp Supreme. Marinated shrimp, wrapped in bacon, battered and fried. It was SO good! Next time I'm in the area I will be back because there are so many other things on the menu I want to try!

    (5)

  • Ian T.

    Really 2.5 stars not bad but not near as good as it's been in the past This is the 5th time in 5 years we've dined here ( last time 2 years ago) 1.5 -2hr wait on a wed at 1pm. ( hostess took cell # and said she would call when table was ready) Service was a little slow --waiter was very ready to have his shift end. We ordered 1. Regular sized 1905 salad and 4 half 1905 salad half cuban combos The salad seemed a bit oilier and not as well seasoned as we remembered it. Sandwich Portions were noticibly smaller than our last visit. But i left full Great atmosphere and cuban bread though. Great outdoor seating as well We might be back on a future Trip but there are lots of restaunts in the area that might provide a better dining experince than than we had today

    (2)

  • Jared W.

    Food is so good its wow. Eat here, you have to when going to st. Armonds circle.

    (5)

  • T F.

    Must have's... the house salad! Great flavors and just a fun place for lunch.

    (4)

  • Patsy T.

    excellent lunch again! got the half salad and half cuban sandwich and it was plenty to eat.

    (4)

  • Melissa S.

    Just back from dinner here with a large group (8 adults, 4 kids). Let me start by saying the service was impeccable. Like I said, big group, kids, separate checks -- a server's nightmare, I'm sure. He handled our table beautifully, though (dammit, I wish I could remember his name! I want to say Marco, but don't quote me on that). Friendly, efficient, accurate, we never waited around nor felt rushed, nobody's glass went empty. As for the food, it was good. Not "OMG, best ever!!!1!!" but solidly tasty & good. We all received an individually wrapped, giant hunk of warm bread to start... nice. I had the "famous" 1905 Salad with shrimp for my entree. Fabulous flavor, but previous reviewers are correct that it is swimming in dressing. Seriously, half as much dressing probably still would've been too much. Thank god for that warm bread, perfect for sopping up the extra. I also swiped the plantains off a friend's plate -- so good, nicely black & crispy on the outside, soft & sweet in. My husband had the mahi-mahi, and he deemed it "alright." My two friends nearest me cleaned their plates, so apparently they were pleased with their entrees. Oh, and the sangria is a delight. So, really four-and-a-half stars for service and maybe three-and-a-half for food. Overall, it wasn't so off-the-charts fantastic that I'd go out of my way to eat there again, but if you're in the area, it's definitely worth a try.

    (4)

  • Joshua P.

    This place was absolutely amazing and had SUPERB food! I strongly recommend going when you are in Sarasota visiting. Wine was great as well as any of the 6 main course meals I sampled from the group we were with! I will be back next year when we visit.

    (5)

  • Sundi P.

    We love this place! St. Armands is a great place to spend a couple hours just walking around and visiting shops. There are several restaurants, but we always end up here. Food is great. We usually share the 1905 salad and it is definitely big enough.

    (5)

  • Lucretia R.

    I ate dinner at the location at st Armand circle and the food was decent. So I thought how bad could a chicken Cesar salad be at the airport. Well the answer is pretty bad. I threw it out. It was a disgrace.

    (2)

  • Khadijah A.

    My daughter and I stopped here first when dropped off by our driver because he recommended the food highly. We were seated and waited 20 minutes. No one ever come ever to greet us, take drink orders or anything. We kindly got up and went to Crab and Fin where we enjoyed a great meal.

    (1)

  • Asif F.

    Had dinner here with my family over spring break. Service was very good considering how busy it was. Quality of food was ok. My father in-law ordered the Ribeye steak, I took the waiters recommendation and ordered the NY Strip, My wife and kids ordered seafood. All the beef served was choice quality and very fatty. I"ve had better at Outback at half the price. Half the volume of the steak was left as fat and grissle. Even through they tought steak as a specialty, this is not a steak joint. You will be disappointed. Go here for the ambiance and the service. Food is mediocre and over priced. Much better options are available around the circle. At the end of the meal, my father in-law pulled the waiter aside and explained that he received a bad cut of meat. The waiter told him that he should have notified him earlier and he would have replaced the steak. What the waiter should have done is take the steak off the bill. Highly unlikely we would revisit this restaurant.

    (2)

  • Emmanuel R.

    GOOD LORD IS THIS FOOD GOOD! I always get the chicken manchego and it never disappoints. You can tell a lot about the quality of a restaurants food by the amount of people in the restaurant and this location is massive and it stays packed. Located on St. Armand's Circle Columbia has a beautiful atmosphere and great food a pretty decent prices. Don't expect you typical Spanish food because this is authentic Spanish cuisine

    (4)

  • John L.

    Service was prompt, friendly and helpful. For the location, the prices were ok . We ordered 4 tapas and 2 desserts. The experience was 50/50. Half the tapas were good, one just ok, and one not so much. Guava tart for dessert was to die for. Key line pie. Bought better in grocery store.

    (3)

  • Dinesh P.

    Pompano Papil looked very insipid but tasted fabulous! Highly recommend this flavorful dish. Crab cakes and Mojito were also good. Took off one star due to rude server.

    (4)

  • Mina A.

    We waited almost an hour for a table. We anticipated a really good meal since the place was packed and it has been in business for 108 years. Ordered the seafood paella and it looked beautiful. Unfortunately, it was way too salty and the flavors too concentrated. Crab cakes were delicious though. The location in the center of St. Armand's Circle is wonderful too.

    (3)

  • John W.

    Although parking in St. Armands can be a real pain, we have eaten here on several occasions and generally enjoy the experience very much. The atmosphere is great as most of the restaurant is open to the exterior, which allows you to enjoy the beautiful Florida weather even while dining indoors. In addition, there are dining tables located adjacent to a nice, although a bit overly-busy sidewalk. This is a relatively big restaraunt for the St Armands area, which is nice for large walk-in parties. In the recent past, we have walked in with as many as 6 on a busy weekend and not had to wait more than a few minutes for a table. The food is good and relatively inexpensive, although falls far-short of great. Some things, such as the Cuban sandwich are just plain weird as the cooks include some kind of salami-like product in with the ham and mojo pork. The soups are hearty and generally very good. Indeed, we will often order the soup/sandwich combination, which is plenty of food for most, so as to sample a bit of both. Be advised, each diner is given a large piece of Cuban bread at the start of the meal, so order your food accordingly. The only major issue we have ever had here is with the service, which can vary greatly in speed and quality. For example, the last time we went, after ordering, it took probably 30 minutes for us to recieve our food. But what the hell?! You're in beautiful St Armands so relax, get another beer, and enjoy the beautiful weather and the people watching.

    (3)

  • Dayna G.

    If you come here, it must be for the atmosphere/location because thats all this place has going for it. I've been here twice and have no intention of returning. First experience was decent with a really nice gentleman server but the food just seemed so cheap. Everything seemed fried, and while some of it was tasty, frying all your food means your trying to cover up how much it sucks. Their famous 1904 salad or whatever its called is probably one of the grossest things I've eaten, to be blunt. I had two bites and called it quits, and people I'll eat just about anything I don't like food going to waste...This salad however, is waste-worthy. You can shove garlic, oil and vinegar in your mouth and have the same experience. Second time around, the food was horrendous. For $25 my father and I each had grouper and never in my life have I eaten worse fish. The bottom wasn't cooked and the top was rubbery and inedible...I just lowered my review from 2 stars to 1 thinking about that fish because it makes me want to gag. My dad loves grouper and said I shouldn't let this be my final opinion of it because he said it was the worst he's ever had, yikes. Our waitress was extra unpleasant this night as well (I'm a waitress so I feel I can critique these things) and when you have a four top ordering wine, cocktails, appetizers and expensive (albeit disgusting) entrees, you show a little hospitality. By the way, their sangria comes out of a soda gun. You are paying $5 for kiddie juice. You aren't going to enjoy the taste or a buzz from that crap.

    (1)

  • Brad S.

    The Sarasota version of the famed Ybor City restaurant in Tampa is, as far as I know, exactly the same restaurant in terms of food. We went here on their annual 1905 anniversary day when everything is supposedly at 1905 prices. That meant $2.95 entrees, $1.95 salads and 50 cent soups, as well as 5 cent coffees, yet $4.95 for a pitcher of sangria. I doubt they charged $4.95 in 1905. That would have been extremely expensive. It would be difficult to say if they serve lesser quality stuff on this low-price day since I rarely eat here. I know I would not pay more than 1905 prices for what we received. The entrees of chicken and fish were dried up and the yellow rice was crunchy and undercooked. Their signature salad was the best thing: even though it's only iceberg lettuce and a few other things like green olives, they dress it up with a tableside-prepared garlic dressing that includes fresh squeezed lemon and tobasco sauce, as well as grated cheese. It's pretty good. So is the fresh baked Cuban bread. The Spanish bean soup was tasty, if lacking in garbanzo beans. Mine was mostly broth, but it was savory, and by that I mean super salty. Yet I've had all these items in better quality at La Teresita cafeteria in Tampa. Their prices are about a third what the Columbia Restaurant charges on normal days. The red sangria was just ok, but I did not catch the slightest buzz, which made me wonder what was in it, exactly, besides sugar. Certainly not brandy, which is essential to a decent sangria. The red wine must have been very cheap This place has a big reputation, enhanced by uncritical media coverage, and the decor at the Ybor City location is nice and historic to look at. However, I would leave these places to the tourists. If you want Cuban food, you can do hugely better all over Tampa.

    (2)

  • Ivan C.

    Had the Lulla Mae salad on 6/25 - horrible! Not fresh, came out of the fridge. Some ingredients were canned, not fresh. How can one mess up a salad? Don't order!

    (1)

  • Kristi P.

    I just ADORE the mojitos here. Made perfectly every time. Paella was good but I like their apps better.... Oh and the Key Lime pie was pretty darn good!

    (5)

  • Princess D.

    This is one of my favorite restaurants in Sarasota. I always make sure to eat here whenever I'm in town. First off, I love the location. It's right in St. Armands Circle, which has many upscale boutiques and restaurants. There's always a lot of activity and energy in the town. It's close to the beach, too. The restaurant itself is very large, clean and overall has a great ambiance. The food is excellent. I love their Cuban sandwich, Lula Mae's chopped salad, sangria de cava (best sangria I've had), Spanish black bean soup, pollo riojana and paella "a la valenciana." Their plantains, white chocolate bread pudding and flan are also very good. If you like coffee, you must try their cafe con leche. Everything that I've had has been delicious.

    (4)

  • Christian S.

    Great Mojitos!! The tapas were tasty

    (3)

  • Danielle G.

    It's disappointing for me to write this, but I feel bad not sharing. I've been living in sarasota for two years and working in st. Armand's for half that time so I've heard all the rave reviews and excitement over this iconic restaurant. My mother and I finally went to Columbia on a Monday (it is off season so there was no wait, although we had made reservations just in case) and were sorely disappointed. Now we know it is just a tourist trap and that there are much better restaurants tucked in Sarasota's corners. We stared with the 1905 salad and although watching them make it table side was nice we were able to see the tons of garlic and oil that went into it, which stayed on my breath no matter how many mints I had on my way out the door. It was a different taste and although we weren't impressed we weren't completely turned off from the rest of our meal, yet. My mom had ordered the paella, which we were warned took 30 min to prepare, came served with yellow rice, which was strange. The meal contained two shrimp, two clams, two muscles, two scallops, a ton of rubbery over-cooked chicken, and what seemed to be the whole salt shaker. (We were told later by the manager "the dish can end up being salty, some people love it and others hate it") I ordered some sort of shrimp stuffed with crabmeat baked with lemon? All things I love and all sounded good. Seemed that they may have left the shrimp in the oven while my moms paella was cooking for the full half hour because it came out hard and crispy, which I suspect wasn't intentional. As if having the shrimp and crab meat being rock hard wasn't bad enough, the bite that I did manage to cut off was like a mouthful of pepper and salt. Never in my life have I had a meal and a restaurant which I could not put a happy face on and suffer through, besides this occasion. When our server (who was the only excellent part of this restaurant experience) noticed that our plates were basically untouched and our faces told how disappointed we were he had the manager come over to talk to us. He didn't argue with us, although he did make the comment about the paella which in his delivery of it really irritated me, and took both entrees off our bill. We paid and left quickly because we were both left starving, although I wish we would have tried some of the desserts, the choices all seemed enticing but after having rancid seafood in our mouths nothing would have been satisfying.

    (1)

  • Jo E.

    I love this restaurant for its great tapas and tableside sangria! They also have the best Paella on the planet! Nothing is nicer than sitting outside at St. Armands and eating with friends and sipping on sangria!

    (4)

  • Ryan E.

    We happened to come here on the annual 1905 day, the wait was long but the food impressed! The 1905 salad is awesome, and so is their black bean soup. Also, their sangria is amazing! Try their flan, a definite thumbs up! This is a great restaurant with good atmosphere too.

    (5)

  • Carlos H.

    Okay so it's kind of odd that I've never reviewed this restaurant because my family takes me here almost everytime we go up to St. Armand's Circle and visit Lido Beach. This restaurant is set up with a mostly outdoors design, it's refreshing to not be closed up like you would normally be at another location, the Ybor City one is great for the dancing, the St. Pete one is great for the view of the sea because of high up it is, and I think the main appeal of this one is that it's truly relaxing to have an upscale dinner here. I ordered a George's Burger for lunch today and it was great! I've never had Cuban bread on a burger and had it taste so good. The meat was cooked to perfection, it wasn't burnt or soggy and all the toppings went on perfectly without it being sloppy or falling apart after my first bite (one of the most frustrating things for a person who orders burgers pretty much everywhere). Now I'm kind of regretting that I didn't have my camera with me today so I could show everyone, I need to make it a point to take more pictures. The waiter was very friendly and quick to fill our orders, bring out our bread (and I was heavy in anticipation because of how hungry I was), and he kept up with the level of our drinks well. He seemed to have a large load of tables though, so he was always on the run. Unfortunately, it's been too long since I've had dinner here to provide a very good review of their dinner, but I can say that I remember it being delicious. Next time I go to St. Armand's I'll be sure to update this.

    (4)

  • Alana K.

    It was different, but good. We had the beef empanadas and fondutta appetizers, which were very good. I had a chicken ceaser salad for my meal, which was okay for what it was. My dad had a fish sandwich, which he enjoyed. And my brother had the russian fish dish, which was interesting. We had key lime pie for dessert. It was excellent.

    (3)

  • Tiffany W.

    This location is busy. I've been to all the locations and they keep the same flavors consistent. Sangria table side is so delicious. Love their 1905 salad with shrimp. I'm always a return customer at the Columbia!

    (4)

  • Ann D.

    Took my kids here for their first time and we weren't impressed. Yes, the location and ambiance were there but the "attitude" of our waiter started us off on the wrong foot. I'm sorry if we are "snowbirds" and we make their life difficult. Maybe they should just put out a sign that says they don't want us. The food was average at best. The drinks were good. It will be awhile before I haul someone in for that dining experience, again.

    (2)

  • Jackie P.

    I've been here this once but my boyfriend had a just ok experience one other time. Food and service were nothing special. Maybe we got the wrong thing but we were definitely not impressed especially for what we paid. Not returning..

    (2)

  • Chris W.

    Been coming here for years. Great lively atmosphere. Great Spanish food. Great wait staff of lomg timers. The bartenders are top notch 1 has 25 years the other 30 years says a lot about a store when employees stay long term!

    (4)

  • Ken I.

    I am quite ambivalent about this restaurant. On one hand, because of its history, hype and location (in the upscale St. Armand Circle), it's worth a visit, but on the other hand, you could have better Spanish and Cuban food elsewhere. The food is ok, but bordering on forgettable (in fact my dinner companions don't remember what they'd ordered when asked for this review). As for myself, first, I had the famous 1905 salad that everyone rejoices about ... I am not much of a salad eater ... so what do i know - they made it right on the table, which I thought was great. The dressing was very good and tasty BUT the lettuce was wilted, so I thought, this didn't bode well. But, my doubt was alleviated when I had the caldo gallego soup - excellent and very hearty - and reminds me of the soups my uncles (who are chefs in my hometown) made when I was a kid. Then for my entree, I had the Cuban sampler plate (la completa cubana) with roast pork, boliche (roast beef), empanada, platano, yuca, black beans, rice etc ... what a feast for the eyes. But what a let down for the tongue - it was quite bland, sort of "Americanized" as I heard people say about ethnic foods toned down for the American palate, whatever that is. Twenty odd years ago, this was probably good, but for contemporary tastes looking for authenticity, the corner Cuban dive in the outskirts of town is probably a better place to sample a Cuban sampler. We also had the paella (a la Valencia) to share - we didn't even finish it, it was just so-so, you could probably make a better one following a recipe downloaded from any recipe site. As for dessert, I got flan (I am such a flan addict) - it was good but nothing to write home about. On the plus side, the sangria (de cava) - was excellent - very refreshing before dinner drink. The wait staff were ok - some were very friendly, some were brusque and harsh but efficient. We actually went there for a birthday dinner (mine) - so it was a little bit underwhelming especially because of the hype - but then again, the waitstaff gathered around our table and sang happy birthday, so I couldn't complain. That was sweet. As i said, I am quite ambivalent about my dining experience here.. If it is the scene that you are into - I especially like to gawk at tourists - this is a good place to be, but for food, I have to go there another time in order to get a better judgment. The shop next door though ... with Cuban baroque art and trinkets - that's another story. I absolutely love it!

    (3)

  • Tamar K.

    Ole! This is my second time at this restaurant, the first time was a lot of years ago. It's nice to see that it's still the busiest place on the circle, the biggest place, and yet, we had a table within 5 minutes. We stuffed ourselves because...why? No, seriously. Why'd I eat THAT much food? We had the tapas sampler, calamari, seafood dip (oh yeah), and meatballs (not your Italian grandmother's), then salads, then I had a shrimp dish (wrapped in bacon and fried? yes please) and he had chorizo w/tri tip and rice. We enjoyed it all very much. And a coconut drink that was yummy and made me a little wobbly til our food came. Also, they had a "gluten free" menu, which was actually a list that told you which things didn't have gluten in them, a little hard to order that way, but I give them credit for the effort.

    (4)

  • Robin W.

    I soooooooo wanted to love this restaurant. Went here with some work folks while in Sarasota for a meeting. I had missed going to the Columbia while vacationing in St. Augustine, so this was my "do-over". I ordered the bean and chorizo soup which was awesome. Then I had the chopped salad, which was wilted and greasy with the only flavor besides oil being garlic. My entree was the grouper which was dry and over cooked and possibly sitting for a long time under heat lamps. My companions also complained of over cooked and dry tasteless fish. The service was prompt and very attentive. The atmosphere was perfect. The 3 stars are for service and atmosphere and also wondering if I ordered the wrong thing. I would do back for drinks with friends.

    (3)

  • Julia S.

    My boyfriend would give this 5 stars because of the steak but I was not a big fan of his steak or of my chicken parm like meal. The food is good I am just not a fan of Columbian. I will say that the steak had a great presentation since it was on fire!! The bread is delicious and the fried lobster appetizer that I ate was amazing. Service is great. Key Lime from there is my dads favorite but I will admit I was not impressed. All in all good experience but not my favorite. Little pricey

    (3)

  • Audri H.

    Best meal was had here while visiting Sarasota! Per other yelp reviews, ordered the white sangria (made with champagne) and the 1905 salad to start. Perfection! Next, ordered a dinner of tapas: empanadas- perfectly prepared with just the right amount of spices and meat, so savory and delicious! Scallops that were sautéed in butter and coated in breadcrumbs... so good and tender. Next, 4 huge shrimp wrapped in crunchy bacon, breaded and fried served with a wonderful lime aioli cream for dipping. Did I mention the crusty fresh made loaf of bread served to each guest that can be used to sop up every last bit of this magnificent meal? And lastly, even though I felt I might pop, ordered the white chocolate bread pudding...OMG!!!! There are not enough adjectives to describe the lusciousness of this dessert. And it's massive.. I shared this with 6 other adults and we still were only able to get through half of it! Go to the Columbia! Be VERY hungry... ENJOY!

    (5)

  • Suzanne B.

    A solid three stars from me. The resaurant is lovely, with plenty of ac indoor seating or patio seating. The service was great, no problems there. I ordered a 1905 salad and got my garlic fix. Very tasty. Next was a lechon asado plate. I am used to my lechon asado looking more like shredded pork rather than cutlets. It was just ok. The black beans were excellent. We also ate ate at the Columbia restaurant in the Tampa Intl Airport. The key lime pie was very tasty, probably the best we had in Florida.

    (3)

  • J PAUL B.

    Excellent meal and facility. We went for our Wedding Anniversary and were not disapointed I need to go back and try 12 or more wonderful entrees!

    (5)

  • Carey Y.

    Sometimes I think atmosphere is equally important to food for a dining experience. In the case of a gorgeous day and wanting to eat outside, this was one of those times. Gabriel and I were walking around the lovely St. Armand's Circle in Sarasota when we found ourselves ravenously hungry for lunch. Having been to Columbia Restaurant before with my mother a few years ago, I remembered having a good lunch salad here and suggested we try to get a table outside for lunch. We went to the hostess who told us it would be 5-15 minutes for a table and that they'd call our names when they were ready. 5 minutes later, a waiter came and started leading us to an indoor table. When I stopped him and told him we'd requested outside, he took us back to the hostess and informed her of the mistake. She told us that it would be another 5 minutes or so for an outdoor table. 10 minutes later, an outside table opened up and we noticed it being cleared, presumably for us. Two women walked in, went up to the hostess and were immediately seated at that table. Confused, we went up to the hostess to ask why people who'd just waltzed in got seated before us since we'd been waiting. She was a bit nasty, explaining that she just takes the names and doesn't choose who sits where. We made our aggravation clear and a few short moments later a waiter asked us if we wouldn't mind one of the umbrella tables. Being that those are also outside, we answered that sure, that was just fine. Hmmmm. So far, not impressed with the service here. A few minutes later the waiter came over with water and menus and some warm bread and butter. He was sort of gruff in his explanation of the specials and I noted his name tag, Sandor. I ordered the gazpacho to start and the Mahi Mahi with rice and plantains for my entree. When he came over with my cup of soup and the platter of chopped veggies to top it with, I opted to have a little of each added. I asked for just a few croutons and he, again rather snottily, said 'Well, I can only fit a few anyway'. Hmmm again. Gabriel and I exchanged a look wondering what we'd done to be treated so rudely. I know it doesn't sound so bad, but it was his tone and attitude and the way he ordered me to 'please enjoy the food.'. I wish I could capture the sarcastic tone better in my writing. My soup was actually pretty good. I enjoyed the very garlicy flavor and the fresh vegetables. The crunchy croutons on top were a nice textural addition and I finished my cup in just a couple of minutes. My entree arrived shortly after. The plate was half filled with rice- way too much as far as I'm concerned, but the fish in a citrusy sauce was tasty- even though it was smothered in far too many onions. My fried plantains were both greasy and mushy, and I happily gave most of them away to Gabriel. Sandor didn't check on us once during our entree, even though we noticed him checking on the table next to us (seated with 3 attractive women) more than a few times. When we were clearly done, he asked if we were ready for the check. Ok. I guess dessert was not an option. (even though the menu made it clear that it was). We did not hesitate in tipping 15%. We tip 20% pretty much everywhere we eat, so that was pretty indicative of how we felt. I will not be returning. There are plenty of other options in the area for outdoor eating minus the nasty service.

    (2)

  • Helmut B.

    Consistant Sarasota performer. Can be crowded and the service can seem hectic and rushed at times. The food is almost always very good. The 1905 salad is an iconic favorite and is something I always get. The seafood is very fresh and the menu has many options. I usually gravitate toward the grouper or shrimp and sometimes something from the raw bar. There is a beef filet dish with brown gravy that is very good as well. The sangria is also a great choice and really compliments the food. I am not generally a sangria fan- but this stuff goes down really easy. Great location and a diverse, if older crowd. Lots of prime people watching is just a bonus. It's not always just a dinner out...sometimes it's an event. OMG I got a bit carried away...I love the Columbia.

    (4)

  • Rob B.

    Been here many times and it's still great. Service is expedient but to the cost friendliness. Of course the 1905 salad is perfect. More thoughtful service would improve the experience.

    (4)

  • Fuzzy B.

    The salad was the best aspect of our lunch there. The black bean soup was good, too. The place is huge and sitting outside is fun for people watching. BF had the original cuban sandwich and it wasn't as the good as the one at Paseo in Seattle. GF had the mahi-mahi sandwich and it was OK, but nothing to write home about.

    (3)

  • Grant M.

    I was really impressed with Columbia. The decor was classy and elegant, and it is in a great shopping district of Sarasota. The sangria was fantastic. We got two bottles of the imported (which is sweeter than the domestic). My girlfriends father kept refilling my glass every time half of it was gone, but luckily the sangria was fairly weak in alcohol content. All of the appetizers and entre's were very good. I got the Pollo Salteada which was really good, but even better the next day. The artichoke, crab and shrimp dip was good but salty. I would definitely recommend the house salad! It was one of the highlights of the meal. I would definitely recommend Columbia for any special occasion, or just slightly pricey night out.

    (4)

  • Raquel Z.

    Absolutely amazing food! I would definitely recommend the mojito! I live in California and I would fly all the way to Florida to have one! A must go to restaurant!

    (5)

  • Patricia V.

    This restaurant is awesome. Same great food and service as in Ybor City. Outdoor seating makes this a great place to people watch while eating your lunch. Large portions and great service. The Cuban is so large, two can eat one order. The caesar salad was excellent and just the right temperature. This is the second time I've had lunch here in a week.

    (4)

  • MandA R.

    Just returned from any early bird dinner (with no discounts) at what I think is the second oldest location of their 7 units This one is located in the upscale tourist area of St. Armands circle. Having been a "Cuban" food fan from my many years living in Miami, I feel I am uniquely qualifed to judge the current state of this Tampa instituion. Can you say "overated". Though slightly authentic, this restaurnat could barely stay in business on "Calle Ocho" (8th Street in Miami). Charging tourist prices, but not delivering the real deal hurts no one, as there are not many repeat customers on which to build a business. Tonight we started with the Gazpacho soup which is a Campbells tomato soup base with cut up Green pepper, cucumbers, Hot onions, fresh tomatoes and croutons thrown in. Besides being cool, not cold, it was weak and better replicated at home. On to the classic "1905" Salad. We had the version with turkey added and it tasted good, but somewhat drowned in dressing. Onto the Seafood paella. Maybe I set the bar too high, as I have been to Barcelona, Spain.but serving overcooked scallops, the tiniest clams possible and having a heavy handed salt addict in the kitchen is no way to impress a Paella junkie. Too bad, becasue at $27 it was an ample serving. Unfortunatly we skipped dessert as the basics were present - flan, tres leches, key lime pie, etc. So if you can't get to Cuba, Miami or Barcelona and want to try the Olive Garden of Cuban food stop by this 1905 former legend.

    (3)

  • Debbie P.

    Very disappointing experience tonight. Wait was much longer than explained. Restaurant wasn't full but they couldn't find a table for 6. After being seated and waiting another 10 min, had to stop a server and ask if we had someone assigned to our table. He finally showed but was very inattentive- didn't even refill drinks without us tracking him down. It was my birthday celebration and he forgot to place the special order. Food was wonderful as always but the service makes me wonder if I should go back.

    (2)

  • William B.

    They were great at one time, but, the food gets worse and worse every time I go here. I think I'm through.

    (3)

  • Dean N.

    One of the better examples of this family run restaurant chain. The 1905 salad is amazing though sometimes its like they leave ingredients out to see if you are paying attention. Currently their black beans are bland, but I am hoping that changes as the chef matures.

    (4)

  • Evan D.

    When I'm in Sarasota, I always have to make a stop at Columbia on St. Armand's Circle. If their stone crab is in season, it's definitely worth an order; otherwise, I opt for a mojito, 1905 Salad, and palomillo. The service is always friendly, the location can't be beat, and the delicious food have kept my family coming back for years. Just be prepared to eat--between the salad, the hot, flaky bread, and your entree (which is sure to come with at least two sides), Columbia is best experienced on an empty stomach.

    (4)

  • Christina F.

    Well even after the deplorable experience at the Columbia in Celebration, we decided to give it a go. It was CRAZY BUSY, at 2pm on Sunday, and we had about a 20 minute wait. We had read the menu while waiting, so ordered our food with our drinks, Anthony had a Havana Club and black bean soup, Lynne had a Cuban and spicy bean soup, and I had chicken and rice. Service was fine, not great, but definitely completely acceptable. The chicken was good, but the rice was a little too salty. Everyone elses sandwiches were great, with the Havana Club not being an authentic cuban at all. They also had free serve yourself Sangria in the gift shop. Part of the excellent review is the price, lunch for 3 with non alcoholic drinks, $32.

    (5)

  • CJ N.

    Such a great place. Get the table-made salad!

    (5)

  • Rose A.

    Some of the BEST Spanish food I ever had. I was in FL last week. Been to the Columbia in Tampa a few times, also very nice, but very happy to have gone to the one in Sarasota. Food great as always. The 1905 salad is a MUST!!!! Sangria and Mojito and cafe con leche are EXCELLENT! I am sorry I didn't have room for dessert. Everything on the menu is fresh and just so tasty. I never know where to start. Jesus was our waiter and just so professional, attentive and easy on the eyes. Gave us great advice about Siesta Beach. Highly recommend to visit any one of their FL locations!

    (5)

  • Rose F.

    I just love this place from the food to the atmosphere!!!!!!!! The sangria and the mojitos are amazing!!!!!

    (5)

  • Bethany B.

    Skip it. It looked at tasted like cafeteria food! I've been to several of these: Tampa, St Augustine, St Pete...always had a great experience. This was the exception. The place is HUGE and it's no wonder the food is below par. Serving great food to the masses if just too difficult. Skip this one, but put it on your list for St Augustine!

    (2)

  • Greg A.

    Come here every year for Spring Break. The food here is unique and very good. Great atmosphere on St Armonds Circle. Can be very loud and very busy. Would highly recommend having a reservation. The service is always good. I love the Columbia Salad and the Shrimp stuffed with Crab. Always have a pitcher of Mojitos to share with friends! Great place to bring kids as well. Enjoy!!

    (5)

  • Yvonne Y.

    We shared the $24 tapas combination (baked scallops, crab croquettes and shrimp in garlic oil). The scallops were excellent. Love that butter. Dessert is why I gave it a 4 star. That bread pudding with chocolate sauce is simply divine and enough for 3 people to share. The waterboys tend to spill the drinks and drop the wine glasses a lot. Twice during my lunch. Our waiter, Enrique, was very friendly and honest about the food tastes and portion.

    (4)

  • Moraima D.

    This was pretty good, of course Spanish food is always a favorite, I'm a little biased there. They serve you Cuban bread, so good! I had the red sangria and was really good. Although I was told afterward that the white sangria is better yet, I will have to go again and try that. The chicken croquettes delicious! And the picadillo empanadas were really good, but I have to warn you is the real picadillo which is a little sweet. I had the shrimp criollo and it was delicious! My husband had the arroz con pollo and was also delicious. The only thing I was disappointed with was the spanish Crema, Spanish version of creme brûlée, the cream part wasn't creamy enough it was too soft, felt and tasted like powdered pudding from a box :-/ Maybe should've had the flan. But overall, will go back in a heart beat.

    (4)

  • Kathleen M.

    This a really big, busy restaurant. Four stars for the gluten free menu - there are loads of options!

    (4)

  • Febre Z.

    Great Cuban dishes. Walked right in for a table of 5 even though the place was pretty packed. Good host who made recommendations. The Ropa Vieja was a wonderful shredded beef dish with platinos served on the side. Plan to spend $20+ for dinner, but the unique tastes are quite worth it.

    (4)

  • John H.

    Had not been to this location but do enjoy the Columbia. We went wile vacationing on Lido Key for our 34th wedding anniversary. This time I had the Paella Marinara, very good but mostly rice with a small amount of seafood. My wife had the Steak Palomilla, which was excellent.

    (4)

  • Brock H.

    1/2 and 1/2 Cuban sandwich and 1905 salad. Can't go wrong.

    (5)

  • J M.

    Love the Columbia in any city! Consistent good food and service. The original in Tampa is our fav, bc of the beautiful older buildings where it is located, in Ybor City. All the Sangrias are amazing (red, white and the one made w champagne) Mojotos are the best I've had anywhere. 1905 salad a classic, also Ropa Veja and black bean soup wonderful. Queso Fundito great for an appetizer.

    (5)

  • Kaylin O.

    I went today with my boyfriend to enjoy a nice day out in St. Armand's Circle and Lido Beach. We didn't really have anything planned. During the summer, it's not too busy. It can get very hot so please wear light clothing and plenty of sun screen. We parked our cars on the street since it was pretty early (11am) and there weren't many people there. We walked around St. Armand's Circle checking out the diverse array of shops, restaurants, and ice cream parlours. After making our rounds, we decided to head out to Lido Beach. It was a gorgeous day. The white sand amidst the beautiful turquoise waters. It was a little windy today giving way to choppy waves. After walking in the water, we headed back to St. Armand's Circle for lunch. My boyfriend had mentioned a cuban restaurant someone had recommended to him. He didn't know the time. I thought this might be the place considering the origin of its owner and that this restaurant has been in business since 1905!! According to their history, their original owner came from Cuba to America and opend his first restaurant/cafe in Tampa in 1905. Since then, his family have opened a total of 7 restaurants all across Florida. You have the option of sitting in-doors or outdoors. Considering how hot it was and sweaty we were in the sun, we opted for the cool in-door seating. For drinks, we had sangria, coke, and water. They gave us nice hot bread to start us off with. We ordered 2 dishes and their signature salad. Their salad was pretty good. It was made of lettuce, tomatoes, pickled olives, ham, cheese with their signature dressing lime/lemon and worcestershire sauce. We were already full after salad and bread. For our entree, we ordered lobster/scallop/shrimp cannelloni in a rich cheese/sherry sauce. That was pretty good too. We also ordered a steak dish with onion, cilantro, lime, plaintains, rice, and fries. It was a nice lunch. Our entrees were $13-14 for each entree during lunch and $4 for salad. The coke was $2.50 with unlimited refills. The sangria was $5. Not bad.

    (4)

  • Terry H.

    This restaurant is in THE BEST LOCATION on Saint Armands Cir, the best area of Sarasota. It is also the most crowded with white tablecloths, attentive waiters, beautiful open air seating and great food. Huge portions, excellently cooked. The salads are massive to me, esp the 905. The steaks are tasty even though I don't really like meat without sauce on it. That's strange but I like what I like (Cooks hate me, I know by their looks). They also serve HOT, crunchy, tasty bread as part of the meal. I love when restaurants do this, too bad so few do. Yea Columbia. columbiarestaurant.com/s… But the people watching is the best reason to come here on top of the food. Everyone walks on by here, peering in to see the activity of this very busy establishment. I read some other yelpers complain about the food and service but I have never found it to be negative in that way. The menu is varied and extensive so how can you expect someone to pick a meal for you. They don't know what you like and don't want the responsibility of choosing wrong and ruining YOUR meal. St Armands Circle is world-famous, next to the 3 best beaches in Florida: Lido, Siesta Key and Longboat Key so expect parking to be slim and the crowds to be thick. But no matter the hassles, just being here is one of the greatest experiences a person can have. You feel like you are in Cuba or Puerto Rico or Jamaica with the food and weather. The sweet spot of the world.

    (4)

  • J. S.

    A group of 4 of us went there yesterday for dinner, and we all absolutely loved our meals. We each got a meal from a different ''category''...chicken, seafood, pork, etc., and each was very good! We all enjoyed the appetizers, sangria, and desserts, too. Our bill was under $200. Considering that included alcohol, appetizers, meals, and dessert, that's not bad at all. I don't mind paying for a great meal in a nice environment, and this place had both. If you like bread pudding, please try the white chocolate bread pudding. I was a bit skeptical since I'm not a huge white chocolate lover, but this dessert did not disappoint...huge portion and delicious!!! (Just a personal note...What's with the staff having to wear long-sleeve shirts?!?!...It's Florida in the dead of summer! For cryin' out loud...let the staff wear short sleeves! I was sweating just looking at them! OK...thanks for letting me get that off my chest.). Enjoy! You won't be disappointed.

    (5)

  • Patricia A.

    This restaurant came highly recommended. Perhaps our expectations were too high The Sangria was quite tasty. The salad was beautifully prepared, but the main courses were mediocre. The paella my husband had was especially disappointing. The rice was mushy and tasteless. All the dishes were quite expensive.

    (2)

  • Leah W.

    I really wanted to love this place but the food was good not great (didn't think it was worth the price) the vegis looked like they were frozen and the whole time I felt like the waitress was trying to up sell me and i got a 26 dollar plate and desert so it's not like I was being cheap. I personally wont go back... Wish I could have really enjoyed it

    (2)

  • Jennifer K.

    Best place food in St. Armands Circle. Get the sangria and order anything on the menu and you wont be disappointed with the food. The only disappointment was I threw my husband a birthday party and the staff was very impatient with us. I understand that we took a long time to order. However, they were eager to boot us out as soon as possible to get the next group of guests in to our seats. I was upset and I felt rushed to get through dinner. Plus the waiter decided that we were not worth his time. Instead, they should have embraced the fact that they had a decent amount of people willing to shell out cash for liquor and food. We could have stayed longer than we did and spent more money on drinks after our meal.

    (3)

  • TAZS T.

    Their 1905 Salad is the one item that I can rave about. The rest of the food in average., This is more of a tourist trap and most local avoid it during the winter season.

    (3)

  • Darren S.

    Be ready to decipher their wordy menu. We started with a very small pitcher of extremely sweet red sangria which was not enjoyed by anyone at the table. The black bean cakes were good. The black bean soup was just black beans over white rice in a soup bowl, but tasty. The gazpacho was a raw garlic puree and they offer you some diced vegetables to add to it table side. It was my least favorite gazpacho ever. Their famous 1905 salad was also loaded with a tremendous amount of raw garlic but it was tasty. The overall consensus at the table about their meals were: "It was OK."

    (2)

  • Nick M.

    We stopped in for a quick bite while doing some shopping on St. Armands, and the place was quite busy, being 12:30ish, Instead of waiting we sat at the bar which was empty. We had great service from the bartender,. We ordered tapas which consisted of the calamari...which were cooked perfectly with a very nice seasoned flour, the chorizo was good...but I have had better....in Grand Rapids of all places., and we also ordered artichoke , crab, shrimp which was quite flavorful. Great atmosphere, fun place.

    (3)

  • C K.

    You can get your entire meal made table-side. They offer tableside drinks, salad, entrees, and dessert! Make those waiters work. Pretty good food - can be a long wait when it's busy, though.

    (4)

  • Larry H.

    Chicken (Pollo "Riojana") was very good. Palomilla steak was very good. They have a nice wine list. Nice Spanish bread. Good salads. But extra and not offered to us... So minus 1 star. It was busy and we had to wait longer than expected. The service was good and speedy.

    (4)

  • Elena V.

    I think the food is really good, but I've had a generally poor experience with the customer service here. I got unclear information trying to secure a table for my group, and I left feeling as though I didn't matter. I agree with the Yelper who said that it feels like the restaurant has been around so long, and it's so successful, that staff can take or leave you. I like the food, but there are plenty of other restaurants on St. Armands and in Sarasota that I'll be heading elsewhere from here out.

    (2)

  • Jennifer G.

    I love the 1905 Salad at the Columbia, the sangra is good, the chicken and yellow rice is good. The croquettes were disappointing and the cuban sandwich is kinda whatever. I would still make a stop here if for nothing else but 1905 salad and sangria (or a mojito, but thats up to you!)

    (4)

  • Kyle T.

    One of my favorite places to eat. Had dinner here and it was nice. Lots of food, awesome waiter. I chose to go with the combination platter that had a variety of spanish foods....Mmmmmm. It was really good. We all ate well and a lot. It was super packed, but we still received great service. Maybe we caught them on a good night, but the place was really nice. We ate outside on the sidewalk.

    (4)

  • Nikki K.

    Kind of dissapointing, for Columbia. We had a couple salads, yuca, and lobster croquettes. The croquettes were the only good part. I think you have to order protein here in order for it to be good. The setting is great. Our server was good except it took a little while before we had one. Overall, I would save my time and money and go to the original in Ybor.

    (3)

  • Bri C.

    I've been to this restaurant twice, and the one in Ybor City once. I'm a fan of Columbia! The 1905 salad is very yummy. They toss it right at your table. It's not a huge plate of salad, but definitely a good appetizer and way to start your meal. Good mixture of lettuce, great dressing, cheese, ham, olives. Our favorite at lunch today was the Palomilla. A very tender steak filled with lots of great flavor. The yellow rice is really nice also . I got the Sarapico Chicken and thought it could use some additional flavor. Maybe some hot sauce, or more salt. The chicken just needed a little extra kick. We also tried a special pasta of crab and enchilada sauce. It was also very good. I would recommend getting a mojito as well. Yummy for my tummy! The restaurant is also in a great location at St. Armands Circle. Fun to watch people go by, and to each in such an open atmosphere.

    (4)

  • Darcy S.

    I love 3 things here, the bread,the Caldo Gallego soup, and the 1905 salad. I get it every time! I haven't tried anything else, but a friend had the chicken and rice and it was very good! I love the atmosphere, and the service has always been good when I've been there.

    (4)

  • Stacey L.

    Second time dining here. Just as good as last years visit while on vacation. We tried the Cuban caviar, which is their spicy black bean dip. It was very good. We had the stuffed shrimp and their special shrimp supreme. Both were very tasty. Service was good as well .

    (4)

  • Rob M.

    Pollo Rosarita was great chicken and yellow rice. Empanadas are great here, too. The outdoor seating is an amazing view into the wacky subculture of Floridas tramp stamps and tykes in Crocs visiting grandma...

    (5)

  • Tony H.

    The place is huge - and the place was packed with a 20 minute wait for a table for 2. We thought that was a good sign ... well in fact I think it was a bit of a tourist trap. The whole thing about being around for 100 years is hyped up - I am not sure how they did that to be honest. In any case - it was overpriced. The grouper with artichoke, sundried tomato and rice was luke warm, and very forgettable... diner style. The poor waitress dropped our order on the floor - fortunately the contents did not splatter us or any other patrons. The service was horribly slow. We won't return there.

    (1)

  • Memo D.

    Lots of fun. Great service. Try the 1905 salad if you are not on a diet. The pork was a little overcooked and dry. Rice and beans were very good. If I could add another half to the rating, I would.

    (3)

  • Jennifer L.

    My fiance and I went here for my birthday while on vacation based on the recommendation of a coworker and I am SO glad we did. It was spectacular. The ambiance is fabulous - you feel like you must be in an open air cafe in Havana. The service was friendly and accomodating - we were 45 min late for our reservation and they still sat us with smiles on their faces! Our waiter, Jesus, was equally sweet and attentive. The food was excellent. Starting with the simple but EXCELLENT fresh bread at the table to the appetizers - shrimp, scallops, and queso fundido trio. I can't tell you how scumptuous that seafood was. For our entrees, I had the filet mignon Chacho with the tableside bourbon flambe (SO cool and different) and my fiance had the crab-stuffed shrimp. Both were beyond delicious. The steak was very tender, cooked perfectly. The shrimp meal was generous in portion and savory in flavor. To top it all off, they brought me out the chocolate mousse cake with a candle and sang me happy birthday in Spanish. It was embarassing and adorable. If you are in the Sarasota area, Columbia is a must-go restaurant. I can't wait for my next vacation to go back!

    (5)

  • Brian S.

    The food is like Baltimore - hard to hate, hard to love. Their signature "1905" salad is their claim to fame. It's good if you're a fan of salad. I like salad. I'd get the salad again. Hard to go wrong with salad. The food itself is ho-hum. Queso Fundido was disappointing. Shrimp & Crab Alcacho was okay. The Beef Salteado was described as "great" by the waitress, and it was "good" but not particularly notable. Ditto the Filet Mignon "Chacho" style. Margaritas got props. I coveted my neighbor's Mojito. And the gigantic woman behind us seemed to love the churros, because she had a dish all to herself - no doubt before blaming her weight on a faulty pituitary gland. The service was good considering the place was packed solid. She was friendly and definitely a 20-percenter. It's a kid-friendly place, and that was pretty obvious. This is the kind of place I'd go back to every now and then, but I'd keep on the lookout for other options.

    (2)

  • Athena H.

    We were here for lunch while on a short getaway. We started off with mojitos, queso fundido, and crab cakes. All were very good. The crabcakes were not overly bready and the queso was of the Spanish/Cuban variety with tomatoe sauce as the base and melted cheese on top served with crisp toasts. We shared the roasted pork and it was delightful. I was pretty full from the appetizers so didn't eat much of it. The best part of the place is the atmosphere. It's a sidewalk cafe with indoor/outdoor seating. It reminded me a bit of being along the boardwalk in San Tropez. There's a European feel to it and the people there are very diverse. Next time, I want to try the burger on Cuban bread. Yummy!

    (4)

  • Eldita B.

    MAJOR disappointment. This place is more about the nostalgia... Please do not expect "authentic" Cuban flavors or "sazon" here. The Sangria was decent; service was a bit slow (however, friendly). The food is fresh(and overpriced), lobster cannelloni is good, but if you ask for classic Cuban dishes (Palomilla, Boliche,Ropa vieja ) don't expect a mouth full of joy, ESPECIALLY if you are familiar with Cuban cusine. Unfortunately, it's a bit of a tourist trap.

    (2)

  • Molly S.

    Great food & outstanding service. We had a party of seven (3 kids) and everyone had great meals. The sangria was wonderful and everyone enjoyed their meals. Our server Hans was the best waiter we have had anywhere in a long time.

    (5)

  • Nicki M.

    Pretty good food, really bitchy waitress. The 1905 salad is a must also very good sangria.

    (3)

  • Bonnie G.

    Three of us had lunch here today just before noon. Server was prompt, knowledgeable and efficient...drinks were brought prompty, as was bread. Mojito was excellent. Two friends had the cup of black bean soup and half portion of the "1905" salad, both said everything was delicious. I chose the salteada with shrimp and I made a terrific choice. I asked that it be prepared without mushrooms and it was. Four good-sized shrimp, sauteed onion, green pepper, potato chunks, and chorizo made for a very tasty meal. Portion was ample, esp. considering it was only $11.95. I'd go back and recommend Columbia to others. The place was packed by the time we were halfway done with our meal, but the servers seemed to be handling it with ease.

    (4)

  • Dallas Tampa D.

    Server was great! The management was anything but! I wore a sleeveless shirt (sitting outside in 85 degrees) and was attempting to use washroom. This isn't fine dining by any stretch! I looked around and saw 4 women in tanks sitting INSIDE! I am male and very well-groomed! Anyway--not impressed!

    (1)

  • Kelly W.

    boy, am i 1905'd out! since my visit to the columbia restaurant two weeks ago, i've had 5 other separate occasions of homemade 1905 salads. i took home 3 bottles of dressing with me from their gift shop with good intentions of giving it away, but only 1 made it out the door. yes, i got sold, but only because it was so darn good! now, if only i can remember the awesome experience so i can share with you fellow yelpers. my gf and i sat in the patio (big portion of the restaurant is patio) because it was such a nice day. our server jesus was friendly. we ordered a pitcher of mojito (equivalent to about 6 glasses), and boy was that GOOD! jesus recommended their calamari as appetizer, which like any calamari was good. but their mustard mixed cocktail sauce was quite exquisite and different, we liked it. the restaurant was very busy as it's centrally located in st. armands, and parking can be tough. but don't let that scare you away because their food is a must try.

    (4)

  • Marisa B.

    Columbia is home to great drinks, pretty good food, fantastic sauces and consistent service. After skipping lunch, my husband and I opted to go an hour before our original dinner reservation. We were seated as soon as they found us on their list. Our baby-faced waiter was friendly and talkative, checking on us often and refilling water without prompting. I sampled some sort of coffee martini and was in absolute bliss within seconds. This drink is potent stuff and goes down VERY easy! I should have had it for dessert. It was a bit too sweet for a starter. My husband's margarita was a house specialty (can't remember the name) that featured a dash of Cointreau or bourbon or something...? Whatever that extra jigger contained, it was magical. The margarita was rich and smooth, and introduced a lovely haze into my food-deprived head (insert sloppy grin here)! Two more margaritas, please!! Get the 1905 salad as a starter. It's a great blend of flavors, from olives to a dash of Worcestershire sauce. I was slightly disappointed that the salad used iceberg greens. The lettuce itself was crisp and fresh, but just seemed rather bland. For me, butterleaf or red leaf would have been a better match with the dressing. Overall, though, this is definitely a great appetizer, and the tableside prep is fun for the whole family. My main course was the Red Snapper Adelita. Again, the sauce was superb -- hearts of palm and artichoke hearts mixed with garlic and a warm spicy seasoning. The snapper itself tasted slightly overcooked, but it was fresh and the portion was enormous. My husband tried La Completa Cubana, a combination entree with a little bit of everything, from roast pork, boliche & empanadas to platanos and rice & beans. Very tasty, though also a bit on the well done side. The platanos ROCKED the house, and I snuck in a couple extra when my hubby wasn't looking (sorry, babe!). We were way too stuffed for dessert, so we wandered out into St. Armand's Circle and walked off our happy buzz laughing at the crazy window displays. Good times.

    (3)

  • Julia M.

    We came here for my mom's birthday and had a great time. I was kind of worried because I have read all the negative reviews, but our experience was nothing like those. We started off with a pitcher of Mojitos which was put together by the waitress at out table. Then we ordered the paella valencia, the mahi mahi (I really wanted the pompano, but am trying to eat only sustainable seafood), and I cant remember what the other lady with us ordered. We also all enjoyed the 1905 salad. The food was awesome, the paella was enough for 2, if not 3 people and the salad dressing was great. When we informed our waitress it was mom's birthday she brought a complementary flan (but looked panicked when we suggested she sing to us). All in all this was a very enjoyable dining experience with great food and a great waitress.

    (5)

  • James M.

    Always a treat. Locals and tourists alike. Great food, service and atmosphere. You won't be disappointed.

    (5)

  • Ben R.

    Just stopped in for a couple of drinks but the environment was good and service prompt. Family ate there a few days prior and enjoyed themselves. I would of liked to try the food but didn't happen this time.

    (3)

  • Gary E.

    This could be my favorite restaurant in Sarasota - but is not because their execution is so spotty. Columbia specializes in Spanish cruisine with lots of long time family recipies. They are part of a small chain that originated in Tampa. We ate in their original location several years ago and loved it. In Sarasota, we really enjoy their drings, their 1905 Salad and their location. Eating outside on a warm Sarasota evening is wonderful. Except for the main courses. Everytime I have been there, there has been something wrong with the main courses. I had a veal dish with crab and beanaise (doesn't that sound great!), but it was way too salty. I could not eat even half of it. I've had overcooked fish, oversauced meat, and dry appeitizers. My extended family, who I took their last Christmas, would not go back there again if I paid them (wait , I did pay them is when I paid the bill!). Go there for drinks, the salad, and sitting outside. Don't go there for the main courses.

    (2)

  • George C.

    We have been to this restaurant probably 15 times over the last 43 years. Our experience is that if you order their old tried and true dishes, you will not be disappointed. This restaurant is a satellite of the main one in Ybor City, Tampa, with an old and proud history. It used to be that a waiter had to apprentice for years before becoming a full camarero, a station of great dignity and finesse. They were polite, formal, knowledgeable, helpful, and proud of their profession and their food presentation. Things have changed, but there is still a lot of that old pride in this family-owned business. My recommendations are the 1905 Salad (complete with tableside ceremony), the Seafood Paella, the local flounder dishes, the Garbanzo Bean Soup, the full range of appetizers, the Red Snapper and the Sea Bass Pappilotte dishes, and a very interesting Poached Halibut with Beurre Blanc. Since we don't imbibe, I can't help you with the alcoholic beverages.

    (4)

  • Princess C.

    I went with my boyfriend and his family and we had a great dinner. The waiter Jacinto was really nice. the only thing is the seats are not very stable.

    (4)

  • Jeff B.

    Amazing! I have the filet mignon chacho each time I visit and it never fails. Great staff, better food, and overall one of the best places in the circle.

    (5)

  • Kyle G.

    Although I've read most of the reviews on here, I've got a different take. While I have sampled most of the menu, and have nothing bad to say about it, I'd suggest people stick with their infamous dishes (1905 salad, cuban sandwich, fresh sangria). Sure, there might be a little better quality food in the neighborhood, but the service and location are fantastic.

    (4)

  • Mark L.

    My local friend kept telling me not to go to this restauant because I would never get in.. But he doesn't know how much I love eating at the bar. Friendly staff.. had a nice spanish red, gazpacho soup, and a chopped salad, I know its not the most spanish thing to order.. but it was all good. Oh, I asked for olives and the bartender gave me 100 of them in a large glass...

    (5)

  • Jessica F.

    One star only because I couldn't give them 0 stars

    (1)

  • Tracie L.

    What a disappointment. We have better Cuban food in California. The mojito was not very good, my ropa vieja was not very memorable (and overpriced for the quality/quantity/sides) and the service was terribly slow (however, friendly). And the waiter couldn't help me decide when I asked him for his recommendation. The menu is pretty vast, so there was a lot to choose from. My overall impression was this was one big tourist trap.

    (2)

  • Marjo B.

    We always go here when we come to Longboat Key. The 1905 salad is wonderful and the cuban bread they serve is very good -- real butter, too. The best part is the sangria -- especially the version with sparkling wine and brandy -- to die for -- very refreshing to sip this and people watch on St. Armand's.

    (4)

  • Adrienne B.

    The Columbia is always a must when my family is in Florida. The 1905 salad, lobster cannelloni, palomilla, Cuban sandwich, margarita, and sangria are favorites. As other reviewers have mentioned parking can be slim, but St. Armands is a great place to stroll around after lunch or dinner.

    (4)

  • Peter C.

    Been there many times but this past Thursday the service was horrible! Went from four stars to two...food was very good but had to wait 20 minutes before Milan apologized that no one had come to our table. Service was very slow...a sangria took over 20 minutes to get. My wife complained to a manager who apologized because he had to not because he wanted to. She felt as though he was just blowing her off. I told him I'm in the restaurant and bar business and don't complain often. This was just plain awful service and bad management response. Our bill was already paid, we were not looking for anything other than letting them know how our family dinner had been. There were nine of us and as an owner I would want to know if there was a problem. The manager should have at least acted as if he cared! We are visitors to the area but also own a home there so we do return to places we like and tell others of places we don't care for. Just thought you should know...

    (2)

  • P L.

    Decent place for Cuban food in Sarasota. There are many better choices for Spanish food, but it wasn't bad at all. I actually liked the sangria and the waitress presented it well... the Ropa Vieja was alright, but it lacked meat. The Palomilla (steak) was pretty good, heavy on the onions though. I liked the paella. I thought it wasn't too salty and heavy. Price was expensive (Ropa - $18; Palomilla - $19; Paella for 2 - $26) but the price for the sangria was worth it ($16 for a pitcher). The best part was the bread that they gave us in the beginning and an empanada appetizer I got, which had a pretty good salsa on top! The area was great though...

    (3)

  • Lou L.

    As a birthday treat, my grandmother and I go to the Columbia for a late lunch. We all know from my previous review how un-impressed I was with their lack of service. I figured though, my grandmother really likes this place and does not get to go out all that often, it would be nice. We choose to sit outside because it was a stellar day. It was also a different time of day I was coming so I figured this would be my final opinion of this place. Service was SLOW. And I saw no reason for it. They were not busy. We got our food promptly. Water was needed and we had to flag our waiter down for it. They did not have a small version of the 1905 salad to go with a cup of soup for our small appetite and would not cook my daughters steak how she wanted. My grandmother ordered the 1905 salad and the ONLY impressive thing about that was the dressing. I ordered the spanish bean soup and was not too impressed with that either. So now I can say this place is lack luster lunch and dinner. Save your money and go eat at Two Senoritas or Two Amigos.

    (2)

  • Justin R.

    Sarasota is kind of like Saint Pete, but smaller, but they actually have some good eating hear. We went down to the circle area, with really no clue where we were going or what we were doing, because neither of us had ever been to the SRQ. Well we walked around and noticed there was a Columbia restaurant in Sarasota as well. We know the one in Tampa is renown, so we figured we would try this one for lunch. Everything was fantastic. They were extremely busy, but we were seated within a matter of minutes. Service was prompt and exact, actually it's some of the best food service I have received in along time. I didn't go to crazy for lunch, and just ordered a Cuban, but it was one of the best Cubans I have had since being in Florida., it was also served with an amazing soup I think called Caldo de Gallo, which consisted of Chorizo, ham, and I believe onions and radishes. Our waitress was very prompt, and everything was amazing. They had the sliding doors open as well, and the people watching was great too, highly recommended.

    (5)

  • A K.

    One of the many restaurants located in the St. Armand's Circle area, Columbia Restaurant notes that they are one of the older business residents (since 1905). Touting a Spanish/Cuban theme, I decided to try their Cuban sampler when I met a co-worker and her friend here for dinner. The glass of red sangria I ordered came with a red maraschino cherry - a concession to the tourist customer base wanting that 'beach experience'. The bread roll that was served when we were seated was a mini version of a crunchy Italian loaf. The famous 1905 salad was over-seasoned with the house salad dressing, making the eating experience heavy on vinegar and salt from the green olives and ham slices. My main entree - 'La Completa Cubana' - was a nice sampling of various individual items (an empanada, slices of roast pork & boliche accompanied by several plantanos, some yucca root, black beans and yellow rice. But I'm not so sure that this was authentic Cuban ... The highlight of dinner was the dessert - the homemade bread 'pudding' was actually not a traditional bread pudding, but 2 slices of the Italian loaf bread drenched in a sweet white chocolate/rum sauce.

    (3)

  • Mike P.

    Excellent Cuban sandwich! The Gazpacho was very tasty and mixed with fresh ingredients table side. Very much "the scene" restaurant on St. Armand's Circle. Overall very good food with eager to serve waiters, very family friendly.

    (4)

  • Jo R.

    no thanks. the service is the worst. the food was very blah. The waitor was pushy on drinks & I'm not a drinker. Seemed angry that I only drink water, sorry.

    (1)

  • Lalitha K.

    Fabulous food! Black Bean cakes for appetizer: so delicious!! Four nicely sized, flavorful, slightly fried black bean cakes with guacamole and sour cream, the cakes just melt in your mouth. For dinner: try the Eggplant Riojana, yummy!!! Definitely a portion size worth sharing for two. The Vegetarian Cubana, very, very good. My spouse ordered that entree. The Tostones could have been a bit more flavorful, we like our food a bit spicier than most, the overall dish so tasty. Their black beans are made to perfection. Our favorite: each patron gets a small loaf of homemade bread with soft butter, one bite is not enough! You have to eat the whole thing. We also tried their Black Bean soup, again so tasty! We tried this restaurant on a whim, not disappointed. Even though they were busy, they still seated us pretty quickly, the service was excellent! We ordered their house chardonnay, made especially for the restaurant, named after the founder, we found it to be more like a PInot Grigio. Light, not bold and buttery like a true chardonnay. It didn't stop us from drinking it. A perfect wine for a hot Summer evening in a seaside town.

    (4)

  • TP F.

    Lackluster and overrated in every way. From the chewy overcooked calamari to the over-dressed 1905 salad to the listless waitress who incredulously asked "Really?" when I suggested I wanted to take home what was left of my over-dressed salad. We asked to start with the calamari but she, knowing better, brought the soup first instead. The shrimp on the 1905 salad was strangely flavorless. The best of the lot was my companion's black bean soup but it wasn't something so wonderful (or delicious that I couldn't make it as easily myself in my own kitchen for pennies) that I can recommend this restaurant.

    (2)

  • Sherry M.

    My husband and I went for an early dinner on a sunday night, Columbus Day weekend. We had no trouble getting a table outside and there were plenty of tables inside. We had the 1905 salad with shrimp and it was very good. The shrimp was slightly over cooked but not to the point that the were terrible. The salad is prepared table-side and there isn't much to it; lettuce, tomato, parm cheese, little green olives and dressing but it was really good (we weren't looking for a big salad). We had an order of the lobster flat bread and I am still thinking about it 4 days later. Lobster piled on crisp flat bread with charizo and a romesco sauce. We also had the crab cakes which we didn't need, as we were full. They (2)were a bit on the small side bit they were good and packed with crab. The Tango mango daiquiri was fantastic and refreshing.

    (4)

  • Emily G.

    I've never been fond of spanish food but I have fond memories with my family here. Colmbia was always my father's favorite resturant and we always went there for his birhday until he passed away. The service is always good and they make amazing mohito's. I highly reccomend them.

    (4)

  • Lon A.

    We stumbled across this historic landmark while walking around St. Armand's Circle. My wife and I decided to check it out for lunch. It was packed, but we were sat quickly along the railing. Service was impeccable. You can tell the servers deal with a high volume of people and food. The Cuban sandwich was one of the best Cubans I have ever had. My wife had the 1905 salad which was prepared at the table. It was delicious. We enjoyed it so much we went back 2 other days for lunch before heading to Lido beach for the afternoon. We discovered the Mojitos the first day and decided to get a pitcher the two other days. The mojitos were also prepared at the table and were some of the best mojitos we have had. We took our left overs to the beach for an afternoon snack. Great place and can see why this is a Sarasota institution.

    (5)

  • Keri K.

    this place gets an emotionless "wow" where do i begin? i'll say upfront that the signature salad is good. it's tossed table side and is plenty for a meal. thin slices of ham and cheese with green olives tomatoes and iceberg lettuce. typically i'm not a fan of iceberg but it goes with this salad and the delicious dressing. the bread is good too. the service is poor and gets 1 star. the rude waiter made a remark about just ordering a salad for an entree and not ordering additional courses. our bill was still $30 and thinking back i wish i wouldn't have tipped that waiter 20% on the total check. here's the topper- a 4 top close by had an entree dropped on a lap. the waitress accidentally dropped an entire and still handed the table a check. WHAT?! luckily the guy who got it in his lap was nice and didn't make a big fuss. it was just a little shocking to me that he still received a bill...i can't say for sure what he was charged and i will say the waitress was apologetic...still...why give the table a bill? his shirt and pants were completely ruined. bottom line the people watching here is entertaining, the salad and bread are good but the service is despicable.

    (2)

  • Alex F.

    Great location. Definitely worth a try.

    (4)

  • Adam W.

    I really enjoy the sangria and the mojitos ~ as far as food goes, I would suggest the sampler platter or the paella. Also, get the specialty salad with the table-side dressing. I ended up buying the cookbook in the small connected store.

    (4)

  • Mike F.

    I have memories of eating at the Columbia Restaurant in St. Armand's key as a child on family vacations 30 years ago. Recently, i brought my own family there. It is even better than i remembered. Sangria--awesome. 1905 Salad--awesome. Grouper--excellent. More casual than i remembered and very kid-friendly. Great food. Great service. A classic!

    (4)

  • Ram H.

    Went back for the second time since the food and service was good the first time. Asked the host at 6:50 PM how long of a wait for an inside table, he looks around for 2 seconds and says it will be 9:00 before we get a table. Strange since hardly anyone is waiting, but we accept and go next door to eat. We swing by around 8 and go in to ask how long of a wait just to be told a table is available now! I say this is what happens when a restaurant is too successful and doesn't particularly care about their customers.

    (2)

  • Elise J.

    Amazing! They make the mojitos and sangria along with the 1905 salad at your table. We got the mariscos diablo which I highly recommend. It is linguine with jumbo shrimp scallops crab and prawns in a light red sauce. For vegetarians, the vegetarian cubano is a variety of vegetables perfect for someone looking for something different. I highly suggest this restaurant for anyone looking for a great atmosphere and food expierience in the area.

    (5)

  • Amber B.

    This place was amazing the 1905 salad was so good I had to buy the dressing in the gift shop, mojito's were great along with a wonderful sangria. Lobster flatbread and Blackburn cakes were my favorite tapas and the loaf of bread the gave each person at the table was gone before we knew it.

    (5)

  • C B.

    We went for lunch on the recommendation of a friend. We found the service good, the food was as good as it gets. We will go out of our way to go again if in the area. The plantain encrusted mahi with citrus butter sauce is one of the best new dishes I have tried in a long time. So many good choices on the menu, one trip is not enough.

    (5)

  • Cristina P.

    Very classy, nice place. Still not bad for kids. Great food, nice decor. Cute gift shop next door. Staff very good. the signature salad is wonderful!

    (5)

  • Kristin K.

    A really great restaurant. You can tell because its totally huge and totally packed. Granted, its a lot of old people but that's Florida, what do you expect. Anyway, we would see other restaurants that were dead empty but this one, always filled. So we tried it out and its Cuban food and really good. The service was timely and pleasant, lots of people to handle all the customers and the food comes out super quick too. I have a feeling whoever is running this thing understands the concept of turning the tables over quickly by getting the food out fast. This is a positive thing. Definately one of the better restaurants in this area and the price is reasonable. I would recommend trying it, I think you'll enjoy it.

    (4)

  • Michael C.

    My wife and I stopped here for a late lunch on a weekday. The Cuban grouper sandwiches were great as was the service. I will certainly go back when I'm in Sarasota again.

    (4)

  • Angela S.

    While the food is good, the Columbia in Ybor City offers better individualized service.. This location is far too commercialized..

    (3)

  • Beth Z.

    Great dinner, outside dining was delightful, a pitcher of Sangria was shared by three of us and was very refreshing! I highly recommend the tapas, they're more than enough for dinner! Service was very good as well!

    (5)

  • Jessica D.

    Excellent sangria- mahi mahi topped with blue crab was terrific - distinct and welcoming charm despite being a very large restaurant and FL chain - I definitely recommend it!!

    (4)

  • Nancy F.

    I will never go back and I would never recommend this place. The food was not good at all. And we were hungry! Anything tastes good if you are hungry. Well.. not here. The only good thing: empanadas. Service was ok and quick. We ate outside as they have outdoor tables.

    (1)

  • JEREMY G.

    One of the best spots in Sarasota. Never have had a bad meal. If your out for the evening get a pitcher of mojito. They make it right in front of you and it is definitely one of the best mojitos around.

    (5)

  • Bob H.

    Dropping to a 3.5 Star. We had very high expectations on our return for a planned light sammie lunch on a beautiful day off Lido Key on St. Armands Circle. We arrived a bit earlier ~11:20. Sangria, Spanish Bean soup, cuban bread, and their iteration of Cuban sandwiches - AND churros. We were seated promptly in the dining room and our server was a bit below par this go around. The Sangria (by the glass this time - white) - was good (and potent) but not as tasty as the Sangria de Cava. Again the warm cuban bread was delish. Little let down by the Spanish Bean soup - the chick peas were firmer this time, I assume from not being simmered as long - but still delicious and satisfying. The cuban sandwich - excellent flavor but was not warmed through - warm bread to the touch - surmising sat in the window too long. The cheese was melted, salame warm but the cold ham gave it flavor of cheap boiled ham. It COULD HAVE BEEN wonderful. Churros for dessert! Excellent choice. I'll return but I'll let them know the last Cubano was cold when it got to me. $65 for a light lunch w/ sangria is a little high to not expect a wonderful experience.

    (4)

  • Steph G.

    A Tampa original. Black bean cakes are to die for. 1905 salad is a classic. Skip a glass of sangria- go for the pitcher!

    (4)

  • Rob W.

    This is my favorite Columbia due to the awesome location, I really like St. Armands Circle. It is really a nice place to spend some time. The fare is the same as the other restaurants. I like the 1905 salad, the sngria and the cuban combination. Not the best Cuban food I have ever sampled, but still good.

    (3)

  • Tony M.

    Excellent lunch, great outdoor seating and great waitress. I had original Cuban sandwich and my wife had combo Cuban sandwich and salad. Great meal and am going back for dinner some time.

    (5)

  • Tayler J.

    Columbia is fantastic, no other way around it. The snapper dinner, 1905 salad, sangria, and many steaks are delectable. This is a really big place so it's easier to get a table here than most of the other places on St. Armands but that's not because it's empty, it's probably the most popular restaurant in the area. Spanish cooking may not be for everyone, but there are things on the menu that all people can relate to and enjoy. Ask about their seafood specials, last time we had snow crab claws. Unbelievably good.

    (5)

  • Liz H.

    Good food - very slow service. Rude waiter. Looked down upon younger patrons over ordering a drink, and did not clean table or take dirty plates until we asked him to.

    (2)

  • Mac O.

    Columbia is a local Florida chain with a few restaurants in the Tampa area. The original opened in 1905. I don't know exactly how long this one on St. Armand's has been operating, but 40+ years at least. When Moms was a college co-ed in Sarasota, she used to eat at this very Columbia, which is one reason I love to come here when we're in town. Moms hasn't been back to Sarasota since she graduated, but I like to sit on the patio and imagine what St. Armand's must have been like when she was in school -- it must have been so much sleepier since over the years this place has been developed considerably. Nostalgia aside, Columbia makes good food. I've never been tempted to try anything but their tapas, honestly, because I love to sample as much food as possible when I go anywhere. Too many of the options are fried, and it's not very veg-friendly. But -- the Black Bean Cakes are quite tasty, and the marinade on the Langostinos is absolutely delicious. To cut the fry-oil fatigue, I *love* the Lula Mae's Chopped Salad which has two of my favorite salad fixin's of all time, hearts of palm and artichoke hearts, alongside white asparagus, carrots, tomato, cucumber, and chopped hard-boiled egg. All mixed together with the garlicky parmesan dressing, this salad is fresh and satisfying. You can't go wrong with a pitcher of sangria, either. I like the cava made with sparkling wine, prepared table side. It just seems appropriately beach-y and is definitely refreshing. Good food, good drinks, good prices, and feeling a connection to Moms makes Columbia a must-stop for me in Sarasota. [15 Minutes of Fame: "The Today Show"]

    (4)

  • Anthony S.

    If you like Cuban food or want to try it this is the place! Couldn't say how many years we've been coming here but have never been disappointed. Get the sangria de cava, Cuban sandwich, 1905 salad, black bean soup, or well anything on the menu and enjoy!

    (5)

  • Terry H.

    Love the food, especially the salad and bread before the entrees. Steak dishes are the best

    (4)

  • Jennifer F.

    My husband and I ate at this location for the first time yesterday. It was our first time at any of the Columbia restaurants. I have been wanting to try it for years. I grew up in the restaurant business as my father owned a fine dining establishment in Washington D. C and I enjoy eating at restaurants with such acclaim. Let me start off saying the food was amazing. My husband, an American meat and potatoes kind of guy, was very skeptical and was won over very quickly. This was not the issue here. Unlike the other reviewers our experience with service was awful. From the beginning we were asked if we wanted seating inside or out. We said inside and were seated outside. When we asked our waitress to go inside she seemed annoyed. She refilled our drinks only once during the hour that we were there. We got there early (11:30ish) and at first I didn't understand why there was such an enormous amount of waitstaff just milling around, especially since we were not being offered drink refills. I later saw that the restaurant was packed by the time that we left but it was awkward as a patron of the restaurant to just see all these waiters hanging out in the back looking bored while we ate. Lastly, a waiter dropped a wine glass right by our table, practically hitting my husband, and it shattered all around us. We had to deal with at least 10 minutes of waiting while a broom was retrieved and we had to do the shuffle as we moved so they could sweep the shards of glass that were all under only our table. They never apologized or offered any recompense. My fathers restaurant would have offered a free app, drink etc.... Anyway, the food was great but we won't visit this location again.

    (3)

  • Steve S.

    The service was top notch! This is a classy place right on the square. There were 4 of us for dinner and we all had soup (we all thought the soup was fantastic). The main course was rated as excellent by 2 of our party, very good by one and poor by me. I would not recommend the Paella "A la Valenciana". It is the first time I've ever gotten paella that was slimy. Our waiter was very attentive but was not at all pushy nor did we feel rushed (we got there around 4pm on a weekday so they were not busy).

    (3)

  • Ashley H.

    Well, I swore I wouldn't return, but did anyway for a late lunch (7/28/13) on my annual vacation to the area. Last time I gave it a 2.5, but I would give it a 3.5 this time. Marginally better. I was shopping with my grandma and future sister in law. My SoL doesn't eat fish, so this was a good choice for her. My grandparents spend a month in Longboat Key each year and had already tried this place for lunch the previous week, saying that the service was atrocious but they continue to come for the amazing food. I'll admit that I went in knowing the service was bad from our last visit, and being upset with them anyways because no one treats my grandparents that way! When I walked up to the hostess stand (3 girls standing around looking bored), I told her 3 people. She said it would be a 10-15 minute wait. There were 4 tables in the left area available with 3 set for service, and 2 tables RIGHT NEXT TO ME, set and ready. I looked at her and said "Really? I mean, I clearly see tables available". She gave me this annoyed look and said there were other people waiting before us. This was true, and I couldn't figure out why. I saw a group of 4 and a group of 5 waiting. The tables all hold 4 people (at least on the left side), and it would have been easy to seat the 2 groups waiting and us immediately. I gave her my name anyways (I was craving the great food, I'll admit) and we stood very close to the hostess stand looking over a menu. I guess they didn't like us standing so close (the other groups were waiting outside) so they sat us in 4 minutes, before the other groups who were there before us. If I were in those other groups, I would have been pissed, but I was still glad to be seated. After this, the service improved. Our server's name was Sandor and he did a great job even though he clearly had a lot of tables and was running around a lot. Not the best service I have ever had, but certainly the best here. Again, the food was so good and I ate so much! I also had a Chevo (sp?) Manhattan and it was so good a strong! I had a desert this time, too. Try the guava pastry! This place could be an amazing 5 star. They are usually packed and the food explains that, but the service is so bad and RUDE. They know they have good food and a good location, and it doesn't seem like they care about improving service since they get plenty of business no matter what.

    (3)

  • Annie T.

    Food was flavored to perfection. Had the mahi mahi, shrimp criolle and yuca appetizer. Prices are on point and the portions were just right. Don't miss their fresh, out-of-the-oven bread. :)

    (5)

  • Sharon R.

    My family and I just had a terrible experience dining at Columbia. First off, I must agree with other reviewers that the (imported) sangria was delicious. If you want to go for drinks, and don't mind waiting for both sitting and the check, then go ahead. For good food and service, skip ahead. My boyfriend and I shared crab croquettes, chorizo and mejillones (sausage/mussels) for tapas and the lobster canelonis for our entree. The crab croquettes were okay but could have used a sauce, but the mussels were almost tasteless with a dirty water aftertaste. We had to send them back and instead got the scallops which were okay (though the excess of fried crumbs was unnecessary). The canelonis were drenched in cream. Other foods in the party ranged between megh and good. While the food was not great, the true problem came with the service. Our server neglected part of the party. Someone had to ask for a drink several times until she finally got it. At the end, all our bills (we had 4 bills, for a large party) came mixed up. One of the bills had an extra drink that had not been ordered (clearly from the time that one of us had to order the drink several times until it finally came). When I pointed out that only two margaritas had been ordered he told me "No. It was three." Then the bill comes again, messed up in a new combination. Finally, we handwrite our bills, separating them ourselves. By this time we have been waiting for our bill for a full hour. The bills come back, with the third margharita STILL included. When we complained to the manager Joe he had the audacity to tell us that "things had been deducted" even though I counted everything in my bill and it came out exactly to what it had to be, but also that all he could offer was his "apologies". With mediocre food, bad service and management, we will definitely not be coming back to this restaurant.

    (2)

  • Robert N.

    Great Sangrias! A pitcher for $19.99! The star of the show though is the Spanish Bean Soup: it is incredible and absolutely worth eating. In a city full of great food this soup is a stand out. You will crave it. Trust me.

    (4)

  • Susan W.

    Enjoy a pitcher of Sangria and great food while sitting in a quaint sidewalk cafe. We had an almost perfect afternoon here a little while back. The weather was wonderful and we were thrilled to be seated along the outside patio. We ordered a pitcher of house Sangria, red wine with fresh citrus juices. It tasted great and with a little imagination, we could convince ourselves that we were sitting in a little cafe in Madrid. I'm a sucker for table side preparations, so it was especially fun to watch the famous 1905 salad assembled and tossed right in front of us. The salad is chocked full of ham, cheese, tomatoes, olives and covered with garlic dressing. Absolutely delicious. We split the Cuban sandwich, lots of meat and cheese on crusty toasted bread, very tasty, but needed extra mustard. I've spoken with local FL residents and they say that Columbia Restaurant can be hit or miss. I can understand that given their several locations, variations in cooks, number of customers, etc. I'm happy that we hit it just right and enjoyed great food and wine, in a wonderful and quaint setting.

    (4)

  • Andrew D.

    My GF and I had dinner at Columbia on Nov 23, 2014. We started with glasses of white and red sangria and the complimentary hot bread, and then split an order of paella marinara. The bread was excellent: crispy crust without any burning and a little soft, even doughiness inside. The paella was fabulous: tender rice saffron and scallops, mussels and shrimp cooked just right - firm and hot without any hint of rubberiness. For dessert, we split the delicious bread pudding which was a true bread pudding (baked bread in milk and butter instead of soupy like rice pudding) and was more than we could eat together. We are not big eaters, preferring delicate tastes and fine quality over big portions. The waiter was knowledgable, friendly and gracious. He showed up when we needed him and did not intrude. The location, right on St. Armand circle, was conducive to people watching (hint: get a table near the big open wall to the sidewalk). The only negative was the Sangria, which was just fruit punch at $21 per small pitcher, and that is the reason why a 5-star meal received only 4-stars. I don't like restaurants making money on watered down drinks. Next time, I would avoid the Sangria and get a nice bottle of wine instead.

    (4)

  • Selena C.

    Kinda pricey but nice place to eat with family once in a while. I've never been to the Tampa one so I can't compare but I've never left unhappy with the food. I like the alcoholic gazpacho thing. Nice and spicy kick with buzz.

    (4)

  • Lady J.

    Nice place - feel of an upscale old fashioned cafe - waiters formally dressed - a little snooty but get the job done. They bought warm and crispy french bread with butter - each of us had a piece Around 6 inches long - seriously delish and the best part of the meal. Had the 1905 salad - a bit like some lettuce with garlic - dressing seriously strong and a bit overwhelming - although nice touch mixing it your table though. Ordered shrimp with salad - ok but nothing special. Seemed to be cooked in oil with a chili? Hubbie had Cuban sandwich. Not sure we get this - lots of unidentifiable layers of meat with an unappetising yellow sweet mustard on French bread which looks like it has been steam rollered. So nice surroundings but food average - but best bread and butter in Florida.

    (3)

  • Dennis B.

    Based on some of the reviews, we were a little apprehensive. But after only a few minutes, we knew this would be one of our favorite places to eat during our visit to Sarasota. Like most others before us, we enjoyed our individual loaves of warm bread, and my wife liked her glass of sangria - very light and refreshing. Our waiter Raul was perfect. He was fast, attentive, courteous and extremely knowledgeable of the menu. I had the Filet Steak Saleado (tenderloin tips, onions, peppers, mushrooms, potatoes and sausage in a spicy red wine sauce). My only regret was that I ate all of it and was too full for dessert. My wife and daughter both had the Filete y Gambas (tenderloin of beef with skewers of shrimp). Both would have rather had the yellow rice instead of the "Good Rice" which came with it, but they did not think to ask. I took off one star only because my daughter's meal was slightly undercooked. But the kitchen took care of that right away. They also shared a side salad prepared tableside - very tasty and fresh. My youngest daughter had the children's menu chicken strips and fries, which looked great, and she loved it. Exceptionally affordable at under five dollars. Our dinner guest had the Palomilla (thin cut marinated sirloin steak). She said it was done perfect. As for many others who commented that this place was a bit pricey, I feel we got what we paid for. It was a quality meal, served in a quality place, by quality staff.

    (4)

  • Karen C.

    Came straight from the airport after accidently skipping breakfast and had a nice lunch at Columbia. I did the 1/2 and 1/2 signature salad and cuban sandwich. I really loved the salad but it was slightly overdressed. Excellent flavors though. The sandwich was meh, but I don't know if it's because I am not a huge sandwich fan to begin with or if it was something about Columbia's sandwich. It just wasn't very exciting to me. Waitress was nice but a little too overenthusiastic/friendly/chatty for my mood at the time. Well priced, pretty decor, it's worth a stop if you're in the area. Next time I would just get the salad!

    (3)

  • Lindsey B.

    The food here is okay, not sure what the big deal is about this place. It is ALWAYS packed, especially during high season. Even though this place is enormous, prepare to wait for a table, even for lunch. Nice open-air atmosphere, decent service, decent food. I've never had anything horrible but I've never had anything great. Overpriced. Touristy. Columbia is worth a try but it most likely will not astound you.

    (3)

  • Olga G.

    Really Love their food, especially 1905 salad, to die for! but service can be bad, hence the 4 stars. Our other favorites: black been cakes, shrimp supreme, crab croquettes, garbanzo and black bean soups, paella, Cuban sandwich, chicken tenders and fries. Their fresh bread is unreal! The location is awesome the patio sitting, and the whole interior is pretty as well. definitely recommend

    (4)

  • Gustavo U.

    Food was pretty good, wish it wasn't so expensive but everything was served in good time

    (4)

  • James B.

    great 1902 salad...sat at the bar...waitstaff very friendly and food was very high quality

    (4)

  • A. L.

    Very excited to go here last Thursday, July 31. We were seated immediately (it was about 1pm), and our server came over directly and offered drinks. We ordered and she returned with them and asked what we wanted to order. We told her we hadn't decided (it's a large menu!) and she sighed and said "Fine." Then she came back 45 seconds later. Literally! I told her we were still perusing the menu (there were over a dozen empty tables just in our area, so they weren't pressed for space.) One minute later (with no signal from us, she didn't have another table at that time, just went back and stood behind us) she was back. I asked if it was alright if we just looked over the menu for a few minutes. She said nothing, just went back to standing with her arms crossed. We considered leaving, but I'd really been anxious to taste a few things on the menu, so we stayed. After two more visits, she finally got our order, and another table. She brought our soup and salad (both large portions and well-made), and just more than four minutes later, brought our three tapas. So, do we eat the tapas while they are hot, or do we finish our soup and salad and let them get cold? She brought our check before we'd finished eating, never asking if we wanted dessert which we did. When I told her this, she asked if we needed to see a menu. Yes, please. She brought one (there were two of us). My friend even mentioned that she'd also like to see a menu, but our server just walked away. She brought our desserts, then ran off, not leaving spoons or forks (we needed both). She was truly a dreadful server and her incompetence really ruined the lunch for us both. The food was okay, but not even close to good enough to overcome this service. She only had one other table the whole time we were there. They need better training and more oversight of servers. I still left 20%, I mean she did actually bring the food and take the order, but I would never return and never suggest this as somewhere a friend should go.

    (1)

  • Jeff G.

    Gotta laugh at some of the other reviews....1.ugly woman is jealous of attractive women patrons and doesn't understand sometimes "regular patrons" get preferential treatment. 2. A review by a competitor that is a one timer,,,,b.s. The Cuban food and seafood here are great!!! The steaks could be a little thicker but that is the Cuban style....the flavors are excellent!! Great spot to eat outdoors and people watch. Love this place!!!!!

    (4)

  • Stephanie D.

    Food is awesome! Mojitos are delicious! Service is great! Very clean and a good place for the whole family.

    (5)

  • Scott P.

    The best place to eat ! In the longboat area

    (5)

  • Rachel M.

    I've been to almost all of the Columbia Restaurants, and I think this is my most fave. Bc of the ambiance of St. Armand's Circle, and the sidewalk cafe area. I really love it here and always try something different. The sangria is to die for, and this time I had the 1905 salad with some tapas and split an entree. Go at lunch time, the prices are very reasonable! I always come back when I have friends come visit from home - chicago.

    (4)

  • Mopsie B.

    Sheer perfection. Seriously, you will not find more authentic Cuban food unless maybe you drive down to Miami. The ambiance is great- half indoors, half out, the bar is serious...You've probably never had a real mojito. Try one here. That's how it's done! The bread that comes with your meal-- amazing. And don't get me started on the delicious gazpacho and especially the seafood. There is also a gift shop filled with beautiful pottery (ok, most of it is made in Portugal or Mexico, but still...). If you like coffee, do yourself a favor and order the strong Cuban coffee. And the key lime pie...oh, the key lime pie! Yes, no trip to Florida is complete without a trip to Columbia.

    (5)

  • Douglas S.

    First let me say, St Armand's Circle is one of my favorite places to go! Relaxing...great for strolling, people watching and alfresco dining. Now, back to the subject at hand, how was the dinning experience at Columbia? In a word, uninspired. We had a trio of tapas, black bean cakes and muscles with sausage. Recall of the third dish fails me, despite being there last night, which illustrates my point of the truly uninspired, tasteless experience. A sure sign that the staff is onto the poor quality of the food is when they rush, without prompting, to offer their branded hot sauce, which only marginally improved the dining experience. For the main course, we shared baked red grouper with potato, tomato, onion, etc. Again, a huge disappointment in the flavor, texture, and presentation. If you are looking for a place for drinks and an appetizer, and the other possible locations on the circle have a wait, well, it is St Armand's Circle and as I mentioned this is relaxation paradise. But if it is a good overall dinning experience you seek, go elsewhere.

    (2)

  • Dick S.

    The service is unbeatable. The decor is like a bit of Spain. The location rivals El Paseo in Palm Desert. Colorful pitchers of white and red sangria decorate the tables. The food is dumbed down so everything tastes safe. The boliche is just pot roast. The Cuban sandwich is simply a pressed ham sandwich. The usual Cuban flavors of cumin, oregano, Seville oranges, garlic and paprika are vitally lacking. Like every other local and tourist I still go to any one of the Columbia Restaurants because it is the place to go when in Tampa Bay. I doubt this local chain would last any place else where the history is not so ingrained.

    (3)

  • Evie S.

    I really love their vegetarian beans and vegetable paella, and salads. Fun atmosphere too. The only thing I would change is people who take to go orders are not that nice and can seem snooty. I still go there and recommend it-- great place.

    (4)

  • Charlie K.

    While this doesn't compare to the Ybor location in sheer spectacle (what does?), it's still got some pretty solid eats. Maybe I enjoyed it a bit more because I wasn't paying this time, but the food was great. I had the special of the day, Mahi and "good rice" and wasn't disappointed. I really don't have much to say about it. It's a little expensive, but then again it's in a high-end shopping area. If you haven't experienced eating at a Columbia, definitely make the stop.

    (3)

  • Coty S.

    I have been to this location multiple times while shopping in the area, mostly with co-workers or family that frequent St. Armands. While the location is very upscale yet casual and the service is amazing, the food leave more to be desired. Epcot's World Showcase would be perfect for this sort of restaurant, that scratches the surface of the bold flavors that you would normally get with this type of cuisine. However, I believe that patrons dine at Columbia for the open atmosphere and the house salad over everything else. The 1905 Salad is excellent and full of fresh garlic, but not worth the drive. If I want a decent Cuban Sandwich, Ropa Vieja, or Picadillo- I travel to smaller local establishments that have homemade flavor. If someone offers me a free meal here, I will not decline the offer. And, those are the only times that I have dined at Columbia. The desserts are entirely a different story- the Cheesecake, Churros with dipping sauces, and White Chocolate Bread Pudding are all scrumptious. I also hear that the drinks are spectacular. Frankly, Columbia is a tourist destination geared for a tourist's palette.

    (3)

  • Olivia B.

    I visited the Columbia in St.Armand's today with my family. My family is back and fourth from here and Minnesota. This place was highly recommended by friends Ect. The food and the staff were great. During our dining experience, we sat in the dining room with table cloths.. And my God, I was very hot. We had been out in the sun and weather during the day here and there. We sat inside to escape the heat. It was very uncomfortable. The food and the service was great. Server was very personable.. And during the whole dining we fanned ourselves do to the temperature inside. We spoke to a manager on our way out and he was very apologetic. The staff kept good spirits even though it was quite warm inside. I don't know what to say about this matter.. But the doors shouldn't be open or something. Or is it the air conditioner failures?? Other than that, our over all experience was good. Beautiful place, and love the beach!!

    (3)

  • Yasemin F.

    Great food, great place, buzzing atmosphere. We'd an enjoyable time there. Excellent service.

    (5)

  • Ric W.

    Stopped by after a walk on the beach for drinks and tapas. Waiter was excellent- knew the menu and had recommendations that were right on. Food was excellent. I'll go back next time we're in Sarasota!

    (5)

  • Gina B.

    Been here a couple of times with reservation (a must)! Place is amazing...though very crowded and touristy. Service is slow due to volume but great people watching if you happen to sit outside so the wait didn't bother me. Definitely get the 1805 salad and follow up with a few choices of tapas. Awesome everytime!

    (4)

  • Lauren D.

    This is a truly romantic spot on St. Armand's circle, you MUST have the 1905 salad. It is amazing and we continue to make the salad here in Connecticut. The cuban sandwich is also amazing. I can't say much for the staff, because I'm normally too focused on the food! High recommendations if you want to sit on the outdoor patio and watch people stroll on the circle. After sunset of course, otherwise it's a little too hot out there.

    (5)

  • David A.

    I hate to wait, but Columbia is always worth it.

    (5)

  • Didi D.

    I stopped in for a second visit here with two of my cousins, and a three month old baby just a few weeks ago. We decided to have a late lunch here, because some years back we had a fabulous (if somewhat tipsy) dinner at this place while my cousin was visiting from Sweden. I enjoy the fresh baked wrapped breads that are served here as a starter. Yum! My cousins rave about the 1905 salad, but I have to admit that I'm neutral about it. I ordered a few types of tapas to start with, and the three of us found them all enjoyable. Tiny foods that I can nibble at sans silverware is a real win. I love eating foods with my hands like a savage, and even more so when I'm out in public. Our waitress was really chatty and friendly, and gave honest congratulations when my cousin and I told her that we were both pregnant. The subject came up when we sadly had to turn down drinks, and more specifically, had to refuse a big pitcher of sangria. (Our group went through several pitchers during our first visit. Have you ever noticed that food tastes soooo flippin amazing when you are half in the bag?) I decided to get a grilled chicken Caesar, and I was very happy with the decision. The greens were crisp, the chicken grilled to perfection, and the dressing was good. Overall our second visit was a good experience. We like the atmosphere and the staff. The doors were open, so I did notice flies buzzing around, but thankfully the little suckers left us alone.

    (4)

  • Krishnaraj B.

    The food was excellent lot of vegetarian choices in the tapas section a must try for any one visting lido beach area Its a good try for Asians who are interested in trying something different our server maria was excellent

    (5)

  • Cheri D.

    Stopped in here as a recommendation from clients. Forget the Red Sangria~White all the way. Great place, very busy with oh so good White sangria! We stopped in to try the sangria. Red was ok, a lot smoother than something you buy out of a bottle but just ok. Somehow we ended up with a different bartender who told us to try the white sangria, then recommended to buy it by the pitcher cause it was a little cheaper. He turned out to be an absolute character. We did not get to eat but from the looks of the place and the wait time around lunch I would have to say the food must be great. I would definitely visit any one of their locations again.

    (4)

  • Leigh V.

    I loved this place! My mom and I got pretty lucky and got seated outside almost right away because everyone was requesting inside. It was a tad chilly out, but we didn't mind! The atmosphere was beautiful sitting along the railing people watching everyone walking by. Their menu is huge! It took us forever to figure out what we wanted. I ordered their famous mojito and my mother had a glass of wine. The mojito was pretty good. Not very strong, but not too sweet and very refreshing. We also ordered the black bean cakes as an appetizer. They were absolutely delicious! Perfect with the quacamole and sour cream. We had it gone in seconds. It took us awhile to get our drinks/appetizer which was fine because it was pretty busy, but she mentioned she would bring us out bread as well and didn't bring it till everything else came out. We were starving! I just wish they could just drop off the bread right away so we would have something to munch on before the appetizer. Just a thought! The bread itself was so good. Crunchy on the outside, warm and soft on the inside- just how we like it! Being a lover of bread, I also loved how my mom and I each got our own little half loaf to ourselves. No fighting over the last piece! Our food didn't take long at all. I ordered a small Caesar salad that my mom and I shared and the eggplant paella. My mom got some kind of grouper dish that she wasn't thrilled about. She didn't think it was horrible, but it was just "ok". Something about the sauce she didn't prefer. I kept trying to share some of my eggplant with her because I thought mine was delicious! It was breaded and topped with a little bit of cheese. It sat in a tomato sauce with garlic and capers... Yummmmm! I took half of it home because I was already so full. Can't wait to have it for leftovers! So, overall, I personally loved every single food item tremendously! Love the atmosphere of this place. The only downfalls for me were that my mom didn't love her food (could just be personal preference) and our waitress seemed a little out of it the whole night. My moms meal was supposed to come with veggies and she forgot to bring them until we asked. She was not rude, but just not really friendly at all. It was like you felt bad asking for something else. I just think her head was in the clouds and she just could've been more personable. Other than that, loved this place and would definitely come back!

    (4)

  • Jose R.

    Great restaurant to go. Food is authentic Cuban. Big crowd therefore service can be slow. Paella was excellent. Sangria de cava was awesome. If I'm in town then I will repeat.

    (4)

  • Khanh L.

    Came here for my wife's birthday and it was awful. We were last here 3 years ago and only had tapas which was good and which is why we came back. We decided to order entrees this time and what a mistake. The rice in the paella was not done, it was still hard and not edible. The meat was dry and tough. The roast pork entree looked like they took a pork loin and sliced it and was way too salty. I've had roast pork at other Cuban places and this was by far the most expensive and worst. Waiter brought out a plate of yellow rice to make up for the in inedible paella. What he should have done is take it off the check since we didn't touch it. Never coming back next time I am I'm Sarasota. Only reason it got 2 stars was the two tapas we ordered were pretty good.

    (2)

  • Patty D.

    Food is ok, service and attitude of staff is terrible. Very rude, consistently. I live near by and only go when I have guests who want to try it out. Our group of four was actually asked to finish our wine quickly so they could turn the table....this after a $287 dinner. Trust me, our plates had been cleared away only minutes before. They are always busy, so there doesn't seem to be any concern or effort made to use basic courtesy and maintain repeat business. Also, tables are jammed so close together you can depend on being knocked around during your dinner. I have to assume all the good reviews about service are written by employees :/ There are so many other great places on St. Armands; Shore Diner, Tommy Bahama, Cafe LeEurope and Crab and Fin run circles around this place. Even the super casual places like Daiquiri Deck and Cha-Cha coconuts have more attentive and polite service. Very unpleasant. Just don't.

    (2)

  • Ruth G.

    I had some of the best salmon at this bustling restaurant. A group of us all really enjoyed the 1905 salad, gazpacho soup, and fresh bread. Service was prompt and friendly. Arrive early as this place gets packed!

    (5)

  • Melly S.

    After major disappointment in our Columbia experience in Ybor City, we were looking forward to our second visit to the St Armand's location. The positive: Pleasant if harried server, great people watching location, interesting menu, great Cuban bread. The negative: Server was not able to handle her given tables, therefore very poor service to us; overdressed salad (forgot to say light dressing) and food not as appetizing as the menu described ("large shrimp" nowhere to be seen on our table). Manager looks over heads of guests, rather than giving assistance to over-busy server and lending a hand. Bottom Line- I've given Columbia several tries, but no more - they can cater to the many tourists that flock there, but faulty service - again - trumps all.

    (1)

  • Bill T.

    We love this place, the tapas and table side sangria are off the hook. I finally tried their paella and it was okay, but it was pretty much just their yellow rice, which is pretty good, with some seafood and chicken. It was not a nice crispy paella with the rich integrated flavors I was hoping for. The tapas we had for started were awesome though, the mussels with chorizo is amazing and the queso was delicious. Plus, their Cuban bread is to die for. Service was fantastic as well. I would highly recommend this place any time. The location is great too, well worth spending some time to walk around and check out the shops and scenery.

    (4)

  • Andi W.

    After an amazing experience with a business associate, I decided to bring my family (and visiting relatives from far away) to experience Columbia in St. Armands Circle for lunch. Well, my family is no longer speaking to me. It was a weekend, so we opted for a later lunch to avoid the 'lunch rush', arriving at about 2pm. More than half of the tables were empty and the four hosts standing around the front podium gave the appearance that we had indeed arrived at the correct time. Nope. We were mistaken. The harried hostess (the only one of the four who was mobile - though I applaud Columbia for hiring individuals with various physical limitations - like walking) could not contain her distress when there were "Two Fives" waiting for tables. During our 20 minute wait (for what, I'm not exactly sure), we were mad-dogged by several members of staff and the general manager, leading us to believe that we had entered a 'theme' restaurant complete with shady drug lords and a few former colleagues 'disappeared' out back. Several of us actually discussed whether we should cut our losses then and choose someplace else. They sat us in the back corner, separated from the majority of our server's station. (That's just cruel to do to our guy - he's 147 years old and waiting tables - cut him a break and put him in a station where his people are close together, for crying out loud!) After a good wait, he remembered we were there and brought our drinks. 20 minutes passed before we saw him again. Another 40 minutes after that means we waited an hour to get any food on the table besides our 'cuban bread' hunks and butter (we had to flag down our server with intricate smoke signals from our corner of the country for refills on drinks - and he apologized for getting caught up talking with another table - so at least he was paying attention to someone - probably folks in a better climate). I was embarrassed by the service, as I had been building this place up for months. The service - top to bottom- was beyond poor, though we were dropping well over $120 on lunch for 5. I'm sure this place is consistently busy enough that they don't have to worry about less-than-stellar service - (and the food is good, but overpriced for the tourists) -but this was beyond disappointing. During our longest waiting period, however, we did get to watch two of the staff canoodling in the corner and giving each other massages. (Waiting tables is hard work, so I'm glad to see that employers are more permissive than they were when I waited tables. Carry on, horny co-workers!) The entertainment did result in the tiniest bit of forgiveness from my family (at least they got a show!) but in general, I'm pretty sure I still owe them an apology... and a better lunch.

    (2)

  • D T.

    We dined here twice during our stay in Sarasota. Dedicated gluten-free menu which was nice. Not a huge menu for gfree vegetarians but the location makes it a good place to stop. There is something for everyone on the "large" menu. We dined both inside and out and preferred sitting outside on a warm evening. I enjoyed the black bean soup and a salad. Husband had eggplant parm (twice) - he loved it. Service not great, very busy restaurant but would return.

    (3)

  • Joanie A.

    Every time I visit the Sarasota area, I return to Columbia's. In the last 30 years, I have never been disappointed. We arrived around 2:30 pm for a late lunch. Although there were people standing outside waiting for a table, we were told there would only be a 20 minute wait. There were two stools at the bar so we took advantage and ordered a spicy Bloody Mary and their own Margarita including brandy. Both were mixed to perfection and served with beautiful garnish. While waiting for our table, we had time to peruse the menu consisting of many tapas, soups, and salads and much more. Our server, Farbod, was helpful and made several suggestions. He knew what wine would go well with our dishes. I started with their black bean soup which was served over white rice. If you like your food spicy, you may want to add Columbia's Hot Sauce, which can be purchased in their gift shop. Next, I had the Columbia's Original Salad. These are two old standards that are just delicious. The server prepares the salad table side and again, the dressing can be purchased in their gift shop. I chose the scallop tapas which was baked with mushrooms, white wine, cheese and bread crumbs. They were tender and mouth watering great. I have never been disappointed by this fine establishment and look forward to next year's visit.

    (5)

  • Susan D.

    We love the ambiance of this restaurant. It has a classic South American feel to it, with fab outdoor dining space. Their bread is served fresh and hot, which is a rarity these days. That said, this is the second time we dined here - this time for dinner, whereas the first time was for lunch. I ordered the classic Caesar, which is normally prepared fresh at the table, but mine was not this time. It was served at the same time as my Gazpacho and Scallop Casimiro tapas dish. By the time I got to it, it was soggy. The Gazpacho was ok, nothing special, and the croutons were mushy - they had sat out for too long, exposed. The scallop Casimiro dish was fantastic. All that was very filling. The entrees are pricey, and portions are huge. Just about everyone had a "to go" box. My husband had the Tortilla Espanola (a lovely omelette, similar to a frittata) and the Lula Mae salad - a massive salad, that can be shared in two. Their wine selection is great - we each had a glass of Licia Albarino, which was a perfect accompaniament to our meal. In short, for what one pays here and given the classy ambiance, we would have expected the service to be better - water glasses refilled, plates removed from the table, the salad prepared at the table, and asked when we might want it, in relation to the rest of the meal.

    (3)

  • Joseph S.

    Food was good if you enjoy Cuban. Avoid Gaspacho--not cold enough. Chairs are uncomfortable. Service was good.

    (3)

  • G T.

    I know it is an institution but the pork cubano was tough and not much taste. We also tried to upgrade to a full pitcher of the Sangria but they wouldn't just leave two glasses of Sangria that we already got out of the pitcher. We were going to be charged the two Sangria drinks and then the full pitcher if we wanted more. The Sangria also is mostly fruit juice and not much wine. Also, the water tasted terrible. It smelled and we couldn't drink it. The hype by mostly tourist wasn't warranted and I would rather find a hole in the wall where the locals go and it would have been better food.

    (2)

  • Gail O.

    Having passed by this restaurant many times and seen the delicious salads I decided to go there with 2 friends who were visiting We were seated right away and our server was quick to attend to us We ordered red sangria and decided to get the salad and 2 orders of paella Sangria was very good as was the fresh salad made at our table However the paella was another story. It was served hot out of the pan and looked good. However, it was so salty none of us could eat it. Now let me say we are all heavy eaters. Not at all fussy but it was pure salt. We talked to the server and she was very kind but we requested the manager Address the situation. He did come over, listened to us and did not comment at all. They comped us one dinner but quite frankly they should have done more. The funny thing is after this we looked around and no one in the restaurant was ordering paella. Did they know something we didn't??? I for one will not return again and my advise to anyone who goes is DONT ORDER THE PAELLA,,,,

    (2)

  • Jack E.

    Yeeeeees. This was a great experience for my family and I. The food and ambiance was great. It was packed so be prepared to wait. Great food. Really great. You will enjoy.

    (5)

  • Jason M.

    We visit Sarasota several times a year and love to stop into Columbia for lunch. The 1905 salad and Cuban sandwich combo are delicious. The bread is fresh and crusty, and the salad is deliciously garlicky. The restaurant is huge but it does tend to fill up and there is frequently a wait during peak season. Our last visit was for dinner and we shared the baked goat cheese, the 1905 salad, and a mahi mahi dish with a plantain crust. It was all delicious. However, we were seated at a very small table by the kitchen that was very loud and hectic. We asked for a table outside, but it seemed like they saw us walk in with our kids and put us by the kitchen. Our kids dine out frequently and behave very well in restaurants. Next time we'll specifically state where we want to sit.

    (4)

  • C. N.

    1905 salad is great! Can add it to any entree or tapas item. Cuban bread is fresh and hot. Can be drafty since windows are open to the outdoor seating area. Cuban sandwich could have been better. Spanish bean soup was outstanding! Make a reservation on open table. They get busy... Parking is street side. The menu is a book, enormous and overwhelming due to the family stories mixed in with menu items. Beautiful interior!

    (4)

  • Nicole K.

    We met up with friends in Sarasota and someone suggested this restaurant. When we arrived it was packed but we sat down right away. I think we might have had a reservation for 7 but got there at 6:15. I looked at my hubby and said we have been here before in Celebration fl near Disney for out anniversary 2 years ago. We remembered the good was really good. The service was very good Bianca was out waitress. I had the 1905 side salad with the Mahi coconut special. My friend had the jimmy grouper and stuffed shrimp. My hubby had shrimp camarones creole (sp). He also had Caldo gallego We had warm bread pudding. Omg everything was really good just like we remember I am sure they are great at every location We will visit again

    (4)

  • George R.

    We go to this restaurant every time we visit Sarasota, but only because of the food. We live in Orlando so we've been to the Columbia Restaurant in Celebration many times as well. The staff there is always friendly and genuinely happy to be there. I wish I could say the same thing about this location. Every single person working in this restaurant looks like they would rather be anywhere else in the world but there. The only reason I gave 2 stars instead of one was because of the food. Everything we've had here is delicious and obviously, we go back for more. The last time we were there, the table next to us was occupied by one of the other waiters that works there, but was off that day and came as a customer. Our service was so bad, we didn't even get refills the entire time we were there. He was more concerned with visiting with his co-worker he sees on a daily basis. He must have stopped at their table 15 times while we sat there. I also feel the food is not always as consistent as I would like. For example, sometimes they have a great dirty rice served with the entrees, but other times they have a sub-par yellow rice. Only regulars would know this though, so if you've never been, it wouldn't be an issue for you. Plus, they seem to keep the large windows pulled back all year round, which is great for the one month out of the year that Florida is actually cool enough. For the other 11 months, it's a bit much. Needless to say, we only go when we're in town because of the delicious food. Don't go expecting to be wowed by the service, because you won't be.

    (2)

  • Laura C.

    Everytime I visit family in Sarasota, the only restaurant I want to go to is Columbia. The 1905 salad is a must everytime as well as their Sangrias of which they make both tableside and always fun to watch them make. Te restaurant is located in the perfect setting of St. Armand's Circle with tables that look out on the street for some fun people watching. Love, love, love it here!

    (5)

  • Ayla Z.

    Came in for tapas and a glass of wine after work and really enjoyed the hustle and bustle of Colombia. It's always packed when I walk past and many of my friends have told me to go. They sat people fast and kept a steady flow of customers coming in and out of the door. Only issue I had was that the bartenders seemed to be totally swamped and it took longer to get service then I would have liked and the entree prices were really steep.

    (3)

  • Sam D.

    This was recommended to us but this was nice but ordinary. The better half has the Lula Mae salad, very nice and very big. I had the Shrimp and crabmeat. The portion was medium and the seasoning was plain. The " good rice" was tasty. The service was fairly good. We sat at about 8 which is the tail of the busy time in the summer. By 9 there were plenty of seats. Two glasses of wine and the meal described above (no desert, sans tip) $59.95

    (3)

  • Adam C.

    What a cool restaurant. They certainly have been around for a long time and for good reason. I've been to both the Ybor City location and St. Armand's. The Ybor City location feels bigger and older, probably is. The Sarasota location has a lot of windows that were closed when I was there, but I imagine they open them up on nice days. Both are very nice restaurants, I consider them borderline fancy. I've been for lunch both times. There's a mix of casual diners in shorts and t-shirts as well as business people who are dressed nicer. I didn't feel out of place in jeans and a t-shirt but I probably would want to put on something nicer for dinner. The food is really good! They put out fresh bread and butter on the table, it's warm and you're going to have trouble not eating it all. The first time I went I had the half an half combo. Half the 1905 salad and a half Cuban Sandwich. Who knew iceberg lettuce could be so delicious? The salad is prepared at the table which is cool to watch. I think it's their garlic dressing that makes it so amazing, and it is that good. The Cuban was very good, I've had better but not complaining. The second time I visited I had a Mahi Cubana. It was perfectly cooked on Cuban bread with onions, mushrooms and peppers. It also had cheese on it which I don't think works with most fish, but it was very good with a firm fish like mahi. I need to get back for dinner some time to try one of their fish entrees. Since I'll likely be in the area at lunch time again I think I might try their Black Bean Soup and half 1905 salad, gotta have some of that salad. The feeling of a fancy restaurant comes as much from the service as the beautiful spaces. The servers are professionals and they do their jobs very well. I look forward to going back soon. It deserves a Yelp bookmark for when you are in the area.

    (4)

  • Paul D.

    Cuban Sandwich, Cuban sandwich...etc Formerly of Ybor City, making and serving food for the torcedors of the day; now serving quality food for the locals and snowbirds. Cuban Sandwich.

    (5)

  • Marty F.

    Great atmosphere and awesome food! The 1905 Salad was terrific, made table side and abundantly fed the 4 of us. My wife had roast pork with black beans and rice, I had the stuffed chicken with yellow rice, both were excellent.

    (4)

  • Richard C.

    This is an iconic landmark of the Tampa Bay area. Of course it is not the same as the one in Ybor city but the place is still fantastic. The food is good, the atmosphere is great and you would do yourself a favor eating here if you were visiting from out of town.

    (5)

  • Claudia M.

    This place is appealing because it is huge. Lots of tables and the sangria is enticing but the food is Meh and over priced. When I was there I had a bacon wrapped shrimp dish with rice that was so salty. I wanted to return the plate but I just let it go. The sangria was pretty good. Service was quick and attentive but I doubt it if I will eat here again. Not for me.

    (3)

  • Ami T.

    Sangria is the best sangria I've had ever! You must try it. The waitress was really helpful and attentive. Everyone starts the meal off with a loaf of bread each it seems which is yummy. I had the black bean cakes which are seriously amazing!!! So delicious. They make a great appetizer. I also had a bowl of the Cuban black bean soup which is a lot of beans and comes with some onions you can put on as garnish. My friends had the seafood dishes and chicken which they said was delicious as well. The atmosphere was wonderful. We sat outside and felt the cool breeze while enjoying our food.

    (5)

  • Mike B.

    Ate here twice. Service was great once and not great the second time. Food was okay. Based on their history and "reputation" I was totally disappointed. Our second visit was also influenced by having to listen to a Spanish female server arguing with an older Cuban couple about whether a dish was Spanish or Cuban. WTF! Who cares! Let them enjoy their meal and don't drag everyone into your uppity Spanish attitude and lack of ability to have tact and consideration for your customers. Totally not cool!!! Our overall experience was disappointment. Also, as we waited for a table we had to listen to a bunch of servers who were either at the end of their shift or beginning of their shirt, congregating by the entry talk about how much they made or expected to make. That left us with the impression that nobody at this restaurant gives a rats ass about their customers or their "dining experience." I am giving three stars only because they have survived so many years. There must be something more to this place we were not able to experience. At least, that is my hope.

    (3)

  • Laura R.

    You have to get the 1904 salad, it's one of the best salads I've ever had. This restaurant had great open seating with a gift shop next door. I loved that it was right on the street around St. Armand's circle. I always get the pollo manchego, which is fantastic. I've never been with anyone that's not loved what they've gotten! Try and go at an off time, i.e. not prime lunch or dinner times

    (5)

  • Roderick R.

    This is without a doubt the most popular, trendy inside and out, take over the whole corner Nuveo Cubano dining experience in this Sarasota lido beach area. Certainly a wait for prime times, so reservations are smart. It is huge and lots of seatings, so it does go fast if you were waiting. Has a decent bar area if needed and the outdoor seating areas are prime, but most indoor seating has a very open and outside feeling. The Sangria's are something to have...white or red and are made at your table. It is a nice presentation and helps to bring the excitement of drinking it all come together. Most salads are made with a similar at your table mixing extravaganza! Each waiter adds flair to this presentation or process...so adding fun to this is a must. We ordered a starter soup bowl that came in a kettle and really was an amazing soup that could have feed a small army. Really, really good! Try any one! The individual Cuban bread given out was warm and tasted almost like a Miami bread. Our entrees included the bistec palomilla...very good!!! The Cuban and fish special sandwiches were also filling and very good again. The chicken sandwich with aioli sauce was again very good!!! Most came with a side, fried thin plantains, FFries etc. Kids meals were generous, and great value! Notice that very good is the trend here. It is is not fine dining...although can be a wonderful celebration experience and really good food, service and value! Certainly recommend!!!

    (4)

  • Tara B.

    Visiting from DC and dined here. Had reservation, didn't seem to matter. Host staff was apathetic and disinterested. Glasses on our table were spotty and greasy. Server wasn't as attentive as he could've been, but pleasant nonetheless. Food was decent and portions were big, but menu is somewhat overpriced (even by DC standards). Probably wouldn't return for dinner, but might for lunch.

    (3)

  • Jason H.

    We were on vacation from Atlanta and read the information on Trip advisor as well as local publication and internet. What a great opportunity to create an amazing cultural and historical connection for the concept. We were promptly sat upon arrival however once our server showed up, (did not introduce himself or welcome us) we were treated like second class citizens. My family and I could have spent the evening and indulged as it was my birthday night out. We chose to limit our time there and after appetizers and our one drink ( as we had to ask a floor manager for refills on water) we chose to order only two entrees. Unbelievably rude, arrogant, slow, inconsiderate service. Too bad we didn't look like a piggy bank to the server. I still tipped 35% because I am an industry professional.

    (1)

  • Dean S.

    This is my favorite restaurant in Sarasota and a must for anyone who wants to dine on St. Armands Circle. The atmosphere, food, and service are exceptional. You should have a 1905 salad with any entree. So unique and delicious!

    (5)

  • Frank W.

    Our family visited for Father's day. We had a 5:30 PM reservation and were quickly seated. Everyone enjoyed the food, however the way management treated us is the reason I am writing this review... An hour into drinks and appetizers (6:30 PM), we were reminded that a 8 PM reservation will be arriving, and we should hurry and submit the rest of our orders. Within the next 15 minutes, we were reminded of the 8 pm reservation three more times. This "factory" annoyed me enough to write this review two days later. We spent nearly $500 dollars, celebrating four fathers, three of which are out of town visitors. This is certainly not the way an upscale establishment should treat its customers. Very disappointed.

    (2)

  • Irina F.

    If you have mostly eaten in chain restaurants around Florida, you may think this place is a star. But if you've been exposed to truly good restaurants with authentic farm-to-table food you'll be very disappointed. Fish has been previously frozen and defrosted. Salad is full of canned vegetables and comes with literary a gravy boat of calorie-laden dressing. Followed by remorse from the $100 wasted for lunch.

    (1)

  • Grant E.

    -4.5 star- I was surprised when I saw the negative reviews on here - this place was great! The restaurant is open-air, and overall has a great feel to it. The staff is attentive and friendly, and the food is impressive. My family ordered sangria, which wa

    (5)

  • Shannon B.

    heaven, always get the 1905 salad. freaking amazing

    (5)

  • Kelly C.

    Enjoyed our lunch, especially the specialty salad made tableside. My mango daiquiri needed to be a little more sweet and I was a little disappointed in the"cuban" bread. We also had several types of tapas that were all OK, but nothing great. Love the open atmosphere and the waitstaff were friendly.

    (3)

  • Joe D.

    I've had the pleasure of eating at Columbia on many occasions when I'm in Sarasota. Delicious fresh fish and a great Cuban sandwich. Like most of Florida, the food is upscale in a very comfortable, casual Spanish themed setting. Almost always crowded, you can help yourself get seated quicker if you opt to eat outside, but it was pretty down right HOT, the last time I was there so we waited ten minutes and were seated in the air conditioning. I was torn between the Grouper and the Cuban sandwich, (which was rated very high on a fellow Yelper's list of best Cuban sandwiches) I figured I could get Grouper anywhere on Anna Maria Island, which is where I was staying, and got the Cuban. Wise choice, garlicky pork, salty smokey ham, and surprise, SALAMI! The Swiss cheese was sliced a little thicker than normal, perfectly melted , crunchy dill pickles, the mustard was grainy, dark, and delicious. The cuban roll was perfectly grilled. Crunchy crust, soft inside. It came with a side and chose fresh fruit, instead of the fries. My lunch partner couldn't resist the crab cakes and proclaimed them very good. I need to find a vegan version of a Cuban since I dropped meat from my diet since the last visit to Columbia.

    (5)

  • Jennifer K.

    Service was eh, slow and the staff was overwhelmed (it was very busy) and seemed rushed... however the food was AMAZING and came out quickly. We had the lobster flatbread and it was out of this world... my BF woke up the next morning wanting it for bfast. We split the taste of columbia plate which was a good taste of everything (if you want a good amount of food I dont suggest splitting). We got the pitcher of sangria which was a great deal for the price... a little sweet for my taste but hey it was sangria. We went back the next night for dessert, had the guava cheese pastry. It was good but wasnt worth the $7 price, it only came with one pastry... I know there is a markup on desserts but this would be something that would cost less than $2 at a bakery... felt there should have been 2 given. We sat at bar area and service was terrible, took forever to come over for drink order and if I didnt flag the guy down I dont think he would have come back to take our order.

    (4)

  • Mark C.

    Good apps, good service. Cold veg paella, overcooked grouper, salty eggplant. Read all the reviews and save your money.

    (2)

  • Ryan S.

    RUDE, RUDE, RUDE. Biggest bunch of a-holes I've dealt with in a long time. If you want to be ignored long enough to finally be insulted, then this is the dump for you!

    (1)

  • Rice B.

    Four of us went there for lunch during Memorial Day weekend. The place was crowded and noisy. Service was a bit slow. My entrée was excellent, mussels and chorizo in a light flavorful tomato wine broth. The 1805 salad, house salad, made at the table was also excellent. One person in our group was disappointed with the "flavorless" redfish entrée. The menu had many other options that I would like to try when we dine here again.

    (4)

  • Lisa G.

    Tough call on the star rating. Food 3 stars but the experience 5 stars. Bread is hot and delicious. 1905 salad was good and I loved the dressing which you can buy if you like. However the salad plates were warm which is a personal pet peeve of mine. I ordered the Grouper Jimmy which was recommended by our waiter. The fish and crab meat were bland and not piping hot when it arrived to the table. In fact all the dinners were not hot enough. The Marilyn and DiMaggio my husband got was described as a stir fry but was more of a stew. Tastier seasoning which I liked and hot sauce is provided to kick up any entree. I did try a bite of my friends lemon crusted chicken breast which was crispy and nice. There were two kinds of rice both better than average. The waiter was a hurricane Katrina transplant and was timely and friendly making me overlook some of the negative about the food. Bottom line I would give it another try.

    (4)

  • Juan R.

    Sangria was good. Service was good but the food was not great at all. The "good rice" is actually horrible. The empanadas were bad. So disappointed that we did not want to try the desert. I would never come back.

    (1)

  • Drew P.

    Very delicious food. The piccadillo and pork here are of particular note. Atmosphere in here is lovely, tables crowded a bit closely. The service here is not great, surprisingly so given the atmosphere. Incorrect order taken for one member of our party, menus left on the table, infrequent check ins. All servers carried their trays in the 'palmed' style rather than fingertips. With the crowded tables this led to numerous dropped bottles, silverware, and plates during the visit. Service here needs to step it up!

    (3)

  • Gabe P.

    Ate the for the first time and had the filet mignon "Chacho" style and it was worth every bite. For desert had some Churros. Overall restaurant had a good vibe to it, service was on point. Food cost was a little on the high end but we'll worth it.

    (5)

  • steve s.

    1905 salad is the best thing on menu. My wife shrimp and scallops was terrible. She said to fishy. Will not go back.

    (2)

  • Jason S.

    This was my 2nd time dining here. The 1905 salad is one of the best salads I've ate. The Sangria (Red or White) is OH LA LA!! The atmosphere is typical open island dining. St. Armand's circle is a very busy shopping area so obviously a great restaurant like this will be busy. My girlfriend and her parents have ordered different dishes each time we've went. They have been very good, not blown away outstanding but very good. It's a very good place to eat.

    (4)

  • John D.

    POPULAR TOURIST STOP Success over the years has caused this once lovely place to turn itself into a small chain in order to serve the masses of tourists. We had the Pollo "Riojana" with yellow rice, a cup of Spanish Bean Soup and the "Merzula" Russian fish entree. The menu, while intriguing, has clearly been dumbed down for the visiting Midwest palate: i.e., no spice or interesting flavor at all. The chicken was decidedly average, while the Merzula fish was a stupendously huge slab of flavorless white fish; it was fresh, but poorly prepared. The Eggs a la Russe with it were diced (? - they should be sliced) and there was no discernible Russian Dressing as promised on the menu. The Spanish Bean Soup was merely an attempt to drown a handful of garbanzo beans in broth; once again, no flavor. I samples the Black Bean Cakes that a friend ordered and they were dry & nasty. Try out this place once just to check it out. You may or may not be back.

    (2)

  • J R.

    Great table side mojitos, and the food is excellent, but sometimes the service is a little lacking. I don't think this is the fault of the waiters, but more the sheer amount of people they have to contend with.

    (4)

  • Mike H.

    We enjoyed our lunch at Columbia! Scallops were delicious! Sat outside in the warm sun and had a great time. Culture was upbeat for an older crowd. Def would come back.

    (4)

  • Marlene H.

    Love Columbia Restaurant, however, I'm very disappointed that the St. Armand location is not serving my favorite Chacho Manhattan cocktail. Chacho must be rolling in his grave! Please bring it back! MMHERKOT

    (3)

  • Robert W.

    Came here for vacation from Miami.... so Im used to spanish cuban food. It was ok. I had the Complete Cuban combo. Yuca was hard, needs salt. Lechon is like a slice of pork lion, was expecting pulled lechon asado. it was ok. My wife had Shrimp criollo. Shrimp a salty but good flavor. A little spicy. Nice contrast of flavor with sweet plantains inside

    (3)

  • James D.

    Great food. Great atmosphere. On a nice night its awesome to sit outside and enjoy the weather. It can be a bit pricey depending on what you get. Overall it's a great spot.

    (4)

  • Christina B.

    During our visit to Sarasota we had heard wonderful reviews of this restaurant and we weren't disappointed. We started off with the sangria cava (definitely recommend) and the famous 1905 salad (not as great as we thought it was going to be). We then moved on to the main course of grouper, stuffed shrimp and mahi mahi (coated with plantain chips, yum!)-- the portions was perfect and everything was delicious! The rice, the sauces and the veggies topped off these yummy fish dishes. For desert we tried the key lime pie (a must), churros and banana bread pudding (take it or leave it). We even stopped off at the gift store to take home a few souvenirs. The only complaint would be the service. While everyone around us had perfectly nice servers, our was a pill. When asked what dishes she would recommend, we were directed to the most expensive steak dish on the menu and nothing else. Throughout the meal she continued to share very personal details about her life, without being prompted (everything from a family member's rehab stint to 9/11). Although this was a major turn off, we still enjoyed the food and would go back to the restaurant.

    (5)

  • Theresa H.

    First time eating there, we went to the one in Sarasota. The greeter taking your name for a table was certainly in the wrong job field. Oblivious and certainly no experience with the public, but aside from that the food was delicious!!! From the salad and fresh warm bread all the way to your entree. Very fresh and tasty. I will be back for sure.

    (4)

  • Saffi S.

    All food was so salty!!!

    (1)

  • Michael B.

    I know it gets mainly good ratings but my experience was terrible. I was visiting Florida from Oregon and wanted a true Cuban sandwich. Why not here, the original right? I was with my family and we first got seated directly in the servers path to other tables. After ordering, three of four orders were wrong. I never got my salad and all four soups were warm at best. We all got Cubans and all seemed to sit for a while as mustard seeped into the bread, the meat was cold and my sandwich had one pickle the size of a bread and butter pickle. Thankfully I got my good Cuban sandwich before leaving at cigar city brewpub. Very disappointing.

    (1)

  • Desiree C.

    Excellent Original 1905 salad minus the ham. Great Cabernet. I can not wait to taste my Eggplant entree.

    (5)

  • Bree G.

    I really like this place. They have breakfast that I like a lot. However I'm not sure if this location serves breakfast though. I almost always get the 1905 salad and a glass of sangria (red) can't go wrong

    (4)

  • Susan D.

    The waiter was the worst we have ever experienced . He was rude, condescending, and barely interacted with bare minimum descriptions of food when asked. The crab cakes were good. The day was beautiful and we ate outside. The only redeeming factor was the history of the place. Probably will choose a different restaurant on the circle next time.

    (2)

  • david h.

    I try to be fair in my reviews so as I sat here eating at Columbia I kept asking myself, "Is this not that good or do I just not like Cuban food?" The answer - "yes". I thought the atmosphere was quaint. The menu looked inviting. It had been highly recommended. And then... The service was middling at best. Our waitress acted like she was going through the motions and didn't really want to be there. The food was average. I haven't had great Cuban food so I don't know how to compare this place but the food we had was just average. The 1905 salad was good. My wife's gazpacho was room temperature and bland. The crab claws were fine. The only reason I ate all of my chicken riojana was because I was starving. Wouldn't go back, wouldn't recommend it and this place may have killed Cuban food for me in the future. Slightly down turned face

    (2)

  • Jack B.

    Have been dining here for many years and have never been disappointed either lunch or dinner. Had a late lunch there with family today. Wait staff is friendly and helpful, some of there menu items require table side preparation and the show is worth watching. The menu is Cuban-Spanish. Our daughters always request this being there first dining stop upon arrival at LBK.

    (4)

  • Mike C.

    If not the best then close to it....Fab at St Armands and Ybor city...

    (5)

  • Linda M.

    Well, I was a little disappointed with this place. Maybe because I had such high expectations. Columbia came highly recommended by a few of our friends so we decided to stop in while we were staying in Sarasota. We dined here when it was extremely busy and maybe that's why they were not up to par. Either way, we probably won't be returning to try other things because they seem to always be busy. The service was slow. Our waitress was not attentive and she was not very friendly. After we got our food and drinks, she checked on us maybe twice and then gave us the bill. In the end, we felt it was overrated and overpriced for the quality of food we received.

    (1)

  • L S.

    The crowds outside the restaurant are deceiving. This place is good for a drink and people watching but not the food. However, the Armand salad was very delicious. The shrimp saltado was barely worth eating. Dont bother with the empanadas.

    (3)

  • Marty C.

    We were greated at the door by Pedro. Seemed very nice we were seated outside as requested. Pedro said the server would be right with us.. we waited for 30 min just for water. The server Dustin seemed overwhelmed. Two couples set down beside us and the girl that waited on them was also very rude the couple's wanted one pitcher of sangria the server told them they needed two so she would not have to go back and forth the couple's said no only one.... we laughed at the kind of service we were all getting.... we left without getting our food after waiting for a (hour).... WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS RESTAURANT

    (1)

  • Manny M.

    food was blah, and overpriced.

    (1)

  • Mark T.

    Tapas and full plate restaurant. More European than the name suggests but the family is Cuban and has been running this place since 1905. Every dish was good - maybe not great. I had the mixed seafood tapas plate. Good sized tapas portions.

    (4)

  • Mike O.

    Easter Sunday, Mom had the Virginia baked ham dinner, which looked like the 6th grade cafeteria mystery meat, with string beans and mashed potato. Girlfriend had the Salmon with two eggplant and two shrimp, can't think of the name, we wrapped most of it up, tried to give it to some homeless cats, even they said yuk! I had the Filet steak salteado, which are sirloin tips with yellow rice and veggies mixed in with some sauce. Tasted and reminded me of the old days when my mom would pop the TV Dinners into the oven,30min @350, only thing missing, was being forced to watch Lawrence Welk. If you want real Cuban food, this is not the place. I will recommend the free bread, salad and Ice tea. Then, go home.

    (1)

  • Brenda Y.

    Not sure what the hype is all about, service was VERY slow at lunch and we were there before it got crowded. My Cuban sandwich was just like deli meat on a dry bread with mustard, not even pannini pressed. The plantain chips were like the crumbs at the bottom of a chip bag. My granddaughter, who is 5 ordered the kids Mac and cheese and it was bright orange like the boxed stuff. My daughter had the chicken which was basically a breast with stuff on top and pre made rice. I am not a food snob at all but I won't be back.

    (1)

  • Shana L.

    Food & service was awful! $40 for 2 cubans. Black unknown specks floating in my drink I ordered. Servers ignored me for 5 minutes and had horrible attitudes. This place sucks. Period.

    (1)

  • Elizabeth L.

    We came expecting columbian food and was very disappointed to find us looking at Cuban food. The food was horrible we couldn't not eat much of it Our waitress noticed and asked if everything was okay? We told her what we thought about the food, she insisted to let her manager know and he came over and apologized. He did not have us pay for diner! So that's was great, but stay away! The name fools you in to thinking it is Colombian food, I figured that when I read the menu so I ordered ropa vieja/ shredded beef which is a typical Cuban dish, but it was greasy with no taste. It Is a shame because the place is nice.

    (1)

  • Bruce C.

    I had heard from several locals about how great this place is that there was a pretty big letdown. I was looking hard for a respite from the forgettable mall chow that chokes the So Florida landscape and this seemed perfect. A 110 yr old family owned restaurant w real charm. While the decor and story were great, the food was truly pedestrian. A wilted Caesar salad was the biggest disappointment followed by tasteless mushy lobster croquettes. The mussles were good though and the bread they served warm in a wrapper was fantastic. I can't comment on the Cuban sandwiches as I didn't even try it. the presentation was with iceberg lettuce and mushy tomatoes so I have confidence the bar would not be raised if I had. All in all another sad addition to the Florida food wasteland argument. Can someone please prove me wrong on this one!?!

    (2)

  • D. B.

    I recently had dinner at the Columbia Restaurant. We were a party of four, and two of us had great food, while the other two weren't impressed. First of all: the wait. The place was mobbed around 7 on a weeknight. I would definitely recommend reservations. We didn't have any, but we were told the wait would be about 30 minutes, which we deemed acceptable. Unfortunately, it was more like 45-50 minutes by the time we were seated, which was a bit of a let down. When we were finally seated, we were seated under the roof, but practically outside. As it was a chilly evening, it was rather uncomfortable, especially for the older folks in our party. The bring out bread to start, which is tasty. I opted for a Caesar salad, which was also good (not spectacular, but good). My dining companions ordered some tapas to start -- Shrimp and Crabmeat Alcachofas and Empanadas de Picadillo. They were both decent. The alcachofas was pretty tasty and a fair portion, but you only get two tiny empanadas, which made it hard to share. As for dinner, I had the Shrimp Supreme, which I would order again in a heartbeat. It was delicious. My boyfriend had a different shrimp dish (I forget exactly what it was), and loved it. It came with nearly a dozen (good size) shrimp. Our other dinner guests were less pleased with their meals. One had the salmon in parchment and thought it was a bit bland (could have benefited from more sauce), the other had a steak dish with vegetables and wasn't that impressed. Our server was pleasant, friendly, and reasonably attentive. But, as I mentioned, it took awhile to be seated and then we were crammed in a corner bordering the outdoor seats, which was pretty uncomfortable. From observing the restaurant, I'd say that more than half of the servers were on top of things, but that a distinct handful were slow or clumsy. One last note: the menu is a little overwhelming and the prices are a tad bit high. I can see why this place is popular, but touristy. All in all, I'd eat here again (if I made a reservation in advance). :o)

    (3)

  • Jennie A.

    I had the chicken and yellow rice. The chicken was a little dry and over cooked and the rice well it looks very impressive was pretty bland. Now the red sangria was wonderful and the "1905" salad is so delicious but had a giant hair in it! Not noticed till I was pulling it from my mouth! The ambiance is nice, dined outside. No problem with service we had a later dinner. I would give this place a second chance. A very large menu to choose from!

    (4)

  • Lea T.

    Good but not exactly living up to the legacy this restaurant has being established back in 1905... Located on St. Armand's Circle, the Cuban and Spanish cuisine combination is appealing to both tourists and locals alike. The Cuban bread is delicious and I assume the Cuban sandwich must be very popular as well. There are quite a few options for vegetarians and paella dishes take about 30 minutes to prepare. I wasn't thrilled with the Paella Valencia and the Steak Salteado. The Shrimp Supreme also seemed very heavy I would've preferred purely bacon wrapped shrimp or battered fried shrimp but both just seems like too much. The Ropa Vieja was my favorite and the price seemed reasonable at $18. The portions here seem to be decent or on the small side compared to the very high prices which are probably conducive to the location on St. Armand's Circle. I think this spot would be the best for lunch and to sit outdoors. Personally the prices seem high for dinner and the crowds around dinner time become unbearable during high season.

    (3)

  • Tara J.

    After a full morning of browsing the shops in St. Armand's Circle, we were jonesin' for some eats. The line at Columbia was LONG and clustered around the front entrance, so we sat at a nearby bench and Yelped other area eateries. There are a ton in the circle, but we wanted to see them all on our trusty Yelp apps to make a better decision. Lots of choices, but after asking about the wait at Columbia, and being told we could get seated immediately (there were only 2 of us), we decided to stay put and we were glad we did! It was 2pm, so well before dinner, but we didn't want to pork out. The two of us split the Coco de Langosta (lobster on flatbread -- like a pizza!), the black bean cakes (tiny but good -- only $5.95 for a little batch of 4), and the Croquetas de Langosta. All of the food was amazingly good! Almost forgot -- try out the Sangria de Cava. So good! It's basically sangria with champagne and brandy instead of red wine. Good stuff! Service was good and fast, but almost too fast. Our server tried to clear my plate while I was still eating, and when she came back to clear it a second time I was STILL eating. That was odd, but not a huge deal. Over the course of our 3.5 days on Longboat Key, this meal at Columbia was by far the best, and priced the most fair compared to other spots. We'd easily dine here again.

    (4)

  • Hayden F.

    Probably one of the worst places I ever eaten at. The fact that this place is always packed proves that this pompous rich idiots in longboat and Sarasota have no clue what good food is.

    (1)

  • Heather B.

    The food was wonderful and the patio was great for people watching! Will definitely go again.

    (4)

  • Chad L.

    First time trying this place after i was told great things. First off we had reservations and it still took us 30 minutes to be seated. No worries i went to the bar and tried a cigar city beer they had, Delish!!! Are table is now ready and thats when everything went wrong. It was very hot and we found out the air condtioner was broken so fanning was are only option to cool off. When asked for order they have a very big menu so i asked for chicken and yellow rice which they replied isnt on dinner menu! Okay, well how about a cuban sandwich? No thats not on are dinner menu either. Well i settled for somthing that was like chicken and yellow rice which i never even tasted because by the time it came out i was covered in sweat. I asked them to box it up as i might eat it later which they did but i never ate it so i cant tell you how it tasted. No one really said they were sorry about that night which left a sour taste for me to return. Maybe the Tampa location is better and i might try it one day.

    (1)

  • Jeff H.

    decent little spot ... super busy at almost 10pm on a saturday night. I would say the most popular in st. armand circle. the 1905 salad was great. our waiter was nice although he did disappear for a while and left us without drinks or water for quite a while. Paella was good but light on actual sea food. I would definitely eat here again but it wouldn't be a regular spot if I lived in the area.

    (3)

  • Steve G.

    This really is the standard in Cuban cooking, so it's hard to say anything bad. But... ...there's a decided shortness in the service when you sit down here. You feel rushed to order. The only way I can describe it is it feels like I'm eating at a NY pizza place or something -- everyone knows the menu, and the accent makes it a little difficult to understand the server, and... Not that it bothered us -- we know what we want. But our out of town friends had a look of discomfort that I think reflected being hurried in their decisions, especially since they aren't familiar with Cuban food. Take from that what you will... As for the meal, the Cuban sandwich was perfect, the black bean soup delicious, and the ice tea freshly made. A great location on St. Armand's and an open table at lunch made this a great visit! Recommended!

    (4)

  • Tammy R.

    We have eaten here on several occasions. We came for lunch. Had the house special salad and the empanadas. They were very good. Our waiter was very friendly. However it was quite warm inside the restaurant. But it was enjoyable

    (4)

  • Katie L.

    Delicious authentic Cuban Restaurant. We started with the fried calamari (our favorite) and it was delicious. The squid was tender and not greasy at all. It is served with a honey mustard sauce which I've never seen before but it was good. Their fresh baked cuban bread is absolutely delicious. Warm and fluffy, just like it should be. We both had the cuban sandwiches served with plantain chips and it was exactly how I remember my grandmother's cuban sandwiches. Overall, a wonderful meal.

    (5)

  • Nina T.

    Great food. White bean soup: great (waitress recomm over black bean) House 1905 salad: also great Sangria: went down like great kool aide New york strip: great seasoning, huge Salmon in parchment: good. Felt very healthy eating it Very popular spot for good reason.

    (4)

  • Carmine R.

    one of the best most beautiful restaurants I've been to and by far the best in the Sarasota/Bradenton area with consistently excellent , inexpensive dishes especially the waitresses and staff that serve in unison at five star levels. You'll never hear a loud mouth, deep south hobo, tattoos or rudeness Columbia Restaurant somehow filters out by their family values and work ethics an oasis in the middle of a jungle of disorganized, awkwardly run FL businesses.

    (5)

  • Ashley R.

    A family favorite since I can remember - get the 1905 salad for sure. The extra wait is worth a spot outside. Great people watching and excellent service. A local staple to Sarasota. The Sangria is fantastic!

    (5)

  • Jenna A.

    I had a pleasant late lunch slash afternoon snack at the Colombia Restaurant while spending the day in the Sarasota area. Service was very friendly, attentive and genuine. Mojitos seem to be their thing, but I'm not a huge rum drinker so I ordered a glass of white sangria made with champagne. It was yummy, although a little heavy handed on the booze but hey I'm not complaining! The mojitos looked good with lots of fresh mint and a sugar cane. My dining companion and I shared a tapas sampler comprised of three small plates of your choosing. We picked crab cakes, scallops and baby pork ribs. I thoroughly enjoyed all of them but if I had to pick a favorite it would probably be the scallops. They were deliciously breaded and sat in lemon butter. The crab cakes were mostly crab (as they should be!) and not a lot of junk filler. They came with a passion fruit aioli. The baby pork ribs were great as well - very tasty seasoning and had a few pequillo peppers and caramelized onions tossed in. The restaurant itself is pretty large but I can definitely see some gruesome wait times, especially during "season". We came at an odd hour and were able to get a nice table outside in the shade right away, but when we walked by a few hours later there seemed to be a good amount of people waiting to be sat. Our tab was less than $50 for two cocktails and three small plates, and I thought that was pretty reasonable given the ambiance, food quality and surrounding area. I didn't find CR to be "touristy" as some people mentioned.. I mean yes there were probably lots of tourists there, myself included, but when I think of touristy I think of kitsch and cheesy waiters with fake "spiels". I didn't find any of that here.

    (4)

  • Edgar M.

    Service was rushed...noise incredible......food mediocre.....servers suggestion was not to my liking....crowded....too expensive for what we got. Will not return to this place.

    (1)

  • Jan P.

    The only thing that could be better is if a Columbia Restaurant was in my hometown of Asheville. When I leave Florida it's always the thing I miss most. We have a good Spanish restaurant in Asheville but Columbia is all about great Cuban food. It is my hands-down favorite restaurant in the state of Florida. This is just my humble opinion. If you go don't miss the croquetas; and they have the tastiest empanadas I've ever had!

    (5)

  • Scott T.

    Wow they have been around for a long time and I grew up in Tampa /Ybor City where the first started. Everything is OK - I have never had anything GREAT! But have had some 4.5 star meals and so 2 star meals. It's a little pricey, and you pay for the decor and the story. One of their better and more expensive dishes is the Paella which is worth the wait if you are not starving. They do give you ho cuban bread and butter to hold you over. Black bean soup is very good. Clean bathrooms too! Nice birthday flan (free) if you tell them.

    (3)

  • Curt W.

    I live in the area and had not been to the Columbia for a while. Short staffed, poor service we waited forever to be served, Martini tasted like water and tapas was so salty we had to send it back. The bread presentation was cool but the bread was he worst I have ever had at a restaurant. So sad that it turned out so disappointing.

    (1)

  • Jason K.

    Some work friends and I were on a trip to visit some Sarasota Target stores and we were staying within walking distance to the Columbia and St. Armand's Circle. My buddy goes to this area twice a year and recommended it to our 8 person group. There was a wait for 8, but if we split into 2 tables, we could be seated soon, so we split up. I ordered a Mojito to start, which seemed to be the main drink of choice. When it came out, I couldn't really taste any rum in it, but my friend said they make their own and it was plenty strong. It comes out with a sugar cane stick, and it was plenty sweet and refreshing. Very nice. I ordered a Cigar City Jai Alai after that, which was a pretty solid IPA. I ordered the signature Cuban Sandwich, now Cubans are my favorite sandwich type, which I just discovered about 5 years ago, and this establishment says that they invented the sandwich. So I HAD to try it. I ordered the 1905 side salad to go with it and our cool waiter mixed it up right at the table. Solid veggies and a fantastic vinaigrette. The Cuban came out with a perfectly pressed elongated panini style and there was ham and pork and pickle and mustard. It was good, but I have had some better ones in the Twin Cities at Allie's or MacKenzie. It wasn't bad, but I would have liked more mustard and pickle. Our waiter, atmosphere, friends, and salad all pushed it from a three to a four star restaurant. It is a real cool atmosphere inside. Good recommendation!

    (4)

  • Dr Laura B.

    We went to the Columbia Restaurant to celebrate my daughter's birthday. I ordered the Paella Vegetariana. This dish is priced at $23. The entree was mostly yellow rice with a little bit of frozen green beans & peas. I couldn't believed that they served me frozen veggies with a huge serving of yellow rice. It had no flavor at all! The waiter asked me how was my meal. I told him it was awful and I had a hard time finding the veggies. I left most of the food. They refund the price of the meal. Afterward, I ordered the Flan and the Flan was very good! I just don't understand why this place is so popular!

    (2)

  • Steve M.

    Our server was excellent, Offered great descriptions of the entrees and was very attentive. The food was good, not great, but solid. I recommend the muscles - they are done in a unique broth with vegetables - these were a highlight. Prices are a bit high but not unexpected for the location.

    (3)

  • Jim D.

    Drinks should include either mojitos or sangria - both are excellent. Start with their fabulous "1905" salad, made at your table. That evening we then shared the Tapeo sampler of three tapas choices - ours included stuffed mushrooms, fried calamari and crab cakes on a three-tiered platter. If you like roast pork, the Columbia is the place to get it. We always look forward to dining here!

    (5)

  • Deke K.

    The Columbia is a Florida "must do" and can be a five-star experience in this 100+ year old establishment. The St. Armand's restaurant is bustling all the time, chaotic and noisy and is best with a reservation. (However, they save a portion for walk-ins; it was frustrating they would only accept reservations for six not eight and then had half the restaurant empty when we arrived.) There are also lots of outside seats. It is a Spanish restaurant (not Cuban though this sandwich is on the menu). We chose to eat "tapas style" ordering many small plates rather than an entree. I had the half 1905 salad ($5), a "limp" salad made tableside with ham, swiss, olives, parmesan, lettuce and a very HEAVY garlic dressing (I was breathing and sweating it for hours--great going down, annoying later.) I followed this with a cup of cold gazpacho soup, also dressed at tableside with fresh veggies. (Yum, $4) My third round was grilled mushroom caps stuffed with artichoke hearts--heavenly. Others in the party got shrimp or scallops, arriving in different ways. We kept cleaning our plates. Our finish was a ginormous double piece of white chocolate bread pudding that came warm and heavenly ($7). I took one star for the noise and chaos followed by waiters standing around and not there at check time or fill-water time. It's a landmark and should be part of everyone's Florida memories! 11/2013. Phenomenal Spanish garbanzo bean soup! $5 yummmm

    (4)

  • Ann E.

    Very pricey for what we were served. Salads were an up charge and all iceberg lettuce. No impressive toppings. Seafood type small plates had poor quality breading and would have been better left off. Will not return.

    (1)

  • Lance R.

    Had the Bambino steak and it was exceptional...will definitely be back on my next visit to the area...wish they would expand to S.FL!!! Excellent service as always. Loved the stuffed mushrooms that came with the steak. Also the house salad..mixed table side is very good.

    (5)

  • Bob B.

    A St. Armands Classic.... Black Bean Soup, a 1905 Salad (extra olives) and a Garaffon Margarita. Pure bliss. Small sidewalk tables are great for entertainment. I have been coming here since 1970!! Go see Terry at the bar inside. You will be in good hands.

    (4)

  • Todd G.

    The 1905 Salad is the best salad in town. Sometimes they can be inconsistent with it though because the waiters are the ones that prepare it table side. Black Bean Soup, Shrimp Supreme and Black Bean Cakes are excellent. While the Cuban sandwich isn't the best in town, it's certainly very good especially on their fresh made bread.

    (4)

  • Lauren S.

    Ridiculously overpriced. Food was disgusting and not authentic. Asked for regular non-bottled water, and got water that tasted and looked like it came from the restaurant's toilet. This place should be closed.

    (1)

  • Joseph N.

    Original salad is really delicious. Tapas options are excellent. Price is reasonable.

    (4)

  • Jason C.

    We have eaten here and at the one in Tampa and just have loved it each tiime!!

    (5)

  • K C.

    Delicious Spanish food! The homemade sangria was made in front of us at the table. It was so smooth and refreshing on a warm September afternoon. The 1905 salad was different than most salads I see, very good. The seafood paella was full of tasty mussels, scallops, shrimp and other great seafood. I think I even saw octopus. I look forward to my next trip to St Armands circle just so I can return to Columbia!

    (5)

  • Andrew D.

    It's no surprise Columbia has been in this friendly beach vacation community since the 1940's! What a unique, laid back lunch experience. And this is coming from a Chicago guy, where we have every sort of ethnic food! If I had to, I'd classify this place as General Hispanic? The huge menu covers selections from Spain, Cuba, South America, and Mexico. My lunch consisted of the half sandwich/half salad. The Cuban sandwich was on point, but the salad was the star of the show. It had so many different ingredients I cannot even remember, but by all means order this salad! I don't even like salad normally! They make it right at your table and it is easily the best I've had in my life, anywhere in the world. Great place for lunch in St. Armand's; especially if it's sunny outside! Only beef I have is the place is usually too cluttered and chaos ensues if they are past capacity. But the servers try their best and food is incredible. P.S. Great sangria, too.

    (4)

  • Mel M.

    Visited the restaurant five o'clock on a Sunday and it was moderately busy which was expected. Our waitress Jessica was really nice but the atmosphere was not what's expected from a place your paying $30 per entree. I feel the authenticity of the place has been compromised seeing the selection on the menu, as if it's been catered to a certain crowd versus staying true to Columbian cuisine. Fancy words on the menu describing entree's isn't fooling a real Latina woman. Unfortunately I was not able to try any food due to the amount of horse flies flying on me and my husband, other guest and our table. It was hard to even read the menu due to all the flies. We should've known due to the restaurant smelling like a bar as soon as we walked in. No worth the environment and cost. There's a much nicer place....Shore Diner for the same cost with an amazing clean atmosphere.... just around the corner

    (1)

  • Julie M.

    We have been to several locations of the Columbia. This is the one we visit most often. The experience is about the same at all locations. Typically service is mediocre (at best). The ambience and tradition raise the rating for me. The black beans & rice (w/ a side of sour cream) and the 1905 Salad are a must. The sangria and mojitos are delicious. I just wish the servers and hostesses would take more pride in working for such a historic franchise.

    (4)

  • Mary T.

    I like this place for the food, not the service. If the service were any worse I wouldn't be a repeat customer like I am. Located on St. Armand's Circle, this is a packed house on your normal weekend night. My recommendation, make a reservation or plan on waiting. First off, if you are on the larger side, beware because the tables aren't very big and you could feel a bit crunched. I never understand when I see a hostess seat the largest people in the restaurant at the smallest table. I'm sure there is some reason behind that. I saw a couple of those instances occur while dining. Second, please don't come here with the expectation that there is killer service because it is anything but. If for some reason you do have killer service, then you definitely beat the average. Lastly onto the food. The things I really enjoy here are the classics: -Sangria (I've had some servers make it at the table, and others that don't. Either way it's good but it adds more when they make it at the table, and should I say adds more to their tip when they make it at the table) -Black Bean Soup (they forget onions all the time so you may have to ask for some, I also suggest asking for their hot sauce) -The Classic 1905 salad (it's very large so plan on sharing or order the small, unless you want it as your entree) -Cuban Sandwich The atmosphere is really cool, the food is good, and the service is ya know, not great, but with the right company it can be a darn good experience. I'm a fan and if you wander in her I'm sure the food won't disappoint you at least the things I mentioned won't. Food = 4 Service = 1.5 Atmosphere = 4 *which brings the average to a 3. Cheers & Enjoy!!

    (3)

  • Vinny A.

    We came to this place with the whole family and the friends who recommended this stop. Something about this restaurant feels like stepping back in time a bit...to a simpler era...almost Hemingway-like, in a great way...located in a great spot on St. Armand's Circle. The place was packed for lunch, but we were promptly attended to and seated quickly at a comfortable table that afforded a view of the entire restaurant and outdoor surroundings. Service was great for how crowded it was and lunch was pretty, darn good, too. Our party dined on some of the various tapas offerings as well as some Cuban sandwiches and salads. The food was enjoyed by all as most of the plates were empty (or close to it) at the end of the meal. If you're in the area and looking for some good bites to be shared with friends - look no further. Just make sure you wash it all down with a fresh mojito! ;)

    (4)

  • Leonardo L.

    From the minute I stepped in I thought I was traveling to a fellow Hispanic country(In a good way lol) It had been a long time since I last saw a bustling restaurant playing salsa music for both the young and hip and the seasoned client. A friend and I wen to get desserts only, so I chose the most flamboyant of the desserts on the menu : Brazo Gitano.--and by flamboyant I mean, the dessert was literally lit on FIRE on my table!! (The only minus I would point out is that the desserts can be too sweet, so make sure you get a good drink) After all the sprezzatura that I had to endure, my friend and I ordered 4 mojito's to end on a high note. I haven't found a mojito quite like the one I tried here, which was prepared in the traditional way (cane sugar, fresh mint, and a loooot of rum) Overall, I think this is a fun place to take a friend/date to in Sarasota. It's classic, energetic, and varied enough to celebrate a good night out.

    (4)

  • Jamie K.

    The second most important thing to booking our hotels once we decided on our destination was to make reservations for the Columbia. A Tampa favorite I spent years being spoiled with arroz con pollo anytime. It has been a while since we've visited our absolute favorite Spanish restaurant. Ok, if I'm being honest, my husband originally tried to keep these reservations as a surprise because he knows it's one of my favorite places, but I sniffed it out in dos segundos. See what I did there? We left Siesta a little early so we could walk around St. Armand's Circle which I definitely recommend. While most of it is relatively touristy, it is fun to browse in and out of the shops around the circle; plus it's a great way to enjoy the weather and kill time. It was a good thing we got there early because we walked passed Columbia along our stroll and it was packed; easily the busiest restaurant there. Our reservations were for 8 p.m. but because preggo here was getting a little hungry, we popped in around 7:30 to see if they could take us any earlier. Surprisingly, despite the wait, they did and we didn't even have to wait long! We were seated outside which I was stoked about because nosey me likes to people watch while I eat. Our server came over right away to take our drinks and bring us their delicious, hot, bread (one for each of us; they must have known I was coming.) My husband ordered an alcoholic drink and when I announced I wish I could have one but that I'm preggers, the server had a great idea - a virgin drink. Duh! If you are in the mood for a cocktail with your dinner (or lunch, no judging here) the sangria and mojitos are to die for! We both ordered the arroz con pollo although I contemplated ropa vieja which is another one of my favorites. Our mounds of piping hot, yellow rice and plate sized chicken arrived before we knew it. Our server arranged everything on our plates for us because it is A LOT of food, but not so much that we were going to pass on ordering plantains. The best! Dinner was just as mouth watering as we remembered. The chicken was fall off the bone with a ton of flavor. The rice was fluffy with pieces of pepper and bursts of deliciousness. We ate as much as we could and it looked like we barely touched our plates. These are some of the best leftovers! Unfortunately we didn't have room for dessert, but a dinner at Columbia was a treat in itself.

    (5)

  • Jodi M.

    Excellent service & fantastic food. First time here nd it was on Labor Day right around 12:15. We were seated right away and greeted by our waitress right away. She brought out warm wrapped Cuban bread and butter. It was simply the best I've had. We had the crab croquettes which was full of crab, Cuban sandwich and the 1905 Salad which was amazing. I would highly recommend this restaurant.

    (5)

  • Craig L.

    Place is very cool and great Cuban food. Must get the "1905 salad" it's delicious. Atmosphere is nice and laid back!! Service is stupendous!!

    (5)

  • Benard L.

    I'm only giving it 4 stars because I had to endure eating here with my mom. The service was great however I could feel the servers attitude that we were not a high end big check table. He did what he had to do to get the tip. He made a great suggestion on what I should eat. The atmosphere is great, always busy. Anyone who knows anything about dining in Sarasota would suggest this place. A gem.

    (4)

  • Guy S.

    The service is excellent. The location and layout are excellent. The Cuban sandwich and the mahi mahi sandwich, however, leave much to be desired. And my beer was warm. I'm certain we ordered wrong. I have no idea why we didn't order tapas like everyone else? This is a lesson well learned that when at a tapas restaurant, order tapas. My mahi mahi was dry. My moms Cuban sandwich was sad, or rather, average. Just average. My moms dessert, fresas bizchocho, was also average. My moms friend ordered scallops and he said they were good. so there ya go, we found a silver lining. This elegant restaurant was absolutely packed for lunch. Looked like a 15 minute wait to be seated when we left at about 1:30 pm.

    (3)

  • Pizza L.

    Columbia restaurant is very, how do you say....Collummbian...(it's in the wee hours of the morning, so forgive me for being loopy). In human years, its 110 years old! Another staple in the circle and still going strong!!! I've eaten here for longer than I can remember - and I'm not going to give away my age so lets just say I've been here many times. This restaurant is definitely 'unforgettable'. It is Cuban food at it's finest - I can't even begin to tell you all the Cuban dishes they offer - take a gander at their menu, it's a pretty extravagant list. From traditional dishes, to some 'modernized' selections. Cuban sandwiches, to Ropa Vieja, Tapas (huge selection), seafood (red snapper, grouper (5 different ways), pompano, mahi mahi, shrimp, salmon...) I'm a sucker for seafood...but they also have carnes, pollo, & vegetarian dishes too....super extensive list of delectable dishes... The paella is unbelievable & it's the best I've had so when I'm in the area this is what I want...the paella marinera (seafood: clams, mussels, shrimps, scallops & calamari). I haven't found a restaurant in Chicago that makes it quite as good as Columbia, so I usually always order this. They have signature cocktails, private label wine list, and some fantastic Spanish wines as well, really nice selection. Sangria is pretty yummy too... The restaurant looks fancy on the inside, but its more on the casual side and you can dine outside....average amount of tables on the walkway - you may people watch as you eat as you will find many strolling right past you while they 'walk the circle'. So if you don't like strangers watching you eat or staring at your food, I recommend sitting inside ;) Service is friendly and accommodating.. Columbia is a legendary restaurant... You MUST check it out if your ever in the area. Ole'! Viva Cuba!

    (5)

  • Jorge V.

    La mejor comida española cubana the best Spanish food and Cuban food service was exellent very nice restaurant

    (5)

  • Amy M.

    This is the 2nd time I've visited Columbian in St Armands Circle. We absolutely love the mussels and chorizo get extra bread for dipping, my mouth still waters thinking of it! It was very busy on a Sat eve but we did get in on our 8:20 reservation. Server Jessica was a doll very informative.. I would have given a full 5 stars but u could feel the tension from the Hostess

    (4)

  • Diane H.

    What this restaurant has going for it is location, location, location - right on St. Armands Circle with patio dining and a dining room that feels very open due to the large windows. We went for early lunch on a Thursday afternoon, and were seated promptly and our waiter was very attentive. I just can't say I'm a fan. The food was OK -- the cuban salad was way to cheesy for me, and my entree was just okay. I would look somewhere else before going here again.

    (2)

  • Elena C.

    The two things I liked at this place was their "Calamares Fritos" in plain "English" Calamari. They were tasty, fresh and flash fried, also they served us good "croquetas"which are the Spanish version of a fish cake, with the difference that it is elongated and the best ones are made with bechamel sauce. Now that famous salad is horrible. I understand the success of cheap food and all that but this place is way overrated.

    (2)

  • Jerry G.

    Stopped in here on a recent Friday night with friends after visiting the Ringling Museum just north of here. it is situated on St. Armands Circle. Parking: has valet right out front. There is parking along the street that is random. We drove on by, hung a left and went behind the place and found parking along the street behind it next to a parking place. Food: I live in Tampa, so the Columbia Restaurant there is better known to me. And, i'm not too big a fan. I tend to review the menu, order their paella, and have been disappointed. It just doesn't pop. But, I do love their Sangria de Cava and 1905 salad. Here, we ordered the Sangria de Cava and loved it. I ordered the 1905 Salad along with a dinner entree of Filet Steak Salteado. Absolutely great. Sauteed Beef tips with garlic, spanish onions, peppers, some potatoes, sausage served with a side of yellow rice. The Sangria, then salad, then more sangria, then salteado......pretty good night. Service: the place was packed but they had an adequate number of staff to handle the customers. At no time did we have a problem in getting our drinks replenished and the orders came very quickly. Atmosphere: large restaurant, a lot of people,....not too quiet. We had a front table so we could do some people watching as well. Their is a small store associated with the restaurant and we were touristy enough to head over and buy one of the Sangria pitchers. Go Back: sure when we're back in the area. great location. a lot of people. take it slow.

    (4)

  • Monica P.

    If it was possible, I would give this place ten stars! It was a perfect lunch and one of the best my husband and I have ever had! Our waiter was Novi and he was an absolute delight! Professional, efficient and funny! His beautiful wife and two adorable children showed up at the end of our meal and we were not surprised that he had such a wonderful family! I had the 1905 small salad and the pincho mixto. It was a perfect combination. My husband had the Ropa Vieja which I now have to learn how to make. It was absolutely delicious! The presentation of everything was spot on! Plus it has a doggie dining area which made it perfect since we had our dog with us. Cannot recommend this place highly enough. A rich history of over 100 years plus outstanding food! They even have a dress code which is no sleeveless shirts for men. We will definitely be back when we are in Sarasota again.

    (5)

  • Mike L.

    Had lunch while on the way to Longboat Key Resort. The tapas was great and consistent with the location in St. Augustine. Loved the layout of the tables around big glass windows in a half moon shape. A bartender, Terry S (#879), had such a smart mouth, we left the bar area and asked for a table just to get away from him. Once at an inside table Lisa G. (#503) was friendly and fun, although I had to ask several times for water and realized she was quite absent minded (not a good trait for a server). My wife and I purchased the 1905 salad dressing and the seasoning from the store. Tried the seasoning later that night and it was delicious.

    (3)

  • Deborah H.

    Wow, this place was so busy, and even though it was a little cool, we decided to sit at a small table outside so we could have a conversation during lunch. This is the third Columbia location we have tried, and have loved the food each time. We tried the Ybor chicken and rice, which was delicious with a a cup of black bean soup. The only reason for my average rating is that the service was so s-l-o-w. It took almost an hour to get our entrees

    (3)

  • Nadine S.

    Wanted to give 5 stars as really love this restaurant but today not quite as good as usual. Was big arts and crafts fair at St. Armand's circle so everywhere was jam packed with people. Only waited about 15 minutes for a table so not bad at all. Waitress was really rushed and when she made by salad at the table she had food sloshing out of the side of the bowl when she kind of "plopped" it down on front of me. Heard other waiters and waitresses being much more personable and heard the lunch specials by eavesdropping as she never offered to share with us. There was a specials menu on the table but she certainly did not promote it or provide any additional information about it. I had the lobster, shrimp and scallop cannelloni and my husband had the lobster croquette. Both were yummy, nicely played and hot. Sauces on all of their food are always excellent. Bathrooms could use some cleaning attention and very few stalls for the size of the restaurant. When leaving there was several areas where good had been dropped on the floor and almost slipped on something squishy. Gift shop cute with some nice products. Bought 2 bottles of their salad dressing and they double wrapped them in brown paper before putting in bag. Nice they pay so much extra attention to protect your purchases. Free samples of sangria in the gift shop also which is a huge bonus. Nice to taste it while waiting for your table. All in all still very good restaurant and certainly will frequent them again and again. Just a few small things preventing me from giving them 5 stars this visit.

    (4)

  • Karen P.

    One of a kind! The bread was amazing- warm with crisp crust. The chicken had the crust to die for; perfectly seasoned. A perfect meal topped off with the best sangria. Wished there was a Columbia in Ohio!

    (4)

  • Julian A.

    5 stars were given based on my experience for the night. My wife had an a well balanced exquisite pineapple mojito and it was on point. I order the crab cakes and they were to die for. Services was great. I have eaten many times there and I really don't like their salads. Food is good service is great.

    (5)

  • Laura W.

    Took a client there today for lunch. I eat at the Ybor location frequently and told our client its the best. Today this location was not the same as Ybor. The 1905 salad was prepared table side with an obnoxious amount of grated cheese. I ordered an eggplant entree, it was so salty and the skin was so tough, I couldn't eat it. My clients breaded steak was full of fat and bone pieces. My husbands chicken and yellow rice was mushy and tasteless. Needless to say we were embarrassed. Service subpar, they left the salad prep trash next to our table, and the tables are so close together you can even get out without waiting for servers or other customers to clear the path!

    (2)

  • Angela A.

    I love this restaurant! It is one of my favorite places to go in Sarasota. Their 1905 salad is the best! And their white Sangria is also excellent. I love the atmosphere and the beach is in walking distance. It's a little above casual but because it's by the beach casual beachwear is totally acceptable.

    (5)

  • Bill H.

    This is the 3rd year my family and I have had dinner at the Columbia while vacationing in Longboat Key and as always we enjoyed it. We each had the 1905 salad prepared at our table (great)! My wife and I have the ropa viajo and we both would highly recommend it! Also, recommended is the Sangria which also was prepared table side. If your looking for a menu that is not your average fare try the Columbia!

    (4)

  • Nichole N.

    Ambience- The location is wonderful, the space is very nice and it spans two sides of St. Armands Circle. The patio is cool and fun for people watching. There is a cute gift shop attached as well. Service- Sorely lacking in a welcome, being seated or being treated kindly during our meal. There were literally ten staff members standing in a line at the entry door and not one of them welcomed us into the restaurant and not one showed us to a table until we had to ask. Really? Our waiter was lackluster, thank goodness another spotted him for a break as the replacement was an improvement. Food and drink- The Strawberry daiquiri was amazing! Ask for whipped cream though; it doesn't come standard so if you like it, go for it! It is the real stuff! My friends said the 1905 salad was amazing as well. We then got to the entree which was not as tasty. I had some kind of dip appetizer that was not great and then my tapas with ground meat (friends had the same) was very dry...could have used potatoes and more of the onion and some kind of sauce to make it moist as it definitely had potential to be good. Side note: Went again to give it another try; same lack of greeting, sat in the bar as it was late afternoon. We had daiquiris again served in smaller glasses and had a funky taste; not the same at all as the ones we had in the restaurant. We sat at the high bar tables and the bartender yelled across to us to get our order. It was hard to hear him across the din of the restaurant...all in all; way better restaurant service elsewhere in Florida. I guess maybe being a chain has made the management forget what makes a restaurant work; excellent customer service.

    (3)

  • Helen L.

    The sangria is great. I can see why it's a local favorite. The paella is delicious, but it does take a while for them to make it. I am not a fan of their "1905" salad since it is made of iceberg lettuce. My favorites for lunch are the Ropa Vieja and Merluza "Russian style." The staff is always great.

    (5)

  • loli p.

    I can give it 0 stars. It is the worse Cuban food I have ever tried. Real Cuban food is delicious. Please don't waste your money. This not authentic Cuban food.

    (1)

  • Roxanne E.

    Wonderful food, service and location. Had a great experience. The Sangria was tasty. I initially did not enjoy my dish (not the restaurant's fault as I misread the menu) but they replaced my dish without any hassle and the manager came over personally, without me even having to ask, to make sure that everything was fine. Our server was pleasant and efficient. If you're on a low carb diet, consider cheating for the day as a the cuban bread is delicious.

    (5)

  • Billy S.

    This is the third Columbia Restaurant my wife and I have been to. They are all excellent. One of our favorite parts is the fresh warm Cuban bread they bring to the table. On this particular visit it was at the end of a very long day of a lot of walking. So we decided to keep it light and just order a selection of Tapas. Everything was well prepared and the service was quick and friendly. Great way to end our day.

    (4)

  • Andy R.

    Excellent food, outstanding service and reasonable prices make for a success recipe. Shared some tapas, a paella and a pitcher of sangria and left very satisfied.

    (5)

  • Sasha M.

    This is THE best restaurant!! The 1905 salad and black bean soup are awesome and you have to get a pitcher of the imported sangria!!

    (5)

  • Molly H.

    Wow was this place great! I haven't had Cuban food in a long time and I'm sad that I was only visiting the area. We didn't have to wait long even on NYE lunch time. The place was packed, but they seem to be flowing the service easily. Service. A+. Our server explained things to us on the menu in great detail. Water never left empty. Cleared dishes promptly. Not to mention, very friendly. After ordering a DELICIOUSLY, toasty warm baguette of bread was brought for each of us. EACH of us. Oh my goodness. I could have sliced that baby open and curled up right inside of it. Should I have eaten the entire loaf? No. But I think it might have been a mortal sin to leave any bit of it. My friend did not finish hers but tucked it in her Togo box! Wines and sangria red and white, multiple mojitos and beer selections. The sugar cane in The mojito was delish. I wasn't sure if I liked the mojito so I HAD to order a second one juuuuuuuust to make sure. Yep. Top notch. I opted with the black bean soup and deviled crab croquettes. Divine. I wanted to try everything on the menu. It all looked amazing. Others had Cuban sandwich and crab cakes. No one complained or left much behind. What was left was 100% put in a Togo box for later munching. Plantain chips were tasty. If you're in this area,GO! Go hungry. Can you all build a Pittsburgh local?

    (5)

  • Susan C.

    Amazing food, atmosphere, and sangria! A must if you visit St Armand's. Anytime we have company visit we go to the Columbia for lunch or dinner. I love getting the tapas. The 1905 salad is great and they make it at the table. It's always busy but we never have to wait too long. It's nice to stroll around the circle if there is a wait. There's nothing else around that's like it.

    (5)

  • Mark M.

    One word. Boo! Tourist trap that has become victim of their own success. For real Cuban cuisine, try the small mom and pop places in Tampa. Even off season, had to wait for a table. Ordered paella which was so overly salted with mushy rice and over cooked seafood. Service was absent and unfriendly.

    (1)

  • Alaina M.

    The 1905 salad is AMAZING! Very reasonably priced for the area and always delicious. The sangria is made table side is fantastic as well.

    (5)

  • Gina S.

    Everything is amazing but no matter what you choose , add a 1905 salad. It's awesome . I could make a meal just on that and the amazing piping hot bread. But I would not dare miss the opportunity to eat one of their specialties. Enjoy!

    (5)

  • Adam C.

    Love this place, don't know how it only has 3.5 stars. Whenever we have guests in town we bring them here and everyone always loves the food. Great menu with something for everyone. Service is always good too. Great locarion on St. Armand's Circle to boot.

    (5)

  • Francesca D.

    My husband and I waited for over 15 minutes for water to come to our table. We finally walked out and explained to the host she said sorry thanks for coming. If there were an option to give zero stars I would! HORRIBLE SERVICE WOULDN'T GO BACK!

    (1)

  • Meg S.

    As a hybrid local/out-of-towner, this is one spot I always have to hit when I'm in Florida. It's a little crowded, but the people watching is good. Oh and their Cuban sandwich and famous salad are to die for!!! They are simple and pure delight-especially when paired together. The sandwich it rich and slightly salty and the fresh vinaigrette on the salad is a magical compliment. I wish it was easier to come by, but it's worth the wait!

    (4)

  • D J.

    We asked the nice young lady in Le Macaron what's a good place to eat & she told us this place was popular. Welllll, not so much! This place was pretty busy so I thought the food would be A+++. First, there was an awkward smell when we walked in that made me want to sit outside but it was extremely hot. We were seated immediately & our server brought out warm Cuban bread in parchment paper w/butter. The bread was average. My husband ordered a chorizo española appetizer & breaded steak Milanese which he enjoyed. I had the mojo chicken which was just "ok" but the fries were great. I wish I would have just ordered the 1905 salad which everyone raves about. If we go back that's what I'll order.

    (2)

  • Amy S.

    While the food was edible, it wasn't great. We got there around 8 so it wasn't crowded. Apparently the waiters thought it was closing time because the service was almost non-existent. All the waiters just hung around by the bar gabbing. I got three different tapas to try. The scallops were way overcooked which I let the waiter know. He just stared at me, said ok and walked off. The albondigas were the best of the three but not anywhere close to others I've had in other restaurants or in Spain for that matter. And the croquettes were just over fried. It just wasn't good. The atmosphere was nice, the location is great and the little gift shop next door was cute. Oh, and the sangria was decent. But the service and food left much to be desired.

    (2)

  • Sean Crystal G.

    A very special and relaxing dinner with the family. Excellent food and service. We had a great dinning experience. Looking forward to returning very soon.

    (5)

  • Michael N.

    The menu really catches your eye with the history and variety of Cuban/Spanish dishes listed. The location is terrific also as is the decor. Shame is that neither the service or the food can keep up. My chicken was Overcooked and my wife's dish lacked taste despite being described as cooked in lobster bisque. Guarantee they pour the bisque on top! A must go place if you are in the area, but the food needs to be improved.

    (3)

  • Courtney K.

    This place is the BOMB. Easily the best restaraunt in all of Sarasota. The paella, 1905 salad and all of the appetizers are great. Whatever you do, order a mojito because they make it right at your table, and it is so fresh , yummy and STRONG. The salad is big and you can get one to share between the whole table when dining in a small party. The decor/atmosphere in general is so awesome too, good for groups or dates.

    (5)

  • Jorge L.

    Great location; server was very nice and attentive. Food is fresh. Will come back from Miami.

    (5)

  • J F.

    Excellent place for a great Original Cuban sandwich and a pitcher of monitors made right at your table

    (5)

  • Faith D.

    Lively atmosphere. Delicious sangria - both red and white. Good tapas, Salads, Shrimp and chicken. Four of us all enjoyed our meals. Indoor and outdoor seating. Attentive service. $$$. Would go back to try paella which looked great!

    (3)

  • Selmy B.

    This is a chain restaurant and this location is better than most. The service is steady and can be great when there are less dining. The food is okay. I enjoy the tapas and sandwiches. The meals are pricey for Cuban food but you go there for the ambiance so you pay for it. Outdoor seating that is pet friendly is a huge draw to this site. Go early or plan on standing for quite some time before getting one of the crowded tables. In fact, that is the biggest complaint. The tables are stacked and you have to bump your way between people to move in and out. In fact, that's the same problem the staff encounter serving you, which could explain why service is not that great when they are crowded. They have enough servers, it just the server can't get to you.

    (2)

  • Brad B.

    I went here awhile ago but sure do I remember it! I ordered a ginger ale to start, and it took 30 minutes for it to come to my table. I ended up just ordering s Cuban sandwich, it seemed simple. It took 2 hours for a FREAKING SANDWICH!!!!! Will I ever come here again? Maybe, but the service is dreadful. May I suggest the Main Street Sandwich Shop if you want a good sandwich!

    (2)

  • Alicia O.

    The restaurant is in a great location with many shops surrounding it. It was very crowded on a Friday night so you might want to make reservations if you go after 5pm. The red AND white sangria were both phenomenal! Also, the house salad was so good I am still thinking about it! I ordered the shrimp with rice and platanos. It was ok. I was hoping it'd be spicier but overall not bad. I would probably try something else next time. A nice experience, the staff was friendly and the floor is VERY slippery. So be careful!

    (3)

  • Greg E.

    Ok, it is a chain restaurant, which I typically avoid. However, the menu is varied and the food quality very good. Service was excellent given how busy the restaurant was the evening that we had dinner. Seating outside is cramped, but it is fun to people watch while dining. Prices are very reasonable. You can do much worse given the many pricy and over rated restaurants on the circle.

    (4)

  • Matt G.

    Nice atmosphere, good location -- but the food doesn't live up to the ambiance. All 4 of us had "average" quality dishes, nothing special. Waiter mistakenly charged us for an extra $10 glass of wine -- corrected without apology.

    (2)

  • Coleen A.

    We had a wonderful time! We loved how everything was prepared in front of us and was explained to us by our waiter (Michael). We have been here multiple times and will go again and again!!

    (5)

  • Gigi R.

    I came here on a Tuesday night. No reservations needed. We were seated indoors right by the back door leading to the patio despite there being plenty of tables. The entire night the waiters kept bumping into me and my chair I ordered the Empanadas de Picadillo which are made with spiced ground beef, garlic, tomato, onions, raisins and olives, wrapped in two pastry turnovers. They were a bit soggy not as crispy and crunchy that I've been accustomed to. Overall, the empanada was okay. It was nothing too special. Even with my distaste for olives I still finished the empanadas. The bread they provided was really good though! After glancing around and watching a waiter make the Columbia 1905 Salad I ended up ordering the Columbia's Original "1905" Salad which consists of "crisp Iceberg lettuce with julienne of baked ham, natural Swiss cheese, tomato, olives, grated Romano cheese and our famous garlic dressing." After I placed the order and reread all the ingredients I tried to hail my waitress down to tell her to strike olives from my salad. After a half hour later, the waitress finally approached my table to refill my empty water she told me that it was too late. Once she came back with our orders she essentially made the salad in front of me which was fun to watch. However, I internally cringed watching the amount of cheese she was grating into my salad though. It looked like she just kept going and going and going with it. Let me also point out I'm lactose intolerant and I can only tolerate small amounts of dairy. The salad was also a lot spicier than I anticipated due to the garlic dressing. The salad was basically 90% lettuce, 4 half slices of baby tomatoes, a few small slivers of ham, and lots and lots of cheese. For dessert we ended up with the bread pudding which we ate like two bites of since were so full.

    (4)

  • Richard J.

    Went for the tapas and was not disappointed. The sea scallops baked in a mini casserole dish were the best of the three I had. The pork riblets were meaty and had a great glaze but were a bit over cooked and dry. Prices for tapas were generally $9-$12, but you can save a few dollars on a set of three. They make a big deal of their house salad, and if you are an iceberg lettuce fan then you will love it. It has julienned ham and swiss in a tasty lightly garlic dressing. The wines by the glass were good quality, including Meiomi chardonnay and pinot noir, as well as interesting Spanish wines. Located right on St Armands Circle, it is good for people watching.

    (3)

  • Ashley G.

    2nd time here while on vacation! Awesome sangria made table side! Mojitos are fresh and delicious! The 1905 salad is a must have...with cheese, ham and a dressing that is indescribable. Definitely a must when in Sarasota!

    (4)

  • Ashley A.

    4 stars for the Sangria! White & Red Sangria are both worth the stop here!! Food was decent too. Fresh baked bread is served to each table. The Marilyn & Joe Salteado was pretty good too! I had to buy the cute Sangria pitcher to take home :-)

    (4)

  • George A.

    great service, very attentive in keeping my children part of the dining experience. The table side 1905 salad rocked, as well as our server Jorge. He made wonderful recommendations and all of the food was spot on.

    (4)

  • Matt S.

    You should read this review before going to this place --- I've been to Columbia 4-5 times before the last incident, all times were good except the last; which ruined any decent previous experience. I went there with my folks, they ordered a stuffed lobster which we were told was $20/lb at 3 pounds yet were charged $120 for it. However the first real complaint would be the front doors were wide open and dozens of flies were sworming around the entire time, so as you and your family or date were trying to enjoy your $100+ meal, you were being attacked my house flies and trying to swat the away. (Health Dept code violation maybe), Second and main complaint would be when the server delivered my dinner, a bowl of seafood pasta which was quite watery, as he slipped from rushing over the entire plate slammed onto the table and exploding everywhere. (I actually had this sever before too). He shouted a rush to remake the plate; 45 minutes later it arrived, long after I shared the lobster with my folks. Me and my mom also each had a couple $8 mango daiquiris - Not one apology, not one comped drink, still had to pay for all the overpriced dinner, that was thrown at us and 45 minutes late. Manager came over and offed pay the cleaning bill for my mom's purse. Total douchebag, could hardly speak english. To top it all off I called their Corporate office, their response was, we will send you a formal letter of apology, No refund, gift certificate, apology from the executive, and they never actually sent the letter either. So In closing a long review - WORST RESTAURANT SERVICE EVER, THEY DONT CARE ABOUT THEIR CUSTOMERS ONE BIT. *One more thing, as a previous server in Sarasota, I have met and spoke with at least 20 people (servers & cooks) who all said Columbia has the absolute dirtiest kitchen in Sarasota, they may have good food but kitchen is disgusting, how do they pass inspection was my question.

    (1)

  • Sandy T.

    I had high expectation there but was bit disappointed. Seating was pretty fast at busy noon (like 5-10 mins). Food was just okay. Had the famous 1905 salad and it was just too tangy...too much flavor for either being a side or entry. Breaded steak was soggy (isn't the skin supposed to be a big crispy?) husband had some baked bean in Tortilla with cheese--very mediocre. Only the devil crab was nice. I will probably not go back there, considering there are so many other restaurants around that I can explore.

    (3)

  • Michelle B.

    This is my 2nd time eating at Columbia Restaurant while on vacation. We ate at the Ybor City location too. It was a perfect lunch consisting of a cup of Black Bean soup and "1905" salad. The homemade bread is yummy delicious. The service was good and we were lucky to sit at a table with a view. My only words of caution is that the tile floor is very slippery. My sister-in-law and I both almost slipped and fell.

    (5)

  • Paul H.

    Decor: 4/5 -very large dining area -if you plan on dining here, make a reservation the day before. Wait was 45-60 minutes at 6pm on a Saturday Service: 4/5 -Calvin was our server. He was friendly, professional and fulfilled our requests asap. Food: 2/5 -Cuban Sandwich was mediocre at best. Exactly as what the other reviews had described it. High chance you've had better and the sandwich was served warm at best. -1905 Salad is also exactly what others had described it as. Salad was drenched in dressing and skimped on meat.

    (3)

  • Otto A.

    First timer. Seated promptly and courteously. Tile floors are slippery with what may be the very light odor smelling like a light coat of oily, greasy stuff. The server brought individually wrapped bread to each person, very crisp on the outside, tender on the inside...so good. Signature 1905 salad, two others thought it was great, I thought the lettuce seemed wilted under the weight of to much dressing. Everyone ordered the Cuban sandwich, and the chef graciously agreed to prepare them even though they are not on the dinner menu. I ordered the combination plate, complete, and it just wasn't my cup of beans. The meat was a little to dense and pressed for my taste. Don't get me wrong, I didn't feel the food was bad, just not my style for sure. Me myself and I, won't be back.

    (2)

  • Clarice K.

    The food is great, dont order too much because the portions are big enough. Really like the house salad! The only down side for me is the fact that service can be a little slow, maybe because they are always so busy. But definately a must-go!

    (4)

  • Sharon H.

    Great vibe, excellent service, delicious food! We came for lunch and had a great experience. They start off by giving everyone individually wrapped warm baked bread. I loved the espresso Cuban coffee. The fiancée got the half & half combo with their classic Cuban sandwich and their famous 1905 salad which they mix in front of you--- both were great. His sister got the Merluza, which was my favorite dish of the table--- a perfectly breaded and grilled Spanish fish. We shared a few dishes from their Tapas menu which were all good as well. We had the Empanadas which were delicious in perfectly baked pastries, the spinach & garbanzo beans, and the lobster croquettes.

    (4)

  • Tim R.

    Took my cousin here with my kids - she and her husband were visiting. She was very impressed with the ambiance and the menu. My kids didn't like the menu doesn't have pictures. I had the Snapper Alicante - a signature dish - and my cousin, too. It came with breaded, deep fried eggplant and two very big shrimp. The whole thing was topped with marinara sauce. She said it was very tasty. I should have read the menu (or looked at a picture) because the fried food with the marinara activated my acid reflux. The dish was delicious but I would not order it again. The Columbia has curbside seating but big trucks and loud motorcycles roll through St. Armands so I can't recommend sitting there. My boys split the Crema Catalán (pudding carmelized with a blowtorch) which put them on a sugar high on the drive home - they loved it! We will go back to the Columbia.

    (4)

  • Carol B.

    First let me mention I used to live in Spain so,I may be a little picky but this place,is very commercial and overpriced Bread and butter is a nice touch. The salad is overdressed and overpriced. The sausage tapa was terribly overcooked and I sent it back. I ordered a side of white asparagus and it came soggy and from a jar! That would never happen in Spain. It would be steamed fresh with a light sauce. The shrimp were small fresh but bland. Won't be going back

    (3)

  • Elise K.

    The Colombia had such a unique history! It is definitely neat to dine at a restaurant (chain) that started in 1905. I am confused by the restaurant a little - is it Spanish? Is it Cuban? I like both cuisines, but think they really shouldn't claim Spanish when the serve so many Cuban dishes. That aside, I like it! I've now been twice in as many months while visiting family down in LBK. The service is professional and quite good. Have a reservation in season or if you don't want to wait. We went tonight after 8 and walked right in... The Spanish never eat so early anyway. My first visit we sampled the 1905 salad and Sangria for the table. I had a sampler of Cuban food that was passable, but not like the great Cuban you'll get near Miami. My second visit I had Sangria by the glass. Good, but not quite the same - it doesn't have the brandy. We chose to go tapas style splitting a small 1905 salad, gazpacho, and meatballs. While all good, not amazing. Madrid does it better. When on the circle, you can't go wrong here, but there is a little to be desired!

    (4)

  • M R.

    Not sure why the business person from this restaurant wrote the comments below. I am of Spanish and Latino heritage and I'm very familiar with authentic Spanish and Cuban food, which I love, and I didn't like Columbia restaurant's food and judging from other similar reviews, you have a problem, regardless of the "110 years." I will not go to your restaurant again and as bad reviews are bad for business, I suggest that you listen to the poor reviews and have a heart-to-heart with your chef. The comment below should have ended with the period after "We will use your comments for improvement." The empanadas were greasy and the food was not memorable. The service was so-so. Find out why.

    (2)

  • Anthony P.

    Food is authentic and good. Right up with Don Pepe in Newark, NJ. Portions are generous and well cooked.

    (4)

  • Andy D.

    I enjoy the Columbia chain of restaurants a lot. I do not really care for the Sarasota location though, It seems the quality of the food isn't the same as their other locations. I usually order a Cuban and a side 1905 salad and today was no exception. For an appetizer we ordered the Calamari, it was very well prepared I must say, cooked perfectly, tender, and the tentacles were crunchy, my favorite. But the salad was thoroughly soaked in dressing and the Cuban was meh... The service was great as n aside. I like the Columbia at Clearwater Beach much better.

    (3)

  • SG P.

    Back again tonight. It's just so good ! The service tonight was excellent - warmer weather so sitting on the outside railing area great people watching. It's busy but the food is excellent. Mojitos , the BEST anywhere, 1905 salad, warm bread, paella delicious. Now the churros for dessert always the perfect ending

    (5)

  • Nora F.

    We heard so much about this restaurant so we decided to try with our friends who visited the city and our friend who lives here. It has a nice ambience but can get warm after a while. When in Florida, grouper would be the way to go for those who like fish. I ordered their best grouper meal on the menu as per the waiter. It was not bad but I had better. My grouper came with asparagus and brown rice. One of our friends had quite a delicious plate, chicken and shrimp with yellow rice. Another friend had some grouper in a casserole with some potato and some other meat? Another with grouper with tomato and rice. My husband ordered croquettes, small dish for the night. I must say the rice is pretty good. I have to try many other dishes to raise the star but I tried all of the 7 dishes from every plate, so I think I did good for the night.

    (3)

  • Elizabeth S.

    The food was wonderful as always. The service was eh. We ordered glasses of wine when we ordered our salads and did not receive them until after we were half way through our entrees. Yes I understand that they were busy, being Halloween, but it takes 30 seconds to pour a glass of wine, not 45 minutes.

    (3)

  • Robert P.

    Wow was served raw chicken so order Saltidao at your own risk! Manager was a bit of a liar as he said it was on the edge of being cooked. It was 100% raw don't like to be insulted.....

    (1)

  • Justine F.

    I had been planning and researching places to eat for our Sarasota vacation for a couple months. Based on many reviews, Columbia was on the top of my list. Their menu looked amazing and I was ready to budget in the expense of some great food. We went on a Wednesday night around 7pm and were seated quickly inside. I ordered Paella, which I have had many times before, and is one of my favorite dishes. My boyfriend ordered their steak chimichurri ( a dish we both love). They brought out their Cuban bread in parchment paper. It was great, but not anything out of the ordinary. We ordered a side 1905 salad and it was delicious. Our entrees came and we were both underwhelmed. I paid almost $30.00 for my Paella and I have had better at half that price. The chicken was dry and the dish just lacked the flavor that I have come to love about other Paella dishes. My boyfriend enjoyed his meal for the most part, but again I thought the portion was tiny. When I pay almost $30 an entree, I expect the food to be awesome. But it was bland. I wanted to love this restaurant. The location and ambiance is great and my waitress was very good, though a bit shy. Everything was great, except the food. I think unfortunately while this regional restaurant chain started out great, when something like this gets bigger, I suspect the kitchen staff starts becoming comprised of people who did not grow up cooking these dishes. It shows. For the money, I would have liked to have gone somewhere else. The salad was great and I could maybe see myself returning for that as a lunch item. But salad isn't really what gets this foodie excited. We ended up going to Sofrito Mamas a few days later and it blew this place out of the water.

    (2)

  • Jason H.

    Delmonico and Sangria were amazing!!! The 1905 salad was quite good. The paella and chicken valenciana were their signature dishes but very average. They had good flavors but they totally lacked any texture or depth, they were homogeneous and soggy. The service was fantastic, very nice people. Overall the food was good but not great.

    (3)

Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.

Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.

Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :11:00 am - 10

Specialities

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

Columbia Restaurant

Share with your social network

WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES

Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online

Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.

© 2024 Restaurant Listings. All rights reserved.