Columbia Restaurant
2117 E 7th Ave, Tampa, FL, 33605
Columbia Restaurant Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Tampa for healthy meals suggestion.
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Visit below restaurant in Tampa for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
2117 E 7th Ave
Tampa, FL, 33605 - Phone (813) 248-4961
- Website https://www.columbiarestaurant.com/ybor.asp
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Valet, Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Classy
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Sarah W.
Ok, every other Cuban sandwich I have had before Columbia Restaurant has been a lie. Hand to G-d. And I shouldn't be surprised at that, of course. I mean, we're talking an original here, over 100 years of history. But it was amazing. Perfectly crisp. Bricked thin. The right amount of mustard and cheese and pork and pickle. It was just delicious. If you want the original, you want this. The other thing you NEED to get is the Original 1905 Salad. Yes. Everyone and their brother says that. It says that on the menu. It feels like you shouldn't fall into peer pressure. BUT YOU SHOULD. That thing is DELICIOUS. It makes for a perfect meal for lunch. You'll go home stuffed for sure. But you'll be happy.
(5)Steve C.
If you haven't visited the Columbia and treated yourself to a 1905 salad then you NEED to. All of the food rings of authentic flavors. Make sure you set aside enough time as not to be hurried as a comfortable, relaxing meal takes time at the Columbia. At the end of service try the churros.
(4)Therese M.
We love the location in Clearwater so I was pretty excited when I found out we were staying close to the original one in Ybor City. We went with our usual approach of sharing 3 tapas and the paella a la Valenciana. Recommend the stuffed peppers and crab cakes. You also cannot go wrong with the paella, but the portions seem to be getting smaller and smaller each time we go. We were in Clearwater in March and noticed the same thing.
(4)Irene Y.
The Columbia Restaurant sits in Ybar City, Tampa's historic Cigar District, and the food here will make you come back again and again. Their sangria is some of the best I've had in a long time and while most people wouldn't come to a restaurant to specifically get a salad - the 1905 is to die for! Come visit and you wont' be disappointed!
(5)Kim T.
not a fan of the Gonzmart family but the resteraunt is a wonderful place to go. The dancers, the waiters, the staff everyone is friendly and hard working. Its a wonderful place to escape to. The food is home style Spanish, hot fresh bread and butter, good wine, the 1805 salad as a good start. There is so much to choose from on the menu. I like this place and give it the thumbs up
(3)Diane H.
Brought my daughter, who was visiting for the holidays, Dec 26 for lunch. Waited 15 minutes AFTER being seated for our waiter. We ordered water and wine. Another 10 minutes for water.. No wine. Waiter said bartender was outside. Ordered. My daughter cannot eat onions, so requested her meal and her black bean soup without. Meal came and sat on a tray next to our table for a good while before the person seating finally served us. My 1905 salad was severely overdressed and my daughters soup and palomino was full of onions, which she is allergic to. If I could give 1/2 a star, I would. This is not the way The Columbia used to be!!
(1)Molly C.
Amazing food, drinks, and atmosphere. Menu was almost too big to make a decision! But cannot wait to visit Tampa again to try out more on the menu. I tried the Mahi Mahi Cayo Hueso, and it was amazing. All the various flavors in the dish complimented each other perfectly.
(4)Karen H.
Love to eat at the bar at The Columbia! The bartenders are very friendly and the drinks are unique. I love their Bloody Ghost - a bloody mary made with Jim Beam Ghost white rum, garnished with pickled asparagus and a bacon salt rim - yum!!
(5)Manuel M.
Positives: good service, nice looking restaurant, great sense of history. Negatives: Poorly prepared food: my last two visits I've had bland arroz con pollo, and an intensely salty paella that tasted of artificial flavoring and chicken bouillon cubes. (It was bad enough that I notified the waiter, and subsequently, the restaurant comped half the price of the paella.) Awful Value- high price/low quality. This place was excellent a long time ago (15 years?) Sadly, it seems like the bottom line is more important than good food now.
(1)Howard Z.
Never really disappointed with going here. Just some quick pointers: This is a place more to entertain people than to have amazing food. With such a strong hispanic population, you definitely can get even better quality food by going to smaller places. This is not to be interpreted as they have bad food. Sangria! Do it! This place gets packed packed sometime. Try to dodge the nominal bus hours. Managed to catch the dance show once. Like I said, its a good place for entertainment.
(4)Carlla J.
Excellent food, we shared the Grouper special, served with an avocado , red onion and orange relish. Topped with a flavorful sauce. We also had the Eggplant parmesan Patties. Although they were fried, they were mouthwatering. Served with a rich plum tomato sauce cooked to perfection. Great ambiance, old historic building with marble floors and side walls and an atrium. Wow!
(5)Alicia P.
This historic restaurant has been a favorite of mine and my family's for years. Over the last 5 years there has been a big decline in service, quality and my desire to continue to dine. Went a few years back and saw the flamenco show and had the arroz con pollo, which is a signature dish of theirs and was great. Had brought the family back a year or so later and watched the show and the dish was not as well prepared. As a matter of fact, 4 out of the 6 dishes weren't up to par. In December 2011, my husband's company had their Christmas party there and the private room and bar exclusive to our group was great. The buffet table was laid out nicely and the selections were all very good. However, this year, the paella was fishy (the shrimp was fishy!) and even smelled fishy. Turn off. The rest of the meal was ok. The better part was the hand carried hors d'oeves (sp?). My mother was back in town last weekend with my cousin and we took them back and after waiting 15 minutes for our reservation/table (while other reservations - parties of 4 had just come in and got seated), and waited about 10 minutes for a waiter to even greet us, let alone order drinks....we had a pitcher of sangria, we had the 1905 salad which is always a hit, 3 of us had the arroz con pollo and the chicken was hard! UGH! So disappointing. The location is so great, the history of this place is so great and although we want to go to the bar area to listen to the live music some time, we are not happy with the service or the food here and is more often a disappointment than not anymore. We will probably not return for quite some time and hope that the quality and service rises up to its old reputation!
(3)Mike S.
Columbia Restaurant is a local legend in Tampa and is a great place for Spanish food. I made reservations for three and then brought a fourth guest which was no problem for our hostess. Although the restaurant was very busy the service was good. We had sangria that is worth the price and several tapas before dinner. Nicely done. Our dinners were hot and tasty. Carlos was the server and he did an exemplary job.
(4)Karin S.
Had a sangria and a few items off the Tapas menu at the bar - crab cakes, crab coquettes and the chicken/sausage skewers. All were excellent.
(4)George M.
I have been going to the Columbia since I was a child and my parents and grandparents took me there. And even though I moved away from Tampa several years ago, it's one of the restaurants I want to go to when I'm in town visiting. One of my all-time favorites is the Salteado--either chicken or filet, depending on whether I'm in a chicken or beef mood. I also really like the ropa vieja and palomilla. I would also highly recommend the 1905 salad, which is also excellent. Keep in mind it's very large--easily enough for a 4-top. Red sangria is very good as well. Next time I go I want to try their mojito.
(4)Naga N.
This truly is a joke. I have asked for chefs best fish with some good spices. i was offered food with crushed peppers as spicy. Are u kiddin me ? A chef doesnt know what spice means. I have a hell lot of other complaints during this visit. But this beats everything. We got some hot pockets too. Never coming back here.
(1)Aleema A.
I absolutely LOVE this place. It being in the heart of Ybor City it really reflects the historic part of Tampa. The inside has a very classic style to it. Knowing that it has been around for quite a number of years, the place looks amazing! The inside has several different room and, pardon me if I'm mistaken, but I believe that it has a capacity of 1600 guests! There's so much to look at in the rooms you can almost forget to look at the menu to order food. They also offer a flamenco show. Onto the food and drinks! The sangria is AMAZING! It really is some of the best in Tampa. I've had martinis there as well and they are also very excellent. I've had the crab cakes and the 1905 salad, which the Columbia is known for, and both were simply top notch. Getting/splitting the checks has never been a problem here. The service is great and the turn around from ordering to receiving food is quite quick! This place can be a great date place or you can bring your family.
(5)Linda A.
Made reservation with Open Table for mid week 5:30pm supper. Seated in main dining room after a very short wait. Waiter was attentive & we ordered a pitcher of white sangria, made table side. Refreshing & delicious. Warm Cuban Bread/butter placed on table was fresh and we both ordered the seafood paella. Delicious! As we continued our dinner, the place was packed with patrons, in all dining areas. Lots of energy. Beautiful restaurant with great history and I love that it's in my own back yard. Would suggest always making a reservation whether it be for lunch or dinner as they are always seem to be busy when I have dined here.
(5)Ashley P.
Fantastic place for a romantic date night! When we got there we were a little confused. There are multiple parking lots and multiple entrances to this gigantic building. We entered in what looked to be the bar side and found a server. She politely took us to the entrance we should have found for reservations. We were seated on the second floor overlooking the lower level. The atmosphere is perfect whether you are taking clients out, out with damily, or on a date. Our waiter told us that the restaurant is famous for their sangria and since neither of us are red wine drinkers, we decided to try the white sangria. He made it table side which was an extra special touch. When trying to decide on a salad vs appetizer, he recommended we try the 1905 salad and we were SO glad he did. That salad is to die for. I may get it as an entree the next time we go! I ordered the pork roast with black beans and rice, yucca, and platanos-amazing. My husband had a steak and he said it was also delicious. We had no room for dessert but will definitely be back for more in the future!
(5)David S.
Well we have been wanting to go to this restaurant for the last four months so we finally went for lunch unfortunately we should've waited another four months the food was okay not great the service was terrible snide snotty just absolutely the worst staff I have ever seen we ordered two appetizers and two Caesar salads and two cokes and the cost is $52 for lunch I don't mind spending the money if the food is good but the problem was the food was semi-warm the waiter basically threw down on the table I guess we weren't spending enough money so he could get a good tip and that's the last bad thing I'm going to say because my mother taught me better but I guarantee you we will never ever go back again
(1)Edgar M.
This place is worth visiting for the food and the old world charm and service it offers. Wendy was attentive to our needs and made some great suggestions on what to order. Wife had the pompano and I had the crab enchalado. Both were superb as we're the mojitos and the white chocolate bread pudding. We ate at their sister restaurant on Sarasota and we're not happy. This restaurant restored our faith in the long tradition that is Columbia.
(5)Reed B.
Love the Cuban sandwich here. I was hesitant to try the 1905 salad but a friend made me and I was very happy I gave it a shot. Nothing to be disappointed with at the Colombia.
(4)Kathy S.
This place rocks!! The Flamenco show was great. Dinner was fantastic and the portions are very generous. We've also been there for lunch. Sat in the bar area and had the best waiter. He was so personable, and the lunch salad/bread was a great choice for lunch. More relaxing and quiet at lunchtime.
(4)Colleen B.
Absolutely delicious. This is the 4th location of Columbia that I have experienced and it's just fabulous. I am pretty sure this was the very first location too. It has various rooms that all have their own gorgeous design and you truly feel submersed in the experience. My number 1 suggestion to anyone, get the white sangria. They make it fresh in front of you and it is so deliciously, refreshing. You may not even want to share the pitcher. The 1905 salad of course is key, it's what they are known for, you can't not get it when you come here. The fresh cuban bread that begins your meal is just the heavenly start. Save room! I am glad they introduced a tapas style serving as well because there are always so many things I want to try. Also, their dishes are a pretty good size and after you drink, eat bread and salad along with an app... there is hardly room for a 1/4 of your entree. We dined in the bar room and it was awesome, so many windows on a sunny day! The service was amazing as I have experienced at all locations except the cafe. Make sure you have time to relax and enjoy the entire experience and bring loved ones and friends, celebrate!
(5)Jeremy J.
Very nice atmosphere. Great service. Loved the cheese stick smothered in the delicious mango sauce, and the baked grouper. Definitely will be back.
(5)Kelleigh M.
As everyone has stated, this is an old Tampa staple. The menu is quite vast, so I will save you some time and tell you what to order: Start with their tableside sangria. I personally like the red but the champagne sangria is great too. Next order the 1905 salad-trust me. It's one of the best salads in Tampa bay. It's also served with real Cuban bread from La Segunda, which is another ybor staple. For you meal, share the paella. It's huge and with the salad and bread you'll be all set. Finish off your meal with a real cafe con leche and their warm chocolate bread pudding. If you order this meal, you'll leave completely satisfied. Also to fully experience the ambiance, sit in the room where they offer the Flamenco dancing. Truly entertaining.
(4)Julie G.
I feel like I was just invited to a big Cuban Sunday family dinner - at Abuela's house! Meal was exceptional from the signature salad to the Cubano Completa dinner. Service at the bar was friendly and quick. Outstanding dining experience for a first time visitor
(5)David J.
A Tampa institution, and a great family who care about this area. Try the garbanzo soup, their signature house salad, and a Cuban sandwich/or boliche!
(5)Stewart H.
I can see how they continue to thrive after 110 years in business. Kudos for providing a top shelf all around experience.
(5)Adam J.
This was a fun meal. They made the salad table side and the meal was delicious. The waitstaff did a great job. I felt a little underdressed but the experience was great. I'll be back for sure.
(5)Lulu B.
Beautiful building, beautiful wood work, beautiful stained glass and tile. A great ambiance in each room, but I was disappointed in the quality of the food. I had the Paella Marinera and I expected something grand. It was OK. The green pepper chunks were so loaded with salt, they were inedible. The rice was meh. For $30, I expect much, much better. More flavor! My husband had some seafood pasta and the noodles were overcooked. The mojito pitcher was also disappointing. It was nice to see the waiter make it table side, but it didn't help the quality. The mint could have been ground up more, adding more flavor, and the fact that the pitcher was 2/3 full of ice really didn't help the flavor either. $25 for that pitcher full of ice? No, not a deal.
(2)Julie B.
Went for dinner and show. Food was good but service was horrible. Upon entry we were redirected to another entrance. Once we finally found the new entrance, we were then redirected to follow a small group and ended up back at the original entrance with the same greeter as when we originally arrived. During our travel to the new entrance as directed. We were separated from our group and left standing in the middle of the restaurant. Instead of ensuring everyone stayed together. Waitresses were carrying food to tables. Once finally seated, it took over 7 minutes for someone to acknowledge we were there. Other tables were greeted that sat down after us and provided drinks. Our waitress was very short with her responses and not very friendly. After placing our food order. We waited and watched the show. The show was good. Well worth the 6$. After the meal. We ordered dessert and coffee. Which we never received. After 10 minutes give or take. We finally decided to leave. We could not find a waiter anywhere as it was late and everyone was trying to go home. We proceeded to the front entrance to find someone to pay our bill and looked for several minutes before interrupting someone at a computer. Guess she was looking at her schedule for the next day. Would not recommend to anyone trying to have a nice night out with family and friends but ok for lunch. Food is good. Service sucks!
(2)Erin K.
We went to the Columbia for Christmas dinner. We hadn't been there in about six years so we weren't entirely sure what to expect but there weren't many options on Christmas Day, as you can imagine. We were absolutely delighted. The restaurant was packed (since it was one of the few things open) but our server (Kali) was awesome. She never let on how overwhelmed she must have been (she did mention they kept running out of things, like water pitchers and butter, so I'm sure it was hectic for the staff). The food was phenomenal, which was even more impressive given how busy they were. Also, if you're not aware of the history of the Columbia, go educate yourself. It's a true Tampa institution. If the Columbia can manage to impress seven (very different) people on a holiday, I'm sure an average weekend night there is fantastic.
(5)Lori F.
Love, love, love this place and always steer visitors here. Never had a bad meal and the ambiance of the place is priceless!
(4)Chad P.
I went there but I would not go again only cause I'm a vagitarian . So it's good for meat eaters. :) BTW they have great flamingo show.
(2)Melissa C.
We were excited to try this place out on a visit to Tampa for a friends bachelorette party. We had a reservation for 14 at 730. While we were seated right away at 730PM, the waiter didn't take our drink order until approximately 805. We ordered a pitcher of sangria (which was tiny... About 4 wine glasses full for $22) that finally appeared 15 minutes later. It is neat to see them make it at your table though! At 815 - 45 minutes after we were seated, our waiter finally took our food order. Appetizers arrived 15-20 minutes later. The waiter forgot a few people's appetizers. Our entrees finally arrived to the table just after 9PM. The waiter also never came around to ask if we wanted refills on our drinks. While we were a large party, entrees were brought out piecemeal about five minutes apart, which made it really awkward for everyone at the table to eat at the same time. One of our friends ordered an entree salad and waited for it a full 10 minutes after everyone else at the table got their food. My seafood pasta dish was okay but over seasoned. It tasted like they put a ton of OldBay into their tomato sauce. The portion was surprisingly huge though. The waiter came to offer us a dessert menu and coffee at 945PM. The coffee came at 1015PM and he forgot several of them. They did do a good job getting everyone separate checks though my friends bottle of wine ended up on my tab and it took extra time to sort that out. We were finally able to leave this place at 1045 PM. That is absurd. The smaller 4 top tables around us arrived are and left twice in the time tinfoil for us to get our meals. Luckily we didn't have any hard plans after dinner. Long story short- plan on this being pretty much your entire night. The main dining room was also FREEZING COLD and insanely loud. I really wanted to like this place. The menu is massive and it would be great to return and try out other dishes but I'm afraid this experience will not warrant another visit.
(2)Carmen A.
It was not our first time here my husband and I were visiting family in Orlando and drove to Tampa just to have dinner here, it is an amazing place, it is how ever the first time we took in the Flamingo show very powerful dancers. We will return.
(5)Michael Z.
Fantastic experience - food was excellent, service and ambience were even better. Unique mix of Spanish, Cuban, and Italian fare made for a fun and delicious dinner party with the extended family. A tourist beacon for sure - but one that hasn't forgotten its homey roots after 100+ years of business.
(5)Jean C.
Best hearts of palm salad I've ever eaten and had several double Cuban espressos - lovely
(3)Beth F.
Great service, nice atmosphere and really good food. Try the house salad which is made table side. Tossed with loads of Parmesan and includes slivers of ham, mozzarella and green olives. Will go back next time We're in Tampa.
(4)Jessica J.
This place was a major disappointment. We heard so many good things about it and went with the family as a special occasion dinner. Ok it was a Friday night so of course they are gonna be busy, but my biggest gripe is it took nearly an HOUR to get our food. If I hadn't stashed my pockets with their delicious after-dinner mints in the waiting area, I might have passed out. So by the time our food DID arrive, it was 9pm and we were so tired we lost our appetite. We picked around a little and asked for to-go boxes. Second, the dining room is so cramped and NOISY. You can barely hear what the person next to you in saying. So while waiting for our food, we couldn't exactly enjoy any conversation to pass the time. And more annoying, there was a waitress right behind me with a stand set up to do some dinner presentation for her table. Well I could hardly get out of my chair to use the restroom. Columbia, you may want to space things out a bit for the comfort of your guests. As for the food.. I should preface this with stating I don't think I'm big on Spanish food... it's very heavy and rich. However the menu is very diverse and so many things sounded delicious; it was hard to choose. Bottom line.. if you go here perhaps try a weekday. I'm not sure what it's like then. But I will certainly not go back and will not recommend anyone go unless they are die-hard Spanish food lovers... If you're in the neighborhood perhaps try the crepe place (not sure of the name but it's french sounding) or Hamburger Mary's for a more casual setting with delicious American fare. Another note..Columbia has another location in St Pete on the Pier. There's lovely views of the water there, and I can only imagine it would be less crowded. I have no clue how this location compares to Ybor.
(1)Mark H.
THIS AIN'T A CUBAN RESTAURANT, PEOPLE! Stop the madness. I think a lot of people go here thinking it is going to be a Cuban restaurant because so many Tampa natives associate "Spanish" food with "Cuban" or any ole "Latin cafe" food. This couldn't be further from the truth. The Columbia serves up SPANISH FOOD, as in, from Spain--not caribe Latin food as in Cuban or Puerto Rican. The original owners of this restaurant were not Cuban, they were Spanish. You wouldn't go here expecting Mexican food, so you shouldn't expect and all Cuban menu, respectively. Confused yet? Anywho, check this place out for Spanish cuisine. Lots of fish and borderline Italian-like, Mediterranean dishes. They do have a Cuban sandwich on the menu that's made the traditional, old school way and a dish called La Cubana Completa which offers a variety of Cuban-style foods, but other than that, it's all old world classics. This place has been a staple eatery in Tampa's Ybor City since the turn of the century, so it's worth checking out because that type of longevity isn't accidental. Been eating here for years and will for many more to come for the "1905" Salad alone if nothing else!
(4)Noor M.
The food is very good, the decor is impressive, and the service is decent. The overall experience is a little unsettling, though, because the restaurant seems to have been designed to be upscale, yet people insist on showing up in their crocs. Nothing against crocs, but it sort of kills the vibe. That being said, I love the black bean soup, the bread is amazing, the portions are huge, and the deserts are all perfect. Pick anything, you can't go wrong.
(4)Kristen O.
Had our rehearsal dinner here in a private room and it was wonderful! Such a great place for special nights.
(5)Megan W.
Whatever you do - get the 1905 Salad with your meal. I have had quite a few touch and go moments with the Columbia, yet I always refer people to go here for the experience. Service is always slow. Almost always rude. In fact, in 5 visits, I have never had good service here and have always spent $100+. But the food is good. The Sangria is historical and the salad is out of control. Last time we came, we had two of the most expensive items on the menu - New York Strip Sirloin "The Bambino" and Filet Mignon "Chacho". The Bambino had ZERO flavor and the Chacho had too much flavor. Our bill that night for two people was $150 and the waiter still treated us like we were a parasites. ODD. Yet with this past experience, we will go back again. Sometimes you feel like an abused spouse - and it is all about ambiance and the 1905 salad.
(3)Steven K.
Truly amazing dining experience. The restaurant was started in 1905 and now fills an entire city block. It has 4 magnificent dining rooms that have uniquely different atmospheres, all are very nicely decorated and you have to admire the incredible tiles used inside and outside of the restaurant for decoration. The food and service couldn't be better and the menu is extensive. Complementary parking across the street was very appreciated. Valet parking is also available. We timed our dinner so we could also enjoy their flamenco floor show, which was very good and worth the $12 entertainment charge. We also bought their cookbook, filled with their famous recipes. We recommend their sangria, made right at your table.
(4)Tasha Babyt A.
Let me start off by saying that this restaurant deserves 5 stars all around! We went on a saturday night for the 8:30pm Flamenco show. Keep in mind, they do have $5 valet (which is a GREAT price considering you're in Ybor) From the second we walk in, it's beautiful and you get a sense of history from the decor. We were sat within 5-10 minutes of arriving. The main room was beautiful with white linens on the table, candle light, and a beautiful glow in the room. We were greeted by our server, Tom, who was very polite and professional. Food: (if you are thinking about coming here, keep in mind 2 things, make reservations and read the menu before-hand) The menu is literally like 13-14 pages long lol Apps: The Langosta something (can't remember the exact name) it was lobster baked on crackers and it was delish. Really good. Dinner: I had the Salmon Sant'Yago. It came to the table in a shell and the waiter cut it open at the table and handed it to me. SOOO good. It had artichoke and tomato inside of it and came with a side of rice. The rice was really good as well. My date had the pasta which translates into "The 7 Lobsters" and he said it was the best pasta he ever had. THE FLAMENCO SHOW! Bravo!!!!!!! To address someone who said that this was a tourist dance a few posts ago is sadly mistaken. Don't listen to them. This show was amazing. The main lady who started the show (i believe it was her dance company) was amazing. The accompying music really set the tone and the other dancers really did a fab job. It was a wonderful show and i would go time and time again. There was a lot of work and effort put into this whole show (including the dinner) and i applaud Colombia for the amazing treat! QUICK TIPS: Make reservations Use the valet (only $5 and easier than looking for parking) Read the menu ahead of time The Flamenco show starts about an hour after seating time (seating 8:30pm, show 9:30pm) There is a $6 cover charge for the show (well deserved $6! so don't complain) If you get cold easily, always bring a light jacket or shawl. 10/10/10 across the board!
(5)Meg R.
I love the Columbia. It's one of my go-to places when I'm in Florida, and I've been to my fair share of locations. The Columbia in Ybor, the original location, is my second favorite (the top spot belongs to the one in St. Augustine, Florida). All of the restaurants are decorated beautifully, but the Ybor building blows the others out of the water. It's elegant but without making you feel as though you need to be dressed up to fit in to the scene. When it comes to food, do yourself a favor and order the 1905 Salad. More often than not, I make a meal out of this salad and the delicious Cuban bread that accompanies it. Other items on the menu I like include the croquetas and black bean soup. For dessert, go with the bread pudding. I will say the service at this location can be iffy, but the food more than compensates for that.
(4)Misty S.
This restaurant came highly recommended by locals and non-locals. We saw 2 parking lots designated for the restaurant, both of which were pretty packed but we managed to get a spot. Both the outside and the inside of the restaurant look pretty cool. Both were also packed with people! There were about 5 hostesses at the podium when we walked in, one of which informed us that they were 30 minutes behind on reservations. The waiting area was crowded, but there were still chairs to sit on. We made a reservation on Open Tables for 7p on a Wednesday night and had to wait about 20 minutes for the table. Since the paella takes about 30 minutes to prepare, you may wonder if you could order that ahead of time. The answer is no, you have to be seated before you can place the order. Beyond the entrance room, the dining areas were separated out into 3 rooms. The far left had a huge bar, the center had a small elevated stage with flamingo dancers, and the right one reminded me of an outdoor plaza. Our waiter was very nice and friendly. He apologized for the wait and tried his best to accommodate our requests. After we placed our order, we each received a large piece of fantastic warm bread. Slightly crispy on the outside and gooey soft on the inside. It was a great way to start a meal. Asparagus salad $10 - Pass on this if you're not a fan of canned asparagus. There were about 7 large white (they gotta be canned) asparagus topped with fresh drizzle of garlic and onion dressing. I rather lick a public bathroom door than eat canned asparagus. Ok, that's not true, but you get the point. Crab Crochette $10 - I was excited to try this dish because it sounded good on the menu. These were like deep fried oval falafels (6 pieces). I didn't really taste the crab, although the texture was there. The flavors were ok, but not something I'd want to eat again. Fideoua de Marisco $28 - Aka Seafood Pasta. It was a big dish that can be shared by 2 people. The noodles were slightly over done, but everything else about the dish was pretty good. The shrimps were giant, tasty and plentiful. The sprinkle of blue crab meat was heavenly. There were also mussels, clams and a few pieces of delicious scallops. Mojito $9 - Let me start off by complimenting the presentation - great looking thick glass with sugared rim. The first few sips were very warm and incredibly sweet. Then I thought maybe I should mix it up with the straw and try again. By then it was too late since I drank most of the sweet part. Shouldn't it have already been mixed? Am I doing it wrong? So, overall, not that great, but that could have been my fault. Key Lime Pie - This is a solid B. The texture was more like flan than thick pudding, which was interesting. The crust was good and the drizzle of sauce complimented the pie well. Overall, I was glad I got to try the restaurant but I don't necessary want to come back to try anything else.
(3)Juli T.
I love everything about this place! I had the 1905 Salad. Do it. It is amazing. I had a filet steak. I always order well done and it was cooked perfect and could still be cut with a knife. Raul, our waiter helped us order because the menu is so big and he was so great. My husband had paella for the first time and love it. We enjoyed the flaminco dance show. I really can't say enough good things. Wonderful service. Wonderful food. Wonderful atmosphere.
(5)michelle l.
The food is mediocre, and the place is insanely loud, but it's a Tampa institution, and the old building is worth visiting. I wouldn't come here for excellent Cuban food, try any place on Columbus over the Columbia. I also wouldn't come here for a romantic date or any meal where you want to have a conversation. Every room is very loud. I've been to their flamenco show, and it's really not great. Their drinks aren't bad. I do like their mojitos and sangria. They are all well priced. I don't especially like any of the appetizers available. I've tried the chorizo (greasy and salty, don't get who'd like the insanely dry crackers served on the side), the croquettes (mostly too fishy or mushy), the shrimp (not bad, just not great or worth the price). The salads are all too vinegar-y. I had La Completa Cubana on my last visit. It was a salt bomb. I've had the rope vieja in the past and thought it was pretty good, but what makes it (at $19) different from the ropa vieja at Arco Iris (about $9)? Nothing. The paella is always a mushy mess. I've tried their sirloin steak, and it was utterly unremarkable. However, my husband always gets the Picadillo steak, and he always loves it. I've had catering from the Columbia, and I've been to the (now defunct) St. Pete Pier location. For all of my complaints about the food here, it gets worse as you go farther from the mothership. Don't come here in a rush. I have never been here without reservations, and yet I always have to wait at least 20 minutes, usually more.
(3)Andrea T.
Ok. Well I have to say I was incredibly disappointed this evening. My last 5 star review is now a 1 star. We first went to the bar for a drink and waiting 5-7 mins to even get noticed. The bartender began to complain about "incompetent bar staff" and apologized for our wait but wanted to bitch about her staff. She gave my husband a warm corona and took another 10 mins to make a crappy El Floridita drink for me. The service was absolutely terrible. We were seated in a room with two other couples (clearly not too busy!) and no one came to our table for 10 mins and it wasn't until I asked a server if anyone was going to help us. He came back and said "I guess I'll be your server". We weren't offered anything to drink or told about any specials. I didn't get water till I asked after I had eaten my meal. Our salad came out with our dinner which caused the pollo manchego I ordered to be cold by the time I ate it. The desserts were disgusting. I have never had a crappier piece of chocolate cake and the key lime pie was just gross. I'm so disappointed that a place like this could have such shitty service and cause such a bad dining experience. Sadly, we won't be returning.
(1)Ashley H.
We ate here last night and really enjoyed it! The server informed us about how this is the oldest restaurant in Florida and one of the oldest Spanish restaurants in the world (if not the oldest). It's a fun place to look around, since it's a huge restaurant with many different rooms, which are all decorated beautifully. My husband had the veal and I had the palomilla steak. My husband's veal was AMAZING, with this wonderful sauce and crab meat on top. I would definitely order that next time. My palomilla steak was very good as well, but you can get that at any Cuban restaurant (although theirs was better than average!). The cocktails also looked great, but we didn't order anything since it was late and we needed to get back to our hotel. My only issue was the service. Our server was friendly but was not often around. We ordered an appetizer, but he forgot about it. It took us at least 10+ minutes to receive water. The place was busy enough, but not so busy that those things are easily excused. Overall, though, I'm glad we came and would come back again.
(4)Katharine R.
This historic landmark serves authentic and well prepared dishes, the pitcher of white sangria prepared at table side by your waiter is delightful being 4 people if you are going to finish it. Then the 1905 salad also a table side prep amazing lemon garlic dressing. We rounded out with a Cuban perfect combo of meats bread and cheese. Cream Catalana flatbed table side a truly special lunch
(5)Esther Z.
Food (4/5): On the Tapas menu, the stuffed Piquillo Peppers were the most impressive dish served. Use the cuban bread to sop up the juice. Yum. If you are from MD, like I am, stay away from the crab cakes (Cakes de Cangrejo), also on the Tapas menu. MD crab cakes made from blue crabs are the best in the nation. This crab cake is 2nd rate, at best, compared to them. If you are from a land locked state, you might be impressed by these crab cakes like some other Yelpers were. My Plus 1, said the roast Pork Cubana was very tasty but dry and a little on the tough side. She raved about her Great Northern bean soup (Caldo Callego). The seafood cannoli was delicious to, said my Plus 2. The black beans, a side, was very good and so was the 1905 Salad. Intangibles(5/5): The location, ambiance, tile work, building and history are all impressive. I would go again to see it because on this 1st trip I was in sensory overload. Our server, Michael, gave us a short history lesson on the CR. He also made a few other constructive suggestions and helped clarify the menu for us. Our reservation was for 12:30PM and we were seated in about 5 minutes. Parking was free and easy. This was on a Wednesday. Weekends may be a different story. For 4 people we spent about $105 including 2 Sangrias.
(4)M F.
It's what you hope for when you are on vacation Fun delicious...a reason they been around so long
(4)Emma W.
This place is great! Love the food. Been here a few times in the span of years and it still doesn't disappoint! The service though was a little disappointing this time. Not as attentive... didn't even get my loaf of bread to munch on while looking at the menu!! :( Make sure you ask right away... love the bread. Freshly made... individual loafs per person. Cuban sandwich is good. Yummy bread! Salad is good and the dressing can be addicting... haven't been disappointed by the dinner menu either. Huge portions! Desserts are a must! Save room! Flan!!!! So smooth so creamy... mmmm.... the bread pudding is good too! Again big portions... The restaurant itself is huge. I don't think I've even seen the whole place yet. Flamenco dancers on certain nights... Even have their own parking lot!!
(4)Shino O.
Food is ok... Decor is absolutely gorgeous, it worth a travel just to breath and dine in this historic artifact. I had the Martini 1905 which came with olive stuffed with blue cheese, oh, I loved this - I almost asked where I can buy a whole jar. We ordered a couple of tapas but neither was memorable. The crab croquette was so overdone that crab flavor wasn't there. Their downtown brunch served same dish in a larger football shape, which was better presentation and texture. I forgot what the second tapas dish was. The last item, white bean and ham soup, was hearty and delicious, a slightly salty for my preference but still the rich broth and silky texture were very enjoyable. Plus free Cuban bread and butter helped to offset the saltiness. Some other guests around us had paella, so I was watching the server. He scooped up all the paella from the pan and served them on different plate. I wonder why they would do that... Wouldn't that make the dish loose heat quickly and moisture dry out?
(3)Nathan T.
Food and service was a 2.5 to 3 stars. Ambiance moved it to a four star rating. Cocktails: The Patron Columbia is excellent. Light sweetness and crisp flavor profile with a bit of fruit. Sangria was a big disappointment. We had the by the glass not tableside. No fruit and not much sweetness or effervescence. Tapas: Queso Fundido - 2 stars not much to it Stuffed Piquillo Peppers - 4 stars and would get again Calamares Fritos - 3 stars, huge portion. Entrees: 1905 Salad - 4 stars and would get again Cuban Sandwich - 3 stars good sandwich, but was not overwhelmed Mahi Mahi special - 3 stars. well prepared and would get again Coffee and desert: Cafe con leche - 2 stars. luke warm coffee with hot milk. Very odd. Average quality coffee with hot milk. Nothing special and not worth the cost. Guava turnover - recommended by the server. Nice pastry with fruity filling, not overly sweet. I would get again. Service: We had a 8:30 reservation and arrived at 8:10 and were promptly seated. The server seems less than enthused, but got the job done. He warmed up a bit as the service proceeded.
(4)Michael U.
Items Selected: Warm Cuban Bread with Whipped Butter Albondigas - Meatballs of Veal and Beef simmered in Catalan Tomato Sauce Devil Crab Croquettes - Blue Crab, Cracker Crumbs, Paprika, Onions, Garlic Empanadas de Picadillo - ground beef, garlic, tomatoes, onions, raisins, olives Pollo Manchego - Boneless Chicken Breast, Bread Crumbs, Manchego, Sundried Tomatoes, Fresh Basil with Carrots and Green Beans, Citrus Sauce, "Good Rice" Paella "Campesina" - Valencia Rice, Beef Tenderloin, Pork, Chicken, Chorizo, Green Beans Brazo Gitano "Cien Anos" - Mazanilla Sherry flamed Spongecake soaked in syrup and topped with Meringue plus Strawberry Sauce Pumpkin Flan White Chocolate Bread Pudding - Le Segunda Central Bakery Cuban Bread soaked in Don Casimiro Classic Silver Rum Sauce Billed on marketing paraphernalia as "Florida's Oldest Restaurant" while even the branded butter dish pronounced them a "Gem of Spanish Restaurants" it was to a packed house on Thanksgiving night that my mother, aunt, and I entered Ybor City's storied Columbia Restaurant and although a brief "Traditional Thanksgiving" prix-fixe was offered it was in the restaurant's signature items that we instead showed interest, an eight plate order and far too much of their outstanding Cuban Bread proving mostly impressive, superlatives and branding aside. Immense in size and dazzling in décor, with several rooms well worthy of exploration, it was in the central courtyard juxtaposing a small fountain that our trio was seated and perusing the multi-paged menu before asking a few questions it would not be long before a tower of tapas arrived - each of three appetizers well suited for sharing with the croquettes unfortunately a bit oily despite filling ample with crab while both the tender meatballs and sweet-meets-savory empanadas were exceedingly delicious, the later amongst the most intricate and well-stuffed I've ever seen. Moving onward to mains after a sizable delay due to the expected preparation time of proper paella suffice it to say that even split amongst two persons the portion of the rice dish was sizable and although some of the rice could have stood to be a bit more crisp it would be difficult to find fault in any of the meats, the bold chorizo lightly spiced and the chicken shockingly tender despite being all-white meat - a similar quality found in a plate of Pollo Manchego that also proved big enough to share as the aged Spanish cheese fought for top billing with boldly flavored tomatoes atop a bed of lightly perfumed rice. Undoubtedly a place where dessert should not be missed it was in a dainty seasonal flan harkening dreamwhip pumpkin pie that my mother indulged and, with my aunt investing in bread pudding that saw two slabs of Cuban bread saturated in boozy cream mellowed by pockets of white chocolate, I opted to go for dinner and a show - the tableside flames of Sherry licking the meringue atop spongecake and strawberries with dramatic effect both in theater and flavor, each bite a balance of sweetness and smoke atop booze and butter that mustn't be missed.
(3)Ian S.
This joint is a classic! They even have their own museum next door, that's how long they've been around. I've been here a few times, ordered something out of the ordinary every time, and never had a bad meal. This place makes a mean mojito, the best I've had. Last time I was in they also had a few Cigar City beers on the menu, always recommended. I can say the shrimp salteado is out of this world, if you like seafood this one is worth a try. Come to think of it, i need to get back down here to try something new again, I'm getting hungry thinking about The Columbia.
(4)DeAnna P.
We hit a lot of great restaurants in Tampa, but this one was head and shoulders above the rest. Everything was perfect - the atmosphere, service, food, and drink! The restaurant is old and it has this old world charm and airiness that you just have to experience for yourself. The servers all wear tuxes, but it does not feel stuffy, just very classy in an unobtrusive way. This sounds dorky, but I felt very special eating there. They do many things tableside -- the salad, gazpacho, and sangria. Do yourself a favor and have the sparkling white sangria. And then watch out! It goes down way too smooth. Most reviews mention the 1905 salad and for good reason. It has iceberg lettuce, ham, Swiss cheese, and green olives. All normally "meh" ingredients. However, toss those babies with their garlic vinaigrette and you just might have the most perfect salad ever made. I would normally say this is not a first date salad, as it is heavy on the garlic. But GET...THE...SALAD. If he doesn't love your garlic breath, choose the salad over him. No man will treat you better than this salad. And you can buy a bottle to take home. #garlicisforlovers The Cuban sandwich lived up to its name, but it was actually my least favorite. Don't get me wrong, it was very, very good. But the salad, sangria, Spanish bean soup, and Cuban bread were all just better. I already miss it.
(5)Brad n.
If you are wandering 7th street looking for an authentic Cuban and Spanish restaurant look no further. They have been around since 1905, expanded to have a store and a museum all apart of the Colombia. The food is awesome with lots of flavor, and the menu has lots of options. The old devote is very classy, and fun to read all the history stories or articles about the Colombia throughout the restaurant. This is a must stop if even in the Tampa area. Stop reading reviews, and come on in. You will be glad you did. I look to come back if ever in the Tampa area again.
(5)Amanda W.
Very fun place! We saw the dancers, and I recommend to do it at least once. Probably won't do it again, but a one time thing is what I would recommend. The filet that they light on fire, with the sherry sauce - I don't care much for the sauce. The filet was cooked proper and tender, but not a fan of the veggies or sauces. The croquettes de langosta were good! I love crab cakes, and it was basically a lobster crab cake. They don't have anything on Maryland, but who does. The lobster pasta was my favorite. The sauce and meat blended well. We also got the imported sangria pitcher and 1905 salad. THE SALAD IS WORTH THE HYPE!!! so good. And the sangria and salad were both prepared table side, which was a cool effect. I would go again. Overall, not too bad.
(4)Yohanis C.
Worse food ever ! Yuck!! Get another chef please, today!! Super expensive and disgusting food. They had some black beans patties, what in the world was that? The place is beautiful but their food is just awful. On the other hand, they have the best mojitos ever. I'd only go here for drinks.
(1)Suzannah G.
The Flamenco dancers were very entertaining. The rice was seasoned perfect. Very accommodating wait staff they moved is closer to dancers. Authentic Spanish architecture and furnishings. Historic tiles.
(5)Melissa M.
I've been a few times but last night was just awesome! The restaurant itself has so much character and the staff is amazing. We took my SIL to show her some Tampa flare and what could be better? We reserved a table in the "show room". (You have to call to reserve for specific show times and it's $6 per person for the show - flamenco and traditional dancing - on top of your bill). It's 100% worth it. The dance company is phenomenal. We split a couple of things so we could have the full experience and the staff was great about it. The salad, sangria, empanadas, bread - entrees were all amazing! We had flan and churros for dessert (and I had a cafe con leche martini). It was just perfect. Also nice, they have their own lot right across the street or you can valet.
(5)Marilyn M.
Located in Ybor city. Service is exceptional and food is deeelllicious! Spanish style with some cuban flare. Sangria is refreshing and worth every taste of it (had both white and red). Great for large groups and intimate party for two. They have live music during specific times in the evening for those who like music while eating. Beautiful rustic decor. Had an amazing time!! Will return again and again
(5)Kevin S.
I love the bread, the sangria, the 1905 salad and Keylime pie! I also like the ambience. I was in Tampa for work and went with a coworker on a weeknight and we were seated immediately and got great service. I can see where if you win on the weekend or really busy night, you could have to wait a while. Have no complaints about the food, they even make things at your table for you! It could probably get very loud in that place, but I could hear my coworker while we were eating and easily had a good conversation. We had an attractive waitress, sat next to beautiful women, had great food-- no complaints!
(4)Gina D.
Great dinner. Unfortunately did not make a reservation so we waited in the bar a while. Once seated we sat a while before being greated by anyone. Once we did get service it went much better. Food was yummy. The 1905 salad was flavorful and made table side. Full of cheese, ham, olives and wonderfully flavored dressing. Dinner was snapper with shrimp and eggplant. Very flavorful but wish the shrimp.and eggplant was not fried but did taste good. My daughter had the salmon in papute. The portion was amazing. Sandwiched between 2 pieces of salmon was crab, artichoke, and asparagus. It was very good as well. Yellow rice was on the side, flavorful and cooked well. Both of us took 1/2 of our dinners home. Even though we could not finish dinner we had to have fresh churros with chocolate, carmel.and guava dipping sauce. Most of that came home as well. Looking forward to leftovers. Prices not cheap but you definitely get large portions of good food. Well worth it. We will be back but will make a reservation next time.
(4)Arthur F.
My wife had a desire for yellow rice and chicken. Being that we were in the neighborhood we stopped by the Columbia for lunch. I was hoping to try La Terrazza down the block, however we always have to please our partners. LOL. There was a 15 minute wait. Remember it was the lunch hour and the tourists were out in full bloom. I was hoping that would discourage the wife. No way she was hell bent on the arroz con pollo. What a disappoint. The rice was hard and the chicken only ok. I guess I've been Spoiled by my wife's arroz con pollo. If she entered a contest hers would win hands down. Anyway the positive was the fact that the meal was hot temperature wise and the waiter probably one of the best I've had the pleasure of being served by in years. Mr Gonzmart you have a gem working for you. I will return because while I did not enjoy your version of chicken and yellow rice, your waiter made up for it.
(4)Heather S.
Came here for my friends birthday last night. This was my first time at this restaurant and I have heard it was good. My experience was underwhelming. We came for a 830 reservation to watch the flamenco show. The host was nice but when we were seated in the room the service declined. Our server was not attentive at all. It took him a half our to take our order we asked him what was good and he seemed annoyed and didn't really give us anything. I ordered the 1908 salad with chicken wanted something light I came here for the birthday celebration and not really to eat. The salad had like two pieces of chicken in it. Wasn't that great. Other people were not happy with their meals. One person in our party ordered black bean soup to go bowl size for her husband and they gave her the cup size. We had to hunt our waiter down several times to get what we needed. His helper was more attentive than him. The only good thing was the flamenco dancers and I enjoyed the show.
(2)Carie W.
If you are anywhere near the Tampa area, you need to beeline for Columbia immediately. I am simply entranced by this restaurant. In fact, I regularly order their 1905 dressing, Cuban roast coffee, and sangria mix. All three are sitting in my pantry right now. Every meal should start with a pitcher of the Sangria de Cava. It's fun and refreshing. It's the first of my 4 favorite menu items here. The second is the 1905 salad. Now, this is by no means a light salad and can certainly be a meal. They do offer a smaller version to be served with an entree. It's so ridiculously addictive, you'll want to drink the rest of the amazing dressing that lingers at the bottom of the bowl. You're in public. Don't do this. Sop it up with a piece of the perfectly baked Cuban bread on the table instead. My third favorite menu item is the Original Cuban Sandwich. I crave it. I've tried others chasing it. None match. I love this sandwich. Also, I've visited more around lunch time than dinner, so the sandwich is perfect. On occasion, however, when I've been in for a dinner service, I order the Paella "A la Valenciana". Every bite is an adventure. Last, but not least, is the Cafe con Leche. I can't leave without one. If it weren't gluttonous, I might have five. It's like the contented sigh at the end of the wonderful meal. Don't sell yourself short - get the Cafe con Leche.
(5)Chris F.
A great staple in the ybor. The rich history, ambiance, and service really made for a pleasant experience. The dining room is really something. Place has an elegant feel, but customers dress casually. Our waiter dove right into the history with us, interesting stuff. Started off with a 1905 salad, prepared tableside. It was good, ham, romaine, olives, tomato, cheese, in a light dressing. Our entrees were just ok, chicken rolled with chorizo and stuffed braised beef. The beef was tender and flavorful, sweet plantains were good but a little greasy, the beans and rice were good. My friend's chicken dish he felt was just ok, nothing to write home about. Come here for the ambiance and service, stay for the food and mojitos.
(4)Aley M.
Delightful lunch here today with my girlfriend when visiting Ybor City.Had the gazpacho soup and the 1905 salad and both were just delicious. What I loved the most were the Don Quixote motif on the tiles. Wonderful place with great service and ambiance.
(5)Joe B.
Amazing Cuban sandwich! Interior is roomy, opulent and historic.
(5)Pamela S.
Love historic, charming restaurants. Had no idea that the oldest Spanish restaurant in the U.S. is in Tampa. Went here based on recommendations, it seems to be pretty popular! Great decor, there is some context about the restaurant's beginnings on the walls and in the menus. We got there pretty early for dinnertime and were seated within a few minutes as a table of 3. We shared all dishes, got mainly tapas. Everything tasted good, seems like one of those places in where you can't go wrong. My favorite was actually our dessert: the white chocolate bread pudding. Started out thinking I would do only a few bites but ended up eating almost half. Highly recommend! The restaurant got more crowded and louder while we were dining. The bar area was pretty packed. The staff looked really tired, but I could understand why, seeing how busy it gets! If I ever get the chance to return, I would love to watch one of the performances here as well.
(4)FL B.
Great atmosphere, love the décor, Spanish food, and entertainment! Excellent service, food was presented like we were royalty even though we were wearing jeans & tees
(5)Daryl H.
Sat at the bar ordered the 1905 salad. Was enjoyable. The bartender double billed me so now been dealing with credit card company.
(3)Nancy H.
This is by far the best meal we have had in the Tampa area. Columbia does everything right! The service is exceptional and the food is superb! We had the prosciutto wrapped shrimp lightly fried for appetizers with fresh prepared sangria. The sangria was prepared tableside. The salads were prepared tableside also and very fresh and delicious. The dressing is unbelievable. The stuffed shrimp was unreal and the "good rice" was the best. The bread is so fresh and nothing could have been any better. I look forward to dining here again.
(5)Jo El S.
Dinner at the Columbia was ELECTRIC!!!! As soon as the Flamenco dancers got on stage and started dancing, I felt electricity shooting through my body! It was an EXPERIENCE!!! It doesn't get much better than watching Flamenco dancers clacking away with their castanets while enjoying a pitcher of sangria, tapas and of course their famous 1905 salad! During the 45 minute dinner show there were costume changes as well as different TYPES of Flamenco dancing being performed. I knew next to nothing about Flamenco dancing, so it was an enlightening experience for me. The food was good but not "I'll gladly pay $10 for a small portion" good. We spent $80 (including tip) which is the most we've EVER spent on dinner but I rationalized it saying it was dinner AND a show! There is an extra $6 charge per person to watch the Flamenco performance. Even the service itself was a performance TOO with the servers making the Sangria table-side as well as and finishing up the "1905 Salad" by tossing it right nearby as well. The "Chorizo and Onions" were tasty, but the Chorizo was much harder than I was used to and we both had trouble digesting it the next day. The Birthday Boy chose the "Devil Crab Croquettes" Tapas and he said the Croquettes were his favorite thing he ate over our Tampa vacation! Be warned, they are VERY small. I REALLY enjoyed the "1905 Salad" and relished how many olives were in my salad!! I could eat this every day and never get sick of it! My only regret is that I would have liked to have sat side by side with my husband so we could have given our interpretations on why the main Flamenco dancing girl was so pouty to the Flamenco dancing man---but alas I just had my own imagination to keep me company. The Columbia is an experience I think everyone should have at least once. The interior is inspiring with its hand painted tiles and Spanish architecture and the gift shop can't be beat! Come join the party, watch the show, and get some 1905 Salad! [YELPER SHOUT OUT: Steve "The Overachiever" E. for this recommendation and all his help with my planning!]
(5)Seth M.
Absolutely terrible place. Worst service I've ever experienced. Went twice because a friend saw the good reviews on yelp. I wanted to like this place because I live in the area, so I gave it a second try. My first experience came mediocre food, sangria spilled everywhere, and a stolen cell phone by one of the bus boys. Second experience consisted of sitting twenty minutes at the bar without being noticed. If you want to be treated like crap, eat below average food, and pay over $100.. Go here! Had a friend stop by from out of town. He told me he ate at some terrible Columbian restaurant for a business meeting. Guess which one...
(1)Cher W.
Went for Valentine's/my sons 30th Birthday. Party of 8. Excellent service! Young man even brought out a dessert with candle wiithout my request! So sweet! All the food is delicious. The white bean soup is amazing! Salad as well. The bread they serve nice and warm. Drinks and food very good. Can't give 5 stars because even though food delicious was not warm enough when served. But did not complain due to fact they were crazy busy. We love this place!
(4)Eunji T.
Service: 4/5 Food: 3/5 Price: 1/5 (overpriced!!!!.. but it is all for the ambience) Portion: 2/5 At least they had free baguettes.. only thing I liked about this restaurant!
(3)Marc C.
We visited Columbia last week for my father's birthday and had a great meal. First things first, a shout-out to our server Wendy. She was everything a server should be; knowledgeable, helpful, friendly and with a sense of humor. She alone raised this review from three to four stars! We sat in the Flamenco room and enjoyed the show. It lasted 45 minutes and was pretty entertaining. I'm not a big dance fan but, enjoyed it anyway. The food was excellent. Everyone (8 people) enjoyed their meals. I had Marilyn & Joe "Salteado" a mixture of tenderloin tips, boneless breast of chicken, shrimp and pork all sautéed in a hot skillet of extra-virgin oiive oil, Spanish onions, green peppers, mushrooms, diced potatoes, chorizo, garlic and splashed with red wine to blend the flavors together. It was excellent! Several folks had a dish with shrimp, crab and prawns over pasta or rice. I don't recall the name but, they won! The prawns were huge, tender and perfectly cooked. I would definitely recommend The Columbia for larger groups and special occasions.
(5)Erica S.
Love this place! The original in Ybor is good if you are in the area and want to walk around to the bars, but I love the location by the Aquarium. It is right on the water and the view is gorgeous. We had the crab croquettes which were very tasty and had just the right amount of spice. The signature salad is really really good. I don't know what is in their salad dressing but I'm addicted. The meat and cheese in the salad are fresh and delicious. The Cuban sandwich is good. Not as good as some I've had in Miami but it's better than most. The arroz con pollo is a generous portion and the chicken is tender, but no one makes it as well as my dad. Definitely get the sangria- it is flavorful and made right at the table for you.
(4)Andrea P.
Back to the world famous Columbia in Tampa...in the 1970's we had the Paella so since then I have traveled throughout Europe and specifically Spain and tried my favorite Valencia Paella everywhere and held the standard to be the Paella at the Columbia in Ybor City.. What a disappointment to find it not to be what my memory serves me.. Rice was flavorless without a hint of saffron flavor. Chicken was dry and cubed as though it came from a frozen package and squid and scallops not chewable .., so sad!! I ordered a Mojito and it came with a nice floating German Cockroach! YUM!!! Seriously, what happened to this restaurant? It's crowded, the rooms look the same, although very kitsch.. Maybe too many people have ruined the ambience. It appears to cater to the cruise ship clientele. Sorry Columbian.. I will never see you again!! Thank you to the maitre'D for comping the Paella.. But still the site of that roach in my drink just lingers!
(1)Stacy R.
We enjoyed our visit here. Our favorites were the Garbanzo soup and the 1905 salad. The Cuban sandwich is mediocre compared to others I've had. The "Natilla" or creme brûlée was not good. Two of us couldn't even eat half. It tasted nothing like the natilla my Cuban grandmother used to make. Our waiter, Mike, was cold and dry- not very welcoming or friendly. We would be back but only for the soup and salad and possibly and different dessert.
(3)Sid B.
5 for the flamenco show. 3 1/2 for the food. Very reasonably priced. Had two tapas, two entrees and two desserts and one pitcher of sangria for four people. Food was just the right amount. Sangria was made right at table. Three of us each had two glasses of this fruity sangria. Tapas: pollo al Ajillo, and queso fundido. Entrees: pollo riojana and paella valenciana. All good, but not as much seafood in this paella - get the seafood one instead. Overall very good but... Had a Portuguese paella in Newark a few months ago and also paella in Barcelona two years ago and I guess those are my "standards" to compare (maybe not fair) Service excellent! Now the flamenco show was just great, well done, entertaining and only $6 per person extra. Worth coming for that and the amazing history of this beautiful historic restaurant.
(4)Vincent Y.
Get the Tapas Sampler. However, stuffed peppers were pretty heavy. Get the mussels tapas dish. It's to die for, and it's got their perfect chorizo too! Chorizos on skewers with veggies was also nice. The coveted 1908 salad was overly hyped, and although pretty decent, it didn't live-up to expectations. Biggest disappointment were the ribs; they were dry, and had no sauce to cover nor dip the ribs into. It almost tasted like your typical Chinese buffet ribs. Best part of the meal wasn't the food but the entertainment. The dancers were absolutely awesome, so if you can get a table in the main stage room, DO IT! If not, then make sure you find out when the 2 shows for the night are starting so you can walk over the the main room and whip-out your video camera.
(4)Ashley N.
This is the first BAD review I've ever made.. Almost 2 weeks ago, I set reservations for today. When I arrived with my party of 4 the reservations had been made incorrectly. Luckily, they sat us right away. My veal was served cold. It took over 90 minutes to get our food. No refills before or during the meal. 2 1/2 hours and over $200's later my party of 4 left parched and unsatisfied. That was the good part. The bad part.. We sat down at 3:30 p.m and did not get our dinner until 5:00 p.m - which came shortly after asking for the manager. Three parties that sat down a good amount of time after ours got their appetizers, dinner and check before our group of 4. Even when out food came the water refills we mentioned not getting never came - in fact we only got water refills when they came by to clear our dinner plates off of the table. I've worked in the service industry so I understand it's not the servers fault how long the food takes BUT it is the duty of the restaurant to provide ATLEAST one refill and maybe say... "Hey, you're food is going to come out over an hour after you order it." It's not that hard to stop by especially when they have a group of people dedicated to assisting the server. Columbia, you have lost my business for good.
(1)Sandy B.
The concierge at the Hotel recommended this restaurant and I regret coming here! It's supposed to be one of the best restaurants in Tampa but it's far from it. I came here with a party of 6 and we all were dissatisfied with our dishes. We ordered calamaries for our appetizer and it was very salty and over fried. The main course dishes were just as bad. My Palomina was drenched in lemon it was too bitter to eat. My husbands shrimp dish tasted disgusting and was extremely salty! The manager was nice and came out and tried to offer another dish but we just wanted to get out of here. Don't waste your time or money here.
(1)Robert L.
I don't care what you ate for dinner or where you ate it, it wasn't anywhere near as good as what I had tonight at the Columbia Restaurant. This is one of my favorite Tampa restaurants. I've eaten there many times and it's always top notch. But, tonight they outdid themselves with the Cannelonni de Langosta "7 Portes". Cannelonni pasta stuffed with lobster, scallops, shrimp and shallots smothered in a sherry moray sauce topped with large pieces of lobster meat! Very rich, but at a very reasonable price! Couple the meal with the very attentive service (as usual for this place) and live Latin Jazz and you have the makings of a very memorable evening. If you are in Tampa, this place in the old Ybor City neighborhood is a must eat. One of the oldest restaurants in Florida, there is a reason they've been in business for over 100 years!
(5)Mailoha A.
I've honestly just had better. We tried the Paella "A la Valenciana", Platanos Maduros, Coca de Langosta(Flatbread) and Devil Crab Croquettes.
(2)Jennifer G.
A 'must go' if you're in the Tampa area. I have eaten here before and both times food & service were excellent. Sangria is an excellent choice for beverage as it is made tableside. Food was excellent as well.
(5)Jane W.
This restaurant has been on my bucket list for five years it's an incredibly huge restaurant in Ybor city. The restaurant itself is 105 years old. They are famous for their sangria. The actual bar is beautiful the hand carved bars are ornate and it's probably over 110 years old. This restaurant has tile everywhere there are plates on the walls and the waiters are in tuxedos it's very fancy but quite casual. The Cubano bread is to die for , and every meal you get a half a loaf of Cuban. Don't forget to check out the Spanish style chandeliers they are rod iron they are ornate and they are beautiful. Friendly staff Stuffy but friendly. Bartenders are busy busy. Not that attentive sit at a table
(3)John G.
Great food, excellent service! I love this place! The food was really good. Service was quick and polite. The sangria was a nice touch as well
(5)Shanno W.
Went here on a suggestion from our shuttle driver. My bf and I arrived 30 minutes before closing, so I guess I should have known that the waiter would be less than excited to serve us. Anyway, we ordered the deviled crab (which I had never had before). It was pretty good. I ordered the veal with crabmeat (forgot what it was called). LOVED IT! The rice that came along with it, not as much. My boyfriend ordered the steak (which was his fault, who orders a steak at a place like this?) The creme brulee - didn't care for, the texture was a bit mealy to me. Next time I go to Tampa, I will make sure to go to Columbia Restaurant earlier, and now I have a better idea of what to order. (the veal alone is what made the rating 4 stars)
(4)Adam B.
This was the second straight Christmas I flew in from Chicago for Christmas dinner. As good as last year's experience was, this one was even better. Even though our reservation was at 3, we were sat at 2. We got a different pitcher of sangria; this one was the imported. It used Torres brandy, plus a very high quality Spanish wine, called Sangre de Toro. I enjoyed it since the different liquors added a little sophisticated, well-rounded flavor to the sweetness of the fruit. For an extra dollar, it's much better than the traditional sangria. Of course, we started with the 1905 salad with spicy shrimp. It is the simplest salad, but it is so good! Iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, Swiss cheese, green olives, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, Romano cheese...and that garlicky shrimp. It's just perfect. And of course, you get that hot loaf of Cuban bread! I just love carbs! My entrée was a new one, the Mahi Mahi veradero. They took a piece of Mahi Mahi and crusted it in crushed green plantain banana chips, which made it incredibly crunchy. Then, they topped it with a citrus butter sauce and fresh lump crabmeat. They served it with yellow rice and a mix of broccolini, red onions, and garlic. Just an amazing seafood dish. Mom had a different Mahi dish, and expected the mix of tomatoes, hearts of palm, and artichokes to be hot. While the fish was fine, she was surprised that the topping was cold. Billy, our waiter, explained it was traditionally served cold, but he'd be happy to have it warmed up. She was much happier with the dish afterwards, so kudos. Billy was really personable, even offering to take a family picture without us even asking. Great experience.
(5)Erin S.
I'm really not a huge fan of Spanish food, honestly. However, my meal at the historic Columbia restaurant was pretty awesome. I had a different dining experience than most, as my family had rented out the main dining room for an extended family reunion. The delicious *unlimited* sangria was definitely helpful in easing the awkwardness of having to converse with people you hardly know and haven't seen since you were 3. We had a buffet style set up, with some of their most popular choices. Cuban bread- pretty fantastic. Especially doused in butter. 1905 salad- my favorite part of the meal. I'm a huge fan of garlic, and their signature garlic dressing is to-die-for. The shredded cheeses kicked it up a knotch too. Black bean soup- uh, yum. I love me some black beans and this soup was scrumptious. Plantains- good. Not incredible. Arozz con pollo- pretty good chicken and rice. Not the best I've had though. Some other beef dish..didn't try it. Flan- I used to think I didn't like it. But it was decadent especially with the strawberries on top. Service was excellent and overall I'd say I will definitely come back for date night and order from the regular menu.
(4)Andrea R.
I adore the Columbia. It's the perfect historic location in Ybor for a great meal and a good time. Having been to all but one of their locations it remains my favorite. Service can be slower due to many of their dished being prep intensive. All are worth it, I've never had a bad meal there, from Spanish bean soup and a Cuban or1905 salad, to the Pollo Manchego (one of my favorites). The never fails always amazing dessert is the White Chocolate bread pudding. Big enough for two with a to go box! Catch the Flamenco show if you have a chance, highly entertaining!
(4)Ryan H.
When I heard this was the oldest restaurant in Florida, and the home of the original Cuban sandwich, I was a little nervous. Legacy restaurants such as this tend to skirt by on reputation and then let the quality drift. This actually seems to be the norm, but I'm glad to say Columbia is the exception! The exterior is decorated with handpainted tiles, and the inside (which seems to go on and on) has an old school sophistication, but isn't fussy. Well, maybe that one red velvet room with swords and sculptures on the walls is a little fussy. We basically ordered the classics they are known for: The Cuban sandwich and the 1905 salad. It was enjoyed by all. I paid just $9 for a perfectly crafted Cuban sandwich with plantain chips. For dessert, I had the excellent coconut ice cream and stole some churros from friends. I have to respect that the churros come with three dippin' sauces. Incredibly, after lunch for four with two split desserts, a round of espressos, a coke and a mixed drink, the bill only came to $80. That's another detail that flys in the face of your normal legacy restaurant. It was all reasonably priced. I might even say it's bizarrely cheap. Kudos!
(4)Sonia O.
I have to be honest. I expected so much more from this restaurant. Don't get me wrong. The food isn't bad but it was not spectacular.... Let me explain. I was with 2 other people. We ordered the calamari and the lobster flatbread. The calamari was really good. It was seasoned very well. I didn't like the lobster flatbread at all. The sauce that was on it ruined the flavor of the lobster. The 2 people I was with got the Cuban Sandwich and they really enjoyed it. I got the dish with pork, black beans with rice, sweet plantains and yuca. The pork was cut in these thick slices and they were really dry. The rest of the meal was ok. It was something I could have cooked at home. Lastly, the Sangria. $30 for a pitcher of Sangria. That is way too overpriced. Overall, the Columbia isn't a bad place to eat but it definitely doesn't live up to the hype.
(3)Bryanna H.
This place is absolutely amazing. You have to try the scallops. They're perfect. The calamari is light and crispy and the lemon aioli sauce on the side is to die for.The sangria is awesome. Note: On Sundays, in Florida, restaurants cannot serve liquor before 1pm. They can serve you the wine with the fruit (which is good) but you won't get the shot of Brandy. So, keep that in mind. The decor is beautiful. It's a must go while visiting Ybor.
(5)Sherri M.
Always a wonderful old world experience I took my 5 little cousins ages 11-14 for their birthdays. We live in Tampa and I realized they had never been to one of our most iconic places. Cesar Gonzmart jr was a wonderful tour guide for the girls Lunch of Cuban sandwiches,1905 salad ,collard green soup, and seafood enchilada ... Wonderful.
(5)Curtis B.
The Columbia is a very beautiful place. The appetizer was Crab and corn fritters were very delicious. Daily special was amazing. Chicken breast stuffed with cheese, mushrooms, & peppers. With a delicious sauce over it. Served with potatoes. Crab enchinlado over pasta. Was jus spaghetti with sauce that had to much salt kind of bland and very little crab. Dessert: Guava turnover amazing. Over all experience was nice except my dish the crab enchinlado
(4)Peter P.
Terrific restaurant. A must-dine if you are in Tampa. The 1905 salad lives up to the hype. Great Cuban sandwich. Unusual, yet delicious, gazpacho. Service was impeccable. There's something about servers wearing tuxedos that really makes your dining experience pop. Sangria and salad are made tableside. They should charge admission just to walk through the restaurant. The building is beautiful and you can just feel the history here (Colombia is the oldest restaurant in Florida). Everything about the experience from the moment you walk through the front doors (and are greeted immediately) feels special. We came for lunch and later found out that during dinner there are flamenco dancers. We will definitely return for that the next time we are in the area.
(5)Susanna H.
I really loved this place. If I lived in Tampa, I would likely take all out of town visitors there. Columbia was recommended to me by a man sitting next to me on the plane ride in. He told me that I should order the 1905 salad, and he was spot on. Looking at the salad on the menu, I had doubts, but it was really great. The sangria was also very good, and they make it table side. There is a small Columbia restaurant in the Tampa airport - I liked it so much the first time in the Ybor location that I stopped by again for lunch before I boarded. Definitely go!
(5)Patricia R.
What an incredible restaurant indeed. Walked in and had a 15 minute wait for Sunday lunch. While we waited, we checked out the dark red walls, throne like chairs and incredible lights and vases in the front. We were seated right at the front where the entrance was but they have a great wooden dressing screen so no one can peer at you will you dine so close to the entrance. A pitcher of sangria gave the three of us a good two glasses of the most delicious tasting wine. A six inch bar of freshly baked Cuban bread with real butter started off our meal. I could have sat and just eaten more of that! Our lunch orders included a side bowl for each of the "1905" salad: crisp iceberg lettuce with julienne of baked ham, natural Swiss cheese, tomato, green olives, grated Romano cheese and their own garlic dressing. Very tasty and mixed in front of us. We each got the: Roast Pork "A la Cubana" roast pork with garlicky black beans, white rice, yuca and platanos ($14), I got the Crab Enchilado, a mildly spicy sauce of fresh lump blue crabmeat, tomatoes, onions, green peppers, garlic, oregano, white wine and chili peppers served over pasta. ($16) and another got the Mahi Mahi "Cayo Hueso", boneless fillet of Mahi Mahi marinated in citrus juices and grilled. Served with mojo-marinated onions, yellow rice and platanos ($15). I like the amount of pasta and crab I received in my meal, it filled me up enough. For dessert we enjoyed the flan which was creamy and smooth tasting ($6) That meal gave me a food coma that forced me to take a siesta on the ride back home. Such good food!
(4)Sidra M.
I very much enjoyed my dining experience here. The service was exceptional, if a little unusual. When the staff realized the A/C was a bit cold for me, they moved our whole table over and brought me a hot out of the dryer table cloth and draped it over my shoulders. Very sweet and appreciated! The tapas were delicious, my favorite being the stuffed piquillo peppers. I had the Cuban Pork Loin with rice, beans and plantains. The pork loin was good but a bit dry. I would definitely return to this beautiful gem of a restaurant.
(4)Jenn P.
We have lived in Tampa now for 6 years and we always say "oh we are going to stop in" when we visit Ybor. We finally went for lunch one Sunday afternoon. We arrived just as they were opening and there was already a 45 min wait. I over heard you could make reservations and we will plan on doing that next time. The restaurant is huge! There are many dining rooms as stated in other reviews. We sat on the balcony overlooking the main dining room. Our server was attentive and quick. As fast as it was we didn't feel like we were being rushed. We started with the classic Caesar salads. They had just enough dressing on them and weren't overwhelmed with odd pieces of lettuce. The waiter brought out delicious cuban bread (which you can buy a loaf of to take home) I had the Roast Pork "A la Cubana". It was delicious and full of flavor. You can definitely tell it was made with love. The pork was tender, rice and beans were full of authentic Cuban flavor. My husband got the Palomilla. He said the steak was perfectly marinated and devoured it before I could try it. We will be back for dinner and dessert next time for sure!
(5)Tim W.
On a recent visit to Tampa, we discovered Columbia Restaurant, located in the heart of Ybor City. Columbia offers a perfect balance of charm, friendly service, and good food. I recommend the Original Cuban Sandwich, and the Spanish Bean Soup. By far the best Cuban sandwich I've ever had! Also, the portions are large so you won't leave hungry! If you're in the area, give it a try.
(5)Susie D.
After telling the hostess that we preferred not to watch the flamenco show, we were seated right next to the kitchen and practically under the staircase. It was so loud that we nearly had to shout. I ordered the small 1905 salad and the arroz con pollo "Valenciana." The salad was pretty tasty, and the chicken was fine but over salted. My husband had plátanos con pollo as an appetizer - tough and flavorless - and the cannelloni "7 Portes" as an entree, as 7 Portes is one of our favorite restaurants in Barcelona. The Columbia version was a pale imitation of 7 Portes, drowning in goopy sauce and over salted. The service was attentive and efficient, but overall the experience was loud and chaotic because of where we were seated, and the food was underwhelming.
(2)Sandra A.
The food service and entertainment was absolutely fabulous I'll definitely come here again next time I'm in town.
(5)Amber G.
Love the food there. But last time, we wait one hour for our meal, really not good experience. If you have plenty of time to have meal and enjoy waiting, this might be a good place to enjoy.
(4)Elspeth F.
Great for groups. Classic restaurant. Open Table reservations! MUST get CAVE SANGRIA (Sparking White Sangria!) Loved the stuffed mushrooms and eggplant entree!
(4)R M.
I have been going to the Columbia (all of their locations) my entire life and never have I had such a poor meal and service. It is not easy that I write this and I typically never give scathing reviews having been in the restaurant business in the past and understanding that things are not always perfect, however, this cannot be helped! We went on a Sunday evening - early - and it was a special occasion. There were 6 of us in my party. Upon entering the restaurant, the hostess staff seemed total indifferent to our arrival, upon sitting down things went downhill from there. Our service was EXTREMELY slow and it took over an hour to receive our meals. Ordering a drink took over 15 minutes at time and our waiter said that the bar was backed-up. However, I looked at the bar and it did not appear busy and the service bar looked slow as well. We constantly were asking other wait staff for basic things like silverware, bread, more water, etc. None were too happy that we were troubling them either. I noticed a floor manager type walking around as well and he didn't appear to be concerned with helping some of the wait staff (including our waiter) who obviously were "in the weeds" as they say. Our table was barely cleared and dirty plates and glasses, etc. piled up over the course of our stay and we eventually had to pile things up on the table and request that dirty dishes be removed. My roast pork was dry and tasteless except for the excessive salt and my husbands meal - ropa vieja - was undercooked. We had waited so long that we just ate our black beans and rice and gave up on the rest. One member of our party had to leave early before being served her meal - we ended up ordering it to go - because it took so long to receive our food she had to get home to her family. When the bill FINALLY arrived it was a little shocking considering what we had ordered etc. I do not mind at all paying a lot of money for a meal, however, this was abysmal. Had we not been there for a special occasion, we would have made a fuss and complained to the management, however, I doubt they would have cared, so we just wanted to get through it and get out of there. Very sad. Upon leaving we politely said good night to the hostess staff and someone who appeared to look like a manager of sorts, however, they could not have cared less. No good night, no thank you, no nothing. Total indifference, they got our money, but that will be the last time. This place obviously is just calling it in now and resting on the laurels or their institution status. I will not be returning every again. There are many choices out there for dining, especially at their prices, so hopefully the Columbia will get its act together and go back to being what it once was long ago. On a happy note: I do recommend the Sarasota location, we always have great service and good food there - you can always count on that. The Sarasota location is the only one we will be going to in the future! Don't bother with the Ybor store, a total waste and huge expense!
(2)Megan P.
The service was wonderful and the tapas and table side Sangria were fabulous. My food was good, but honestly, I wished it were a little spicier! But that's just me. We sprang for the Flamenco show which was very authentic and worth the money! I'll be back!
(4)Julio M.
Went for lunch. Ordered Cuban sandwich and 819805p small salad. My dad ordered Salteado de Res. Food was super. Fresh and service was super good. Prices very reasonable.
(5)Phil B.
Such a disappointing experience dining at this location. We made 8:30 reservations and did not get seated until 8:45 and only then by having to talk to the manager. (Oh yeah, the manager was a jerk to my wife because he couldn't see why we may be a little concerned that an 8:30 reservation was not being honored). We ordered at about 8:55 and did not get our drinks until 9:30 - and then the beer was warm and we had to send it back. The food came out and it was meh. I remember coming to the Columbia 10 years ago and the food was cared for before they served it. This food we were served today looked and tastes like it was made on a assembly line. The best part of the whole meal were the churros which were done to perfection. To sum up, the manager was a jerk, the staff were unconcerned, the food was uninspired, and the experience was expensively bad. Do yourself a favor, skip eating at this location - the people working here make the place terrible. Time to clean house.
(2)Jay J.
Food was pretty good. I ordered the mahi mahi and tasted fresh. My wife got the Cuban combo which was very favorable. A little bit expensive for the portions. The dining hall makes you feel like you are in Cuba. The guava turnover was very tasty. The key lime pie is way too tart for my taste. I would probably give this place one more star if the portions were bigger for the price or if it were a little cheaper. I probably feel you pay for the dining hall.
(3)James P.
Ybor's upscale Cuban option, the Columbia does it with class to spare - and not just the tuxedoed waiters. Very very good food, with a great sense of history. The frescoes on the walls will bring you back. And although it's a decent dinner spot, I love it for lunch. Shorter waits, plus showing up in cholo shorts and a bright yellow t-shirt doesn't get a second look from the "business lunch" crowd. Warm buttered bread from Tampa's greatest bakery (La Segunda, YES), tasty Cubano, great ropa veija - all very solid choices. A pitcher of sangria netted 8 glassfuls, which is a great thing as well. And then there's the 1905 salad. I've gone out of my way to order a salad 3 times in my life. Twice at Columbia on 7th, and once at the Columbia in St. Augustine. Get it. Even the small one is good-sized, and a great appetizer for what's coming next.
(5)Genessa C.
While visiting Tampa for business I decided to stop at this ever so famous Tampa eatery. From the outside of the restaurant through the seating to the bar it is perfectly decorated. Very old Spanish old cuba feel. I went at an odd time.. right before dinner so it was empty. The service was great. The staff was very attentive. I chose to sit at the bar. Even as a Cuban, I had to read the menu several times. It is very busy. Hard to get through the stories and the descriptions of the food. I ordered a Pollo Riojana which is breaded chicken, with red sauce and melted cheese over it. It comes with black beans and rice and a side of vegetables. Before the food came, I was served a quarter loaf of cuban bread with butter. This was wonderful!!!!! I had to stop myself from eating in it's entirety to leave space for my food. The meal followed quickly. The presentation was great. The black beans and rice were topped with raw onions and tasted authentic and the vegetables were perfectly grilled. As for the chicken, it was good just a little too much red sauce. Overall it was a wonderful experience just a little pricey.
(4)Sharon S.
My daughter and I decided to surprise my Mom for her birthday today by driving to Tampa for a visit. She had never eaten at The Columbia and I thought this would be a great gift. It was great! The food and ambiance here are fabulous. I mean the food was extremely fresh and the portions were way more than enough. I know this review will be long, but I absolutely have to share my thoughts about every dish. My Mom got Fideua de Maricis, which was a combination of prawns, shrimp, mussels, clams, scallops, lump crab meat in a tomato based sauce with rice. However, the dish is normally served with pasta. I've already decided that I will have to come back to Tampa soon to order this dish! Mom didn't share as much as I would have liked! My Aunt got the Salmon Sant' Yago, which was salmon w/lump crab tomatoes, asparagus, shrimp and artichoke baked in parchment paper. Another excellent choice. The flavors meshed so well together and the fish was cooked perfectly. My daughter had Shrimp Supreme, which was jumbo shrimp wrapped w/bacon and fried to perfection. This dish got it's name honestly. I started with a soup they called Caldo Gallegos. It was filled with beans, ham, chorizo sausage, turnip greens and potatoes. This soup was so good and definitely warned me up. I then had the Columbia 1905 Salad w/shrimp. OMG! Excellent. The waiter made this wonderful salad at the table which was made with fresh lettuce, tomato, their special dressing, fresh mozzarella and sautéed shrimp. This salad was enough for two people honestly and extremely tasty. Two words: TREAT YOURSELF!!!! I'm done.
(5)Mark R.
If your near downtown tampa, the hard rock casino you need to come here too. The culinary gem is about three blocks south of I4. It would be five minutes if you catch all three lights. The place is dressy casual or better. I had collared shirt abd shorts but still got served. The building has really intricate tile work on front, lots of stained glass windows, interesting decor inside as well. But we're here for food. And sangria in three types all made at your table right in front of you. Sangria de Cava was my choice with sparkling wine to make it really light tasting. The menu is 15 pages long! ! I listened to easier and went for tapeo sampler and la complete cubana. The tapas cover their every meat (or meatless) options. You can get 1 seafood and two others for $26.95 (get the costillitas de cerdo habana -cuban for to die for ribs) that is more than a normal meal. The completa cubana covers the best range of the menu (beef, pork, yuca, black beans and rice all here and accounted for) Other things you need to know the soup "which was not on to go menu" that had great northern beans, chorizo, potatoes, and ham was unbelievably prefect. Too much flavor for the cup it was in (a steal at $3.95) The service was really good. At 5pm no-one was there by 520 it was packed. The service was excellent. Everything on point. Watching them prepare sangria and salads at table side was worth the trip. The staff is all in black tie attire.
(5)Sandy S.
My wife and I have visited Columbia Restaurant on every trip to Tampa. On our latest visit, we had a problem which had the potential of us never returning. My wife, fortunately, sent a comment to the restaurant, and promptly received an e-mail from the COO requesting her phone number to discuss the problem. After a lengthy conversation, explaining what had happened, he invited us back as his guests, which we accepted and had an incredible meal with unsurpassed service. This place has not stayed in business for 110 years without reason..... Never would I ever expect the COO to get involved to please a customer !! This is the way to keep your business going....Not just with good food (which it DOES have), but to CARE !! This place CARES and we will be back !! VIVA COLUMBIA RESTAURANT !!!!
(5)Sean B.
My brother took me here the last time I was in Florida, I had some seared scallops and Cuban Sandwich, oh my goodness, SOOOOO good. As you can see from the many pictures on Yelp, this place is also incredibly gorgeous inside. You will not be disappointed.
(5)Toyo K.
Columbia Restaurant Was told to visit this place by a customer. Called in a dinner order: pressed cuban sandwich, side of 1901 salad, and key lime pie. Apparently the cuban sandwich is only on the lunch menu but is available for dinner. They have valet in front for a small fee, or free parking across the street but the lot was completely full (I managed to somewhat park illegally since I was going to be in and out quickly). Walked in and it was quite busy for a Wed night at 8pm. The girls working the front desk were running around and were quite young, which probably explains why they messed up on my order. Because of the crowd inside, I didn't take my advice from an earlier post to check my food before leaving and wanted to get out of there rather quickly. I get home and the sandwich is cold (not pressed). In addition, they overcharged me for a regular salad and not a side as the total was over $30 and I found that kind of expensive. I called to speak with a manager about the mistakes and was put on hold for some time. Eventually the person who packed my order, Rob, answered and apologized. He said he would comp my whole meal due to the mistakes. In spite of that, the meal was actually really good. The sandwich, though it looked unappetizing cold, was quite tasty. And the key lime pie was delicious-tangy and rich.
(4)Bill B.
Went to Columbia with a group of six. Had a great night there and the food was excellent. We had a Tapeo Sampler Tapas which included Coca de Langosta,Mussels y Chorizo "Andres",Costillitas de Cerdo Habana,. I had the Prime New York Strip Sirloin "The Bambino" and it was very good. We did all agree that we wished we had just ordered more taps for the variety and skipped the mains. The cuban bread was awesome. Sangria just so so. Service and atmosphere was excellent.
(4)Lisa S.
Went here on a Saturday evening with my husband. We parked in the restaurant lot across the street (still had a few spaces left when we got there just after 5). The place is huge! We got inside and stood in line to ask for a table. I was told it would be a 45 minute wait so I said ok. It probably took just a little under 45 min for the table. The place was already busy before 6pm! We couldn't even find a seat at the bar. Now the food. My husband and I tried the 1905 salad- delicious! Definitely recommend. The bread was warm and fresh. We also ordered house sangria. It wasn't bad but I've had better. We decided to go with three tapas (they have a deal when you order 3). The empanadas were pretty good. If they had the picadillo filling with some rice as a main dish, I would order that! The crab cakes were ok. The chorizo was rubbery and thin. I've had better pepperoni on my pizza. Now for dessert! The biggest reason I wanted to come to this restaurant in the first place was because I'm a huge bread pudding fan and a friend of mine told me to try this place. Columbia's bread pudding did not disappoint! Probably one of my top 3 of all the places I've tried. There was plenty of sauce and the portion was generous. Good for sharing. The liquor taste was good but not overpowering. Overall I think the restaurant was good- not great. Probably wouldn't go back. But the bread pudding saved the day!
(3)George W.
Foods overrated but a fun new experience
(4)Jennifer G.
I'm glad I got to try this restaurant while I was in Tampa. The restaurant has a very historical and authentic look to it. I came here on a Saturday afternoon and had to wait about 45 minutes. The food was good, but not spectacular. I think I set my expectations too high. I got the Chicken and Yellow Rice "Ybor", which was one of their traditional dishes. The chicken was good. The rice was good, too. Again, it wasn't anything special. The service here is great, and it's definitely worth checking out, but I probably won't be coming back.
(3)Astrid B.
There are few times I ever feel compelled to order red meat and actually eat it, but I ordered the breaded palomilla here and I don't regret it :) This place is amazing. Great architecture, fancy waiters, great history, and I approve of any place that gives you a half-loaf of Cuban bread with butter for free! Served in a true Criollo style that I would expect from Ybor History. Now I was not a huge fan of the rice here, but as a Puerto Rican, it might be my tendency to prefer my rice a little more sticky than mushy. I personally think everything else gives it an A plus.
(4)J C.
I really wanted to like Columbia after all the hype, but I've had much better. Their main entrees should be skipped altogether as should their heavy salad. Just get some tapas and mojitos and call it a day.
(2)Claudia C.
I ordered the baked salmon and it was good but a bit dry. I didn't enjoy it as much as I enjoyed my friend's food. They all tried my salmon and thought the same - too dry and bland. The place was nice tho, it's huge, clean and with a vibrant environment. A bit pricey in my opinion. The place itself It's worth visiting , but the food is ok, nothing great.
(3)Jeff H.
The Columbia in the cool Ybor City of Tampa is one of the iconic dining experiences in Florida. The crowds who flock to eat here do so not because of a lack of other choices, but because they want to experience the oldest restaurant in Florida. The bright tiles adorning the outside walls lead to an equally colorful and varied décor inside. With 15 dining rooms there are several variations but the larger rooms may have a fountain or crystal chandelier and will have many art works and photos on the walls. Smaller rooms have some excellent tile and iron & woodwork. Of course there's the occasional medieval knight to guard you. Do make a reservation and if you don't, sitting at the friendly bar gives you the best chance of avoiding a wait. There are many famous dishes on the menu such as the Spanish bean soup, the 1905 salad (where iceberg lettuce was first named), the deviled crab croquettes etc. etc. etc. The menu is large and consists mainly of Cuban and Spanish foods ... often with a subtle Tampa twist. One dining room has flamenco dancing every night but you pay extra to eat there. Don't. Just walk in and view the dancing. You see the staff is super accommodating and will let you walk all around this atmospheric culinary institution. Hey there's even a museum and shop next door for those who want to take home some souvenirs. I am going to say, I really didn't find the food to be mind-blowing awesome ... but I didn't care. It was the experience that earned this place its high rating .....and downing a couple of Tampa's Jai Alai IPA's helped enhance it. The original Ybor City Columbia is a true classic!
(4)William S.
My wie and I celebrated our anniversary here on Labor Day evening. When I made the reservation the young lady asked if it was for a special occasion. When the waiter seated us there was a card on the table congratulating us on the anniversary--and to our surprise he brought us a flan/w. candle after the dinner. The flan was delicious--light and no eggy taste--maybe they use corn starch to thicken it instead of egg. We ordered paella and La Cubana completa (a combination Cuban plate). The paella wasn't the best we have had, but it was above average. The combination plate was loaded with pork and beef and the rice and beans were good. Between the two dishes we had food to spare--we brought it home and finished it off later! The guava pastry--maybe tort Carmilita--was absolutely delicious. Do not miss it because it is worth the visit just for this dessert. We chose to see the flamenco show and it was really entertaining and well done. It was more of a fusion of flamenco and Mexican dance. Overall this was a wonderful experience and I highly recommend it.
(4)Christine P.
A must when visiting Tampa. We always plan our day around sneaking in a stop here. Tried brunch on a Sunday for the first time this last time and were pleasantly surprised. If you don't have reservations, show up before they open and get on a list because the crowds can get crazy. We were seated within minutes and were able to get back on the road without losing too much time. Either way, it was totally worth it.
(5)J A.
Was craving Cuban food ( and I'm not a novice) and found good reviews on this place but I wasn't impressed. Prices were high for amount and quality. Ordered the Empanadas de Picadillo as a starter 9.50 for two pastries that were light on the filling and slightly undercooked dough. I can buy great tasting ones in Boston, MA for $1.50 and they are stuffed! The dish I had was a tribute to Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio. Bland dish with mushy flavorless rice. My companions was a bit more flavorful (thanks to the onions and peppers) but we didn't finish either and didn't bother to take it home. Completely unlike us! $99 for nothing much. Wouldn't recommend except for the beauty of the place, just to look around.
(2)Michelle G.
Positives: 1) Gorgeous interior. I felt like I was someplace in Spain. 2) Extensive menu. Lots of options. 4) HUGE restaurant. Getting seated as a walk-in at 6:30 wasn't a problem, granted it was a weeknight. I'd make a reservation on the weekend. 3) Fresh, hot bread. 4) Delicious sangria. 5) The staff is kind, helpful, and extremely respectful, without overdoing it. I was so impressed with the response, "My pleasure" or "You're welcome" to my "Thank-yous." It's a pet-peeve of mine when staff say, "No worries" or "No problem." 6) Each plate we ordered was delicious - especially the empanadas. 7) The restaurant is in a fantastic, old part of Tampa. Being this was my first time in Tampa, I'm so glad we spent time walking around Ybor City. Leave time before or after your meal to take in the neighborhood. Negatives: 1) It got super-loud at times. Not a big deal as we were seated in a corner, but I heard from some friends that sitting in a group in the bar area was so loud that they could barely hear each other. 2) Our server was prompt when we were seated at first, but then either got way too busy or forgot about us? We waited a LONG time to order both drinks and food. His demeanor and help with the menu made up for this, however. Overall, I highly recommend this place. I'd have given in 5 stars if the service was a bit more prompt!
(4)Julia V.
We picked the Red Room to host 30 close friends and family members for our rehearsal dinner and we had a great time! The Columbia Restaurant worked hard to meet both our meal and budget, and all the guests raved about their delicious meal. They were also very accommodating in providing separate meals for vegetarian and gluten-free guests, and even packed one of the meals for a guest that was arriving late. Overall, a great experience!
(5)Rachel Y.
I left a negative review of this restaurant and was told to email the restaurant BY the restaurant. So I sent an email. And never heard from them in response. Clearly they don't care about their customer base. Now I know where their employees get it.
(1)Jennifer K.
Must eat in Tampa... not sure how I missed out on the dinner AND a show but I will definitely sign up for that next trip. Lobster flat bread a must - had it previously at the St Armand's circle location two years earlier and it was just as good here. Black bean soup - excellent We split the ropa vieja with plantains and rice and it was excellent.. flavorful, tender.. plantains nice and crispy. Others split the paella and really enjoyed. Oh and cant mess with their Cuban bread.. could almost just eat that and drink sangria and be happy! Service always excellent here.. even when they are crazy packed!
(5)Malinda L.
Finally decided to try out this place. We were really looking forward to going since we had heard so many good things. Sadly, we were extremely disappointed in the food. The food is very mediocre, we ordered the only pork entree on the menu(which is a surprising for a Cuban/Spanish themed place)-pork tasted like it was boiled and had no flavor. The rice and beans that came with it were bland and the plantains were ok. For $21, I expect better. Probably the first time ever my fiance did not eat all of a pork dish. We ordered a chorizo/lobster flatbread as an entree and it was good but not very warm. This bothered my fiance more than me but looking back, that was the best thing we tried. Everyone says to get this 1905 salad so we did. It is a good salad but if the only thing that people are raving about at a restaurant is a salad, that is sad. It was good but there are a ton of places you can get good salads. Everyone also says to try the sangria, so I did. Not that good, I regretted ordering it immediately after the first sip. Stuck with red wine after that. Didn't taste freshly made like they brag about. The best part of the night was the flamenco dancing, that was the only thing we truly enjoyed. Save your money and go to one of the many amazing restaurants in Tampa-Refinery, Edison Food lab, Berns, etc. Also, on a side note, even if you have reservations-they make you wait for a long time and when you finally get sat, there are empty tables everywhere. Very odd-so many people were waiting in line to get in but there were so many open tables.
(2)Rosanna P.
There is such a great historical atmosphere. We arrived for lunch on a Tuesday around 2:pm. There was a short wait, about 5 minutes. Our server was very attentive without being overly so. The food was flavorful as is always expected at the Columbia establishments. The bread was a tad cool in the middle, but the butter was soft so it didn't bother me. We had a 1905 salad and they made it at the table with fresh lemon, Worcestershire, freshly grated cheese and olives. It was refreshing. We also had the seafood cannelloni made with lobster, shrimp, and scallops with a cream sauce. This lunch portion came with 2. I hear the dinner portion is much larger. This was an excellent lunch. We look forward to visiting the other Columbia restaurants as we travel.
(4)Marcie M.
I visited Columbia in November with friends who just moved to the area. It is one of those restaurants that have been around for nearly a century, family owned and although the customers may change, the atmosphere and menu does not. They work very hard at keeping the culture of the original restaurant alive inside this building and it shows through in everything they do from the wait staff to the entertainment. I loved reading the menu, though it was EXTREMELY overwhelming. Each dish has a story, carefully crafted to entice and bring you into their world. It is quite intriguing. It was DIFFICULT to make a choice b/c you also knew that the meal would be huge! I got the lobster pasta. It was super rich in flavor, super high in calories and absolutely DIVINE! We started off with a few appetizers. the peppers and chorizo....and let's not forget the bread or the sangria or the red wine blend or the desserts.....sigh. Yum.... The entertainment is wonderful though some of it seemed a bit "old school". I realize they are trying to keep it very traditional but it was a bit awkward and while we want to be respectful .....well, it was somewhat funny and hard to keep a straight face. Overall I looooooved it!!
(4)Zao Z.
Columbia is as Tampa as it can get. If someone asked to describe Tampa with only restaurants, it would be Columbia and Bern's. This is literally an institution in this city. It is the oldest continuously running restaurant in Tampa. I would suggest both tourist and locals go to Columbia at least once. The food is Cuban food. It is a bit more pricy than your typical spanish lunch counter but the food is better prepared and from better ingredients. I would say it is comparable to the Versailles in Miami. The decor is amazing. It is like walking back in time into old Tampa. They maintained much of the historical architecture. It is beautiful. Great for a date. The service is amazing. They actually wear uniforms. They are very well trained.(classically)
(5)Ms Fabulous Jay R.
Talk about five star service, food, atmosphere, and did I say food. You feel as if you took a trip to spain while inside the first Columbia Restaurant located in Ybor City. Going on a Saturday? ....make reservations!! Flamenco dancers are amazing. Great bar area playing current jams for private parties. ROMANTIC setting as well. I ordered the palomilla Steak, white rice and sweet plantains. .DELICIOUS! !! The main entrance was tricky to find, but once inside its remarkable.
(4)Alan L.
A Tampa classic. Consistent and enjoyable. I try to eat here whenever I'm in Tampa. The quality of the food and service never disappoints. I don't really have a favorite meal, but I seem to order the Shrimp Supreme (bacon wrapped fried shrimp) as a tapas or main dish frequently.
(4)Frank A.
I wish that they would put chocolate flan in the menu all of the time. It's usually on the menu for special occasions only , e.g. Father's Day. The key lime pie is very good too.
(5)David R.
Meal was very well prepared and met every expectation. Service was very good. This restaurant boasts that it can feed 1,700 at one time; that is right, I did not add an extra zero, that is one thousand seven hundred. For a restaurant that caters to tourist, this is top notch, beating the heck out of any Disney property.
(4)Jim M.
This is the BEST of old Tampa!
(5)Jane T.
We have been visiting the area of Tampa/St.Pete for many years. One of our favorite places to dine is the original Columbia in Ybor City. It's decor and ambience is from a more elegant era of the past. The waiters still dress in tuxedos and it's one of the few places that does table side preparation of salads and desserts. We have yet to find a place that can make a better mojito. My daughters sangria was wonderful too. While we've tried various items in the menu, I love the tapas style dishes that accompany the drinks. We had the piquillo peppers stuffed and served 3 to a dish. Perfect and not too filling so as to spoil your main course. I recommend the in-house salads or Caesar salad made and served at your table. So very few places follow this tradition any longer. I'd recommend you just walk in, unless you are with a large party. The wait is not long and you can sit in the bar and enjoy tapas with a drink until your seating is available. Always worth the visit no matter you live.
(5)Danielle M.
This place was "ok," but nothing to "write home about." For the price...I'd recommend going elsewhere. Food: good, but not great or memorable. Service: left a lot to be desired. We were sat at the table by the hostess and we were not greeted for at least 10 minutes (despite the fact theat the dinning room was not very crowded). When we did finally get service, the waiter seemed completely apathetic and uninterested in any type of friendly engagement with us throughout the entire meal. Wine list: extensive. Entertainment: Good. The dancers were polished, professional and looked like they were enjoying themselves....which I give them credit for given the loud and disruptive conversation that took place between one of the WAITERS and and a group of his friends for the entire first half of the show!! Make no mistake, these were not patrons who were there to eat....it was a waiter in uniform carrying on the conversation with a friend...wasnt even sitting at a table eating...they stood to the side of the staged and laughed, talked and joked around for 20 minutes during the performance. It was distracting to the paying customers and more importantly, RUDE to the dancers on stage. The owners of this restaurant really should teach the employees how to demonstrate a bit of RESPECT toward the performers and customer service toward the guests. With the average entree being $30...the dollar signs associated really should be $$$, not $$.
(2)Jessica D.
Had been to the St Armand's Circle and Sand Key locations. This is the original location. Came here with a committee for dinner. Great entertainment, a little loud but still conversational. Excellent food, of course, and expert waiters. Thank you for a lovely evening.
(5)Rob W.
I like all the Columbia restaurants, and this one is no exception. I love the historical building here, and the food and entertainment. Tampa has many Cuban food choices, this is a more upscale one. You pay a bit more, but you get a lot in return. I like the Cuban combination here, lots of my favorite items on it.
(4)Michelle B.
We had to come here while visiting Tampa as we heard this was a delicious place to eat. We ate lunch there & had the "1905" salad, Mahi Mahi Cubana sandwich, Shrimp and Crabmeat Alcachofas and Cuban Black Bean soup. Everything was delicious. Our waiter was attentive & pleasant. The prices are reasonable. We shared the White Chocolate Bread Pudding, yummy! If we ever are vacationing in the Tampa area, we will definitely come back.
(5)Rudy M.
My wife and I love this place. The service has always been great, and the food...awesome. A few glasses of sangria while listening to the Dick Rivers Trio was awesome. You have to wait a little longer, but try the paella.
(5)Jack L.
I loved this place. We had a group of around 12 people and were served well. The food was outstanding. We had everything from the Filet to the Bambino, to pasta, to my choice the Paella. The Paella Valenciana was the best i have had. Loaded with chicken and shrimp and mussels and clams and sausage. HUGE portion. I am a big eater and was able to finish my portion, but two other guys ate half of theirs. We got pitchers of sangria and mojitos and both were delicious. The key lime pie was a nice bookend. I left the place so full i skipped breakfast the next day and had a light lunch. Highly recommended.
(5)Karen F.
This restaurant is a must-visit whenever guests come to town. The atmosphere, the building, the waiters, the bread, the plateware, and yes, the food, all make for an enjoyable, memorable experience. Reservations are highly recommended. They have free parking across the street, and also a couple of free lots behind the restaurant. I can take the $6 show or leave it, but if you are more interested in conversing over dinner, you are better off giving it a pass. Food is usually good to very good. My absolute, must-have every visit favorites: Spanish bean soup to start and the chocolate bread pudding for dessert. If you like garlic, you must have the 1905 salad. I'm always torn between drinking their white sangria (only available by pitcher) and their mojito - both are excellent. Last tip: make sure to leave yourself time for a drink at the bar - it's a fun, cool room with personable bartenders who have worked there forever, and know what they're doing.
(4)Maria G.
We had been to Columbia in Sarasota before but this was our first time to the original. It did NOT disappoint. The food is incredible. The atmosphere is amazing. Our service on this day (we went August 1, 2014) was fantastic. You can't beat the 1905 salad. It is so good. Our table shared plus we all got tapas. The seafood tapas are my favorite and I had the Croquetas de Langosta on this trip. The menu is perfect for sharing as well. The food is so good it almost feels decadent - but go ahead, you deserve it. The historic building where Columbia is located is perfection. We dined in a smaller room but every single area was beautifully decorated and had a great feeling of it's own. Next time I think I want to sit at the bar! The Spanish tile and artwork are fantastic to experience. Thank you, Columbia - we will be back every time we're in Florida!
(5)Magnus D.
Interesting restaurant with a long history in Tampa. Adequate food, but since they cater to large groups and tourists, it's not really the intimate or cool place that it should be. The greet staff will try to seat you first at all the lousy tables, but keep refusing until you get the table you want (I prefer the room with the big center bar, along the windows). The waitstaff really tries hard to please and are very knowledgeable, like they've been there forever, which they probably have. Large menu allows you to try scads of things (steer away from the tres leche cake, because they make it way, way too dry). Keep trying different things until you hit on something you really like--which you will. Lots of parking, but it's so busy you may have a long walk. The area around the Columbia turns unusual after dark, so be careful--maybe just do lunch.
(3)Brian K.
The experience of the Flameco Dancing show is worth the additional $6. Though I enjoyed the meal I don't plan on going back unless I want to take someone who has never been. The table side sangrias are nice. Salads are good. Gazpacho is just ok. Service is better than average but if you are there for the show, remember that there are about 250 other people being seated at same time and trying to close their checks at the same time. Desserts were below average so I would save the calories for somewhere else.
(3)Don R.
I went there for lunch with a group of friends. Let me tell you the food is good and fresh. I love their 1900 Salad. Very nice location. Good service, very friendly considering they were busy. I will definitely be back.
(4)Joel H.
In my three years of blogging I've learned a number of valuable things. First, no matter how bad something tastes, if you dress it up and take a good picture it can still make mouths water. Second, the world will never run out of music (good or bad). Third, and perhaps most importantly, if a restaurant that has been around for over one hundred years suggests that you know nothing about them and insists on bringing you in for a tour and free meal you calmly say with a smirk "The Columbia? Never heard of it. I'd love to come by." In reality everyone who lives in Tampa and has a pulse knows about the Columbia, the oldest Spanish Restaurant in Florida and one of the World's Largest. Taking up one square block of Ybor and decorated with all kinds of ornate mosiacs and motifs, it is hard to miss. What about the food? The black bean soup, something that appears to be nothing more than just a few beans over rice, is simply beautiful. I dream of this soup. And on 1905 Day (when the soup is only 75 cents a bowl) I dream of double the soup. Sometimes, when I can't sleep, I count this soup in my sleep. I love that they bring me a bowl full of onions to put on top of the soup and that I can replace the white rice with yellow if I so choose. I've had other items here that are pretty good (the black bean cakes, vegetable paella, and platanos come to mind) but most of the time, I'm perfectly willing to forego all else and just eat the soup. Even on 1905 Day when the wait is about 2 hours.
(4)Emily R.
My family and I have been customers of the Columbia for more than 20 years, but today's abhorrent customer service experience may change that. We placed an order by phone for pick-up. I listened to my father place the order and to the hostess for reading it back: two 1/2 Cuban sandwich and 1/2 1905 salads (dressing on the side), one large Cuban, and one dinner-sized 1905 salad (dressing mixed in). When we unpacked everything at home, we found two 1/2 Cuban sandwich and 1/2 1905 salads (dressing on the side), one large Cuban, and one side 1905 salad with dressing on the side. Disappointed, I called the Ybor City location to confirm that we weren't charged incorrectly. The hostess remembered the order and was helpful, transferring me to the manager. That's where it went downhill. The manager verified the order and that we weren't overcharged, but didn't offer to remedy the problem. The issue isn't so much the wrong side salad, it's the tone and lack of customer service by the manager. He blamed my father for perhaps ordering incorrectly (I was listening, he didn't) and the hostess for writing it down wrong. He said, "We just fill the order that's written down, so there's nothing we can do." He took no responsibility, made no effort to amend it, and was rude. I'm so disappointed.
(1)Wan Rock L.
Excellent service. Lots of smiling guests Food is great. The Colombian 1905 salad is decadent. Too bad. I lived too far away from this place to come back real soon. Loves this so much, Would learn to make it myself. The meat skew is fabulous, very juice chicken and lots flavors add to it. Small portion suits someone small Shh.. The bread is free.
(5)Benjamin G.
We came here with my entire family for dinner on a Saturday night with a reservation. I can understand the history of the establishment and that it holds quite a bit of clout within Ybor and most of the surrounding Tampa area, but my experience was less-than desirable. First, we had a reservation for a large group. Larger than normal, due to it being a reunion for us, and part of our group was stuck in traffic due to an accident that had happened on 275. The other half of our group had already arrived and checked in with the hostess and we were waiting for our table(s) to be arranged. No big deal. The only problem was the attitude from the staff while we were waiting to be seated with little to no direction. Now, I understand that Saturdays are busy for any restaurant, and perhaps more so for Columbia Restaurant, but it would have been nice to actually be "greeted" and treated like customers by the staff. Quite the opposite. We were all treated like an obligation and a nuisance. Once seated, in the bar area, our server... or servers, were relatively absent for the first 15 minutes of all of us being seated. Not a huge deal for me, but there were several children in our group and people who could have really used water. Just a bit weird to make our group a big to-do and then not have staff ready to start taking orders. One our server arrived, he was hardly accommodating to our group. Not very friendly, but rather terse and pretty short with everyone. To make matters a bit worse, he also wasn't exactly on top of his game with taking orders -- couldn't find a pen, sloppily going about answering questions, and spilling water when pouring. The food? Just blah. My wife, mother, and myself all ordered vegetarian dishes and decided to split some of them amongst ourselves. The veggie paella was probably the best, but the eggplant dish and my veggie plate were both odd and bland in parts. The chickpeas on my plate were rather good, but was easily the only part that wasn't a bit overcooked or lacking flavor. The good about Columbia Restaurant? The bartenders were super friendly and personable AND the Mojitos were fantastic. That's about it.
(2)Paul D.
Arrived for a 6pm reservation for a party of 4. Were seated early even though it was a busy night.. The waiter came promptly to take a drink and tapas order.. We got the yucca special and beef empanada. Both were great.. I had their signature sailed the 1905 salad. WOW what an amazing salad. The flavors were great and the ingredients fresh.. The main dishes were all outstanding and everything was fresh we left full and happy ibwould highly recommend this. The only reason for 4 stars is that dinner is expensive. If you can eat during their lunch hours definitely go that route.
(4)Kimberly H.
My Bf and I went here on a wed night. Place is absolutely beautiful. However the place was so loud I could barely hear him over dinner. I had a sangria it was really sweet and I loved it. The show was awesome even though they could have had better looking girls.... The food was ok. My Bf had fried shrimp which was sooooo good. My food was just ok. I had lobster crepes... wasn't really impressed. This isn't a place I would really care coming back to.
(4)Al M.
Decent but it is more about the history than the food. It was ok but not a foodie experience. Perhaps in Tampa this is a 4 star, but no where else. If you are looking for a great meal look elsewhere.
(1)Shabba R.
The old version of my review started out with "I've only ever had one meal here, the Paella a la Valenciana." Well, I've branched out and have also had Paella Marinera (seafood version), Pollo Riojana, Arroz con Pollo, Bambino Steak. I'm a huge paella fan, and someone told me to try this place a decade ago; it was so good, I've never been able to bring myself to order anything else. With that being said; a couple tips. The Columbia is typically very busy, so make a reservation. There are numerous rooms; my personal recommendation is to ask for a table in the front corner along 7th avenue where the bar is. There's a live piano player in that room more often than not and that makes for a better dining experience than the other rooms, which include just a relatively boring one surrounding an open (to the second floor ceiling) courtyard or the one where the flamenco dancers perform. There is a flamenco dance show at certain times; you have to pay extra to sit in that room to see it. I saw it, wish I had my $20 back. It is not as interesting as you may think and with the music and shoes of the dancers banging on the wood stage, the show makes quite a lot of noise. It's not romantic at all and your significant other will literally have a headache before you even get them home. The paella takes a long time to prepare, so if you're dining in, be prepared to wait for your dinner. Not a big deal, it's worth the wait, and the menu makes sure to mention that it requires a long prep time. A great way to beat back the hunger pangs is with their 1905 salad; a great staple of the restaurant dating back 100 years. Have a mojito too, theirs are really quite awesome. My wife loves the sangria; all the flavors. The Bambino is a huge 14oz New York Strip Sirloin steak; I mean it, huge. I turn it into a second meal the next day. It's got some fat so it's not like a filet, but not too much, so have at it if you're a steak lover, you won't be disappointed. The scallops app I recommend passing on. It's described as having 'colossal' scallops; they're about the size of a quarter. Go to Ocean Prime at International Mall if you want to see truly colossal scallops. Let's move on to drinks. I highly recommend the mojito pitcher and margarita "Garrafon". The mojitoes by the glass are hit or miss on whether they're strong or weak, and a weak $8.95 drink causes me to be greatly pissed off, so I don't take the chance anymore. The pitcher, is made tableside, and they put a 200ml bottle of rum in it right in front of you, and it comes out just right. The Garrafon margarita is very very tasty and reasonably strong; a great margarita if you like 'real' margaritas and not syrupy/sugary ones that taste like Gatorade. Finally, sangria. The Sangria de Cava is very very good in the hands of a good server, but that is hit or miss too so I don't tend to order it much anymore. Good servers will go a little heavy on the brandy and orange liquor, it's made tableside, and is quite tasty if they do it right. Some are light on the pour, light on the squeezing of the fruit, and you end up with a watery mess that costs you $21. My final tip; if you like the Paella a la Valenciana in person, I personally feel it's even better as a to go order. If you get it to go and all the ingredients have that extra 30 or 45 minutes to marinate during your drive home, I think it just tastes all the more incredible. I tend to get it to go more than I dine in-house.
(4)Catheriya G.
I went to Columbia Restaurant for dinner one night while I was in town for business. My colleague wouldn't shut up about the sangria and even though I'm not a fan of sangria I was willing to give it a try. The restaurant was very busy but I thought the wait was reasonable; we were told that it would be 30 minutes or so. We found seats at the bar so we ordered a pitcher of Imported Sangria...AMAZING. I am a huge fan of red wine and never liked any of the sangria I've had in the past; way too sweet and I feel that it totally ruined the wine. However, the Imported Sangria at Columbia was not very sweet and the red wine had a great flavor. I think I had 4 glasses from the pitcher! For dinner I had Fideua de Mariscos which was phenomenal; so much seafood and the portion was enormous. I would give it five stars if the service wasn't so slow, we had to practically waving both hands in the air trying to get our bartender attention when we needed the refill or just getting the check. I would still highly recommend this restaurant. Great food, outstanding drinks!
(4)Ryan R.
Wow wow wow what a place never ever in my life ate sea food that good I ate so much couldn't walk after that lol but I will come to this place each time I come to Tampa and I will tell all my friends and family about it thank you
(5)Jack F.
Probably the coolest looking place I've ever eaten it. Sat in the courtyard area and ordered the Cuban sandwich, which may or may not have been invented here, but was an excellent combination of meats and the bread was fantastic. Service was pretty slow, but it at least it is a great place to hang out in while you wait.
(4)Brittany P.
We made reservations for 9pm on Sat night, sat promptly though it was a little hard to find the "main" entrance. The atmosphere is loud & fun, typical for Ybor. Our server was ok. Greeted us but then we didn't get our drinks for a while. Another table sitting in his section came in about 5 minutes after us...waited 10 & then left bc they were never greeted. We ordered the sangria wth the champagne, yummy & worth the $20 for the pitcher that we split. They gave each of us our own dish of butter & half a loaf of cuban bread.....try not to fill up before the main dish! Before we realized we were getting so much bread, we ordered the calamari as an appetizer. Yum! It was delicious & we loved the dipping sauce paired with it. For dinner, I got the ropa vieja...great dish! Only complaint:it said it came w/ plantainS but there was only 1/2 of one plantain on my plate. Dad got the chicken & shrimp barcelona, he said it was "ok" and ended up eating my leftovers.
(4)Terry C.
Simply fabulous!!! I stumbled into this place on a trip to Tampa - and couldn't be happier that I did!!!! The food was amazing, the service perfect, and the mojitos divine. I will definitely come back if in town!
(5)Adam J.
The paella was some of the best I've had anywhere, they prepared a pitcher of sangria in front of us, the apps the atmosphere, the history all add up to an incredible dining experience. We can't wait to return and try more options from their menu.
(5)Anthony D.
Our travels brought us to this cuban restaurant in the heart of ybor. When you walk in and see the decor, it feels like youre in cuba. Nice decoration without being overkill. Our waiter jacob was timely, polite, and knew everything about the menu. To be honest, i dont remember the name of my entree because i asked the waiter to choose the best chicken dish, but he chose a good one. It was delicious and the paella my sister got was great as well. The tapas we tried were calamari and lobster, both good but not incredible in my opinion. The dessert was white chocolate bread pudding and i loved it, which says a lot because im a dessert connoisseur. Espresso was good too. I would for sure come back and recommend this place.
(4)Jonathan C.
Two words. "Tourist trap". We watched the show, had dinner. The paella was undercooked and lacked flavor. My daughter said the Cuban was better at her school...empanadas were lackluster. Everything was just bland. Server was pretty bored. We had lunch at puerto sagua in Miami the next time which was 1/3 the price and 10 times better.
(2)Katy S.
This place has an awesome "Old Tampa" vibe. It is set up into a bunch of rooms, all with different flavor. The waiters wear tuxedos and there is the option to see a live flamenco show. The sangria is some of the best I've had. As for the food - I have done full on meals and tapas at this place. All has been good. They are famous for their 1905 salad, which really is a fantastic salad. All meals come with a full loaf of Cuban bread, which is a welcome beginning to the meal. If you are in from out of town and are really looking for a place that screams YBOR, this is the place to go. Columbia has stood the test of time for a century and will likely continue to for years to come.
(4)Jessica S.
The salad is a must get and very filling. The bread too is the perfect combination of toasty and soft. Get the paella. Everything else was a bit on the salty side but nothing an extra scoop of rice can't handle. The restaurant is huge so it would be a great location for a big party. Also, don't miss out on the Cuban coffee, the coconut ice cream, and sangria!
(4)Mark G.
I was here on business, and my business associates recommended this place as one of their favorites. I went on a Tuesday night around 6:00 PM. Service was excellent. My waiter, Damon, gave me a nice history of the restaurant, he made excellent recommendations, and I followed the all, including the coconut ice cream made on site. If you come to Tampa, and you have the time, this is a wonderful dining experience.
(5)Peggy G.
Fabulous food. Loved the 1905 salad. The four in our party all ordered different entrees so we could taste as many as we could. Had the black bean bowl which could have served two. The Mango mimosa was great. The bread was hit and crispy.
(4)D Gomez 3.
Everything ruled! And they had Jai Alai!
(4)Minh D.
We went to this restaurant after Yelping. We were disappointed at the food quality. I would rate this as a 2.5 star. There is no 2.5 stars so I am giving them a 3 stars. The good: The restaurant has a long history of being in the YBOR neighborhood, it has unique decors and nice wait staff. Food quality is NOT up to par and EXPENSIVE for the small portions served. We had salad 1905. This is about the only delicious dish we got. Paella Marinera - big disappointment here. our Paella tasted more like an undercooked seafood risotto. The rice was not soft enough and still tough. It was pretty wet like a risotto. The Paella is small and barely enough to feed 1 person. 30 bucks for this dish. I would NOT recommend anyone to ORDER THE PAELLA HERE. Devil crabs - tasted ok. Arrived barely warm. Did not feel like freshly made Coconut ice cream - pretty good. Guava Turnover - another tasty desert. Although I did not taste the guava flavor. Crema Catalana - disappointed at this dish. IMO restaurant focus on showing off burning the sugar crust at the table, this caused the dish to be served incorrectly. I would describe this dish as a low end creme brulee. One of the nice things about eating creme brulee type of desert is the crunchy caramel crust - which needs to be cooled before eating. This restaurant serves it piping hot which caused the crust to taste chewy. Unless you wait until it gets cooled off then you get the nice crunchy crust. My overall rating of this dish is a rough, and not smooth tasting creme brulee.
(3)Jason K.
This place is truly a gem of Tampa. Located in the historic Ybor City simply enhances the experience. The food is exquisite. The prices are fair. I look forward to the warm Cuban bread with whipped butter. The atmosphere is one of a kind. Flamenco dancers put on a show nightly. Highly recommend this to a all who live or visit Tampa.
(5)Katie S.
What an experience! The food is good, atmosphere is awesome. Love that they give each person a huge piece of bread wrapped in paper. I don't recommend the croquettes. Don't leave without plenty of mints...they're addictive!
(4)Mercy G.
Beautiful but a little overrated. The quality of the food can be better but taking into account the size of this place and the amount of food they are making I'd say its still a great option for a nice evening out in Tampa. For the full experience you must come during a performance!
(3)Michael A.
This restaurant is a classic. Simply excellent Sangria. You might as well get a pitcher; it's that good. I had the 1905 salad. (1905 is the date the restaurant started.) Easily could be a meal all by itself. The Cuban sandwich was the wife's choice. It was very good as well and comes with homemade plantain chips. The sandwich was 8"-10" long on fresh bread. The restaurant basically covers a city block in old Ybor City. They say it seats 1700 guests; I wouldn't argue that. The large size however doesn't cause the quality of the food to suffer. A great gem of a place!
(5)Angela H.
Updated March 2014. I am an addict of this restaurant. It's possibly the only part of Ybor City that I really, really like. Grabbing lunch here is such a special treat because the tapas, service and the inside design are easy to appreciate. I've been to the location a few times since my first experience. Reservations are a must! I am surprised by how busy at 11 am the door doesn't stop opening with people pouring in. I generally go for a 'tapeo sampler' so I can try a little of every part of the menu. Couquetas de pollo- a lite crust shell and moist chicken and creaminess Tortilla Espanola- is an omelet and potatoes. It was one of the only breakfast style tapa and was nothing too fancy but at 11 am...perfect. Shrimp supreme- I'm a girl with seafood on the brain so I added this to the sampler and was a happy camper. Lightly fried and cooked by a pro, tasty and wonderful. The service is black tie and the word fancy puts it to rest, but what is really cool is patrons come in all as they wish...sneakers, suits....you name it. The service is still high quality and on point. The price was between 30 and 40 along with drinks but well worth the experience and a meal that made my belly happy. Will I be back? Yeah, and you're comin with me, friend.
(5)Aaron A.
Delicious food! If I am ever near a location I MUST go...I could just have the sangria and be a happy lady! I have not had a tapas that I disliked. Our waiter suggested the pork short ribs taps and it is our new favorite! I agree with other reviews. If the wait staff thinks you are not wealthy you get treated rudely. Owners remind your staff that money comes in all styles, shapes, sizes, and appearance. I may not look "high class" but I sure did spend over $150 and left a fat tip.
(4)Eric G.
I had the pleasure of having dinner here when I visited Tampa in 2005. It is the premier place for Cuban food. Their Valencia paella was so good, I still have pleasant memories of it even well into 2013. I haven't been able to find any paella that tops theirs. I capped it off with Creme Catalana (their version of creme brulee). I remember being full from the paella but the dessert sounded so good I had to make room for it. I absolutely loved the architecture of the restaurant and remembered sitting smack dab in the middle of the lower floor so I was able to view all the arches and the upstairs area around me. I was back in Tampa recently and wanted to visit again but unfortunately didn't get a chance to. But I will definitely be back if my path takes me there again. Run, don't walk to here if the opportunity presents itself.
(5)Michelle G.
The ambiance of this restaurant is absolutely breathtaking with a two story view, water fountains throughout the premises, a state-of-the-art bar, and beautiful background music. The ropa vieja with white rice and sweet plantains is the best dish in my opinion. The delicious white bread pudding with chocolate chips and not raisins, is also a number 1 hit. If anywhere in the Tampa vicinity you must stop by!
(5)Stephanie W.
Wow, this place was great. The entrees were very good, but it really was the sides that locked in the fifth star. Let me just say I'm glad they give EACH guest their own chunk of bread. I usually don't enjoy bread, yet I really wouldn't have wanted to share this bread. :P It was so crispy, light, and HOT. Ohman. Good bread. The rice (arborio in the paella, and yellow rice with a steak) was also really cooked properly. The 1904 salad was very tasty, using good quality ham and cheeses. Their garlic dressing was very tasty. Paella Española was good. Very generous and quality ingredients. It was a little too salty, but not intolerable. As I mentioned before, the rice was exactly the right kind of chewy. :) Forgot the name of the steak, but it was topped with mushrooms and came with a side of rice. Flavor was great. It was cooked to medium, as requested. I think there was a hint of bleu cheese? It's rare that bleu cheese shows up and doesn't overpower the dish, so kudos for balancing that with a rich mushroom/wine sauce. Wish I could've tried the flan but I was just too full! D: I'll come back for it next time I'm in town. Oh, right! Ambience and service were GREAT. Waitress (Geraldine?) was attentive and worked efficiently. This place is so beautiful. The balconies, doors, windows, chandeliers... all so ornate and tasteful. Only thing is, the tables are a little too close together. I'm relatively good at weaving through tight spots, but it was tight. Add in servers with those fold up stands, and it's a struggle. :|
(5)Shuné D.
One of the oldest restaurants in the US. A very scenic and beautiful environment with multiple rooms and areas from which to dine at. The waitstaff was really friendly. The food was good too! The 1905 salad was excellent!
(4)Sasha A.
The Columbia has amazing service and great food. The menu is quite extensive so there's something for everyone! It's also a city staple so they like to keep locals coming back. I like the salads and signature dishes here, great restaurant!
(4)Josiah G.
There are so many great things that can be said about Columbia Restaurant. The building is stunning inside and out, but lately, I've been preferring their other, more satellite, locations like in Clearwater and downtown Tampa. Those locations are less "stuffy" and much more fun. The views at both are awesome and the service is, as well. I greatly appreciate what Columbia has done for Tampa with all these great spots, but 9 times out of 10 when I'm in a Columbia mood, you'll find me at one of the other locations.
(4)Rachel G.
Nothing beats half Cuban half 1905 salad to brighten a day. It really is the perfect lunch. I'd recommend it to anyone. I personally like the turkey addition to the salad, but the original ham, and shrimp are also delicious. And I might add that a glass of the red sangria is delicious to wash it down with.
(5)Jason C.
Fun place to go with guests from out of town. The architecture is gorgeous, and I always find that each room has a unique feel and look to it. They have large portions, so sharing is recommended. I would definitely recommend trying some small plates and to also not overlook their staple dishes like rice and beans.
(4)Ryan M.
Not that amazing. I think the bread was the best part by far. I went with my date and we were sat in the middle of the largest room. It was a Wednesday, but was still crowded and extremely loud. Chairs were an uncomfortable metal kind of thing you'd find outside. The bread was their signature Cuban bread and came with butter that was absolutely not spreadable. I got the delmonico rare, and requested blackened or seasoned, because it was grilled, not wood fired. The server, Eric, said they had no seasoning or spicy whatsoever. I've got to say, it was the least tasty steak I've had in a long time. After I took a few bites, I requested some steak sauce (something I rarely do), to which I was told they had none either. I didn't finish my meal.
(3)Ashley F.
I ordered the chicken manchego which was delicious. Both the red and white sangria were perfect. I loved the atmosphere both inside and outside of the bar. Also, Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio use to frequent the bar which was fascinating.
(5)Kristine E.
This place is mobbed at normal meal times, so come a bit early or late if you can. Today I arrived alone shortly before noon, and a line was already forming. I asked whether I could sit at the bar. Yes! The bar top is open seating. I ordered a glass of sangria, a bowl of gazpacho, and empanadas de picadillo. It was all wonderful. The line was out the door when I left 45 minutes later. I took a photo of the beautiful tile exterior as I was leaving.
(5)John D.
This is a very cool place and a spot I would recommend visiting if you are ever in Tampa or live here. The atmosphere/deco is very Central American/Spanish. The service was quick and the food was delicious. It is a bit simple, but that is because it is authentic cuisine. I was very pleased and will bring visitors to this very special restaurant. A must visit for anyone in Tampa! You must have the Guava Cheese cake for desert...it was fantastic!
(4)Matthew L.
Food was amazing as always! But the waitress was bad.... Drinks took ages, the bread came at the same time as the main meal. And then it was pretty tough spotting Her when trying to reorder drinks. It was a holiday but they had plenty of staff and not that many tables from what we could see.
(3)Isaac A.
The churros. GET THE CHURROS. They come with guava sauce, chocolate, and caramel for dipping. It's worth the food guilt; I promise.
(5)Bea D.
This place has it all - great food, ambiance, entertainment, and great drinks! I was in heaven. The 100-year old architecture is to die for. There were live musicians playing to set the mood. The piano player was a beast on the ebony/ivory keys! And he could sing too! The bass player was a great accompaniment. Ok...as for the food...Orgasmic! If you don't try the Coca de Langosta, your time on earth is being wasted! I had the Baked stuffed Grouper...delicious as well. The food was so good, I had to come back two nights later for a redo. I was only in town for 4 days. The drinks - an affordable pitcher of white Sangria...nuff said. Perfecto! I love this place!
(5)Stephanie K.
Food was terrific! Especially the 1905 salad though if I have it again I will ask for less dressing. My only complaint was that our waiter was. It very friendly for being in such a high traffic restaurant. He never came back to fill our drinks and was flippant with us when we asked for a Cuban sandwich which apparently is only in lunch menu but it is in their kids dinner menu. Despite his attitude, the food did come fast. Will def go again but hope for a better waiter
(4)Bob B.
I love the 1905 Day here, but I always seem to miss it. So so cheap back in 1905 :) With that said the rest of the year the menu is not so so cheap. But the food is good and the portions are nice as well. The 1905 salad is very tasty and a good place to start. For dessert the Brazo Gitano "Cien Años" is fun because it is flambeed, but lacking a bit in taste The atmosphere and architecture is awesome and there is a lot of people watching to be had with the amount of people that can be packed into the Ybor location. Drinks are reasonably priced. I would come here to bring out of towners for the experience.
(4)Jennifer H.
My husband and I ate here last Thursday while visiting Tampa, FL, at the recommendation of a friend. And let me say, I'm VERY glad she recommended it! When we walked in, we were greeted by very friendly hostesses and seated immediately (it was Thursday during the day, so that made getting a table much easier). We were seated in the room with the white walls and center skylight (I think it's a skylight!) at a nice table against the wall. The only thing I would suggest is that the chairs could be a little more comfortable, and perhaps find a way to absorb some of the noise. Otherwise, the restaurant itself has several huge, beautiful rooms and attracts a good mixture of business people, ladies who lunch, and tourists (us!). Our waitress, Jennifer Hernandez, was very polite, professional, and knowledgeable. She came over at just the right times, and we never had to wait too long for our food or for the check. On to the food and drink.... Sangria: Delicious and sweet and served in a nice big glass French bread: it's hot and fresh from the oven, with nice, soft butter to go with it Devil crab coquettes: were perfect - made with real crab, delicious crust, and not greasy or fishy tasting. Also, I'm not really a hot sauce fan, but Columbia's own brand of hot sauce (with the crab cakes) is awesome! The sauce is just the right amount of spicy and didn't give me "issues" later that day as most hot sauces do. 1905 Salad: I liked how the salad was made at our table, however I thought the salad had a bit too much dressing, making it overly oily. I think also it was a tiny bit heavy on the Worcestershire sauce. But all the veggies were fresh, chopped perfectly (no lettuce spines!) and tasted very good. Soup: I don't remember the name of the soup, but it was delicious! The sausage, chickpeas, and potatoes were all very tender and the soup had just the right amount of salt. Cuban Sandwich: The bread was nice and soft, and all the meats were very flavorful. And the sandwich was not greasy at all, as most Cuban sandwiches tend to be. Flan - very smooth and subtly flavored, but satisfied the sweet tooth. The caramel (?) syrup on top was so yummy! I feel bad for the other reviewers who had a bad experience here, because I really had a wonderful lunch at this place! The four stars is due to the noise level, not very comfortable seats, and the salad being a bit too oily. Otherwise, I highly recommend this place! Go during the day, or if going at night, make reservations!
(4)Sonya Z.
Such a cool experience. Make sure to ask about making your reservation to catch the very authentic and diverse dance show - we went at 9:00 PM on a Friday night to catch the 9:30 show. The dancers were masters at different kinds of flamenco as well as tango. We were very impressed. There is a great selection of Spanish / Latin wines - try the Malbec Tempranillo featured blend! We got calamari, stuffed piquillo peppers, beef empanadas, the 1905 salad and shared the "Salteado" (which has a cool story behind it if you read in the back) - it was more than enough food and we were stuffed. The server even put the rest of our wine in a "special bag" to take to go - very nice of him ;) Would highly recommend to anyone visiting Tampa / Ybor City.
(5)Deborah F.
Loved it here! Had one meal in Tampa and sought out the best place for Cuban food, and we were not disappointed. The 1905 salad was delicious and the bread they brought out was fresh and warm. Our meals were authentic and filling, and spiced perfectly. The beef was tender and the plantains were cooked to the right consistency. I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for authentic Cuban food served by friendly servers in a wonderfully historic building.
(5)Michele G.
I love The Columbia. I was on vacation with the Family. We went to the Flamenco show and it was great for my daughter who is into dance. I don't think my daughter blinked once. We ordered a bunch of appetizers. My favorite was the shrimp al ajillo that I could dip my Cuban bread into the sauce. Whenever you come to Florida I have to have sweet plantains and a flan. You can't get those in Kentucky/Ohio. Good ones at least. I had the filet "Chaco" which was flavorful. Someone else had the paella and said it was great. The decor was outstanding and had the story of Don Quixote throughout the building. I highly recommend this place.
(5)David W.
Whenever I have visitors in Tampa, Columbia is my first stop. Located in Historic Ybor City, the architecture and decor inside is beautiful. With a wide variety of seafood, steaks, and chicken-based meals, your certain to find something you'll like. If you're going for the first time, don't miss the 1905 salad and white chocolate bread pudding.
(5)Allison N.
Beautiful little place in Ybor City that I got to try today. Amazing decor and an awesome looking building. This place is REALLY big (a whole block) but it's just really pretty to look at, honestly. The architecture and the murals outside the restaurant can't be missed. We started with an order of empanadas, which were really tasty. They probably could have been cooked a little bit longer because they were sort of doughy, but the inside was delicious. Topped with hot sauce, they were just right. I guess some people are really wowed by their bread but I'm not a big bread person and this bread just tasted like any other Cuban bread I've had. I got the chicken salteado as opposed to the ropa vieja, as recommended by my server, who said it had a "mixture of flavors". I guess he was right considering there were peppers, wine, and chorizo (best flavor), but I wasn't particularly amazed by it. I didn't get to try the 1905 salad which I hear is the best part of the meal, but I think I'll be back to give this place a second go.
(4)Ana H.
This is one of my favorite restaurants for Spanish food. The food is excellent with true Spanish flavors. When you walk in you feel at home, the decor is great and the staff is friendly and very helpful. The only downfall is the wait, even with reservation you will be waiting a while to be sited. You must make reservations, otherwise, you will be waiting a loooong time, if you get sited. But totally worth the wait!
(4)Petunia T.
Super cool building in Ybor city near Tampa, FL. The place REALLY looms like it's in Spain! It's worth getting a drink at the bar to check out the ambiance here. There are beautiful tile and colored windows. They have two wine rooms that are a pleasure to look at, never mind taste. We tried the house sangria, which was just okay, but packed a surprising punch. (Someone recommended the sangria cava, but you could only get a pitcher of it, and I had plans that didn't include getting peeled up off the floor!) The bread is great-warm & crusty. The signature salad has julienned cheese & ham & ice berg lettuce with green olives made right beside your table. It's a must-order. They have at least 3 parking lots and you should probably get a reservation--because even on a late summer day at lunch they have a line.
(3)Chloe S.
Had an awesome dinner here with my boyfriend. We had a bunch of appetizers and a couple beers at the bar (meatballs, lobster flatbread were the most memorable). Will be back next time I'm in Tampa.
(4)Randi H.
Tourist trap but it's still good. The 1905 salad is the best! Most evenings and all weekends are packed, definitly make a reservation. I always go for lunch and order the 1/2 1905 salad which comes with Cuban bread and butter. The server last weekend gave me a dirty look after I turned her demand down to order the full salad.
(3)Cher S.
Nice place, a little disappointed with the Chicken and Shrimp dish, it wasn't that hot and I should have returned the meal. The table side made sangria was good, not sweet,
(3)Serena T.
Gorgeous restaurant with a lot of history. Super lively restaurant with very friendly staff, and do try to arrive early to be seated. Save room for dessert! The bread-pudding is a pretty good dish to share.
(4)A. S.
I know that certain places are made just for tourists but, I did not think this was one of them, until I actually ate here. I totally get that these are family recipes passed down from blah blah blah. I am not paying thirty to fifty dollars per person for nostalgia. The food here was not good. The service was polite and fast but not knowledgeable. The bathroom was grimy and I and my fiancé both had (we will call it) stomach issues for two solid days. Save yourself some money and dehydration and go look at the outside of the Columbia for the Cuban nostalgia and then eat somewhere else.
(1)Angila M.
I LOVE coming here! The food is always amazing! I'm never disappointed and the staff are so friendly. I always love to dress up since my waiters are in tuxes. It's only fitting and gets a greater feel to the place.The dishes are huge and it matches the price. They are on the pricey side but it is so very much so worth it!
(5)Cara D.
Went last night for Thanksgiving dinner. This review is based only on this dinner; I usually find the food here 5 stars. We had reservations for 8:30...this was the eariest available besides 11am. The dinner included soup or salad (Caesar) , Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry, sweet potatoes, warm Cuban bread, veggies and a choice between 4 or five desserts...plus non alcoholic beverages. The salad came out quickly and was kind of awful. Limp, colorless pieces of iceberg lettuce with brown around the edges, and a bland tasting Caesar dressing with croutons and parmesan. It was very obvious this salad had been prepared earlier in the day and was past the point of freshness. They were booked so I'm sure they prepared much of the Thanksgiving meal ahead of time to ensure timely service. The main course arrived pretty quickly once we stopped eating the salad...a plate heaping with the turkey and all the fixings. The veggies were again limp, obviously had been sitting around, not very fresh tasting; the turkey was good and moist, I ran into a couple of pieces of bone, no biggie. The stuffing was good, the gravy and potatoes were bland...likely from sitting all day. The pumpkin pie was just ok..seemed like it might have been store bought. Service was outstanding as always, and the white sangria cava was delicious...these two things are why I gave 3 and not 2 stars. All in all, for $22, not including the sangria, this was a good deal....but the food was past its prime by the time we got there. It's always a pleasure to dine here because of the service and beautiful ambience, but this meal fell way short of my expectations.
(3)Bia S.
This used to be one of my favorite places but last time I went there was terrible service! The valet was on the phone for a long time and was ignoring me when I asked him a question. Even after waiting patiently for 5 minutes he refused to acknowledge me. Then when we were seated the waitress was so unpleasant we left. I will not be coming back again. If you want to eat at Columbia, any other one of their restaurants such as the one in Celebration or the one in St. Augustine have much more acceptable customer service.
(1)Desiree M.
I've been to Columbia many, many times. I've even thrown a huge party there for my Mom's 70th Birthday. I can't say enough about this restaurant the people who own it and the incredible history you will find here. Indulge in a Flamenco show, take your kids, and consider yourself lucky to live so close to something so wonderful and historical. My number one favorite one is the Ybor location and I also love the Sand Key one. Nothing is like your experience at the Ybor location, you can feel the love, the beat of Tampa's heart. Tourista? or pretend your one... you'll gain so much from your visit to this wonderful place! Must Have's include the 1905 Salad ~ Hot Cuban Bread ~ Flan, Guava Cheesecake or both! Cafe Con Leche and a pitcher of memorable Sangria! You will not be disappointed in anything you choose from the menu, my personal fav is Merluzza ala Russa - Fish flown in from Spain and cooked to perfection. Ole!
(5)Luis B.
This isn't just a restaurant. It's an institution I can appreciate that. The food is solid - old school Spanish-Cuban favorites. They definately have the best Sangria in town and the salad is really as good as they say.
(4)Katie S.
Loved the food, service and environment here. I've been to both the Ybor City location and Sarasota. There's literally nothing bad on the menu that I haven't loved. The servers are very knowledgable and a joy to be around. Make sure to try the Stuffed Piquillo Peppers and the Sangria de Cava! I will mention for wheelchair accessibility - we had a hard time getting to our table because our reservation was on a weeknight during one of the "flamenco shows". It was so crowded in one of the rooms which they led us through to get to our table that it was very uncomfortable for my boyfriend to push himself through. There was little to no room/pretty narrow trying to get through. However, I understand they cannot help the amount of people there. Just think some help from additional staff clearing the way for someone in a wheelchair would be fitted for a situation such as this.
(4)Q S.
Great location. Historical town. Food is tasty. Decor and atmosphere is wonderful. Definitely check it out!
(5)John M.
Great atmosphere. Would come back just for that. Service was a little slow when we first sat down. The waitress was training two new waiters and waiting on a couple of large groups at the same time. I had the Chicken and yellow rice which was bland which surprised me, I've had much better. My wife had the Ropa Viejo which she loved.
(4)Rae S.
Great food, wonderful service, fantastic building - best restaurant in Tampa Bay!
(5)K S.
It is worth it if you go for the flamenco show. The food isn't amazing, but everything else makes up for it.
(4)Anna B.
The food is fine, but the exterior is in shambles. This is the original location of the restaurant since 1905 and it seems as if the fountains have been dry since then. This has the potential to be a nice evening out if they would consider the appearance.
(2)J B.
Booked reservation for dinner Saturday night of Gasparilla. Waited a T the bar and had an excellent sangria and friend had a great mojito. My dinner was excellent-local fish in Cuban bread crumb coating. 1905 Salad is best ever and I'm a huge salad fan. Friend had salmon in parchment-it was fine. She also loves the salad. Flamenco dancing was a nice attraction too.
(4)Murray I.
The atmosphere was very nice. Of you've never been here, it's worth coming to for the atmosphere. The fresh made sangria (at the table next to us) looked very good, though we didn't try it. The 1895 salad was very good. We enjoyed the Cuban sandwich as well. The meaty meatballs (abondanga???) Were good, but overly salted. The EPLF eggplant entree was very good too. The desserts we had (some type of chocolate cake and some type of white cake with a marshmallow cream type of top) were not worth the calories of price. Nice dining experience of you skip the dessert here.
(4)Steve E.
Fabulous restaurant which is rich in local history, the Cloumbia in Ybor City totes itself as the oldest restaurant in Florida. The food is a wonderful blend of Spanish and Cuban with terrific table-side prepartaion for many of the items. The Columbia is located in the historic Ybor City section of Tampa, just north and east of the port and the Channelside districts. The restaurant takes up the entire block at 7th Avenue between 21st and 22nd Streets. You can't miss the big white building covered with decorative Spanish tiled artwork on the outside. Inside, the restaurant is a mixture of smaller dining areas, ranging from the lovely garden room with it's central fountain, the wine cellar room where the nightly flamenco dancing show is held, the bar area with its huge hand-carved wooden bar, and then numerous private dining areas for smaller groups. If I'm there for lunch, I enjoy their famous 1905 salad which is mixed up table-side (Iceberg lettuce with julienne of baked ham, Swiss cheese, tomato, olives, grated Romano cheese and their famous garlic dressing) with a cup of thier Spanish bean soup (garbanzo beans simmered with smoked ham, chorizo sausage and potatoes in a chicken broth). Oh, and let's not forget the warm Cuban bread, served as small, individual loafs for each diner and piping hot. For dinner, I always take a date and some friends so that we can sample a variety of choices off the menu. We'll usually start with a pitcher of homemade Sangria (red or white), and then follow that with 1905 salads, and our choices of entrees. Over the years I've tried many selections, and never been disappointed. My personal favorites are the Snapper Alicante, the Mahi Mahi "Cayo Hueso", the Filet Mignon "Chacho", and their wonderful Paella. A great place for your out-of-town guests, and a fun night out with a date or a business client.
(4)Brian G.
I've been to the Columbia twice before, both times for lunch. The building is old and beautifully decorated, but the food was unexceptional. (I think many of the rave reviewers on this site have never had first-class food at a Cuban/Spanish restaurant.) My third trip to Columbia did not work out. We arrived at 4PM on a Sunday afternoon and were told there would be a 30 minute wait for a table for two even though there were many empty tables and waiters in plain sight. We were told we could eat at the bar, but there was no room and people standing around waiting for seats to come open. So we left. There is one good reason to eat at Columbia, which is to dine at a historic neighborhood icon. Otherwise, visit one of Tampa-St Pete's excellent alternative dining choices.
(1)Keri B.
Skip it. Although it seems like everyone says to check it out I will definitely be skipping this one. Was recommended by some people in the area so went to check it out. Decor is cute although I wasn't happy that we were sat in the most brightly lit room ever. Our server was less than helpful. I ordered the paella and had to immediately reach for salt and the hot sauce. Anything to flavor my food. For the price there are a million other places I would rather go.
(2)Carol M.
We enjoyed a lovely family dinner at the Columbia and can only say it is a great experience. The food was fabulous, there was no dish we tried that we did not love! The bread they serve is divine. The place and waiters are elegant. I give this place two thumbs up. \
(5)Deborah H.
I'm embarrassed to say that although I have been visiting the Tampa area for years, this was my first visit to Columbia. Everything about our experience was excellent. We had reservations for 7:00 and were seated almost immediately. Our server, Geraldine, was superb; friendly, knowledgeable and efficient...there is just something about the 'my pleasure' response when you make a request that feels great. We started with the black bean cakes, which were crisp on the outside and cooked just right inside. They are served with a dollop of sour cream and really good guacamole. My dining companions had the pork dinner with beans, rice and plantains. They said it was an amazing meal. I opted for a vegetarian dinner of black beans with slivered onion and sliced tomato on top. They also drizzle with the 1905 salad dressing. I can honestly say this was one of the best dishes I have ever had. It was a perfect combination of flavors, made extra-yummy with the side of Cuban bread. I'm going back again before I go home and wish Yelp had a 10 Star Option!
(5)Rob J.
Cuban was great. 1905 salad was GREAT! Spanish bean soup was way too salty!! I think they need to get their chorizo made local (if they don't) because I suspect that's what made the soup almost too salty to eat and trust me I am not sensitive to salt. Service was just ok and my 2 go order was wrong. Wife said the ropa was not as good as Arcos and twice the cost.
(3)Dan S.
The Cuban sandwich was pretty big, but in reality, I don't know why Cuban sandwiches are a thing.
(2)Donna M.
Fun place for tourists. I really was not impressed Food is mediocre compared to other places in Ybor. Sangria is good, but, nothing to write home about. I was a little upset at the way people came in with jeans and t-shirts. Not the type of place for that dress. If you want to see the show, maybe that can make up for the food.
(3)Matthew P.
I have been coming here for years and only recently felt compelled to rate this place. Only reason is it seems the wait staff is beginning to lack in the quality of service. Yes the food is great 4 stars! I would give it 5 if they got rid of the iceburg lettuce they use! Seriously folks the world knows its bad for you! Atmosphere 5 stars!!!! Its beautiful here! could use some small renovations but what place couldn't! Service 2 stars! You guys need to pick it up! period! Hopefully owners see this and get their act in gear!
(3)Jason L.
The Columbia Restaurant located in Ybor City is not only a historic landmark but also a great place to dine. The 1905 Salad, paella and chicken and yellow rice are a few of my personal favorites but there is an extensive menu to cater for any appetite.
(4)Kenny K.
Food was exceptional, but the service was sub par. My Cuban sandwich was one of the best I've ever had, but the waiter was rude and took for ever to refill my drink.
(4)Christy S.
Excellent food, historical staple in tampa bay and white glove service at $10 entree prices!
(5)TravelPro P.
You need to come here for the ambiance of this historic restaurant alone. The wooden bar is gorgeous. The food and desserts are above average, but I have had better cuban food elsewhere. I prefer this location to their newer sister restaurant in St. Petersburg. The Columbia has lots of character so bring your camera along too!
(4)Michele B.
I had never been to Columbia before, despite living in Tampa forever and hearing many, many people talk about how amazing it is, but I finally went last night. I had Paella Marinera and there was so much that I had enough left over for lunch today and tomorrow. I also had a side 1905 salad, which was amazing. I had the churros for desert and they were also good, but I thought they could have been a little bit warmer. (But it wasn't enough to knock off a star) My waiter was amazing and helpful and nice, and there whenever I needed him. I went in wary of the place, because often a place that is heralded as amazing falls short, but it did not in any way.
(5)Alejandra G.
Friends had a lot of great things to say about this place. The seafood is suppose to be stellar and the tableside sangria is apparently the best. I think the menu had a lot of wonderful options (by description) and I wouldn't mind returning to try something different but overall I was underwhelmed by my first visit at this restaurant. The venue itself is beautiful and charming. It is obvious there is a lot of history to the restaurant and the décor does give an old world atmosphere. It was lovely to be seated near the piano player and the bar. The sparkling wine sangria was nothing special and the fruit in the cocktail could have been a better selection than apples and maraschino cherries, but it was still enjoyable with dinner. I don't think I'd order that again. I chose to eat three different tapas. If you order nothing else on the tapas menu, go with the croquetas de langosta. Those were simply amazing and the reason why I'm giving this place 4 as oppose to 3 stars. They were fried perfectly, the lobster was complimented well with the sauce underneath the croquetas (which had a nutty, mild taste I can't put my finger on). The two other tapas I ordered were rather boring. The gambas were just camarones in a mildly flavored mojo (I saw garlic in it but I could barely taste it!), and the stuffed peppers (con jamon/ham) were not at all appetizing. The peppers were greasy and the jamon overpowered the whole dish. Like I said, I'd be interested in returning and trying other things on the menu. The croquetas were impressive enough that I'd want to see what they do with other seafood.
(4)Johnny C.
The first time I visited this restaurant was in 1994 and I will no doubt continue to stop in when I'm in the area and want to remember my times in Spain. The service has been inconsistent over the years, never bad and often fantastic but the right wait staff can really make the night special here. Probably some of the best Sangria choices in town and the 1905 salad is a must if you visit/
(4)Raz A.
There are only a few times I would ever give a place 5 stars, this place is it. You can feel the rich history behind this place, and the aroma of food that awakens your senses is amazing. From great drinks, exceptional service and food being unbelievable high quality I will miss this place when we leave tomorrow. It is an awesome place.
(5)Tara H.
Good food, good sangria, good flamenco show, large portions. Make reservations before you go.
(5)Carly R.
The Columbia is a must-see spot in Ybor. The decor is beautiful..old Spanish charm and decadence. I've been here on several occasions and am always impressed. My recommendation is the ropa vieja. Superb service, good selection of authentic Spanish cuisine, and to-die-for key lime pie. I suggest calling ahead for a reservation.
(4)Heather M.
My husband and I were a little apprehensive after reading the latest reviews and we are very glad we decided to try it anyway. We shared the 1905 salad and the mahi mahi carnarias. Both were very good, full of flavor and we will definitely be back! And as a side note: they do serve CUBAN bread, delicious fresh bread. It is not Italian bread, as Italian bread is a lot thicker with a harder crust and not French as its wider and splits down the middle. It is not as dense as commercialized Cuban bread...but that doesn't make it any less authentic.
(4)Jonathan F.
The food was fantastic, big portions, and a fun ambiance!
(5)Vib M.
Great food with a lot of dishes for Vegetarians/Vegans. 1905 Salad is the best. I would recommend making a phone reservation or be prepared for atleast 30minutes wait time.
(5)Carolina F.
Best Cuban Spanish restaurant in town, food was delicious!. Great architecture, amazing service! They have their own souvenir store too!
(5)D P.
Eaten here 3 times. Great environment, staff is very good but last time I was there bartender paid more attention to his phone. Food is consistent, not bad, average.
(3)Rob G.
This is a treat! Historic and beautiful surroundings, well dressed staff, table side sangria and 1905 salad ( that tastes like a Cuban sandwich sans bread. But you will have a piece of bread that has been made by the same Ybor Baker for the last 90 years. ) tapas are small for 4 big as apps for 2, and dinners are big.
(5)Teresa E.
I just returned home from my first (and probably last) visit to the Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City. Since I moved here about 4 months ago, I had heard good things about the Columbia and was treating myself to lunch there as a New Year's present. I was really looking forward to it. As I entered the restaurant (before 4:00), I asked for a menu and was given the restaurant's lunch menu. I sat at the bar (where I was told I could receive full food service with no waiting) and ordered a drink while I was deciding what to order. In the meantime I began chatting with the lady sitting next to me and asked her for suggestions about what was good on the menu. We began reviewing the menu together and then began talking about other things (i.e. pets, jobs, etc...). After I had been there for about 30 minutes, a dark-headed waitress (not my waitress) came over and slapped a different menu on the bar and rather rudely told me that I could not order from the lunch menu that I was given but that I would have to order from the dinner menu. I asked her if the dinner menu would be more expensive and she said it would. Consequently, I told her that I wanted to order from the cheaper menu and she refused stating that would not be possible because their cash registers automatically switched over at 4:00 from lunch to dinner. I said that since I had arrived at the restaurant before 4:00 and had been given the cheaper menu, I felt that I should be allowed to order from that menu. I do not understand why my server did not tell me at 4:00 that I needed to go ahead and order. She was adamant that I would have to order from the more expensive menu. An argument ensued and she was quite curt to me so I asked to see the manager. When the manager came over, I explained the situation and he was unwilling to help me. He just explained the same thing the waitress had already explained about the menu automatically turning over at 4:00. I couldn't care less about their internal cash register/menu system. I asked him why the server had not come over at 4:00 and told me that I needed to place my order by 4:00 if I wanted to order from the lunch menu. He agreed that she should have but he was totally inflexible to my request and did not appear to be sincerely sorry or willing to help me in any way. At one point he came across as somewhat arrogant stating that the restaurant had been in business for over 100 years. The impression I got was that the manager (Garnett?) felt that due to the long-term tenure of this restaurant, they were very successful and so they didn't need to be too concerned about attracting any new clientele (me). Apparently, the management of this company feels they have plenty of customers and don't really need any more. I told him that my first experience with the Columbia Restaurant was a very negative one and that I felt they had provided me with very poor customer service in the way they had handled the whole thing. The manager didn't really appear to care how I felt and just kept telling me to place my order with the waitress/bartender. I paid the bill for my one drink and left the restaurant in tears. I know this restaurant has been in business for a long time but if this is how they normally treat their customers, I have a hard time figuring out how. I prefer to patronize an establishment who really seems to care about providing good customer service and who really wants me as their customer. In summary, my first customer service experience at the Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City was extremely negative and I am very upset with this restaurant for ruining an otherwise lovely new year's day. I am a resident of Tampa and would have been a repeat customer so they lost more than just the one sale.
(1)Lori G.
The Columbia is a lovely Tampa institution that is a must-see for tourists. I've been there several times for lunch over the years. I love the unique mosaic decor - you know walking in the place is special. The Sangria is the best I ever had, and the pitcher is blended at the table. Without the Sangria and ambiance, I'd give this restaurant 3 stars. The food tastes old fashioned to me - as if the recipes haven't changed in 30 years. Which is great if you're nostalgic for food of that era. My parents like it. They serve crusty Cuban bread - great for Cuban sandwiches, but doesn't do much for me as a starter. I found the soup and appetizers were salty and otherwise not flavorful. I got a mixed salad that was big and good but not refined. Refreshingly, the caesar salad is prepared in the traditional way table side. I didn't get a chance to taste it, so I'm sure it was good! The scallops also had this buttery salty breadcrumb thing going on that just didn't work for me. Definitely a place to go while in Tampa. I would like it a whole lot more if they updated the flavors a bit - but I'm guessing that would alienate a lot of the customers who have been coming here for decades.
(4)Joseph B.
I have been here several times and love the food and atmosphere. The dancers are great, not sure if they are there all the time, but it is a great experience watching them while dining. The Sangria here is awesome and they also have a " house" cigar. I am not sure why there are some bad reviews, but they seem to be about service- which every time I have been here has been great.
(5)Jay M.
A family favorite of ours for 5 generations! My great grandfather (who emigrated to Tampa's Ybor City from Spain over 100 years ago) was a regular. We still enjoy the Columbia today.
(5)Elvia D.
Went for Christmas 2014, and had a wonderful meal with a nice bottle of wine. As we left the restaurant we saw a waiter and asked if he could take a picture of me and my husband. He told us he was very busy and could not take the time to take our picture. We spent over $150.00 on our Christmas meal and could not even get this waiter to take a picture of us, it would had taken him 1 minute. Columbia is a nice restaurant but I think they should train their waiters to be more sensible with the customers. This person was not friendly at all.
(3)Ryan M.
I appreciated everything about this place from the kind bartenders, the dancing, the polite table service, the tasty and well prepared food and the hostess complimenting me on my cloths ;P
(4)Chef Bob A.
This iconic restaurant in historic Ybor Village never fails to deliver. Staff is exceptional and knowledgeable. The food is unique and delicious. We had the classic 1905 salad, the shrimp and lobster dip and the chicken croquettes, all excellent. The only thing that outshines the food and service is the building itself. By all means, order the tableside Mojitos.... beyond exquisite!
(5)Rich O.
Hands down one of my favorite restaurants in Ybor city, from the staff to the menu and the atmosphere you just cant go wrong ... Food was delicious and the drinks were pretty good to..
(5)Laura W.
First let me say that I rated the original location of Columbia Restaurant four stars not because of the food but because of the wonderful atmosphere and dance show. The woman who leads the dance show is amazing! I was there with a group of about 10 people. The Cuban bread and butter was very good, as was the mixed drinks and wine. The entree I ordered was not good at all. I ate the cheese and tomato sauce off of it, and left most of the entree on my plate. I didn't see any reason to take it with me. I ate at this restaurant years ago and remember a better experience. I would prefer they reduce the size of the portions and work on the quality of the food. I would go back, but next time I will just get a salad and drink and pay the $6 for the show. Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation - check out restaurant health inspections for all your favorite restaurants at: myfloridalicense.com/dbpr Choose "Search Food and Lodging Inspections" on the left side.
(4)Don N.
Awesome Spanish food and, IMO, the original location is the best - great Flamenco dancing highlights an excellent paella. Have a glass of sangria and watch the show, as the paella is cooked to order and takes some time. Paella "A la Valenciana" is what I had, it is one of their signature dishes and it is worth the wait. Fresh seafood done right , served in the large paella pan. Their signature salad, the 1905, is another excellent choice. I never get to desserts in these places as the main meal is quite enough!
(5)Tara H.
Tonight was the first time I've visited the Ybor location. The building is pretty big with multiple dining rooms, all in different Spanish decor which makes for a fun ambiance. We made a reservation ahead time and went right in. We started out with the red sangria that they make tableside - a must try! I ordered the palomilla, which was delicious. Then we finished up with an awesome piece of key lime pie and cafe con leche. Overall a great place to go for a nice dinner. Just be prepared to take some leftovers home, as the portion sizes are very plentiful.
(4)Brian C.
The food is decent, definitely not stellar. What wins this restaurant an extra star is the ambience and the flamenco show. Food wise I had the Grouper Bilbao, Pollo Manchego, Paella a la Valenciana, and Chicken and Shrimp Barcelona. The chicken dishes all were a bit dried out, and the seafood in the paella did not seem particularly fresh. The vegetables also were a bit wilted. The restaurant is beautiful though and the flamenco show is a steal at $6 per person. It's wonderfully entertaining. The dining room is not quiet though, and often gets crowded, which is what you want in a place like this. It's a good experience and that's what I would recommend it for, not necessarily the food.
(3)Clay S.
This week I had my first experience at the Columbian in Ybor, and it was fantastic. I took my team from work here to dinner and the show and had a really great time. Everyone loved their meals, the Sangria was the best I've ever had, the 1905 salad was fantastic, we had calamari and crab cakes for apps which were both very good and the show was very enjoyable. Probably one of the best dinner experiences I've had in a long time. I will certainly be returning soon!
(5)Marilyn L.
When we are in Tampa we always go to Columbia. This is third time we have eaten here and we have never been disappointed. The sangria de cava is excellent. We had the Fideua de Mariscos for the third time. It consists of shrimp, prawns, mussels, clams and scallops in a flavorful tomato based sauce. We have it with rice instead of pasta. It is delicious. We tried the shrimp and artichoke casserole for a starter this time. It came with crackers. Very good. Naturally the 1905 salad is a must have. We usually are too full for dessert but it was storming outside so we asked our waiter for his recommendation and he said the white chocolate bread pudding. It was great. Very sweet with white chocolate rum sauce. Our waiter Phillip was great. Very friendly. He constantly checked on us. We thought he'd been serving there a long time because of the way he took care of us. We were very surprised to learn he'd only been doing it for two months. I would definitely ask for him the next time we go there.
(5)Dustin S.
The Columbia is another Tampa staple that my wife and I typically go to whenever we have company in town. It's a fun place, great atmosphere and the food is great. For out of town people don't be afraid of what you may have read about Ybor, it can get a bit rough but for the most part you are safe as long as you beat the rowdy crowd which doesn't show up until after midnight or later.
(4)Kim R.
Everything about this restaurant is perfect. The bread, the ambiance, the drinks, salad... you name it.
(5)Scott W.
Visiting the Columbia is probably the closest I'll ever come to visiting the mansion in "Clue." All of those immaculately designed rooms, and c'mon, that one with the staircase and the suit of armor! But it's an easy game of Clue, because no matter which room you pick, it's always Mr. Me with the gazpacho. Yes, I love gazpacho and it's a little disappointing how rarely you run across it in Spanish/Cuban restaurants. It has a great taste, and I love the Columbia touch of adding the vegetables tableside. Truth is, I'm a pescatarian and rarely come here with a group, so this and the house bread usually sets me up. If I'm feeling the urge for something more, house coffee and the crema Catalana which is another tableside attraction - always fun to watch a dolled-up waitron torching up some caramelizing sugar. Of course, this place is a classic "you haveta eat here when you're in town" kinda place. And we all know those places usually aren't any good. I just went to the Miami equivalent of sorts, Versailles, and felt "yep, ticked THAT one off the list" as I walked out. But the Columbia is one you can actually return to and enjoy every time. But then, I always have been a sucker for "Clue."
(5)Jane E.
I really don't get this place. I understand it is a part of Tampa history and the architecture is beautiful. Ultimately, this is a restaurant and I just don't enjoy the food here. I have gone three times and each time the food is just normal or below average. There is nothing inventive or new about it. Also, I only went as I was with a group and the space is perfect for groups. I really hope that my friends pick a different place in the future as I really cannot eat here any longer. Go for Tampa history and big enough space for groups. For food, go elsewhere.
(2)Nel K.
This is a unique restaurant! It's really old and still in the same family. I enjoy that sort of thing. It's a huge restaurant but it doesn't feel like it because there are a lot of rooms, and all the ones I saw were very beautifully decorated. We sat at the bar first and had some delicious mojitos. The bartender was very friendly, and there was a pianist playing music in the bar room. We had a reservation, but we were a bit early, so we went to the bar to have a drink while we waited. I'm gluten free and they had a lot of good options for dinner. My friends eat here a lot and insisted on the 1905 salad. I didn't get the big hype about it, honestly. Then again, you're never going to get rave reviews from me by serving me iceberg lettuce. No thank you. I had paella for my main - I don't remember the name of the specific one, but it had several meats in it. It was a huge dish (enough to take home a 2nd meal), and it was good, but quite salty - too much for my taste. My friend also commented that his meal was quite salty. So the food is good, but they could definitely reduce the salt. There was a great flamenco show during dinner, but sadly, you can only see that in one room. We enjoyed the music, and I got up and watched from the doorway a few times. Our server was phenomenal. Very knowledgeable and attentive, as well as very pleasant.
(4)Christopher B.
If practice makes perfect then the Columbia Restaurant should be perfection incarnate. It is not. BUT they have managed to perfect enough things to make this a great dining experience that no visit to Tampa should be without. First the good: The atmosphere is simply awesome. This place oozes nice fine dining with an old world fee that I crave. The service is pretty decent most of the time. They can also handle large groups since the restaurant takes up the better part of a city block. They also have some very interesting traditional and non-traditional dishes that are usually done very well and can make some of the harder items such as paella. A good paella is hard to come by. The pricing is also pretty decent. The bad: This place is usually super crowded so this is not the place for a quiet or quick meal. There are many odd and bad things on the menu. Other items are made inconsistently like why does my Cuban sandwich only have 1 tiny round pickle slice on the whole sandwich? Also EVERY SINGLE DRINK THAT THEY MAKE OTHER THAN SANGRIA IS TERRIBLE!!!! Seriously, you would think a one hundred year old Spanish restaurant could make a Mojito! I had one 3 times as good for half the price at the cigar shop (La Herienca De Cuba) down the street. Come on guys, you should know that you DO NOT SHAKE A MOJITO! You stir it to not shred the mint! I asked about this and they said that is how management wants it. Shame on you management. I also HATE their Hemingway Daquari's (no fresh grapefruit juice which makes it too bitter), their Caipirinha (tasted like bitter soda water), and their Manhattan (way too sweet like they didn't add bitters or added simple syrup which is wrong). The Sazerac that I had wasn't bad and they have excellent sangria so don't waste your time on the drinks unless it is sangria. I was also give the distinct impression that I was at a kitchy cruise ship show when I watched their dancing show. I was hoping for authenticity not a touristy feel good dance show. But overall the experience of the beautiful surroundings and uniquely prepared food outweighs the negatives (though I am still hung up on the Mojitos. Shredding the mint? Really?). And watch out for their anniversary when they offer their traditional dishes like the 1905 salad at their original 1905 prices! You can't beat that!
(4)Celeste G.
Been here many times, mostly good but last night was not even average. We were celebrating my birthday and asked when I made reservation if we could bring a special bottle if wine. The woman said of course, the server will be happy to open our bottle. I asked if there was a fee, she said no. Great, right? Not so great. We take the bottle in, in full sight, put it on the table. We order sangria for the apps, and ask the very nice server, Stacy, to open our bottle, but we will drink it with our entrees. 10 minutes or so pass, the manager comes to our table and tells us that we can't drink our wine, we have to order from the wine list. They quit allowing folks to bring in wine 5 years ago. I told him my story, he said that it must have been a new person who didn't know what she was talking about. And if we wanted wine we would have to order it from their list, which we had to ask for twice. He never said they were sorry. Very gruff. Not nice. He needs to get his staff up to speed. He really needs to work on his people skills. Also silly not to charge $20 to open a bottle for customers. Quick and easy money and no overhead. My husband did order a lovely bottle of wine, but it sure wasn't my birthday wine. 1905 salad is one of the reasons we went. Over dressed, big time. Limp lettuce, tomatoes were mushy. We ordered the steak Palomilla. Good, but not great. Our apps were fine and the bread is always good and warm. Stacy did a good job on a busy night. We paid extra for the Flamenco show, great show. There was a solo dancer who was the star, great, full of passion. Loved her. No birthday cake or dessert was brought to table, would have been a nice touch. Or maybe a free app or something for the wine fail. The feeling that we got last night was get them in, get them fed, get them out. We won't be going to the Ybor location again. And frankly, I don't think they will care. Too bad.
(1)Ned D.
Had a great time here, food was good, service was great. I would recommend going here here if you have the chance!!
(4)Natalia H.
I've had so a lot of items off their menu and I've never been disappointed. Their sangria is delicious and their desserts are to die for. Their 1905 salad might be my favorite salad ever. Even if you're not a salad fan, try it!
(5)Krista F.
It was delicious food! Show was cool but a little lengthy!
(4)Lisa M.
1905 salad, sangria and cuban sandwich is the bomb! The restaurant is interesting as well as beautiful with excellent service provided!
(4)Juan C.
A must go to restaurant in Tampa, especially of you're visiting the city. The building is full of Spanish Colonial charm and the daily flamenco show is a great way to start a meal. Beware of some meals that take long to cook, if you're looking for an express dinner then this might not be your place. We waited for a full hour (since the time we ordered) for our meal to arrive BUT since it was an unusually long wait, the chef gave us a complementary entree which was delicious. Overall we had a great time, and did I mentioned the flamenco?
(4)Kerry J.
I had been a few times before but hadn't reviewed this Tampa icon yet... I was here this past weekend with a bachelorette party (I promise we were tame). We were seated at a lovely table on the second floor overlooking the courtyard of the main dining room. It was the perfect spot , away from the hustle and bustle of this busy restaurant but still ambient. I highly recommend sitting in this area, just request it when you make your reservation. A few of my friends who were first timers commented that they felt like they were in another country. This is a special place! The bread here is divine. We were a little startled that we were EACH brought a loaf of Cuban bread, and then all 5 people at the table ate their entire loaf. The 1905 salad is incredible: julienned ham and swiss cheese, green olives, and tomatoes tossed in an amazing garlic dressing. For me, this is the star of the entire restaurant. Yes, a salad steals the show! Best of all, the recipe is on the Food Network site (just search for Bobby Flay 1905 salad). I've had the arroz con pollo, paella, and most recently tried the Chicken Salteado which has Chinese influences (it is very close to a stir fry but includes chorizo and potatoes to give it a spanish twist). Their sangria is top notch and I recently discovered the Margarita Sandia which is made with watermelon juice, so refreshing and light. It's the perfect summer drink. Service is on the slow side but this is the type of place where you want to linger and take your time.
(4)Mary M.
Absolutely amazing. The salad was sooo good! We ordered the stuffed pepper tapas as well as the a few other tapas. All fantastic! Another amazing meal. We paid $6 each to see the flamenco show. Well worth it. We are going to make this a monthly date night!
(5)Andres C.
Food and service was very good, will come again and try something different. This time I tried Cuban, next I will try Spanish food to have the whole picture.
(5)Jasmine S.
My husband made reservations for us here to celebrate my birthday. They seated us promptly and were very friendly and professional. We sat in the lounge area and enjoyed lovely live piano music. Our server was extremely knowledgeable about the menu and food items, very attentive and friendly. The food was out of this world and i cant say enough about dessert!! At the end of the meal the most surprising thing was how reasonable the bill was. I highly recommend if your spending an evening in Ybor :)
(5)Jessica A.
The neighborhood is interesting and the facade of the restaurant is charming. The room we were sat in was through a bar area under construction and the dining area smelled like dust and drywall and was very noisy from all the hammering. It was also freezing cold. Our waitress was not very professional. She tried to give us a plate she attempted to scrape some caked on substance off. I had a Caesar salad to start and it was wilted and tasted like something out of a bag mix. I shared tapas with my friend. Scallops were tiny and over cooked. Queso dip tasted like jarred spaghetti sauce. Croquettas de pollo were like mushy frozen nuggets. The stuffed peppers and empanadas were okay, not terrible but not delicious either. Really disappointed.
(1)Mike C.
Columbia is more than just a meal, it's an experience. When you first walk in you immediately notice the decor which is full of history. The place is also huge, for a Sunday night it was very full, and a little hard to hear other people at the table. We started off with the personal loaf of bread which should come with a warning label reminding you to pace yourself. It was warm and perfectly crusty that if you're not careful you will eat it all and not be able to enjoy your meal. We also had the 1905 salad which was a perfect salad, I'm not 100% sure what was in in but it came recommended by our wonderful waitress and she was dead on. While I'm in Florida I try and eat as much Grouper as possible because it is somehow different than any Grouper I can get anywhere else. Columbia was no exception, the Grouper was fresh, nicely prepared and extremely tasty. Now, you HAVE to save room for the White Chocolate Bread Pudding. I'm not quite sure how to tell you to do it with the personal loaf of bread, salad and entree. I don't even know how a professional like Kobayashi would do it but it is not to be missed. 2 Huge slices of bread soaked in white chocolate sauce with shaved chocolate topping. It was so decadent and filling that I was literally arguing with the devil and angel on my shoulders with how much I can physically eat without bursting. Whatever you do order this. Great night out with good friends at a great place. I would definitely go back next time I'm in the area.
(4)Sara G.
We had a reservation and were seated right on time. Very cool, historical building. The food, however, was only okay, nothing at all special. It's very loud too. The mojita and sangria were pretty good, but not outstanding. It's worth going to for the experience, but although our server was very friendly, the service was extremely slow.
(3)Amanda C.
Surprisingly enough I have only been to this Columbia location one time a few months ago. My boyfriend and I started off with a pitcher of imported sangria that was prepared table side which I thought was fun to watch! For my entree I ordered the 1905 salad with shrimp...OMG so good! I have had the regular salad before as a starter, but having it as my entree with the shrimp was one of the most delicious things I've eaten. After dinner we were taken to the main room to watch the flamenco show. The server sat us at the edge of the balcony and after awhile we noticed no one was seated near us I asked our new server why and she told us that no one was supposed to be seated on the balcony for the show. I offered for us to move but she told us no way and "the view is way better up here." She was very nice about it all and made us feel comfortable. During the show I ordered a 1905 martini that was pleasantly strong and delicious. We also shared an order of churros that came with three dipping sauces, the guava was my favorite! I really enjoyed my time at this location and the history of the architecture. Can't wait to visit again!
(4)Diana F.
The food was very good. They also have a flamenco show, make sure you make a reservation for that, it's quite popular !! Lovely place, very elegant. Definitely an experience I wouldn't mind repeating!
(4)Michele D.
Not sure why the place is famous... I am born and raised here in Tampa.... I get it.. We have historic pride... But I don't think I can really say this is good Spanish food. You can probably buy a Cuban from a gas station and not tell the difference.. The food is overly salty. (Personal opinion) I guess the 7$ pp to watch flamingo is worth it... But like I said... I guess... Not totally sold on everything there. I would of preferred to go to hamburger Mary's down the street and watch men in drag Twerk it!
(2)Alex O.
The food here is amazing. Try the chicken salteado and the 1905 salad. Also the sangria is made table side and it's very very very good :) It can get a bit crowded so I recommend making a reservation. Love this place!
(5)Stacy M.
Beautiful building and decor! Adore the tile. Not that Columbia needs positive reviews...Everyone at our table enjoyed their food and wine. I was pleased regarding the amount of vegetarian choices that contained protein - beans, duh! I ordered the Veg Paella and it was pretty good. My dinner-mates ordered chicken meals and raved about them. My Don Cesar red wine was very smooth. The service was pretty good considering the crowd. We did not see the Flamenco dancers this time around. Plan is next time to grab dessert, sangria and see the show. Reccommend reservations.
(4)Clint E.
Haven't been to this place since 1999 and it was just as good then as it is now!!! The wait staff was extremely accommodating and the food was even better. First it starts with their classics Cuban bread and salads. That in itself could be a meal!!! I partook in the Shrimp Supreme and it is a decision I will never regret!!! Nice big gulf shrimp, wrapped in thin bacon, and very lightly deep fried!!! It was fight I'd gladly put my taste buds and colon against each other again and again!!
(5)Brett N.
Why 2 stars? Because I still dislike it, but it's not quite at 1-star levels. --- --- --- The Columbia was one of the first Yelp reviews I'd ever written. I had been 3 times and had 3 poor experiences. But I hate writing 1-star reviews, so I wanted to give them another chance. The result? I'll definitely never return. But it wasn't a complete epic fail of an experience, which is what I believe the good ole 1-star is reserved for. Let's go line by line. Red Sangria - Very average at best. Heard this was amazing here... it wasn't. White Sangria - Didn't get to try because they only offer pitchers. Was hoping to try a glass, as my dining partner doesn't drink. Lobster Croquetas - Very solid. Best thing I ate. Salad - Garlic, with a side of lettuce. A couple bites were good and then I was over it. Steak - Had red chimichurri sauce. Red? Never heard of such a thing. It tasted nothing like chimichurri, nor did it look like it. What was this mystery sauce that didn't taste good? Veggies - My potatoes and green beans tasted like they were opened from a can, and dumped on my plate. Zero prep. My yellow rice was pretty good, as were the plantains. Bread Pudding - Average at best. Wasn't a huge fan, and wouldn't order again. Service - Friendly, but he would disappear for very long gaps of time. Overall - I have no idea how the Columbia is so popular (We had a 30 minute wait.) There are an infinite number of spanish restaurants in Tampa Bay that serve much better food, at much lower prices. Strictly a reputation thing, I guess.
(2)Janica G.
Best Spanish food I've had so far! Really good food and the flavors were really playful in your mouth! They have a huge variety of meals on the menu and everything was perfect from the drinks to the dessert, appetizer to the entree. It was a one of a kind experience down at Ybor City! Service was spot on and the ambiance was wonderful! The live music made everything perfect! The food was a bit pricey but it was worth it! You don't get flavors like those everyday
(5)Norma G.
I only give this restaurant 4 stars for their dance performances show and the atmosphere. other than that they are overpriced and the food is not good.
(4)Tim P.
Absolutely one of the best dining experiences I've ever had. My wife always talked about this place and wanting to go there because it has been very hard to find Boliche anywhere around the Tri-State area (PA, NJ, DE). The food was excellent, service was great, and the live entertainment complimented the evening. It is a little pricey, but you do get what you pay for. We are going to Florida again in the near future and will definitely be visiting The Columbia Restaurant again.
(5)Kara B.
THAT salad. Get that amazing 1905 salad, and don't share it. You'll thank me later. I'm an idiot and shared this salad along with the Cuban sandwich. The sandwich was very good, but that salad pretty much took the glory away from the Cuban. If you still have room in your thankful belly, get the guava turnover too. It was excellent; such a nice mix of golden brown n' delicious with a nice cream cheese sauce. I am so glad my dining partner secretly asked the server to bring out whatever he considered their best dessert. And, I have to give a shout out to our most patient server, who didn't even seem to mind that my inebriated dining partner talked his ears off. Thank god this place is sharing the recipe for the 1905 salad. I haven't tried to recreate it at home. But, since I'm salivating just thinking about it, the household is getting nothing but salad for dinner tonight! columbiarestaurant.com/r… Columbia's Original "1905" Salad® was selected as "One of America's Top 10 Best Salads" by USA Today. In the 1970s, this flavorful salad was the Columbia's answer to the ubiquitous salad bar. Created by waiter Tony Noriega in the 1940s, it was adapted by the Columbia. The Columbia kitchen designed a new dressing that features Worcestershire sauce, lemon, and Parmesan cheese. When the president of Lea and Perrins heard that the Columbia was his biggest customer, he investigated and ate an Original "1905" Salad®. He soon discovered the salad's delights for himself. Salad Ingredients 4 cups iceberg lettuce, broken into 1 1/2" × 1 1/2" pieces 1 ripe tomato, cut into eighths 1/2 cup baked ham, julienned 2" × " (may substitute turkey or shrimp) 1/2 cup Swiss cheese, julienne 2" × " 1/2 cup pimiento-stuffed green Spanish olives "1905" Dressing (see recipe below) 1/4 cup Romano cheese, grated 2 tablespoons Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce® 1 lemon Preparation Combine lettuce, tomato, ham, Swiss cheese, and olives in a large salad bowl. Before serving, add "1905" Dressing, Romano cheese, Worcestershire, and the juice of 1 lemon. Toss well and serve immediately. Makes 2 full salads or 4 side salads. "1905" Dressing Ingredients 1/2 cup extra-virgin Spanish olive oil 4 garlic cloves, minced 2 teaspoons dried oregano cup white wine vinegar Salt and pepper to taste Salad Dressing Preparation Mix olive oil, garlic, and oregano in a bowl with a wire whisk. Stir in vinegar, gradually beating to form an emulsion, and then season with salt and pepper. For best results, prepare 1 to 2 days in advance and refrigerate.
(5)Elizabeth G.
I always recommend this place to the guests at my hotel who sent from Tampa. The dinner and a show is a great experience for anyone. It's definitely a place to bring someone on a nice date
(5)Annie J.
Columbia restaurant chain is legendary! The Tampa - ybor city setting offers a rich Cuban history and their shop is a must see for rare souvenirs! The paella and sangria are awesome! We very much enjoyed their appetizer trio. They have musicians over the weekend sometimes. Very iconic restaurant to go to if you are in the area!
(5)Victoria B.
I hate to say it but the best part (and only good part) about this restaurant is the decor. I'm embarrassed for any tourists that have gone to the Columbia because of some misnomer that it is a Tampa staple. Tampa has MUCH MUCH more to offer... If you want better service and equivalent food- I'd recommend Outback. If you want better food, better service and ambiance keeping in line with Tampa history, I'd recommend Ulele! As for why I say that: I made a reservation for 8:30, and we were 15 minutes early. I asked if we could wait at the bar and received an eye roll in response but of course we went to the bar anyway. The waiting room was packed inside and out so why not wait at the bar? She said that we weren't going to be seated until 8:30 anyway.... The bartender was nice enough but it was completely understaffed. When we went back to the hostess station at 8:30 she told us that we were already checked in and that they would "get to us" - that begs the question, why make a reservation for 8:30 if you won't seat us at 8:30? So then they finally call my name but mispronounced it... I responded with the correct pronunciation only for one of the other hostesses to make a snide comment about me and how dare I make fun of her accent... I merely said my name correctly since we had already been waiting so long and I was honestly checking that she was actually calling US - mind you it's now 8:45... Again- we arrived early for our reservation but I guess that wasn't convenient for the hostess either. As for the food- the 1905 salad was leftover from the early dinner crowd; no table side service whatsoever (soggy lettuce and tomato reminded me of a bad version of Olive Garden - at best - and honestly olive gardens comes much faster!) The Yuca special app for the night and my bf's bambino steak were actually really good. But worth $50 together, not really. My Marilyn and Joe salteado was terrible: fatty leftover (over cooked) scraps thrown together in a very watered down salteado sauce. The white sangria was good, and a life saver since we saw our waitress but 3 times? Good thing we already had our own refills! For the show- skip it! Sit as far from it as possible so it doesn't ruin your meal. The first few songs were okay (think cruise ship afternoon show) and then a guy came out wearing pants that were inappropriately too tight. He continued the show by yelling, what I assume, were songs(?) at the top of his lungs- sans background music. Later, after they finally left the stage, the dancers came back out after changing into their sweats and gym clothes to check and see if one of the diners left their number on a neighboring table- why? They were all nearly twice his age and he was way out of their league! Mind you, he was there with his 7 year old daughter. Unprofessionalism apparently permeates the entire staff!!
(1)Ed S.
Some parts are beautiful, the rest is a tourist trap. The main old parts of the restaurant are really special, but most people got shunted off into large 2nd rate banquet rooms that could have been in any suburb in America full of ugly tables. What I don't get about this, is that wifey and I wondered around while we were waiting for a table. There were several MUCH nicer rooms they weren't using. Even the balcony of the great main courtyard was sitting empty. While they kept people waiting in the sweltering landing, to go into the lame room!? The fresh Cuban bread was good, but why did we not get any water?! The picadillo tasted of salt, not enough raisins or olives. Wifey' chicken was also bland. Her yellow rice was delicious though. Been there, got the t shirt, next time I'll take a pass.
(2)Desiree D.
I have been here twice now and I am impressed with the beautiful interior. Honestly I didn't think much of it from the outside, but you arrive and it is so spacious, elegant and classic. I especially love the key hole door ways and the chandelier. The restaurant is a bit loud, but very lively. I ordered the sangria pitcher which was delightful. I had their paella (traditional) and the black bean soup. The black bean soup was okay (not assoupy as I thought it would be) and I was hoping for more seasoning. The Paella was exceptional.... The first time I came here, it was crazy busy.... So service was a bit slower but understandable. The second time I should up during the week and it was dead. Service was slower that time unfortunately. I will be back because this is a Tampa gem and I want to be 100% head over heals for this place.... Word of advice, it you go in that weekend... A reservation is a must!
(3)Stacia C.
I visited Columbia last night with a group of 11 coworkers. We called on Monday afternoon and I was pleasantly surprised that they were able to accommodate such a large group on such late notice. Additionally, they said that they would be able to do separate checks. Parking is available in a side lot just off of N. 22nd and E. 7th. We were seated immediately upon arrival. The restaurant was spacious, unique and was just the perfect amount of busy to provide a great atmosphere that wasn't dead but also wasn't overly loud or crowded. Our waiter was friendly, knowledgeable about the menu and eager to please. Our food came out timely after ordering considering such a large order. Everyone was pleased with their food and some raved about a need to return during the duration of the business trip. A small group of us ordered a variety of tapas which were tasty. If I went again I'd probably order differently as we ended up with lots of fried options. Our waiter continued to be attentive and helpful throughout the night including splitting our checks at the end of dinner. Overall I'd say food and service was great, especially for a group of our size.
(4)Becky Z.
Was excited to try the restaurant out for the first time. Was told when we valet park that we had to pay the bill up front. Was very disappointed in service and did not enjoy the price that came along with my food. We didnt get the greatest waitress that day. I don't know if she just didn't want to be there. ignored a lot and was given the check before she even cleared the table. Ordered the fish and it was dry. I come to find out I wasn't even asked what side I would have liked with it. She just ordered that for me without asking. I would not recommend eating here. We ordered two main dishes and calamari as an appetizer. Two waters of course and the bill came out to a walking $89! I've eaten at Ruth's Chris and capital grill and had better service along with price. If you decide to go I hope you have a better experience than I did. Good luck
(1)Jessica S.
Always happy with the Columbia. We've been coming since I was a kid. We went for lunch and pricing is really low at lunch time. Their meatloaf sandwich is delicious and they make some of the best mojitos.
(5)Zach L.
An icon that provided me with two very good meals, though I have to admit, I may be a bit less critical since I didn't have to pay either time (business trip). First, I love the history and the ambiance. I felt like I was eating in an old Spanish mission. I didn't catch the Flamenco dancers, but I imagine they add a wonderful flavor to the missiony, Spanish-style dining rooms. Now, the food: 1. The 1905 is a good salad with a nice tangy sauce, mostly iceberg lettuce, a few add-ins. The bread is like day-old french. 2. The Spanish soup was fantastic . . . and I mean fantastic. It was the perfect balance between a nice chicken broth and bean soup. The texture on the beans was perfect as well--just enough bite to stay separate from the other elements. 3. The cheesy piquillo peppers (I forget what the name of this was): so rich, so creamy, so much cheese. This was a gut bomb, but very tasty. If you like mixing red tomato sauce with cheese and Spanish flavors, get it. 4. The garlic gulf shrimp: Not my favorite. In fact, I wouldn't get it again or recommend it. Way, way, way too garlicy. 5. The Cuban Combo: I'm one the fence about this one. The plantain was the same sort of semi-sweet, tangy flavor you'd expect. The rice was fine. The problem, I think, was the incredibly dry pork. I don't think I'd get it again because it was the sort of dish that brags about being everything at once, but then can't quite do any one thing well enough because it's, well, trying to do everything at once. Also, it was waaaaaaaaaaay too expensive for what you get ($26). Overall, I went there twice on a business trip because I loved the peppers and Spanish soup so much, I had to come back for more. And the ambiance, which really is the best part of the entire experience.
(4)Julisa L.
Friendly staff. Very authentic Cuban food. We got so much food but we managed to devour everything! We ordered the 1905 salad, crab croquettes, and seafood paella. We wanted to try the Cuban sandwiches as well but I guess they forgot to put in our order. :( Definitely recommend the salad and the paella! The decoration of the restaurant is really cute as well, totally has the Cuban feel. To finish, we also had the flan which was creamy and sweet just right.
(5)Kalvin K.
I'll be honest... I had high hopes for this restaurant after hearing about it from many people. The food here is mediocre -- not sure why it is so highly rated. Having lived in Miami for five years, this place is no comparison to some of the delights found a few hours away. The maduro was okay but the fish and rice I had were bad. Definitely will not return.
(2)Amber H.
This is one of my favorite restaurants. The building is so old and beautiful. The outside is kept up to a pristine condition, every time a tile breaks it gets fixed promptly, in order to maintain the authentic beauty. The inside is gorgeous. I love the 1905 salad, which is enough for a whole family to split. I love their chicken and yellow rice and their ropa vieja. The sangria is authentic and amazing. The service was courteous and prompt. I absolutely love the history behind this place (it is Tampa's oldest restaurant). If you enjoy the food, you can buy a recipe book at the gift shop that is connected. You can also get one of those big pitchers for sangria.
(5)Jamie W.
Not sure what the big hype is about Columbia Restaurant located in Ybor City? The entree's is pricey for what it's worth and how it's made. My family were customers here in the previous past and I was treated like second class because I had a white t shirt and jeans on and the staff wanted me to wear a shirt that had writing on it cause the shirt I had on offended a customer and staff? What is wrong with a plain white t shirt not everyone knows what everyone else likes. Some of the other customers were like what is wrong with him wearing a plain white t shirt the staff who work there didn't have a answer just put this shirt on kind of reply. Columbia Restaurant offers plenty of seating with a full bar located in the middle of the restaurant. The service from the staff is hit and mess some are fast pace and won't wait always in a rush trying to get the customer to order a high end entree or drink specialty and some of the other staff take their time with you and always answer your questions. Yes, what do I know about five star or four star dining at a classy dining? Is because my family are use to high end dining we lived all over the United States we been a customer of some of the high end restaurants that are five star ratings. Such places in Laguna Beach, San Fransisco California, Miami - South Beach, Florida and some other restaurants located around the United States. Columbia Restaurant is about a two star rating due to the snotty attitude, cost of the entree and not cooked. Personally they can loose the attitude. Take my review for what it's worth.
(2)Julian I.
This venue is a historic Tampa hot spot. The decor is traditional Spanish and fluctuates room to room. Would be a great spot for an event...wedding or large party. Service was average as we got a Caucasian waitress who didn't seem very knowledgeable of the menu. However the food was amazing! Would recommend the mojito too
(5)Diana A.
Don't know why this place is still liked. I used to love their paella. I recently went again. The paella sucked. Not flavorful. And rice was undercooked. For the price I expected something that would blow other places with paella out of the water! Like before when I used to come.The service was incredibly horrible. On the good note the bread pudding was delish . BUT I am hopping it was just a bad night
(3)Shannon M.
This place is alright, can't really go wrong with Cuban food but i think it's more hype and atmosphere. Carmine's right down the road from here is amazing and better.
(3)Lisa S.
A Tampa institution with a lot of history, we went there for lunch the day after Thanksgiving and it was packed! I love the old fashioned decor. The room we ate in was decorated with red velvet walls. I love how they bring everyone your own huge slice of warm Cuban bread. We had the house sangria and the Cuban sandwich and the famous 1905 salad. All delicious!
(4)Christina R.
Off the bat this place is stunning. The decor is spot on gosh darn beautiful - you feel as if you've left florida and jetsetted to a Spanish inspired mega villa. So five stars there. I had high hopes for the food and it really left me wanting more. The paella looked stunning but really was quite average, not enough seasoning and the scallops were over and the chicken dry. The tapas were good not great. I will say the mojito was excellent- fresh and sweetened with a sugar cane stick. I did go really late in the evening but that shouldn't be an excuse.
(3)Maggie A.
A Tampa classic and with it being named "One of Florida's Top Restaurants" since 1967, how can you go wrong? Their sangria is authentic and flavorful. & of course you can't go wrong with the classic "1905 salad." Also, one of the few places that has white asparagus, which was one of my favorite things that came with a salad while I lived in Spain. My favorite location is the Ybor one in Tampa, mainly for the scenery and atmosphere. Beautiful tiles surround the outside while inside makes you feel like you stepped into Spain for the day.
(5)Magnus T.
It a lovey place to eat sadly I been very disappointed in the food the past visits and today my moms friend tool her there and she game me the left overs and in what seem to be meatloaf sandwich it has a piece of bone in it which I expect in a cheep TV dinner not in a Restaurant as it means there using really crappie quality meat
(1)Christopher C.
Awesome food in the middle of Ybor city. Excellent service and a great start of an evening out in Tampa
(4)Sherri R.
This is a Tampa icon. The restaurant has been in business for a couple of generations as it started in 1905. It has won a number of honors including a national award. It is beautifully done to the period. The chandelier in the main dining room is beautiful. Walk through the restaurant if you can and check out the art and artifacts. I bring all first time guests here and they always have a good time. We pay the $6 each for the flamenco show. It is pretty good for a restaurant show. It isn't the Rockets...but the dance company is pretty good. And they change the show every few months. The restaurant is usually crowded every night. As such, the service is their week spot. It is usually acceptable, but it is not going to wow you. The food presentation is always nicely done and several items are prepared tableside. The sangria is really good. I prefer the champagne (or white) sangria of the two. All of my guests rave about the sangria. So it is the best selection no matter what you order. If you want a salad, I recommend the 1905 Salad. It is chocked full of ham, swiss cheese, tomotoes and olives. If you want to make a meal of it, I suggest the shrimp. Hopefully you like garlic as the dressing is what makes the salad! As a tomato lover, I also higly recommend the Beefsteak Tomato salad. The dressing is super flavorful. The tomatoes are so fresh that you can take it home and eat it the next day for even more intense flavors. The tapas offer a lot of variety. I like the Empanadas. The crust is nicely done and the corn salsa is the perfect topping. I also like the calamares fritas. They are tasty and tender. The albondigas (meatballs) are also very flavorful with a sauce that is both Italian and Spanish in flavor. I usually don't get paella as I don't care for seafood that much. All of my friends that like seafood have the Paella Espanola. They rave about it. If I have paella, I usually order the Paella Campesina. It is chocked full of different meats and I love the chorizo in it. The green beans add a nice texture and additional flavor. The rice can sometimes be underdone, but in general, it is good. The flavors all work together well. The portions are huge...so plan on taking some home or sharing. If you want a vegetarian option, I recommend the Eggplant Riojana. It is nicely breaded in plantain chips and then smothered in sauce of tomatoes, garlic, capers and olives. It is a flavor dance on your taste buds! The evening is not complete if you don't try the white chocolate bread pudding. I highly recommend eating it as soon as it is served. It is good as leftovers, but not quite as good as when it is first served. It is one of the best bread puddings I've ever had...even ones served in New Orleans! Make a reservation...especially if you want to see the show.
(4)Stephanie H.
My fiance and I met some of his family here for dinner - we ended up there for dinner & the show. Wow - such fun! We ordered the sangria and tapas and all were so good. It was hard to pick what to have because the menu was so The sangria was fruity, the wine the waiter recommended was a good price and just dry enough. The 1905 salad was a nice mix - so good that I thought about buying the dressing. The Calamari tapas were HUGE and not greasy at all like it can be sometimes. The Albondigas were tender and the tomato sauce was not too heavy. The flamenco show was fun - that group sure does know how to dance. My only complaint was the waiter rushed us out after the show to accommodate for the next seating. It would have been nice to linger while we finished our drinks rather than all of a sudden feel ike unwanted guests.
(4)Steven S.
There's a lot of history that comes with a joint like this. And it looks the part. I believe it's considered a permanent fixture in Ybor and has spread beyond with several other locations. This location (I think their primary) was very appointed. Tastefully, or not, is a matter of personal opinion, but someone definitely put work into establishing a look for the place. The service at the front was very cordial and professional. We didn't have reservations when we went and that was not an issue. It was the middle of the day on a Sunday. The menu was very articulate about the food. What it lacked in pictures (always a fun way to decide what to eat) it made up for in verbose explanations on the item and occasionally its history. The food was tasty although the preparation seemed too simply performed (READ: Not fancy enough for my fancy ass), but I enjoyed it. Portions were good. Dessert was fantastic. Bread pudding. Knock you straight into a coma good. Service was overall very good. They strive to be professional and are not some college kids trying to make some extra beer money. All in all, I think this restaurant is a great place to be with friends or even on a date. Food wasn't the greatest, but it makes up for it with individual charm, service, and bread pudding.
(4)Robin C.
What an experience...!!! For anyone interested in great food with a rich historical background then this place is for you. For over 100 years this restaraunt has been owned/operated by the same family originally from Cuba. There is a ton of literature in the lobby to read up on - if you can stop staring at all the gorgeous decor and hand painted tiles!! The tiles cover both the inside and outside, and each dining room has a different theme but all very much Latin flavored. Learning about the family and their story over the years was really a nice bonus to the evening. We went in hoping for good food but were even more pleasantly surprised to find a flamenco group performing in the main dining area!! Outstanding. They performed every hour, and I recommend calling ahead to find out the schedule, but if you want to sit in the room they perform in be ready for it to be louder. So now onto the food... Wow. I had the Snapper Adilante and we had the famous 1905 salad to begin with. (I don't eat meat anymore but do eat fish on occasion). I was able to easily pick out the ham in the salad - the salad was SO GOOD. That really is a must. The snapper was delicious with a Spanish gravy, two sweetly breaded shrimp, onions, green peppers and two breaded eggplants. I didn't care for the eggplant but I'm not big on breaded/fried things. Otherwise delicious. It also came with a side of their saffron rice which was delicious. I went with 6 people and everyone enjoyed their food - paella, steak, tapas and chicken. My son had the steak and macaroni and cheese off the kid's menu. The steak was a thinly sliced flank and he ate every last bite of both announcing that he wanted to come back every day! We shared a few bottles of a Torres Pinot Noir which was just perfect. Dessert for me was the key lime pie - so delicious with a firm almost cheesecake -like texture and very tart. We all shared bread pudding (to die for) and the churros with caramel, chocolate and guava dipping sauces. YUM. The service was wonderful and attentive and we all loved taking turns sneaking into the main room to watch the flamenco dancers between courses. This is now going to be a permanent fixture in my trips to Tampa!!
(5)Francisco M.
This is my first visit to this Columbia location and like the other locations we were disappointed with the quality of the food. The service was very good and our waiter was very attentive to our needs but the food is a different story. We began with the Gambas Al Ajillo and it was just ok. The genuine Gambas Al Ajillo for those of you that have been to Spain are not big in size or spicy, these were both. The garlic gives it the flavor it needs, no need to add peppers to it. I ordered the special of the day which was the Churrasco with chimichurri and white rice and it was not what I expected. The meat was tough and it was definitely not Churrasco. It was not grilled, the size was very small and it lacked that flavor you come to expect from a Churrasco. I have had Churrasco in Cuban restaurants in Miami and it does not compare in taste, size or flavor. It's extremely rare to find a Cuban restaurant that serves you white rice with no black beans but now I can say I found one. My wife had the Grilled Cuban Pork and I had to try it. It was very bland and chewy. Cuban pork is suppose to be tender with mountains of flavor that comes from hours of seasoning. The Yuca was rock hard and that's always a sign that its not fresh or made to order. We decided to end with the Brazo Gitano Dessert. The menu said flambee at the table and it came up short. A little liquor on top of a cold cake with whipped cream accompanied by a small flame and that was it. They do get an 'A' for the wine list, they have thousands of choices to pick from but they need to make their list easier to look through. They have over 200 pages of wines and it takes awhile to look through. For those of you who think this is authentic SPANISH Food from Spain, I'm sorry but you are dead wrong. No way does it compare to traditional restaurants you find in Spain, this is well below Spanish standards. I lived in Spain for many years and the only restaurant that comes somewhat close to Authentic Spanish cuisine is Casa Juancho in Miami. Columbia offers a handful of Spanish inspired dishes but overall it's Cuban and not very genuine. Why do you think they don't have a Columbia location in South Florida/Miami? They cannot compete with the authentic Cuban restaurants you find scattered through Little Habana. On a side note, the front of the house needs to learn to be more people friendly because they seemed very cold towards people. Smiling is all it takes to make a good impression. If you can't deliver on that, you shouldn't be hostess.
(2)Crystal C.
Absolutely overrated, and over priced restaurant. The service and food are equally awful. I am use to paying high prices at restaurants, and do not mind as long as the food and service are of quality, which is not the case with this restaurant. I recently dined a the Columbia for a friend's birthday, ordered a simple salad, in which the lettuce was wilted and the croutons were soggy. I wish I could say my salad was the only meal that was disappointing, but I can't. The birthday girl's cousin ended up having to send back her chicken because it was dry and the sides were lumpy. The quality of food is something that you find at a neighborhood restaurant, not a supposedly high end restaurant. The service was equally as terrible, if not worse. The waiter completely ignored one of the guests and did not take his drink order at all,our entrees were mixed up, and when specifically asked for one check, separate checks were given, (that is when the checks finally came, it took easily over a 1/2 an hour to receive our checks). With that all being said, the Columbia is checked off my list, and will not put it back on. I do have to say the mosaics are beautiful in the restaurant
(2)Tim m.
Not too happy. Friend had the Marilyn and Joe and it was very good, I had the Pompano Fish dish and it was so dry I couldn't eat it. According to the menu, it was supposed to be with a butter garlic egg yolk sauce but came put with nothing. After a few minutes the waiter returned and I asked about the sauce, he said he didn't understand why it came out without the sauce. I explained it was very dry expecting the waiter to offer a new dish but nothing but a small cup of cold sauce to pour on top. I only managed less than half of the meal, the waiter asked if I wanted a doggie bad and I said that I couldn't eat it because it was so dry. I even asked the waiter to try to cut it with a fork and he even said that it was hard. The only offer from the waiter was he was going good to tell the chef that the meal was bad. No offer to take it off the bill, in fact the only offer was a free flan. I told them to keep it. This is not the first time we had a bad meal at the Columbia but it sure was my last. $100 for dinner for two, what a waste of money! Never again!
(1)Sunshine M.
Overall a great place, great atmosphere and good food. The seating is kind of cramped. I expected the food to better for the pricing and with all of the hype about this restaurant, but I am sure I will go there again.
(4)Robert O.
The Columbia is Florida's oldest restaurant. It is absolutely delightful! I look forward to dining here whenever I am in town. Nestled on 7th Avenue in the heart of Ybor City, The Columbia offers a wonderful atmosphere to enjoy a relaxing meal. This is cigar city and the restaurant sells its own. This is the only place I ever shared a cigar with my father. It was a wonderful experience. We had purchased some hand-rolled cigars down the street and enjoyed them after a fine late-afternoon meal here. I am a fan of Pompano and The Columbia's Pompano en Papillot is stellar. The yellow rice served at the restaurant is outstanding. In addition I have enjoyed the Snapper "Alicante", which is a signature dish.
(5)Kelly G.
We went on a Friday night and it was loud, crowded and they really rushed us in and out. Food was decent but the atmosphere completely ruined the meal.
(2)Marales Q.
This place is a classic. Lots of history. Marilyn and Joe dined here. We came for an early dinner and were served by a waitress that had to have 40 years' tenure. She prepared our 1905 salad tableside with expert hands and was attentive. My husband & I shared the huge small-size 1905 before dinner. Usually not a fan of vinaigrette, I found the dressing delicious. I had the beef saltado, something I rarely get and which I particularly love, having enjoyed the Peruvian version while living on the east coast. My husband had a good paella. The bread...delicious. My husband liked the Sangria...I'm generally not a fan, so I tried it and gave mine to him. But, if you like Sangria, I'd say this is the place.
(4)Shannon C.
I was super excited to try authentic Cuban food while visiting the area.... Let's start there. The area is fun!! I wasn't so much a fan of Tampa in general but I did like Ybor. Great Vibe. We arrived for the 6:30 flamenco show, that we all loved. The hostesses were extremely nice! We were seated just in time to order before the show started. Our waitress, I think her name was Chrissy, HATED her job that night. I asked for a wine recommendation for a Pinot noir and she quickly pointed out that they only offer one type for a glass price. I should have gotten the mojito or the white sangria that looks fabulous! As you will read from the other reviews the salad is a MUST!!! The eggplant was great! Our service killed our experience, I would have loved to have had someone who was passionate about the place, be our server and explain the menu. Bummed out! Eeeek.... And when flying out of Tampa saw that they were putting a Columbia in the airport... .totally killed it for me.
(3)Todd B.
This is the oldest Spanish restaurant in the U.S., and it feels as authentic as it is old. Yes, it's a touristy place, but the place and food are both extraordinary. The service was excellent, and I was impressed with the extensive menu. Everything sounded enticing, but I settled on the 1905 salad and the Mahi Mahi. The salad was made in front of my eyes, and the "small" was in heaping portions. The Mahi Mahi with a crust and creamy citrus sauce was one of the three best fish dishes I've ever experienced, and I almost returned during my trip just to have it again. I had a lot of fun and enjoye everything about The Columbia. It's a must for any trip to Tampa.
(4)Erica D.
Before I start the review, I want to say: if you go here and want Paella, call and order it ahead if they will let you....or else know that it will take a full 30 minutes to get it (we all would have ordered it but were starving when we got to the restaurant. Had we known, we would have seen if we could have them start it so when we got there it wouldn't have been such a wait...not sure if they would do that or not) I have been to some unbelievable and beautiful restaurants but this one beat all...on all levels. It was truly not just a meal but AN EXPERIENCE. We went on a Wednesday afternoon around 2-3pm-ish. Atmosphere & Decor: Oh...My....God. It was all Spanish and gorgeous...Spanish tile everywhere. My description wouldn't do it justice...here is their photo gallery: columbiarestaurant.com/g… We ate in the Patio Dining Room. It was just beautiful. Immaculate and kept up well. Food: I had the Spanish Bean Soup, hot Cuban bread, Chicken and yellow Rice "Ybor" and White chocolate Bread Pudding for dessert. It was all delicious. I am a bread pudding fan and this was BY FAR the best bread pudding I have ever had. I couldn't eat the rum sauce so I asked them for vanilla bean sauce instead. DELICIOUS!! The people I went with also had Spanish Bean Soup but they ordered the Shrimp Supreme, Ropa Vieja and Salteado...they all chose to have the Guava Turnover for dessert. They loved everything. I tried the Salteado and Guava turnover and both were delicious. At the next table, they ordered the "Columbia's Original 1905 Salad" I swear it could feed 5-6 people and they wouldn't leave hungry. It costs only $10.95! If I am not mistaken (I could be a little off about the amount of cheese but I am pretty sure it is correct), they use a POUND (total) of 2 different cheeses on the salad! I asked the lady how she enjoyed it when they were done and she said it was amazing. Cost: I found the cost to be REALLY reasonable. Four of us had soup, an entree, dessert and coffee or tea. The bill came to $115 + Tip. Service: Excellent. Our waiter was Jim and he could not have been nicer or more accommodating. Entertainment: They have flamenco shows (one of the people I dined with has been to one and said it was great) but we couldn't time it so we could see one. After dinner, I said I wanted to explore the restaurant. It was just blowing me away. So, we started to walk around some of the rooms and a waitress came over to ask if she could help us. I said "Well, we are pretending we are lost but really we just want to see what the rest of the restaurant looks like!" She smiled and said "Well...you can go upstairs too if you want" We excitedly went up the stairs (just stunning) and in one of the rooms, we came across a wonderful man. He asked if he could help us. I said "We are exploring this beautiful restaurant." Instead of ushering us out the door, he said "Well, if you have the time, I would be happy to give you a tour." Um...YEAH! He then took us around for about 15 minutes and showed us every room...INCLUDING THE KITCHEN! I wish Gordon Ramsay would make a visit to this place...he would be SO IMPRESSED. Everything was immaculate and stored separately and dated (yeah, I watch a lot of Gordon Ramsay...actually Kitchen Nightmares is on my TV right now!). It was like a well oiled machine in that kitchen. My boyfriend was extra impressed because it was such an impromptu tour...there was absolutely no time to warn the kitchen that there were guests arriving. The tour guide seemed really proud of the kitchen...and with good reason. He told us the history of the restaurant, showed us pictures on the wall and about the people in the pictures. It was really fascinating. At the end of the tour, I joked and said "I now have a REALLY important question...where is the gift shop?!" expecting him to point us in the right direction. This guy led us across the restaurant, OUT THE FRONT DOOR into the heat (I could not believe he would willingly leave the A/C of the restaurant!), down about 1/2 a block and into the gift shop. We all thanked him and he left. We then asked the sales woman at the gift store what his name is. Turns out he is one of the owners! He was so low-key, calm and nice. I was surprised he was the owner (in a good way...I guess I would have expected the owner of a restaurant like that wouldn't actually be there or would be there in an office somewhere.) I once read that customers who have a good experience will tell at least 2 people, while a customer who has a bad experience will tell at least 10 people. So, I decided I wanted to tell at least 10 people of my good experience So, first thing this morning, I told everyone at work. Turns out one colleague was in Clearwater, Florida last week and had dinner at one of their other restaurants! She raved about it. Tonight I will tell my parents, who will be in Tampa in June.
(5)Mark L.
It's such a famous spot, the atmosphere is great, the shrimp in garlic sauce was great but not enough shrimp (like5), the chorizo app was very tasty. But most important, the imported sangria is phenomenal!!!
(4)Dayna B.
Everything was ABSOLUTELY delicious! Loved the atmosphere and the food! Will likely visit this restaurant every time I'm in Ybor (even though I try to make it a policy not to visit the same restaurant twice in a new city!)
(4)Susan J.
wow! i googled where to eat when i was in tampa for a conference and this place came up. i was salivating over the menu before i even got here. it was a sunday afternoon and i needed to get some handrolled cigars for the husband. after that i walked to the famous columbia restaurant and boy it did not dissapoint. I got seated near the fountain in the middle and ordered the el combo de cuba. chunks of roast pork, beef, plantains, black beans and rice. delicious! the waiter was fantastic; he filled my water w/o asking and was always checking for any signs of distress. and the bread roll..yes, the butter was spreadable and at room temp...signs of a great restaurant! can't wait to come here again if ever in ybor city!
(5)Fritz E.
If you're in Ybor City and looking for a Spanish restaurant, head to the Columbia & avoid the over-priced & unflavored La Tropicana. The food is reliably good but not what someone would call cutting edge Spanish food like what has been going on Spain for many years. If you want better tasting Spanish food, look at some of my other reviews for a couple of great options. One time as part of a large group meal, I ordered a seafood platter which had a lobster tail. It was raw. They took the tail back and brought another. That 2nd tail was raw (the lobster meat is clear not white). Manager comes over says he will personally handle it this time. By now my tablemates are ordering flan & coffee. 3rd lobster tail and delivered by the manager...I cut it open with the manager hovering over my shoulder...RAW, RAW RAW - I SWEAR on all my Yelp reviews. The manager grabs the plate, huffs & puffs away, comes back minutes later, I could care less at this point and want to go home. The lobster was not raw. Now it was so overcooked I could have used to hammer in a nail on the pretty walls at this restaurant. I had forgotten about this event until I started to write this review. Mind you, that was over 5 years ago but it was sad & comical. And yes, I was charged for the inedible lobster tail seafood platter ( This is a place for Sangria, Garbanzo soup, fried fish, watch the Castanet dancers, listen to Spanish band, enjoy some Spanish wine and try their version of the Cuban Sandwich so you can engage with others in the never ending conversation about the best Cuban Sandwich in the Tampa area (hold the salami for me...YUCH!!!) Great place to just walk in and enjoy the decorations of this vast restaurants during an afternoon of strolling along La Septima (please just because someone incorrectly spelled it La Setima many years, why do we have to insist on incorrectly naming the street...)
(2)Naima W.
Columbia is one of my favorite restaurants in Tampa and I usually dine here at least once every time I am in town. The 1905 salad is incredible and the red sangria is really good. The entrees are usually decent but I really come for the salad and sangria!
(4)Alex H.
Classic Cuban / Spanish food and atmosphere. The experience is wonderful and historic, though very noisy. The food was average - not bad, but not fantastic, either.
(3)Andrea R.
New Years Eve dinner is a production wherever you choose to dine. After I couldn't get my party of 10 a reservation at Berns (sad!), my fam thought Columbia may be fun. And yes, this place sure is fun! There are many decorative rooms to dine in (I got lost finding my way back from the restroom) and they even give you an option of seeing some sort of show. I figured dinner and drinks with my crazy family was enough of a show for us. We were seated at 9:15 for our 8:30pm reservations, but I guess that's to be expected on New Years Eve. I loved the cool looking red room they put us in- very festive for a special night of ringing in '10. Unfortunately, I didn't find the food or service to be anything to write home about. I've had better sangria, although you wouldn't know it based on the several pitchers I downed. Hey, it was New Years Eve! We tried all 4 appetizers listed on the special New Years eve menu and the crab croquettes was the only one that really excited me. For my entrée I had the Pampano, which was a bit too fishy tasting for me. Our waitress didn't seem thrilled to be working on New Years Eve. Can't say I blame her, but she could have done a better job of faking it....especially since it's a big tip night! Dessert was the best part of the meal. While most of the table ordered the flan I decided to try the white chocolate bread pudding. So worth the extra lbs I'd have to tack on to my New Years resolution. The best part of the meal was the company...especially after several pitchers of sangria. No need to see a show with my family!
(3)Lauren H.
Fantastic food, service, and entertainment with the flaminco dancers. You have to pay a little more to sit in the dining room where the dancers are but its soo worth it.
(4)John Y.
A few years ago, I went to Columbia's new-ish outpost in Celebration, that creepily antiseptic, "Truman Show"-esque town outside of Orlando conceived by Disney. And despite its locale, I had an enjoyable experience at the restaurant. So when I found myself walking the streets of Tampa's Ybor City, I passed by many other restaurants to get to this institution. It was a Friday night, jam-packed. I was solo, so I sat at the bar. The bartender was really hustling, so I knew patience would be a virtue. I settled on two shrimp tapas -- I wasn't super hungry -- and they hit the spot. One was amazingly garlicy and peppery... dipping the Cuban bread into the remaining oil was heaven. The other was grilled and flavorful. The atmosphere is energetic, and the place is a true institution. It's worth the trip, and the wait.
(4)George K.
I never miss stopping here when I'm in Tampa. The food is always great. On this visit the service was less than expected. I asked the person who served our dinners for more butter, it never arrived. No one returned to the table nor was I able to get the attention of our waiter, he seemed to disappear, until we were finished dinner. The waiter asked if we wanted coffee, we ordered Cafe con Leche. It took forever to come. We were getting up to ask for our check to leave when our check and the Cafe con Leche finally arrived. When it came the waiter said they were making it differently and it might be weak. We tasted it and it was weak he told us he would bring another shot of expresso to add. The expresso never arrived. The attention to detail by the servers has deteriorated. The food will probable bring me back the servers were not up to par at any restaurant. I hope this is not a sign of what's coming at the Columbia.
(4)Frank G.
I expected to be wowed -- I wasn't. Columbia delivered a decent meal, and I've checked this place off the Tampa tourist bucket list, so I'm still glad we came. Our meal started off great with a couple of tapas (appetizers) and sangria. The albondigas (meatballs), pollo al ajillo (garlic chicken), and empanadas (filled with beef) all delivered on flavor. I think we would have been better off just ordering a ton of tapas and few more pitchers of sangria and called it a night. Entrees were meh, two stars. The paella was a let-down. I don't really have much experience with this dish, but I was expecting something totally awesome. Ingredients seemed a little sparse; the calamari, for example, was two tiny tentacles. It wasn't bad, just merely fine -- but for $25, I wanted more than "fine." One of my colleague's boliche was dry, and none of the others raved about their entrees as they did the tapas. Desserts were good. The key lime pie was smooth and flavorful; the flan was just flan. Nothing I haven't had a dozen times before. Regardless of the food, the two big things working against Columbia were the price and the service. The food is pretty costly, which doesn't particularly bother me, but should be matched by the quality throughout the entire meal, and spot-on service. Our waitress, Cindy, was not very attentive. She had an "assistant," I'm guessing a trainee, but the two were not working in synch. We ordered dessert, but before it arrived, we were given our bills and wished a good night. We had to remind her that he had, in fact, not gotten our dessert yet. The other thing about the service that bothered me was that despite having a reservation, we were seated in the bar area. It was loud, and drinkers were basically hovering over our table for the first half of our meal. The place was pretty full, and we were hungry, so we took took the table. But I feel that if I bother to make a reservation, you should at least give me a real table. If you're visiting Tampa, I would definitely go here for the tapas and a few drinks, just so you can have the experience. The old building is really neat. Be sure to make a reservation, it was crowded even on a Wednesday night!
(3)Mal C.
Oldest and largest Spanish restaurant in the United States. How awesome is that?! The Flamenco dancing was so fun! If you're in town, you should definitely pay extra to see the show. The food was also delicious. I had the palomilla, which was delicious with the chopped onion and taste of fresh lime juice. Afterward, pick up some cigars in their cigar shop and learn about the history of Ybor!
(4)Carlos H.
Columbia is a good restaurant and the show is still amazing but in my last visit today I went without the show and it really is not the same. I ordered a palomilla steak and it came out cold and dry with the lime dried out. I only got a handful of french fries and two plaintains for $17.95. Really it looked like a lunch entree and I still felt hungry after eating it. The same thing happened at the Columbia in Sarasota, so I guess its a chain decision to cut back on the amount of food they are serving to guests. If they want to do that then they should lower the prices. Service was decent and acceptable though the waiter took forever to bring out the check.
(3)J B.
Nothing fancy - old architecture and great salad. Their Cuban sandwich is by far the best in Tampa Bay. $10 for the sandwich and $5 for a salad and poof... Instantly full.
(3)Lily H.
Columbia is Florida's oldest restaurant. It has been running under the same family for many many generations. The building has tiles and things that were made in Spain. It's really a beautiful and magnificent building to look at and take pictures of. They have one room with a stage that have flamenco dance show I believe on the weekend nights. But in need to make reservations if you want to sit in that room. You can also just stand when the show comes on. This location is the flagship restaurant and is probably the most beautiful of all the locations. It's my favorite location at lease and is the place I always bring visitors to. However I won't like, it's not the best hispanic food in this area, but there are items that I like quite a bit and hardly ever deviate. First off, if you want the sangria, make sure you get the pitcher... I think the pitcher taste better and they make it in front of you at the table. Then make sure you get a 1905 Salad....it's really good... I'm usually scraping my plate to make sure I get everything. Then, for the entree, get the Paella "A la Valenciana" which come with clams, mussels, shrimp, scallops, calamares, chicken and pork. Always a winner here. I usually never have room after that so I don't think I have ever tried the dessert even though I've been at this restaurant millions of time and even have been to the St. Pete and St. Armands Circle locations numerous times. I'm not too fond of anything else on the menu. I've tried them, but just a bit disappointing and so I always stick to my usuals, therefore I always enjoy my visits here. They have expanded and other than this flagship restaurant, they have locations in St. Armands Circle in Sarasota (also now oldest restaurant in Sarasota), the Historic District in St. Augustine, The Pier in Downtown St. Petersburg, Sand Key on Clearwater Beach, Town of Celebration in Central Florida, the Columbia Cafe on the Riverwalk in Tampa and as of summer 2012, they have a are at the Tampa International Airport! I just found out about the one at the airport and I'm quite excited about trying it next time I travel in or out from there!! If you only have one location to try from, you must go to the Ybor location to see the historical site for yourself!
(4)Collin S.
Full disclosure, on my last trip they gave me a tour of the place for free. Caesar Gonzmart, he of the 4th generation to run this landmark, walked us around the 12 different dining rooms and the back of the house for about an hour. As a longtime Tampanian, it was a such a pleasure learn even more about the history of the Columbia, and how it ties with the history of the city. Of course those ties are inexorable, but there were things I didn't even know... like it was just a saloon until prohibition began in 1920! I never knew the amount of hard work and thought went into the design of each of the different dining rooms. Not just created for function, each are named and themed in a different manner. We also got a kitchen tour, and one of the more amazing things is that just one kitchen serves all those different rooms. And the bread still comes from La Segunda multiple times a day. Then they served us lunch, and as usual it was amazing. Arroz con pollo, 1905 salad, and flan were all their usual deliciousness. Ambassador Limo is now offering this tour for $45 a person, and they'll pick you up and drop you off at Westshore Mall. I can't recommend the tour enough, even for a Columbia regular, and for tourists, no restaurant defines any city like the Columbia does Tampa. It's a great chance to see how this place became not only a successful restaurant, but also a living museum that continues to be a part of our city today.
(5)Merv R.
Damn good food, and the setting is excellent for large groups because of the open atmosphere. Valet parking available and relatively inexpensive. Our group had the tapas mariscos and it came within 10 minutes after our bread and sangria. The shrimp was just right and the scallops at the bottom of the three tier platter weren't left alone for long. Buttery garlicy goodness all over the place. A heavy breading kept the scallops succulent and the bread was the perfect medium to soak all the juices with. Don't eat your bread immediately! I ordered the Delmonico steak medium rare and it was beautifully prepared. It arrived with yellow rice which was flavorful and complimented the steak. Surprised at the almost non existent side of vegetables, I didn't mind since I came for the steak and was expecting no less. Order a side of roughage if you are health conscious. My girl had the pan seared snapper and the sauce definitely held the dish together. The rest of her plate went well together, but I wasn't allowed privvy to all of it, heck- I have my steak done to perfection anyway. Our two friends each ordered the paella (allot 30 minutes prep time) and they came out with the rest of our dishes. They looked amazingly good, with the rice just plump enough, the seafood done to a good texture and the aroma to match. Dessert came in the form of a fiery cake (a little disappointed in the flavor profile) which consisted of sponge cake covered in a marshmallow type icing and then flamed. There was a heaping of strawberry sauce on top which didn't make up for taste but made up a little more of the wow factor. I suggest you don't order it and just watch another table for the fire show. I think this was the main reason why we ordered it anyways. Ha! Gullible people! The chocolate cake was just ok and it made me wish that I had ordered the flan instead. The food was average in my opinion, but the service and atmosphere made up for the rest of the experience. Also, being on awe at the large establishment also led me to give a higher rating since the service was pretty quick and on point. Will dine there again but not because of the food.
(4)Beth C.
Wow! What an experience! Amazing and authentic food and cocktails, over the top table service, and beautiful atmosphere! We will definitely be back next time we are in the area!
(5)Laura R.
The portions are HUGE! Everything is yummy and the service and ambiance play a BIG part in the experience. I recommend the sangria with champagne - great table side presentation!
(4)Ed B.
Recently had a disappointing visit to this Tampa restaurant. Started with the tackiest waitress I have ever encountered, and she continued till the end. My paella was only ok. I expected so much more from the Columbia. We have totally enjoyed the Sand Key restaurant in the past. For some reason, we only got 4 partial glasses of sangria from the "pitcher" we ordered. We never did see a pitcher. Mussels in appetizer were way too small. 1905 Salad was great as usual. Waitress forgot our request of a birthday candle in my sweethearts dessert. She took it upon herself to decide who paid what. When we told her that I was paying for sangria and appetizer trio, she commented that it was only a few dollars. I would not be surprised if our tips were not the smallest she gets. I am rarely tempted to leave no tip at all and I fought myself to leave more than she deserved, when normally I would have doubled the amount.
(1)Lizzy C.
When you eat at the Columbia you feel as though you have travelled back in time to old Spain. The authentic tiles, chandeliers, decor create a perfect atmosphere to match the menu. We enjoyed pitchers of Sangria (with lots of fruit...yum!) while waiting for our entrees & snacked on the warm cuban bread, which was so indulgent with the whipped butter. For dinner, I had the small 1905 salad, which the restaurant is semi-famous for. It was delicious & included baked ham, assorted cheeses & creamy garlic dressing. I also shared some tapas,...manchego stuffed peppers & empanadas, with a friend. They were excellent, as were the black bean cakes that I snuck a bite of. The service was friendly & professional, and did a great job splitting checks for the large group that we had. Would def return to Columbia.
(4)Jennifer M.
Had an amazing meal Saturday night. Everything was deleicious. The restaurant was noisy, but it is very large, and very popular, so there you go. I had the Filet and Shrimp, and it was very tasty, my daughter had the arroz con pollo and the serving was huge, but she loved it (said it was better then her Cuban boyfriend mom's version). My boyfriend had the Mahi with lump crab on top, it was very nice as well. The salad was amazing and the desert (Bread pudding) was FABULOUS! Can't wait to go back!
(5)M.A. S.
Ole ! Count me as a fan of this one ! Food was really good and priced right. The service was attentive and respectful. The show was so much fun ! If you are in the Tampa area and want some serious 'local flavor' ...you can't go wrong with this choice !
(4)Kirk L.
I came here with my coworkers for a team dinner as we were all in Tampa for a conference. The portion sizes were huge, but the food itself was not the best. The crab meat that is stuffed or topped on the grouper is not fresh and had an odd taste. The steaks were not cooked to medium, but overly tough. The tapas were unimpressive. The atmosphere tries to be historic, but looked cheap. The live flamenca dancers were a nice touch, but couldn't mask the food.
(3)Tim H.
Very good food, horrible service. I would give Columbia 4 stars if not for the horrendously slow and inattentive service. The food itself is clearly 4 stars in my opinion...authentic, fresh, and high quality ingredients. I had the half cuban sandwich and half 1905 salad for lunch. I would gladly eat both of them again. Their latin food is great here. The service wouldn't scare me from coming back here for a under $10 lunch. However, if dinner is a lot more expensive, I would expect a lot higher quality service. To elaborate on my thoughts of crappy service...it took me 30 minutes to get seated and waited on even though I got there at opening time on Sunday at noon and there was no line to get tables. Approximately 15 minutes to get seated even though many open tables and 15 minutes for the waitress to appear after the host seated me.
(3)Emilee Y.
My boyfriend and I took his parents out to dinner here and we all had a great time. We sat in the room to enjoy the flamenco dancing show and it was spectacular! I ordered a sangria, the 1905 salad, and the Marilyn & Joe Salteado. The food was excellent, but I wished I had ordered the ropa veija which I usually order and love,love,love! The fresh warm Cuban bread is too die for, and the guava turnover for dessert was perfect! Great place to take out of town guests for the best taste of some local flavor!
(4)R C P.
Excellent restaurant, even if you don't eat from their extensive variety of seafood and meat selections. We attended with a large number of vegetarians and ate everything family style, and wound up with a huge selection of food at a very reasonable price. Although the vegetarian selections are limited, they were all fantastic, especially the eggplant dish. The staff were so friendly and open to children, and were wonderful at recommending entrees. They were knowledgeable about the dishes and helped advise us about any ingredients which may not be suitable for members of the party. As far as the meat entrees, can I say, "Wow!" - what wonderful paella, tender chicken in the arroz con pollo, and lovely medium cooked steak tips. The tapas appetizers were delightful, especially the langosta flatbread and the stuffed piquillo peppers - oh the peppers were so tasty! The only thing that seemed 'ok' to me was the salad, but I do enjoy it for a nice balance with the meat and carbs selections!!
(5)Marc M.
This has been a family favorite for a number of years. There are several locations, but I believe this is the first/original. It is a sprawling complex of rooms. We were there on a rainy Monday night and they quoted an hour wait. Luckily, it did not take that long, but then again, I was on my 2nd sangria at the bar waiting and I was not feeling any angst! Let's start with the bread and butter. There is nothing better than INDIVIDUAL half-loaves of freshly-baked bread and the butter they serve - YUM! My mother in Ohio has mastered making their famous "1905 salad", which is good because I do not get to Tampa enough. This is their version of chopped salad, with the key-ingredients being mixed table-side. Normally, I would get the gazpacho soup, but this night I skipped right to their signature snapper dish. It was good, but way-too-much-food for me! Every dish on their extensive menu sounds good. My co-worker had a salmon dish that he loved. Finally, I would be remiss if I did not come back to the SANGRIA. They make it fresh and they key is that they have enough volume to really make this special. I drink the red, rather than the white (sweeter) variety. Four glasses of this throughout the 2 hour meal and I was in heaven!
(5)Parker E.
This place is a Tampa legend. I love their 1905 salad, and the paella is always great. If you get the full wine list they'll bring a large volume for you to drool over. Get a reservation for the flamenco show or sit in the garden. The servers that have been there the longest work in the garden, true professionals.
(5)Lucas F.
This place is loaded with history and is very nice to look at, so I suggest everyone go there once to experience it. But just once would be plenty I think. We had areservation and they seated us early which was very nice. First impressions were that the place is very neat to see, and very loud. Our table was absurdly small . Our place settings plus drinks took every inch the table had plus some. Our server was effective but was rather surly all night. WI started with a 1905 salad which were excellent. If I were to ever return I'd do this salad as an entree. Then wI moved on to the calamari which was average at best. The menu states "fresh" from Rhode Island, dusted in seasoned flour and lightly fried. The tentacle parts were gummy and difficult to eat or even cut, but the rings were good. The dipping sauce was good, it tasted like tartar sauce. The breading was a little heavy for me and was certainly way more than "seasoned flour". I had the Marilyn and Joe Salteado. This sounded like an excellent combination of beef, chicken, shrimp and pork with veggies and rice. What it actually was turned out to be was mostly the bits and ends of other cuts that were cooked to death. All of the meats were overcooked, tough and chewy. The slices of chorizo could have passed for jerky. The vegetables were the same way. The mushrooms were so overcooked that they were just tiny bits floating throughout. And and it just had almost no flavor to it at all. This was a 25$ dish that I wouldn't pay half of that for again. Dinner for two with a beer and a sangria came out to 110$ with the tip. It's a neat, but noisy atmosphere and below average food, which to me comes out to be a poor value for the money.
(2)David J.
The Columbia is an old Tampa staple that every resident should go to at least once just for the local history, not to mention everything else. The food is good, although I must admit that I have had better Spanish food. I have had excellent service every time I've been to the Columbia and our most recent server, Chris, continued that trend. The decor is absolutely beautiful and, with the number of dining rooms, it feels almost like being in a different restaurant each time. It's also well worth the few extra bucks to reserve a table in the room with the Flamenco dancers' show.
(4)Julie N.
The pork and chicken dishes my husband and I ordered were delicious. My post was tender and served hot. The empanadas tapas was also great. We watched the spanish dancers for $6 each and they were entertaining. Recommend the Columbia in Ybor to get the whole flavor of Tampa.
(4)John S.
By far my favorite place to eat. Love the 1905 salad and every other dish i've had here. I would eat here 2 times a month if my wife would go, but she's just not a fan of spanish food ! I love it.
(5)Dwain C.
I ate at the "Columbia Restaurant" in Ybor City (Tampa, FL) when I was there in 2011. I'd heard of it - and why not, it has been there since 1905. The building is unique but what really impressed me was the food. I thought that it was the best meal that I had in Tampa. The service was good as well.
(4)Laura J.
Columbia is where I take people visiting from out of town. It is a very impressive space with a knowledgable staff and seafood to die for, and unlike Burns, you get a more unique, local experience.
(5)Melissa A.
I tried to issue 31/2 stars but I could not make it work. I know its an option as I have seen other people give 1/2 stars, so if anyone is dope enough to know how, holla at me! On to the review. Went here for lunch on Memorial day after checking out the new IKEA. Went on a whim, as we drove by it and have had many nice meals at other locations (St. Pete and St. Augustine) I wanted to check this out because it is the "original" and we were right there. Service was very good and the building was very interesting. Good Sangria. I will say the food was a little underwhelming. I had the 1905 Salad, and what's not to like? A salad prepared tableside (sucker for that!) with ham and swiss cheese and then more cheese? Brown lettuce is what's not to like. I ordered the Paella and though it was prepared fresh (obvious because of the 30 minute wait, but the server did point that out, so no prob there) but it lacked the crispy bottom that I expect from an awesome Paella. And it just lacked seafood, 4 very small clams, and 4 medium size shrimp and that's all. Loaded with chicken though! Left wishing I had ordered a Cuban Sandwich and been done with it.
(3)Joe N.
Folks, don't waste your money, overrated, gory, premade cheap catered cafeteria food. Waiter tried hard to push drinks and expensive sea food entries. Food have a heavy aftertaste of vinegar, so bad had to purchased mouthwash on the way to home. It was a party of three and we hardly even touch our plate. Waiter came took our plates ALMOST full and did not even bother to ask how was it or why our plate were still full. Please, please please don't! 10/8/2011
(1)Chris K.
You can't go wrong. I would have to rate it as one of the top ten most impressive restaurants I have ever eaten at. It is somewhat pricey, but you are guaranteed an amazing meal and fun experience.
(5)Lehman V.
The best!!! Had best Cuban cusine would recommend without question. The Cuban bread was hot and fantastic tasting. Recommend the Cuban sandwich without question As well as the bean soup.
(4)Angie W.
First time trying Cuban food and I have to say I am now a fan. This place was awesome. We went there for a business dinner with a party of 7 and sat in the main area of the dining room near the stage. Wine was wonderful! Appetizer tower was great! Roasted pork was so tender you didn't need a knife. Too full for dessert, but willing to bet that would have been a hit too. The Flamenco dancers were a bit cheesy, but put on a nice show. It was the right length, not being too long, but enough to give us a little extra flavor. Would definitely go there again!
(4)Deb L.
A dining experience, spring for the extra $6 pp for the flamenco show while you eat but watch out for the server trying to slide in a $5 bottle of mineral water, unless you actually want it. For dinner we shared some black bean soup which was good, and then ordered several different chicken dishes. The arroz con pollo (chicken and rice) was the best of the bunch and quite a generous portion. Also had a mojito which was ok but not exceptional. A fun and interesting vacation night out.
(3)Christina K.
This restaurant had good reviews online and we were so excited to eat at the "oldest restaurant in Florida" but it was not good at all. The exterior of the restaurant is very quaint and had neat tile work all over. The interior is older but had an awesome Spanish feel and felt like we were in Spain. When we arrived, the Flamenco show was just ending but we were able to watch for a few minutes. It was fun and loud and definitely entertaining but then unfortunately we were escorted to our table. Had I known then what I know now about the meal, we would have watched the dancers and then dined elsewhere. We were told by an employee of the restaurant hat his absolutely favorite meal at this restaurant is the Paella a la Valencia. As one to always take recommendations, we decided to order it. We also order the Lobster croquettes and the queso. To start off the meal, we also ordered two glasses of the sangria. The sangria tasted like red and white wine poured over ice. Typically, sangria has fruit that has been soaking in it but this did not. It was not good and we did not enjoy it at all. The croquettes were mushy and tasted like they were a frozen item from Costco. There was a minimal amount of sauce served with them but they were not good at all. The queso was pretty good. It was a mixture of tomatoes and spices, topped with melted cheese. The tomatoes could have been from a can but it was good none the less. The best thing about our meal was the bread! They serve everyone a half loaf of hot, crusty bread. This was absolutely delicious! Now for the paella...in Spanish restaurants that I have been to, Paella usually takes 30-45 minutes. Knowing that, we ordered it as soon as we sat down. The Paella was delivered to our table after about 20 minutes. The food runner brought it out in a Paella dish and served it on to 2 plates for my friend and I. I could already tell that it was a weird color and it wasn't a very big portion. He set it in front of us and I was already unimpressed. The peas were previously frozen, the white asparagus that was laid on top was mushy and absolutely gross (it tasted like it was from a can), the chicken was inedible (it was extremely overcooked), there were baby shrimp mixed in (from a can), the scallops were overcooked and the rice was mushy!! Now, I will tell you that I cook all the time at home and I am pretty good at it. That is exactly why I order things at restaurants that I typically don't make at home. I was expecting an authentic and delicious party in my mouth from this dish and it did not happen. In fact, I only ate 1/4 of my dish and when the waiter FINALLY came over to our table, I told him that the Paella was not good and that everything was overcooked and did not have a good flavor at all. He said "Really?? Usually we have a problem with UNDERCOOKING the proteins in the Paella!" Are you kidding me?? So, obviously there is a problem in the kitchen. Our waiter did not offer us anything in place of it and even though I rarely send anything back to the kitchen and I NEVER expect anything for free/discount, I did expect an apology and did not get one. After leaving our water and sangria glasses empty for 15-20 minutes, he finally asked if we wanted another drink and we told him "no" and asked for the check. $60 for a below average meal is just disheartening, I could have easily gone elsewhere but this is supposed to be a staple in this area, really? Well, lesson learned. Maybe since the restaurant has been featured on Ghost Hunters, it has focused more on driving customers in then getting them to come back a second time due to the outstanding food and customer service. Oh well, I guess the search for an awesome restaurant in Tampa continues...
(1)Lam N.
The girlfriend found this place from yelp. When we went to Orlando we drove to tampa to try this place out. First off, I highly recommending getting a reservation since this place seemed like it can get really packed and fast! We ate there for lunch and was seated promptly. The parking situation there is very easy, they have a couple of parking lots to choose from and there was a guy in the parking lot directing traffic. Okay, let's start off with the food, we got the following: House Special Salad - This salad is the bomb - it's very intense.. if you cannot handle intense flavors this salad is not for you - they squeeze a whole lemon into the mixture and toss it right in front of you... the salad was exactly to my palate. I loved it - it had all the right flavors and was very intense in lemon juice. Sometimes I found myself feeling like i ate one of those sour candys that are suppose to make you clench up your face. Then we got this garlic shrimp dish - Shrimp "Al Ajillo" - man this was really good - the garlic was intense and the shrimp itself really flavorful. I even took the bread that we got and dipped it into the sauce to savor the taste of it. Ropa Vieja - my girlfriend and I shared this dish - although i wish we didnt... the rice and beans were the best part of this dish - i would have been completely satisfied if they just served us rice and beans. It was probably the best rice and beans that i've ever had... the dish also came with fried plantains, chicken, and a slice of what I thought was beef. Bread pudding - this bread pudding of theirs was good and tasty - the only thing that i wish it had was ice cream... If this place had some good ice cream that they could have placed over the bread pudding then this place would have gotten 5 stars! overall, i walked out of there very satisfied and full - If you haven't been and you're visiting - make sure you take some time out of your day to check this place out - you won't be sorry!
(5)Matt C.
fantastic place. came here for a business dinner, and luckily it was with a group that likes to share. tasted over 10 different dishes... all of them were outstanding, but standouts were the 'marilyn & joe' salteado and the filet mignon 'chacho'. best sangria i've ever had, prepared tableside. some of the best mojitos i've had as well, also prepared tableside. service was on point throughout, flamenco dancing in the dining room as we were leaving... fantastic experience.
(4)Samantha E.
Everyone in Tampa seems to be obsessed with the Columbia and I don't really know why. I have been here a number of times for "special" meals with friends and each time I am thoroughly disappointed. The food lacks flavor and depth and is overpriced to boot. You can find much better Latin and Cuban food in Tampa and not give into the hype.
(2)Kyme R.
On the weekends make a reservation. I wish we had opted to see the show. It looked entertaining and tables were roomier. We were seated in the indoor patio area which is kinda cramped downstairs and loud... But noise doesn't bother us. Get the 1905 Salad! It was delish but warning dressing was on the heavy side... But we like that too. Didn't care for the deviled crab croquettes but spicy mixed seafood entree with rice and/or pasta was enough for two.
(4)Austin P.
First I gotta give a shout out to Yelp! I found this place in a couple of clicks, forwarded it to friends for buy-in and placed a reservation for 5 all from the back of a taxi. That is why social media will rule the world. OK the place is in this authentic historic building in the middle of the Ybor city entertainment zone. With our reservation we were seated in less than 5 minutes, where as walk ins were waiting up to 40. We had the Mixtero appetizers which were excellent and I had the Mosacos Diablo. It was loaded with seafood, linguine smothered in a tomato based cream sauce. Delicious. Everyone agreed the food was fabulous. The place is gorgeous and festive. The one downside was the waiter. he was either very inexperienced or just over his head. I will go back next time I am in Tampa.
(4)Lynda C.
Great atmosphere, flamenco show very nice.. charged additional $6 to your bill for the show, which is worth it ! Food is medicore.
(3)George M.
Paella, Flamenco Dancing, and good wines are my passion. Columbia takes you back in time in its rustic décor to a time when Spanish Gentlemen and elegant ladies were the norm of social society. Recently celebrating their 100th anniversary, Columbia offers excellence in service and cuisine. From our hand tossed Shrimp Salad with a hand squeezed lemon by our tuxedo clad waiter to the personally prepared, fresh Sangria prepared with fresh citrus fruits right at our table, we felt like royalty in every sense. Prices were very reasonable. $70 for dinner including wine. Excellent dining experience for a nice romantic dinner. Ole!!
(5)Christopher O.
I have been wanting to come to Columbia for a long time. I know it is a major tourist trap but the food was the best. I have been to their sister restaurant in Celebration Florida a number of times but being at the original just made it that much better. Our server was great and knew her stuff. I had their signature filet mignon with the bourbon sauce and it was great. I finished off the meal with flan and coffee. We were in one of the side rooms but in the main room they had flamingo dancing. That was loud and I believe if you are in that room you pay for the entertainment. The building itself is a sight to see... spanish tile everywhere! I highly recommend reservations since they are busy most of the time. Enjoy!
(5)Bill S.
When in Tampa, You have to stop at Columbia restaurant to get the true feeling of the city. First, the shows they put on will knock you out of your seat but more importantly is the quality of the food. Sure, you can go to NYC and get food off a food cart. In Tampa, you can get Cuban food off a small vendor. To eat at Columbia restaurant is a treat for the soul. I ordered the Roast Pork "A La Cubana" Generous slices of roast pork with a delicious marinade. Served like back home in Cuba with black beans, white rice, yuca and platanos God is this good....
(5)josh v.
Next time I make it to Florida, I must make a return trip to the Columbia Restaurant. That place is beautiful as well as fun. We made reservations for dinner after a long day after Busch Gardens. Thank God for Android and Google Maps because we would have been lost! Columbia Restaurant is located in historic Ybor City. There are several other Columbia Restaurants, but this one is the original. Opened in 1905. We got there a bit early so we decided to peruse the town. The town was desolate. Looks like the town went through a natural disaster, cleaned up then forgotten . Restaurants, stores and bars were boarded up. Still, Ybor City looked beautiful. Infrastructure had me feeling like I took a step back into time. Latin music with a jazz flare was playing off in the distance at one of the very few bars that were open. Light fixtures with Latin inlay were busy humming. The balconies of all the buildings reminded me of Bourbon St. in New Orleans with ornamental designs but instead of a French Creole vibe, it was Latin. Cigar Shoppes were busy, one had live cigar rolling in the window. When we got to the restaurant, they put us in the corner. facing the stage. First thing I noticed was the huge gold and crystal chandelier hanging above the stage. The chandelier was an original, one of a kind and was there for the restaurant's grand opening in 1905. Our waitress asked what we wanted to drink. Sangrias! When in Rome! We then looked at menus. Tough. It was hard to pick so many options that sounded great. My intention was to order something that I can get only here. I found it! Merluza "A La Ruza"! The recipe derives from Francisco Pijuan, a famous chef from Columbia and Personal Chef of King Alfonso the XIII of Spain. This dish happens to be the King's favorite. That's what sold it for me, any dish that's a favorite of the King's, gotta be good! The Merluza "A La Rusa" is a premium fish , a favorite of Spain, that's been dusted with Cuban bread crumbs then grilled. Its then garnished with Russian butter, parsley and hard boiled eggs. It's served with yellow rice and steamed vegetables. As we waited for our food, our waitress gave us a couple of huge loaves of Cuban seasoned bread and butter. Then, the lights dimmed as Flamenco dancers hit the stage. Muy Caliente! All that foot stomping and dress flipping would put anybody in the mood for baby making! They're set was about 10 minutes. All that sexiness got me an even bigger appetite now! Food was awesome! The fish was breaded and seasoned to perfection! The crust was really good, with a little carmelization. Inside was nice and flaky. The crumbled hard boiled eggs might seems weird as a garnish to go with the fish but it was the exact opposite. It complimented the dish really well with the different textures. The rice was delicious. It was buttered and lightly seasoned. The grain was as long as jasmine rice but not sticky. Steamed vegetables was the best i ever had. No exaggeration. This is not the typical frozen mixed vegetables out of a bag. This was fresh and crisp! The butternut squash was my fave. I was full. But even with a full stomach and my libido running and over heating at all 1,218 cylinders (Yes, ladies. 1,218 cylinders.), I'm still going to order dessert! The one dessert that stood out was Brazo Gitano "Cien Anos", another original dish that was unchanged and stood the test of time. This recipe is from founder of Columbia Restaurant, Casimiro Hernandez Sr. Described as a spongecake soaked in syrup with Manzanilla Sherry filled with Spanish Cream and strawberries, rolled then topped with meringue. When served,its topped with strawberry sauce then flambeed. It was really light. Not over Bering with alcohol or cream. The flambeed cream tasted like a toasted marshmallow. Muy delicioso! This review is getting me hungry for some kinda Latin food....
(5)j n.
Can't add much to the previous reviews but just wanted to show my support. My family is new to Tampa and it's been our favorite dining experience so far. Service was great. Food was delicious. And the building is beautiful. Maybe a little overpriced for Tampa standards, but the service and atmosphere was worth it. Great experience.
(4)Marc F.
We hadn't noticed this was one of the first restaurants in Florida, and that it's almost always packed so we felt very lucky when we waited for no more than 2 minutes before being seated. A huge restaurant with three separate dining rooms; where each room bigger than the next. We felt like we were getting a tour of the place as the hostess walked us over to our table, we sat down and ordered a pitcher of sangria right away. It was three of us eating so we ordered like usual, a bunch of stuff for the table. We went with the shrimp ajillo, queso fundido, empanadas de picadillo, paella, and the Guava cheesecake for dessert. The food was good, the service was amazing, but that dessert........... ............ (that means I'm speechless!) I would return to this place without questioning the 4 hour drive; the experience we had at this place is one we will always cherish. This had been the start of our road trip and if anything can be determined by the start, we knew we were in for a great vacation.
(4)Alice M.
Came here with a party of 7 (with advanced reservations, we had to wait for about 5 minutes), and firstly, the atmosphere was amazing. The picture of the inside kinda shows you what it's like.. looks like an old Cuban atmosphere (never been to Cuba, but having watched Season 1 of Alias, I think this is what it would look like haha!) and if you come in the evening, there may be flamenco dancers who put on a good show! We had an array of food that included the entrees, paella, and tapas, and ordered a pitcher of mojito. They made the mojito right in front of us and it comes with a sugar cane in each glass, which I thought was a nice touch! The food itself was fine, not spectacular, but ok. The paella was not crisp on the bottom and so for me, not the best. Big picture though, if you are going to Tampa, go try it! How can you go wrong with the longest standing restaurant in Florida?! It's more for the people who want the atmosphere and want a uniquely Floridian/Latin experience.
(4)A P.
The atmosphere is beautiful but the food is ordinary. I really wasnt very impressed with the food and I am typically one to enjoy most restaurants. I did not think that this place was worth the extra cost, I really wanted to like this place but the food made it hard to do so.
(1)Clint C.
I love this place! Hit it every time I come to Tampa. Most of the times go with my old trusty- small 1905 salad and the Palomillo steak. If you're into a great flank/skirt steak you'll be hard pressed to find one better. Comes with plantains and fries or rice. I usually substitute the fries/rice for whatever the veges of the day are.
(5)Josef W.
This is a restaurant I have heard of for years. We went one evening during the week. The restaurant was not crowded and we got to see the Flamingo dancers, an interesting show. I think anyone would enjoy the show. We had the White Sangria, "Sangria de Cava", very refreshing with champagne, brandy, orange liquor and citrus. The Original "1905" salad was a wonderful beginning. My friends had Palimilla steak with plantanos and rice, Chicken "Valenciana" sauteed with vegetables, herbs and rice. Topped with chardonnay and green peas. I had the Merzula "A la Rusa" breaded and grilled fish with Russian sauce and yellow rice. All in all a great time was had by everyone. The building is interesting and the walls are covered with old photographs and paintings. The service was EXCELLENT, I can't remember the young man's name but he knew the menu and prepared an excellent Sangria at tableside.
(4)Jeff S.
Great Spanish food in York city. The old bar is a great place to start with a drink and the tapas is perfect. Food has a ton of flavor and the portions are large. Service could be a little better
(4)Lance S.
One of the best, if not the best Columbian restaurant I have been to. I have been to the one in Tampa and St. Augustine. Both are great, but Tampa's ambiance is unsurpassed. There is so much history at the Tampa location. The food is wonderful, the dancers are great, ask for a tour it is worth it. I've had several different dishes and all of them have been great. I will continue driving 45+ minutes to go to this restaurant!
(5)Annie S.
I am Mexican so was not a big fan of Spanish food when I first moved to the Tampa area. After a while, I learned to appreciate Spanish food. Heard so much about the Columbia Restaurant and due to company functions and organizations that I belonged to, was introduced to the Columbia Restaurant. Have experienced their food several times and still wonder what is the big deal about this place.
(2)Dan R.
The building is authentic and very cool. That's it. It is Cuban in name only. I ordered Paella hoping to experience true Cuban cooking. It was poorly prepared and bland. The chicken was over cooked. And even though it was cooked in a paella pan the rice did not have that crunchy bottom layer to it that true paella is known for. The flamenco dancer seemed entertaining and that would be the only reason I would ever go here for.
(2)Derrick B.
I visited Tampa recently and decided nothing would stop me from going to the Columbia. I lived there for 2 years, and didn't go, I have visited almost every year since moving, and hadn't gone but was committed this time. All I ever heard was how awesome the paella was and...it wasn't. My cafe con leche was good...but not great. I hate to say it but service was terrible! I was actually considering walking out because it took so long for the waiter to get to our table. Makes no sense and the place wasn't THAT busy. Once he showed, he had a little attitude - like we did something to him! The restaurant may be better described as a facility because it is so large. It is beautifully appointed and the architecture is mesmerizing. But it was like dreaming for a date with the beautiful girl, and getting it, only to find out she has halitosis.
(1)Rick M.
Excellent menu. I had the veal chop and it was quite good. Others at my table enjoyed the eggplant vegetarian stuff. Only complaint was having to wait for 45 minutes after the reservation time. Enjoyed going to the cigar making place and museum hooked to this location.
(4)Lee W.
Great food and drinks! very interesting building. the service was great. the food was excellent. cant go wrong here!
(4)Ethan S.
Tour the entire restaurant before choosing your table. This isn't Colombian food, it's more of a Cuban/Spanish mix. Many people think this is a tourist trap, well it is but definitely a good one. Not spectacular food but definitely enjoyable. The entire experience is worth the money. The location of this place is also interesting, it's in the historic district. Try it out if your in Tampa.
(4)Sandy J.
This was my 1st time coming here. This place is huge! I really liked the ambience and how it was set up as an indoor and outdoor spot. There isn't outdoor seating, but the way it was decorated gives you that indoor/outdoor quality. It reminded me of the scene in "The Mask of Zorro" where Antonio Banderas met Catherine Zeta-Jones. They also have a more casual part of the restaurant for those that just prefer drinking over eating. Service was good; food was good, although my Mahi Mahi was slightly overcooked. I also really liked their sangria. I think it's slightly better than Ceviche's. They also have Flamenco dancing; I forgot when the show begins though, sorry.
(4)Doug P.
The Columbia is one of the BEST Restaurants in Tampa. Everything is excellent - the best is hands down the 1805 Salad. Yep. Salad. The Julienne ham with the tomato and olives and house bleand italian dressing set this salad up there as one of the best in the world.
(5)Rachel R.
The best Latin food and total Latin dining experience I've had. Take a walk throughout the restaurant (it takes up a whole block) and view all of the beautiful rooms, pretty tile work and history of the building. Service attentive, sangria flowing, music and dancing, I wouldn't go to Tampa without stopping here.
(5)Hugh P.
Good chicken and rice.
(3)Joana C.
Great staff. I love going to a place that has a lot of character. The ambiance of this placw was wonderful. It's a plsce worth going to more than once. I wouldn't recommend small children to eat here just because it's dark and very loud when the show starts.
(4)Gerald S.
A fabulous and famous Ybor City landmark of old world Spain. The interior is very accurately reflecting old world Spain with fantastic detail. But the food leaves a lot to be desired. However what is exceptional is the rice & beans and their famous bread pudding- a must try
(2)Brad F.
Let me preface this by saying that I grew up dining at The Columbia, both in Ybor City and in Sarasota (where I am from). It evoked memories of exemplary service, great food (1905 salad is still addicting) and a wonderful ambiance. Sadly, after three less than stellar experiences at the Ybor location I feel a need to write about it. The past two times we have dined there we experienced horrible service and mediocre to just plain bad food. We were recently in Ybor for work and decided to eat lunch at the Columbia on our way out of town. We arrived a few minutes after they opened. The regular entrance was blocked off with a sign directing you to "The next set of double doors", problem was inside the next set of double doors was set up as a buffet. We and another couple we didn't know both stood there confused. Several staff walked by us, never acknowledging us. We stepped outside and continued down to the bar area. When we entered the hostess looked up at us and said "Hello" then proceeded to go back to whatever she was reading. We had to ask if they were open. She said "Yes" and sat us at a table and handed menus to us that had dried food on them. Gross! (I worked in the restaurant industry for years and one of the jobs of a hostess is not just to seat people but to make sure that menus are wiped down and clean) At this point there was only one other table in the restaurant so it was strange that it was a full 10 minutes later until our server came by to take our drink orders. We told her we were ready to order. While we were waiting we observed several things: no one brought or even offered us water, more than one server came in to start their shift with dirty, wrinkled clothes on (apron, shirts), the chandeliers were dusty and there were flies everywhere. A few minutes later our server came back with our drinks, took away one place setting and left a small bowl of butter for our bread. Several minutes after that we received our entrees, (1905 salad and black bean soup, and a 1905 salad and Cuban sandwich.) Oh and some bread to accompany the butter, which was getting lonely on the table by itself. Now anyone who's had the 1905 salad knows that the table side preparation and fresh ingredients is one of the things that makes it great. Sadly now for the 3rd time in a row the salad hasn't been prepared properly, and most annoying, is that it was not divided equally among the two of us (I got one tomato, my companion had several: I had a huge pile of Swiss cheese and ham, my companion had a couple of pieces each; I had one olive he had 10...you get the idea. Not earth shattering but one of many mis steps). This may sound trivial but when you are marketing a special item it should be served to the patrons correctly. Can overlook one time, maybe even twice..but three times! Come on. My black bean soup was basically a bowl of rice with some beans, tasty but not the soup I am used to when dining here. My companion's Cuban was somehow burnt on the outside, cold on the inside. Our server was nice enough and aside from not removing the extra place setting and not bring bread or water she was fine. Not sure what the problem is in this location but I think they've lost our business after 40+ years of going there. . On a positive note we will still be dining at the Sarasota/St Armands location as they still provide consistently good food and service. Maybe the Ybor location is riding on it's laurels (the building really is beautiful and steeped in history). Sadly though the lack of quality in food, cleanliness and management detracts from what could (once again) be a memorable dining experience.
(2)Jon B.
A very worthwhile experience, both for the food and the historical ambiance. Columbia is a 105 year old restaurant in the middle of Ybor City - the old cigar making district of Tampa. Walking in evolks the Spanish Cuban history of the city. Its worth a few minutes to look around. At the server's suggestion, we tried their sangria to start. What a difference from the watered down type you usually get. Just wine and brandy mixed with fruit over ice. Fantastic! The food is very good: tapas or appetizers to start and a full range of Spanish style entrees. We had wonderful tapas followed by salads that we could have easily shared. Entrees included excellent salmon, a fine filet in wine sauce and my paella - cooked just right. This is a place to linger over. Courses come at a moderate pace leaving time to enjoy drinks, food and talk. Highly recommended.
(4)Diesel P.
Summary, great atmosphere but flavors lack. The bad...everything was entirely too salty. The salt over powered all the lobster, shrimp, and mussels in the dish. Totally ruined what could have been great. All the other reviews are right about the building, a classic
(2)David V.
The lunch food is overrated. The salad is the best I've had in Tampa. Service can be very, painfully slow at first, greet time can take over a minute. Yesterday, the time from sit down to drinks was over 5 minutes ( those were two orders of water and Tea). Giving it an "ok" due to location (awesome), ambiance (awesome), food (meh), service (poor).
(3)James L.
The food was authentic, the entertainment was good. The decor was unique. Service was just ok, but overall it was good.
(4)EJ P.
Horrible. The only people who like this place don't know what good food is. The Columbia tries to do pan-Hispanic food and it gets every single varietal DEAD WRONG. Their Spanish dishes suck, their Cuban dishes suck, everything SUCKS. And on top of everything else, they are pretentious and think their food is great. IDIOTS! No self-respecting Spaniard or Cuban or Hispanic would think this food is worth eating. I would rather go to Publix and buy a Goya frozen meal than eat here. Now I will say that the restaurant is indeed drop-dead gorgeous. So possibly go here and have some coffee, if you want to sit in a beautiful space for a while. But skip the food. Really embarrassing for Tampa that this is considered a "good" restaurant.
(1)Scott M.
great atmosphere, very old bar and interesting mix of tapas. The scallops were amazing. The TAPAS were amazing.. The bar was very interesting. amazing that this building has been there since 1905. This place is definately a place that deserves a visit if you are in Tampa
(5)Tommy Q.
Pros: Beautiful architecture Well dressed and attentive wait staff Tasty and reasonably priced food Warm delicious Cuban bread with butter I had the sirloin steak with onions, parsley, and garlic. EXCELLENT! Possibly the best flan I've ever had. Cons: Showed up with no reservations around 3 pm - the dining rooms were not packed at all yet it took the staff 20 minutes to seat our party of 6. although the staff was attentive and friendly, took quite a long time to bring the actual food out Overall great food and atmosphere and cool history. If ever in Tampa again I'll come back.
(4)Occy V.
Ive tried to like the Columbia restaurant throughout my years in Tampa, especially as a hispanic. The fact of the matter is that this does not taste anything like my families food. Everything seems to be so bland and reaching so hard to try and be authentic. If you're latin you know where to go anyway for real food, dont waste you're time in this tourist trap.
(1)B N.
I know, I know, the guidebooks say it's touristy, etc. But I have to say, the food is really really good and so is the service. The atmosphere is great as well! I would definitely recommend it.
(4)Lauren V.
I'm sorry babe, but I'm leaving you for the man bringing me endless loaves of hot Cuban bread. The Columbia is the real deal. And I'd probably make the trip again for the 1905 salad. Truth. A salad would bring me back. We went to Columbia for dinner on Valentine's Day weekend so that definitely added a small element of chaos to the mix. Layer on top of that the Gasparilla night parade and it's a shit storm in Ybor City. Alas, we made it there in one piece and were greeted by our new friend, homemade sangria. I'd definitely recommend a trip to Columbia for the overall experience. The atmosphere and building itself are mesmerizing. The food seals the deal. And if you're feeling adventurous, try La Completa Cubana. It's like a tasty meat trifecta in a sea of plantains, yucca, black beans and spanish rice.
(4)carole o.
Love the decor! If i just rate this place for food only, i'll give it 3 stars but because of the history and charm of the restaurant, i'll throw in another star! :) Good-- The warm crispy bread they serve! 5 stars! But it wasnt warm for the branch in St aug so we do not know if we were just lucky or that customers do really get warm bread all the time! Shrimp tapas in garlic and olive oil -- 4 stars. aromatic and has a nice spice to it.. Fair -- Sangria -- 3 stars, not strong and sweet enough Paella -- 3 stars, too salty and the seafood is not good Churros -- 3.5 stars, not quite like what they serve in Spain but still quite good! Bad -- Devil crab croquettes -- too sour.. no crab taste at all! They come in a plate of 4 or 6, but I couldnt even manage to eat one. After 2 bites and i am done with the dish!
(4)Rick A.
Excellent food and service. Had front row seat for show and saw some passionate dancing. Seafood and atmosphere are top notch. Coffee was best I've had in a long while. My wife had the cuban coffee and she's craved it ever since.
(4)Rob H.
The original Columbia in Ybor is a Tampa hallmark for food. The building is quite nice, with side rooms and multiple dining areas. They have live entertainment on some evenings, but even if you dislike that, they can easily seat you in another room so you do not have to deal with it. Wait staff dress is higher end, but customers can be seen in anything from elegant nightwear to jeans, depending on the time of day and events occurring around town. This place is quite popular for lunch as well as dinner. The food is consistently good, with a nice mix of traditional fare and some updated options as well. The times I have ordered the Paella have each been well worth it. If you are in Tampa, and have not eaten here, it should be added to your places to try out.
(4)Suzy L.
This restaurant is a beautiful, historic landmark in Ybor City. Lunch in the gorgeous courtyard is a family tradition. I particularly enjoy their soups.
(4)CK A.
I have not been there for years. WE arrived about 3 pm on a Saturday and were told there would be a 35 minute wait. The estimate was accurate. When we were seated, the restaurant was only half full. They obviously were staffing it that way on purpose. My wife had the Paella. It takes 30 minutes to prepare. It was very good. I had the Tour of Cuba. Also very good. Number 2 son went for the Canneloni de Langosta. He liked it. We shared a piece of authentic Key Lime Pie--very good. Son had the Crema Catalana--which was a very good Creme Brulee type of dessert. The three of us, for lunch, with one Mojito--the bill came to 75 dollars. Pretty expensive lunch. Service was good, the atmosphere of this 100 + year old restaurant was superb.
(5)Leah T.
This was all around excellent! The food was to die for, the view was beautiful, the atmosphere was great, and the service was probably probably some of the best service I've ever experienced (if no the best)! First: the food I could hardly decide what to order because everything looked so good. Our waitress gave us great recommendations (most of which we ordered). The food was fantastic (especially the 711 salad), but the dessert was even better, especially the guava turn-over. Second: the service Our waitress was awesome! As I said previously, it was probably the best service I've ever experienced! She was so nice and helpful and entertaining. She even added an extra soup for my dad for free because she didn't want him to feel left out as we ate out salads. I definitely recommend to everyone!!!! I hope to go back the next time I'm in St. Petersburg!
(5)Lauren M.
Loved the paella! Had many good appetizers as well.
(4)Mark M.
Meh. It was okay, nothing all that special from a food perspective. Tourist trap? Maybe, I was there, I was a tourist, and I am solid on the logic. The paella was bland and mushy, certainly NOT made to order. Service was fine. The building was amazing. I liked Ybor. Downtown Tampa really has nothing going on, so come over this way if you visit.
(2)Jenn W.
I was here when I was 12 years old. I remembered the space immediately upon entering. We sat in the tiled back room. I had yucca for the first time. This time the line was long and the food was less memorable. There was no yucca on the menu, There is a massive lot of free parking.
(3)Kylin B.
I always forget about this place at the Pier. I don't know why, because it's gorgeous!! The view sells the restaurant. Literally they could have grilled a boot and topped it with ketchup and sauerkraut and put it on a plate, and I would have gladly picked up my steak knife and sliced right into the heel. Because the view is so geniusly distracting, that the food is truly a secondary element. I like the grub there, the fish is always cooked to perfection. And you know the sangria is delicious. But I always leave forgetting the food, but only because I was falling in love with the view of the bay. Man it's good.
(4)Carri B.
This was the best meal I've had in a very long time. In fact, there was not one thing I did not love about this place. The building is over 100 years old and completely old world Florida with ornately carved wooden doors, beautiful iron & tile work and an amazing courtyard with a fountain which is where we were seated. The wait staff is fancy in tuxedos and our server's name (I am not kidding) was Allejandro. The table tried a variety of drinks including the Bloody Mary Gazpacho, Sangria made at our table, the 1905 Martini (apparently the stuffed olives in these are to die for) and Spanish wine. There wasn't a single complaint. We had a croquette sampler (lobster was the favorite), I personally had the Black Bean soup which was wonderful and dinner ran the gamut from salads to seafood to eggplant to beef (the ropa vieja was, again, excellent and there was high praise for the sea bass and good rice as well). I wasn't able to fit in the flan, even though I wanted to because I ate the entire piece of warm Cuban bread they brought each guest (did I mention the warm fresh bread and butter? HEAVEN). But, the table did share a white chocolate bread pudding which was raved about. Oh! And it was not terrible pricey. I had 2 glasses of wine, soup and an entree for about $40. All in all, everyone couldn't say enough wonderful things and we all left full and happy. If you are ever anywhere near this place, or want to take a road trip, YOU MUST GO!!!
(5)Ben V.
Only had take out from here once and I just didn't find the food that impressive. The decor of the restaurant was magnificent as I peeked into from the lobby. The hostess was nice but faking it a bit in my opinion. The main star was to be the the chicken and rice I ordered which wasn't on par with what I expected. Maybe it's meant to be eaten at the establishment and I normally do but this was a different occasion and I couldn't stay so I'll give it three stars in the end. Is that alright? Cool.
(3)Randi S.
Our food was delicious and the key lime pie was amazing. The bread is out of this world. The service was a little slow, kinda felt like we were ignored for 20 minutes. I can understand this if it was busy, but it wasn't. We were one of the few tables there.
(4)Bill V.
i would go back for just the aroma emanating from their kitchen. Columbia I love you!
(5)Wendy H.
Enjoyed dinner at the Columbia Cafe near Channelside... then went over to the Columbia in Ybor... what an amazing place! Beautiful archetecture and wonderful people! The manager allowed me to wander where ever I wanted to photograph this historic restaurant... Absolutely Breathtaking!
(5)Yan G.
I was holding off on writing my 400th review until I could find something worthy of the privilege. And yes, I probably didn't have to find it 2900 miles away from home, but c'est la vie. We came here on a recommendation from a friend of mine, a Clearwater native, and she was right on the money. While it may not have been the absolute best food I've ever had, it has been a while since I enjoyed a dining experience this much. My dad and I made reservations for 7 pm on a Sunday night and showed up a few minutes early. Ybor City was kind of deserted, but this place was quite full. That's always a good sign. The restaurant itself makes you feel like you are about to dine in a fairy tale, or at the very least, on a Hollywood set where they are about to shoot a fairy tale movie. The building itself takes up the whole block, and, per my understanding, there are over a dozen dining rooms. That makes Columbia the largest Spanish restaurant in the world (and by a wide margin, one would assume). The restaurant has been at this location since 1905, which gave them over a century to accumulate all that treasure and use it to decorate the buildings. Throne-like chairs, vintage pottery and tile mosaic portraying scenes from Don Quixote -- these alone are worth the price of admission. I don't even drink, but I wanted to order Sangria just so that I could admire the clay pitcher it came in. I kept looking around and expecting to wake up, but it was all oh, so true. At one point during the evening, a couple of photographers entered the room, taking pictures of a beautiful young girl in full makeup, wearing an exquisite peach dress. Clearly, they were taking pictures for her quinceañera, and why not? If I were a 15-year-old girl of Hispanic origin, that's where I would want to have my pictures taken. Our waitress Nicole was absolutely phenomenal. She made sure that my dad and I had a wonderful experience, and she provided some excellent recommendations (including one to order LESS food). She was right every time. She was beyond professional and courteous; she was actually nice and friendly, too. I'd say that's pretty rare these days. Now, the food. I started with Caldo Gallego, a bean soup with ham and chorizo. It was rich and filling, as it's supposed to be. I am glad I only ordered a cup, because I could definitely see it being a whole meal for someone (not me, of course). Then I had the 1905 salad, which was prepared for us tableside. Don't let the word "salad" fool you: it still had plenty of ham and cheese in it. Did I mention their bread? It was freshly baked, hot and delicious. After the first two courses full of ham, sausage, cheese with bread on the side, it was time for the entree. I had the Paella Campesina with beef, pork, chicken, chorizo and beans. The meat was cooked Spanish style, i.e., cooked really well done. It's expected in a traditional paella, and I knew that going in, but it's still a little weird to me. Still, the paella was outstanding. It wasn't just some meat over rice; it had a distinct flavor and a good mix of spices. As you might imagine, we were really full by the end of the meal. Unfortunately, someone ordered something flambe for dessert, and I was immediately drawn to it like moth to a flame. We had to order something. The flambeed delicacy was the Brazo Gitano (spongecake with cream and strawberries), and I would have ordered it, had it not been for the four magic words on the menu: white chocolate bread pudding. We wanted to order both, but Nicole wisely talked us out of it. The white chocolate bread pudding was incredible. Sadly, we were so stuffed that we left 1/3 of it on the plate. I almost felt bad for not finishing it, but I literally could not eat another bite. As I struggled to walk 80 feet to my rental car, I kept thinking how much a four course meal for two with a glass of wine, a bottle of water, an iced tea and a cup of coffee would cost at a similar restaurant in San Francisco or New York. Here in Tampa it was about $100 + tip, and it was an amazing value. I honestly cannot wait to go back.
(5)Steave S.
we love it you should go..
(5)Dan W.
Had been to sister restaurants in Sarasota and other Tampa location, but just now finally tried the original. Was classic. Full of history and lively scene these days. Food was very good, if not outstanding. Cafe con leche was excellent. Went back the next day for lunch. Apparently a great place for wedding receptions as there was one going on both times I was there. Reservations highly recommended at night.
(5)Ben O.
The anniversary celebration, when all food costs what it did in 1905, is not to be missed if you've got the time to wait in line. But if you'd rather treat yourself to table service by professionals who consider it an honor to work here, any time is a good time. You can pay a little extra to watch the flamenco show, but the tableside preparation of the sangria and the 1905 salad are also visual lagniappes. And when you're seated at a window table in the bar area, the people-watching is top notch. My favorite vegetarian dinner for two is the 1905 salad (minus the ham) and Eggplant Riojana, which you can imagine by starting with eggplant parmesan. In this case, the breading is made of plantains for an extra crunch that defies the moistness of the chunky caper-olive tomato sauce made with red wine from Rioja. If you can't get enough Rioja wine in the sauce, you can always add a pitcher of sangria made from the same delicious stuff. Best souvenir? For me, it's got to be the cookbook. Their salad dressings are worth making at home, and the tomato sauce is so good you'll wish you'd made gallons and bought a deep freeze. But if you want to know more about the Columbia and its neighborhood, skip the book about the restaurant and get Ferdie Pacheco's memoir. Either of these is easier to fit into your luggage, and will bring more pleasure, than a hand-painted sangria pitcher. I've never had a bad meal here. I've had a fairly salty meal here -- the olives and Swiss cheese in the 1905 salad can definitely team up -- but if your blood pressure rises too high, just have another glass of sangria!
(5)Tara B.
So cool. Go here for the historic loveliness alone. The good: -delicious food. After checking with the server, I was able to order this gorgeous varied plate of food. Everything except these weird fried patties were incredible. -tasty mojitos and sangria. -the flamenco dancers (the show is literally 30+ minutes long) were amazing. sit in that room if you can! The bad: -we had reservations for 8:30, didn't get seated until after 9 and it took forever to get some bread delivered to the table.
(4)Karen S.
Love the bread. Second time here and I'd come back. Don't expect to eat in a hurry - they're not going to try and rush you out the door. I like the atmosphere. The cuban is good. My husband and I each had the half and half - half a cuban and a salad. For desert we each had an espresso - the total bill with tip was $25. You can't beat that. I'd like to go back sometime and try their sangria.
(4)Mike G.
Excellent food, service, and atmosphere!
(5)John C.
We loved it! The scallops Casimiro and the devil crab croquettes were excellent. The Paella Valenciana was good, although a touch on the salty side. The sangria was very good, but not the best I've had in Tampa. The service was friendly and attentive. This is definitely a place that people go to celebrate--a very boisterous dinner crowd!
(4)hobo s.
..or maybe I would. Shorter: the dancing is the highlight, as are the churros. Longer: Suffice to say that I was not the one making meal plans among my colleagues. So semi-cuban food twice in two days it is, at the same small family chain no less. This time had some of the artichoke, shrimp, crab spread w/crackers for a starter. Browned, bubbly cheese on top. Good, but the crackers are far too hard for this. The strength of the crackers makes me want to use each one twice but that's unwieldy. Eating them in one bite is cumbersome. The cuban bread and butter that comes at the start was, yet again, delicious. I'd read the mixed reviews of the paella and so went with the arroz con pollo as the way they described making it (baked at the end) seemed very similar to paella. I asked for it well done hoping that I'd get crispy rice at the bottom (socarrat, apparently), but no dice. The chicken was fine, but that's all. I'd much rather have had a plate of the rice and that's it. It was good, if lacking crunchy bits. As I'd already had a meal beyond overkill (I was considering skipping dinner entirely) I figured churros would be a good ending. The churros could be shared by two or three (or four really, given the size of the entrées) as it is 6ish churros about 5-6in long, coated in cinnamon sugar, and they come with chocolate, caramel, and guava dipping sauces. I stuck to the caramel and guava but the chocolate was good as well, it's just not my go to. If you are at this location, you should go ahead and see the flamenco show - it's only $6 a head. Fairly long show of about 8 smaller performances, and entertaining. Nice setting, enjoyable dance performance, really good bread and dessert, passable entrée. Mixed bag really, but if you find a reasonably priced or tasty main course, it's worth a visit.
(3)Gregory C.
Spanish food is an important aspect of Florida cuisine, and the Columbia Restaurant is a classic example of Florida's Spanish past. Unfortunately, while the Columbia Restaurant is historically significant, with a unique architecture that evokes a feeling of being connected to Florida's past, its food only barely receives a passing grade. This is a large restaurant and the service is slow. Each of the three dishes I tasted was decent: Shrimp Criollo, Sea Bass"Bilbao", and Roast Pork "A La Cubana". To me cooking just acceptable food here, given the prices and it's history, is a disappointment. On the plus side the ambiance is nice, with live music and flamingo dancing. Donde esta Chef Ramsay? Maybe he can restore the Columbia Restaurant to it's glorious past.
(3)Alva J.
Wonderful restaurant with great food, history and character. The mojitos, made tableside if you order a pitcher, go great with the cubano sandwiches.
(4)wayne u.
Best Paella Valenciana in America. I just posted a review of Columbia on cheetahthin.com check it out.
(5)Pedro P.
I'm sorry, but this place sucks. If it wasn't iconic to Tampa, I'd tell you to completely stay away but I guess its worth at least one visit just to say you've been there. The food is mediocre Cuban food that is WAY overpriced. That's not the worst part. The worst part is the service. Every time I've been there (i've been forced to go to attend business lunches and dinners) the service has been terrible. I mean terrible. Slowness, rudeness, wrong-orderedness, bad-attitudeness, expensiveness. This place has all the bad and very little good when it comes to service.
(2)Dina R.
My friends recommended this restaurant as it's one of their favorites in Tampa. Though I don't have much to go by, it was definitely not on any list I'd go back and visit soon. The flamenco show was booked, so we settled for the regular dining area. While the restaurant is gorgeous, very old school castle feel, it doesn't make up for the service. Our waiter, when he did happen to glance our way, gave us death looks. Most of the wait staff is older, which is absolutely fine and common in fine dining restaurants, but they all looked like Ebenezer Scrooge. NOT happy to be there and not accommodating at all. You were lucky if you could get them to stop to refill your bread- though for some reason they were obsessed with the water refills. Good, I guess, but if you're going to take the time, take the TIME! The service was also incredibly SLOW! I felt like I was back at the kiddie table waiting impatiently for the adults to finish their 5 hour meal so they could throw me some french fries. We already had a reservation on the later side at 8pm, so by the time our appetizers came out, I was ready to chew my own arm off. The food itself was ok. I'd give it...maybe 3/5 stars. The scallops were a bit tough, and not as flavorful as they could have been. My steak was decent, nothing too notable. The dessert (which was free, happy birthday, yay) was really good. I was actually planning on ordering something else, but how can you pass up free dessert? I had the flan, and the waiter, though grumpy through most of the meal, did recover briefly to sing.
(2)Jacqueline L.
Met here this evening for a birthday celebration with family. I had been to the Columbia on the pier in St. Pete once about a year ago and was less than enthused to make a return visit. This location is beautiful, spacious, the food is better and I nearly hugged our waiter Matt for being such an amazing server. Our glasses were never empty, he was polite, friendly, helpful, attentive, more than happy to help some undecided folks in our party with some recommendations. I was even impressed with the presentation of the sangria that was freshly made for us. Was fun to watch and I don't even drink the stuff. The food? Excellent! The portions were nice, the presentation was way, way above average and it was all so delicious. It is a tad bit on the expensive side, but the ambiance, the food and the history the place holds is worth checking out. I cringed at the thought of returning to the one in St. Pete, but I would gladly make another appearance or three at this location. Thanks for a pleasantly memorable evening, Columbia!
(5)Martin H.
Very good restaurant, try it.
(5)Paul M.
Discrimination by allowing sleeveless tops for women, but not men.
(1)Brad W.
Touristy. The original location in Ybor City is great, so I had high hopes for this location in St. Augustine. I will admit we chose a very busy night to go, but the size of the restaurant indicates that they are used to very large crowds. The food was good, but nothing special. The dishes are varied and there is something to please everyone, but after eating at the original often, this location was very disappointing. If you haven't eaten in Ybor City, this location will probably impress you.
(3)Steve L.
Always excellent. I 've been back twice in 2-1/2 years and it's consistently great. If you've never seen the floor show, fun to take in. If you have, no need to waste time waiting for a table to see it again. Get a table inside by the large bar. Sometimes the waiters speed are hit/miss, but I think that's a case of not having enough waiters working. (a common money-saving move in these times, but short sighted in my opinion) Cod fritters special were perfect. The lobster cannelloni from "7 Portes" in Barcelona is authentic. I know, I've had it there. Really enjoyed the whole meal. Only 2 suggestions.1 - Improve the reservation/arrival wait time factor. Reservations are meant to be honored by both parties, don't have me make a reservation, only to be kept waiting 20 mins when I arrive on time. This can be improved by not having children at the hostess stand, but a professional hostess (another recession casualty) 2- a few more busboys, handling water/bread/sodas, which would free up the waiters a bit and seems to be their only complaint that I overheard (and dealt with). Ybor City location.
(5)Charlie K.
If you have friends in town who want to do something unique, you might want to put this on the map. Beyond that, there's not much else inticing about it. The food was pretty good, really expensive for what it was though. The desserts we had were great, props there! Also, be careful when asking for water, our waiter (although friendly and attentive!) snuck a $6 bottle in on us instead of tap with nothing more than some creative wordplay (...and my girlfriend answering him, I wasn't paying attention, I just asked for water and moved on). We went to see the flamenco show and it was ok. Not really my cup of tea but my girlfriend who's danced her entire life seemed to have fun with it.(make sure you reserve ahead! and call to confirm!, even with that they almost messed up our reservation but lucky for us, had an extra table for 2)
(3)Grey K.
We stopped in around two in the afternoon for dessert and were told by the hostess it would be a 10-15 minute wait due to a shift change. 25 minutes later we were still waiting and to make matters more frustrating, another party of three who had arrived after us had been seated before us!!! Needless to say we decided to leave. I called to speak with a manger while waiting to be picked up. I was on hold for nine minutes. The manager apologized for the miscommunication but it did not seem heartfelt. Too bad.
(1)Maria G.
Expensive. First time eating columbian food.. so i says i wanna try a lil bit of everything... had the meat sampler plate. It was definately not what i expected. I felt like they just put everything on a plate and the drenched it with black beans on top... there was not a dry spot anywhere on my plate. Service was really slow and we were the only table seated at the time. Probably not recommend or return both due to price n service.
(3)Lee S.
I was a regular at the restaurant when located in West Palm Beach. I miss it terribly. It's the same family and most likely same Executive Chef and therefore I can't imagine that either the food or the service is anything other than top notch. I never went once with out having the divine Gazpacho with it's toppings served table side.
(5)Mike S.
It is obligatory to visit and review this Tampa historical institution. Have eaten there multiple times with family & friends, including first anniversary in 1970 when they still placed pillows under the feet of lady guests when seating them. The food is very good, if not always the best version of Spanish/Cuban standards. Paella, their 1911 salad, yellow rice and chicken are exemplary, as are skillfully crafted cocktails like mojitos. The menu has stayed consistent for decades, and the decor/ambiance lends an air of luxury and old-fashioned elegance. Prices are appropriate for the upscale presentation by waitstaff in formal black wear. Reservations are needed due to popularity with both locals & tourists, but drop in the wonderfully ornately carved bar for a drink any time. Also you can enhance your appreciation of the experience by doing a bit of historical research into the origin and evolution of the classic restaurant under the guidance of the Gonzmart family, but with some colorful touches by local Mafia notables like Santo Trafficante.
(4)Matt S.
Not a whole lot you can say about Columbia that hasn't already been said. I've been quite a few times for lunch and dinner. I'll say that it's easy to be disappointed by the food when you first go because everybody hypes it up so much. Yes, the 1905 salad is good... but, it's still a pretty ordinary salad. The entree choices I've had in the dining room were pretty flavorless, and seemed like they lacked the attention to detail you'd expect. In my opinion, the Columbia has "sold out" in order to capitalize on its formerly well deserved reputation. In that process, they probably lost some of the small things that made them truly special. With that criticism out of the way, the real highlight of this place is to go and sit in the bar area, which is filled with dark woods and reeks of authenticity. The bartenders are awesome, very cordial. Sit at the bar with some friends from out of town and order the Cuban (yes, cliche, but delicious and one of the best in the Bar area you'll find) and a few other tapas. Their devil crab croquettes are very good, but the Mejiliones y Chorizo "Andres" are to die for. All of this goes well with their mojitos... complete with a strip of sugar cane and all. I don't recommend paying to see the Flamenco show as it is EXTREMELY loud and drags on. Yes, I appreciated it but it just made for a long and conversation free dinner.
(4)Beth B.
This place is amazing! The food was absolutely fantastic, we had the Roast Pork "A La Cubana" and the Mahi Mahi "Cayo Huesa", the meats both had the best marinades I have ever had. The sides for both dishes were very good as well. The atmosphere was first class, with wine glasses on the table, and table clothes, I was concerned about being underdressed, but was treated very well. The amazing food, with the first class atmosphere, and the price was less than your average chain restaurant! I will be back, just bummed I have to wait a year for another Florida vacation.
(5)Ed G.
The decor is charming, however, would benefit from a facelift. The wait staff desperately needs training and overall service can be compared to a fast food restaurant. The food was good but not good enough for the lackluster experience.
(2)Bobby K.
Our one night in Ybor City happened to be a Monday so everything was completely dead. But Columbia was enough entertainment for an evening out on the town. The main seating room has a small stage in the center where they have a flamenco dancing show every night. You have to pay a little extra to be seated at the show, but whatever, we were on vacation. Show was fun. Live music would have made it a bit more authentic, but for tourist escapism it was fine. Food was very good, but the drinks were better. Best Mojito I've ever had. And I've had a few in my time. Staff was nice but service gets interrupted because of the show. Very attentive otherwise. I'd go back if ever in Tampa again. Probably best to bring someone who has never been before though.
(4)Barrett F.
I was brought here for a large group dinner the other night and with little exception the restaurant was excellent. Perhaps the biggest drawback was how loud the restaurant was. That issue aside, the food was excellent as were the drinks. In short: this might be a bit loud for a date, but if you're looking for a restaurant for an occasion, or a celebration, this is a great choice. The food and drinks are great and the layout is conducive to large groups.
(4)Jacob M.
By now I think everyone must know about this place. Really great and authentic options. House Original 1905 salad is a must. Great deserts too. Just a great dining experience in Tampa.
(4)Mitch L.
Okay, I finally tried to the original Columbia and I was impressed. It was just as good as the one at the history center plus it had real Spanish waiters. and the decor is awesome!!!!! The prices for lunch are very reasonable. This would be a nice place to bring a lady to impress her!!!!!!
(5)joe R.
I have been dining here regularly for 25 years. It has always been my fav place to eat. The history, the ambiance unbeatable. The food however has been on the decline for about a year. Today I had the special because they where busy with the lunch rush. Swordfish was over cooked to brick like texture, with bad rice. It was like a box dinner from Sams club. Just bad. The service is also on the decline, although they do try very hard. The best thing is to stick with the Cuban sandwich and 1905 salid. Everything else is hit or miss, mostly miss these days.
(2)Trang T.
great sangria. romantic decor. okay food. if i go out to a place to eat, especially to eat with my friends or family, then i'd like for the place to look nice or have some history to it. columbia has both, thus, am a fan. though previous reviews are right in that the food is okay.. that, to me is an unfortunate case of good food + bad prices = okay food. yes, all in all quite unfortunate, as i find this place wonderfully quaint. the architecture, the history, the location, the indoor piazza.. all tickle the romantic in me.. and thus a great place for a date (gents, take note!)
(4)Kay W.
Saw the good reviews and were visiting, so we made it a point to dine here. Depsite having reservations via Open Table and their confirmation of them, we still had to wait for a few minutes to be seated. We even expressed that this was our first visit, no warmth or appreciation for coming. We came for an early dinner on a Saturday and it was not the least crowded in the building. We felt a little overdressed after seeing so many of the patrons with shorts, skinny jeans, flip flops and sundresses. Our waiter was okay, but very, very slow and less than attentive. Seems like this was the general attitude of the waitstaff as we would see them congregate next to the registers and gab as if they were on break. Strange, considering this place's reputation for classiness and elegance. Oh well, the mojitos are tasty, sangria was not as sweet/good as raved. Our chicken and seafood entrees were tasty , plus the cuban bread was hot. Also made room for the bread pudding which was very good. We are on the fence about returning for the lackluster service. You expect top-notch service when paying $18&higher for entrees. We were a little disappointed...
(2)Rebecca W.
Really fun experience! We made reservations for dinner and a show (45 minutes) and thank goodness we did. It was packed. The show was amazing. I loved the paella and sangria! Our waiter was really nice too. Definitely going back next time im in Tampa.
(4)Xintian M.
A fantastic restaurant and Alberto made it a great experience for us. We also went to the Columbia near the arena before the Penquins / Lighting game a few weeks ago.
(5)Heidi A.
This was recommended to me, and a great one it was. We had reservations for dinner and the show and we were treated like royalty. We sat just a few moments before being seated. The staff was exceptionally courteous and attentive. I have nothing bad to say about any part of the experience. The food was amazing, and the suggestions of the staff were on target. The show was well worth the few dollars per person to see the flamenco. We enjoyed it immensely!!!!! Wish I lived closer.. it's a 1.5 hour drive but even so.... it may be worth it!!
(5)Catherine Q.
Very good food. Excellent seafood- Grouper Bilboa was delicious. Don't fill up on bread but its easy since they bring a big loaf to everyone. My stek and gambas ajillo the 2nd visit were not so good as the grouper. Black bean soup was a meal in intself. Red sangria was good- better than the white. Loved the caffe con leche. Service can be a little slow but the place is great!
(4)Tressi J.
You can not find much better Cuban food than this. It is simply delicious. This particular restaurant is the original, and the oldest restaurant in Florida. It is gorgeous inside, and on weekends they have Flamenco dancing shows. The food speaks for itself. I always order a 1905 salad prepared tableside, along with the white sangria-cava. Entrees are always a standout, you simply cannot go wrong with anything here. It is also located in Ybor City, an interesting neighborhood to explore after lunch or dinner.
(5)Lori B.
This was our first visit to Tampa, Florida and were so glad when a friend made reservations for our group at Columbia Restaurant. The restaurant has an extraordinary decor that was great for lots of touristy photos on our part. We were sad that the live Flamenco dancing shows do not happen on Sunday nights. We also would love to go back for the cigar rolling demonstrations that they have during the weekdays. All good reasons to back again. We were all quite pleased with our dishes. We started off with White Sangria that our waitress made fresh table side. Delicious. I had the pollo "rojoiano" that was accompanied with an awesome rice and veggies. Loved It!!! After dinner we walked around Ybor City which is a really interesting place in itself. This restaurant is definitely worth a visit or two.
(5)Shane W.
Haven't been here in a while, so last weekend the kids were with friends and we snuck away for lunch at the original Columbia. Sat at the main bar and shared a cuban and 1905. Our bartender - young female with cute short haircut - was very helpful and cool even though it appeared they were a bit short staffed. Very busy with what appeared to be a lot of events (noon on Saturday). After all of the years going to the Columbia, we have never had the cuban and it was excellent. Traditional all the way. it was a big sandwich so sharing was perfect. The 1905 is still our favorite salad - now all alone at the top since Pepin's in St Pete closed - just be prepared for the garlic in your breath afterwards. It was a great experience and the food & service were top notch.
(4)Kory K.
First, that is a photo of St Augustine, not Ybor. The food is outstanding and I highly suggest the meatloaf sandwich for lunch and the snapper for dinner. Avoid the sangria at all costs as it is horrible. I'd rather sit in the bar area as the show in the main room was more annoying than anything and impacted the service. It's also a bit on the pricy side.
(3)Brian M.
Ate here twice in one week. The food ranged from good to fantastic, depending on the dish (sea bass was fabulous; a meatball tapas was bland and boring). Sangria was fruity and sweet, but not cloyingly so. Flamenco show! Requires a reservation to be seated in the one room where it occurs (a very large restaurant, so most diners can not see it). Talented dancers, but dancing to loud prerecorded orchestral music wearing modern costumes made from clingy/floaty synthetics. So: very entertaining, but not "authentic" if you're used to live music, guitars, or historically accurate folk costumes.
(4)Lola B.
My favorite restaurant in Tampa! 1905 salad, warm bread and chocolate bread pudding are incredible!
(5)David F.
Coolness, coolness, coolness!!! Now I can check off this restaurant from my "to try" list!!! Waited a while for a table and our food, but it was really worth it. The historic nature to the restaurant is unparalleled.
(5)Drunken R.
Very nice ambiance. The Spanish decor is a reminder of pre-Castro Cuba. The service is very nice and the food is tasty. I enjoyed the Sangria and Chicken with rice the most. This is a nice place to get a nostalgic feel while in the city.
(3)Greg M.
I was in Tampa for a few days for work and asked the hotel to recommend a good place for Cuban food. They suggested Columbia and I get the impression that lots of other hotels were doing the same. Atmosphere: Fun. Very open layout, loud, and perfect for a big group to grab some drinks and make a ruckus. Decor was a little disneyish, but I'll forgive that since the place is like 100 years old. I don't think I would recommend it for a date in light of the noise, unless you're just trying to get her drunk and don't mind if you can't hear her talk...on second thought, great place for a date if you don't mind all the tourists. Service: No complaints. Our server was timely, made good recommendations when solicited, and was generally congenial. Food: Overall I thought it was quite good, but I have a feeling you could do better for the price ($20ish entrees) elsewhere. The drink menu was outstanding. I started with a "Bloody Gazpacho". It's exactly what you think it is: gazpacho and vodka. Awesome. We did a couple of apps for the table. Crab croquettes were a little fishy and the mussels were just a tad on the rubbery side. Great flavor though. I had the Snapper Alacante for my entree. The fish was perfectly cooked, as was the rice. Both the rice and sauce had a ton of flavor. I would absolutely recommend this dish, but I was jealous of my coworker's La Completa Cubana: "A Cuban feast of Roast Pork, Boliche, Empanada de Picadillo, platanos, yuca, black beans and yellow rice." It looked bomb-diggity, as did another coworker's Arroz Con Pollo. Overall I would say that the food, atmosphere, and service make Columbia worth visiting if you don't mind that it's a tourist trap.
(3)Ania B.
The food was OK, although a bit overpriced.... What I really liked was the restaurant itself; it is very pretty inside and worth checking out. I almost felt like I was back in Spain. I also saw the show, which first of all should not be called a flamenco show because it has nothing to do with this beautiful and hard to imitate art form. I enjoyed it a lot because the dancers are professional and put off an enjoyable show but it was more like something tourists would call "Spanish Dance" rather than real flamenco. There was not even one flamenco song involved...
(3)Lisa M.
Great food, sangria & dancers. I believe the costumes could be updated, but overall a great evening out
(4)Steven W.
Get a reservation. This place is popular. Waited over an hour but well worth it. Wonderful food. The best.
(5)Bill T.
Visited Columbia for the first time this Sunday. Wide menu selection and great drinks. Enjoyed a house monitor and ate grouper. All were tasty and well prepared. Our server was Wendy, she did a good job and accommodated everyone in our party of 5. I would definitely dine here again.
(4)Carmen Idalia P.
It's nothing to write home about.
(2)Kristin S.
I'm writing this review a couple of years after having last eaten at Columbia, so I may be half a star off in either direction. Also, I'm not terribly familiar with Cuban food. (In other words, eat at your own risk!). It's a BIG place - I think they said they take up a city block. The noise level is a testament to how popular it is; you have to speak up in order to be heard by your dining companions. (That goes double if the flamenco performers are on stage!). That said, the decor and ambience are lovely and tropical. I remember being impressed by my mojito - it was rummy and sweet and minty, but no one flavor overpowered the others. I then had the ropa vieja as my entree, deciding to forego tapas to save some stomach real estate. Talk about melt-in-your-mouth! The beef was wonderfully tender and, as in the mojito, the individual ingredients of the dish melted into one wonderful flavor. The platanos were perfectly starchy and crisp-tender and the rice was...rice. I finished my meal with a creamy, delectably sweet (but not overly so) bread pudding. I'm not a flyweight when it comes to appetite, but I needed to take a substantial amount of food back with me - be prepared!
(4)Mimi T.
First, I must explain that I am a real lover of Spanish food. I have been to Spain 5 times, including for a full summer, and I am in constant search for authentic and delicious Spanish food here in the US. I have been unsuccessful in my search, including living in San Francisco and New York. The food at Columbia Restaurant is outstanding! We had a large party in the Flamenco dancing room and I was amazed at the quality of every dish. We ordered 3 different tapas for the table to share- gambas al ajillo- which is shrimp with garlic- this was probably my favorite!, stuffed piquillo peppers, and mejillones- mussels with chorizo sausage, all excellent. We then shared pealla a la valenciana and lechon (roast pig) for the table. The paella was really outstanding- exactly the right consistency with regard to flavor and moistness, which is difficult to accomplish. The lechon was good (although I am in favor of lechon filipino style which is more crispy). We finished with key lime pie, crema catalana, and flan - all were excellent! The Sangria was also a treat- just perfect with regard to authenticity. The restaurant was enormous and packed with many large groups of people. They handle their crowds well in their service and the food does not at all taste "mass produced." As for the flamenco dancing- the dancers were very good- the feel of the experience wasn't really authentic though as the music was blasted through speakers rather than live guitar/singers, and this was christmas eve so they had a couple of christmas themed numbers and sort of cheesy overly dramatic non-flamenco style orchestral music. Nonetheless, it was still enjoyable and I don't think anyone easily has the opportunity to experience more authentic flamenco dancing in the US anyways, so I still thought it was worthwhile. Regarding the ambiance of the restaurant- ok, so this part of florida you are often forced to deal with the Disney esthetic - if you can get past that feeling as you enter the touristy spanish "castle", please please please don't be a snob and pass up on this opportunity to taste delicious authentic Spanish food. It is worth it!
(5)Thomas W.
Columbia is a true landmark for Tampa and South Florida. The sangria and 1905 Columbia salad are a must to start the meal. The Columbia salad alone is worth a trip to this massive old style restaurant. I had the Paella Marinera which I always love. The white asparagus in the dish is wonderful. Some friends ordered the pork, and surf n turf that looked incredible! I did not have dessert last night but the Key Lime pie is great! Perhaps my favorite part of the meal is the large loaf of warm Cuban bread everyone gets. Nothing fancy. As my friend Frank would say: If you can get great bread in Tampa, Florida why can't I find a decent piece of bread in the entire Washington, DC Metro area? I know some people think Columbia is past its time. However, it is a fun place, they have dedicated service, and if you order with care you will have a great time! Check out the great wine cellars they have throughout the restaurant!
(4)JayChan H.
WHAT?! An hour and a half wait for a table for two? This place is huge, gigantic, absolutely massive why such a long wait....ohhh my gawd! We're gonna have to wait for 200 Red Hat Ladies to finish their ummmmm meeting. Off to the bar for a Mojito and a show. Our bartender made little crawly crabs using a paper napkin and a lemon. Don't ask, it was entertaining enough to make me forget I was surrounded by massive swarms of red hats, at least until the rum kicked in. Why do mojitos taste better the closer you get to Cuba? If you're faced with a long wait order something to hold you over at the bar. I had Devil Crab Croquettes. The menu calls them, "A version of the original Ybor City Devil Crab Croquettes as sold on the streets by bicycle vendors in Tampa's Latin Quarter." Hmm OK, I like street food. I'd order them again for sure. The hot sauce was just what I needed! The table was ready in about 40 min not 90 as quoted. HOORAY! I ordered the Boliche "Criollo" a roasted rib eye steak stuffed with chorizo and roasted in flavorful gravy. Served with black beans, white rice and platanos. Mom had the Roast Pork "A La Cubana", her favorite Cuban dish of roasted pork swimming in garlic sauce and onions. I really wanted to finish dinner off with some guava shells but Columbia doesn't serve them. Guava cheesecake for two it was. The cheese cake was a bit of a letdown but I have high standards thanks to Porto's back home in LA. I was impressed at the quality of the food in light of the massive turn over. I'm not sure how many people pass through their doors everyday but it seems like they have earned their stars. Founded in 1905 by Cuban immigrant Casimiro Hernandez, Sr., the Columbia Restaurant is Florida's oldest restaurant and the world's largest Spanish restaurant. The Columbia celebrates its 103rd anniversary in 2008. Congratulations!
(4)David C.
To best some this all up its in your best intrest to make an reservations if not plan on waiting for awhile.well we had an reservations so all we had to do is just check in and we had our table waiting for us while they had a lot of people waiting. The food was very good the service wasn't bad too could be much better our waiter kept us waiting for awhile because he had a couple other table as well but he made it up to is by making us a kickass drink overall it was a good night. But I had better
(3)Todd P.
I knew that The Columbia was a place I wanted to take my friends for dinner on our recent 4-day weekend get-away to Tampa Bay. I've eaten here several times while on business trips -- my former boss loved the food so much that he and I even hit their Celebration and Clearwater Beach locations as well on subsequent visits to FL. But the Ybor City spot is my favorite. As other reviewers have mentioned, the building and ambiance of The Columbia on 7th Ave is great. Beautiful tile work, cool furnishings, and expansive seating in several unique dining rooms, halls, nooks and crannies. On our most recent visit, the service was good but a bit harried on a busy Saturday evening. Even though our server appeared to be running around like a chicken with his head cut off, prepping and pouring soup, dressing/tossing salads table-side, dropping off hot, fresh bread, fixing problems with drinks, etc., he still managed to get the job done without any delays or mishaps. After a small version of their original "1905 Salad" which was basically tossed greens, julienned ham and swiss cheese, olives and a garlicky dressing, I ordered the Palomilla, a marinated top sirloin steak cut thin, grilled and covered with a delicious combination of onion, parsley and lime juice. The yellow rice that accompanied the steak was fantastic -- moist and flavorful. The Columbia was a hit with my friends and a highlight of our weekend. The worst part? I wasn't on expense account this time! =)
(4)raye c.
4/07 lunch. Visiting from West coast, I think Columbia is an institution by itself. It should be listed as a World Heritage Restaurant site. The huge building has 5-6 themed dining halls. Each one is meticulously decorated and furnished. I felt like going back to the Spanish colonial days, and could wine and dine and dance all day long. There are so much history in that 102 year old restaurant, and the generation of families that have operated it. We sat in the covered garden area (patio?). Plenty of plants and ornaments around a fountain. Columbus related paintings on the walls. Sitting there was a life time experience for us. Unfortunately I cannot say the same about the lunch food. Her salteado (inspired by Chinese saute and stir-fry) had shrimps and veggies. It tasted delicious, but nothing stood out, except the subtle sweet and sour flavor. My combo of roasted beef and pork was not as tender and juicy as I liked. But the plantain and yellow rice all tasted uniquely Cuban. Lunch service was not exceptionally good for a place of that stature. ( 2 stars for food) In retrospect, we missed to order the bean soup, paella, or seafood dishes, as reviewed by other yelpers. Well, there is always a second time to this special place in the future. When we do, dinner with flamenco dance show is a must!
(3)Ernie H.
Great atmosphere and prices were within reason, I have had a couple of Cuban sandwiches prior to coming here, but this one was one of the Best. You must also have a cup of one of the soups. The service was also excellent.
(4)David G.
Outstanding! The food, service, sangria, flamenco, everything you can think of is wonderful here at the Columbia! If you find yourself in Ybor, this is a "must do". We have dined here many many times and its always fantastic! Enjoy
(5)Rob W.
Soon as we knew a trip to Tampa was in the offing, we were looking forward to a visit to the Columbia restaurant. As with many of the other reviews here, we remembered the 1905 salad, and it didn't disappoint. We had "Merluza A la Rusa" - a wonderful fish dish - and "Filet Steak Salteado" - a delightful mix of steak "tips", vegetables, onions ... Finished off with desert - flan and churros - both great. It was a leisurely evening - and while I wouldn't blast the service as being terrible as some other reviewers have - I certainly would caution people that this is NOT a fast food restaurant. We were there couple of hours, but the service was attentive the entire time. Absolutely worth a visit - and note there are additional locations (a total of five, I believe) in the Tampa area.
(4)Michele W.
We were looking for a good place to eat in Tampa on a Saturday night, and Columbia was the unianimous recommendation from the concierge, our cab driver, and a few locals. Arriving in front of the restaurant, the architecture alone makes you catch your breath. The aroma as you enter does the same. Even though it was a Saturday night and we had no reservations, we were seated immediately. Service was impeccable, and the food...oh my god, the food. The only thing we weren't too fond of was the Queso Fundido, which tasted vaguely Italian and didn't quite go with the rest of our tapas choices. However, the Croquetas de Pollo were delicious, as was the Caldo Gallego. The standout for us was the Mejiliones y Chorizo "Andres"--definitely recommended! Can't comment on the dessert list as we were too full afterwards, but the white sangria was just right--refreshing and light, but with a little kick provided by the fresh lemon and lime. The best part? Drinks, appetizers, and dinner for two came to a grand total of $40. In NYC, this same dinner would have been well over $100...
(5)B Z.
The place was nice, you can say that it has a lot of character. The appetizers were decent, but the main course was SO extremely salty!! Avoid the paella dishes! I was only able the eat the seafood in it, the rice and (especially) the Spanish onion in the dish were way way wayyyy to salty for safe human consumption. After informing the waitress, she simply said "mmhhmm yeah I know the rice is really salty", and collected our plates. No "is there anything we can do" or "i'm sorry to hear that". Lol. Needless to say, I won't be returning any time soon, unless if I want to get diabetes.
(1)Laura R.
Came here on a date with my boyfriend-- great experience! We had the sweetest server ever, I wish I could remember her name, and the Flamenco show was excellent and very entertaining. Great service and absolutely FANTASTIC food. One of my favorite (if not my favorite) places to dine in Tampa.
(5)Sumair T.
Great food quality and atmosphere. Everyone in Tampa should atleast try it once.
(4)Thomas W P.
I moved to Tampa in 99' and ran triathlons with this fellow named Richard who I never realized was the 4th generation family member and president of Columbia Restaurant. The Columbia was the restaurant that my grandfather would take me to every Christmas when I came to visit him in Tampa. Now I'm back in Tampa on business and couldn't wait to have dinner there tonight. Roasted Pork, white rice and black beans.
(5)John D.
This is a very mixed review. I give it four stars because the restaurant is beautiful and has great charm. I ate once at the one in Sarasota and was very unimpressed but this one is a beautiful ancient building and has great old world charm. I generally tend to overlook some negatives that aren't really that big of a deal. My opinion of a problem isn't "the girl at the counter didn't smile at me". Tonight my issues were interesting to say the least, the "river" of water coming from under the base of the fountain in the center of the room that flowed under my table and soaked my pants and shoes. An dthe fact that we told the waiter who told the manager who came and disgustedly looked at the sopping wet floor and walked away. Particularly disturbing because my 94 year old grandmother, 69 year old mom and 71 year old uncle with cerebral palsy were sitting near this mass of water (really no exaggeration) on the floor. Towels people, they do wonders! Also I think our waiter took his lunch break just as we were finishing our meal as we sat for probably 20 minutes before we even saw him again. Oh yeah, and the few flies and many fruit flies that seemed to love the area (indoor by the way) around the fountain and our table. All of this aside, a gorgeous restaurant, even by my So Cal standards, educated and friendly service despite above said issues, really really good Spanish (Spain, not Mexico) food, music, dancers, flaming entrees (not gay, on fire) and a good Mojito make me recommend trying it. At least once.
(4)Maria C.
1905 Salad + Cuban Sandwich= Lunch at the Columbia...Mmm. Don't forget to order a pitcher of homemade Sangria & end with a cafè con leche!
(4)Christopher T.
Good spanish food, atmosphere and service not to mention the history associated with this place. Great building!
(4)Jeff P.
It has been over ten years since I last visited Columbia and I remember it being much better. I had the Paella alla Valencia....I've had better. The bread pudding was great, but again, I've had better. The mojitos were excellent and the old Spanish decor was great. The 1905 salad was very delicious. I missed the Flamenco dancers as I sat in the bar.
(3)J W.
Food and service was excellent! If you want a true Spanish food experience visit here. Looking forward to visiting their other locations a we travel around.
(5)Fredy Y.
Yes, it's a pretty restaurant to look at, but to me, it's a fancy Spanish version of Cracker Barrel comfort food. You are paying for the white tablecloth and upscale atmosphere. I had "La Completa Cubana," which included roast pork and various side dishes that tasted like uninspired Goya canned food. Go here if you don't care about your hard earned money, but if you are here on a budget, you are better off smoking hookah at Habibis.
(2)Luke H.
Excellent for a Date Night. Decent for a Business Lunch. The entrees aren't special, but the atmosphere is five star, the service is topnotch, and the entertainment (in the dancing room) is fantastic.
(4)April Z.
VERY expensive but the food quality, service, and decor are worth the price if you aren't used to what real authentic Spanish food tastes like or if you're a tourist that hasn't been to Florida before. One thing I didn't like is that there was no music! On our way out we heard some music come on and asked our server where it was coming from. He told us it was a show, but failed to tell us it was $6 per person to watch the show. I didn't even realize it until checking their website right before I came here to write a review. My group stood against the wall and watched the show for about 10 minutes and left because we couldn't find anywhere to sit, none of the staff offered us a seat, and I nearly got knocked in the head by a waitress rushing by with a huge platter of food. We could have avoided all of that awkwardness if one of the staff had just politely told us there was a cover charge!! I was the only vegetarian in my group and wouldn't recommend this place if you don't eat meat, since there were only a couple of veg-friendly choices on the menu. I had Black Bean Cakes with sour cream and guacamole as a tapa, (they are very small, the size of small cupcakes. 4 of them for $6), and Pasta con Trufas "Cristalino"which was about $17, for my dinner entrée. The tapa was a bit too mushy for my taste, and I ended up taking the Pasta con Trufas home since it was too heavy and filling for me after being used to a lighter raw-vegan type of diet. But if you don't mind an expensive restaurant with no music and really like Spanish food, you would enjoy Columbia Restaurant. Be sure to make reservations to avoid waiting 30 minutes for a table and make sure to dress nice (no jeans, sneakers, flip flops, t-shirts, baseball caps, etc.), otherwise you'll feel out of place since the servers are dressed in cocktail-style suits and ties and most of the patrons dress nice.
(3)Ginger B.
This review is for dinner on New Year's Day 2010. Liked: - great service experience start to finish - atmosphere - delicious food Disliked: - not much...except service a bit slow when busy I had an outstanding experience at the Columbia on New Year's Day. I dined here with a friend for dinner, and the experience did much to ease the pain of an Outback Bowl loss! The atmosphere was elegant and original but not stuffy, and the food was delicious. I loved my Snapper Alicante and 1905 Salad (though I understand how the salad would be too salty for some). My friend's paella and the champagne sangria were also winners. The bill was about $100 for the drinks, two appetizers and two entrees, which we found quite reasonable for the quality. What impressed me most though, was the service, and I'm not just talking about our waitress. From the staff member who took our reservation over the phone, to the three hosts who greeted us warmly when we arrived in the busy waiting area and said goodbye when we left, to the servers who patiently prepared tableside course after course, everyone at Columbia was so pleasant and professional! In an age when, sadly, we just expect restaurant staff to be a bit rude or off-task, more interested in socializing or complaining to their colleagues than taking care of the customers, the Columbia proves that good service does still exist! Kudos to them for maintaining a culture of customer service amongst their staff. The only negative I can say is that our server was a bit slow, and we had to ask for waters three times. Not bad as the only low point on a busy holiday evening. A definite recommend!
(5)Stacy G.
While Ybor City didn't catch my attention, Columbia Restaurant did. First impressions mean a lot, and this place was beautiful beyond comparison. It was busy enough to provide encouragement to walk-ins, but not busy enough to cause a wait - which made me happy. We started with drinks; the sangria was so awesome I had two (which might mean it's light on the alcohol side - take that as good or bad, however you wish). For appetizers, we had croquettes and empenadas, and while I forget what my guests ordered for dinner (I was too obsessed with my dish) I must insist you try the lump crab-stuffed shrimp with "good rice". It was so amazing I passed up dessert, but I watched as a strawberry-meringue cake was lit afire, and had I blinked I surely would have missed the churros dipped in chocolate and the keylime pie, for they didn't last long.
(4)Lauren L.
OMG. The Columbia is unreal. As in some of the best food I've ever eaten in MY LIFE. Go there on the weekends and definitely order a pitcher of mojitos-they make them table-side, as in they crack open a fresh bottle of Barcadi in front of you. and they have awesome Flamenco dancers every weekends as well, that can't be beat.
(5)Margie J.
This place is fabulous! Full of atmosphere, great food and flowing sangria! From the moment I walked in, it was the best service and hospitality you could imagine. I had the filet. It was cooked to perfection. There wasn't one moment that our glasses weren't filled with Sangria. There were 2 pitchers on our table and it seemed that every 10 minutes or so, they'd come and refill our barely empty glasses. As a travel agent, this is one place you have to dine at.
(5)Michael B.
While this is a chain the Cuban food is fine and the flan is the best in town! I wouldn't go out of my way for this place, but it's certainly a landmark. I would say search out something more local in Ybor city for the real Cuban flavor.
(3)Frank S.
The selling point of this place is the ambiance and the service. The building is gorgeous, beautifully appointed, and just oozes with the feeling of old Tampa. Service is top notch. The food is good but fairly typical for most Cuban-Spanish restaurants. Everyone should visit at least once.
(4)Darek M.
This is truly a destination restaurant with charm and history, as well as the architecture and decor befitting a classic established in 1905 and still thriving. The waitstaff is outfitted in tuxedos. The walls are adorned with photos and art collected over the years, each telling a piece of the story. The menu is like a historical document, filled with bits and pieces of the restaurant's story as well as its fare which includes many excellent choices. The dining room is loud and vibrant with numerous large parties, all surrounding a large statue in the center under a two-story, soaring ceiling. The bar has traditional live music and dance. If you are interested in enjoying a true classic, with a rich tradition, and authentic fare, go!
(4)Jon C.
Although we had great service at this beautiful historical restaurant, the food left a lot to be desired. The steak entree and the bean soup were flavorless, the house salad was way too garlic-y, and the wine didn't blow me out of the water either. On the plus side, the queso appetizer was delicious, the bread comes out hot, and the flan dessert is yummy, too. We had an excellent waitress who was very friendly and took us on a tour of the 16 dining rooms. Overall a good experience.
(3)Tracy H.
1905 Salad. That's all I'm going to say!
(5)Ashley M.
The food here is excellent! Very nice setting, very friendly and attentive servers, and did i mention the food was excellent? I highly recommend the Columbia when you're in Tampa :)
(5)Carol M.
Read alot of reviews before we went. I love the history of this restaurant but most of all I love the food! We went on a Monday afternoon and there were a decent amount of patrons. We made reservations which I would suggest for busier times. The food and drinks were excellent. The service was a tad slow and our waitress got one appetizer and one entree wrong. I'm sure they would have exchanged the entree but she didnt return to the table soon enough. It was still delicious and my husband didnt mind. We started with a mango tango daiquiri and a mojito. Both drinks were sooo delicious. The mojito was made with fresh mint, lime and had a stick of sugar cane. For appetizers we had empanadas and gambas al ajillo (to die for!). For entrees we had roast pork and (chicken) should have been eggplant riojana, all delicious. Leave room for dessert. The key lime pie was ridiculous and my husband said the bread pudding was the best he's ever tasted. I would return without hesitation on my next trip to Tampa. The only thing I am sorry about is not being able to try more things on the menu!
(5)Anna B.
I give this place a very flat 3. I guess the experience is not for me. It was too loud, the food was ok, and the service was ok. I couldn't find anything I liked on the menu. But I ordered something to try something new, and I didn't really like it at all. Just overall the most stars I'm gonna give this place is a 3 so I'm not being too harsh.
(3)Quinn R.
I hate it when you visit a new city and all the hotel concierges and taxi drivers and pretty much everyone decide to send you to a rather expensive generic place. NOW I'm being a little unfair here. It wasn't that bad. The food was fine but nothing special but it was ok. Not all that memorable as I ate there only a few days ago and dont remember what I got. Oh the mojito was really good. But how hard are those?
(2)Jessica S.
I ate here after running the Gasparilla ultra challenge and I was impressed! The Columbia salad definitely lived up to its reputation. I also had the shrimp stuffed with crab and it was fabulous! The key lime pie was good, but I was not a fan of the table side sangria. It was mediocre and tasted like a simple wine cooler. But, I would definitely return to this restaurant!
(4)sven g.
It's kitchy, it's touristy, it's cheesy and it's expensive. And it's also something I recommend everyone do while in Tampa. The food is pretty good, the service is very good, and their house sangria is the best Plan to take a long while and enjoy the atmosphere. Whether it's authentic or all a put-on, I don't know. But it's enjoyable and not an experience you will get anywhere else.
(4)J G.
What a dissappointment. We really wanted to like this place but we expected a lot more from the food. The historic buidling itself is beautiful and has a lot of different rooms which is great for private parties. The tiling and details are exisite. However the food was unremarkable. The 1905 salad was made table side, but drenched in too much dressing and had limp greens. My husbands chicken was tough and my grilled dish was way too salty. The flaming strawberry brazo dessert was pretty was to watch but nothng special. I felt like we overpaid just to have a lot of table side service - more a show than a meal. Not worth it.
(2)Vivian L.
This resturant is very old, elegant, and in a cool part of town, the old cigar rolling district, Ybor City. The room we sat in was beautiful and our waiter was very friendly. The food was just ok though. I started with the Spanish Bean Soup. It was very hammy tasting which was very good and flavorful but it was very very salty that I couldn't even finish my cup. My friend had the Original 1905 salad which was yummy but I wish they hadn't used all iceberg lettuce which doesn't have any color or nutritional value. We then split the Red Snapper A La Rusa which was ok, a little dry for me but it was tasty. We were too full afterwards to have dessert. It is a very beautiful restaurant and msot people who go probably would give it a 5, but since I go where the food tastes really good, I only gave this place a 4.
(4)Meghan P.
Cool decor, lots of painted tiles. Very slow service. I had Roast Pork a la Cubana. It was very tender, but not that flavorful. The plantains were great. We had the white sangria, which was fantastic. Overall, my dinner companions weren't super impressed with their food, but one said he liked the black bean soup. Over priced.
(2)Marlene L.
is this a columbian restaurant? i could of sworn from the menu options that it was either cuban food or from Spain. Either way i enjoyed my lunch. The waitress was very friendly and very helpful in explaining the dishes. She took our order and immediately brought us CUBAN bread with butter and our drinks. I had the Sangria, it not great, and a bit expensive but ok. I had the stuffed chicken with yellow rice, which was very fresh and delicious. There menu includes different tapas and other cuban meal selection. The atmosphere is very authentic and i couldn't really appreciate it during the day but I must look amazing at night.
(3)Bill R.
This was a disappointment. We lived in Tampa for many years and now live in Orlando. I chose the Columbia for birthday dinner for my wife and we also took her mother. My mother-in-law is a real Spaniard; my wife was "only" born there. Now, the Sangria by the glass was really great. Love it. But I am getting ahead of myself - When I made the reservation I requested the nicest room they had and a 5:00 p.m. seating. We arrived a few minutes early and they had us wait until 5:00 p.m. (no problem yet). Then they seated us in the patio area (maybe known as the patio-cafe). This area has the slightly crowded feel of a cafe and the furniture is the wrought iron cafe style. I told them that I would like to know if they had any nicer room in which they could seat us and it was back out to the lobby for another 10+ minutes. My wife says that the hostess that seated us the second time got into a dispute with one of the other hostesses and told her that they had put us in the wrong place or had failed to observe our request blah, blah. This was in Spanish, which my wife speaks so it was good that I had spoken up. So Cleo had to take us outside and down the sidewalk to the entrance the bar (which would have been a great improvement) and seated us in a spacious dining room that is accessed by a doorway past the bar. Now, the bar is not as magnificent as I remembered it - and one of the things missing (actually 2) are the massive copper and brass coffee makers. These were almost intimidating - they must have each made 20 gallons of coffee. Remember, this eatery was built to feed residents and workers of Ybor City and in 1929 cigar production peaked at 500-million. I digress. The menus are rather well-worn. They are printed on sturdy stock and run about 8 pages. However, they have seen so much use that the two halves are beginning to fall apart along the spine. My impression of the structure itself is that it is rather run-down. In fact, it seems very authentic and comparable to a number of places we saw in Spain several years ago. But heck, in the USA we are used to newer buildings and facilities. The 1905 salad was very tasty. We got the Shrimp and Crabmeat Alcachofas appetizer. Very good, but the crackers they are served with are a mistake. Tastes better on the Cuban bread. The entrees - My wife got the surf and turf - (beef tenderloin tips and grilled prawns) - this was the best food at our table. Served with a tangy Hollandaise sauce that really surprised. I got Cannelloni de Langosta "Setes Portes" - it was good, but not great. It reminded somewhat of an enchilada (or a crepe) - but there was just too much going on - or should I say that the sherry Mornay cheese sauce was used to excess and it did not have that sherry flavor in the correct degree. Finally we come to my mother-in-law and the Merluza "A la rusa" - she specifically asked if it was "real Merluza" and was told that it was. It wasn't. And she told our waiter. He gamely insisted that it was. She asked if he had been to Spain and had THAT Merluza. And he went to get a manager. They took it back and brought out some stuffed grilled shrimp that were acceptable. I will say that the Merluza did not taste at all special to me. She said that real Merluza is white, flaky and does not taste fishy. This was rather sad as the selection of seafood on the menu was extensive and I, for one, had a hard time with choosing. So to come up with 3 non-remarkable selections is quite tragic. I will say that the dining room setting was pleasing and our server was very congenial and helpful. Also, it was not noisy like the patio cafe would have been. After dinner we got cafe con leche; it was terrific. In conclusion I will say that we will not be going back, but if I could go back in time we would have gone someplace different. CHEERS!
(2)Soraya M.
I was visiting Tampa to look for a place to host our son's wedding rehearsal dinner. We are from out of town and I wanted to see and eat at the place we selected before commiting to spending so much money at an event. Several Tampa residents had recommended Columbia Restaurant and the online menu seemed fabulous. We visited the restaurant at 2pm on a Saturday in February. All four of us ordered the seafood paella. We could not have been MORE disappointed. The rice was hard and the server scrapped the bottom of the pan so all the burnt black residue ended up on our plates. There was very little seafood and it had no taste. We asked to speak to the manager who was polite but that was it. I am still super mad that we didn't just return the meals and walk out. I can't believe we were so stupid and actually paid for this terrible meal. The only thing that was good there was the bread. We also ordered the sangria pitcher which was a whole lot of ice, big chuncks of fruit and very little sangria. We each got 1/2 glass worth of it. I've bought better sangria at Publix. I am so glad that we went there because there is NO WAY in the world I would host a rehearsal dinner at that place. NO WAY. This place is a tourist trap, very expensive for fast poor quality food.
(1)Justin R.
I went here last night for the Flamenco show. It was pretty cool, I haven't seen any Falmenco before, so I don't have a barometer to measure how godd they were, but it was definitely cool to see while eating dinner, and we were pretty much frontside. I've been to two of the locations now, several times, and they are fairly good across the board. I got the Paella, which being completely honest wasn't that great. I make my own at home, and when the Paella I make at home is better than what we get at the restaurant, I feel a little cheated. The Blue Crab Cakes were great. This place is always worth a stop through just for the 1905 salad. Service was prompt and courteous.
(4)John G.
Found myself on business in the Tampa Bay area of Florida. Asked the concierge for a restaurant of local flavor. Columbia hit the spot. Think Cuban immigrants and the founding place of American cigar companies that still operate today. Quite interesting! Columbia has been in operation since 1905. Ybor city is one of two national historic cities in Florida. This is where Cuban immigrants came to America in the late 1800's. They established the cigar industry here. The city is paved with original bricks, and the main street is quite quaint with refurbished structures of years gone by. The Columbia is one huge restaurant. It can seat 1700 people in 15 dining rooms. Menu is a mix of Spanish and Cuban dishes. There is also live flamenco dance performances during the evenings. The bar is truly historic and has a great touch and feel to it. Live jazz, exceptional tapas, tons of spirits, and cigars made in the factory down the street all add up to a unique experience. The menu was extensive. I settled for the paella while my colleague went for the flank steak. The taste of the food was in the ok range. Portions were huge. Locals always have a take home box. The flamenco dancers were original and superb. Great colorful costumes. Four ladies and two men went through several dances. Thoroughly enjoyable. Great historic feeling inside, and they have kept up the appearance well. Historic pictures along the wall tell the story of the Cuban immigrants and the founding of the cigar industry. The food gets 3 stars, but the overall historic ambiance pushes up the overall total to 4 stars. Worth a visit if you are in the Tampa Bay area.
(4)Carmen H.
When I had a reason to be in Tampa recently with a colleague from Minnesota, I wanted to show her the Columbia, a restaurant I remembered from the two years I lived there nearly thirty years ago! Located in historic Ybor City which was home to the Cuban cigar rollers, the Columbia has a hundred year history and numerous awards over that century. Every night except Sunday, there are two flamenco shows. We dined on a Sunday night in one of the smaller dining rooms ( the large room had a private party with a flamenco performance which was a bit annoying since we could see nothing but the noise prohibited conversation on our part ). We found the staff very indifferent as well - all the more so since we had just come from a six day Royal Caribbean cruise in which the crew were always so attentive and pleasant! Nontheless, after debating whether we would even remain for dinner, we finally decided to eat ( it was after 8PM and we were starving! ). We ordered a pitcher of mango mojitos which were VERY good. Next, we shared the "Tapeo de Mixta," a comination of Shrimp and Crabmeat Alcachofas ( a baked casserole of shrimp, crabmeat and artichoke hearts topped with grated Romano cheese - this got total approval from us!, Costillitas de Cordero ( tender baby lamb back ribs, glazed with guava barbecue sauce - a nice change from your usual pork and beef barbecue, and Calamares Fritos ( excellent ), complete with the little tentacles. One of us had the famous black bean soup which was delicious but our favorite was Caldo Gallego, a delicious concoction of northern beans with smoked ham, chorizo, turnip greens and potatoes. I finished an entire bowl and wished I had room for more! While the Columbia is famous for its paella, none of us opted for it, mainly because of the thirty minute wait. Instead, I chose Camarones Rellenos "Jesse Gonzalez" -colossal size Singleton shrimp stuffed with lump crabmeat baked with lemon butter. Served with "Good Rice" and fresh vegetables, it was absolutely one of the best dishes I've ever consumed, redolent of butter and garlic, and piled high with the crabmeat. My friend, Sherry, ate the Florida Grouper "A la Rusa" - Gulf fresh fillet of grouper grilled and topped with lemon butter, chopped parsley and egg & served with yellow rice and fresh vegetables. The serving was huge and made a great breakfast the next morning. Charlene ordered Chicken and Shrimp "Barcelona" - boneless chicken breast sauted with shrimp in a lobster bisque, brandy, white wine carrots and onions. It was served with yellow rice. We had a taste and thought it, too, was scrumptious. All of us opted for the guava cheesecake on the dessert menu, an absolutely outstanding confection that I wish we could find in the San Francisco area. It tasted so much of guav....ummmmmmmmm.....so, other than the somewhat surly service, we found all the food we ordered to be superb and well worth the price and visit to Ybor City.
(4)Big D.
It's ok but the food used to be the bomb five years back but they still make a mean salad.
(3)Mark G.
Ahh,the Columbia @ Ybor! Went there for a late feast with my mates after a hockey game at The Saint Pete Times Forum (Toronto won!).From the moment we walked in,we knew we made a good call.Make your way through the semi-upscale crowd to the the massive bar area to be greeted by a very friendly bar keep.After a couple(?) of awesome dry Martinis,we plodded past the live stage show (Flamenco dancers!) to the massive dining room for our feast.Gotta tell ya,the dining area is one of the nicest I've seen in Tampa! The dining room setup really does reflect what the food is all about.I got the amazing 'cuban platter' ( could not pronounce "La Completa Cubana" after ? martinis).We were there on a weekend,but it didn't seem that busy because the place is HUGE! Great location,friendly people and amazing cuisine = GO W/O reservations! IMO,better than the one in Saint Augustine.
(5)Alex N.
Delicious food. I've eaten here twice and have not been disappointed. The food is a little pricey but worth it. The ambiance inside is great depending on where you sit -- some rooms are just typical restaurant rooms, then the courtyard area is very unique. I like when they have live music out there. I went here last year on my birthday and absolutely loved it. I always get the Palomilla Steak and my husband LOVES the 1905 salad.
(4)Deke K.
Historical Ybor City at its best! Get the 1905 salad, soup, and their bread for a $7 induction to this fabulous place. Has flamenco dancer entertainment and beautiful old tiles and Italian renaissance decorating the place. Yellow beans and rice. yum. Great options. Bon Appetite!
(4)Foz F.
Beautiful building, busy waiters, great bread, dull bland food, signature salad is good but plan for plenty of garlic. Questionable whether it is worth the price.
(3)Daniella S.
I really like this restaurant but I feel as though it is very hyped and it hasn't been as good as it may have been years back. I like the quiet Clearwater beach location by Sand Key. The food is good but it can be hit or miss and it is also kind of overpriced. However, the entertainment and the history at the Ybor location is always worth the visit.
(3)John H.
Average, over-hyped food. I'm sure that at one point in this restaurant's 100+ year history they made some mean Cuban fare.. just not now. Price is too high for food this mundane. The ambiance is the draw, old Florida riche. Impressive and great for tourists. Visit the store to buy crap to send to your grandparents. The service is unspectacular. Loosen up your neck because you'll need to keep your head on a swivel to track down the wait staff.
(2)James A.
cool setup, unique rooms. mediocre food, service and flamenco dancing. check it out for the building and history, not for the food
(3)Alex A.
Amazing Place to have lunch or dinner. I had the cuban with black beans! OMG
(5)Crissy S.
A group of 11 of us had reservations here on one of our final nights on vacation in FL. I have to admit that the outside appearance of the place was not the most appealing to me. Once inside, I marveled at the decor and architecture. I absolutely adored it! It was luxurious, yet not stuffy feeling. We all ordered a drink (I got the sangria) and a nice gentleman at the end of the bar paid our tab. The sangria was a little weak for my taste, but I tasted the Mojito and Cocotinis as well and those were excellent. We ordered one of each of the tapas and I particularly enjoyed the calamari and the shrimp. Both were divine. For my main entree I had the Cannelloni de Langosta "Setes Portes," which was one of the best lobster dishes I have ever tasted. I don't recall what I had for dessert, but it was fabulous. I absolutely loved the place and would recommend it to anyone who ever finds themselves in Ybor City!
(5)Julienne G.
Disclaimer: i was pretty ripped by the time we had dinner here and some details are hazy. House wine was good quality (i think) and the mixed platter special of steak,chicken, fish and chorizo was very nicely done and oh so garlicky. The tab was picked up by a vendor rep so I've no clue what anything cost or if it was worth the scrill. I do know that we had a great time, good food and this part of Tampa is very cool (touristy but uh i was a pretty stereotypical tourist at the time).
(4)Nahum M.
I found this place searching around on the net when I was in Tampa on biz. I get the feeling it is one of those places that has been around forever, like Bern's. But sucks now. Unlike Bern's. The service was really very poor. When I walked in the greeting I got from the hostesses made me feel like I had something on my face. The pitcher of Mojitos was sweet, not refreshing, and the paella was really a let down. They did trot out some cool flamenco guys and gals during dinner who put on a show. And the interior was nice. Meh. 2 stars.
(2)Desiree T.
REALLY really REALLY yummy and DeliciouS Spanish food!.....Had food catered from here several times at my old job and also went in to eat a few times and every time it has been really good....Can't really remember the names or specifics on anything I've tried except for the Godiva chocolate cake which is amazing....and their Flamenco show is a MUST SEE.....i've lived in Tampa for about 6 years and went to go see it last year for my birthday and it was so much fun and entertaining to watch!...their sangria is also really good...can't wait to go back again for their delicious food dessert and sangria and of course all while I watch their gorgeous dancers put on a really good flamenco show! It is pretty expensive though, but definitely great for friends or relatives who are visiting, a special occasion and/or romantic night out!
(5)Melissa S.
This place is a gem in an historical, but otherwise pretty unexceptional district of Tampa. The architecture and design is exquisite and the dining room is a balance of kitchy and classy. The sangria was delightful and my bowl full of truffle stuffed pasta was light and aromatic. The cuban/spanish cuisine tempted me to go with a more traditional dessert, but as a tourist in Florida I had to go with the Key Lime Pie. Perfect.
(4)Jacqueline M.
I have been there 4 or 5 times, and the food is AMAZING. I went there on Valentines day, just a few weeks ago. I had the best Fillet Mignon that I have ever had, and I've eaten a lot of steak! The Sangria is superb, and the flan is delicious. The atmosphere is classy, yet friendly. Not stiff or rude at all.
(5)Patrick M.
This was one of the restaurants that the Tampa locals suggested. My co-worker and I tried out one day after work. I really expected more but it was just OK. I never went back during my extended stay in Tampa but I might go back and give it another try the next time I am in Tampa.
(3)Darlene C.
Read all the reviews and stopped there after the aquarium while in Tampa. Maybe there are different locations but this one was not impressive. It was old and it smelled bad. You'd think you'd walk in to lovely smells but I don't know what I smelled but it was bad. I sat at the bar and got a menu - totally different from the one online. I should have walked out but didn't. Had the scallops which were tasty but overcooked and the black bean cakes. These were mushed up black beans made into a ball and deep fried. They weren't hot so I sent them back. Got them a second time and they were pretty much burned - guess the chef got one over on me! I tasted them and they were much like I would imagine dog food - horrible! I heard the bartenders talking and they were out of Sangria mix - what? they use a mix? how original. I think my bartender was drunk but now sure. All in all a very bad experience, would never recommend.
(1)Jason F.
Food arrived cold and undercooked.
(2)Stephanie N.
Atmosphere is fantastic at any of the locations that you choose to visit. The original one in Ybor leaves the biggest impression, but then again the one on Sand Key is right on the beach - how can you choose? The food is fabulous, but my highest recommendations are the Cuban Sandwich, 1905 Salad, Arroz con Pollo, and side of plantains. MMmmm.... I'm a desert girl, but if I could only choose 2 I'd get the Guava Cheesecake and Flan
(4)Gourmet G.
An eleven-room dining establishment that seats 1600, is heavy on classic, Old World charm, and takes up an entire city block, this is Florida's oldest and the world's largest Spanish restaurant, opened in 1905 in historic Ybor City. It's inconceivable that a kitchen could maintain any reasonable quality when feeding the masses like this, but Columbia somehow manages to pull it off, without resorting to what tastes like assembly line cooking. The most popular draw here is paella, a melange of fresh fish, shrimp, scallops, squid, mussels, clams, chicken, pork, and sausage mixed with green peppers, onions, and tomatoes and heaped over piles of yellow rice. The neighborhood's ethnic flavor comes through with a nightly show of flamenco. There's a cigar bar with live jazz and a retail store. Open daily except Sunday, because any staff that handles this much traffic in a week definitely deserves its day of rest.
(5)Chris F.
Extremely tourists-packed, huge restaurant but decent food, great tapas and historical building. It's Ybor after all. Will stop by again.
(3)Ryan E.
Been going since I was a kid. Great food and great service. The only thing that is strange is the room upstairs. Their Gasparilla Krewe takes themselves a little to seriously and has paintings of all the presidents or kings or whatever they decided to be all over the walls.
(4)Monique L.
A visit to Ybor is not complete until you dip your fork into this selection of delicious cuisine!!!! Bring a hearty appetite ....portions are generous!!! Finish it off with a cafe con leche and dessert....you won't regret it!!!!
(5)Shane G.
Really good Cuban food and not bad on the price. The seafood is amazing and fresh. The mojito is made table side and they have perfected it over 100 years. Got to get you some of that!
(5)L B.
I've been to the Columbia many times and returned with my family on a Christmas break trip to Tampa. The food did not disappoint, but the service was absolutely awful!!! We were seated for our 9:30pm reservation and it took 15 minutes to even get water or a welcome from a waiter. When the waiter arrived, he apologized, but service did not improve. We waited for butter, silverware, catsup. Our server told us he'd worked double shifts for 13 days in a row. We just wanted to eat and enjoy the authentic Spanish food. We spoke to the manager and he was kind enough to provide dessert for the kids, 1/2 off our bill and a genuine apology. This is a destination place, but avoid Christmas week since they are too busy to execute on their usually great service.
(2)J G.
It was definitely a very good restaurant. a different taste. The restaurant was prompt with their reservation, they seated us quickly. Their automated system to seat people is great. Bar service and waiters was excellent, they came to us in a timely manner. Their prices are fair: for two people: two main dishes with dessert and an alcoholic beverage for both of us came up to $75 dollars. (We ordered The Cuban sampler, mojito, Sangria and the delicious white pudding dessert and some chicken entree plate) Their bathrooms were very clean and was amazed at their paper towels, they were very high quality. Bounty paper towels aint got $hit on them. Anyways, we took our 8 month old to eat with us they had a high chair for my little one, they are kid friendly. I truly like this place , being from the west coast I would definitely recommend this place, is a must for tourist. I would come back again. Thank You guys.
(4)Andy M.
It's a 3 star. Food was good, but can't say it was better than many other places. Server initially was a bit cold. He would hand us our plates rather than doing the extra walking around the table to set them down. By end of the meal he seemed to pick up his game. Server cost them 1 star in my mind. The decor is neat. But the place lacks any personal touch, as it is just too massive. So if you want to be able to say you've been to the oldest restaurant in Florida and check the box, then you won't be disappointed. If you are looking for more personal experience, this is not the place for you.
(3)Matthew B.
This place gets a lot of good reviews and honestly I'm not sure how. I will agree that the restaurant is unique; if you have been to Bern's Steakhouse in Tampa you might imagine that but with an over the top Latin twist. The room in which we were seated was pretty and had a lot of detail to admire for sure. Unfortunately, that was about the best part of the experience. Our server was very friendly, but by her own admission had only started a couple weeks previous to our visit. She was marginally familiar with the menu but couldn't offer much in the way of recommendations, saying she really hadn't tried much of the menu. Still, she was attentive and personable. The food on the other hand - yikes. We had an app (some sort of stuffed pepper, and I swear it was covered with cheese whiz), I had 'short ribs' that were on special, and the Mrs had a simple fish dish. I put short ribs in quotes because what I had more resembled a mediocre cut of pot roast that wasn't tender and the flavor could best be described as odd. The pepper app wasn't good in the least, and the best my wife could muster regarding her fish dish was that it was inoffensive. So we are glad we tried the famous Columbia restaurant. It is good for them that they have the quirkiness and notoriety to keep people coming in as the food is probably more suited for a hospital cafeteria.
(2)Meredith A.
Absolutely amazing! You begin the meal with a warm loaf of Cuban bread-per person! We ordered the sangria and mojito to start off, which were both great. The sangria is authentic and fresh-not overly sweet. As an appetizer we ordered the champioñes rellenos-mushrooms filled with cheese and spinach. They were to die for. My favorite part of the meal was the pollo manchego-breaded chicken topped with two types of cheeses and sun dried tomatoes. If you come here make sure to order this at least once! For dessert we had flan, which did not disappoint. The atmosphere is beautiful and makes you feel like you're actually enjoying fine dining in Spain. Slightly pricey but 100% worth the money!
(5)Rebekah T.
I wanted something Original, Local and Authentic. I found the Columbia Restaurant in Ybor city and insisted that we go for dinner. I love to cook and eat Latin food, so I really looked forward to trying it their way. They have in fact been open since 1905, with the recipes influenced by Cuban, Spanish, European, etc. I loved the stories behind the dishes in the menu. The Sangia is a must, the only question is which one to get. We went with the suggestion by our bartender and ordered the Red Sangria made from Imported wine, fruit and brandy. It's got a kick to it, but smooth enough to keep drinking. I was told by several people and saw in several reviews to try the 1905 salad. We ordered a side salad and split it. It was pretty big. The salad is pretty damn good and left us thinking why was it so damn good, was it the dressing or the olives, the cheese? I need the recipe. We ordered a Cubano to split, which was HUGE. It was very good and served with plantain chips. The bread was sweet, yet toasted and it was very filling. We also ordered the Gambas Al Ajo which were these huge shrimp sautéed in garlic and chiles and served in a clay dish. This was served with fresh hot Cuban bread and butter. Although we only ordered a small salad, one sandwich and a tapa plate, we were stuffed. I loved the restaurant, the food, the service and would most definitely come back. Places like this need to stay around, so that newer generations can appreciate the Original, Local and Authentic food and establishments that built Ybor City and Tampa Bay.
(5)Bruce G.
Went here on a Saturday afternoon with my wife. The parking lot across the street was full so we parked several blocks away at a municipal lot which was fine. The place is a monster inside! We got inside and stood in line to ask for a table. We were told it would be a 35 minute wait. At the 35 minute mark we made our way up to the young ladies at the desk and were told another 10 minutes. It was amazing to see alll the people coming in and going out but we saw three parties of 4 that came in after us that were seated before us. I suspect even more groups of four were seated ahead of us because once we were seated ( at a 4 top) we could see that they have very few 2 tops and they wanted to fill the tables. I get it. It's a profit thing. However, first come first serve is the proper way or tell people you don't seat 2 tops until you feel like it.They lost a star on that move. My wife and I tried the 1905 salad-delicious! Definitely recommend. The bread was warm and fresh. We also ordered house sangria. It wasn't bad at all. I got the eye of round with chorizo and gravy. Very tender and flavorful. My wife got the sampler..an empanada (good) and pork (also good and tender). It can be difficult to maintain standards and feed as many people as Columbia does but they do a nice job. Would we return...maybe. The food is better than it should be in a venue like this but it's a zoo with all of the waiters running around, the dropped glasses and plates (3 times during our meal) and the ambient noise just makes for eating to live versus having a nice meal in a pleasant atmosphere. I would tell people that if you go to Ybor City and don't have a clue where you want to eat to go to the Columbia. It seems like they are consistent.
(3)David L.
I had been here once before while visiting on business. I was really impressed with the food, but mostly with the building itself. Very historic. I was back in Tampa and wanted to take two of my coworkers. I made reservations on a Friday for the following Monday night. They even called me Monday morning to confirm. We showed up and found most of the restaurant down for renovation. We were sat in a room that would have normally been the back room I was so disappointed! What upset me was that they never mentioned it when I made the reservation or when they called to confirm. For that reason, and the feeling they were being deceptive, I am going with 2 stars. My first visit was a five-star experience. An upfront..."just so you know, part of the restaurant is being renovated, but..." would have bee sufficient. The service was okay from Gabriel, but not good enough to raise the stars to 3-4.
(2)Keith H.
OMG the legend is real! Great food, service ambiance! Sangria was the best I've ever had. Make sure you walk around and check out the building decor! Great experience.
(5)Joe W.
If you are looking for a 5-star restaurant in Tampa . . . this is it! Beautiful building, fun location, wonderful ambiance. Our waitress, Jamie, was friendly, personable and fun! I was shocked to learn that she had only been on her own for two weeks. Management, take note: She is a gem, a real asset to your serving staff! We will be returning in August with out of town friends and will request her station. My wife had a 1905 salad and bacon wrapped fired shrimp, and I had the Marilyn and Joe. Both meals were delicious and well presented. We had the churros (fired donuts with dipping sauce) . . .decadent!
(5)Allison P.
We were a party of 7 and had a brand new waiter- it probably was his first day. Nice guy and Im sure he meant well, but someone so new should have been given a smaller party. It was hard for him to give us feedback on the menu since 6 of us had never been there before. Although there were 2 other waiters who were supposed to be helping him and our table, they were rarely seen until towards the end of the meal. We ordered two pitchers of sangria- one white and one red and neither were that great. Possibly some ingredients were left out? There was a variety of dishes ordered for tapas (incredibly tiny portion sizes appetizers) and entrees and there isn't one that we loved and that makes me sad. Maybe it was just our particular preferences. The architecture of the building is absolutely stunning. I could just walk around here forever because there is so much beauty and so much to see. That I give 4 stars. The salad I also give 4 stars. The Colombia's original salad was absolutely delish and I could have just ate the whole thing and been so much more happy with my experience. Its made table side, a bunch of lettuce, ham and swiss cheese and a delish garlic dressing- it really was excellent.
(2)Brian C.
Dinner July 3 If you go: 1) reserve a table so you can see the Flamenco Show - well worth the $6 extra per person 2) get a tapas or 2 (thats appetizer) they have a ton of unique ones! 3) Make sure you order the 1905 salad - its NOT included with the meal and is big enough for 2 to split! This salad is the BOMB! If you live in Tampa and have never been - shame on you! you are missing a true Tampa original!! This is my "go to" place to take out of towners! Anything with Grouper is super fresh and always good!
(4)Michael A.
Here we are in one of the many unique rooms of the restaurant. The 1905 salad is fantastic. This restaurant opened in 1905 and has been a Tampa eating institution ever since. You just can't go wrong eating here.
(4)Julie J.
Amazing restaurant and that's me coming from a Cuban household. The service is amazing and the food is authentic. Raul is an amazing server; very attentive. So very happy I me here and experienced the food and the Flamenco show which was spectacular. I definitely recommend it!
(5)Lisa L.
The food was disgusting, we had 3 tapas shrimp, calamari and chicken. The chicken tasted like just fried dough. The calamari was ok and the shrimp was unremarkable. The shrimp did not have the chili flavor it was suppose to and the menu said it serves 3-4 people but only 2 could eat that. We didn't finish our dishes because they were horrible. The only thing that was good was the bread and butter. This place is OVER HYPED!!!!! 2 stars because the bread was good. I left hungry!!!
(2)Cindy N.
Don't know what all the hoopla is about. Maybe the ambience, cuz it certainly isn't the food.
(2)Cori W.
I've been here several times and I've always had such a good experience. I came on their 1905 day when they knock the prices back and I was excited to try all of their different items. The wait was very long which we were expecting, but I was so glad that we came. We got to try the Boliche- which I would never order on my own, but LOVED. There was a fish item which was fantastic. We also had the chicken and yellow rice with plantains, love their plantains and the chicken and yellow rice was fantastic. Their 1905 salad is so flipping good, I can't handle it. Every meal comes with your own bread too, which is so good! I've also had their Seafood Paella and it was very good. I've nothing bad to say. Love this place :)
(4)Sean F.
Good quality food at a decent price. I believe this place is a bit overrated and the interior is a bit outdated. The Colombia has been around for a long time so I guess they are doing something right.
(3)Ron P.
The Place to Go in Ybor City ! - always a great meal - very historic location and wonderful bar !! Simply a perfect dinning experience in Tampa, Florida
(5)E M.
Great food, service and atmosphere. Make reservations for sure. It was packed when we went there mid week.
(5)Jennifer S.
We had the tapas and they were decent, for some reason it was cold though. I enjoyed the stuffed mushrooms and the crab meat. The key lime pie was OK.
(3)Frances V.
Omg! What an experience! I had the special Mahi Mahi Andaluz! Wow, so many Flavors...moist and lightly spiced...the plantains were DEliciously cooked! I had to give compliments to the chef! Great lunch! Will be back! Great environment too!
(5)Sarah T.
Great atmosphere! Delicious food. I had the special Mahi Mahi and the flavor was like nothing I've ever tasted before.
(4)NB K.
Service in the old style, food of the common era, and drinks beyond compare! We had a lovely dinner here. The building in Ybor City is a busy warren of rooms, upstairs and down. The entryway is so crowded, it was physically difficult to get to the desk to claim our reservation. We were shortly escorted outside and around the corner, then to a dining room in the rear of that building. We opted for a choice of 3 tapas (2 seafood and 1 of any other) and their famous salad. Wonderful, crusty bread was brought to the table, our water glasses were never empty and the waiter was well-informed and careful to place our order as requested. The salad was mixed table side and we dove in...I could have eaten the salad and nothing else and I'd have been happy. We chose crab croquettes, shrimp and pork ribs. The shrimp stole the show...the flavor was fantastic and the texture was just perfect. Each of us had a mojito and a Pisco sour. Lovely. Just lovely. Really, one must go to The Columbia at least once. We will certainly return.
(4)Joel A.
A little off the beaten path but well worth it! Classic old world charm, great food & service. If you are going for dinner make reservations! We arrived early for our reservation & were seated within minutes. Enjoyed our waiter making our Sangria at the table. Highly recommend the Paella and white chocolate bread pudding for dessert. The portions are large & plenty to share. We will be returning next time we visit Tampa.
(4)Leixi W.
Tango Mango and Mojito as drinks, spicy shrimp as appetizer, then we have seafood and red grouper, last but not least, the white chocolate bread pudding as dessert. Such an awesome legit meal in Tampa. Will definitely come back for this restaurant. Fantastic experience. 5 star!!!!
(5)Henry M.
Had a great dinner here last night. The show is well worth the effort to see. We had a large group with several children. The where impressed with the show. The staff was very impressive. They took care of every need and insured a great night.
(5)Gigi S.
A great spot for a tour and flamenco dancing entertainment! I was whisked away to another time as I self toured the secret back rooms and underground hallways in this amazing old building. The flamenco dancing crew is a great accompaniment to a romantic meal. Sure, the food isn't high on the consistency scale because some items can be a crap shoot. Food aside, this is a great tourist spot, and a historic gem Tampa can be proud of. On "1905 Day" which is no longer annual, they send their fans a nod by pricing all their dishes as they were back in 1905. Cute concept, but skip it. 1905 prices are not even worth the cluster that this place becomes on that day, so steer clear and enjoy it any other day. This particular location is certainly a must-visit, and then better left to the tourists.
(4)John H.
A nice dinner spot for date night. Wasn't impressed but I was with a huge party and didn't get to enjoy the deco. Food was good but not outstanding. I would try again maybe with a smaller party.
(4)Frederick H.
Great place just 10 minutes from downtown Tampa. A lot of history. I had a Cuban sandwich with a house salad. The salad was delish. Place is really cool with great service and great ambiance.
(5)Snazzy M.
Let me preface this review by saying the food was delicious. Where they lost stars from me was on service and the general way in which they handle patrons looking to eat. We had a reservation, but when we got there people were being told it was upwards of a 45 min. wait. They are a 52k sq ft restaurant with 3 dining rooms - none of which were filled to capacity. I'm not sure if they were short staffed or something but this just seemed crummy. From the time we sat down, trying to get a refill on any drink on the table was like pulling teeth. The bread they served was ROCK HARD and we were told "that's the way it is." - like we're a bunch of uncultured ruffians who wouldn't know authentic Cuban bread if it hit us in the face. It wasn't until our table's own Authentic Cuban told the waiter that no - the bread's not supposed to be hard or cold - in Spanish, mind you, that they took us seriously. I don't know, I just don't get this place. Like I said, the food's awesome but they totally could've been better at the service.
(3)Cindi H.
I've never had a bad meal at any of The Columbia Restaurants. This is the original and the character exudes old Tampa. The bread pudding is to die for, stop in just to try it!
(5)Melanie C.
We started with reservations that I made 3 weeks ago for friends coming to visit. I figured this was a classic Tampa restaurant to take friends to during their stay. When we got there the line was out the door to just check in and let them know we were there! We waited an hour past our reservation time and we're finally seated at 605 rather than the 5 PM we made, which made us late for our next reservation for a show. When we were finally seated we saw 3 servers other than the one designated to our table. The server came over literally huffing for breath complaining that her previous table was taking too long drinking wine. For the record there were plenty of empty tables around us in the room we were in. When the food arrived it was find but nothing to rave around. The bread was a flaky mess and my baby punch out scallops were over cooked and then cooked again for good measure. In terms of size, three of us ordered tapas and one a regular sized meal. The regular sized was essentially tapas sized with a scoop of rice and an up of 20$. The mojitos were pretty good and refreshing.
(2)Danielle B.
This used to be my favorite place to take out of town visitors and I absolutely loved the food. Went here last weekend with a friend visiting from another state and was incredibly disappointed. We ordered a lunch 1905 salad and a Cuban sandwich and salad combo and ended up waiting over 45 minutes for our food to come out. The waitress was absolutely terrible and would be out of sight for long periods of time for no apparent reason. Other tables were getting their food while we sat and waited for two salad and sandwiches. When the waitress finally came back, she said the sandwich was the holdup and it was because there were so many people ordering it and she wasn't able to grab ours before other wait staff got it. First off, what the heck?! Shouldn't food be given in order it was recieved? Second, it was 3 o'clock in the afternoon on a Sunday.... What the heck!? We were just about to walk out when the food finally came. Sandwich was cold and you could tell it had been sitting for a while.... Ruined all of our afternoon plans (it was her last day in Florida) and no one apologized or took anything off our bill. If you are going to charge so much for a sandwich, you should probably make sure it is at least warm when serving it. Very disappointed in the service at this specific Columbia and probably won't be coming back for a very long time.
(2)Mike C.
The restaurant was good. Good food, good service and their show was very entertaining. The food is original: things I don't see often on a menu and good. They bring you bread right away: don't wait until after they push the appetizers. One thing to note: the Valets ran a scam on us with the parking. You pay $20 up front for the valet parking then when you bring your validation out, they are supposed to give you $10 back. However the valet "conveniently" did not have any change at the time. If you chose to use the Valet, be careful and you might want to have a $10 bill handy.
(4)Joanna K.
It's trendy to complain about the Columbia Restaurant. However, restaurants in Tampa come and go, but the Columbia remains. If you are unfamiliar with the food, I highly recommend asking the waiter what he or she recommends. I am partial to the 1905 Salad, Filet Mignon "Chacho", and their Mojitos, which I suggest getting by the pitcher. If you aren't sure of what to get, try the sampler plate. We are also big fans of the flan. The warm Cuban bread and butter is worth the trip. Portions are decent sized, but not as ridiculously huge as at other places. Reservations are probably a good idea on the weekends or during peak seasons. Every so often we catch the flamenco show which is great fun and sort of reminds one of the what things must have been like in a 50's supper club. I've never been turned away or asked to wear something else and I have been eating here since 1976. I'm pretty sure I have a picture of myself in a tie-dye t-shirt and shorts in the lobby of this place. I'm not sure if there is a dress code, but I suspect you'd have to be dressed pretty sloppy to violate it. I've seen all manner of dress at this place, which is part of the fun. It's a beautiful restaurant and my husband and I love it. It's reasonably priced, too! I'm sure I will continue to field complaints of people who don't like this restaurant, but it tops my list of favorite places.
(5)Olivia M.
Love the Sangria! They made it right in front of you. Service was also great, everyone there was corteus and friendly. Definitely seeing a touch of Spain in every corner of this place. Get the devil croquette too!
(4)I Love Pizza ,.
Yeah, I love this place. Atmosphere is great. This was our 3rd trip, all have been at lunch time, weekend and during the week. Amazing how many people were there during the week. As always we had great wait staff that make you feel welcome. At our table we ordered Cuban sandwich, Spanish bean soup, 1905 salad (of course), chicken and yellow rice. Also had Flan and Key Lime pie for dessert. All of the food was really good. Portions are enough to share, so were the desserts. I prefer the 1905 salad with Spanish bean soup. Love the Cuban bread and butter, fresh and hot. Love the history of this town and the building. Parking was across the street, so no problem. We did not have reservations and did not have to wait, although there were a lot of people there. I will go there anytime we are in Tampa. (Ybor City). It's a great place to take your in-town guests.
(5)VC V.
Had trouble finding the door to the restaurant. We had to wait a bit, even though we had reservations. Our server recommended the white sangria. We thought it was just okay. Each diner gets a cuban loaf of bread, which was nice and warm. We ordered the calimari, which was a bit on the salty side. I had a chicken dish that was cooked in spanish/cuban spices that came with potatoes and green beans. Hardly any meat on the chicken. For dessert, I had the key lime pie, which I liked. We watched the flamenco dancers, which was interesting. I could tell that this was a touristy place to go. Not sure I need to go back.
(3)Michelle S.
Food is delicious, I love the yuca and the black beans and rice. Lechon was delicious as well. Overall el combo de Cuba was on point.
(5)Kimberly N.
Fabulous food in a gorgeous dining environment, and the flamenco show is great, too! The bread is excellent, as is the white sangria, and I highly recommend the 1905 salad, but be warned it is HUGE! It really is a meal in itself.
(5)Theresa J.
Sangria was yummy. The salad and bread were perfect. Overall atmosphere is great. We can't wait to take our parents when they visit. We'll try something else next time, our steaks were dry and lacking in flavor.
(4)John S.
If you come to Tampa you have to come to the Columbia. Service is outstanding and the show was terrific.
(5)Michael J. C.
Love this place and the 1905 salad is a classic that everyone should try!
(5)Nadine S.
Absolutely excellent restaurant. Large menu selection. Good very fresh, very appealing and delicious food. Large portions. Great service, attentive staff. All staff in black suits and ambiance is wonderful. Salad made at table side as well as many drinks. Took home more than we ate. Many separate beautiful dining rooms. Multiple parking lots but one right across from the entrance as well as valet parking.
(5)N B.
45 minute wait to be seated. Another hour for food. It better be worth it. In past experience food has been excellent along with service. Guess due to concert tonight at the Amalie with Fleetwood Mac it's busier than normal but a Cuban sandwich shouldn't take an hour.
(3)Joe C.
Better than a three but not quite a four. Food was good quality and quantity but pretty over priced. I had the Fideua de Mariscos (Seafood Pasta but ordered it with rice per the waiters suggestion and glad I did) Plenty of shell fish, shrimps and scallops. One complaint was that two of the clams were still closed (and that is not a good sign and of course shouldn't be eaten) That should have been caught before the plate left the kitchen. Otherwise it was good, abundant and spicy but not overpowering. Also had the signature side "1905" salad which had a great flavor and very garlicky! My table mates all had the seafood rice special (think seafood risotto with a red sauce) I tried some and it was perfectly fine. We also had the devil crab coquette appetizers and I was underwhelmed (they were cold and not much flavor). Wines on the menu were adequate for the type of food. I think I was expecting more but the thing that took it from 3 to 4 stars is that we sat down at 7 PM on a Saturday and we got up from the table at 10 PM and never once felt like they were trying to turn the table.
(4)Josh R.
If you are looking for a restaurant that is also a Tampa institution for Spanish and Cuban food, this is it! My family and I make an effort to visit at least once every year to enjoy the atmosphere and the cuisine. Last time we visited, I had the shrimp salteado and my mother enjoyed the palomilla steak. Both were equally delicious. We also ordered the 1905 salad, which is a "must-have" if you've never been to The Columbia Restaurant before (the dressing is addictive).
(4)Raymond G.
This was a very night place to eat. For most people, including myself, I feel like this is a "special night" place. Like celebrating graduation or something special like that. The prices are a bit high, avg of about $20 a person on the lower end. The service is very good here. The servers are very attentive and ready to help you. We were sitting close to the back wall but it wasn't hard at all to get the attention of someone when we needed to order or a refill on water. (They don't have water pitchers on your table here, so the serves do need to come around more often to keep them filled. The food here was way better than I was expecting from other reviews on yelp. I tried a bunch of the stuff they had on the menu because I came with a big group. Maybe it's because I was hungry, but dang, pretty flavorful stuff!! All in all I was not disappointed with the food and service here. I wish the menu was easier for English speakers, but asking the servers solved that problem. :)
(4)Rachel M.
I've been to pretty much all of the Columbia locations. This one is quite charming with the original decor. It is also quite nice because they have the flamenco shows which I did get to see. This location gets a 3 star for those specific elements. However, if it weren't for that, it would get two stars. Why you ask? Myself and the two other people in the group all got sick. So obviously, we all ate the same stuff but it all did not do us quite well. After that visit, we knew we would never be back. I like the Sarasota location the most, and the Clearwater(sand key) location second. They usually have a 1905 day on their anniversary where they put the prices down to back in the day prices. Everything under $1.00. They are not having it this year. That is a bummer. I sent a message to the Columbia facebook, and they let me know they are planning something super huge for next year. We will see what happens. It is usually around this time of the year (September).
(3)Julie I.
We brought a group of 19 from a high school and had a wonderful time. We were seated in the room with the portrait of the young lady in the pink dress. Our service was wonderful and the food was amazing. I had the 1905 salad (small) and the picadillo "Criollo." I posted a picture of my plate. The students mostly ordered sandwiches. The wait staff was excellent! Great trip - the Dali in the morning followed by lunch at the Columbia!
(5)Brian P.
A Tampa staple for over 100 years. This is a HUGE restaurant. Something like 12 dining rooms decked out in a Spanish/Moroccan design. It's one of the most unique restaurants in Tampa and one worth trying at least once (whether you're a local or just a tourist). Everything about this place feels steeped in history, from the hostess stand upon entering to the Jazz lounge and old oak bar. The food is very good to excellent, but just short of knock-your-socks-off. The Cuban bread is warm, fresh and homemade. The seafood dishes are fresh and delicious. The Sangria, for which they are famous, tastes about the same as sangria from any number of other restaurants in the area. But the food and the ambiance of the restaurant itself make up for its few shortcomings.
(3)Tara M.
Went to this restaurant on a whim from a suggestion by the hotel clerk. Sooo glad I did. Nice ambiance but quite crowded and noisy. We had a 830 reservation and got seated about 10 minutes later. Menu selection is HUGE!! Started out with hot, crusty bread, cuban black bean soup and hubby had spanish black bean soup. It took about 15 minutes to get the soup after ordering. When it finally arrived it had a really good flavor but was not hot at all. Informed the waiter and he was very apologetic, took it off our tab. For an appetizer we had the shrimp and crabmeat alcachofas. It was served with in-house made crackers that were still warm and was a tasty intro for the entree. We shared a pasta dish that had huge shrimp, scallops, mussels and crabmeat smothered in a spicy sauce....it was incredibly good; and they did not skimp on the seafood. Ended dinner with churros that were hot and crispy and served with 3 different dipping sauces. Try this place, it won't disappoint.
(4)Owen C.
Went here on a recommendation of a friend. I had the Combo de Cuba which was fantastic. Everything on the menu looked amazing.
(4)Janice L.
They had amazing food in a great environment. This is a must eat location if you are visiting Ybor. You don't be disappointed.
(5)Robert V.
Authentic Cuban style restaurant with beautiful tiled walls, dark wood, and tall ceilings. Attentive wait staff and they handle large crowds very well. Cuban sandwiches and Sangria, wonderful ! Make Reservations....
(4)Shanna K.
I didn't realize Tampa was home to just a famous place (that was a little bit of a touristy-location as well), but whenever I asked anyone (shuttle drivers, cab drivers, hotel staff, etc.) where I should make sure to eat, The Columbia Restaurant was it. As a vegetarian, I was worried that an authentic Colombian restaurant might not be friendly for me, but they had a whole vegetarian section of the menu, and my vegan dining companion ordered the veggie paella (which is vegan, as our server was willing to check). I got the vegetarian tapas platter, as well as the black bean soup, and everything I had (including a taste of the veggie paella) was absolutely fantastic. It's a little pricey, yes, but the serving sizes are big, the servers are friendly and good at their job, and the food is delicious!
(5)Ginger P.
Oh WOW!!! First time here. Definitely won't be the last. Wonderful service, friendly wait staff that are knowledgable and happy to recommend. Every recommendation a hit! So very good. Don't miss this place.
(5)Pras L.
Historic, charming and when in Ybor, the best place to go for a Cuban and their own creation the 1905 salad. There are a few more Columbia Restaurants in Florida, but this is the original and historic establishment.
(4)Mona B.
I would honestly like to actually give it a 4.5 stars so since there isn't an option for that I'll go with a 4. We were a party of 6 celebrating my husband's birthday and Mother's Day dinners. Because of the occasions, we were staying for the flamenco show, I called early in the week and requested a table close to the stage, and also because my daughter was with us and she is a little short, lol. So we got there 15 minutes early for our 5:30 reservation and waited about 20 minutes to be seated. We were taken to our table and was utterly disappointed...we were as far away from the stage as possible. Okay. We waited about another 15 minutes before our waiter approached our table to get our drink orders. My husband ordered the 1905 salad...he loved it. 5 stars for that. The Cuban.....3 stars :( was not impressed at all. I've gotten better Cubans in Brandon. The Caesar salad was good but there was an over abundance of Parmesan cheese in it for my daughter. 4 stars....me, I personally love fresh Parmesan so I thoroughly enjoyed her salad. My sister ordered a plain chicken breast she said it was very good... 4 stars. I'm not sure what the other 2 in our party ordered...lol. They brought out a birthday flan with candles for my hubby. That was cute. The service was awesome, wish I could remember the servers name. Just disappointed that my daughter couldn't enjoy the show more because she couldn't see it. I think everyone needs to make a visit here at least once for the experience. It is $$$-$$$$, so unfortunately this has to stay a "treat" restaurant for us. Not a place we can frequent weekly.
(4)Lilly R.
It's a Tampa institution but I think the location in Ybor lacks in preparation of the food. The paella's rice tasted like "uncle ben's ready rice." I haven't had uncle ben's but that's what I was told by someone else at the table. My ropa vieja had a can of tomato sauce thrown on the plate with no meat. I've been there three times. Two as an invite where I had no choice and once by my own choice (first time). La Septima even though it's in Brandon really has the best Cuban food I've had in Tampa. The Columbia Cafe by the Amalie Arena is great, so go there.
(1)Joe D.
What a beautiful old world restaurant! Worth the trip to Tampa just to experience the ambiance of a restaurant of old--waiters wore tuxedos, staff was very knowledgeable and the decor amazingly iconic. Started with Gambas "Al Ajillo" which were shrimp cooked in a garlic and olive oil with a chili pepper. The shrimp were tender and tasty but not as large as one would expect. I shared Paella "A la Valeneciana" and it was good but a bit salty for my taste. A fair portion of seafood, chicken and pork rested on a bed of highly seasoned rice. I ended with the flan which was a traditional spanish version and quite good. To tell the truth I so enjoyed the decor and staff that the food was just an accompaniment!! Overall, a good experience with two glasses of Don Cesar Crianza!
(3)Tina P.
Had lunch with my girlfriends 2 weeks ago and I had the Eggplant Dish which was so different from Italian Eggplant Parmesan but soooo delicious with capers, etc. It was a large portion and I ate the WHOLE thing, it was that good! My girlfriend had her usual -- Combo of 1/2 of the Cuban Sandwich and the Famous 1905 Salad! What a great lunch and afternoon!
(4)Natalie N.
My boyfriend and I had the insane pleasure of eating at the Columbia on the Friday of Labor Day weekend. The service was perfect - attentive and thorough, but not intrusive. Excellent. The only things even better than the service were the food and the atmosphere. Absolutely amazing. The Columbia is without a doubt, one of my top 5 favorite restaurants of all time ever. We had mojitos, sangria, the 1905 salad, cuban bread, and assorted tapas. There were so many wonderful sounding options on the menu it was hard to decide, which is why we went for the tapas. Finished up with the Flan and Key Lime Pie. Seriously the best flan I've had in my life. We bought a sangria pitcher at the restaurant's shop next door to commemorate such a fantastic meal and bring a little bit of the Columbia magic home with us; I'm hungry again just thinking about it. Such a great all-around experience that we had dinner the very next night at the Clearwater location! The Columbia will be our "must have" stop the next time we are back in town. Can't wait!
(5)James K.
Very Special. This place is a gem. The history and atmosphere alone are reasons to recommend this restaurant. A favorite hangout of Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe, located on a corner Teddy Roosevelt frequently passed with his rough riders, this place stirs the imagination. The unique architecture of the 1905 building are worth the trip. I was recommended the monitors, 1905 salad and Bambino steak. The food and service were excellent. I can't wait to return and bring friends so they can experience the Columbia. I recommend expecting to spend a bit on the meal, bring your appetite because the portions are large and then plan to linger a bit after in Ybor City which has its own unique charm.
(5)Jessica H.
After some more sightseeing and visiting a few stores, I decided it was time for lunch. Since I like to try local foods, I was on a mission to sample a cuban sandwich and deviled crab for the first time. Founded in 1905 by Cuban immigrant Casimiro Hernandez, Sr., the Columbia Restaurant is Florida's oldest restaurant, and the largest Spanish restaurant in the world. It began in Tampa's Ybor City as a small 60-seat corner café known for its Cuban coffee and authentic Cuban sandwiches, frequented by the local cigar workers. Casimiro Sr. took over the restaurant next door in 1919 and converted it into an additional dining room. His son, Casimiro Jr. also joined the business. Following the death of Casimiro Sr. in 1930, Casimiro Jr. took over ownership and operation. Casimiro Jr. aspired to take the Columbia beyond its humble beginnings and envisioned an elegant dining room with music and dancing, the likes of which were unheard of in this part of the country at the time. During the height of the Depression, he took a chance by building the first air-conditioned dining room in Tampa, complete with an elevated dance floor. He named it the Don Quixote Room. Over the years, Columbia Restaurant has attracted some of the most well known athletes and entertainers from yesteryear to today. From Babe Ruth to Derek Jeter, Lou Piniella, Ken Griffey Jr. and Barry Larkin, from Liberace to Bruce Springsteen, Steven Tyler of Aerosmith and Brian Johnson of ACDC, from Jack Dempsey and Rocky Marciano to Evander Holyfield, from Marilyn Monroe and Liza Minelli to Bo Derek, everyone enjoys the Columbia. Other recent visitors include George Clooney, Stephen King, Bryant Gumbel, Brooke Shields, and Lauren Hutton. The guy next to me said the Cuban sandwich was actually started here, but a sign down the street at another restaurant said the same thing. Nonetheless, the history of the Cuban sandwich is quite interesting. The "Mixto," as it was known in the beginning, was created in the 1890s for the cigar workers as they walked to and from work. The sandwiches underwent changes as immigrants from different country games to Ybor City. The city of Tampa was like the sandwich, a mixture of cultures and food. The Spanish brought the fine ham, the Sicilians the Genoa salami, the Cubans the Mojo marinated Roast Pork, the Germans and the Jews the Swiss Cheese, pickle and mustard. Put it all together between sliced, freshly baked Tampa Cuban bread and life is great! They still use the recipe created in 1915 by owner Casimiro Hernandez, Sr. I actually didn't end up getting a Cuban, because I had one at my job site earlier. Deviled crab (croqueta de jaiba in Spanish) is a crab meat croquette. The crab meat is slowly sauteed with seasonings, breaded (traditionally with stale Cuban bread), rolled into the approximate shape of a rugby football or a small potato, and deep fried. Deviled crab is associated with Tampa, Florida where it was established by the Spanish, Cuban and Italian immigrant community of Ybor City. The dish is traditionally made with blue crab. The seasoning uses a unique Cuban-style enchilada / sofrito sauce (locally known as "chilau") whose spiciness lends the "devil'" moniker to the dish's English name. Deviled crab is meant to be eaten with one hand. It was developed during a cigar workers strike in the 1920s and is still popular in Ybor. The deviled crab was good, but probably not something I'd eat all the time. Worth a try though! The star of lunch was the "1905" salad suggested to me by both CSX volunteers and the man sitting beside me. The Columbia's legendary salad is made of crisp iceberg lettuce with julienne baked ham, swiss cheese, tomato, olives, grated Romano cheese and their famous garlic dressing. Oh, that dressing! The award-winning salad won honors from USA Today as "One of the 10 Great Places to Make a Meal out of a Salad." It was named after the year the restaurant was founded. I LOVED LOVED the dressing and if you stop in the gift shop, make sure to get yourself some. I wish I would have! The Columbia Restaurant also has an extensive wine menu, including their house made Sangria. It is often served by the pitcher full in beautiful, Spanish tiled pitchers. I had to try that too!
(4)Dianna B.
I'd only ever been to this Columbia location once. And while this is the original, it is far from the best. The decor is lovely and the location is spacious, but that is where the similarities end to the others I've been to. We were set in the 2nd room, a table of 4 against the wall. Our waiter was an older gentleman who... was inattentive and rude. He would reach across me, no "Excuse me" no "Pardon" just - REACH- and deposit what ever it was he needed to do. We ordered the Sangria, and in other locations, this was made at our table. Here, it was delivered by someone who was not our waiter, who had another pitcher on the tray, where he had all the fixings to make it at their table side, but ours, ours was already pre-made. I was kind of disappointed. Our food was delicious. The salads, both the 1905 and the Tomato were delicious. All the mains were delivered promptly and tasted amazing, all but the yucca on the plate. At first I thought it was potato, but it was flavourless and gummy.. All in all it was fare that was fair at best. I will go to other locations in the future.
(3)JT H.
Parking was such a pain but once in we were consumed in the atmosphere. We came to the other location in st.Pete just to find that it had been closed because the peer had closed. So we finally made our way to ybor and stop in for some fathers day dinner. The menu was overwhelming but quickly read thru while our mouths watered with awww. We ordered the top shelf sangria and glad we did because it was such a smooth and tasty drink for a hot summer day. She had the red snapper and i had a little taste of Columbia. Cant say much other then amazingly good food. This will be a good specail ocasion location...
(4)Bob K.
Amazing. If you miss the 1905 salad-you will kick yourself!
(5)Rachel F.
I've been going to this place for years. As much as I love it, I don't know what is going on with the service. During lunch time, the staff seems irritable and there might be a good reason for it. On recent visits, I've noticed certain servers are only allowed to do certain jobs. This might explain the long wait in refills of drinks. If you ask one server you would like a refill of water, they have to ask another. The primary server takes your order, and delivers your wine. Another does the table made 1905 salad and gives you more napkins. Another delivers your entrees. This results in a LOT of confusion and it doesn't help when you're often rounded up in a crowded section in a restaurant that can seat 1500, and is gorgeous with so much history. I would suggest giving the server who served you the most your tip or asking the manager whom you would like it given to. When I've gone for dinner, the prices are higher, and they have the Flamenco dancing thing, so forget trying to have conversation with your friends or family. Go for the show. Food: The Cuban sandwich-awesome Caldo Gallego and Spanish Bean soup (my mom calls it Garbanzo Bean) both awesome. 1905 Salad: A must try. My husband doesn't like Swiss cheese and still likes it. Other family members of mine on both sides love it. They use real Ruskin tomatoes, so you can't get better than fresh! Boliche: No one makes it better (although the Laughing Cat's was just as good, they took it off their menu.) This was a favorite craving when I was pregnant. The rice is hit or miss, but usually a hit. Overall, I highly recommend this restaurant based on food. PS: To parents with younger children: I would also suggest you ask the kids not to look to the right as you go into the front entrance, or at least distract them.
(4)Ashley B.
We keep going back because it's The Columbia! The food is always decent. I'm not a huge fan of Spanish food, but my husbands family just can't get enough of this place! My favorites are the sangria and the 1905 salad. Both are actually prepared at your table! The restaurant also has a historic feel that's neat. I've been about 5 times and never sat in the same room twice. The place is like a maze with lots of dining rooms all decorated differently. In one of the rooms you can catch a flamenco show nightly (with a cover charge added to the bill). My most recent visit was with a large group in a private room. After winding through a few other rooms, we went through a small wooden door into a long room just for our group. The sounds of the restaurant were completely gone. Unfortunately the servers seemed to disappear too. Although they were polite and helpful, they would disappear quite a while each time they left the room.
(3)Ari G.
Honestly, this is a place that has so many regulars. When we arrived it was clear that people dressed up way more than us, as a night on the town. We were simply looking for some fresh food. I have to say that we ate at the Clearwater location, but we walked passed the open cafe-like Columbia Restaurant in Sarasota in the circle. My standards are super duper high when it comes to where I eat. Many people I meet feel that the Olive Garden is the best place to eat, and I can't tell them they are wrong. Because to them, it IS the best place. For me, I can make the same food as the Olive Garden - wait - I can make way better at home without trying. So for the regular people that go here, I think they love the atmosphere and the wait staff and the food. On the other hand, we didn't enjoy it as much. We felt the bread was simply too doughy inside. the waitress had - and this is NOT an exaggeration - food stains on her pressed shirt, sweat beads coming off her forehead, and her teeth were simply stained and crooked and gross. She obviously didn't know us, and is moreso comfortable with being nice to those regulars, and not so much the people like us. The food was simply too much fatty food in the fish, overly oily marinades for the antipasto, and overall just too much fattening junk. I'm sorry but I honestly think this place could spend 70% more effort on food quality, waiter appearance and health (saw numerous wait staff rubbing noses before serving food), and slightly more coaching in the kitchen for food quality, cooking quality, plating and customer service. I would like to see these guys actually take my advice seriously and in return they will see an even greater following. They are like 80% there, but that last 20% makes me never want to come back.
(2)Jemel D.
1905 Salad & Black Bean Soup - must haves any time you visit this awesome establishment!
(4)Helen L.
We had a large party and a great time here. The architecture and details were absolutely amazing. The Columbia Restaurant store next door was just as amazing filled with wines and little trinkets and the 1905 dressing! It's a great place to visit while you are waiting for your table or your guests. We had as much as possible. What were some great eats? Albondigas (had a smokey flavor to the meatballs), Shrimp "Al Ajillo" can also serve as a great dip for their warm bread, and Shrimp and Crabmeat Alcachofas was great but the crackers need to go. Perhaps they can use a softer or thinner type of crackers. Empanadas de Picadillo was great but the toppings were better! The entrees were great: Shrimp Criollo, Palomilla, Roast Pork "A La Cubana", and Paella "Campesina". Cannelloni de Langosta "Setes Portes" was not what i expected and the cheese sauce was heavier than i ever expected. better luck next time!
(4)James L.
Very fun and lively place - the place is huge! Traditional Spanish restaurant in the old part of Tampa ... a little "commercial" but still maintains its authenticity. Service is excellent and the menu is extensive. The 1904 salad is amazing and all the ingredients are very fresh. The Delmonico steak was good - not great but not bad. The wine list is huge - literally the size of a phone book. The sangria is probably the best I've ever had.
(4)David S.
Just the architecture is amazing...not to mention the delicious flan!
(5)Bret A.
The Columbia has updated the Flamenco dancing show with some good and bad changes. The music retains traditional elements, but now includes some more updated pieces which will appeal to the 50 and under crowd. The dancers are very good. The choreography has moved toward a more modern dance interpretation of the traditional flamenco style dancing that uses castanets and elements of tap dancing and the end result is energizing as was the traditional dance. They could use the castanets and hair comb/mantilla look more to greater effect - the dancers just have hair buns. Unfortunately the costumes ruin the effect of the show. The traditional layered dresses indicative this dance style are gone and replaced with unisuits with scarves around the waist. Very unusual and not very attractive. This was the biggest detractor commented on by older and younger guests in the crowd. I would still recommend the show if you want entertainment, but do not expect the flamenco dancers and show that used to be the norm. The food is still very good. Fresh Cuban bread, sangria and paella are favorites. The 1905 salad is still the star of the show and an entrée for many since it is huge and about $11. Entrees range from $15-30. Portions are large. The history of the building is so interesting!
(3)Laurene P.
Ate at Columbia three times on my visit to Tampa. Once at the Cultural Center location for lunch where the Cuban bread and Tomato salad (and cerveza) were just what I needed. I also ate twice at the Ybor location. The building is beautiful. For lunch I had the Lula Mae salad which was wonderful and huge. For dinner I had the Vegetarian Espanola which was YUMMY as well. The carnivores in my party were also happy with their dishes. Would recommend without reservation.
(4)Len L.
Had reservations here and after my experience eating here - I should have stayed at La Creperia Cafe and ordered another Apricot. I assumed that I would have an outstanding dinner at Columbia since the restaurant has been opened since 1905. From the view from the outside, it appeared to be a super tall and long two -story building and once you step in, you feel like you were in the early 1900's. The furniture looked and felt so old that you were afraid to sit down on them. The menu was in a format of a newspaper which was interesting because you could read the food items and a little history of Columbia. I ordered the special of the day - which consist of clams and a large slice of grouper over linguine and the "1905" salad. I was expecting the salad to be superb since everyone I knew who recommended this place told me that the salad was a must. We'll when the waiter came over, he practically mixed all the ingredients in front of us to illustrate the freshness of the salad - The secret sauce is a heavy drench of Worcester sauce and cheese. The pasta came out bland and pasta was over-cooked - Not exactly what I expected. The dinner was overpriced and left a very fishy taste in my mouth. Average price for any dish is around $10 - $28. Now if they had crepes... Maybe I would come back..
(3)Jonathan T.
By far my favorite restaurant for nearly any occasion. I love their Veal "La Reina Isabella" which is my favorite dish. Also, their Paella Valenciana is excellent. Another favorite of mine is their Palomilla steak with white rice and black beans. Can't go wrong with those options!
(5)Melissa R.
I'm so sad to write this review. This was my first visit to the Columbia and it was very disappointing. Several times I had been told by other people not to go there, that food is better and much cheaper at your run of the mill Cuban restaurants. But, at last I had to go at least once. First off the actual establishment is beautiful. The building is gorgeous and I really enjoyed checking it out. Besides that, there wasn't much I enjoyed. My favorite meal is palomilla steak, so it has become my litmus test for most Cuban restaurants I go to. I ordered the milanesa and the breaded steak was mushy and not crisp at all. The sauce was decent, but the rice was a disturbing color of orange/yellow and it was very sticky and mushy. The hubby ordered the 1905 salad with shrimp. During the prep of the salad the server dropped one of the shrimp and naturally left it out of the salad. Now I don't want to split hairs here, but I think it would have been nice, out of courtesy just to fire a quick shrimp or two to replace the one they dropped. I mean you are paying for it and you don't get that many in the first place. He said the salad was "meh". At the end of the meal I ordered cafe con leche and it just didn't taste good. I thought it was my imagination so I let the hubs try it and he said it was bad too. I tasted burnt. It just wasn't good. The best thing we had at dinner was the app of cuban bread with manchego cheese and serrano ham. It was delicious. Also, the bread comes out piping hot, wrapped in paper and toasted to perfection. Hot bread with some butter can never be overrated. I hate writing this review.... I REALLY wanted to enjoy this place immensely! I will try it once again when I work up the courage to go back. Hopefully I will have better luck.
(2)Discerning T.
Exceptional food, service, and live performances to boot! Great atmosphere as well.
(4)Lisa N.
I'm a huge fan of any place that starts out giving me my own huge piece of warm Cuban bread and whipped butter. This is really a place you go for the atmosphere and experience (and Cuban bread). You can find cheaper Cuban food at other places in Tampa but the Columbia is an iconic Tampa restaurant. I particularly love the atrium room. I stick to a pretty standard menu when I'm here, generally ordering the sangria and the 1905 salad. The 1905 salad is their signature tableside salad with iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, olives, swiss cheese, and ham (can also be made with turkey or shrimp). It is a HUGE salad. I eat and eat and the plate of salad never seems to shrink. If you're into taking leftover salad home (and there will be leftover salad) ask for the dressing on the side. Service is good and professional. Sometimes slow at lunch so it doesn't work if you're crunched for time. Parking is usually easy as the Columbia has their own parking lots but valet is also available. A couple of doors down you will find the Columbia store where you can buy Sangria pitchers, seasoning, sangria mix, salad dressing, etc.
(4)Dahoniel P.
The Columbia Restaurant was an exciting surprise on a Monday evening after work the other night! My girlfriend and I decided to step out for the night, in hopes of finding something fresh and new to us, even though it is historic and well-known to many others in the area. Being my frist time, I had heard of the history in the Ybor location, and I was excited to taste what they had to offer. Upon arrival, I loved the parking directly across the street for convenience, it was quick and simple, and we promptly walked inside just minutes before our reservation. As soon as we entered, we were ushered in by a great staff that smiled and made us feel as though we were home and the cozy place had already grown on me. Being seated in the atrium-looking room, I was awed by the sights, as it made me feel as though I was back in old day Cuba, or in a scene of "The Lost City" or something. It was truly remarkable. If you have read my previous reviews, you know that I love anything antic and historic, and it was so cool to say I have dined in places like this, because it really speaks volumes of how much Tampa has to offer. I applaud our waiter, Carlos, as he was calm and personable throughout, taking care of our every dining need and making us feel comfortable with our choices. The food he suggested such as the dessert were spot on and the food he brought out to us could not have been prepared any better. I definitely suggest the Calamari to anyone paired with the sauce, it is to die for! All in all, I was very pleased with my first time at the Columbia because they did not over do anything, but seemed to do everything "just right." After a long days work at the bank, I was whisked away and greeted with the upmost respect and taken care of on every dining level. It was smooth transition to simple execution after another, and that is what I took away from my time there. They introduce their food brilliantly because they don't do much to alter the simplicity of it's rich flavors. A fine dining experience rolled out just right for this "poor man's food," as my girlfriend would say, with the right amount of touch. I respect anyone who can pull off such a feat, and I definitely plan to come back soon for some great food and service!
(4)Brett K.
Beautiful space that is steeped in history. The food is delicious, service is great (a little slow, but come on, it's a Spanish restaurant). Our waiter even snuck us into the three abandoned dining rooms hidden in a secret stairwell from prohibition days.
(5)Ryan T.
I'm from Atlanta so its impossible to find good Cuban food. I had the Cuban sandwich with soup and I must say it may have been the best food I've ever has. Everything was done to perfection. Also the atmosphere is done very nicely. I would definitely recommend this place
(5)Amanda L.
Wonderfully ordinary. It's exactly what you would expect from a tourist trap. I've had better sangria, cuban bread, roasted pork, and fish elsewhere. If you want Cuban, there's a lot of other options in Tampa. I wouldn't waste my time here. Overpriced and underwhelming.
(2)Geri R.
The food was average and over priced considering the quality of the food. The waiter seemed a little angry and not at all interested.
(2)Shannon M.
Always a great time! Very Authentic and great food. Plus if you go on your birthday, you get free flan! Yummm I've been here a handful of times, I recommend making reservations, and if you are up for something fun, reserve a table for the Flemenco show. It is an extra charge but worth it. They have a ton of dining rooms all decorated differently, they also have private rooms for more intimate date nights or large parties. The Columbia is known for its "1905" salad and its amazing! They make it right at your table. All I can say is wow. They have a great lunch special combo. For about $8-9 you get a choice of two, either 1905 salad, soup(my favs are Spanish Bean or Black Bean) or half Cuban Sandwich. They have huge portions for their main dishes. So you won't be leaving hungry. If you go during lunch, on your break, make sure you tell them you are on a time crunch, because they can be a little slow. I have had both great and good service. Another amazing treat is their Sangria, they will make it at the table too.
(4)Carl Y.
This place is an EXPERIENCE! Make sure you see the show to capture it all. AND MAKE RESERVATIONS!! BUT, to the facts. AWESOME bar! Piano, great atmosphere, great mojito and sangria! AWESOME food! Try the seafood pallea! GREAT Service! The show... ok so maybe not the world's best flamenco dancing.. but the most fun! What a loud, noisy, fun experience. Definite to-do at least once! Highly recommend!
(5)Nicholas G.
This is my first experience with Spanish food. The food is fantastic, everything we ordered was great. The restaurant is huge with several rooms. The atmosphere is very cool, very authentic feeling!
(5)Janine B.
Best Mojito ever ! The food was just phenomenal. We had to stop at this famous place before we left Ybor City. The yellow rice very flavorful, the Crab Cakes just wonderful, the Ropa Vieja so tender. The only thing I didn't like was the Shrimp it seemed to have been over fried or I didn't care for the batter, I don't know which. I did not have room for the salad everyone raves about but was glad to get seated in the dining room with the fountain. Beautiful historical place with great food.
(4)Adam B.
Really fun restaurant provides a unique experience, but not at the expense of good food and service. Seems like it's always crowded, but everything from seating to food delivery to bar service was very efficient and friendly. The menu is HUGE, so everyone should be able to find something to their liking. I can recommend the Pompano "Jimmy", which is served with a tremendous pile of crab meat on top a huge filet of the fish. Their bread selection is also great, and even though I'm not usually that much of a dessert guy, I had to have the guava turnover with house-made vanilla bean sauce. It was life-changing. The bar area is beautiful and comprises the original space of the restaurant, which has expanded many times over the years. The flamenco dancing is an interesting touch, and though I wouldn't care to have my full meal in that room (it's loud), it was fun to see a few minutes of it passing through. Our waiter came and shut the door to our dining room when it started due to the noise, which was much-appreciated. A memorable experience. There's pretty good parking on site, which is nice for Ybor City.
(5)Alexandra A.
Ate here for the first time yesterday (11/2) with some family for lunch. Beautiful, old building and wonderful service. Sat in the dining room where the bar and all the windows were. I had the Shrimp Supreme (Shrimp wrapped in bacon with seasoned flour and lightly fried) and it was delicious. Could have been a little less salty but other than that it was very good.
(4)Rosemary H.
the columbia is a busy Cuban restaurant that has been a Florida fixture since 1905 when it opened in Tampa. This one which is on St. Armands Circle in Sarasota, lives up to the reputation of the family. Very busy, popular with a variety of Cuban dishes including their signiture 1905 salad.
(3)Deb G.
For review #200, I really wanted it to be special and I lucked out big time! We were recently in Tampa, Florida for my planned parathyroid surgery and decided to enjoy a special dinner the night before. Staying in the hip & cool area known as Ybor (pronounced E Bar), we chose the Columbia Restaurant - a Spanish/Cuban favorite established in 1905. Not only is the restaurant decor gorgeous, unique and authentic, but the food and service are impeccable as well! Starting off our exceptional experience included cocktails and crab cakes, which were outstanding. Cakes de Cangrejo are a Cuban twist on an American favorite.... two large crab cakes loaded with fresh handpicked blue crab meat that are grilled and then drizzled with a passion fruit alioli sauce. OMG is all I can say! Next, after a delightful visit with our waiter, he directed us to some of his favorites which are now ours as well. My entree was Pollo Manchego - a tender, juicy, all natural chicken breast, breaded with seasoned Cuban bread crumbs and topped with grated Spanish Manchego cheese, sun dried tomatoes and fresh basil, cooked on a flat top griddle and served with citrus sauce and "Good Rice." This dish was a palate's delight and the "good" rice is not to be missed. The rice will remind you of a Louisiana "dirty" rice that is well-seasoned with added olive oil - YUM! My wonderful hubby and designated surgical "buddy" had the fabulous Chicken Salteado - a dish inspired by the Chinese who lived in Cuba in the 19th century. Cooked on a very hot iron skillet with extra virgin olive oil is sautéd boneless pieces of chicken, onions, green peppers, fresh garlic, mushrooms, diced potatoes and chorizo with a splash of hearty red wine. It is served with a yellow sticky rice that is awesome! For desert, we went with (of course) key lime pie and mine was especially delicious served with a double espresso. Our evening before surgery was truly special and made the next morning filled with good memories to start our day. Wish we lived closer and could return to the Columbia more often - great food, great atmosphere, great service - a rare commodity these days!
(5)Nichole S.
I no longer live in Tampa, moved 4 years ago, and just caught myself craving dishes from here. It's time for a visit!!! #delish
(4)Joel I.
While spending a few days in Tampa we rally wanted to get to Ybor City and see what it is all about. Columbia is the classic Ybor City restaurant so we wanted to try it. They are always super busy, so making a reservation is key. We waited too long and ended up eating at 9:15......but it was worth it. I was expecting classic Cuban food, but the menu is very much influenced by classic Spanish food with paella and sangria mixed in with the black bean soup and roast pork. Each diner gets a huge hunk of warm cuban bread which is hard to not scarf down before your meal comes.....but save room, the portions are pretty large. We had two different fish dinners, the Grouper Bilbao and a special of Snapper Valencia. Both were very good. The fish is fresh and nicely prepared. We had no room for desert......... The only complaint was that we were seated in a side room and could not see the show going on in the room next door. Music and flamenco dancers....sounded great, but we could not see it.
(5)Mareike S.
Nice place! Sometimes there is a really looooong wait for a table. You might want to make reservations ahead of time. I have been here twice and picked the seafood Paella each time. It's very yummy, but it takes about 40 min to cook. We are also big fans of the fresh white sangria. The salad is famous and the dressing is really good - no wonder they sell it in the souvenir shop! They have Flamenco show on some days. Columbia is reportedly the oldest restaurant in town. Worth checking out!
(3)Tony A.
Amazing! From the outside it looks like an old gift shop. Inside is huge and ornate. Over 100 years old. I split some tapas scallops, crab cakes, and stuffed mushrooms with a co-worker and they were awesome. Fried plantains too.
(4)Mina K.
Amazing food, great atmosphere! The only sucky part is that their specialty sangria (which is much better than their regular, yet still good, sangria comes in a pitcher only.
(5)Oscar D.
Original site of a hundred year old establishment. Fabulous Spanish and Cuban food. Reasonable prices, great service and lots of free parking in Ybor City. The handmade mojitos were very extraordinary and refreshing. The Picadillo dish was savory and filling - just like my Grandmother used to prepare. The Palomilla steak was tender and juicy. Black beans and rice were smoky, and the plantanos were deliciously sweet. The flan was superb! Bring your family and friends to keep this fine restaurant in business another hundred years.
(5)marcie r.
Pretty much " the place" to bring tourist or relatives visiting Tampa. Much better places for Spanish food around town. The salad and the building itself are the best things going here!
(2)ed P.
OK I have read the other reviews for this place and decided that I am in the middle. So here we go. First off, let me say that I was in Ybor City for the day while visiting Florida during my Labor Day respite and decided to explore the finer local dining options. Columbia Restaurant has a long history, several locations and is well regarded by many. I must admit however, that I never follow the crowd but will allow my natural curiosity to go see for myself. On to 'le restaurant'... When you first drive up to the place and park, you have to admire the achitectural appeal of this century old Spanish-design building with its ceramic tile accoutrements and old-world charm. It is charming and you just can't wait to see what is inside. The interior does not disappoint. The entrance depicts its focus on Spanish/Cuban history and is attractive. There are several dining areas with tile murals depicting Christopher Columbus, Ponce de Leon and other historical figures that almost anyone can recall. Other decorative items bring you back to a different era when casual elegance was the norm and dining was an occassion to celebrate your life. The center dining room is open and looks up to a second level balcony dining area that makes it seem like you are outside. It is airy, full of light and elegant, yet too cramped, as the tables are too close together as the management obviously wants to feed as many people as possible during their busy hours. They really should remove a few tables during the non prime-time dinner hours. The bar is a magnificent large wooden work hub that is situated within another dining area that fosters loud conversation, laughter and creates a jovial ambiance for festive family get-togethers. Off to the side is a small red-dining room with lots of wood decorations that reminded me of a bordello from old movies. In one of the dining areas there is a small stage for the Flamenco performances that they have on weekends. The wait staff is elegantly attired in tuxedo-like outfits. Now on to 'le food'.... The food choices are obviously Spanish and Cuban. There is a nice variety to pick from including many traditional items, such as tapas, paellas, chicken dishes, vegetarian, combos, cuban sandwiches, pork dishes, seafood, meats and the all too common black beans with white rice. Drink choices are mojitos, sangrias and a very extensive (think book size) wine list with comments, historical anecdotes, regional descriptions and varietal grape presentations. The wine list is impressive! (You can download it from their website.) We decided to order the house special, the Sangria de Cava, which is prepared table-side and was excellent. Next we ordered croquettes for appetizers as we did not want to ruin our appetite. I must say that we were disapointed, we ordered both the seafood and the chicken. Put simply, they sucked! They reminded me of mini-zepolles and did not look like croquettes or have the airiness that they traditionally exhibit. (I have made better at home.) I wanted to order the Shrimps al Ajillo which someone ordered next to us (and smelled really good) but we wanted something different. Besides, I make those at home also and really enjoy them my way. Ok, so much for the appetizers. Warm, oven-toasted Cuban bread came out next with whipped butter on the side and it was a good adjunct between the appetizers and the meal. For our entrees, we ordered the Ropa Vieja, the Shrimps Supreme and the Roast Pork "A la Cubana". I have been looking forward to eating Ropa Vieja for several weeks and was mildly satisfied. It was tender, flavorful and tomatoey but was missing something. The Shrimps Supreme was vastly disappointing. It was prepared in a very fishy batter and tasted dry. It was supposed to be wrapped in bacon, maybe the batter was ground bacon, I dunno. The Pork was tender, juicy and mildly flavorful. The side dishes of black beans with rice, tostones and yellow plaintains were adequate. If you can't prepare those, you should not call yourself a Cuban or Spanish restaurant and should just close your doors. For dessert, we had the flan and it was typical, nothing special there, no extra effort from the kitchen staff. The bread pudding sounded amazing but I wanted traditional items. So overall, the experience was a positive one which was enhanced by the decor, the friendliness of the waitress and the setting of the restaurant but the food is not worthy of more than 3 stars. I go to places like El Sitio in Queens that have real traditional Cuban food and you want to lick the plate when you are done. So, Columbia congratulations on your history and decor but you need to hire some new new cooks!! That being said however, I will go back (someday) to try their paella or one of their steaks. Every kitchen has a bad day until management uncovers a trend. Hopefully, that will not happen here as it is a charming dining experience.
(3)Wiser N.
Beautiful food, although I have noticed that the prices have gone up with smaller helpings. I still love the place though, their specialty salad with bread are to die for! Yum. It is a place you can go to dress up (all the waiter's are in full attire) or casual. Try the flamenco night, awesome!
(4)Alex H.
Don't believe the hype. Went for the flamenco show and dinner. Historic staple and building, the seating areas are huge. Have to say extremely disappointed with the place. Our server was great, no fault on him. The food, however, overpriced, and tasted like it came out of a can, microwaved, and tossed on my plate. They've trademarked the phrase, Latin dining at its finest...have had better food at el pollo loco. It's the $3 El Unico plate of food multiplied by 10. Anyone from Jersey, Hudson county, will know what I'm talking about.
(1)Nicolas H.
Wow wow WOW. My wife and I just ate there yesterday while we had a bit of time before our flight back to MN. I have family with Puerto Rican blood, and they have always made great food, but man I'm telling you I have never had any Spanish food as good as what we just had at the Columbia.... YUM. Prices were very reasonable for the portion and flavor they provide. If I'm ever in Tampa again I know where I'm going!
(5)Adrian M.
The food was fantastic but the service was sorely lacking - once we were seated, we waited close to 2 hours for our meal to arrive! Our waiter seemed to be MIA - getting things like water refills, a new fork, some extra napkins ... was non-existent. I finally had to hunt down a manager & complain ... he comped our dinner but I haven't been back since & don't plan too. For claiming to be the oldest restaurant in FL, they really need to get their act together!
(3)J S.
It was really good, spacious, white sangria was like you need another one. One is not enough
(5)Matthew D.
This place is absolutely amazing.. Steak cooked perfect, service is awesome. Atmosphere feels like you are in another country!! The tapas are good to share for the table and drinks are on point
(5)Tyler L.
I've heard a lot of things about the Columbia...as it seems to be one of those institutions in Tampa. So I came in with my skeptical hat on...so it is fair to say I was going to give extra scrutiny. What a cool place...whoever hates on this place for being a tourist trap, blah blah blah...doesn't eat out very often. This is not a tourist trap, this is a unique dining experience and I think it should definitely be checked out for the atmosphere alone. The place is huge and can seat at least 200 covers (if I was guessing), so maybe that is why people don't love this place. I thought the vibe, from the old school spanish decoration, to the dancer, to the lively atmosphere fit the mood of everyone in the place. I was definitely a fan immediately. Then the food came and it was pretty solid...I had the snapper and would eat it again. It didn't blow me away, but the experience as a whole was great. I didn't spend much time in Ybor...just went to the restaurant and bounced out, but this was definitely a better value than say Berns. A four on the Buttertown meter.
(4)Melissa V.
Now, one of my lunch date favorites! First off, MAKE A RESERVATION... I showed up at 1:30p on a Saturday, first visit in quite a long time... I completely forgot what a tourist trap it is. We pulled up and there are 2 buses loading up people that are coming out of the restaurant... at least that was good timing. We still had to wait about 30 minutes. Eyes rolled thinking... TOURISTS!! However, during my 30 minute wait, I snuck off into the Columbia's little souvenior shop and found myself behaving like these tourists, completely fascinated with the little trinkets and sangria glass bottles..... actually, a really great little shop to buy a fun gift for a friend. The structure of this building is absolutely breath taking - the pictures, the doorways, the ceiling, EVERYTHING is a beautiful. I haven't been for the eveing flamingo shows, but it's on my list of things to do very soon. The 4 things you MUST order, don't miss out!!! - 1) Devilled Crab Croquettes (appetizer) 2) 1905 Salad 3) Traditional Cuban sandwich (Real Tampa style) 4) Sangria de Cava (Mmmmmmmmmmm!) ***The White Sangria... very tasty... and FYI - It is made with a sparkling wine, not champagne. Fresh oranges, lime, and cherries.... so light and tasty, the perfect drink for summer time.
(4)Joseph F.
Food was fantastic. Expansive wine list of Spanish wines, and prices were reasonable. Valet parking $5. Vibrant bar and restaurant scene. Service was slow, but very good otherwise. Loved the paella.
(4)Shashank M.
This was a horrible place. The only semi-decent thing was a fairly nice waiter. Otherwise the food was horrendous and completely commercialized. This place may have been amazing at one point but now has become a huge gimmick and is completely outdated. It's like they just stopped caring about food and just want to make money.
(1)Noel J.
This restaurant has remained a consistent jewel in the visits my wife and I make to the Tampa-St. Pete area each winter. We've been six times in eight years and the food, the old-style service from terrific staff, the entertainment, and the beautiful Spanish colonial atmosphere give us a feeling we're on a honeymoon. Although we rotate on desserts, and they're always terrific, there are two things at least one of us will get each time: the Palomillo steak (or ropa vieja) and the 1810 salad. Make a reservation, give yourself plenty of time as the meal progresses slowly, splurge on their steaks and, if you like entertainment while you eat, plan to go when they have their flamenco dancers. I'm not Cuban, and I admit I wouldn't know fully authentic old-world style recipes, but I have never had experiences similar to the negative reviews, and I think it is as a good as it ever has been. Ybor City as a whole is somewhat hit and miss, with mall-style shops and restaurants still fairly close to troubled streets, but we will be back at Columbia again in January.
(4)Christie B.
The history alone makes this place a "must see" on any business trip to Tampa. Approach it like a museum with the benefit of cafe con leche. My snapper was really, really good. In fact, I shared it with a co-worker, because his pork was just okay. The cuban bread, hot. I re-visited this icon as I used to live in Tampa and wanted to return to Ybor City for nostalgia. The place has been here since 1905 and claims to be the largest Spanish Restaurant in the WORLD. Well it's big, seats 1700 patrons, can you believe it? 15 different dining rooms. Go for lunch, not dinner, and you'll avoid long waits.
(2)Pops F.
My colleague and I came here -- against the advice of some Yelp reviewers -- because 3 different people at the local company we are working with said we just had to come here, and that it was their favorite restaurant. It does have a huge wine list (if the waiter remembers to bring you what you ordered). It does have the dancer thing. And it was absolutely packed on a Tuesday night -- we had to wait 45 minutes for a table for 2. My question - why? The food really is pretty bad. I get the impression that they made the recipes 40 years ago and a short order cook is knocking them out assembly-line style. I had, on the recommendation of our waiter, a specialty pork dish. The 3 pork loins were so over-cooked that they were almost impossible to chew. So I can't figure it out. Locals love it. The food stinks. The dancers are about 15 years past their prime. But still people wait in line... why? Is there nothing else decent to eat in Tampa?
(1)Dale Q.
Had a wonderful time. Atmosphere was great - food was great - Sangria was good. Got in shortly after arrival with large crowd waiting.
(4)Anonymous P.
The food is mediocre (after two visits). The service was horrific. 7:00 reservations resulted in 7:40 seats. The manager did not apologize, but rather blamed patrons who didn't leave fast enough. This is a huge restaurant; that's a ridiculous excuse. The waitress said it was always like that. She was clearly overworked, with way too many tables. Our service was comically terrible as a result. I would suggest out-of-towners avoid in favor of a place like BT or Sideberns. Or for a real Tampa culinary experience, go to one of many good Cuban restaurants. Columbia is, at least presently, a gimmicky, fool-you-with-the-atmosphere restaurant.
(1)Crys C.
I think the price paid is worth the extra ambiance, entertainment, quality food and service at the Columbia. We had an excellent waitress whom answered all our questions, had refills coming before we needed them, entrees out super fast in a very very packed saturday evening out. Impressive. There was a live band and piano music and we got a really great seat near the window :) We tried the black bean cakes, super duper good!!! Friend ordered some shrimp and chicken combo dish which was good and I got a chicken salteado dish (chicken, onions, bell peppers, carrots, potatoes all cooked in white wine) with yellow rice, which was tasty but idk if id get it again. A bit to salty for me. Their Mango Daiquiri was a bit thick, almost smoothie consistency, but was delicious nevertheless and stayed cold throughout the meal as it wasn't made with just ice but with fresh fruit equally!! I was still eating my appetizer when our main food came (talk about super quick) and i didn't have a chance to snap a pic of the main course. sorry.
(5)Kim S.
Went here for new years eve dinner. Cold food, un cooked food, and well done steak ordered rare should not be included in a meal of this cost. Pleasant servers and good bartenders made up for some but not all of it.
(2)Daniel D.
Let us wait for an hour in a freezing cold resturant with tons of open tables I know they were short on servers but it was ridiculous I will never go back the food is okay but this place has zero respect for it's customers!
(2)Bruce E.
Mojitos with real sugar cane, some tapas and a great setting.
(4)Patricia W.
I'm from CA; went here for lunch w sister and sis-in-law. Not real hungry so we each tried variations on soup/salad or soup/sandwich. Excellent, filling, esp with warm bread included! (...and under $10.) Highly recommend signature salad and bean soup. Atmosphere and architecture worth the trip, good service. Only complaint is noise level which was high. Will return here for sure! Recommend for locals and tourists.
(4)Steven S.
Wow! What a treat If I lived in Tampa, I'd dine here every week.
(4)Curtis Anthony B.
This has to be the classiest restaurant in old Ybor city, FL. I enjoyed the quiet atmosphere of a Sunday afternoon. The staff was very friendly and down to Earth. They have a great selection of wines from all regions and made great cocktails. "I would recommend the sangria cocktail and mojitos" one patron said. I definitely got what I paid for: top notch service and high quality food. The highlight for me was the "white chocolate bread pudding." I would definitely come here again. Thank you Columbia staff for your superb customer service, drinks, and food.
(5)H W.
Loved the experience! So the service wasn't 100% polished which may account for the lack of a star from some reviewers, but some ppl just think too highly of their own opinion and probably have never waited tables themselves. But for a college kid, he gets an A+ for effort. Totally attentive and every course the poor guy had to make a table side presentation. Great server. Great mojitos! Great paella! Great Tapas! Great part of historic Tampa. Great dancing! Over 100 yrs old and every bit of history is reflected in the beautiful authentic Spanish/Cuban decor. For what this restaurant is, you can't beat it. Fun fun fun! And I was there on work!
(5)Nada R.
I realize this place is a landmark tourist attraction. They have live flamenco dancers, throw-back Spanish decor, and so forth, so when people visit, it's the place you gotta be to get "local" flavor. Fine. I could even try to overlook that It smelled like fish and bleach when we walked in. Regardless of its tourist status, there is no excuse for the fact that they serve hands-down the worst frijoles negros and yuca I've ever tasted. I imagine this is a fatal error at a Cuban-style Spanish restaurant. On a tastier note, the mojito is good.
(2)Thomas C K.
We live in Ybor and have been here several times but to us it is more of a tourist attraction than a place to go for for the quality of their food. Nice atmosphere, good place to take friends from out of town but the food can at best be described as average - at best. I have been to better Spanish Restaurants. Service is OK. Not the high quality restaurant it is touted to be - may have been at some time but people have become more discriminating.
(2)Michele A.
Dinner and a show! Everything was really great except the entrees. We were a party of four, so we had both the red and white sangria. Two of us preferred the white, one preferred the red, and the other liked them both equally. They make the sangria right at your table, so that is really fun. We all had the 1905 salad which the waiter also makes at your table. The salad was really good and loaded with a lot of ham, cheese, olives, and tomatoes. For an appetizer we had Coca de Langosta which was very good. Now the entrees, we had Jesse Gonzalez, Chicken Salteado, Eggplant Riojana, and Chicken and Shrimp Barcelona. The Eggplant dish was the only one that had any flavor, The other three dishes were not bad, just bland. For dessert we had the White Chocolate Bread Pudding and it was very good. We enjoyed the Flamenco dancers. It was not great, but entertaining and worth seeing once.
(4)Patrick W.
Pretty good food, especially for Tampa. The 1905 salad was really good, the pork dish I had was a little dry but ok.
(3)Miss V.
Coming to Florida I had this place on my list. If it's a legendary old restaurant I want in. Plus is it true JFK was here with Marilyn Monroe? Rumor patrol! Their mojitos were alright - their Sangria is much, much better. We started with the Devil Crab Croquettes which were quite tasty along with the seafood paella which did not dissapoint. The service was awesome our waiter had a lot of personality and we had a great dinner. From a Florida-outsider I can appreciate this cute Cuban/Spanish restaurant.
(4)Tom A.
The food is good and the service is great but for spanish food im sure i can find other places with a bit better food and better prices but still not bad at all.
(3)Jeremy T.
One if my favorite places to eat. Paella is fresh, the 1905 salad is great and even the bread pudding as a great alternative for breakfast.
(5)Suzanne J.
This gem of a restaurant is a Tampa staple. The food is scrumptious and priced perfectly. Stop in for lunch although you might not find a table because it's always so busy!
(5)Theresa L.
This place is amazing! Came here for lunch. Atmosphere is unique. Had the sangria (yummy), 1905 salad and bread was great! Our waitress was a sweetheart, made us feel welcome and suggested a few dishes for us to try. I had paella espanola, delicious. But the thing I remember the most was the bread pudding!! Oh my, definately the best I have ever had, so yummy.. Going back very soon!! Went back today, tried the black bean soup! It's fantastic!! So delicious :)
(5)W W.
Very good food. Helpful staff. Good atmosphere.
(5)Garrett T.
Great restaurant. Service was excellent speedy and accurate. Lighting, temperature and atmosphere was also very inviting. Medium on the price range but great food with good portions.
(4)Michelle M.
A little bit of a tourist trap, but this Tampa landmark dates back to 1905 and is the oldest Spanish restaurant in Florida. My favorite dish at Columbia is the Seafood Paella, but I also like the Ropa Vieja and Filet Steak Salteado. The 1905 salad and Cuban Black Bean soup are also fantastic. You probably will be too stuffed to make it to dessert, but if you want to bring home a cuban treat try the white chocolate bread pudding or the churros. Live music is available every Friday and Saturday and you can make reservations in the Flamenco Room for live dance performances. Warning: it gets really LOUD in this room so I would not recommend booking the room for a romantic dinner out. Unfortunately, the food is not always consistent at Columbia and they charge four times more than any other Cuban restaurant in Tampa. You would think that since you are paying more the food must be so much better than the little hole-in-the-walls, but this is not the case. Mostly you are paying for the atmosphere.
(3)Amy P.
I've been here twice before this visit, both times better than this, but not great. We walked in at 6:20 for our 6:30 reservation. We waited probably 15-20 minutes. When we got to our seats we were at a long table rather than a circle table which was kind of disappointing considering it was hard to talk to everyone. Our waitress was definitely new, but she did okay. We got a pitcher of the imported sangria. It was great. Probably the highlight of the meal. We browsed the menu and all found something. I ordered the 1905 salad with shrimp. It was made at the table. I got it without cheese due to dairy allergies, but it was the saltiest salad I have ever had. It was drenched in dressing. I tried to eat most of it considering it was expensive and a graduation dinner. The waitress kept looking at me weird and asked me if it was okay. I told her there was way too much dressing and it was very salty. Her response was everyone says that and she doesn't know why they don't change it. It was actually pretty disgusting and I would never order it again. I also got sick after eating my salad too so eat with caution. My vegetarian friend got a garbanzo and spinach dish (I forget what it was called) and he barely touched it. He said it was the saltiest dish he ever had. I was very surprised the waitress didn't try to fix it or comp it(as a fellow waitress, I would have especially for his meal). We also saw the flamenco show. It was okay. It was too loud and you couldn't really talk to anyone or hear your waitress. We got the blueberry cheesecake special and the churros. They were really good. I think that and the sangria was the best part. No one really said their meal was great. It's expensive too. Great building and location, just not too great of a meal.
(2)R Y.
Go for the experience first and foremost. The show was fun. The 1905 salad was good. The paella was vey good. The Sangria was the shining star. Mojito was good. Flan was only okay. The best part was the experience of the table side service. Recommended at least once.
(4)Michael S.
Great food, but a bit pricy. The cost is worth it though. This is a piece of Tampa's rich history.
(5)Ricky V.
Excellent place, big portions and great food
(5)Brian L.
Interesting venue, awful food. All style, no substance! Ate there on Sunday night before Labor Day. Had Reservations for 7, seated right on time, no fuss, no muss. Great server, personable and friendly. Food was horrible. 2 Dinners were sent back, 5 should have been sent back. I left without eating, I sent mine back and didn't want to wait another 20 minutes to eat alone. Steaks were cooked improperly, everything was served cold. My vegetable side never saw a grill or stove. Cold stone broccoli, tasted like it came direct from the refrigerator. It was so bad, I asked the server if the dish was supposed to be served "chilled". The Colombia is all about creating an ambience and the food isn't a priority or concern.
(2)Joe D.
Cuban sandwich was as good as advertised. Not sure if it's definitely the best in Tampa, but it is really good and at a decent price. The fries were also really good.
(5)Moki C.
My boyfriend is my favorite Cuban in town...but The Columbia's comes in a close second. I know...I'm predictable..I love the 1905 salad, too. For $9 I can get half of each. Then I can save my money for their sangria...the one with the little bull in it. Ten Cuidado. That's Be Careful for you gringos. This sangria es muy fuerte! The architecture is gorgeous, the staff is well suited, and it feels like a very authentic experience right down to the less than friendly service. That's the only drawback for me...in all the times I have dined at The Columbia, I have only ever been hospitably treated once...this very last visit. Obviously, I got over it and keep coming back for more...but just expect it and you'll be fine.
(5)Jason H.
Wow! The 1905 salad is just... did I say Wow! Love it. Another plus are the mojitos. Good stuff.
(5)Keith M.
Amazing food! The champagne sangria was so good! Caught a glimpse of the flamenco dancers too :) However, they seem to not understand what a reservation is. My guest and I waited a very long time for our table that was reserved for us. Numerous time I went up to the hostess to ask how much longer and she kept dismissing me. I understand having to wait, but at least give me a time frame. Only when after 45 minutes we handed her our buzzer thing and said we were gonna eat somewhere else were we seated.
(4)Chris D.
Impeccable! Service and food second to none. For once a restaurant I wanted to go to with high hopes and was not disappointed. Four of us were very pleased with the food. Excellent. We will be back. I had the 1905 salad and a Cuban sandwich. Hubby had a pork dish that he savored every bite. The only thing that was a disappointment was that we had no room for dessert.
(5)Diana H.
The hispanic food here is great, you have to have the paella. It is equiste, best dish here. Reminds me of my parents home cooking. They have live flamenco on the weekends, a separate bar area with live musicians. And the mojitos are exceptional. My only gripe is they don't carry Havana Club rum. Can't wait to go again.
(4)Steph G.
If you've never been, go. NOW. Great atmosphere, black bean cakes to die for, roast pork that melts in your mouth, famously fruity sangria, creamy flan to top off the meal. The Columbia is an experience like no other!
(5)Lisa G.
It got 3 starts for the ambiance. I should have given it 2 for the service. Our waitress was slow, disinterested, unfriendly and not helpful. The table next to us complained as well. You know it's bad when u bond over bad service with strangers. The food was ok. Sangria, ok. I think the history and the decor drew us in, the service will likely have me thinking twice, whether or not I will go back...undecided.
(3)Christine B.
Expected a lot more from the Columbia restaurant. The entertainment from the flamingo dancers is nice, but overall for the quality of food, the price is a bit ridiculous
(3)Tracey E.
I visited The Columbia in Ybor City last night with a couple of friends. We are all in Tampa for a conference, and this is my first visit to Tampa and my first opportunity to eat local cuisine. Based on my experience last night, I would highly recommend The Columbia to Tampa visitors for the following reasons: a glimpse of the charm and culture of the city, above average food and drinks, a taste of old world dining service. First, The Columbia is located in a historic neighborhood (and building) that represents the Cuban culture. The building is huge with lots of interesting art and decor. Secondly, the meals were enjoyable, starting with the wonderful, hot Cuban bread that accompanied each meal. We also enjoyed the pitchers of sangria that were prepared tableside. Lastly, our server Ramon was experienced and professional. Overall, I would highly recommended this restaurant to Tampa visitors who want a taste of what the city dining scene has to offer.
(4)Carmen H.
Columbia is one those restaurants where you can have that special meal with either friends & family, business or a romantic date. Columbia has great history and food! My favorites of the night was the 1905 salad, lobster ravioli and white chocolate bread pudding. Ok that was my entire meal. Great experience, will return...
(5)Magda R.
Amazing ambiance! Great food! The best service I have had in a very, very long time. Wish I lived in the area. I would be a regular.
(5)Gene G.
Had to wait 45 minutes to get a table, but we really wanted to be able to say we've eaten at Americas oldest restaurant so we endured. We had their signature 1905 Salad, rated as one of the top ten salads in all of the U.S. Everything was fresh and crisp, but the secret is their dressing which tastes strongly of fresh garlic. We also had the Valencia Paella and mixed seafood pasta- both very generously portioned and delicious. Minus one star for long wait, rushed service, and high prices.
(4)Gloria D.
This place is historical, artistic, and elegant. Highly recommend for Cuban food, drinks and ambiance. Ordered Ropa Vieja which didn't disappoint.
(5)Rose C.
The Spanish cuisine here is amazing. The empanadas were so delicious! Our server Maribeth was a sweetheart and helped us make the best food and drink decisions as well as provided great service. Not only was the food amazing, but the flamenco show during dinner was unbelievable! It was hard to eat my delicious food at times because I couldn't take my eyes off the stage or the dancers. The main artist dominated the stage and kept me captivated whenever she danced. One of the best experiences of my Florida vacation thus far. I cannot wait to come back to the area to enjoy this again.
(5)Cortney M.
We go here from time to time and everything is always good. This is my Grandma's fave place. I should mention that I've only been to this location once, there is one in Clearwater also... that's the one I like, the views are nice.
(4)Kassandra G.
As I read reviews prior to my dining experience with the Columbia Restaurant in Ybor, including Brett's whose opinion I do value quite a bit when deciding on a restaurant, I was a bit skeptical. However I have been to the Celebration location once before and absolutely loved my experience from sangria to dessert, and I am not much of a sangria drinker but I figured... "When in Rome..." So I decided to give it a go anyway in hopes of disproving my fellow yelpers. I must say I am shocked out how bad some of these reviews were. My experience personally with both service and food was magnificent. Our servers name was Carlos, I assumed he was Cuban because we spoke to each other in spanish. He was absolutely fabulous. Very personable and knowledgable of the menu. We began our dinner with drinks, as usual! My date had the fresh made mojito and I had their mango tango daquiri. Both were incredibly delicious and were the perfect ratio of booze to juice. It was his first dining experience with the Columbia Restaurant so I chose our selections for the evening so that we could both try something new. We started with the tapeo sampler. I ordered us the croquettes de pollo(chicken), Calamre frito(fried calamri), and the champignones relleno(stuffed mushrooms). We sank into the mushrooms first. The spinach and artichoke filling was bright and lemony surrounded by the soft baked, well seasoned mushroom. The Calamre, some of the best I've ever had. Seemingly fresh, perfectly tender not chewy, breading light and crisp. And the lemon garlic aioli.... not too dense and just the right infusion of citrus, I'm the type to drench my calamri in lemon juice rather than dip in marinara. These didn't even need the extra lemon with a light dip in that aioli. Now our last tapa was the croquetta de pollo, probably our least favorite thing of the entire meal. Not that it was bad but there was just nothing very great about it. For our entree we shared the combination platter, la completa cubano(the complete cuban). It included mojo pork, boliche(eye round roast surrounding a chorizo), arroz amarillo(yellow rice), black beans, yuca, and and empanada de carne(ground beef filled pastry). Best thing on the plate, the boliche. If you've read any of my other reviews you would know that I am not the biggest fan of meat but this boliche had the smokey flavor of the chorizo pouring through every bite. The pork, a bit on the dry side for me, still had a very great mojo flavor. The rice and beans brought me back home to my grandmothers rice and beans, fleckled with raw onion and the salty flavor attributed from the ham hock. The yuca, tender, juicy and well seasoned. The empanada for me was just like mom makes them. My date wasn't a fan but I'll blame that on the familiar sweetness of them from the raisins that can sometimes be an acquired taste. Even with all that food I had to order a dessert. We shared the White Chocolate bread pudding which decadently paired with our espresso and cafe. All in all, I believe the Columbia Restaurant to be a true gem in the heart of Ybor. The perfect toast to the history and background of the area. For the simple tourist looking to delve into the culture of their destination, the Columbia is the place to do it. The ambiance of the restaurant is one of sophistication however casual the patrons within may be. But the food, for someone of cuban decent there are subtle nodes of home speckled throughout this gem, and for the travel it is a true experience of what daily life for a cuban may be. If there ever was a way to sophisticate the lowly poor mans food of the cubans, this is it. I will continue to stand by this restaurant and its chain of counterparts for the food is truly authentic and the atmosphere always enjoyable.
(5)John H.
Quite the experience. There is nothing understated about this place's decor. There are several rooms, but we were on the tiled, enclosed patio room. Some of the rooms seemed quite noisy, but our's was fine. The wait staff were generally knowledgeable and attentive, although there were some periods where he could have come more promptly (particularly when we were looking for the check). To eat, I started by sharing a fried cheese appetizer that was OK--although to be clear, the fried cheese was pretty nondescript, but the mango chutney (or "shoot nay", as the waiter said) was delicious--with chunks of mango and orange rind and ginger with some allspice and nutmeg and an aftertaste of butter scotch. I had the 1905 salad, about which several reviewers have commented. Although the waiter forgot to leave the ham out of mine, it was generally a good salad. The dressing (olive oil, worcestershire sauce, and lemon juice) was a little heavy on the oil to acid ratio and there was a little too much of it. For my entrée, I had the vegetarian Espanol, which had various small tastes. Two mushrooms stuffed with various vegetables were tasty. Two small black bean cakes were dense, but had a good flavor (cumin aplenty) and a nice breading crunch. They came with a small dollop of sour cream and another of guacamole. The were also two small bowls - one of garbanzos and baby spinach sautéed in olive oil and another of tomatoes, olives, and capers stewed together with a slice of melted cheese on top. The beans were a little bland although quite edible, and the tomatoes were very strongly flavored with the brine from their two accompaniments. All came with several pieces of toast. For dessert, I had flan and it was just what one would want flan to be--caramelly and creamy. Overall, I don't know that it would need to be a place that I'd visit regularly, but it was certainly a place that I'm glad I didn't miss. If I do end up back in Tampa and do decide to go back, I think that I will make a meal of various tapas, as some of them looked interesting.
(3)Cy L.
Did not expect to like this place. Thought it would be too touristy. Well, maybe it is but, as usual, the people came through and made it a great experience. Yes, it is a busy place but the bar is an excellent place to wait for a table. Fast paced but great personalities. Drinks and banter equally enjoyable. Waiter was great. Good humored, liked and was good at his job. We loved Cuban food and consequently this menu. We will return.
(5)James W.
Come on this place is at its best. You can tell they demand their employees treat customers like guest. We have eaten at several of the locations and if there was something wrong they went the extra to make it right. Food... well...its delicious and the bread pudding is to die for...obviously we are fans of The Columbia...if you have not been you will be impressed.
(5)G Q.
Get the salad or I'll beat you. Lol
(3)Tonya R.
I just got back from dining at Columbia and you must listen I know good tasting food.This was mediocre and that's on the good side.Like I read before ....for the price you would expect more flavor in the dishes.I gave it three stars for Carlos,although we really wasn't please with the food we kept it to ourselves cause he was awesome.The hostess up front need to take courtesy classes,first she tried to sit us right beside the bar and I asked to be seated in the nicer dining room she then preceded to put us in the corner where she just sat the menus down without saying a word and walk away before we even made it to the table.So we chose our own seating right in the center of the dining room best seat in the house.When she came back through she was mad and called Carlos over and her manager.We felt a little uncomfortable and asked Carlos was everything alright.He did a very good job keeping it professional and smiled at us to reassure us that it is was not a problem.I will only give this place a second chance because of the service Carlos gave and that I haven't seen the dancers.It is true your employees can make are break you.This was my first time .Good luck Carlos I hope they read this.You made the trip to Tampa worth it.......
(3)Michael C.
The food is excellent as was the service. Great place. Is especially good for that special occasion one may want to celebrate.
(5)Mica F.
Have been to this restaurant several times and have always had a good experience. I do enjoy the food. I think they have a great selection and representation of Spanish food, something for everyone. Their menu is loaded with lots of fish selections cooked a variety of different ways so if you're a fan of fish, you'll enjoy this. Everything is well prepared. As compared to other Tapas bars, this place is on the pricey side. The restaurant is also very good at accommodating large groups. They also have a convenient on-line reservation system. Went recently for my 6yo daughter's birthday as she loves dancing, we took in the flamenco show. The charge is $6/adult for the show. I think if you're taking friends from out of town and want the tourist experience, it's all part of the ambiance. Honestly, I think it's rather dated. The dining experience was fun in regards that it seemed every table was celebrating a birthday. As flamboyant as the flamenco show is, the birthday celebration is less than stellar. Maybe they should incorporate both and really have something! The 'show' dining room is also quite dark and noisy. The waiters seemed overwhelmed and service was slow. The place has a monopoly on the block with the restaurant with two dining rooms, a Columbia store and a Columbia museum. We're big fans of tapas and Spanish food. A must have here is the Sangria, probably the best I have had outside of Spain. Their bread pudding is also fantastic. In the future, I would continue to probably either dine in the front part, non-show, part of the restaurant which is more brightly lit and a patio sort of motif which is quite cute. I also enjoy their Columbia Cafe in downtown Tampa by The Forum. In the future, given the choice, I'd choose the Cafe.
(4)Ron D.
Not impressed by wait staff in tuxedo's at lunch time.. Pretentious staff and very bland and unimpressive food. The exterior of the building is a very cool tile job though?
(2)Sherley K.
We had to wait for about 10-15 minutes on a weekend night which is okay. The place is fantadtic, i really like the interior design. The waiters and servers are all wearing tux and neat clothes. I had some thin cut steak while my bf went with black beans yellow rice and beef. I forgot the dishes names :( both are great! Our server was an old lady but she moves as fast as the young ones! Respect for the restaurant to still hire elderly. Sadly the food came a little bit too slow for me, it was about 40 minutes. I kept admiring the decoration and i would suggest that you come well dressed to this place. It's a very good place to have a romantic dinner but family gathering is fun too. They had some interesting desserts and one of them actually will have a flaming show right in front of you. We did not have the chance to get some dessert because the portion was quite big and filling. I was not disappointed at all at this place - just thought i could dress up more suitably next time. Thumbs up!
(5)Francine W.
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(3)Jack M.
The Columbia Restaurant is a nice place to dine. with attention to detail and fine cuisine. Giving you a feel of nostalgia and the ambiance of the old Columbian charm. If you get a chance make sure and reserve the dance show it makes the evening more complete.
(4)Ted P.
The 1905 salad is probably the best salad I've had. There Cuban sandwich is good too! Service is great!
(4)Mike N.
Great Cuban, Moro and Pork is great along with Yucca and Sangria. Love all the Columbia Restaurants! The Original and its right in Ybor so you can get a fresh rolled cigar and some very nice sight seeing I may add!
(4)Ramon R.
This is a tourist trap. I ate here when I moved to Tampa after living in Europe. The food did not taste like it was made with authentic ingredients. I can see why people go here, because its iconic and established. Better to eat at Terra Sur or Antojitos.
(2)Tonia S.
I went in preparing to be disappointed after reading the previous reviews, but I must admit, I was pleased. The food was good, and my mojito was excellent. Our server Erin, was on point. She was prompt, knowledgeable and very pleasant. I would definitely return during my next visit to Tampa.
(5)Davy C.
I have been visiting the Columbia since 1975 and it never disappoints. The sangria, the salad, the paella are magnificent. The very first dish I had there was the 2-1/2 lb Australian lobster tail. As a 12 year old I finished the whole thing. Every meal starts off with the wonderful crusty Cuban bread. I get so hooked on the paella that I sometimes forget about the other dishes. The Cuban sandwiches are definitely a great alternative as well as the shrimp supreme or the filet mignon Columbia. If you are fortunate enough to get dinner reservations in the main dining room, you will see an excellent floor show complete with flamenco dancers.
(5)Elana L.
$6 cover to watch the flamenco dancers. If you are taking children, I recommend reserving a table for the 5:30 show because it lasts 30 minutes and by the time you eat, you will have been there 1.5 hours at least. The late show was at 9:00 (we ate at 8:30) and our toddler did great sitting through it, but she was exhausted by the time we left at 10.
(4)Thomas B.
Amazing! Everything was great! I def recommend the Red Sangria. 1905 Salad is a must! Main courses were great. Finish the meal with the chocolate bread pudding and cafe con leche. Great service. We will be back next time were in Tampa.
(5)Steve F.
I've never been to Cuba, but in my mind the better spots in Havana feel like this: worn with age, but proud and carefully attended to. The interior is unique, with stairways, balconies, and little plazas. It's huge and interesting. I wanted to explore all its rooms. My group didn't pay the extra $6 to sit where the flamenco was performed, but we caught glimpses of it through an open door. Solid shoes pounding in thunderous fury on the wooden floor commanded our attention. Next time, I'll pay for the show. The service was quick and efficient. When my appetizer cup of Spanish Bean Soup was delivered slightly later than another at my table, the cost was removed from my bill without mention. And the soup, oh my, the soup. I wasn't expecting much from a bean soup. But it was rich and uniquely spiced with rounds of intense salty chorizo. It's what I remember most from the meal. Bean soup. Who knew? The Marilyn and Joe Salteado was a mild disappointment. The chicken was a bit dry, and the beef was under seasoned. The chorizo was again brilliant. I searched through the other meats to find the chorizo - its too intense to make up the bulk of the dish, but as an accent it was fantastic. The rice was forgettable. You must have the key lime pie. Please, let's not consider that question further and just assume that you will order it. It isn't just lime flavored. It IS a lime - a smooth, creamy, cool, sweet lime on a buttery graham crust. Sweet Virgin Mary, THAT is a key lime pie. If I could have arrived and departed in a classic Chevy, the experience would have been complete. As it was, the new old trolley had to do.
(4)Jorge R.
Definitely a most go to location when you visit ybor/Tampa. The food is really good but the meals are expensive (comparatively they are charging you for a 5 star meal but they provide a 3/4 star meal). The location has a ton of great history and it's a fun place to go when you have people from out of town visiting. But be prepared to spend $40-50 per person.
(4)Kipp C.
The salads are ridiculously good! Eat at the var and you feel you gone back in time. A great place to eat dinner!
(4)Lauren B.
Get: Sangria, 1905 salad, cuban bread, and chiros. I dont go their often but when i do i must have those listed above. Go big or go home. I enjoy the details and i still need to see the flamingo dancers. I love the history, atmosphere and the food. Yummy!!
(5)Samir A.
We stayed one night in Tampa while waiting for a flight so we decided to check out Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City. We had heard good things of the place and were told it was the once restaurant you should visit in Tampa. We made reservations to watch the flamenco dancers while we ate our meal. WHOEVER RECOMMENDS THIS PLACE IS IGNORANT AND EVIL. We arrived a little early so headed to the bar to wait for our reservation. As you walk into the main room, the overwhelming smell of shellfish hits you. Not the pleasant garlic butter smell but a strong fishy smell. Trying to get over the smell, we were seated in the back room where the flamenco dancer stage is. We ordered a pitcher of Sangria (not terrible but not the best, bland) and the paella to share. The paella was the worst I have ever had. EVERY single piece of meat was well, well, overcooked (like chewing on leather) and the rice was greasy and slimy. You could tell they mass produced the paella and let it sit in a big cauldron until some unfortunate person is foolish enough to order it. Bleh. Now to the dancers. It was like watching a middle school dance group. I felt embarrassed watching this. We had to leave early it was so bad. This is supposed to be authentic Spanish dancing. The restaurant has been family owned since 1905 so you would expect authentic Spanish cuisine and dancers, but no, this was literally like having your brains sucked out through your eyes (and then overcooked and served as paella). What a horrible tourist trap. This restaurant might have started out modest and fantastic...in 1905, but it has now manifested into a living breathing tourist trap monster. Terrible food, terrible entertainment, and just an awful experience. Greedy owners trying to make a quick buck off unsuspecting tourist. Shame Columbia Restaurant, shame.
(1)MB A.
So yummy. Reminded me of my Cuban family's cooking. The guava turnover is the best I've ever had outside of Gilbert's in Miami.
(5)Lucia P.
I book dinner parties for out of town guests for three companies owned and operated by one owner and Columbia Restaurant has always been tops on my list until 1-15-15.. I made reservations for a party of 6 to attend (including our company owner/President) the 7:00pm show on 1-15-15 and we arrived at 6:15 (seating is at 6:30 for show). After waiting for 15 minutes we were escorted to "our" table which I had asked specifically for a table off of the stage and assured that we would be accommodated since the reservations were made almost a week in advance. We were escorted to our table set for six only to find a man seated, and this did confuse the hostess seating us. She questions other workers, and after one worker whispers to her we are asked to wait. The man seated alone at our table kept saying "hey they seated me here".. They did reseat us behind a huge group, and it was difficult to see the show. Meanwhile, the show starts, and this man is still seated at our table alone and finally his three guest arrive at 7:14pm. The show ended at 7:30 and we find that this man is related to or a friend of one of the dancers who come and give him a big hug. So our party of six including the President of our company, is thrown to the back table for a party of four (remember there were six place settings) who happens to be family/friends of the dancers. The last time that our President was in from Georgia he spend way over $1000.00 just in wine for our dinner, so I hope that they realize that they lost a good customer, and we will never return to this place and be treated the way we were. Bern's Steakhouse will now be the only place where I will book future dinners for our companies.
(1)Teresa F.
I wanted to give this a better review. It was my first trip to Ybor City, but not the first to a Columbia Restaurant. We were sat at a table at the back of one of the large dining rooms FACING THE WALL by an empty stage where we solomnly hoped there would not be some kind of event taking place during our meal! This might not have been so bad, but there was a smudge of what I am hoping was black bean but looked far more vile on the wall right at eye level. I don't mind a place that needs some updates in paint when it's got the history that this place has, but I draw the line at "ick" on the walls. That said, the good was not awful, but not spectacular, either. Both of us had seafood, but mine was so overdone with sun-dried tomatoes that I had to push them off the plate. The individual mini-loaves of bread were spectacular, though--served warm with soft whipped butter--lovely. There was also trouble getting filled tea glasses and the check--eventhough we had come in on a weekday after 1pm and the room was clearing out by the time we left. Wrap-up--an intersting place to see on the inside. Go for the history and food only for sustanance, not cuisine.
(2)Melissa P.
The space is beautiful but the food is just ok and its over priced.
(3)Katie S.
We LOVED this restaurant! Great atmosphere! Authentic food! Great prices and you do not leave hungry! We will surely return!
(5)Nurys I.
An absolutely gorgeous, hidden Gem! The architecture is stunning in this 105 year old restaurant. Service was ok (I felt the waiter wanted to up sell us on everything but he was nice. Cuban bread is the best I've had. Caldo Gallego was excellent. Reading the menu alone was a treat with the stories and pictures of the 5 generations of the family that still own the restaurant. The gift shop around the corner sells beautiful Talavera (from Spain, not Mexico) porcelain. The food was good, but the restaurant alone was a huge treat!!
(4)Andrew W.
A one-of-a-kind dining establishment. There is so much history within the walls of the Columbia Restaurant. The building alone is worth the visit - but the food and extensive wine list takes the experience to a whole new level. Looking for a wine similar to a riesling, the waiter recommended a bottle of Spanish albariño wine - which was decent, but not exactly what we were looking for. We ordered a few tapas to enjoy: the queso fundido, croquetas de pollo, the pollo al ajillo, and the black bean cakes. All were very tasty. The restaurant was packed with customers, but Columbia employed more than enough wait staff to reasonably accommodate everyone. If you ever find yourself in the Tampa area, this place should easily make the short-list of restaurants to try.
(4)Brock G.
I have only been to The Columbia once but I really enjoyed my experience. To start my girlfriend and I shared a pitcher of imported sangria which was made table side and was very good. For my entree I got the shrimp salteado which was so delicious. I also tried my girlfriends 1905 salad and was very impressed. After dinner we were escorted to the main room to watch the flamenco show. Something very different that I had never seen and it was a lot of fun to watch. The service was great and I enjoyed my overall experience!
(4)Michael Z.
I wanted to love the Columbia. The building inside and out is pleasing to the eye. But a gift shop next door is the first warning sign of a tourist trap. Still, a restaurant does not last for over 100 years serving bad food, so I had to give it a try. We opted for a Flamenco show with our meal which lasted about 45 minutes and is $6 additional per person. It definitely added a nice touch, but the numbers were hit and miss. Some of the performers gave off the vibe of just going through the motions, while others were clearly putting their heart into it. It is good enough to try once, but not so impressive I would go out of my way for a repeat performance. The food, which was a bevy of tapas, was simply ok. Service was accordion like - long periods of nothing followed by drinks and plates all showing up at the same time. It was a Saturday night and the place was crowded, so I am sympathetic. But it was noticeable. Nothing was terrible. But nothing was remarkable either. I am afraid that the appeal of this restaurant lies more in its past than it's future.
(3)Divya D.
Not that great .The ambience is good .It's slightly priced at the higher side.The drinks were good.But the food was dissapointing. The quantity also was very less.I give it a 3 rating for the ambience.
(3)Jasmine M.
My co-worker was raving about this place. After the 1 1/2 hour wait (Tuesday evening), we were seated. There was another 15 minutes to wait to order. The waiters were friendly. The atmosphere is beautiful and there was a Flamenco dancer show that I watched from the tiny table between 2 big tables where I kept getting my seat smacked by the waiters. It was constant. I ordered the Spanish Soup which was insanely delicious and homemade tasting. A little salty but delicious. I also ordered the Trio which a sample of a few things- such as an empanada, plantains, rice and beans, pork, etc. The plate came out looking horrible. It looked like frozen pieces of meat. If I wasn't daring, I would've already mentally disliked the dish. The yucca was undercooked and the garlic on top was not tasty. The pork was dry and so was the other piece of meat. I can't see how that Boliche is famous. It was dry as well. The black beans and rice were tasty. I enjoyed the bread, soup and rice and beans more than anything. When I come back to FL, I will skip this place.
(2)Steve C.
Me and the biz partner rolled into Tampa at the invite of the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants to speak about leveraging social media to benefit your business. The hotel we stayed at (Embassy Suites-SCORE, review on TripAdvisor) had a trolley station across the street, so we jumped (Mav came along) a $2.50 trolley to Ybor City and found our way to this gem of a joint. It is a barn-sized tourist attraction of a restaurant, and when you visit, you will taste why. The food ROCKS! Must haves: 1. The house salad. Big, fresh, tasty, delicious, and mixed tableside, more than enough for 3 people. 2. The Sangria. Made with the most amazing and freshest fruit, right at tableside. Fresh, vibrant, delicious. We had 3 pitchers. 3. Scallops. W.O.W. All the food was fabulous. The 3 of us had more than we could eat and drink and the tab was under $125. There is nothing bad on the menu, and the decor, experience, service, atmosphere and energy here all ROCK.
(5)Rebecca K.
My first trip to Columbia was on "1905 Day" in 2011. WOW is all I can say! This is a must do if you haven't. Be forewarned - It is best to go with a group, arrive in the early morning and put your name on the list for the dinner because that is how long you will be waiting. HOURS - an entire day's worth. However, planned efficiently, this can work out pretty well. With all of the surrounding bars in Ybor - go have a few drinks and relax until it's your reservation time. I was in a party of 10 or so. We were first brought into the bar area where we started our first couple rounds of sangria pitchers until we were seated in the main dining room with the beautiful chandelier. Of course the restaurant was packed to the brim with patrons there to take part in Columbia's pre fixe menu of the day - all priced as they were in 1905. .05 cent coffee? $2 entrees? I'm game. The SO and I tried one of everything... there was definitely time between the courses. This dinner lasted about 4 hours due to the service and absolute mayhem that "1905 Day" brings. Although, this was expected so no complaints there. If you love Sangria - you must try their red. It is well balanced and deep flavored. Best part is you get an entire pitcher. I believe the price was $1 or so. 1905 Salad - Ahhhmazing. I love olives and garlic and cheese and salad ingredients and when it's put together in the same dish, I love it even more. I love this salad hard. Black Bean Soup - My favorite. Spicy enough to keep me interested, but still holds that roasted black bean flavor. Just a sprinkle of onions and cilantro. I mopped my bowl with pieces cuban bread. Ham and Garbanzo bean Soup - This was the salty counterpart. With chunks of ham, chorizo, and garbanzo bean in a ham broth, it was tasty. I actually ate two bowls of this since someone forgoe'd theirs. Entree - I can't recall the names - one was a fish dish served with rice pilaf. Pan fried, well seasoned. The serving we received was slightly dry, but others at the table loved theirs. Also a chicken dish - roasted herbed chicken with rice and plantains. Very good. The entrees were good, but it was definitely apparent in some lack of flavors that they were cooked in big batches to push out to the mass amount of people at the restaurant. Dessert - Flan - This was ok. I wasn't bowled over by it, but it did have a better consistency than most flan I have tried. Cuban coffee - right up my caffeine veined alley. It is hard to make any kinds of complaints when your 4 course meal cost less than $15 for two including multiple rounds of drinks and coffees. I can see this as being a great date night dinner spot, but be prepared for spending about 5x more than what you do on 1905 day! I would definitely like to visit Columbia again on a regular evening to see how the quality, taste, and experience improves!
(4)Rodge B.
Gyod damn, this place is expensive, but the food is off the charts. The grilled shrimp and scallops were unbelievable as were the Salteado beef tips, Bambino steak, Mahi Mahi, and fresh bread. The steak is literally as tender as it gets, and I've been to Morton's, S&W, and Peter Luger's. The service was pretty good with the buddy system, but we had a late reservation, so I'm not sure what it's like during the rush. Don't bother with the Silver Meteor drink. Too expensive and too small for what it was.
(5)Ken D.
you just have to go.
(5)Kevin-Yuki L.
I liked the history and the ambiance. The food was very good although a bit expensive for what you get. My wife and daughter both had the Half and Half Combo with the 1905 salad and Cuban sandwich. My daughter commented the 1905 salad was just a fancy Cobb salad already tossed. Both my wife and daughter commented that the Cuban sandwich was "Ok." If this is Tampa's sandwich, and this is an outstanding example, maybe we are just not into Cuban sandwiches. I had the "Tapeo" Sampler; a choice of 3 tapas. The Croquetas De Langosta (Lobster croquettes), Cakes de Cangrejo (Crab Cakes), and Chorizo "Espenola" (Spanish style spicy sausage). Everything was very good; I can strongly recommend the Croquetas De Langosta, the Chorizo was good but a bit like really good pepperoni, and the crab cakes, while nicely seasoned, would benefit from more crab meat. I really wanted to try the Sangria de Cava, but only it comes in a pitcher and my wife was not interested. The Flan and Churros were both fair according to my wife and daughter. I had the White Chocolate Bread Pudding; It was excellent - a great rum sauce.
(4)Bruce L.
Made a reservation for 6pm. Arrived but waited until 6:15 to be seated. Once seated waited another 5 minutes for waiter to show up. Since we had tickets for 7p game decided to only order sandwich for me and appetizer for wife. My sandwich came 10 mins later but wife's crab cake app didn't show up for another 5 minutes. For a rest. that has been here for 100+ years you'd think they would've gotten the hang of it by now
(2)Daniel L.
I've been here a dozen times or so over the years, and each time has been wonderful. If you've never seen flamenco dancing, it might be worth the surcharge to see the show. I've seen it thrice now, once each with three different women. It's a good show, but I've never wanted entertainment with my meal. The food should always be able to stand alone. At the Columbia, the food really can stand alone. I often order the boliche, which is chorizo stuffed inside an eye round steak. The chorizo is excellent here! I've ordered other things, but I always miss my boliche if I don't order it. There are a few options available. Is the imported Sangria really worth the extra money? Yes, at least for the first pitcher. Is the Sangria de Cava worth the extra money? Yes, yes yes. Are the desserts worth getting? Yes. Is the 1905 salad really everything they say it is? Yes. My only complaint with the Columbia is the size of their menu. There are so many tempting options, it's hard to settle on just one. I also wonder how any restaurant can possibly make this many dishes well. I know their kitchen is huge, but I still wonder. Most of the servers have been here for years, some for decades. They love this restaurant, and it shows. Service is courteous and professional. This isn't "Flo" trying to be your friend, this is "Antonio" showing you what a terrific dining experience is supposed to be. If you're in a hurry, don't come here - go to Steak N Shake. When you come here, devote a couple of hours to it. It's worth it. I've also eaten at the Sarasota Columbia. It's good, but lacks the authenticity and atmosphere of the Ybor City original. For me, the Columbia is and always will be in Ybor City only. It's a Tampa landmark and a must see if you're visiting from out of town.
(5)Rob P.
Really fun, great experience! We've heard there's a Columbia coming to Fort Myers so, on a recent trip to Tampa for my daughter's birthday, we thought it would be a great place to celebrate. The atmosphere is wonderful, definitely a throwback to a bygone era - easy to picture Babe Ruth or Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn dining, drinking, laughing, and smoking cigars back then. Next time I would request sitting in the bar area by the piano player - looked like a great place to be. Servers wear black and whites and mostly older pros. We ordered a pitcher of the imported Sangria and a pitcher of mojitos too - both made table side and delicious. The food presentations were definitely not frou-frou but, reminded me of times past when quality ingredients & taste were more important than looks. I ordered a veal special. Like veal oscar, it was 2 nice cutlets with plenty of lump crab and a sherry Bearnaise sauce - excellent, served with Good Rice and asparagus on the side. We started with their famous 1905 salad and, if you know the back story of iceberg lettuce coming by train into Tampa, you'll know why they still use the iceberg. It was very tasty and refreshing and I will absolutely be copying that and the Good Rice at home! My wife had the combination Cuban plate and everything on it was very good. My daughter enjoyed the empanada tapas very much as well, savory and sweet. We finished with flan for dessert and, although I really wanted to try the bread pudding, I just couldn't after finishing my dinner completely - something I haven't done in a restaurant in years but, it was so good I ate it all! I've seen some "not so great" reviews for the Columbia but, I can tell you this - if you appreciate this place for it's history, atmosphere, solidly good food, not college kid servers (nothing against college kid servers but certainly nice to have a career server once in a while), the overall professional restaurateur "ism" the owners surely display then you'll love the Columbia. Old fashioned in a good way and I wish there were more still like it. Also, I would call much of the cuisine more Spanish-European with lots of French influence over straight up Cuban food. Nice touch was the birthday card for my daughter - they also sing "Happy Birthday" but, not in a corny way... You'll have to see for yourself. For right around $20 to $25 per plate, awesome value and throwback great food and service. We dined on a Saturday night not in high season, made reservations early in the week, and were very glad we did - tried for 7PM initially but, had take 8 instead... Reservations recommended!
(5)Michael C.
My parents have two favorites when they come to Tampa: The Columbia and Berns. Both are excellent, but on the pricey side. For a little history, The Columbia is the oldest restaurant in Florida, serving Cuban food. But this isn't Miami Cuban, this is "been in Tampa for over a hundred years" Cuban, so it has far more Spanish influence. We started with their house salad (their salad dressing is reason enough to come) and the crab croquettes. Next my father and I each had the seafood paella. We love paella and we're hoping to share one giant dish. Unfortunately the paella has shrunk in size with the recession - but not in price. It was still a great dish, and I ended up having some left overs, but we had been in the past and both could split one. Lastly we had the bread pudding for desert. It was delicious and rich and probably not something my diabetic father should have had. The Columbia has a rich history and everyone that has lived in town probably has a story. If you want the best of Tampa, this should be on your list.
(5)Victoria M.
My parents, boyfriend, and I were visiting Tampa and really wanted to try out The Columbia Restaurant. It was a busy night, and we had to wait for nearly 2 hours to be seated. When we were finally seated, the waitress we had was very rude. She didn't smile, wasn't helpful, and when my boyfriend tried to ask her a question, she interrupted him mid sentence without hearing him out. We were hopeful that at least the food would be good. We had to wait for about an hour for appetizers (tapas), which turned out to be alright. I liked the empanadas, flatbread, and the bread. The other appetizers we got were just okay. I ordered the palomillo, a thin steak covered in chopped parsley and onion. I got a side of fries to go with it because the waitress said they were home made. Sadly, the steak was tough and bland. The fries did not taste home made. By the time the food made it to us, it was lukewarm, as if it had been sitting out for awhile. My mother and boyfriend got the chicken and steak salteados, respectively, which one of the girls at the restaurant highly recommended. They both thought the dishes were okay. My mother is from Peru, where we have a similar dish, and she said her chicken salteado was way too saturated with garlic. My father got one of the mahi mahi dishes and really enjoyed it. So, I guess that's one plus for the Columbia. Although, it should probably be mentioned that out of the four of us, he is the least picky and will eat nearly anything. I seriously considered sending my food back because it was really sub par. Definitely not worth $17.95. Anyone who knows how to use a frying pan could have made this meal and probably made it better. Maybe our experience would have been different if it wasn't such a busy night at The Columbia and if the staff wasn't rushing to fill so many orders. But, for a place as popular as the Columbia and with that much seating capacity, you'd think that they'd be used to serving so many people at once. The interior is very beautiful, but if you were to subtract the restaurant's historical value, it would just be another regular restaurant.
(2)Yelper P.
Bad time. Slow service. Food was just ok but expensive. Mojitos were all water no alcohol. Over charged us. Kept serving drinks we didn't order. Paella took over an hour from the time we finally got to order. Snuck in an entertainment fee. The dancers were great though but not worth the poor service and uncaring management.
(1)Andy C.
I ordered the combination beef tenderloin and grilled shrimp. The food was good, but on the salty side. After finishing our meals, we were all kind of thirsty. The dish would have been great if it was a little less salty. I also ordered a soup that came out luke warm. It would have been better if it was hot. For the service, our waiter was a nice guy, but just plain forgetful. We had to keep reminding him for our drinks. If your going to serve us salty food, at least give us something to wash it down with.
(2)Maria G.
the food is all right, but flamenco dancers make this restaurant worth a visit! Oh, and there is an entertainment fee of $6.00. Actually, I was a bit disappointed in the food but I guess the dancers are the draw. There was also a bar and lounge area which looked pretty cool but I didn't have time to stop in.
(3)Thomas G.
Service was great and the place was beautiful. It opens up into an ornate room and there was a flamenco show going on when we walked in. Unfortunately, since we were a large group they didn't have enough room for us in there. We sat at a neighboring room. At least we could still hear the music. Also, after the show was over a piano player started playing. The sangria was fine, but I'd stop there. The way they advertised it you would have thought it was the greatest sangria on earth. My real complaint is the food. I ordered Paella Valenciana. I could be wrong but I've always related Paella Valenciana to including rabbit and chicken. This was a seafood Paella which just added chicken. Regardless, that's just semantics and they describe it as you receive it on the menu. The problem was it tasted as if it had been cooked in a pot or they had cooked rice and then added the other ingredients and mixed it at the end. The flavors didn't seem to join and each item kept its original character. Also, there was none of the carmelized rice from the bottom of the pan. Every bit was fluffy, creating a totally different texture than what I was looking for in Paella. One of my friends ordered the Ropa Vieja. I've never had that before so perhaps it is the intent of the food but I found it dry and bland. Another person at our table ordered the Pollo Riojana which I found delicious, if a little dry. Very similar to chicken parmesan. I also had some of her yellow rice which tasted strikingly like my paella (adding insult to injury). That said, it's atmosphere is what makes this place worthwhile. It is beautiful inside and can tell it treasures it's history. There was a wall filled with "hall of fame" placards with names of plenty of people who had worked there over 40 years, someone had worked there over 65 years. It's enjoyable to see a business that treats its employees well enough for them to work there that long and while the food may not be top of the bar, it's getting rarer and rarer to find a restaurant that continues to make eating out an occasion instead of "just getting dinner."
(3)Shawn J.
Another amazing lunch here. Tableside sangrias are amazing. We changed up everything this time, and once again everything was perfect. Think I need to rent out one of the many dining rooms here for a bash sometime.
(5)Deepak D.
Nice ambience and decor . Reservations are highly recommended especially on a weekend . Loved the appetizers and the drinks . Ordered yellow rice and chicken , the yellow rice was too good but the chicken was not well done . Overall an ok experience . Yes for the ambience and average for the food
(4)Lydia W.
Sunday brunch was fantastic! The sangria, the food, the staff - all were amazing and we had a wonderful time.
(5)Mariana R.
This is a wonderful place to drink a good wine and have some tapas!!.. The service is not the best I have received, because it is a little messy. But the waitress was very friendly. The wine was excellent!.. And the tapas were delicious!... We had some empanadas, and stuffed peppers. I can't say which one was better. For the main course I had the stuffed shrimp. They were great too, but not awesome!!.. In my opinion this is the perfect place to have a good wine and some tapas!!.. Also, the ambience was historic and beautiful!!..
(4)sheri s.
Living south of Tampa, we find ourselves in the area often for concerts and sporting events. We always go to Columbia and have always had a good experience. We made a reservation for Easter brunch and treated our daughter and son in law who were first timers to Columbia. Omar was our server and I can say he was by far the best server I can remember having anywhere! He took time to narrate the preparation of the sangria, 1905 salad and even table side flambeed dessert. The men ordered stuffed leg of lamb which was an Easter special. They loved the flavors and uniqueness of the dish. I tried it and thought it was excellent also. My daughter and I split the "pompano lido key". It was light and delicious with plenty of fresh lump crab. We could not finish it, the portion was so large. We all had 1905 salad, delicious, and shared Brazo gitano (incredible) and coconut ice cream for dessert. What a fantastic experience, especially given that it was a very busy holiday brunch service. Kudos to Omar and the rest of the Columbia staff. Can't wait for our next visit!
(5)Aidalis V.
Had the Cuban combination. Taste was great, empanada was too sweet to my taste, and yuca was too hard. Sangria and service were awesome.
(3)Rochelle R.
Since I am in Florida, I HAD to try the cuban food. Turns out Ybor City is one of the first cuban settlements in Florida. Based on the overall reviews, I wasn't sure how good Columbia would be, but I figured I should try it since it was the oldest Cuban restaurants in the area. It was established in 1905. Besides, I was a tourist, so I am allowed to do check our a touristy spot. The interior was nicely decorated. So much character. It looked like I could've been somewhere in Havana. The place is huge! There menu offerings were vast and it made it hard for me to choose. I wasn't sure if I should go for the chicken or the cubano sandwich. I eventually decided to go with someething I couldn't get back home....I got the La Completa Cubana, which is a sampler of Roast Pork, Boliche, Empanada de Picadillo, platanos, yuca, black beans and yellow rice. It was so yummy. I washed everything down with a mojito which was also delicious. For dessert, I had to order the Key Lime pie since I was in Florida after all. Conclusion, cuban food is definitely much better in Florida. If Columbia is only 3.5 stars by Florida standards, then I can't wait to try a 4 or 5 star restaurant. All I know is that Columbia kills all the cuban restaurants in LA and the OC in terms of food and ambience...and yes, I think it's even better than Porto's! Gasp!
(4)Arden M.
The decor is gorgeous, the waitstaff was amazing- very nice and attentive. The hostess was very nice. The food was great, I ordered the ropa vieja and the bread pudding for dessert. It is extremely busy on Tuesday nights, for some reason, but we were seated in five minutes (and didnt have a reservation). My son's kid's meal included fries that were a tad salty. Other than that I enjoyed the Columbia. WARNING! The place was so busy that we couldnt find parking in either of their lots, so have the valet park the car for you.
(4)Eve G.
The one thing I miss the most when I moved from NJ to FL is the ample variety of authentic ethnic restaurants. I've been craving Spanish food, but Orlando mostly offers Americanized touristy spots, and I'm not taking a trip all the way down to Miami. I stumbled upon Columbia restaurant while looking for parking on my way to Florida Aquarium and I couldn't stop thinking about it the entire day so I had to check it out for dinner. I'm so glad their food lived up to my expectations! First, they brought us Cuban bread hot and fresh out of the oven. SOOO good with butter or dipped into my Shrimp Supreme sauce. Crispy shrimp wrapped in bacon goodness -- my only complaint is that I ordered it as a tapa instead of a second entree! Is it wrong I'm still dreaming about that bread? I was seriously pissed they took my bread away while I was at the restroom -- I was still working on that! Oh well, I always feed my eyes before my stomach so I needed room for my Veal Reina Isabella anyway --tender meat, couldn't get enough of the sauce (yeah, I'm a saucy chick), and the "Good Rice" actually had a nice nutty background unlike other bland healthy grains. My hubby had the Chicken & Shrimp Barcelona. I assume it was awesome because he licked his plate clean before I even got a chance to taste it! To cap off the meal, my hubby had Brazo Gitano, which was WAY too sweet for my taste. I had the flan --it was good, but I have yet to taste a flan as good as my mom's. It just didn't have the densely rich custard and thick caramel sauce I've grown up on. I must say, though, that the cafe con leche was perfect! Lastly, I have to give props to our servers because excellent food can quickly go sour with bad service. Thank goodness, in our case, excellent service made our meal that much more enjoyable.
(5)Thao N.
The Flamenco dancing here was definitely a treat - very entertaining. Food is always better when watching flamenco dancers. I had the garlic shrimp entreee - very tasty and garlicy :) Service was great, drinks were yummy. The sangria and mint mojito are a must. If I happened to be in town, I would definitely stop by for a couple of drinks and a nice dinner. Also - there's also a connecting gift shop, which is worth checking out.
(4)Brian C.
Atmosphere, service, presentation and experience are awesome. Makes you feel like a celebrity. Food, unfortunately, tastes dumbed down to accomodate the lowest common denominator in order to attract the large number of patrons. It's a fun place to go with a group of friends, but not to experience world-class dining.
(3)M. P.
Grew up eating there once or twice a month so we always stop in for some Spanish soul food. All of it is good but the Spanish Bean Soup, 1905 salad and a shot of Jameson's in the bar is just the ticket. Will be going to the beach location tonight and can't wait to get the Boliche and the Cuban bread, the best.
(5)Cc R.
Loved their salad. The ambiance is like Colombian Godfather.
(3)Chris J.
Great food Must try the blackened grouper
(5)Darryl B.
Very good servcie and food!
(4)Dave S.
I've lived in the Tampa Bay area for about 1.5 years now and have heard many great things about the Columbia Restaurant and it's rich history. It's definitely somewhere that I wanted to try and we finally got the chance. We called around 6 pm on a Sunday evening and made a reservation for 8pm. We were seated just a few minutes after we arrived. The artwork and decor is beautiful and shows so much history. I'd love to tour the restaurant and hear all the history of it. The service was slow - they were quick to bring us bread, but took forever to get our initial water and refills. Drink refills were just as slow. Our bread was pretty much gone before the waiter came back to take our orders. He just wasn't too attentive. The menu's are OVERWHELMING!!! There is a wine menu that looks like a textbook, it even has a table of contents. I would've loved to have time to read through it and pick something out, but wow ---overwhelming! As I skimmed, I did see a bottle for $1400. I like my wine, but am just not that much of a connoisseur! There was also a "wine tour" menu, which listed about 8 wines specifically being sold this month. And the actual menu...not overly huge, but the descriptions are so lengthy and detailed, it was just a lot to take in. There were definitely a lot of options. We ordered the beef tenderloins and the stuffed grouper, both were very good. My wife asked for the asparagus as her side instead of the mixed veggies and was told it would be a charge for an additional side, okay, no problem. She just didn't want the mushrooms that came with the mixed veggies. When the food came out, she got mixed veggies (mushrooms and all) but no asparagus. Fortunately we weren't charged for them either. Everyone else in our party ordered some type of sea food dish, which they all seemed to enjoy. We also had the deviled crab appetizer that I'd heard so much about. I wasn't a fan but everyone else in our party enjoyed them. As for drinks, the guys ordered Mojitos and the girls ordered wine. By the end of the night, we all were drinking Mojitos. They were probably some of the best Mojitos we've ever had, not too minty and not too sweet. A nice touch to our meal was that in the month of September, Columbia donates 5% of each bill to the local charity organization of your choice. Overall, we enjoyed our dinner and drinks. This is the type of place you have to try once, or maybe take visitors to for the cultural history. I just don't see it being somewhere I would go to regularly. For an appetizer, dinner and drinks for two people you can expect your bill to be close to $100 - give or take $20 both ways.
(3)Jamie S.
I should have heeded the Yelp rating. The food wasn't great... Everything was overly salty, and then the white rice was bland and boring. The 1905 salad that everyone raves about was good, but drowning in salty dressing. The Spanish bean soup was good, also salty, but the best thing we ate. The sangria was lacking in the flavor. You expect fresh, explosive flavors from a restaurant like this, and we were highly disappointed. Also, we had a reservation and still had to wait a half hour to be seated. We paid the $6/per person extra for the flamenco show... eh. One of the female dancers was really good, the rest didn't impress. It also wasn't traditional flamenco dancing, which was disappointing, especially given the restaurant's long history and heritage. There was some salsa and stepping. Honestly, it really wasn't even that entertaining. The restaurant itself is beautiful, inside and out. The art and architecture are amazing! Unfortunately, I believe it was once an amazing restaurant and show... Now it's just a beautiful sight with mediocre, overpriced food and some dancers.
(2)Cam D.
The Columbia is always a great choice for anyone looking for good food and drinks with an exceptional atmostphere. I particularly enjoy having lunch here as the prices are a little lower and the food is almost exactly the same. I would highly recommend the 1905 salad as it is refreshing and filling plus is made table-side by your server.The black bean cakes are also a favorite of mine and can be found on the tapas menu.The restaurant itself is full of gorgeous details that can be seen in the spanish tiles and light fixtures. I am knocking them down one star because even when there are plenty of open tables I have been asked to wait a few minutes to be seated every single time that I've eaten here (which is quite a few times). Depending on how loud other patrons are it can feel a little cramped also due to their table arrangement. All in all, I would recommend this restaurant to anyone, especially to people who may have guests from out of town that are interested in some nice, authentic Ybor dining.
(4)Esther L.
My boyfriend and I went here this past Friday for my birthday. We walked in without having a reservation, had a glass of wine at the bar and were seated within 15 minutes. The restaurant seemed fairly busy (which is ALWAYS a good sign!) so I was happy they were able to accommodate us so quickly. But let's get to the important stuff first... THE FOOD!! It was PHENOMENAL and that is an understatement. I ordered the Mahi Mahi "Veradero" and I couldn't hold a serious conversation with my date because I kept talking about how good it was! Plantain crusted Mahi Mahi topped with crab meat (very flavorful and tasted fresh!) with rice and vegetables on the side. The vegetables were done to perfection with crispy asparagus, mushrooms, fresh cherry tomatoes, and peas. THE best meal I've had in Tampa for around $20 a plate! Last year we went to Ocean Prime for my birthday and spent about $200 on a mediocre meal (I had fish there also) with an interesting drink selection and a cold, modern decor. After almost 110 years Columbia has definitely got it down. On to the ambiance... I absolutely fell in love with the decor of this place. Dark woods, old portraits and paintings, lavish chandeliers, and exquisite tile work throughout. It almost looked like a beautiful old Italian restaurant with a little Latino flair! Like I said, we went to Ocean Prime and personally I prefer this warmer, more romantic decor over the modern look. And finally, the staff... Our waiter, Alfredo, was very professional, yet managed to make us laugh a couple times. He was always there when we needed him yet let us have our space. I give him 5 stars. Overall this place is amazing. It's the best meal I've had in Tampa and I've lived here for over 3 years. 100% you have to eat here if you're in Tampa.
(5)Melissa R.
1905 salad with shrimp IS all that it's cracked up to be
(4)AJ C.
Service and food were awesome, definitely going back!
(5)Dia D.
This is the largest and oldest (since 1905) Cuban restaurant in Florida. The restaurant has a huge, free parking lot which seems to be unusual for Ybor City. There is also a nice gift store with Tampa cigars next door. This wasn't the best Cuban food that I've ever had but it wasn't the worst either. They were very busy for lunch and the service was friendly and formal (servers wore tuxes though many of the tourists were in shorts and t-shirts) but lunch wasn't a quick meal. The portions were huge and we saw many people taking home at least half of their meals. Three of us shared the Tapeo Mixto (3 tapas) and the Croquetas y croquetas y croquetas (lobster, crab, and chicken croquettes). The bill was $65 with tip.
(3)Shawn V.
The Columbia restaurant has always been an enjoyable dinning experience whenever we go, either lunch or dinner are great. they have different menus for each. just like everyone else you have to have the 1905 salad (we even make it home). for dinner the veal with crab over it is awesome. black beans and rice, chicken and rice both excellent. combined with the history and ambiance this is place is a must for any tourist or local alike.
(4)Day E.
My husband and I are spending our vacation in Tampa and the surrounding area and enjoy great food and environment. After seeing many great reviews for the restaurant we decided to give it a try. I was left feeling disappointed and let down with the food as well as the service. Our waiter (on the receipt it says John M) was very slow. We constantly would run out of beverage and he would come to the table twice forgetting that we needed refills. Having to keep reminding him got slightly annoying. If we needed anything we had to flag him down. He seemed to be overwhelmed with the table of 6 that he had. Interesting enough once we asked for the check he suddenly became very attentive..offering a to go cup and such! If you have high blood pressure or any other electrolyte imbalances just know that they over salt the food. We ordered a calamari appetizer. While cooked perfectly I ate two bites and could not finish as it was way too salty for me. I ordered the Palomilla of which also was too salty. The steak was overdone and half the fries were soaked. Again I did not finish the meal. I ended up having to go back to the hotel and making myself a meal. My husband ordered the El Combo. He expressed that it was very salty and was surprised that the pork was dry, the empanada was not fully cooked (still doughy). I tried his beans and rice which had good flavor (I normally dislike black beans) but again was very salty and the rice had a mushy mashed consistency. Overall I wish we would have skipped this one and saved the funds for somewhere else.
(1)Carlos F.
When you are in the door the service gets poor, chairs are hard, the waiter is far. The food that I see is like Applebee's but the price wants to make me go aeeeeeee!!!!
(1)Cara D.
My husband and I were recently here for a date night. We had a reservation, and despite being very busy, they had us seated right around that time. The building is definitely old, like the rest of Ybor, and they could stand to put some money into repairs - I noticed a couple of cheap fixes, such as wall outlets missing covers (those cost around fifty cents at Walmart). Our food arrived quickly, but I was very disappointed in that everything was just *slightly* overcooked. Not to the point of being burned, just a little tough. We ordered the same thing that we always did, a couple of tapas to share, since the appetizers are adequately portioned for us to both fill full on. Our scallops were stringy, and the topping was just a little soggy rather than crisp. The shrimp were only slightly overcooked, with one side having caramelized beyond what they normally serve. The bread itself was a little darker brown, and crunchy all the way through - a little tough. We've gone to the Columbia before, and as I said, we order the same thing. We know how it's supposed to taste, and we really love these dishes. Unfortunately, and possibly due to how busy they were (although I do not think they were any busy than normal), everything was just a little overcooked, enough for it to detract from our enjoyment. We did receive a wrong dish, but it was quickly replaced. The waitress was very friendly, and the service was quick (although tapas generally are quickly served). So 'yes' to the service, but unfortunately we had a 'miss' on the food.
(3)David E.
Ate here when traveling for business last year. One of the best Paellas I've had. The bread pudding for desert was unmatched. Definitely will return if I am ever in Tampa again.
(5)Gigi G.
I have to say, I cried the first time I witnessed live flamenco dancers in this one of a kind spot. I have been to other Columbia restaurants in the past but this one is by far the most exciting. Lots of history and dancers! Did I say Flamenco dancers?! I would of given it a higher rating, if it wasn't for the quality of food. My husbands rice had a funny after taste and my fried plantains were covered with chucks of salt. The black bean soup was tasty, however. Not sure I'd be going back for the food but definitely enjoyed watching the show!
(3)Heather B.
WONDERFUL! Waiters are in tails and the restaurant is beautiful. The food was fabulous! Try the 1905 salad, very good and refreshing.
(4)Robert E.
As our past visits, the food, service and ambience are terrific. Gazpacho with fresh vegetables presaged a delectable meal of chorizo, mussels in white wine and flan. Two hours of relaxed, tasteful dining was ended with cafe con leche, whose crisp tang was a perfect closure. In spite of its enormous size, the dining rooms are small and beautifully decorated. One would imagine being in a sleepy Spanish cafe. The wait staff was very solicitous and prompt, and the kitchen was extremely well organized to serve each diner as if a guest in their home. Many return trips are planned.
(5)Kevin M.
This is one of the best places to eat when you're in ybor. They have really good sangria. Also, the food here is authentic Spanish food, really reminds me of my great grandmothers cooking. I love to go here for birthday dinners. The atmosphere of the restaurant is great.
(4)Gabriel N.
From what the locals had told me, this was the spot to hit for Cuban food in Ybor. The history of the place is amazing as is the enormous size of the restaurant. I was led through several rooms (all packed with people) before sitting at the bar. Growing up on Cuban food I'm probably pickier than most. Going through their menu I found some old favorites and slightly updated classics. I saw they had Ropa Vieja and wondered if they could do Vaca Frita, since it's basically the fried version. The bartender had no idea what I was asking and the manager was equally puzzled. A little disappointed, I settled on the Devil Crab croquetas and Palomilla steak. The croquetas were tasty and came out fast. The steak came out just as quickly. The plate was tiny so they put the rice & black beans and platanitos underneath the steak. Interesting move on their part, but it didn't affect the flavor. Overall it wasn't bad, pretty good actually. Honestly, it wasn't what I expected for a 100 year tradition of family cooking and it was damned pricey for what you were getting. When places like La Granja in Miami serve up food just as good, twice as quickly and for a fraction of the price, it's hard to stomach the needlessly pricey. Columbia does have incredible atmosphere, history dripping from the walls and a killer dance show, but the lackluster and expensive food prevents it from earning more than 3 stars.
(3)Record S.
Super dee duper service and super dee Duper food...no issues at all even the restrooms were super dee duper clean!
(5)Christina S.
Three stars for the food, but four stars for the history and ambiance. This is one of Tampa's oldest restaurants in old time Ybor City. It is definitely a must see on a visit to the area.
(4)Robert B.
A decent restaurant with a huge following. Servers go through the motions and are disinterested. The famous salad is good, but not worth the wait for a table, crowding and noise. If you want good Spanish food, avoid this place and go to Ybor City.
(3)Steven A.
I arrived around 4:30 and the person at the door asked " how can I help you". I simple stated you are a restaurant She then said will be only you or are you waiting for some one. Once seated at the bar. My c
(4)Erin F.
I was excited to go to a Cuban restaurant in Ybor City, considering the history of the area. Our experience here was disappointing and I am actually shocked by the great reviews. The bread was kind of dry and difficult to cut. I had a glass of red sangria which was good. We had the 1905 salad, which had a very garlicky vinagerette and is made with iceberg lettuce. We had a cup of the black bean soup and then the paella valencia for dinner. The food was mediocre and not hot or fresh. The waiters were tuxedos, which makes the place seem cheesey and I kept thinking that they must be so uncomfortable. The restaurant and tile-work is beautiful, but the food is mediocre.
(2)Chris Y.
I came straight from the airport to Columbia for dinner. My phone was not navigating, so I followed the signs to Tampa, the to Ybor City, and then ... there is The Columbia. It was easy to find in an unfamiliar city with no map or directions. We started with the lobster croquetes. These are sort of like crab cakes with a nice lobster sauce. They were good and a nice starter. They also start with some fresh cuban bread. It's simple bread, but very good. The menu has many interesting things, so I ordered the Cubana Completa, which let me sample a few things. My favorites were roast pork, black beans, rice, and plantains. The plantains were crispy outside, soft inside, and full of flavor. The platter also included boliche and empanadas. The service is five star. We had an attentive team of professional servers. This is traditional black tie servers with the dude sweeping bread crumbs off the table cloth between courses. The place is unlike anything. The waiter tells me The Columbia covers an entire city block, three stories tall, seats 1700 people in 17 or 19 dining rooms. The decor is old world spain from the light fixtures on down. This place is over 100 years old. Ybor City is something to see as well. Driving down 7th Ave after dinner I was overwhelmed taking in the sights. The streets are lit in a wonderful old world style. The buildings are all 100 years old brick with wrought iron balconies much like the New Orleans French Quarter. Must see!
(4)Rhonda G.
This place has been around since 1905, reading the story of how they began and their history is interesting. The Bar: Loved the sangria (maybe a little too much) served in the vintage-style clay jug. The bartenders were noticeably flustered while we sat at the bar ordering drinks before being seated. And rightfully so since a quiet Monday for them turned into craziness when myself and the rest of the convention center crowd discovered that the streetcar would take us into ybor city. The Food: Our servers were great and brought everything out in a timely fashion. Paella marinera would have been awesome if the frozen peas didn't stand out so much. That one little pea ruined the entire dish, I guess this is sort of like the princess and the pea. The mussels were actually really good and up until that day I swore I didn't like mussels. Guess I do. The pompano was good, though not great. The stuffing was kind of mushy so it didn't look all that appealing. The scene: Their was a nice little flamenco dance show happening in the main dining area so that's always cool to watch. It was a little too loud to be around for too long so i'm glad that we didn't actually eat in that room. They also do something here that I can understand but I still don't like. They have those flashing buzzers that alert you when your table is ready. Something about that just screams TGI Fridays to me. Overall, definitely worth a visit if you ever find yourself in Ybor city.
(4)David D.
A Must, if you are just visiting the area. Sometimes service is slow. Coffee is great. We love the hot bread. The menu is huge. Gazpacho great. Salad legendary. Desserts also a treat.
(4)David M.
As a past owner it is very hard for me to ever give a 5 star rating. This would be 6 if I could. Following a recommendation from locals we came her to eat. On a Monday we had to wait for a table. Most people would complain about this. I look at it as a good sign of a good pace to eat. We were seated earlier than expected, staff was helpful with the menu choices and questions. Food was very good and timely. I would highly recommend the up charge "1905" salad. Hand tossed at your table and delicious. I had the "Bambino" as I'm a yankee fan and couldn't resist. Cooked to perfection, warm and delicious. Potato side were good fillers as well as the mushrooms. If all restaurants could handle business as the Columbia does I we all could be in food paradise!
(5)carmen s.
Food is quite good, the Flamenco dancing is cute, but the star of the party is by far, to the moon and back: their Creme Brulee. So absolutely delicious.
(4)Charles V.
Best Cuban food I've ever had! Everything cannot be beat! This has set the standard for Cuban food for me. They live up to their name!
(5)Ross M.
There is nothing more Ybor-y than the Columbia! I have been to about half the Columbia's and this is by far my favorite. The restaurant is beautiful and huge! First, food! 1905 Salad! AMAZING!!! I could live off this. I eat, sleep, and dream the 1905 Salad. We always do family style, even if it's just the 2 of us, this salad is great even for leftovers! Warm Cuban Bread! MMMMMmmmmMMMMM!!!!!! (I think that is enough Ms). So good. PERIOD. I could stop there, but I won't. I really love the "Tapeo" Sampler (3 choices of Tapas). I have not made it through them all yet, but will soon. Have not found 1 that I dislike. My favorites are the Costillitas de Cerdo Habana, Empanadas de Picadillo, Queso Fundido, Croquetas do Pollo, Pollo al Ajillo, and the Calamares Fritos "A la Romana. You also cannot go wrong with the Grilled Grouper, any of the Filet Mignons, or Palomilla. To be honest, I have not tried that many of the main entrees. I know that I will be filled up on the 1905 Salad and the Cuban Bread. That being the case, I usually stick to the Tapas sampler and share with my fiancée. Now onto drinks. The White Sangria is to die for. It is made with champagne instead of red wine. It is sweet but not too sweet. I always get it!!! Moving past the food, the staff here is excellent. Never have I had a negative experience. I recall a couple months ago, some change my grandmother made to her meal did not get changed in the kitchen. I think she substitutes the black beans. Nevertheless, the staff went to great lengths to fix her order and was very apologetic. I commend their excellent customer service, especially at this location. One time I came here for private event. We had a beautiful room on the side. I really enjoyed the Cuban dancers our entertainment. It was a perfect night. Relaxing and delicious! Overall this is a beautiful establishment with wonderful service and even better food. I have been to the Columbia in St. Augustine, St. Pete (Pier), and Clearwater Beach. This Ybor location is my favorite. I cannot think of a more authentic Ybor resultant than the Columbia. If you are only going to eat out once while visiting this city, I highly suggest the Columbia in Ybor!
(5)Shai J.
Complete disappointment. From the service to the food, the "Columbia" is nothing but a wanna a be. It wants to be Spanish, but it's not. It want's to be high quality, but it's not. It wants to offer a unique experience, but it doesn't. As mentioned in other reviews, this place is simply an overprice, under-deliver tourist trap. I probably would have a better review if the service wasn't so remarkably bad. The hostesses were not memorable, I'm not even sure if they said anything upon our entry or exit. Only good thing is that we were seated right away at the tiniest table for four. I wanted to be excited as we walked to our table, but any hope of that disappeared as we sat at unstable and filthy seats. Our server came over in reasonable time with bread (which was they only decent thing we ate), however, she seemed as if she either just rolled out of bed or was on her way to it. She made no attempt to welcome us or explain the menu even after I told her it was our first time there. My brother, whom's birthday we were celebrating, could not find the beer on the menu, she stood there not offering any help as he flipped though the pages. I didn't understand why loom over us if she didn't want to guide us through the menu. Anyhow, we decided against tapas (thankfully) and ordered what we thought were going to be safe entrees- 3 various saltados and 1 chicken and shrimp Barcelona with "good rice." I have no complaints about the turnaround time as the dishes were at our tables within 15 mins. But the food itself seemed like a heap of mess thrown on old mismatched plates- just the looks of the food were unappetizing enough, didn't help that the food was overcooked (chicken was tough and dry), overly buttery (Barcelona sauce was basically melted butter), or overly salty and had no noticeable connection to anything Spanish be it Cuba, Puerto Rican, Peruvian, etc. . I also don't understand their pricing, for the poor quality and the small portions, why charge $20+ per plate for dishes that come with nothing. Also, the sangria is made with no care, it was watery and lacked any hint of fruit as one may expect when ordering this drink. Our server did not ask us, not a single time, how we where enjoying our meal of if we needed anything. After the meals where brought to our table, the next time we saw her was when she was ready to bring the check. In short, I just don't get the reviews, it's mind boggling how this place has such high ratings but offer such a poor overall product.
(1)S D.
A+ for history and the space. It is a beautiful building with many many rooms, so great for a large group. The Cuban bread is irresistible and I very much enjoyed the roasted pork. Others at my table went with the chicken and rice. I thought the service was a little spotty, it was a great local experience.
(3)Nancy F.
We were excited to dine and see the show. The show was fine as was the food. However, our server was below par.
(2)Rochelle S.
I've lived in Tampa for nearly 10 years and today was the first time I've gone to eat at Columbia down in Ybor. I was amazed at the building. The inside was worth the trip. It is just charming and had an old world feel. Then there was the service. I knew at first glance that anyone walking in with shorts and a tee shirt would feel under dressed here. The wait staff was dressed to the 9's. They cleared tables, quickly. Stopped to refill drinks without flagging them down. Everyone was polite, even the manager stopped at the table during our meal. The menu had lots to choose from, even for me a non seafood non pork eater. The best thing to me was the fresh cuban bread. Each person got a huge slice instead of a basket of bread as you would find in most places. I opted for the Chicken Sandwich with plantain chips which I quite enjoyed. The huge slice of red pepper that they put on before pressing it gave a very nice flavor to the sandwich. Others in my party got the mahi pressed sandwich which didn't last on his plate too long, nor did the soup that smelled just wonderful. I was told that the salad was their 'great seller' but as I was watching the salad be mixed table side with the dressing and other greens I don't think it would be my 'cup of tea'. This is definitely not a field green salad with fruit but may be good as a starter. This is an old building and would get noisy when it fills up. Expect this when you go. Don't expect the quiet romantic setting but instead a good meal with a lot of history. When I have visitors come and visit I will put this on the list of places to take them for lunch as I did today...just to avoid the loud Friday night crowd.
(4)Treanna D.
Live music! Four dinning rooms, awesome atmosphere, long wait but worth it for authentic Cuban food. I would recommend making a reservation a head of time or planning to have a couple drinks at the bar before being seated.
(5)Paul M.
The cuban and soup was good, everyone enjoyed their food. The house salad was super garlic-ey, luckily I like garlic. The place is great, old, and had interesting architecture. The problem on our visit was the service, hence 3 stars, even though we had 2 servers. We were seated right away, per our reservation, in front of a long line of folks. We were greeted promptly then the first of a line of long waits. First for drinks, then food, then the correct food, then the bill then change for a $20. I'll chalk it up to a bad day as we all have those and give them another try when back in Tampa.
(3)Christina F.
Great time! My team from work was craving their famous salad! We had a great meal and a great time, it started slow with a delayed meet and great and order time from sever but the ambiance and amazing Cuban bread filled the time. Recommended wine bottle was good and very reasonable price. I will be back!
(4)Francesca L.
This was my second time dining at Columbia in Ybor and it is so, so delicious I wish it were much closer to me so we could go every week! Overall: The atmosphere is so beautiful and it's especially impressive when you go with people who have never been there (IE we just brought my parents from Philly and they just thought it was the coolest thing). The Flamenco dancing is a fun and entertaining touch. The food is delicious, the drinks are great and the service is so friendly. Here is what we ate (over 2 times) They only have ONE draft beer and it is so good-it's on the lighter side with notes of honey and it's very smooth and comes in a huge glass. So yummy! 1905 salad-the table shared a big bowl-they make it table side and it's so yummy (not salad like at all since they put in so much ham and cheese) Salmon Sant Yago: 5/5 stars--ask for a side of black beans with it (they are out of this world). It's Salmon stuffed with crab, asparagus, tomatoes, yellow rice and black beans The 1/2 chicken with rice and beans-the chicken was delicious as were the rice and beans. If I had to choose again between this or the salmon I'd pick the salmon. Cuban Sandwich: OMG amazing 5/5 stars. It's HUGE and my husband who can eat anything even had to get 1/2 wrapped up we we ate for lunch the next day and it was still delicious Marilyn and Joe---not good. looks good on paper but I tasted it and it wasn't good (thankfully I didn't order this so I didn't deduct stars for it). Black Bean Soup-5/5 stars so delicious----I don't like the white rice that comes in it, so I just order a 'side' of black beans with dinner and that is much more my style.
(5)Melissa I.
There's nothing bad here but I have had better throughout the area. The Flamenco show is nice when they have it. The service is okay. The cleanliness is okay. It is nice if you need to have a dinner for big groups. All in all just okay but not bad. I'd eat there again if someone invited me but probably not choose to go there.
(3)Brian L.
Best for the tradition, architecture, history, authentic Spanish decor, and a real "taste of Tampa." Ideal for special occasions. But if you are looking for fantastic food, I think there is better in Ybor. (The Bricks of Ybor and Tampa Bay Brewing)
(3)Shelley P.
I've been enjoying everything the columbia has to offer a few times a year since I first moved to this area 25 years ago. I haven't had a bad meal or cocktail. They even have decent beers on draft. I prefer to go during lunch and enjoy tapas. The1905 salad is the bomb. This is a place I always try to take out-of-town guests if time permits. Check it out, you won't be disappointed. After lunch or dinner, stroll down 7th Avenue and enjoy the architecture. Also, if you have time go during the week and pay the extra $$5 and watch the dancers. It is a fun show if you've never seen it. Nice free parking lot directly across the street to the north.
(5)Michael B.
Yes, this is a legendary tourist attraction but I like the ambiance and have found the service to be very professional and the food to be very good . The Spanish bean soup should have been hotter but it was tasty. The grilled grouper was excellent and the accompanying vegetables not over cooked. Fellow diners liked the big 1805 Salad. The Cuban bean soup is delicious.
(4)Shaun S.
I'm so glad I made a reservation cause there was a line out the door for people waiting to be seated.. That just goes to show how good the food is here. The atmosphere was very inviting and humble.. I've been living in Tampa for close to 8 years and never thought to give this place a shot but I'm happy I finally did.. The decor, the service and most of all the food was excellent. The mojito with the fresh sugar cane was absolutely delicious and the entree I had which was a stuffed grouper was amazing.. The waiter recommended I try the bread pudding which my girlfriend and I shared (which was too good to be true).. I'll definitely be visiting the Columbia restaurant again soon.. Antal our waiter made a difference and making our experience absolutely wonderful..
(5)Wendy I.
The Columbia restaurant was good the first time I went years ago but I think the food has gone down hill. The experience is nice but they need a new Chef. My husband got sick after eating a creamy pasta dish that was made. Who remembers but we never went back.
(3)Sonia L.
Beautiful Restaurant- real old world charm! Service was a little slow but the food was wonderful--Paella for sure and there was a cuban plate which had a little of everything on it--ropa vieja was delish.
(4)Romy K.
Overall - a very nice evening - with fine food, wine and flamenco dancing. We arrived for our 8 pm dinner reservation, but then found out from the hostess that there was a show option as well. We took that for 8:30 and headed to the bar to wait where we had the cava sangria - a little on the sweet side - but still good. We also had the calamari which was also good -
(4)Martic R.
I know this place is very known around Tampa Bay but for me was a total disappointment. The bread was way too toasted, the black bean soup almost looked like someone opened a can of beans and put it on a plate, it was too thick with zero liquid, the main dish was also average and the waiter was either too busy or preoccupied since it took a while to get a hold of him. The highlight was the Sangria. Perhaps I'm a bit more strict with my "Spanish food" but both me and my friend agreed we would choose a Spanish whole in a wall type of restaurant with better prices and less decor first.
(1)John B.
C and I came here based on Yelp reviews after a long day of shooting photographs for University Icons. We were thirsty and hungry. We arrived rather late last Friday night and had no trouble getting a table in the room with the bar. Wonderful! With live music. We loved the ambiance and the waiter, Alfredo, was spot on with service. The fresh warm bread was crusty, yet soft. We ordered a pitcher of Mojitos and really liked that they prepare them at the table. We especially liked that they bring a small bottle of rum, so you see exactly how much alcohol you are getting. We shared the house paella. Excellent flavor. Two nights later, since we were in the area, we made a point to dine at Columbia in the town of Celebration, FL. Same bread, excellent service, wonderful ambiance. They accommodated twelve of us without reservations. Wines at all price points. We simply loved this place. Although they have multiple locations, it's not a typical chain, but is family owned.
(5)