Columbia Restaurant - SandKey - Clearwater, FL

Columbia Restaurant - SandKey

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Address:
1241 Gulf Blvd
Clearwater, FL 33767

Neighborhood:
Clearwater

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Cuisine:
Spanish

Price: $30 and under

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Columbia Restaurant - SandKey Details

Dining Style: Casual Dining
Website: http://columbiarestaurant.com
Email: colsand@columbiarestaurant.com
Phone: (727) 596-8400
Hours of Operation: Lunch: Daily 11:30am - 4:00pm Dinner: Daily 4:00pm - 10:00pm
Payment Options: AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Cuisine: Spanish, Latin / Spanish, Cuban
Dress Code: Casual Dress
Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
Additional Details: Bar/Lounge, Beer, Full Bar, Gluten-free Menu, Non-Smoking Area, Non-Smoking Restaurant, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Smoking Area, Takeout, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine
Private Party Facilities: For groups, we offer areas to host your rehearsal dinner, wedding reception, party, or group event. Choose from our banquet menu or let us customize your menu for that special occasion. Our waterfront Mediterranean-style dining room is filled with hand-painted Spanish tiles and family heirlooms, specially selected to create an old-world charm and ambiance that lend an atmosphere of warmth and elegance to any gathering.
Private Party Contact: Lee Michaud (727) 596-8400
Entertainment: After your meal, stroll the boardwalk along the Intracoastal waterway behind The Columbia that connects to the Shoppes on Sand Key. Be sure to make time for a visit to Caladesi Island, home of the #1 Beach in North America. Dr. Stephen Leatherman, aka Dr. Beach, announced Caladesi Island State Park as having the best beach in America again in 2008.
Special Events & Promotions: Although online reservations may not be available, we are still taking reservations through the restaurant. Traditional Thanksgiving meal with all the trimmings: $21.95 adults $5.95 kids under 10. Our complete dinner menu is also available all day.

Getting there

Parking: Public Lot
Parking Details: Free parking in our parking lot.

A word from Columbia Restaurant - SandKey

Waterfront dining at its finest! Family-owned & operated for over 100 years, Columbia has earned acclaim for its old-world charm & award-winning Spanish/Cuban cuisine & wine list. Join us for century-old family recipes like Paella "a la Valenciana," Filet Mignon "Columbia," & fresh seafood… specialties. Sample a fine Spanish wine like Torres, Montecillo or Campillo. Don’t miss Columbia’s Original “1905” Salad®, named “One of America’s Top 10 Best Salads” by USA Today -- The only restaurant in Florida to be named. Whether you choose a table looking out onto the radiant blue waters of the Intracoastal Waterway from the Mediterranean dining room, or experience the casual atmosphere from our outdoor deck on the water, you can enjoy the cuisine that has consistently been voted Tampa Bay's Favorite. We are a sister to the Columbia in Tampa's Ybor City, founded in 1905. Children's menu available. Open 365-days a year, including all holidays.Continued

Foodspotting photos

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Awards voted by OpenTable diners

Diners' Choice WinnerBest Overall
Diners' Choice WinnerBest Ambiance
Diners' Choice WinnerFit for Foodies

Diner Reviews

"The views from inside or outside on the patio are great!!! The food is good, however, be sure to specify if you do not want a lot of salt!"
Dined on 4/12/2014
"I was only one of three diners that was not very pleads with experience. Service, ambience great. I found mussels tapas to contain miniscule sized mussels. Empanadas Ok, but nothing special. Signature salad, bread pudding very good."
Dined on 4/13/2014
"We saw the Columbia restaurant in Celebration, FL while walking to dine at a different spot. It looked intriguing and inviting, so we made a reservation at the Sand Key location to coincide with an upcoming visit by friends. Couldn't have picked a better spot ! Great outdoor table overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. Friendly, and efficient service - even on a crowded night. Excellent variety of superb meals sure to satisfy any taste. We all enjoyed seafood dishes, and everyone thought the food to be outstanding. Reasonably priced for the quality of food and drinks and would highly recommend !"
Dined on 4/12/2014
"We heard this was the oldest restaurant so had to try it . The setting on the water is beautiful- ask for an outdoor table when you make reservation- it's worth it. The tapas- was a bust. We did the sampler and didn't like any of them. The meatballs were bland, the calmari was overcooked and sauce was mayo in a cup, and the shrimp with bacon were not good- too smokey tasting. The dinners were better- I had the lobster pasta dish and it was delicious but very rich. The grouper was good, the salmon tasty fishy."
Dined on 4/12/2014
"Had a great time as usual. Parking was packed so you had to valet. Food was terrific. Tried the white asparagus - it was not that good. But everything else was excellent. Red sangria was just okay - my favorite is the cava. Friend really enjoyed her dinner."
Dined on 4/12/2014
"even tough it's a perfect romantic spot, we had really nice dinner with friends. Service was congenial, food was amazing. very much enjoyed and will be back - menu had multiple things I want to try!"
Dined on 4/5/2014
"My grilled salmon was fine, the sides were not. Rice was way too salty and the asparagus was too crunchy. The Caesar salad contained too much sweetness (sugar) to the mix for some reason. Did not like the dressing at all. The Cuban bread was hot and tasty as expected. A somewhat below average meal for the money."
Dined on 4/9/2014
"The Columbia is one of our favorite eating spots. The food and service are consistently first rate. My family and i have been visiting the Columbia restaurants since I was a small child. It has a wonderful rich history and the ambience is wonderful. Our server, Shonda was very attentive without hovering and made great suggestions from the menu. We try to visit late afternoon before the dinner rush. The restaurant can be a bit noisy when crowded."
Dined on 4/6/2014
"Although parking can be a challenge, I had a great get together with some college friends. The service was wonderful and the atmosphere was perfect for a good chat over dinner."
Dined on 2/26/2014
"We were there to celebrate a family birthday. The food was great, but I was more impressed with our server, Enver. He was absolutely amazing. Although one of the plates he brought was dirty (not his fault), it didn't ruin my experience as he made up for it ten fold. He was attentive, curteous, knowledgable about the dishes, interactive, engaging, and exteremly polite. I usully am very picky about service, but this was one of the best food service experiences I have had even when compared to much more high end restaurants. Thank you, Enver! One thing I didn't like, was beach goers walking through the back in swimsuits to use the facilities. Very inappropriate for this type of venue."
Dined on 4/6/2014
"waitress Amanda was great. Stayed right on top of everything"
Dined on 4/5/2014
"What am amazing experience! Every seat in the restaurant has a view of the beautiful intercostal. Interactions with staff was above average service and kindness. Much love and pride was felt from the valet, hostess, bartenders and especially our excellent waiter. Then you had the yummy food. Ordered the seafood paella, 1905 salad and guava turnover. This is possibly going to be my order every time. Spectacular!"
Dined on 4/5/2014
"The food is always excellent here and the service outstanding. Always a great place for dinner but reservations are a must."
Dined on 4/4/2014
"The restaurant was very classy with a choice of inside seating or casual outdoor seating overlooking the harbor. We had the grouper stuffed with crabmeat . It was delicious. The Cesar salad was ok."
Dined on 4/4/2014
"We have always held the Columbia in the highest regards. Every time we dine here, it is always a great experience. The food is cooked to perfection, and the wait staff do an impeccable job of representing the Columbia brand and it's unique history. They are well trained and love their jobs. On this trip, we started with the 1905 salad. My wife always has the Chicken Manchego, and I tend to go between the Bambino and the Stuffed Shrimp or Grouper specials. We have never had a bad meal here, and a perfect end to the night is the incredible bread pudding.."
Dined on 4/2/2014
"My GF and I went to the Columbia for the first time ever for our two year anniversary. From the moment we walked in, it was an amazing experiece. From the water view table, unparalleled food, and wonderful service, it made for an unforgettable night. The best part is that its right next to the beach and if you time it right, u can catch dinner and the sunset. Thats what i did and used tht perfect dinner and sunset to propose to my now fiancé. If you get the chance, eat at this place. It will soon become one of your favorites."
Dined on 4/2/2014
"Recently dined at Columbia during my stay in Clearwater and once again wasn't disappointed. Food, service and ambience was great. Celebrating a milestone birthday with my husband I wanted to dine in a place of familiar comfort food. Great place for any occasion."
Dined on 4/1/2014
"A great treat to always visit the Columbia. The food is outstanding and the service is great. I want to always return to try another dish. keep it up. Our family and friends always enjoy it."
Dined on 3/30/2014
"We loved this place. Great food/service. For anyone who is into Spanish food, this place is the real deal. Seafood offerings are incredible. Go to this place."
Dined on 3/26/2014
"We love to try places new to some of us and many make our repeat list, I'm sure Columbia, Sand Key has made the repeat list of several of us."
Dined on 3/30/2014
"We enjoyed mushroom medallions, black bean soup, and so much more - authentic and fresh, every bite. Our service was wonderful and the view was lovely. We are looking forward to our next visit to The Columbian on Sand Key!"
Dined on 3/30/2014
"Columbia Sand Key is one of my favorite restaurants to go to. The food is Awesome and the attomophere is beautiful ."
Dined on 3/23/2014
"The Columbia SandKey is a little distance from our home, but we like to visit especially for the comfortable atmosphere and the scenic view. The associates have been outstanding in accommodating requests, service, etc. One of our favorite lunch items is the "best in the world" cuban sandwich. We've brought several visitors to Florida to the Columbia just to have one of these sandwiches, as they've never heard of them from where they live. We also enjoy the ability to make reservations on-line, as so many restaurants around our area do not take reservations, and with all the winter visitors, wait times are unbearable!"
Dined on 3/29/2014
"Enough choices that anyone can find something to eat and the tapas options are a find. Husband loved the mushrooms and their bread is just wonderful. Out waiter Fred was great and gave good suggestions- we'll be back"
Dined on 3/28/2014
"My Wife's Favorite (mine too!) in the Tampa/Clearwater area."
Dined on 3/27/2014
"Accommodated us when moving us to smaller table which was better for 4 than a 7 seat table. Even better it was by the window. Waiter was excellent - David. All of our meals were delicious, ample, and devoured . We were not hurried so we enjoyed spending t ime and food and excellent scenery at the Columbia."
Dined on 3/27/2014
"Dinner was very good but the wait for the kitchen was a little long. Our waitress was spacey but she was nice and knew a bunch about the food. Overall it was a great experience."
Dined on 3/22/2014
"Always enjoy visiting the Columbia when visiting Florida. Good food, fun ambiance!"
Dined on 3/15/2014
"We had 5 people dining on Tuesday evening. It was so easy to make the reservation - and we walked right in once we got there. We had a great time with fabulous food. We were able to talk to each other without feeling like others were listening in on our conversations and we weren't able to hear others conversations. The only thing I wasn't 100% happy with was the chair - it was hard to sit on for that long."
Dined on 3/25/2014
"we had a very good dinner at colombia. there is great depth to the menu, and the dinners we had were very well prepared. wine selection is so so, and parking the night we were there parking was a nightmare. also, despite the limited parking space, there is no valet service."
Dined on 3/24/2014
"Our host, Edgar, made the luncheon even more wonderful. He was in constant but not interruptive attendance. He explained those items on the menu that we were not familiar with and made us feel comfortable and at home. Love this restaurant!"
Dined on 3/24/2014
"We spent a week in Florida and dined out several times....mostly beach front grills and few local favorites. We traveled up to Clearwater to meet some friends and chose Columbia based on Yelp and Trip Advisor reviews...and they were right. The food is very good and despite a miscue of our original table being given away, we were impressed with the service. It is not fast paced by any means, but that allowed for a leisurely dining experience. The Shrimp Supreme is AWESOME as is the bread pudding. The table ordered the sangria and it was prepared tableside and was excellent. Highly recommend Columbia!"
Dined on 3/24/2014
"Booked table twenty days in advance. Asked for table by the window with water view We were placed middle of room next to Hugh table at least twenty people. Disappointed with that for a Monday with advance booking. We use to always go to the Columbia at the Pier they never failed a reservation request ever."
Dined on 3/24/2014
"Visited Clearwater and heard of this restaurant. Very pretty room a little noisy. Service was great and the three of us all enjoyed our meals-tapas (shrimp al ajillo, black bean cakes), entrees including snapper alicante and desserts- flan & guava turnover were excellent. Very enjoyable"
Dined on 3/23/2014
"We come here mostly with tourist friends and family - a continued tradition of showing off such a solid restaurant. Tapas this time ... all served perfectly with a pitcher of sangria to round out a nice evening. Even in midst of spring break (kids, grandparents, little children), the staff kept things going. When they needed an extra minute to take care of the snowbird table, they said so and appreciated our patience - we appreciated that they cared enough to make sure we knew we were important and that service mattered. We'll be back - the highest flattery we can give."
Dined on 3/23/2014
"This restaurant came highly recommended and we weren't disappointed. We ordered mainly tapas. I wish we had asked more questions, because we ordered too many, and too many were fried. But, the menu is very tempting! The gazpacho was extraordinary."
Dined on 3/21/2014
"The Columbia is a great place to eat -small or large groups. There were 6 of us dining. Drinks were fine- wine, sangria, mohitos. Steaks, grouper and salad were all prepared perfectly. Our only problem this time was a mistake made by the wait staff with our appetizers. Disappointing, but the manager came over (unsolicited) with apologies and a solution to make up for the mixup. It's a great place to get authentic Columbian fare prepared perfectly!"
Dined on 3/22/2014
"The view was lovely, the waiter was attentive and the white sangria was great. But the food was far too salty and oily! Shrimp Salteado sounded so good but it fell far short of my expectations having heard such great things about the food. I will give it another try in the future perhaps for tapas."
Dined on 3/21/2014
"Good food (1905 salad is a favorate). Good service (table side peparation of sangria, salad is unique). Good value. We always have a meal here when we come to the area for spring baseball."
Dined on 3/21/2014
"The food at Columbia is excellent. We can highly recommend the Cuban Pork, Snapper Adelita and the fried yellow Plantains but everything we have had there is great. If you have room for dessert, there are several really good ones on the menu. This restaurant is a little pricey so we save it for special occasions and we love sitting outdoors by the water trying to spot dolphins."
Dined on 3/19/2014

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