Columbia Restaurant - Ybor CityGreat dining experienceAs visitors from the UK with our American friends we loved the ambience of the Patio room. An excellent Sangria mixed at the table and a refreshing bottle of Sauvignon Blanc accompanied our delicious meal. The Columbia bread pudding is to die for! The staff were very pleasant and we shall definitely return next time we are in Tampa.6/11/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food was very good andThe food was very good and the show was outstanding.6/10/2013 12:00:00 AMOk onceit's an experience. food is mediocre and overpriced6/10/2013 12:00:00 AMA family favoriteI was raised in central Florida. 5 generations of
our clan have enjoyed the Columbia.6/9/2013 12:00:00 AM47 YearsWe decided to celebrate our 47 years of marriage at your restaurant. We have been there many times, in the last thirty years and have always had good food and service.
The cheesecake and the bread pudding are the best.I had them both that day.
Dave & Laura LaRocco6/9/2013 12:00:00 AMfamily gatheringEnjoyed dinner and show with family and friends. Great entertainement while eating dinner. The Devil Crab Croquettes wer outstanding, White Sangria - favorite drink. Food and service was outstanding.6/8/2013 12:00:00 AMnoise levelsThe restaurant was really busy for a rainy Saturday night, but we were seated promptly as we had reservations.
Close quarters and the acoustics were not conducive for easy conversation despite the fact we were at a table for two.
Sufficient amount of service personnel for the number of patrons that evening - good planning on the restaurant's part.6/8/2013 12:00:00 AMColumbia LunchGreat lunch fare as always.
Daily special was wonderful as was the Cuban sandwich and 1905 salad combo.
OpenTable is the best.
Usually there is 15 - 30 minute wait even at lunch on Saturday,
but with my OpenTable reservation we walked in and were seated within 1 minute!!
This is GREAT!
Very convenient.
Steve.6/8/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways enjoy going there whenAlways enjoy going there when in town. Wonderful place and food.6/7/2013 12:00:00 AMFabulous ExperienceWe had been to the Columbian over 30 years ago and had an opportunity to revisit it on our recent stay in Tampa. It had only gotten better! The entire experience was outstanding, our waiter was very helpful in selecting items that suited our taste. Only negative was there was too much food! Thanks for making this a memorable experience.6/7/2013 12:00:00 AMAwesome as usualWe live about 2 hours away but every time we head to Tampa we try to include the Columbia in Ybor as a destination point. Hadn't been there in two years but everything was the same...awesome as usual. A unique ambiance that everybody should experience at least once.6/7/2013 12:00:00 AMOne of my favoritesWe were going with some friends and wanted to be able to talk. The noise level can be a little high, but we were seated upstairs overlooking the Patio Room and it was perfect. Great service and everyone loved their meal.6/7/2013 12:00:00 AMPerfect spot for a celebrationWe received amazing service. Christina was amazing, She recommended great appetizers, was very patient with out questions and late arrivals, and very amicable. I would definitely go here every time I visit tampa in the future. We started our meal with the sparkling white wine sangria and the coca de langosta, and of course the fresh baked cuban bread. The sangria was made in front of us, didn't know we were getting dinner and a show ;). It was light and refreshing, perfect for the hot and humid summer evening we were having. The 1905 shrimp salad was great and a M&J Salteado was DELICIOUS! We ended with a delightful classic cafe con leche. Everyone who has a chance visits this gem at least once. You spend a little extra but it is worth it.6/6/2013 12:00:00 AMLoving ItI enjoyed the entire evening. The show was added at the last moment but well worth it. We were there celebrating our one year anniversary. Would love to have engagement celebration there.6/5/2013 12:00:00 AMVisitorOverall great experience. Enjoyed the scenery and my server Cristina was excellent. I liked that the reservations were accurate and immediate. No long wait time to be seated.6/2/2013 12:00:00 AMMy new favorite restaurantThis was the first time at the Columbia for my family and I. We had heard so much about the restaurant, but just never found the time to try it out. I must say I was very impressed with our overall experience. The restaurant itself is beautiful, great ambiance. The wait staff was very courteous, and professional. Our waiter Michael suggested we try their '1905' salad which was outstanding and could've been a meal within itself. I had the Paella for dinner, which is made to order and well worth the wait, they tell you upfront that prep time is around 30 minutes. They have quite a variety of Hispanic favorites on their menu, and everyone in our party enjoyed their meal. I can't wait to go back!!6/1/2013 12:00:00 AMA Tampa ClassicWhile we go for the delicious food - perfectly prepared and served - the opportunity to enjoy five star dining in such an historic building with its amazing architecture and decor makes the experience complete. This is the original Columbia Restaurant, located in Ybor City, which has operated continuously in this location since 1905. Food at the other Columbia Restaurants is good too, but the Ybor location is THE BEST. Open for lunch and dinner, 7 days a week, go for lunch and ask for a guided tour of the building. It's like the old saying, "If walls could talk".6/1/2013 12:00:00 AMClassic!Exquisitely prepared traditional Cuban Food. We make a point to go every time we're inTampa. The building is gorgeous with a lot of history.6/1/2013 12:00:00 AMIt was a good experience ,weIt was a good experience ,we went for my daughters graduation and they were able
To seat us on time and waiter was helpful for food selections. Salad was excellent!
My daughter enjoyed it. We were able to enjoy the bar area before dinner with
Good music not too loud.5/31/2013 12:00:00 AMWe were seated at the requestedWe were seated at the requested time. We signed up for the nightly Flamenco, which was a lot of fun and just the right length. Our server was excellent. Alot of the items are prepared table side. If you go , go with the flow. They have to be doinging it right since they have been open over 100 years.5/31/2013 12:00:00 AM10 Santas dine at the ColumbiaThe 10 of us were seated at a large round table in the lounge/bar area, comfortable seating, for the portly Santas. Service was very good, food was excellent, as was the ambiance, especially when we heard "Santa Claus is Coming to Town from the piano player!
ho ho ho!5/30/2013 12:00:00 AMAnniversaryWe celebrated our anniversary with friends and the food was wonderful and we had a great time. Next time we will do the show too.5/30/2013 12:00:00 AMTampa must-seeNot only was this one of the most delicious meals I have ever eaten, the Columbia is a great authentically Tampa restaurant. The servers mixed a pitcher of sangria with fresh squeezed fruit right in front of us, and then tossed our salads in front of us too! We followed the recommendations on the menu and it was a great choice. There were flamenco dancers that put on a show around 7:30, so if you want to see them I'm guessing you can ask the hostess...we didn't know about them, so we sat in another room and got up to watch for a little (this also meant we could continue our dinner conversation fairly easily since they weren't right next to us). Sort of pricey, but SO worth it.5/28/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent All AroundWe are going to have our wedding reception here and while dropping off the deposit, we decided to stay for dinner and the flamenco dancing. It was fantastic from start to finish. The black bean cakes were to die for. Can't wait for the wedding now just for the food!5/28/2013 12:00:00 AMLoved the experience, butLoved the experience, but the service could have been better5/27/2013 12:00:00 AMLoved it!My husband and I and a couple of our friends went to this restaurant for my birthday. The Columbia Restaurant is, first of all, a beautiful restaurant. The patio room is my favorite. It's a little crowded, but that just makes it seem more charming and authentic. The food is delicious, you can tell the chef has standards. The food is on the expensive side, but that's to be expected, considering the type of restaurant it is, and the portions are healthy. Our server was attentive and enthusiastic and we all loved him. I would definitely go back.5/26/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food. Great night.The Columbia is always amazing. This was yet another great trip. All 4 ordered different dishes plus apps and desserts. It was all fantastic. Our waitress was great. The only 4 star takes into account the hostess staff which seemed put out having to seat customers.5/25/2013 12:00:00 AMColumbia the Gem of TampaFabulous restaurant for a special occasion. Excellent food and service. The atmosphere was perfect. Would definitely go again. Sangria was delicious and the 1905 salad was perfect. Highly recommended if you are ever in Tampa.5/25/2013 12:00:00 AMCan't wait to return for dinnerI had high expectations due to the history, Tampa reputation and reviews. Even though it was quite busy at 3 in the afternoon I did not feel like a herd of cattle being pushed in, rushed to eat and then nicely suggested to leave like most busy restaurants. As soon as you open the doors you get the feeling of stepping back in time. Our reservations (recommend) were at 3 and we were sitted promptly. Terry, our waitress, was wonderful. Very attentive without being intrusive. The food and sangria was outstanding. I was afraid that my high expectations would be not met but every expectation I had was exceeded beyond belief. Thank you for such a wonderful family celebration. I can't wait to return!!!5/25/2013 12:00:00 AMWe lover the ambiance, hadWe lover the ambiance, had to wait a little but was worthwhile. The martini was superb, and bean soup best that we have had in a long while. Will definitely come back when in the area.
The server was very attentive and helpful in the selection of food.5/25/2013 12:00:00 AMWowWe had one of the most amazing meals of our trip here. The signature 1905 salad is a must, plus make sure you request to be in the show room so you can watch all the talented dancers during your meal!5/23/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways a good choice. TryAlways a good choice. Try the Cava Sangria - best ever!5/22/2013 12:00:00 AMDine in a Historical Icon!The Columbian in Ybor is the original of the chain and boasts authentic Flamingo Dancers. The Courtyard atmosphere and feeling of old Cuba surrounds you. The experience is great - the noise is very loud, and the food is better at their other sites.5/19/2013 12:00:00 AMThe décor was so authenicThe décor was so authenic that I felt I was in another country. The service was superb and the food was very good. I would recommend it to anyone wanting a unique dining experience. The Flamingo dances were very entertaining and talented.5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMA historic gem truly worth a visit!This 1905 restaurant is not only physically beautiful, but also offers outstanding food and service. The building is Spanish with inlaid tile around the walls, a center indoor courtyard style with soaring ceilings in one room, and several other rooms on the side. The big wooden bar area makes you want to linger. The waiters are all exceptionally trained, and this is THE place for any family celebrations. And there is easy parking right out front. We went there after my daughters graduation (reservations are recommended), and there were several dishes they did tableside, as well as an extensive menu that was fit for a foodie! Definitely worth a drive to Tampa just to do this!5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMBirthday CelebrationI would recommend The Columbia in Ybor City to anyone looking for a true dining experience. We made our reservations for the dinner and show at 8:30 pm. We arrived early and they seated us early much to our surprise. My Mother is handicapped so we were thankful. The ambience and architecture of this restaurant is like no other, absolutely gorgeous. The menu offers many choices and the food is delicious. I'd suggest you preview the menu online before you go. You won't want to waste a moment with your head buried in the menu. Our waiter Tony was very polite and extremely professional. This place is riveting with excitement!5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMTastes for All GenerationsThe cuisine and ambiance are appealing to patrons of all ages.5/14/2013 12:00:00 AMMother's DayRestaurant VERY busy with Mother's Day large parties. Waiters obviously super busy. Quality of service good but not like normal. Food delicious and our "mothers" very impressed.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMThe gem of Spanish RestaurantsThe Columbia Restaurant has been in Ybor for a number of years. In the past I can honestly say it was not one of my favorite places. The food was fair to great....I used to think that was based on who was cooking. As of recently I've been to the Columbia on two occassions. One with a group of friends and another with the recent celebration of Mother's Day. I can honestly say they outdid themselves in quality of food that it was excellent. The appetizers, the food itself, the sangria we all enjoyed. Plus it just added to make our short time there a wonderful fun time. I would recommend them to anyone. Even the location in Sarasota has excellent matching standards as of of the original one in Ybor. It was a great joy to be there.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMNice and GratifyingReserved this restaurant for Mothers Day and our experience was bitter sweet. Very nice venue except for the waiting area which was sweltering and crowded. It was a 90-95 degree day and the lobby had no A/C circulating. We made reservations, which shortened our wait, and were seated timely. Food was good AT THE TIME but a day later, my stomach had a second opinion . I'm not sure if it was the 1920, 1905 salad, (one of those dates) that gave us loose biles but my wife and I were going through. The waiter was the highlight of our experience. Would I recommend.... maybe.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMmothers dayThe Restaurant was absolutely slammed. Reservations was @ 5. Seated @ 5:15. Service prompt. Food excellent. Seafood is the way to go. Try the grouper and pompano. Tapas as appetizers good for 2-3 people.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful!Food is delicious and the sangria is out of this world!!! My family loves the Columbia for all of our special occasions!5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat Place-Great History!We went for Mother's Day and have been several times prior. Every time we have been, everything has been outstanding. Great food and perfect Mojitos (the sangria is very good too!) This is mine and my boyfriend's favorite restaurant, it is "our place." Just the history of the restaurant speaks volumes.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat Cuban FoodWe always try to stop at the Columbia when we're in town. Great Cuban food at great prices. Everything is good but try the 1905 salad!5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMFood, ambiance and serviceFood, ambiance and service were very good. We had to wait an hour with reservations (Mother's Day)5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMSpecial occasionWe went here for my daughter's college graduation. I loved the room were in; it felt like we were outdoors. Excellent food. I've been here before and will miss it due to moving out of the area.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMdinner for 6As usual everything was perfect. The food the staff and the whole experience.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat Classic TampaOver a century old, the original Columbia in Ybore continues to shine. The menu is expansive and while the prices are on the high side, the food, the service, the ambiance, and the history all make it worth-while. This place hardly needs an OpenTable review to help encourage business so if you're considering going, make a reservation at least a couple days in advance to avoid being turned away or given a disappointing wait time.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMFlamenco Anyone?Food was very good but the Godiva chocolate cake was very dry and disappointng. Go for the flan. But the Flamenco show was great! I'm definitely going back!5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMColumbia AwesomeExcellent ambiance, food and service. Returned after 41 years, live in Texas.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AM