Columbia Restaurant - Sarasota

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1. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Orlando

   2 reviews

   5.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 1 day ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Best place to eat at St. Armands Circle! The pitcher of mojitos were the best we’ve ever had!
   

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2. M

   Manny

   Tampa

   32 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   32 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Jason did a great job of serving us. Stuffed piquillo peppers were featured but were out. Wondering if they need to be added back to the main menu.
   

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3. JL

   JimL

   New York Area

   5 reviews

   5.0

   5 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   The food was delicious as usual and you get plenty of it. Bread pudding is amazing, can'tgo there withoutordering it. Our server was terrific, his recommendations spot on, and as always, we had a wonderful meal and time at the Columbia!
   

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4. CF

   ChristinaF

   1 review

   2.0

   1 review

   Dined 2 days ago

   overall2food1service2ambience3

   Food was terrible. The only good thing was the bread. Portions were very small. Food was barley even “cuban” .
   

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5. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Atlanta Metro

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 2 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Always a good time. Wonderful, atmosphere and service
   

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6. JH

   JudithH

   Chicago

   5 reviews

   2.0

   5 reviews

   Dined 3 days ago

   overall2food3service2ambience4

   We made a reservation weeks early then had to wait 35 minutes for a table while they were telling people without a reservation the wait was 30-45 minutes. Don’t know why we made a reservation. Service was slow food was not worth the wait
   

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7. NH

   NHHUN

   Naples

   3 reviews

   4.0

   3 reviews

   Dined 3 days ago

   overall4food4service5ambience4

   We have been to this Columbia many times and drive 1 1/4 hours each way to get there. Tonight we took a new couple and while they enjoyed it there were a few issues. The salads and bread were wonderful as always as were the soups and desserts. My meal was a but salty but I guess any meal with Salt in the name might be that way. The Paella was dry and there were not any sausage chunks in it. The scallops were good but mostly bred crumbs. Teddy our waiter was great and kept our water glasses full. Of course we will be back. It is a loud restaurant when busy but unfortunately tonight we had the LOUD family sitting next to us and we could barely hear each other due to one very, very loud woman.
   

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8. JH

   JimH

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 3 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Can serve sangria and 1905 salad only, and still be a fantastic restaurant
   

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9. DE

   DebbieE

   Jacksonville

   5 reviews

   5.0

   5 reviews

   Dined 3 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   wonderful as usual, my daughters and mine fav place, sangria and tapas and of course the 1905 salad!
   

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10. e

    emp690

    Naples

    16 reviews

    5.0

    16 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Everything was great. However your chairs are rather small for the average American body.
    

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11. A

    Angel

    Kansas City

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food4service5ambience4

    We love the Columbia restaurant in Tampa, and looked forward to our lunch at the Sarasota location. I ordered the El Combo de Cuba which was amazing. Spices and seasoning was perfect, and a very large serving. My husband had the Rope Vieja and it was ok, but it was a bit bland in comparison. We prefer deeper seasoning for our dishes, but if you like fresh and not too many spices? This will be a perfect choice. Bread was amazing. Red Sangria was delicious. Our server was on point. She was attentive and responsive. Table location was ideal - near the patio area, but not quite on the patio (perfect when you know a storm is coming). Only one real complaint. They keep the restaurant freezing which really takes away from enjoying the experience. The airflow pushing through the interior to cool patio customers is crazy cold. It makes your food cool quickly, it makes your limbs cool quickly, and it doesn't take long before you are more focused on freezing than the delicious food you have been served. There has to be a better way. :/
    

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12. FL

    FLnurseBeth

    Tampa

    9 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The Columbia never disappoints! Consistently delicious, excellent customer service, and all worth the price tag. I bet it was just as good 117 years ago when they opened.
    

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13. EB

    EricB

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Columbia is always a great place to eat. Table-made sangria is the best, the bread is the best, their 1905 Salad is the best, and their main dishes have a wide variety and are excellent.
    

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14. SL

    StephanieL

    Tampa

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great ambience, very nice waitress, Vanessa. Food was unique and delicious! Great for special occasions and when family visit!
    

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15. PT

    PatT

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Server was excellent. Knew all the answers to our questions. Polite. Fantastic food.
    

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16. MG

    MikeG

    Tampa

    10 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    10 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    Food is consistently great - and the service is always good and friendly. Only 1 small complaint - the quantity of seafood dishes (stuffed shrimp, for example) is dramatically less than the meat or chicken dishes.
    

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17. JP

    JaneP

    Tallahassee

    11 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on May 29, 2023

    overall3food3service2ambience3

    Our server was swamped. It was Mem Day dinner time Jane P
    

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18. KF

    KennyF

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 29, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Lovely waiter. College student, very personable!!
    

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19. CW

    ChrisannaW

    Naples

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on May 29, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Columbian is always a treat! We love it and try to make it a stop when we are on St. Armonds!
    

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20. M

    Madflatter

    Naples

    7 reviews

    4.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on May 29, 2023

    overall4food5service3ambience4

    Alway enjoy the Columbia restaurants and have visited many times at the 3 main locations when in town. Monday Memorial Day lunch was very busy and food was very good as always. We did get a server that was not at the standards we come to expect. He was a bit overwhelmed and made many mistakes ( no bread, slow, and order mix up) All of which were fixed but longer than we were comfortable with and occupied a table longer than we should given the needed turnover rate with crowd.
    

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21. SF

    SueF

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 29, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The food is always great. They service too. A wonderful place to meet friends for a special time.
    

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22. FR

    FRobbie

    Dallas

    14 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on May 29, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Server was outstanding and the food was very good!!
    

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23. N

    Nylka

    Orlando

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 29, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5

    Un lugar agradable hermoso el ambiente acogedor la comida buena
    

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24. DF

    DonnaF

    New England

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The paella was delicious! No matter how busy this restaurant is, it doesn’t impact the food or service. Always outstanding.
    

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25. DR

    DarylR

    Naples

    27 reviews

    5.0

    27 reviews

    Dined on May 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Excellent food Great sangria Good service Highly recommend
    

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26. V

    Vanimal

    Seattle

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on May 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We had a great meal at Columbia Restaurant! The food was outstanding and Melissa was a fantastic server. Highly recommend this iconic spot.
    

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27. KM

    KatM

    Cincinnati

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on May 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    It was great! Thanks to Ashley and Jason! We will be back.
    

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28. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 27, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The Food and service were great the only thing I can say negative would be the noise level, it’s kinda loud inside . Probably because it’s a touristy area and people are having lots of fun and parties
    

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29. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 27, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience2

    This is the second location for Columbia within Florida that we've visited. The service and the food was commendable. This particular location is somewhat crowded and we were seated at a table on the street. Our main view was a parked car and an umbrella that kept moving with the wind and lots of road noise hence the three stars on ambiance otherwise great experience definitely will visit Columbia in the future!
    

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30. SL

    SarahL

    Phoenix

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on May 27, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Always love eating there. Excellent meal and very fair price. Staff was super friendly. Going back soon!
    

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31. PP

    PatriciaP

    New England

    27 reviews

    4.0

    27 reviews

    Dined on May 27, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience5

    We were so glad we made a reservation as the venue was filled. Our waitress was attentive and full of good information. The 1905 salad was divine! My husband had the mahi sandwich and said it was good. I havd the mahi meal with rice and it was tasty, but different in that the mahi was accompanied by an onion and pickley sauce - which was good but strong.
    

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32. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Naples

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on May 27, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    1905 salad and black bean soup never disappoints! All six of us ate the same thing and we all agreed that it’s the best salad in town!
    

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33. SS

    SharonS

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 27, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    love the table service with them making the salad and drinks at the table
    

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34. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 26, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5

    Great restaurant right in the heart of St Armand’s. Our server Bill obviously took pride in delivering excellent service and enjoyed his job. We will definitely be back.
    

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35. M

    Mike

    San Antonio

    22 reviews

    5.0

    22 reviews

    Dined on May 26, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We go to Columbia every time we visit Sarasota. And we’ve been coming here for more than fifty years. Their 1905 salad is a must. It’s made right at your table. Dinner was delicious and the waiter, Marty, was great. Reservations are highly recommended since wait times can be quite long.
    

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36. PM

    PatriciaM

    New England

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on May 26, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We had a wonderful dinner at the Columbia. We booked on Open Table for the 2nd time here. Both times they were prompt and accommodated our table location requests. This visit we were celebrating our great granddaughters 7th Birthday. We asked if they could do little celebration for her. They more than met our request and expectation. A group of the Staff, led by our wonderful server Bill, sang to her bringing a lovely flan with a candle on it. She was thrilled and enjoyed her 1st flan! We will return again. PS the children's meals were very reasonable! They remarked the Best Mac and Cheese and the birthday girl had steak and fruit. She loved it! The bread is amazing! TY COLUMBIA AND BILL!
    

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37. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Indiana

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 26, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Every time we visit the service and food are always great. We’ve never been disappointed because of this.
    

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38. JM

    JohnM

    Tampa

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 26, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    1905 salad and sangria, perfect for a summetime lunch.
    

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39. HB

    HenryB

    Detroit

    15 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on May 25, 2023

    overall3food3service5ambience5

    Service was excellent. The restaurant has the historical vibe as advertised. The food was just okay… Their signature paella was not fresh—the proteins were dried out and the rice appeared reheated versus freshly cooked
    

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40. JJ

    JenniferJ

    West Virginia

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on May 24, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Always great, we return every time we’re in Sarasota!
    

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