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  3. Tampa / Central Florida West
  4. Sarasota / Bradenton
  5. Sarasota

Columbia Restaurant - Sarasota

4.6
4.6
8565 Reviews
$30 and under
Spanish
Family-owned and operated for more than 116 years, Columbia has earned acclaim for its old-world charm and award-winning Spanish/Cuban cuisine.

Casual attire is fine, but we don’t allow sleeveless shirts on men in the dining room.

Join us for century-old family recipes like Paella "a la Valenciana," Roast Pork "a la Cubana,"and fresh seafood specialties. Don’t miss Columbia’s Original “1905” Salad®, prepared with our delicious, freshly-made dressing, a 100-year-old family recipe of fresh garlic, oregano, wine vinegar and Spanish extra virgin olive oil.

Be sure to sample a fine Spanish wine like Montecillo or Campillo. Relax outdoors on our patio, or inside our Mediterranean-style dining rooms filled with hand-painted tiles and family heirlooms.

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.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 127 times today

Additional information

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Cuisines

    Spanish, Cuban

  • Hours of operation

    Lunch Daily 11:00 am–4:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm

  • Phone number

    (941) 388-3987

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Dress code

    Casual Dress

  • Executive chef

    Jesus Padilla Jr.

  • Private party facilities

    The Columbia Restaurant in Sarasota on St. Armands Circle is the perfect venue for your special event. Our Old World Mediterranean-style dining rooms lend an atmosphere of warmth and elegance to any gathering. For small groups, we offer private dining space.

  • Private party contact

    Erika K: (941) 388-3987

  • Neighborhood

    Sarasota

  • Cross street

    John Ringling Boulevard

  • Parking details

    Parking options include a garage located at 47 N. Adams Drive, behind the Columbia. Garage parking is 50 cents an hour. Metered and free street parking also is available. Features of the parking garage include: - 484 parking spaces - 5 electric vehicle charging stations - Bicycle storage & repair station - Public restrooms

  • Entertainment

    After your meal, stroll along St. Armands Circle, resembling an elegant European market with bright tropical landscaping. It is home to more than 130 shops that pamper guests from all areas of the world. Sarasota is a cultural haven with stunning beaches and superb shops and galleries. Outdoor activities like golf, tennis, deep-sea fishing and boating are also nearby.

  • Additional

    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Popular dishes

What 8,565 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6
4.6 based on recent ratings
  • 4.6Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4.4Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Tampa / Central Florida West

    Most Booked

  • Sarasota / Bradenton

    Most Booked

Sort by

  1. FLnurseBeth

    Tampa

    9 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined 1 day 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.
  2. StephanieL

    Tampa

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great ambience, very nice waitress, Vanessa. Food was unique and delicious! Great for special occasions and when family visit!
  3. PatT

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Server was excellent. Knew all the answers to our questions. Polite. Fantastic food.
  4. MikeG

    Tampa

    10 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    10 reviews

    Dined 3 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.
  5. JaneP

    Tallahassee

    11 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    11 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall3food3service2ambience3
    Our server was swamped. It was Mem Day dinner time Jane P
  6. KennyF

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Lovely waiter. College student, very personable!!
  7. ChrisannaW

    Naples

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Columbian is always a treat! We love it and try to make it a stop when we are on St. Armonds!
  8. Madflatter

    Naples

    7 reviews

    4.0

    7 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    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.
  9. SueF

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food is always great. They service too. A wonderful place to meet friends for a special time.
  10. FRobbie

    Dallas

    14 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Server was outstanding and the food was very good!!
  11. Nylka

    Orlando

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    Un lugar agradable hermoso el ambiente acogedor la comida buena
  12. DonnaF

    New England

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The paella was delicious! No matter how busy this restaurant is, it doesn’t impact the food or service. Always outstanding.
  13. DarylR

    Naples

    27 reviews

    5.0

    27 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent food Great sangria Good service Highly recommend
  14. Vanimal

    Seattle

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had a great meal at Columbia Restaurant! The food was outstanding and Melissa was a fantastic server. Highly recommend this iconic spot.
  15. KatM

    Cincinnati

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    It was great! Thanks to Ashley and Jason! We will be back.
  16. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    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
  17. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    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!
  18. SarahL

    Phoenix

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Always love eating there. Excellent meal and very fair price. Staff was super friendly. Going back soon!
  19. PatriciaP

    New England

    27 reviews

    4.0

    27 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    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.
  20. OpenTable Diner

    Naples

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    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!
  21. SharonS

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    love the table service with them making the salad and drinks at the table
  22. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    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.
  23. Mike

    San Antonio

    22 reviews

    5.0

    22 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    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.
  24. PatriciaM

    New England

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    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!
  25. OpenTable Diner

    Indiana

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Every time we visit the service and food are always great. We’ve never been disappointed because of this.
  26. JohnM

    Tampa

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    1905 salad and sangria, perfect for a summetime lunch.
  27. 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
  28. 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!
  29. LauraM

    Orlando

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 24, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The atmosphere was wonderful. We loved the sangria we ended up having two pitchers. The food was excellent and our server was very attentive!!
  30. SweetPea

    Toronto

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 24, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    The entire dining experience was very nice. The food was served hot and was delicious. The drinks were also very good. As we were celebrating our anniversary we were given a delicious dessert which was a flan. Everything was wonderful. Would certainly come back to this restaurant again.
  31. MrLube27

    New York Area

    33 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    33 reviews

    Dined on May 23, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience3
    Enjoyed Colombia. Alba our server was excellent Very knowledgeable and attentive. 1509 Salad was very tasty and filling. Key Lime pie was the best I’ve had in Sarasota area. Colombia is always busy and not much on atmosphere but wait staff is enthusiastic.
  32. SeanE

    Las Vegas

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Bill our server was great , he was training a new server and didn’t miss a beat. Was with clients who are residents of Sarasota and they really enjoyed Bills salad preparation and story behind it..
  33. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    3 reviews

    2.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 22, 2023

    overall2food2service1ambience3
    The waiter experience was poor. He only came to the table for the initial order.
  34. siestakey4

    Denver

    13 reviews

    4.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on May 22, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    Service was terrific however not all had great dinners! Three out of four of us had entrees that were excellent- salmon & pollo manchego dinners! A stuffed mushroom appetizer was delicious as was the coconut type pudding? Fabulous!
  35. OpenTable Diner

    Tampa

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 22, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience5
    Columbia restaurant is highly recommended. Their salad is a must try . Their fresh out of the oven bread is very good. I enjoyed my piña colada . They went out of their way to accommodate us near the windows , but yet enjoying the AC . Nice ambiance. We brought my in-law and my brother for first time . ( the tostones you may want to put some salt and ask for their mojito -garlic sauce so is not so dry ). Overall always great experience.
  36. SusanH

    Tampa

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Our evening was excellent from start to finish. Our server Edit was so efficient & kind! We were celebrating our 25th Anniversary 🎉. Our seafood entrees were superb & Of course that Cuban bread! Thank you for making our evening so memorable!
  37. Dave

    Cincinnati

    10 reviews

    2.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on May 21, 2023

    overall2food3service1ambience2
    Made reservations. Asked if special occasion…yes, birthday. Checked in and asked name of birthday person…told hostess. Waited at least 10 min after seated before being approached by waiter, Patrik. Asked if we had been there before. We had, but other couple no. Don’t know why he asked, because he offered no info to them. Why ask? One guest ordered the cannelloni described as filled with lobster, shrimp and scallops. It was stuffed with a creamy cheesy mixture. There was a piece of seafood on top which was tough. Not what was expected for the price. Were there dinner specials? If so, none mentioned by Patrik. More waiting for table to be bussed and then a long wait for the check. AND the birthday was never acknowledged for our guest! Very disappointing.
  38. JillL

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great cocktails, great food, great service. Very busy, make reservations.
  39. OpenTable Diner

    Detroit

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on May 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Love the place more every time we dine here. Bill (waiter) was outstanding. We will be back soon.
  40. KimberleyA

    Houston

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had family visiting and chose Columbia because we had eaten there while visiting Saint Augustine and loved it. The food was amazing, the service was good. The only issue was we had a reservation and still had to wait 25 minutes to be seated.

Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers
  • Protective equipment

    • Waitstaff wear masks
  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace

FAQs

Columbia Restaurant - Sarasota offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (941) 388-3987.

Columbia Restaurant - Sarasota is rated 4.6 stars by 8565 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 127 times today
Google Map for Columbia Restaurant - Sarasota

411 Saint Armands Circle, Sarasota, FL 34236

Additional information

  • Cross street

    John Ringling Boulevard

  • Neighborhood

    Sarasota

  • Hours of operation

    Lunch Daily 11:00 am–4:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm

  • Cuisines

    Spanish, Cuban

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Dress code

    Casual Dress

  • Parking details

    Parking options include a garage located at 47 N. Adams Drive, behind the Columbia. Garage parking is 50 cents an hour. Metered and free street parking also is available. Features of the parking garage include: - 484 parking spaces - 5 electric vehicle charging stations - Bicycle storage & repair station - Public restrooms

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Executive chef

    Jesus Padilla Jr.

  • Entertainment

    After your meal, stroll along St. Armands Circle, resembling an elegant European market with bright tropical landscaping. It is home to more than 130 shops that pamper guests from all areas of the world. Sarasota is a cultural haven with stunning beaches and superb shops and galleries. Outdoor activities like golf, tennis, deep-sea fishing and boating are also nearby.

  • Additional

    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

  • Phone number

    (941) 388-3987

  • Private party facilities

    The Columbia Restaurant in Sarasota on St. Armands Circle is the perfect venue for your special event. Our Old World Mediterranean-style dining rooms lend an atmosphere of warmth and elegance to any gathering. For small groups, we offer private dining space.

  • Private party contact

    Erika K: (941) 388-3987

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