Columbia Restaurant - Sarasota
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.
Support Columbia Restaurant - Sarasota during COVID-19
Safety precautions
- Common areas deep cleaned daily
- Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers
- Limited number of seated diners
- Distancing maintained in common areas
- Extra space between tables
- Waitstaff wear masks
- Diners must wear masks unless eating or drinking
- Sick staff prohibited in the workplace
Popular dishes
Columbia's Original "1905" Salad
The Columbia's legendary salad tossed at your table. Crisp Iceberg lettuce with julienne of baked ham, natural Swiss cheese, tomato, olives, grated Romano cheese and our famous garlic dressing. The award-winning salad won honors from USA Today as "One of 10 Great Places to Make a Meal Out of a Salad." The signature salad, named for the year the restaurant was founded in Tampa's Latin district of Ybor City, was inspired by immigrants to the Cigar City: Romano cheese from the Sicilians and the famous garlic dressing used by Cubans to marinate fresh roast pork, plus Florida tomatoes, iceberg lettuce, julienne of baked ham and Swiss cheese. In the 40s, Tony Noriega, who ventured to New York City during the Depression to find work, added a "secret ingredient," Worcestershire sauce, to the recipe.
277 reviews
Cuban Black Bean Soup
Frijoles Negros prepared exactly as our grandmother, Carmen Hernandez, did. Served over a bed of white rice and topped with diced raw Spanish onions. 100% vegetarian.
25 reviews
Cuban Sandwich
30 reviews
Birthday, fun but some choices toooo sauced.. delicious 1905 salad and baked bread....chicken and ribeye choices were very good.
Wonderful!
Always the best
The restaurant was crazy busy. The service was good but the food is just average
It’s nice to go to a Restaurant that has such Great Authentic Cuban, Spanish Food. That they haven’t changed the level of Quality.
Probably should open another one in Bradenton or in Anna Maria, it’s just too crowded
Haven’t been back in a year due to COVID. As always, truly delicious!! Sat outside with our dogs. Waiter and sparking sangria were outstanding! Thanks for an amazing afternoon.
Server could have been more attentive. We had to ask another to help out.
Great dining experience! Love the mojito. Were very pleased to be seated as we requested. Our waitress, Lissa G.,
was excellent and was a sparkling personality. We'll be back!
This is always a favorite spot of ours to eat when visiting Sarasota or Clearwater. We have enjoyed every selection from the menu.
Service is always excellent and the tables were nicely distanced from each other. Thumbs up from us.
Always a great meal at Columbia on St. Armands! Delicious food, generous portions and excellent service!!
Columbia never lets down. Whether it be Ybor, St.Augustine, Tampa Airport, or Sarasota the quality is always there and consistent. When the Mojitos start flowing as they start putting that amazing 1905 salad together right at your table side you know you are in for a treat. We like to try new things off of the menu all the time, however when it comes to lunch we always get stuck on the half and half. This time was half an amazing Cuban sandwich, and the Spanish bean soup. And of course for something new was the Shrimp and Yellow Rice. All said and done in the last 20 years I have eaten at the Columbia I have never had a bad experience.
Amazing! Beautiful
Setting, our request to sit outside was accommodated- waiter explained everything on menu even with an allergy. The salad lives up to the hype- plus all the other food was amazing. Can’t wait to come back
One of our favorite restaurants in Florida. All the locations are different, but the food is always consistent and fantastic. Sangria is THE best! Favorite dishes- Cuban sandwich, chickens salteado, and of course, the delicious 1905 salad!
Great service from Jason F
The tapas was outstanding! Loved the desserts. Service was outstanding.
The restaurant was awesome. There was a thunderstorm blowing in and people were bringing their food and the place was a little chaotic we were very impressed on how the Columbia restaurant handled everybody got everybody settled and seated they did a great job. We had dinner the food was amazing like always great time was had by all
We sat down when it was time for our reservations. Ordered a pitcher of Mojitos, bland, tasted watered down, not much flavor, saw him put a whole bottle of rum in it but didn't really taste it. Mostly tasted like a watered down drink. Bean soup was good, chicken croquettes were good but waiter never brought the hot sauce it was supposed to be served with. Main dish was overpriced. Had the dish with the empanada, pork, and round steak. Also kind of bland, and small for $28. Key Lime Pie was OK, but not $8 OK. Overall, I was expecting more flavor from everything, but it just wasn't there. $90 is too much for what we got. Also, the service could have been a little more on it for a Saturday night.
Everything was amazing! The tableside salad is a must for every dining experience!
Visiting from PA and couldn’t wait to get Mojitos. We were with another couple and raved about the Mojitos. My husband and I have been to this Columbia Restaurant several times as well as the one in Ybor city.
We were so disappointed in the drink. We felt like something was was missing . It really had no taste. We had gotten a pitcher. It did not taste like anything we have ever had from the restaurant. We always used this Mojito as the one to compare to other restaurants and they have never been able to meet the great taste of Columbia restaurants Mojitos.
The food however was delicious.
All good!!! There was an event on the Circle which made things a little crazy but The Columbia was outstanding as always!
Awesome, loved the 1905
We were seated fairly quickly taking into consideration the Square was busy hosting an art festival. The service was slower than on previous visits, but the friendliness of the staff and exquisite cuisine made for a memorable dining experience.
Usually, Columbia’s food is over the top. But this time, it seemed a little flat. The risotto was a little gummy, as was the Cuban chicken. The pork was a little tough and dry. May be the crowds after COVID were a little overwhelming. I will return, but was definitely disappointed.
Service was outstanding. Fish dishes were excellent
Excellent. We loved everything. Sangria was killer.
Our waitress, Ky was very engaging and attentive. Very welcoming . Always had a smile!
We arrived a few minutes early . Our table of 6 were seated
At 7:30 Our waiter was attentive. The restaurant was very
Noisy and it was difficult to talk among ourselves
Great place. Very pleased with out experience. Thank you.
We always find Columbia to have great service and tasty food.
The food was good as usual but was basically cold
Love Columbia, wonderful food and atmosphere! Our server did a great job!
The 1905 Salad is amazing and a meal for two in itself.
Everything was excellent and wish we would have eaten here twice!
Vacation vacation vacation
Anniversary
The food was fantastic. My friend & I agreed that it was one of our favorite meals on this vacation.
Seated promptly, order taken quickly, food prepared nicely. It was tasty and had a nice ambiance, and we love eating outdoors
Lovely spring outdoor dining experience. Excellent service, good food.
Columbia is our favorite restaurant. Consistent quality every time.
We were seated too close to other patrons. Social distancing would have been most appropriate.
FAQs
Columbia Restaurant - Sarasota offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (941) 388-3987.
Columbia Restaurant - Sarasota is rated 4.5 stars by 5168 OpenTable diners.
Columbia Restaurant - Sarasota does offer gift cards which you can purchase here https://mgd.mercury-gift.com/columbiarestaurant.
Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable. Due to local restrictions, this restaurant may not be accepting reservations at the moment.
