Columbia Restaurant - Ybor City

Amazing food but the staff is what really brings the atmosphere. Request Carlos v. If you want knowledgeable staff with a good personality. And don’t leave before you’ve had at least 1 pitcher of sangria.

It was lovely, clean and an easygoing atmosphere. The seating is intimate and the decor is beautiful.

Delicious! Went here for lunch and dinner only 4 days apart! Luisa was the best! Her recommendations for lunch were perfect! 1905 salad and 1/2 Cuban sandwich! Scallops appetizer delicious also!

Dinner was superb, had mussels, empanadas, and canalizes de langosta

Would have gone back for more if we didn’t have to leave!

Had more pics but wouldn’t upload!

Our server was Jennifer and she was horrible. We had to continually ask for our drinks to be refilled and she was hardly around. She seemed to not care about her customers.

The Columbia is always a delight to go to. Service is very courteous and prompt. Ambiance is lively and décor authentic. Food is not as memorable as the place

Came for Sunday lunch and enjoyed it very much. Service was great as was food. We rarely eat out due to strong feelings about quality of food and preperation practices. We prefer pasture raised meats and lots of fresh organic veggies/fruits. With that being said we still enjoy Columbia Restauant and frequent there more than most other places.

Great food service and atmosphere . Friendly and welcoming staff.

Very disappointed in my recent and first visit to Columbia especially knowing what a landmark staple this restaurant is in the community. We were seated 20 minutes late despite arriving early for our reservation. The hostess who eventually brought us to our table was downright rude. I had included some notes about a special occasion we were celebrating in my initial reservation and also spoke to someone about my requests by phone. Our seats for the dance show were at the extreme right of the stage with very limited visibility. When I asked about other seating options the hostess told me "this is what you get. I can't change your seat. It doesn't matter if you put in a request or not." Not the best way to start the night. From there the service was slow. Our appetizers took forever to come out and we barely had time to enjoy them before the entrees were served. Two of our entrée plates were at room temperature at best. The wait staff was not attentive. We had to ask multiple times for refills on our beverages. They did not come to clear our plates. They also congregated near the entry to the kitchen which was directly in the limited line of sight we had to the stage. The food was tasty, but the aggravation and cost was just not worth it for this mediocre night out. There are plenty of other great restaurants in the city if you're looking for tapas. I can't comment on the dance show because I was not able to see it.

Had a show and dinner book for 530pm didn’t get sited till 630pm. More than 50 people in one 10x10 room waiting to be sit. Just horrible.

Food & service good. Despite reservation, had to wait 45 minutes to get table.

Delighted with service from Alberto; he took good care of us.

Have been here many times, and today was on the lower end of service and quality I’ve experienced there. Had a server in the midst of a shift change. He was great; his replacement a bit less so—slower and not terribly friendly. Soup was lukewarm and Cuban a bit dry. Client’s shrimp and yellow rice also served lukewarm and seemed overly sauced. Not the end of the world, of course. Just not one of this restaurant’s best showings.

Great food, atmosphere, and super kid friendly.

We are long time customers. Wanted a nice experience but we're put in a terrible table with a doorway, a large birthday party and baby shower and a flickering light. Waitress was was rude, did not do a check and was not in the least personable. I would expect more from a $75 tab for lunch for two.

great place. Good atmosphere and incredible food. Highly recommend

We enjoyed our meal there. Waitress was amazing! Not hurried relaxed meal.

We had 8:00 pm appointment and they made us wait until 8:30 p.m. to sit us in.

We went for my husbands bday celebration. His son was joining us from Boston but was a complete surprise for my husband. I had to make the reservation for 3 although only myself and husband would arrive together. The staff kept the secret, ensured that when my name was called it was not called for a ‘party of 3’. It was amazing!! Food was great, service was great. Thank you Columbia staff for making my husbands bday an amazing memory!

Old favorite from the 70s. Made a special overnight stay nearby and diverted our route home in order to relive and experience its history. Love the Columbia.

Took my wife there for her birthday and it was wonderful. Asked of we could move the table so that I could see the show better as well as be seated next to my wife rather than across from her. Room manager was more than accommodating and moved what we needed right then - without calling over other staff to do it. The show was incredible and the scallops even better. Would definitely recommend!

We were seated in the room with the flamenco dancers show, which was very good. Room itself, not so much, more like a large meeting/banquet room. We visited other areas of the establishment that seemed very nice and well-decorated such as the main bar and dining room. Table service in showroom was okay, server was nice though rarely seen at our table. Food was not satisfactory for the price. My wife had seafood that she termed okay but overpriced. I had the pork chop that I couldn't eat because they could NOT get the internal temp right, I sent it back, kitchen had it for another 15 minutes or so and it still came back woefully undercooked. I had only taken a few bites. I left it on the plate uneaten. Unfortunately, the rice was gummy and the veggies were overcooked. So we didn't eat much of our food. Check was $150. If we ever go back, it will likely be for drinks at the bar.

We love Columbia in Ybor City
Our 2nd time there and we are from Philadelphia PA
We had 1905 salad. Paella sangria. Dessert
Love the beautiful music
Best food. We were in Clearwater and drove to Tampa
For Columbia. We will b back next uesr

we always visit when we are in the area,NEVER disappoints. Old world atmosphere,wonderful service and great ethnic food. Love to sit at the bar. Favorite soup is Caldo Gallegos. It with a 1/2 salad and their wonderful Cuban bread is my favorite lunch.

Amazing! Incredible food, service, ambiance

Outstanding! From the layout and architecture to the authentic Spanish food, this is the place to eat when in Tampa. All of the staff were super pleasant and helpful. Not a bit economical, but high quality all around. Treat yourself.

We bring our out of town relatives here to enjoy the Spanish cuisine. Their small store is great for gifts.

Usually excellent. Did not have a good experience this time. Took a long time to get our food and it was cold.

Impeccable always delivers.100 percent the best food,ambiance and service.

This is a wonderful family-owned place to entertain visitors who are passing through. Easy access from I-275 and I-4. You feel the local history when you approach the property and step inside. Power brownouts on the beautiful evening were disconcerting, but the power never went out. During a previous summertime visit a couple of summers ago, we had to go elsewhere because the power WAS out following a thunderstorm. We always like the 1905 salad, the Cuban sandwich, and the black bean soup. This time we ordered snapper special and the Seabass Bilbao (?). Both were tasty. Kudos to the 4th and 5th generations of the Gonzmart family for keeping the local tradition alive and lively.

Very very good service from Alfredo!!! Everything was perfect whole night.

Took visitors out for a night on the town to a legendary Tampa restaurant

Always a nice outting at the Columbia restaurant. 1905 salad is delicious.

It’s a Very lively place, food was delicious will Definitely come again. All in all really great experience; definitely recommend.

What a great experience. Atmosphere service and of course food

Good food, very personalized service, enjoyable experience

What a great place. Ambiance, great food and you get your fill. Not too many places I leave with a to go bag....but this is one.

Incredible food, service and atmosphere. A must visit while in Tampa.

This is our annual pilgrimage to Tampa where we meet friends. All the favorable reviews here are on-target. Instead of a meal, we ordered tapas and the salad... take my advice and don't do that. Tapas are good but you'll enjoy meals more.

Loved the 1905 Salad. Great ambiance. Loved the bar, dining room everything.

The food here is usually excellent. However, this time the quality is not what it usually it. The meat was over cooked and dry.