Columbia Restaurant - Ybor City

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1. H

   Hammer

   Tampa

   51 reviews

   4.0

   51 reviews

   Dined 1 day ago

   overall4food3service2ambience4

   Our two entrees were delicious. However I requested that my soup be brought as my entree. It wasn’t. They brought it when the 1905 salads were served. Salad was great but the soup was cold. I think our server was overwhelmed.
   

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2. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Orlando

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 2 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Celebrated an anniversary with another couple and the show made for a memorable and most enjoyable evening.
   

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3. E

   Eatinout

   Philadelphia

   69 reviews

   vip
   3.0

   69 reviews

   Dined 3 days ago

   overall3food4service4ambience2

   The food was good but it was FREEZING in the main dining room. I will not go back because I was that uncomfortable during my meal! It affected a night out with my husband.
   

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4. JP

   JohnP

   Tampa

   2 reviews

   5.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 3 days ago

   overall5food4service5ambience5

   The Caldo Gallego soup was amazing. Bread was fresh as always. Stuffed shrimp and grouper were excellent. The Palomilla could have been closer to medium for my taste but still very good at medium well. Always a solid place.
   

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5. DH

   DavidH

   Cincinnati

   15 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   15 reviews

   Dined 3 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Outstanding dining experience that is well worth sharing the history, culture and outstanding cuisine of the one and only original Columbia Restaurant.
   

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6. DW

   DoreenW

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 3 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Always great food and better ambience. Nice place for family gatherings and special occasions. Staff are attentive and very professional. Mojitos are to die for!
   

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7. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Tampa

   1 review

   3.0

   1 review

   Dined 4 days ago

   overall3food4service2ambience2

   It was my daughters birthday and we were all dressed up to only be seated in the bar area. Everyone for the most part was dressed in shorts and flip flops. I even told them in advance we were celebrating a birthday and would like to make it special. Wasn’t impressed on he service either.
   

   Columbia Restaurant - Ybor CityResponded 2 days agoWe are sorry that you were not happy with your recent visit. We would have been glad to find another area of the restaurant to move you to if you did not like the table or area that was assigned to you. We always appreciate the opportunity to make your experience the best that it can be.
   

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8. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Richmond

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 4 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Delicious food and beautiful building! Quick service
   

   Columbia Restaurant - Ybor CityResponded 2 days agoThank you for the great review and compliments!
   

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9. s

   susanv

   Tallahassee

   7 reviews

   vip
   3.0

   7 reviews

   Dined 4 days ago

   overall3food5service2ambience4

   Food was great as well as atmosphere. Unfortunately our waiter was very inattentive and not welcoming. In all our years going here. This was our first bad encounter.
   

   Columbia Restaurant - Ybor CityResponded 2 days agoWe are sorry that your recent visit was not as great as it has been in the past. We hope that you will return again soon so that we may have another opportunity to impress you.
   

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10. C

    Cindy

    Tampa

    2 reviews

    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall2food5service1ambience5

    Our waiter was Diego. He was not at all attentive to us which led to the order we received not being correct. He failed to refill our water/drinks or check in on us. He would disappear for pockets of time and when we would see him on the floor again, he completely neglected our table. This experience was not a good one.
    

    Columbia Restaurant - Ybor CityResponded 2 days agoWe are sorry to hear that your recent visit was disappointing, Cindy. We usually get great feedback for Diego so perhaps he was just having a bad shift. It happens to the best of us and we hope that you will accept the apology for letting you down.
    

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11. KC

    KikiC

    Tampa

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The Columbia Restaurant is always top notch. The service is impeccable and the food is delicious. We could survive on the 1905 salad alone! We tried the cava sangria and it was fantastic. Everyone was welcoming from the hostess to the manager on duty. We had a very special evening.
    

    Columbia Restaurant - Ybor CityResponded 2 days agoWe appreciate the great review and wonderful compliments, Kiki. Thank you for the feedback for our food and staff.
    

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12. JT

    JaneT

    Tampa

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Magnificent experience and the waiter was delightful. Excellent service!!!
    

    Columbia Restaurant - Ybor CityResponded 2 days agoWe are so glad to hear that you experience was great, Jane!
    

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13. j

    jgibber

    Tampa

    26 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    26 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The food and service were excellent, only disappointing thing was non recognition of 40 th Anniversary celebration. This was noted on the reservation. Wasn’t acknowledged!
    

    Columbia Restaurant - Ybor CityResponded 2 days agoWe are sorry that the message did not make it to your server. If you would have let him/her know, they would have been sure to make it a special celebration. Please do not hesitate to let us know if there is ever anything we can do to make your experience great.
    

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14. RG

    RosaG

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Amazing service from the moment you sit down until you leave. Good portions, we all had leftovers. Our waitress made our mojito pitcher tableside and it was perfect! Beautiful building all around.
    

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15. S

    Saeed

    Mississippi

    16 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    16 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service4ambience5

    Great show. Our server was kinda all over the place and she was slow compared to other times we’ve been here and waited by other servers, but still it’s a great experience especially if you have guests in town!
    

    Columbia Restaurant - Ybor CityResponded 2 days agoThank you for your review and feedback, Saeed. We are sorry that the service during your recent visit was not as great as it has been in the past. We hope that you will return again soon so that we may have another opportunity to impress you.
    

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16. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Tampa

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall2food4service1ambience4

    We love Columbia and the food, but our experience last night was frankly bad. Our waiter was working hard, but he had too many tables. It took us about two hours to get our food and about another 30 minutes after we’re finished to get a check. 
    

    Columbia Restaurant - Ybor CityResponded 2 days agoWe are sorry to hear that you had a disappointing experience with service during your recent visit. We would have liked for you to speak with a manager so that we could have offered support to your server. We always appreciate the opportunity to make improvements and provide the best hospitality that we can.
    

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17. MH

    MaxH

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The sangria is a must. The service is amazing and food is delicious.
    

    Columbia Restaurant - Ybor CityResponded 2 days agoThank you for the 5-star review and for recommending our sangria, Max! We appreciate the compliments.
    

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18. DS

    DeborahS

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The Cuban food at all locations of Columbia Restaurants in Florida is delicious. In Ybor, the atmosphere is lovely and the service is great. We especially enjoyed Pedro as our wait staff at the Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City on 5/27/23. We were celebrating an anniversary and an engagement at our table, and he went out of his way to make our experience enjoyable!
    

    Columbia Restaurant - Ybor CityResponded 2 days agoWe are so glad that you enjoy our Cuban Spanish cuisine and the service that you received from Pedro during your recent visit. Thank you for celebrating with us!
    

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19. SM

    ShanM

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We decided to drive up to Tampa for the day, and chose to eat at Columbia Restaurant because of countless good reviews and the rich history. Parking was easy, the restaurant was huge, and the dining room was completely packed. The server was happy to share information about the restaurant‘s history and his service was excellent. We loved that the salad was mixed at the table and the gazpacho came with a ‘toppings plate’. The food was delicious. The only downsides were a crowded waiting area with flustered hosts and the noise level of the restaurant. Overall, we enjoyed our experience.
    

    Columbia Restaurant - Ybor CityResponded 2 days agoThank you for choosing to dine with us, Shan. We are so glad that we lived up to your expectations and provided a great experience. We hope to see you again in the future.
    

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20. OT

    OTDiner

    Tampa

    43 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    43 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall4food4service5ambience2

    We had heard a lot about this place. Tried to have lunch a few weeks ago and learned that’s probably not going to happen without a reservation. So here we were ready to try the food at the oldest Spanish restaurant in the country! And we enjoyed our lunch, for the most part. We had one soup and salad combo (the 1905 salad, made table side, was the clear hit of all our selections), one Cubano Sandwich (great bread, good meat, but overall left me feeling kind of “meh” over the flavor combination) and one Roast Pork “a la Cubano” which I’m told was tasty, but a bit dry. Of the three sides, the plantains made the most positive impact. The cup of Spanish bean soup with the Cubano sandwich was delicious; I’d have it again in a heartbeat. The Cuban bread served when we sat down was warm and chewy. The iced tea was freshly brewed and tasty. My main issue? We were seated in the room with the bar and the noise level was so high we couldn’t hear each other at the table, nor could we hear our server (nor could he hear us). When you have to point at the menu to ensure your order is placed correctly, that’s a bit much. I’m recommending, as much for the history as the food. If you’re in the area, everyone should try it once.
    

    Columbia Restaurant - Ybor CityResponded 2 days agoThank you for your review and feedback. We are glad that you were finally able to dine with us and that you had a good experience. Thank you for the recommendation. The bar room is one of our livelier rooms. Please let us know if you would like a quieter area of the restaurant when you make your next reservation.
    

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21. MH

    MarahH

    Las Vegas

    12 reviews

    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Consistently good. Highly recommend this restaurant, especially for any out of town guests. It’s a great experience with quality food and drinks.
    

    Columbia Restaurant - Ybor CityResponded 2 days agoThank you for trusting us to consistently provide great experiences for you and your guests, Marah! We look forward to serving you again soon!
    

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22. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Orlando

    2 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall4food3service5ambience5

    Great ambience. The food was not really up to par . But the staff and the beauty of the place made it a great place to dine
    

    Columbia Restaurant - Ybor CityResponded 2 days agoWe appreciate your feedback. Would you like to share any additional details about your meal and where you feel we could use improvement?
    

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23. NS

    NataliaS

    Tampa

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Our server Paul was not just very attentive and helpful but above and beyond all night. His knowledge and sharing of history of Columbia restaurant added a special vibe to the dining experience. Please send him our thanks! Sincerely, The Simkins family.
    

    Columbia Restaurant - Ybor CityResponded 2 days agoThank you for the great review and feedback, Natalia! We appreciate the feedback for Paul and hope that you will dine with us again in the future.
    

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24. MB

    MarkB

    Chicago

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Absolutely outstanding! When back in Tampa, we will be visiting for dinner.
    

    Columbia Restaurant - Ybor CityResponded 2 days agoThank you for the great review, Mark! We look forward to your return!
    

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25. LL

    LindaL

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The Columbia never ceases to impress with service and fine food!
    

    Columbia Restaurant - Ybor CityResponded 2 days agoWe are so glad that we continue to impress you, Linda!
    

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26. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Las Vegas

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall2food2service5ambience2

    We dined Early about 5pm for my sons 5th grade graduation. Service was great but all my sons food was cold. My chicken was dry. I love Columbia abs never had bad meal or experience until yesterday. We had plans so in hurry to leave other wise I would have complained but we didn’t have the time to wait for all our meals but one to be remade.
    

    Columbia Restaurant - Ybor CityResponded 2 days agoWe are sorry to hear that your recent visit was disappointing. We would like to share your feedback with our operations team since you did not have the opportunity to do so while you were dining. Please email us a copy of your review as well as the best contact information where you can be reached. Thank you.
    

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27. AJ

    ArleneJ

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The friend we brought there, whose mother is from Spain, was very impressed! As always, the food and service were great.
    

    Columbia Restaurant - Ybor CityResponded 2 days agoWe are so glad that your friend loved Columbia Restaurant as much as you do! We look forward to your return!
    

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28. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Tampa

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 25, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5

    We came here for our anniversary and were treated like special guests. They wished us a “happy anniversary” upon arrival. Then escorted us to a table where a card had been signed by all the staff. We even received a complimentary anniversary flan, which was by far THE BEST flan I’ve ever eaten. Would definitely come here again for a special occasion because the ambiance is amazing. Thank you Columbia!
    

    Columbia Restaurant - Ybor CityResponded 2 days agoYou're welcome! We are so glad that your celebration was great and we look forward to serving you again soon!
    

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29. LM

    LarryM

    Orlando

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We enjoyed celebrating a birthday with Red Sangria & Cava Sangria plus great entrees. Mylee , our waitress, was very personable and knowledgeable. A great asset to the restaurant. We were a party of 7 with each person enjoying a different delicious entree with beef, mahi mahi, chicken, pork, & Cuban sandwich alongside the 1905 salads. Love our special visits to the Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City.
    

    Columbia Restaurant - Ybor CityResponded 2 days agoWe are so glad that it was a great birthday celebration, Larry! Thank you for the great feedback for your server and the compliments on your meals. We hope that you will join us again soon!
    

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30. NG

    NoniGMimi

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Our waiter Ernesto was phenomenal😊 food was Delicious as usual. I’m from Massachusetts and every time I come to Tampa I go to your restaurant. Love love it!
    

    Columbia Restaurant - Ybor CityResponded 7 days agoWe are so glad to have you as out of state regulars! Thank you for the feedback for Ernesto.
    

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31. MD

    MannyD

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Absolutely wonderful restaurant. You are immersed in the history of hispanic culinary arts as well as the culture. Architecture is beautiful, servers are polite and prompt, ambiance is second to none. Food is fantastic. Highly recommend. Now one of my favorite places.
    

    Columbia Restaurant - Ybor CityResponded on May 25, 2023We are honored to be one of your new favorites, Manny! Thank you for recommending us. We look forward to your return!
    

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32. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Key West

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 24, 2023

    overall3food5service3ambience5

    We love the Columbia but not our waiter this time.
    

    Columbia Restaurant - Ybor CityResponded 2 days agoWe are sorry to hear that you were disappointed with the service that you received. We would have liked for you to speak to a manager during your visit so that we could have made corrections on the spot. We always appreciate the opportunity to provide the best experience we can.
    

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33. S

    Sydney

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 24, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We had a great meal and even had a tour of the venue before we had our lunch.
    

    Columbia Restaurant - Ybor CityResponded on May 25, 2023We are so glad that you enjoyed your meal and tour learning about the history of the restaurant. We hope that you will return again in the future!
    

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34. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Indiana

    5 reviews

    2.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on May 23, 2023

    overall2food2service4ambience2

    The main dining rooms look nice. Good atmosphere, although loud. But can appreciate the culture and vibe of those main dining rooms. But, we were encouraged to try the dinner and dance show instead. Poor choice. Room was more like a large banquet hall. Our server was great- very professional. I will get credit where credit is due on that aspect. The food- ehh- and very overpriced for what it was. The show… cringe is the best words for it. Zero chance I would go back or encourage others to go. The city alone is at best, scary. Very rough. I appreciate the history of the restaurant and all it stands for, I just cannot say the price or the quality of food is worth visiting for that history.
    

    Columbia Restaurant - Ybor CityResponded on May 25, 2023We are sorry that you did not enjoy our dinner & flamenco show. Did you not enjoy the style of dance or are there suggestions on what you think we could do to improve?
    

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35. j

    jeffreyw

    Tampa

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    SERVICE WAS WONDERFUL GREAT DRINKS VERY RELAXING SEE YALL NEXT TIME SOON
    

    Columbia Restaurant - Ybor CityResponded on May 25, 2023We are so glad that you enjoyed your visit and that you will be returning soon, Jeffrey!
    

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36. EF

    EdwardF

    Naples

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on May 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    A true dining experience. The Columbia Restaurant is a must if you are in the Tampa area. Great food, service and ambiance. One Problem: The toilet in the men's room does not flush properly and need to be replace.
    

    Columbia Restaurant - Ybor CityResponded on May 25, 2023Thank you for your review and feedback, Edward! We appreciate the recommendation, and we hope that you will dine with us again soon! The men's restroom repairs are underway.
    

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37. M

    Mel07

    West Palm Beach

    77 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    77 reviews

    Dined on May 22, 2023

    overall4food3service5ambience3

    Excellent service; friendly restaurant. Great Cuban sandwich! Best Cuban sandwich that I have had in years. House salad is very original and tasty. Good food overall; side dishes could be better. Some sides taste like they are not made fresh in-house. Restaurant has a strange smell. Overall it is a good experience to go to this historic restaurant.
    

    Columbia Restaurant - Ybor CityResponded 2 days agoWe are so glad that you enjoyed our Cuban sandwich, thank you for the wonderful compliments! If there were any items that you were not enjoying, we would have been glad to remake or replace them with something different. We hope that you will dine with us again soon!
    

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38. CW

    ChrisW

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    So happy a relative we were visiting suggested The Columbia!
    

    Columbia Restaurant - Ybor CityResponded on May 25, 2023Your relatives sound like great hosts, Chris. We are so glad that you visited and had a great experience!
    

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39. AM

    AnnaM

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Everything was amazing!! The service was good, drinks and the food were just incredible
    

    Columbia Restaurant - Ybor CityResponded on May 25, 2023We are so glad that your visit was perfect, Anna! We hope to see you again in the future!
    

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40. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Tampa

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on May 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Excellent service and delicious food. Have been to four other locations and they are all very good. Can’t resist their salad.
    

    Columbia Restaurant - Ybor CityResponded on May 25, 2023Thank you for your loyal patronage! We hope to see you again soon, at any of our locations!
    

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