Columbia Restaurant - Ybor City

Great food, amazing service! Columbia Restaurant is rich with culture. Along with a fascinating history behind it. The way the place is designed and it's architecture is incredible. They also have an impressive menu and drink selection which won't break the bank. They are an upscale restaurant without the upscale prices. I give them a thumbs up.

Everything was great! Had the Picadillo Cirillo and a blanco sangria and enjoyed everyrhing immensely. Carla Marie was charming and made a single female diner feel at home.

They were awesome!!!

From start to finish, could not possibly imagine a better experience

Our waiter Scott was fantastic

This is what dining out should be...

Thanks to all the staff there who made us feel so welcome

Always my go to when travelling to Ybor. Thank you!

We had reservations for 3 of us for 7pm. 7:25 came and I went back up to the hostess and inquired when we were going to be seated. she looked at her iPad and said there are 3 parties in front of us . She said it in such a rude way . No apology nothing just looked back at me like how dare I ask . She acted as if she was the one inconvenienced. We make reservations because my mom is a diabetic and is disabled at the moment and we always expect to wait maybe 10-15 minutes on a busy night and we understand sometimes things happen but for her to be as rude as she was and look at me like that with no apology doesn’t represent The Columbia all that well .

We did not get seated until 7:45 which is unacceptable when you have a reservation and to not even receive an apology or take ownership that it was almost an hour later is unprofessional. The Columbia might want to take that young lady and have her not be customer facing as she did not represent well.

The food was great as usual and our waiter was excellent. We enjoyed our night once we were seated .

Love the Columbia just not the unprofessional behavior of the hostess that was working on Sunday night .

This was my first visit and it was as good as advertised. I had a reservation and got seated right on time. The reservation was for a standard table but they offered a high table at bar, if I would accept. There were only two of us, so I did and it worked out fine. Service was friendly and quick. Food was great. It was Sunday so I didn't get the chance to see the show. Highly recommend.

Food was just ok. Seems commercialized. Not great quality ingredients or plate selections. Will def not go back

Excellent food and service. Unfortunately due to COVID19 seating was in a banquet room with very little ambiance. Not a normal Columbia feeling.

Food and server was great. They accommodated our party of 6. But we were in the bar area a little more noisy. But the others in our group seemed ok with it. Looking forward to our next visit

Always a delicious meal and a spectacular experience.

This was a wonderful Sunday Brunch for my kids 1st time at the original location. My family and I have been going to the Ybor City Columbia for 4 generations. They always exceed my expectations.

During a family vacation to NYC a few years ago, my husband and I stumbled across a little Cuban Restaurant in Time Square that served the best Paella I have had since my years in Miami. Ever since then, we have been looking for a Cuban restaurant that serves traditional Paella. So when we were invited to an event in Ybor, a city with strong Cuban traditions, I looked for a restaurant that serves Paella. I found out that the Columbia Restaurant serves Paella and booked our reservation.

We arrived at our scheduled reservation time and didn’t have to wait long for a table. The restaurant’s decor is perfect and eclectic. Once seated our server, who had worked there for 24 years, took our drink orders. Both myself and my friends wife ordered the highly recommended Mojito. They were delicious and were served with a piece of sugar cane, very yummy. On to our meal... I ordered the Gambas “Al Ajillo” (Shrimp w/ Olive Oil & Spices) for my appetizer, my husband ordered the Cakes de Cangrejo (Crab Cakes), our one friend ordered the Croquetas de Pollo (Chicken croquettes). All the appetizers, which we all shared, were absolutely wonderful, such amazing flavors in each dish. For our dinner choices, 3 of our party ordered the Paella “a la Valenciana”, which is described as being made in a traditional paella pan. Unfortunately, this paella was more like a Cuban version of a risotto. There was NO crispy rice, as is traditional of Paella. Other than that, the paella was delicious, but just didn’t satisfy the craving for “traditional” paella. The 4th person in our party ordered the Boliche “Criollo” (chorizo stuffed ribeye). I didn’t try this dish but was told it was very flavorful. All in all our dinner was a wonderful experience with very good food and attentive service. A very good choice for anyone who desires a great meal in Ybor city.

I was traveling in Tampa and decided to eat at this location for only the second time ever, first since 2018. It’s a gem in Tampa, especially given its setting in fun and historic Ybor City. The food was excellent once again; I especially enjoyed the fresh, homemade Cuban bread with butter and the pollo manchego dish. I would definitely dine at this restaurant in the future!

Food, Service & Experience was excellent! Would definitely recommend!

Food was excellent. Great value. The service was excellent. Our waiter Frank took my husband on a tour of the place.

We were seated in the bar facing everyone sitting at the bar's rear end. The chairs were wobbly to the point of being dangerous. Our wind order sat at the bar for 20 minutes with un-masked people breathing on it. Our second round was a different wine. Our dinner orders arrived later than those around us, arriving later than us. The area manager apologized to us saying, " we're big and busy, we make mistakes. My wife's vegetable appeared to be something like broccolini stems. Should I say more. We've always eaten at Columbia when up North from Sanibel, but found this past weekend's experience disappointing.

We love this place. The food is delicious. It has a great atmosphere. And the service is awesome.
We can't wait to go back.

Excellent experience with phenomenal service. They worked with us to move up our reservation due to us having a 2 year old that was past his nap time.

I would highly recommend this restaurant to visit, if you are in the area. I loved the charm of it, the food was delicious & there were so many great options to choose from. The servers hustled, & were very attentive. Make your reservation thru Open Table - it seems to be busy all of the time, so it is well worth it.

Amazing Experience

Everything was excellent.

Awesome food. Servers fantastic, efficient and very polite. Plan on going back when we return to Tampa!

Delicious drinks and authentic food. Our server noticed that we were very delayed in receiving our appetizer and notified the manager, who took care of the calamari for us due to our wait. It was some of the best calamari we’ve had and we really appreciated the thoughtful service.

The food & atmosphere has ALWAYS been great. But the 30 - 40 min wait time WITH a reservation is ridiculous. PLEASE figure that part out cause I am 🤏🏾 to being over this restaurant.

Unique setting, fantastic food, and excellent service!

Dinner was great but not happy that I had a 7:30 reservation and didn’t get seated until after 8pm.

Had a 7pm reservation. Didn’t get seated til 7:50pm. What’s the point of making a reservation?! Hostesses seemed impatient and disorganized. Food was mediocre. Won’t be back.

Through Open Table, I booked a reservation for 7:00pm. We arrived at 6:55 pm and checked in. We were then told to go to a large room off the entrance--a literal holding pen--to wait for our names to be called. At 7:28 pm our name was called; so much for a 7:00pm reservation!! We were hosting special friends who were in town for their 39th anniversary, and we were on a tight time-frame and had made the reservation with that in mind. Not only was I furious, but it really distracted from our ability to settle in and have focused conversation. And the restaurant seemed so nonchalant about their "system". 50 people in a bullpen. Yikes. .. no class. The lost half hour also kept us from visiting their gift shop; we had to leave promptly (their business loss). The restaurant was as beautiful as ever, but on the food front, the bread was stale and the food was just ok. Its history and beauty is worth the visit, but be warned.

The food was amazing as always, but the $14 Old Fashion is definitely NOT worth the $. There was no "block" or chunk of ice like there should be and all the did was mull some regular macchino cherries and pour whiskey in. VERY disappointed for the money.

Service was awesome. Scallops were super tender and fresh tasting.

Absolutely astounding, as always! We saw the flamenco show this time, it hasd been years! Such fun!! the food is unbelievable, just perfect.

Was a great choice for a perfect day in the area. Food was fantastic!!!

Wonderful ambiance! Delicious drinks!

Please educate your waiters that it’s okay to ask the chef about ingredients in food. I follow a vegan diet. I kept being directed to gluten-free or vegetarian offerings which were clearly marked. When I asked if there was dairy or egg in these dishes, I was told “we’re a 100 year old restaurant. There weren’t vegans back then.” I found that very rude. If I was just as bold, I may have responded with “there wasn’t rampant factory farming and worsening environmental destruction back then....” Also, I have an allergy and my dietary habits make sense for my body (and my morals).

I had to ask three times for them to check ingredients in the bread and soup. The waiter was kind after seeing how easy it was to find two good vegan friendly options (Cuban Black Bean Soup and the Gazpacho). I enjoyed these soups, the mojito, and the beautiful ambiance!!!!

My friends (non-veg) loved their entrees too!

Excellent choice. Tried the combo plate, will definitely be back.

Dinner at Florida's oldest restaurant, The Columbia, was a great experience! great food from a varied menu, great drinks, service and ambiance. This will be a 'go to' place for all of our out of town guests.

We were married inside the Columbia Ybor City so we try to go back there to celebrate our anniversary each year.

Parking across the street from the restaurant was easy. Hostesses were efficient and we only waited a couple of minutes to be seated. The waiter was prompt, courteous and friendly. He even offered to take our picture toasting each other. The restaurant left anniversary wishes in a card on our table and brought us a flan for desert which was very nice of them.

We both had paella and a 1905 salad. EXCELLENT, couldn't have asked for a better meal. It was a large portion and we ended up taking enough home for another meal. We had a bottle of Pinot Noir that was very good and reasonably priced for a restaurant.

I hardily recommend Columbia Ybor City !

In town visiting. My server Frank was amazing. The food was so good, I will definitely be back next time in the area.

Muy tranquilo y agradable. Ideal para un momento romántico y familiar a la vez

Engagement celebration :) had a wonderful time food was delicious dessert was our favorite!

Our server was great.

If you want to attend the entertainment, make reservations. It is inexpensive simple entertainment. Do not expect high skilled dancers.

Loved the decor with a fountain.

Ask for Alfredo. He’s a great waiter. Been there over 30years