Family owned since 1905, Columbia has earned acclaim for its old-world charm, Spanish/Cuban cuisine featuring seafood, steaks and traditional family recipes and their wine list...
Founded in 1905 by Cuban immigrant Casimiro Hernandez, Sr., whose family originally was from Spain, The Columbia in Ybor City is "The World's Largest Spanish Restaurant," with 15 dining rooms and seating for up to 1,700 people. In 2009 the Columbia celebrated its 104th Anniversary, and is the oldest restaurant in Florida.
Today guest enjoy arroz con pollo and paella, along with a wine list recognized by Spain’s leading winemakers as the world’s most complete and best collection of wines from Spain.
The Columbia began in Tampa's Ybor City as a small 60-seat corner café serving the area's cigar rollers. Today guest enjoy arroz con pollo and paella, along with a wine list recognized by Spain's leading winemakers as the world's most complete and best collection of wines from Spain. The Columbia was honored with a Five Forks rating by the government of Spain as "Outstanding Spanish Restaurant In North America." Spanish Flamenco Dancing is featured live, Monday through Saturday night. Today, all Columbia Restaurants are owned and operated by 4th- and 5th-generation members of the founding family.
Columbia Locations:
In Tampa's Historic Ybor City, 813.248.3000
On St. Armands Circle in Sarasota, 941.388.3987
In Historic St. Augustine, 904.824.3341
Waterfront At the Pier in Downtown St. Petersburg, 727.822.8000
Water On Sand Key in Clearwater Beach, 727.596.8400
In Downtown Celebration, 407.566.1505
The Columbia Café Waterfront at the Tampa Bay History Center, 813.229.5511
Through its lifetime, this lighthouse was hit several times by Union forces across the bay at Fort Pickens, sustained lightening strikes, and even the Charleston Earthquake of 1886 and a tornado, but the structure held firm and is now operated by the U.S. Coast Guard.
