Columbia Restaurant

Gigi
Gigi
First Reviewer
4 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
5
Reviews

The Columbia Restaurant

  • March 9, 2006
  • Rated 4 of 5 by wildhoney269 from Chicago, Illinois
The Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City is a Tampa institution. This restaurant celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2005. This is the type of restaurant I like to take people for a fancy evening out if they are visiting the city for the first time. I also like to go here for celebrations. Flamenco dancers perform at set times in the evenings, which really makes dining at this restaurant more of a unique event. You can request a table near the stage when you make your reservation, if you would like to enjoy the show during dinner.

There are a lot of great things about Columbia. First of all, the food. They offer a large variety of tapas for starters, make wonderful paella, and have amazing fish dishes. If you order sangria or mojitos they make the picture right at your table, which is really fun to watch. Some of their dishes tend to be very rich, so ask if you are concerned about that. I usually do not have room for dessert, but they look amazing and have some traditional coffees to enjoy as well.

The restaurant is in an amazing old building, which is just fun to look at. This gorgeous building stretches an entire block and is made from hand-painted Spanish tiles and traditional stonework. Attached to the restaurant is a small souvenir shop and museum.

From journal Tampa Bay: Ybor City

Editor Pick

Columbia Restaurant

  • January 11, 2005
  • Rated 5 of 5 by Laura Rabbit from Chicago, Illinois
This is a spot not to be missed. Much like you would not travel to Paris without seeing the Eiffel Tower, a trip to Tampa without dinner at the Columbia Restaurant would be foolish. Everyone who has visited Tampa or lives in Tampa knows about the Columbia Restaurant.

This unique Spanish-style building has been around since 1905. Although it has expanded, the large, dark-wood bar has been the same for nearly 100 years. Each room in this restaurant is different and has its own beautiful characteristics. The main dining room has a small stage where flamenco dancers take over two times per night, every day of the week (except Sundays). There is an additional charge to see a show (seatings are at approximately 6pm and 9pm), but the fee is nominal and well worth it.

The other rooms can be reached off the main dining area through tall, narrow wooden doorways. These areas can accommodate large groups and many more tables of diners, which is essential for this always-packed restaurant.

The menu is primarily Spanish/Cuban, with most entrees ranging in price from $20 to $35. Sangria is also a popular item that the pleasant waitstaff prepare tableside.

The pace is slow-moving as your orders are taken, and food is brought only moments before the dancing begins. Then, 30 minutes of performance await you as you dine, and the group of gorgeous dancers clap and stomp their way to a phenomenal finale.

This location in Ybor City is at the end of a long strip of bars, clubs, and restaurants. If the dinner and show have left you revved up and ready to hit the town, opportunities await you just outside the doors.

Reservations are a must if you are hoping to see the show. You can read more info at: http://columbiarestaurant.com/ybor.asp.

This is a unique experience that I guarantee you will enjoy and tell others about.

From journal Weekend Getaway to Tampa, FL

Columbia Restaurant

This is an institution in Tampa in Ybor City. There are typical Spanish dance shows on different days. The food is very good. Of course the paella takes a long time, but it is well worth the wait for this melange of seafood, rice, chicken, and sausage.

From journal Eating my way through Tampa

Columbia Restaurant

  • November 6, 2000
  • Rated 4 of 5 by willow from Nicholls, Georgia
The Columbia shares the same name and same menu as its sister restaurant in St. Augustine. Some of the old world charm seems to be missing from the Tampa location. Still the food was good and the waiter was cute if not competent. The 1905 salad served with hot Cuban Bread is a meal in itself. The black beans and rice were good, but I'm still miffed because I specifically asked for no onions.

From journal Have a Tampa

Editor Pick

Columbia Restaurant

  • September 8, 2000
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Gigi from Oldsmar, Florida
Come savor the Spanish-Cuban flavor at this original Ybor City location open since 1905 at a time when the area was the center for cigar making. Walk into the cool turn-of-the century building decorated in Spanish Colonial style. Beautiful tile work graces walls and floors and a fountain bubbles in one of the dining rooms. Enjoy the excellent selection of Spanish and Cuban dishes - notable are paella, 1905 salad and fresh-made sangria of imported Spanish wines and brandy. The star is the Cuban coffee - the best you will drink anywhere! There is also a Flamenco show for which reservations are required and requires a slight cover charge. The dancers are classically trained here (but the music is not always accurate). TIP - each year for one Sunday in September, menu prices return to those in 1905. This is the only night reservations are NOT accepted - first come, first served - but worth the wait!

From journal Tampa Bay Treasures

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