Columbia Restaurant - Ybor City

“What an incredible dining experience at the Columbia Restaurant in Tampa! We came over from Bradenton for dinner with my children, and from the moment we sat down, our waiter Alfredo made the entire evening exceptional. Alfredo’s service was absolutely outstanding. He was warm, attentive, knowledgeable, and had a fantastic personality that made us feel right at home. He took the time to recommend some amazing menu items, checked on us throughout the meal, and genuinely made our dining experience memorable. The food was delicious, the atmosphere was beautiful, and Alfredo’s genuine hospitality truly set this visit apart. It’s rare to find someone who clearly loves what they do and goes above and beyond for their guests. Thank you, Alfredo, for making our family dinner so special. We will definitely be back the next time we’re in Tampa, and we’ll be hoping to sit in your section again! Highly recommend!”

“Absolutely fantastic! That's what this place is. First, the show. The flamenco dancing is incredible. The dancers are so talented and it is such a treat to be able to see this part of the culture of Ybor City. The costumes were gorgeous, and the music was so enjoyable. Please treat yourself to this show. Make a reservation and book your table so you can see the show as well as enjoy the food. The bread is perfectly crunchy on the outside while being soft and pillowy on the inside. The Caesar salad and black bean soup are both delicious. I love black bean soup when it's done well and they know how to do it well. I had the Picadillo and I have got to figure out how to make that at home! I loved the combination of the spices with the sweetness of the raisins and the bitter saltiness of the olives. My son loved the stuffed shrimp and my husband said the paella was very good. I can't remember the name of my dessert, but it's basically like creme brulee. It was really good. It had a thicker texture than creme brulee and also had a slight hint of orange. The best part of the dinner, however, was the bread pudding that my son ordered. I will start by saying that I HATE bread pudding. I have tasted several over the years and have always thought them to be gross. I have no idea how they make this one, but it is heavenly. The texture is soft and creamy (not chunky like a bunch of soggy croutons molded together or jiggly and wobbly like cheap jell-o) and the chocolate on it makes it so rich. Then the rum sauce brings it all together to a level of heavenly deliciousness that, well, got this bread pudding hater to eat almost half of it. If you go to The Columbia, order the bread pudding.”

“Such an amazing experience. I was permitted to tour the restaurant and the decor and the history behind it was just amazing. I sat at the bar for dinner and had to get the 1905 salad with some paella. I was also told I had to try their sangria. Everything was so delicious. Kim was my bartender / server and she gave me great recommendations and helped elaborate on the history of the restaurant. Highly recommend for any and every event. I absolutely understand why I was told I needed to come to the Columbia. You should as well. It is absolutely a must-visit restaurant if in Tampa.”

“We had an incredible dining experience at Columbia. I ordered the Caesar salad, which was made fresh tableside — the presentation was amazing and it tasted just as good as it looked. For my entrée, I had the filet mignon with Spanish rice and vegetables, and it was cooked perfectly and full of flavor. We also ordered the paella, a classic Spanish dish, which was absolutely delicious and beautifully prepared. For dessert, we enjoyed flan and chocolate chip banana bread pudding, both excellent. We finished the night with a cup of espresso, which was the perfect ending to a wonderful meal. Highly recommend Columbia for both the food and the experience.”

“I visited Columbia Restaurant in Tampa’s Ybor City Historic District because it was the highest rated in the area and came highly recommended everywhere I looked. The venue itself is absolutely beautiful, and the service was incredible. Our server was kind, attentive, and made sure we were well taken care of the entire time. He also shared the rich history of the restaurant with us, the oldest restaurant in Florida and the oldest Spanish restaurant in the US, which made the experience even more special. The atmosphere is perfect for a memorable dinner with friends or family. In terms of vibes, ambiance, and service, it absolutely lives up to the hype. That said, I had very high expectations for the food and was a little disappointed. The famous 1905 Salad was the standout, bold, flavorful, and truly delicious. The famous bean soup was good, with a nice savory base, but I wish the flavor had been amplified more. We also tried the pork shank, which was okay. The gravy was the best part, but the dish itself didn’t have enough flavor to make it memorable. My partner had a steak that had a wonderful texture, but the flavor just wasn’t there. The quality of the food was good, but the flavors didn’t quite match the reputation. I would absolutely come back for the atmosphere, the history, and the incredible service, but if I’m looking for the most flavorful meal in Tampa, I might explore other options.”