Columbia Restaurant

Claim
marker

2117 E 7th Ave, Tampa, FL 33605
Tampa, FL 33605

marker
(813) 248-4961
Incorrect info? Correct your listing
Photos
Columbia Restaurant - Tampa, FL
Columbia Restaurant - Tampa, FL
Reviews
( 6 )
( 6 )
( 2 )
( 1 )
( 6 )

Best

Spanish and Cuban fare. Jacket not required, but don't wear your jeans. Food is consistently excellent. Great ambiance. Fairly priced. Separate dining room with entertainment...

Worst

Food was good, but a wednesday luncheon took 3 hours. Waitress had to be asked repeatedly for refills straws etc. Meal was served piecemeal with some getting soup first and other...

Editorial review from Citysearch 9/12/2013

This place was amazing! great environment and great food. Love the sangria's more
Reply | Report abuse |

Disappointment 12/25/2010

Maybe there was a time when the food here was good, but it isn't these days. You can tell from the physical beauty of the restaurant that someone loved it back in the day. We started with a $26.95 tapas which turned out to be three items in small portions - fried squid, meatballs, and an artichoke dip - none of them in the least remarkable, not even up to Applebees standard I would say. Then we got a meat paella, a sirloin tips dinner, and a seafood dish, most of which was left on the plates. I know the food was better when I was in Spain. The food was so pedestrian no one had any desire to actually finish their food. The service was sorely lacking - such as when the waiter took our used butter knives from our bread plates and just laid them on the table cloth when removing the bread plates - we were expected to use them again for our dinners. Most of the silverware was pretty dirty to start with. They do have a wonderful wine list and decor, but that's not enough when you are going to a restaurant to eat - first the food, then the service, then the embellishments. more
Reply | Report abuse |

Cold food. Dirty silverware 2/28/2010

Dirty silverware and cold food for the prices that are charged don't add up for a good evening. Save your money it?s not worth it. As far as authentic Spanish food goes it was far from my expectations perhaps others not use to this type of food may find it more appealing Pros: Historic setting was nice Cons: The food was not very good not was is even warm more
Reply | Report abuse |

Very Poor Service 7/23/2009

Food was good, but a wednesday luncheon took 3 hours. Waitress had to be asked repeatedly for refills straws etc. Meal was served piecemeal with some getting soup first and others after the main course. The place was crowded when we arrived, by the time we left, we were the only diners left and staff was setting up for dinner. This was a very disappointing. Pros: Warm bread, salad and soup excellent. Cons: Mene (?) worst waitress ever more
Reply | Report abuse |

Tourist Trap! 2/14/2009

All the food tasted the same, bland, tasteless, salty, and disgusting. Nice presentation, good waitress, really bad food. I hope I will not get sick. I am writing this as soon as I got back to my hotel room because I want you all to be warned! Cons: bad food, salty food, the butter didn't seem real more
Reply | Report abuse |

Great food, good service, good value 5/12/2008

The Columbia has been around forever, and is still one of the better places to go for any size group. Can't speak to having children along, but they should do fine (so long a Mom and Dad keep them in check). Great selection and deserts. Pros: Great overall resturant Cons: Get reservations more
Reply | Report abuse |

NIce ceramic panels 4/16/2008

I loved the outside ceramic panels -- although covering one panel of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza with a bolted bench is really stupid -- and I loved the ambiance inside. One of the few decent looking places in Tampa. My snapper was outstanding and reasonably priced. Unfortunately my wife got very sick the next day. I don't think it was the airplane food. So, not even two stars for Columbia. Pros: Beautiful place Cons: You may get sick more
Reply | Report abuse |

Highlight of the State 4/11/2008

The Columbia is Florida's oldest restaurant. It is absolutely delightful! I look forward to dining here... more
Reply | Report abuse |

Highlight of the State 4/11/2008

Batona Provided by Partner
The Columbia is Florida's oldest restaurant. It is absolutely delightful! I look forward to dining here whenever I am in town. Nestled on 7th A... more
Reply | Report abuse |

0 because i cant give a -10 gave me and my party food illness 1/25/2007

when i contacted the restruant i got no apology and was told they never had this kind of problem. when i told my story to others, others have told me they got sick there also was once told by a person whos father was a prominent baker in tampa the cooks used to make jokes about the dirtiest kitchen in tampa and city officials wouldnt do anything because the owners had so much pull in the city. DONT EAT THERE FIND ELSEWHERE IN YBOR CITY more
Reply | Report abuse |

Really bad food 10/5/2006

My family and I have been going to the Columbia on and off for at least 20 years. This year was no exception. The food this time was simply miserable. My husband's order appeared--and tasted--as though it had been sitting under a heatlamp for a couple of hours. His plantains were so tough that we thought he had accidently ordered banana jerky. My mother and I ordered tapas--hard to say what we were eating. The waiter, bless his soul, forgot our wine order and although we asked, never brought us the dessert menu. Alas and darn, this will be our last visit to the Columbia. No kidding. Cons: really bad food more
Reply | Report abuse |

Big bucks for atmosphere 9/4/2006

I have lived in Tampa for over 30 years and had eaten at most Spanish restaurants in the area except this one. This was primarily because everyone always recommended other Spanish restaurants and all personal reviews of the Columbia were less than complimentary. Well, now I know why. I had family coming from out of town so I thought the atmosphere and the show would offset the cost and mediocre food. I am disappointed to say it did not! The Sangria (regular because we don't think good Sangria needs brandy in it) tasted like a generic fruit juice and we had to ask for extra fruit (1 piece in each small white wine glass). The entrees were bland in taste and moderate in portions and did not come close to meeting the expectations of the menu or the price. It turned out to be a very expensive lesson. Also, I have been to Spain so I do have a fairly good idea of what the food should taste like. As for great Spanish food locally, might I suggest Viscaya in Carrollwood. Pros: Beautiful building and decor Cons: Below average food for above average price more
Reply | Report abuse |

Spanish, not Mexican 5/19/2006

I loved the food, service and decor. Advice - order and entree for lunch instead of a tapa. More food for the same price! the gaspacho was perfect, as was sangria. For a nearly empty restaurant, we were not seated for almost 10 minutes! The free bread was WONDERFUL! I want to go back. Pros: menu, decor, food Cons: seating more
Reply | Report abuse |

its alright 4/28/2006

I had the paella and it was delicious. it was pricey but a very beautiful spot. I would recommend it more as a lunch place if you want to save a little money and be in a more relaxed atmosphere- its great to go there for lunch and then walk around ybor. Pros: food's OK, beautiful restaurant, unique Cons: price, parking more
Reply | Report abuse |

Maybe next time 11/26/2005

My wife and I were recommended The Columbia from family members in Tampa. The house special filet mignon the size of a child's fist came cooked in bourbon and it tasted just like that, a shot of bourbon in every bite. This most expensive cut of meat on the menu was so rubbery, my wife had to ask for a steak knife which barely got the job done. The house special paella was nothing to write home about and i did ended up doing just that, bringing most of it home. Make sure you get a good nites rest before you see the show(add. $6 pp) because if you've seen one flamenco show, you've seen them all. The restaurant is beautiful and service was ok. Highly recommend trying somewhere else. Pros: Beautiful restaurant Cons: Expensive, Bad food more
Reply | Report abuse |

I coulda saved a ton o' money!!! 6/3/2005

Recently I traveled to Spain, from every guidebook came ""you must try the paella in Spain"". So, listening to that advice I went to Marbella Spain (which I highly reccomend) and asked the hotel staff where the best paella anywhere can be found, Everyone I asked pointed us to the same restaurant. We get there, I ordered Paella Mixda. Halfway through the meal, I'm approached by the owner (knowing I was an American tourist) asking how the meal was....My reply, ""Well, there's this great place in my hometown called The columbia, and frankly................."" He didn't want to hear the rest. hahaha This is a very true story. Pros: Excellent Menu, Beautiful surrounding Cons: Can be pricey more
Reply | Report abuse |

Knocks my socks off still 7/17/2004

How to describe the beloved Columbia? My husband took me there for Homecoming dinner when we were 16 and just started dating... had our wedding reception there with over a hundred guests 8 years later. Still love to go there... the atmosphere is incredible...food astounding... service terrific. Our favorite is the Chicken and Shrimp Barcelona, which we served at our reception. The sangria, 1905 salad and tapas (appetizers) are wonderful. Don't miss the fried plantains, and try the creme catalana for dessert. Sadly, we moved a thousand miles away, now we have to use the Columbia cookbook and try to copy the dishes. The Columbia will forever be in our hearts. THE place in Tampa to go! Pros: Excellent food, Wonderful shows, Fantastic atmosphere Cons: , very busy sometimes more
Reply | Report abuse |

Flamenco, arriba! 7/8/2003

This is by far my favorite Tampa restaurant; I think I'll go there tonight. I wish I could make gazpacho the way they do - both that & the 1905 salad are prepared tableside, as is the fantabulous sangria (you get to keep the bull from the wine bottle). Then move on to the Ropa Vieja, or something else for you creative types (I stick to what I like). Definitely try to catch the Flamenco show - always exciting & new. There is often live music in their bar as well - which features a great atmosphere & people-watching views of the street. This one beats all other Columbias (was very disappointed with St. Augustine)! Pros: Location/History, Excellent Food, Flamenco! more
Reply | Report abuse |

Tampa defined... 7/3/2003

If you had three hours to introduce someone to Tampa, Florida, the Columbia would be the place to go. From the historic significance, location, decor, and most of all, the great food, it is Tampa defined in a nutshell. Try the 1905 salad, and follow it with a half of a Cuban with a cup of Spanish Bean soup. After eating the Cuban, whenever you visit a Subway or Blimpie thereafter you will either cry, cuss, or use the word 'blasphemy' to describe them. No other sandwich comes close. Pros: food, atmosphere, historical value more
Reply | Report abuse |

a pleasant surprise 9/6/2002

the quality of the food was very good. the interior of the building was authentic and well kept. there is also a show offered, but we left before it started. more
Reply | Report abuse |
< Previous 1 Next >
Menu for Columbia Restaurant


Summer SALE!!!:
15% OFF all yearly plans
Use year15 at checkout. Expires 1/1/2021
Editorial

  • The Scene
    The state's oldest restaurant, owned by the Gonzmarts (the same Tampa family that has operated it since 1905), the Columbia anchors a whole block of Ybor City. Its gorgeous...

  • 1/10/2005 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Monday To Thursday From 11:00 AM To 10:00 PM Friday To Saturday From 11:00 AM To 11:00 PM Sunday From 12:00 PM To 09:00 PM
  • Payments: American Express, Discover, Cash, Visa, Master Card
  • Neighborhoods: Historic Ybor, Northeast
badge