Columbia Restaurant

Am I the only one in Tampa that thinks the Columbia doesn’t serve Spanish food great. The location is what keeps me coming back as well as the sangria. But the food is where improvement can be made. There isn’t 1 item on the menu that makes me want to come back. It’s simply the location and the table side sangria.

Very mediocre! Mediocre service, mediocre food. I had the calamari as an appetizer, I asked for it to be fried extra crispy. It was crispy and it was cold. My husband had the Mahi Mahi meal as his main. The yellow rice was terrible, very soggy and no flavor. The fish had a «funny» taste as well, as if it was not fresh. I told my husband not to finish it so as to avoid an upset stomach later .The empanadas were fine. We waited very long for water refills, and for every food order that was placed. The bill also took very long to come, over 30 mins, and we just wanted to leave! I gave it at least two stars because I did eat something and my other friends who were with me really enjoyed the salad. Also, they serve a nice warm Cuban bread with butter that I enjoyed. Otherwise, I’m not interested in coming here again. I have had better for less!

It’s a beautiful ambience but the food I think is mediocre. However it is indeed a great experience! I plan on seeing the show soon.

Food and drinks were incredible! No complaints. We had the famous 1905 salad, short ribs and mahi Cubana. Everything was perfect. We also had a pitcher of mojitos which were great. The only complaint here is whoever the mustached man in charge. He was GLARING with the most intense glare I’ve ever seen at the few customers that were still eating. We sat down around 10:30 pm and they close at 11. But you NEVER rush customers out. He would come out of the kitchen and glare at the bartenders then glare at us still sitting there finishing our food. It ruined the experience and they definitely lost money on business because we would have sat and kept ordering drinks. It’s a shame because he is bringing down a wonderful establishment.

We had a horrible experience. We spent over an hour waiting for our food. The waiter lost our orders, we couldn’t get drinks or water refilled and when we asked to speak to mgmt we were given nothing but excuses. Was it busy, yes. Did people who came in after us get their orders before us, yes. It also took 30 mins for us to get drinks and 45 mins to get bread which was large half loafs wrapped in wax paper and tossed in front of us.
The food was at best mediocre. The crab croquette was inedible if not rancid. The plantains mushy. The only thing I liked a little was the chicken empanadas.
Glad I’m just visiting Tampa — I wouldn’t waste any more time or money at this location.

Eating outside next to the Riverwalk was fantastic. I always get the half and half… black bean soup and 1905 salad with turkey (instead of the usual ham). It is the best of both worlds for me because I get a cup of my favorite soup in Tampa and a healthy salad. The server tosses the salad table-​side which is a nice touch that you don’t see anywhere else. The only thing I wish they would improve on is getting more servers on the weekends because it can be very slow, which is hard when you have kids that want to go downstairs to the play area.

I am very surprised that this restaurant has such high ratings in Florida for good Latin food. I was visiting in Florida and kept hearing that this was a great restaurant that definitely could not be missed, so I went on a Sunday afternoon. I was seated immediately and the service, view and atmosphere were very nice. However, I was surprised by the hype upon tasting the food.
The food was not terrible, but I would say it’s on the same level as cheap Chinese food versus authentic Chinese food. The bread and sangria were very good, but my mahi mahi was very dry and over cooked, with very little flavor. The rice was average, and the plantains tasted almost reheated. I’m from Puerto Rico and have been to plenty of Cuban/​Spanish restaurants in Texas, Florida, and around the world actually. This was by far the bottom of the list as far as food taste goes.
All in all, I thought it was ok, but I would not recommend it for food. Stop in and get a sangria or mojito at the bar and enjoy the view, but go somewhere else for dinner. The bartender, service, and view were great, but unfortunately that was it for me.

Tasty, authentic, well-​priced Cuban style food and very efficient service.
What’s not to like?

We sat on the terrace on a windy evening, Spanish bean soup (very good) Calamari (blah) Jamie y Chorizo ok, Empenadas (Very good) Marinated Olives (very good) Sangria (too weak) Service friendly but spotty
Somehow the sum of all the parts exceeded each individually as we thoroughly enjoyed this restaurant, very convenient for Amalie Arena

This is the café in he Tampa Bay History center. It’s great for quick bites and lunch. Have not been for dinner but should come more often. You can buy their 1905 salad dressing also.

Excellent authentic Cuban food with a Tampa twist. I really enjoy the 1905 salad. I get it with turkey instead of ham. It goes better with the Swiss cheese. The dressing really sets it off. You can even buy a bottle to take home and try recreate their masterpiece.

During my first visit to Tampa before relocating, the first restaurant I went to was the Columbia Café in downtown Tampa. It was sweltering hot, so why would I want to sit anywhere but outside when visiting from cold Boston? The outside area offers beautiful views of the Tampa Channelway and the large table umbrellas keep the sun at bay.
The lunch menu offers great samplings of their menu from their dining menu at their other locations. By my friends recommendation, I ordered the Cuban. It came with chips as the side. We also got the Sangria, which is made table-​side. I can’t tell you enough about this sandwich. Honestly, one of the best I’ve had. If you get this for your luch, you could honestly take half to go. The Sangria (red) was a little dry for my liking, but still tasted great none the less. I can’t wait to try their location for dinner, but the prices are a bit steeper than their lunch menu location.

Love this place! Best sangria & salad around!
The 1905 is their signature salad. If you don’t like ham substitute it for turkey. Cuban sandwiches and plantains are great too!
The sangria and mojitos are amazing! Your waiter or waitress will make a pitcher in front of you! Delicious & tasty on a hot Florida afternoon!

Legendary.
This place has it all. Amazing food, classic atmosphere, dancing, wine flows like water.
It’s one of those places you have to go to.
Forget the menu, just ask for the chefs special of the night.
The Columbia has been around longer than us an most our grandparents.
The statues and art, ambiance, and overall warmth of the place is exhilarating.
See the secret rooms and hear of thief history.
Its warm yet makes you feel alive.
One of the most romantic places I have ever been to in my life.
If you want to impress you significant other, go here, enjoy the wine and the food and the pleasures that wait you in perfect Dionysian beauty.
You will not be disappointed.
Ask the chef for everything that represents this place.
And fall in love.
You’re welcome.

I like this location which is conveniently located next to Amalie Arena. I also enjoy sitting outside on the patio when the weather isn’t so blistering hot. The restaurant has stepped it up a notch by replacing the umbrellas providing little shade to diners with a roof complete with exterior fans. It also looks like the roof has been outfitted to install misters for those rare hot and humid days in Tampa. While sitting on the patio, you are also treated to a serene view of the Tampa Riverwalk.
Unlike our fearless leader, CM Brett N., I do happen to like most of food at the Columbia. The menu at this location is limited and does not offer the extensive menu options like its sister locations.
I am a creature of habit and I seem to usually order the same thing here: the Spanish Bean Soup and the 1905 Salad. I enjoy the heartiness of the soup filled with chorizo and garbanzo beans. I love the savory taste of the 1905 Salad Dressing. These two dishes are normally quick to come out of the kitchen. Normally…
The marginal service here is my reason for two stars. During my recent dining experiences at this location, the service has been extremely inefficient and inattentive. Servers were slow to greet the table, to grab drink/​food orders, and had to be reminded several times to refill drinks. A couple of orders were incorrect coming out of the kitchen. If you take a look at several reviews of my Fellow Unilocalers, they express a common theme: Bad service.
I really like this location but service needs to be improved. Staff needs to be trained on timing, being more attentive, and how to be more efficient while multi-​tasking. There should be a host or hostess that should be hired to alleviate some of the servers’ tasks like meeting and greeting, menu distribution, and drink orders.
For being Tampa’s #1 restaurant on several Tampa Bay Foodie Lists, this location needs to step it up in order to live up to its title.

Honestly, I’d go lower with this one, but people’s livelihood depends on it. If it was just a rating on service it would be a 5 start rating.
*The servers and service is excellent.
*The bread is amazing, but guess what you can buy it for a buck at the same bakery that sells it to them.
*If you get stuck eating here, try the mojo chicken sandwich, w/​plantains, that is good.
*If you drink wine, they have a large wine menu, but I don’t drink wine.
*Patio is nice.
The menu SUCKS! Yes, I have been there a few times, but it wasn’t for the food.
–There are not many choices, at all.
–They don’t have any local beers except for Cigar City Jai-​Lai, none on draft.
–The margaritas are gross, and they only have one kind. The mojitos are a’ight. They have zero specialty drinks, well they will claim their mojito is special, but I’m pretty sure it’s the staple mojito anywhere minus the sugar stick.
–Cubans are alright, not the best.
–You have to pay for parking to go, and it’s hidden in a museum, so telling someone to meet you there is awkward.

This place is great! We love the original down in Ybor. Great idea for them to open this café version of Columbia here on the water
Definitely go for the black bean caviar! Excellent app. Can’t beat the Cuban sandwich (Tampa style)
Great ambiance, service is fantastic! Give it a shot!

So I’m upping my review to 5 stars. But let me explain.
I’ve since moved closer and come here 3 – 4 times a week. The food is consistent, service is excellent, and for the area prices are ok. Since I come here so often I’m giving it 5 stars. They have the best black beans in Tampa. And the tortilla española is awesome. They have weekly specials so I never get bored.
Now, are there better places? Sure. But this place has a good combination of good food, good service, and a great location that is hard to beat. They’ve built a real roof over their exterior area and now that the temps are coming down its an absolute joy to walk over and dine. The parking lot next door is $ 5, and if there is something going on in the arena just fuggetaboutit. But the rest of the week this place is sleepy, not crowded, and an absolute gem for this area.
I recommend you try the black beans, the black bean caviar, the tortilla española, and take a peek at their weekly specials menu.

Why go to the original if you can come here for less?
Although you can’t enjoy the atmosphere or tasty paella here, this is still a great place to enjoy a Cuban and café con leche. The restaurant is nicely decorated and the wood bar is beautiful. You can enjoy a nice view of the water.
Our service was very friendly. She told us about all of the specials and was super informative.
I like to order the lunch combo. You can pick two of the following: half Cuban, cup of soup, and half 1905 salad. I always get a Cuban and a cup of black bean soup. I’ve tried many many Cubans in the area and still firmly believe Columbia has the best Cuban. I still need to try Tropicana, so MAYBE Columbia may be usurped. Everything is perfectly layered and the flavor overall is just amazing.
I know this place is famous for the Spanish bean soup, but their black bean soup is the best around. With the rice and onions in it, it is just plain delicious.
The other member in my party ordered the chicken saletado. He didn’t care for it, but I love it. It was salty but SOOO flavorful. I’ll probably order it next time.
We didn’t try them, but the fresh baked pastries look absolutely heavenly.
I really enjoyed this location. It is also cheaper than the original Columbia in Ybor, and only has a smaller menu. Come here, save money, and enjoy the view.

This small two-​story café attached to the Tampa Bay History Center is a great place to enjoy a cup of café con leche or grab a bite to eat on the outdoor patio. The upper level has a beautifully carved wooden bar and seating inside with additional seating outside on an open deck. The lower level has a patio with several umbrella tables.
I stopped in after my tour of the history center for a coffee and ended up ordering a café con leche, Spanish Bean Soup, and a «1905 Salad.» The 1905 salad was loaded with a julienne of ham and swiss cheese with a tangy dressing. It was easy to forgive the iceberg lettuce due to the flavorful garlic and Worcestershire dressing. The café con leche was recommended by my server and turned out to be a great choice. Bold, robust coffee with a small container of scalded milk. The Spanish Bean Soup was a hearty, meaty soup with lots of flavor. A little too meaty-​tasting for me but not enough to stop me from ordering a small cup another time.
Overall, CC is in a great location and the meal I enjoyed probably ranks a high 3 stars, rounded up to 4 for great service.