Columbia Restaurant Dining Experience: A Beautiful Night To Remember

Columbia Restaurant

The Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City, Tampa, Florida, is a historic and iconic dining establishment. It is one of the oldest and most famous Spanish-Cuban restaurants in the United States. Named “One of Florida’s Top Restaurants” since 1967. Indeed, one of the most visited restaurant in Tampa Bay area. Join me and let’s explore this gem in the heart of Ybor City.

History of Columbia Restaurant:

The Columbia Restaurant was founded in 1905 by Cuban immigrant Casimiro Hernandez Sr. The Ybor City location is the original and the flagship restaurant, making it the oldest family-owned restaurants in Florida. Mr. Hernandez helped open the Columbia Saloon in December 17, 1903 and later named it Columbia Restaurant in 1905. This almost 118 year old restaurant is truly a gem!!

Did you know?

Columbia Restaurant is the oldest restaurant in Florida and the largest Spanish restaurant in the world now.

Celebrity Hotspot

Moreover, in the early 1920s-1960’s era Columbia Restaurant was frequently visited by some politicians, famous baseball players and Hollywood celebrities like Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio, Marilyn Monroe, Bruce Springsteen.

Trivia: Per restaurants Facebook post, Babe Ruth was once once threw out for his rowdy behavior by Columbia Restaurant bartender Pete Scaglione. He then sent an autographed baseball bat the next day as an apology. (You can see an autographed ball and bat at sister restaurant Ulele.) 

Location:

Columbia restaurant is located in the historic Ybor City district of Tampa, Florida. Ybor City is known for its rich cultural and cigar-making history, and the Columbia Restaurant has been a fixture of the community for over a century. Ybor City is my go-to-place if I feel like partying!! Well, 10 years ago!! Lol.

Columbia Restaurant is a 52,000 square feet, has 15 dining rooms with up to 1,700 seating capacity. Address is 2117 E. 7th Avenue, Tampa Florida 33605. It covers the entire city block from 22nd Avenue to 21st Avenue. Parking lot is across and at the back of the building. Make sure to call and make a reservation.

The Architecture

Undeniably, the architecture of the Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City is a stunning blend of historic charm and Spanish influence. One of the things that always fascinates me is the architecture of the place I am visiting.

The Columbia Restaurant features ornate Spanish tile work, intricate wrought-iron details, and beautifully crafted stained glass windows that depict scenes from Spanish history.

Talking about the exterior of the building. Isn’t this breathtaking? Who can walk past this without stopping and taking a photo? This place is iconic!! The whole front of the building along 7th avenue is covered with colorful murals, tiles are hand-painted terra cotta from Sevilla, Spain. Click here for more information. Giving us some Spain-vibes!! Click images for enlarge.

Great photo spot idea!!

Interior of Columbia Restaurant

The restaurant’s interior exudes an old-world elegance, with its high ceilings, decorative columns, and antique furnishings. The richly tiled dining rooms and courtyards, coupled with the soft glow of ambient lighting, create an atmosphere that transports diners to a bygone era. The architectural design not only complements the restaurant’s Spanish and Cuban cuisine but also serves as a testament to the cultural heritage of Ybor City, making it a visual and gastronomic delight for all who visit.

The Dining Rooms

Lucky night for us, Chris from Columbia Restaurant gave us a little tour of the restaurants dining rooms. I am especially excited about the Red Room, talking about Marilyn Monroe in the Red Room back in 1960’s. I am only able to check 6 dining rooms out of 15, we didn’t have enough time as they were closing already but nonetheless, it was a treat!!

If you want to experience Flamenco dancing and musical performances you have to make a reservation to El Siboney Dining Room.

Don Quixote Dining Room

The Don Quixote, opened in 1935 and Tampa’s first air-conditioned dining room, the walls has colorful tiles depicting the windmill-tilting character of Cervantes’ classic novel. One of the most popular dining room with tons of history attached to this room. It has a big chandelier in the middle hanging.

Don Quixote Mezzanine

Don Quixote Mezzanine, added in 2002. It is the upper extension of Don Quixote located on the second floor. This is where we are seated. We actually love this little mezzanine area, it is away from the crowd and we just have our thing going. It has a total of 6 tables and has the best experience here. Click images to enlarge.

El Patio Balcony

The El Patio Balcony, opened in 1937. This balcony dining room is next to Don Quixote Mezzanine, located on the second floor. The hand-painted tiles covers the whole balcony overlooking below is the El Patio Dining Room. This area is a breath of fresh air. A little bit away from the crowd.

El Patio Dining Room

El Patio Dining Room, opened in 1937. Nevertheless, the center is a colorful mosaic-tiled fountain with a statue in the middle called ” Arion and the Dolphin “ It says on their website the family commissioned this statue, whis is a replica of a sculpture found in the ruins of Pompeii, in 1937, the same year the El Patio was build.

Kings Dining Room

Kings Dining Room , opened in 1937 offers private events, parties, ceremonies, birthdays & special occasions. Talking about beautiful ceilings, let me flex the colorful ceiling and because I love RED. You can call and inquire, the price for 4 hours is actually not that expensive. We think of throwing some partayyy here!! Click images to enlarge.

In addition, this room displays portraits of past and present Kings & Queens of the Krewe of the Knights of Sant’ Yago of Gasparilla hang on the walls. Thank you Chris for taking our photo.

Wine Cellar Area

Afterwards, we head down this area where the Wine Cellar is located is what I remember. I am not sure exactly about that. We’re just glad we’re having a tour of a lifetime!! I didn’t realize how big this restaurant is until we started going room to room, I mean not all though, lol.Every wall is covered with beautiful and colorful hand-painted tiles. This restaurant offers Spain’s finest wines mostly from their own vineyards. CLICK here for more information.

RED ROOM

Lastly, the dining room I’ve been excited to see..Ms. Monroe here I come!!

The Red Room, opened in 1935 together with Don Quixote Room, then called The Red Lounge Bar. Red Lounge Bar once featured entrances to the restaurant’s secret speakeasy. Ohh!!

In 1960s, Red Room was redecorated after the restaurant won a prestigious fine dining award from Holiday magazine. This wine-colored ambiance inspired the transformation of the Don Quixote Lounge into the Red Lounge, which was decorated with similar wallpaper and later became known simply as the Red Room. It was inspired from the movie Vertigo by Alfred Hitchcock.

How lucky can we be that our server CHRIS, I think is the best part of this dining experience aside from the delicious meals. He’s very charming and friendly, he gave us a brief history of the restaurant and the best part? He gave us a little tour of the restaurant, not all the dining rooms but enough for me to be able to feature these dining rooms here in my blog. You might want to request him on your next visit.

Columbia Restaurant Dining Experience:

Cuisine

The Columbia Restaurant is known for its Spanish and Cuban cuisine. The menu includes a variety of traditional dishes such as paella, ropa vieja, Cuban sandwiches, and the restaurant’s famous “1905 Salad.” They also have an extensive wine list and offer a variety of tapas.

1905 Salad

Starting off our night with the infamous “1905 Salad ” one of the best salad you’ll ever have in your lifetime!! The award-winning salad won honors from USA Today as “One of 10 Great Places to Make a Meal Out of a Salad.” If you want their recipe CLICK here.

While waiting order for our main course, we ordered the sampler.

The “Tapeo” Sampler

This is 3-parts small plates of food you can order, perfect for 3-4 people while waiting for your main dish. You can dig this with your 1905 Salad. It is delicious!!

Originally introduced to Cuba by Spanish sailors. The name means “old clothes” because the choice beef is shredded, sautéed and simmered with onions, green peppers and tomatoes. Served with platanos or plantains and white rice.

Ropa Vieja

Paella Española

Steak Salteado

Grilled Grouper

Desserts

Celebrating a friends birthday

As the night unfolded, it became evident that the evening is more than just a meal; it is a celebration of friendship and the joy of surprising our friend Joel with a memorable dinner experience. The Columbia Restaurant provided the perfect backdrop for this special occasion, enhancing the magic of the night with its impeccable cuisine and historic ambiance.

Definitely a night to remember, filled with laughter, good food, and heartfelt moments especially a tour from Chris – a testament to the restaurant’s ability to turn any evening into a truly special and unforgettable one.

Columbia Restaurant Review

Overall, dining at the Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City, Tampa, is an exquisite experience that seamlessly merged the rich traditions of Spanish and Cuban cuisine with the historic charm of its surroundings. From the moment I parked my car and started walking towards the building, I was excited to take photos of the exterior of the building. When we head inside, we were transported to a bygone era, savoring flavors that have been perfected over generations.

The Columbia’s dedication to preserving its legacy, having 6 generations now and offering exceptional food in an elegant setting truly makes it a gem in the heart of Ybor City. So, if you’re seeking a taste of tradition and a delightful culinary journey, make your reservation and embark on your own unforgettable experience at the Columbia Restaurant. It’s more than a meal; it’s a celebration of history and flavor.

I hope you find this blog both informative and enjoyable, and that it added a touch of inspiration for you to look forward to visit Columbia Restaurant.