The Columbia is such a beautiful Tampa staple! I've been here several times and it never…read moredisappoints when you want a great atmosphere, delicious food, and a fun dining experience. The wine selection is fantastic, and I love that there are so many good options that are actually affordable. You really can't go wrong! The 1905 Salad is an absolute must. I've also tried several of their appetizers, and my personal favorite is the black bean cakes. They are SO good and something I would definitely order again. For entrees, I highly recommend the Mahi Mahi and the Chicken Salteado. Both are flavorful and delicious, and there are so many great options on the menu that it's hard to choose just one. Between the gorgeous historic atmosphere, great wine, and consistently delicious food, Columbia is definitely a Tampa favorite of mine. Highly recommend!

Great service in a historically charming environment offering food that tells a story…read more This is my first visit to the OG Columbia located in Ybor City. I often go to the Tampa History Center location, but wanted to give the original a try. Our server, Chris S., was amazing and attentive by checking in frequently and making sure our drinks were always full. I ordered a pitcher of the red sangria and the 1905 salad, both prepared table side. This place is a classic for a reason and I will continue to return for the upscale yet casual environment and fresh offerings. Nice bonus - in September, 5% of all food sales go directly to a local charity of your choosing for their initiative called "Second Harvest". What a great way to give back to the community!

**Quick, solid Cuban food right by the mall**…read more Heading to the mall and wanted something better than food court fare -- La Teresita was right down the street, so we popped in. Skipped the sit-down cafeteria side and grabbed the counter seating instead, which had a fun bar-style setup. Service was fast -- they got our water order in immediately, and we followed up with a large café con leche. Plenty of coffee for the price, though the red plastic cup was a letdown compared to a proper mug. Food came out in under five minutes, which is impressive for how good it was. I got the Milanesa -- a breaded steak in red sauce -- with yellow rice and black beans on the side, and it was excellent for the price. My wife had the Ropa Vieja with yucca and Moros rice, and it didn't disappoint: tender, soft beef with rich tomato sauce and just a hint of olive coming through. We also added a side of tostones with their garlic sauce, which were absolutely delicious. For a quick stop before the mall, this exceeded expectations -- great flavor, fast service, and solid prices. Would go back even without the mall as an excuse.

My tummy is happy!…read more It's been a while since my last visit but oh boy itch scratched! One of the best and very reasonable Cuban food in the Tampa Bay Area. Ordered ropa vieja which isn't available on weekends but they checked with the kitchen and got it for me. Yucca and rice and beans to complement it. Cafe con leche is a must! It was a bustling weekend so we sat at countertop. Still plenty of seats. Good came out very quickly and servers were very accommodating even wi tv my broken Spanish lol

If you're visiting Ybor City, do yourself a favor and stop by La Segunda Bakery and Cafe. This…read morehistoric bakery has been serving the Tampa community since 1915, and it's easy to see why it's still a local favorite over a century later. (La Segunda Bakery) Everything we tried was incredible! The sandwiches are huge, loaded with flavor, and made on their famous fresh Cuban bread. The empanadas were perfectly seasoned and packed with delicious fillings. And don't even get me started on the pastries, they're fresh, flaky, and absolutely amazing. The best part? The prices are incredibly reasonable, especially for the quality and generous portions you receive. Whether you're grabbing breakfast, lunch, or just satisfying a sweet tooth, La Segunda is a must-visit. We'll definitely be back!

Delivery order breakfast during our Tampa trip. The pastelito de guayaba con queso was incredibly…read morefresh and flaky, featuring a huge and well filled crescent portion. The guayaba con queso flip was also delicious, but it texture was not quite as outstanding to me when compared to the pastelito. Also tried double press Cuban toast for the first time, and enjoyed every bite. Next time gotta get a cortadito to go with it.

La Cubanita Cafe was a nice place for a casual Cuban meal. I had the Cuban sandwich with a side of…read morerice and black beans, and the sandwich had a good mix of ham, pork, cheese, and pickles without feeling too heavy. The beans were flavorful and the rice was cooked well.

So we only go for the cafe con leche and tostada ! An they never fail. The staff is very friendly…read moreand it's our go morning coffee every weekend.

Drinks only review. Stopped here after Riverwalking over to History Museum, and decided that a…read moreproper mojito would make the museum visit even better. Sat at the outdoor bar, and received prompt service. My mojito was tall, well muddled (if Columbia Cafe can't get a mojito right, who can?) and had all the right components, just a bit too much ice. Offspring's strawberry daiquiri was also quite refreshing. We didn't realize there's an entire other bar and seating area (air conditioned!) up on the second floor museum level - the bar up there looks quite ornate and fits in with the museum-oriented atmosphere.

So my wife and I came in around noon on June 25th for lunch. Food was very good but a couple issues…read morethat ruined my experience. My wife ordered the empanadas and the half 1905 salad and I ordered the half and half......half Cuban and half 1905 salad. My wife should have added 'bring them together' but she didn't and the server didn't bother to ask so the empanadas came out and everything else came out 15 minutes later. My wife had a cocktail and the bill was $60.20. Issues to fix: 1)I ordered a Coca Cola, $4.00 and in 92 degree weather it melts in 5 minutes. We were there for an hour and not one time did she ask if I'd like a refill. 2)When she made the 1905 table side she literally 'dropped' a handful of salad ON THE FLOOR between my wife's and my seat......she kind of chuckled, gave us our salads and walked away. She literally left the SALAD ON THE FLOOR THE ENTIRE MEAL! During the course of our meal probably 20 employees walked by and never bothered to pick it up. That in itself was the epitome of laziness and complete lack of respect to the customer. Our bill was $60.20 and I tipped $12 which normally I'm a 30% tipper and I could kick myself for giving her 20%. She deserved zero. I know I will never get a response from management but do you think I will ever come back? Nyet.

Great food and great service first time customer If I lived…read morecloser I'd be a regular Highly recommend if your hungry and in the area

Tried out Bodega today, we were looking for a good Cuban sandwich. This place did NOT disappoint!…read more I was not expecting that size of a sandwich for the price, and the flavor was amazing. Decor/Ambiance is rather sparse, but the staff was very friendly. I'd definitely recommend going just based on the sandwich! Lol

Indulged in some Cuban tonight since I'm in Florida and I was STOKED to find this quaint, cozy cafe…read morethat had such a warm and sleek vibe. Started off with their traditional Cuban sandwich (roast pork, ham, salami, swiss cheese) with bread from the oldest Cuban bread bakery. Each component was intentionally delicious and spoke to the quality of the ingredients. The dish I was most curious about however was their Tampa specialty called "Crab Chala" which consisted of a rich, spicy/tangy broth with crab meat served over pasta. This dish was uniquely tasty with its fusion of Cuban and Italian flavors. The owner of this place was great as he talked about the history of his food and the place itself so it gave the experience a personal touch. Definitely give this place a visit if you're ever in the area!

We absolutely love this spot. We've been here about 6 times now and every time has been consistent…read more We always have to order the Virgin Mojito. It's perfectly sweet and has an amazing zesty taste to it. Food portions are very sizable. We love getting the Ropa Vieja, Cuban Sandwich, empanadas, and other delicious staples. And without fail, their strawberry tres leches will be ordered every time we visit!!! It's so rich, soft, and perfect. The atmosphere is also very dope. The Afro-Cuban history just screams when you walk in, wanting to be told. Jesus, the owner, is an amazing storyteller, and we love when he stops by the table to chat. This is definitely a Seminole Heights gem.

I only came here for a drink before heading out for festivities but it was a solid experience at…read morethe bar that is located in the main hall of what was the old courthouse where Le Meridien now resides. Located on the second floor, accessible by the front entrance, the stairs from the lobby, or the elevators on adjacent sides, Sal Rosa comprises a coffee bar and ice cream parlor, a full restaurant, and a bar and lounge. They offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week if you aren't looking to leave the hotel property in downtown Tampa for a day or night. The dirty martinis are ok but I felt they could be dirtier, especially since I asked for extra -- for some reason, bartenders in more than one establishment tend to still be sparingly with the olive brine. But the service was attentive regardless.

Excellent breakfast offered by the Le Meridien's restaurant. Great deal, I could not finish this…read moremassive stack of pancakes even though I tried. Everything was hot and tasty, coffees were delicious. I'm excited to see what other offerings they have here.

We had such a wonderful experience at Columbia Restaurant in Clearwater! We ordered a variety of…read moretapas to share, along with the arroz con pollo, and everything was absolutely delicious. Each dish was flavorful, fresh, and beautifully prepared, and there was so much variety that it made the meal really fun to enjoy and share. Our server, Robert, was fantastic! He was incredibly friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable, and made sure we had everything we needed throughout our meal without ever feeling rushed. His great service really added to the experience. The atmosphere, food, and service all came together for such a memorable dinner. If you're in Clearwater, Columbia Restaurant is definitely worth a visit--we would absolutely come back again!

The Columbia Restaurant in Sand Key Clearwater has pretty water views of the inter-coastal and…read morefeatures a vintage interior style blending old-world Spanish charm with relaxed coastal energy. You can watch boats cruise by while you eat. The best spots are on the open outdoor deck or at a table next to the large windows. Inside, the dining room is decorated in a Mediterranean style. It features colorful Spanish tiles, lush tropical plants, and authentic artwork. The famous historic 1905 salad originally created in 1905 was made table side by Tossing 4 cups of chopped iceberg lettuce, 1/2 cup julienned ham, 1/2 cup julienned Swiss cheese, 1 ripe chopped tomato, and 1/2 cup green Spanish olives. Top with Romano cheese, Worcestershire sauce, fresh lemon juice, and a tangy garlic dressing. The flavor is great and it's a nice light healthy option. 9/10 The Ropa Vieja was 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 and white rice. 9/10 The Shrimp Salteado came with Jumbo shrimp sautéed in exra-virgin olive oil, sliced Spanish onions, green peppers, fresh garlic, mushrooms, diced potatoes, chorizo and red wine. Served with yellow rice. 9/10 For dessert, the flan is one of the best I have ever tasted. The recipe dates to 1935 when the Columbia opened Tampa's first "Conditioned Air" dining room, the Don Quixote. Our grandmother and great-grand-mother, Carmen Hernandez, helped the Columbia gain national fame with her great recipes, especially her flan. Spanish caramel egg custard, prepared the old-fashioned way, using only the best natural ingredients. 9/10 Our server was friendly and informative and our food came out in a timely manner. If you're in the Sand Key or Clearwater area and craving some authentic Cuban food in a classy atmosphere with a nice view of the water, i highly l recommend visiting the Columbia Restaurant.

Everything was wonderful here. From the service, to it being clean and the food was wonderful. Stop…read morein and give them a try. Free parking.

This is definitely one of those spots where the local go to ear... brush up on your Spanish! Yes,…read morethe majority language spoken is Spanish but the staff is also fluent in English. Now for the food; the portion of fried pork chucks was relatively big and tasty but perhaps a bit on the over fried side. I asked my server for her recommendation and she suggested the Cuban styled fried chicken ... while not bad, nothing special about it. But don't get me wrong, I want to go back and try some of their other menu options.