Locals were trying to tell me this place is overhyped but I think it's hyped for a good reason. The food here was SO good. As a Cuban from the Miami area, this is good Cuban food. And the portions are HUGE. We had a reservation which was well used as it was pretty packed. We sat inside. It was pretty warm inside, though, from the heat so just be prepared for that. We got a pitcher of sangria and they make it right beside the table. It was SO good. Wow. Each person got about 1/4 a loaf of warm bread. They did say it was cuban bread but it wasn't really. But hey the bread was good. We got their famous salad to try (one side order for 2 people to split and one person got it as their entree) and it was very good. They also make that table side. For our meals, we got the lechón, salad, and fish. The portions were HUGE. So much pork. It came with great tasing yucca, beans, and plantains too. For desert, we got the guava pastry and the natilla. The guava pastry was actually kind of amazing. Warm and so so good. The natilla was good but it was closer to a crème brûlée. It was still good, though. I'm excited to go to another (closer) location of theirs again. It was really such good food. We were also able to take our leftovers with us since they gave us so much food. The lechón plate is definitely splittable. read more

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A beautiful lunch experience in every way. The open air interior is stunning, especially nice as it was a pretty 82 degree afternoon. Fun and friendly server (cute and smiling Gabby) who made our red sangria tableside. Great Cubano sandwiches, tapas (especially the scallops), and yellow rice. That bread and butter...say yes. And the Saint Armand's circle location is so classy. I want to buy the sangria pitcher but will use that as excuse to return next time! read more

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We were not in the mood for a large meal, so stopped in at Columbia for their delicious gazpacho soup. A cup is $8.00; a bowl is $10.00. I had a bowl. After the soup is poured, there are add-ins: chopped tomatoes, onions, green peppers and cucumbers. There are also some , possibly made at Columbia, croutons. I had all of these added to my bowl. Before the soup was served, each diner gets a fresh loaf of warm bread. It's not a traditional meal, but it is filling and delicious. read more

Columbia Restaurant - Gazpacho soup with add-ins - Spanish Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

Columbia has been on St.Armands circle since a very long time. When we are visiting Sarasota, it's an almost mandatory stop for us and enjoy their Gazpacho Andalucia. It is a very tasty gazpacho, it has a little kick snd comes with all the fixings: chopped onion, cucumber, tomato, green peppers and croutons. Before the soup arrived we were served a very nice piece of hot bread with butter. read more

Columbia Restaurant - Gazpacho Andalucia - Spanish Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

Despite its rating being under 4 stars, this place is absolutely worth checking out--and 4.5 stars in my book. During our week in Sarasota/Siesta Key, this ended up being one of our favorite restaurants. The space is huge and great for large groups, which was perfect for us since we went twice with extended family and didn't need reservations. That also meant we got to try a lot of dishes, and almost everything was really good. The bread alone is worth mentioning--it was so delicious that it actually made me want to come back a second time. In fact, this was one of only two restaurants we revisited during our trip, which says a lot. Would definitely recommend, especially for bigger groups! read more

We tried the featured daily special appetizer and entrée: the Montadito de Jamón y Manchego and the shrimp & crab enchilado. Both dishes were full of flavor and absolutely worth ordering again. Make sure you try the 1905 salad w/ ham or turkey! We also had the Pollo Manchego, which remains my personal favorite--pan-fried chicken cutlet topped with sun-dried tomatoes and a citrus Manchego sauce, served with yellow rice and broccolini with mushrooms. Another great meal and a reminder why Columbia is a classic. read more

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Fantastic meal, service, & drinks at the Columbia Restaurant! Huge space, but always packed. You'll def want to make a reservation on a weekend. The Columbia salad is a must have. Then go to the gift shop and buy a bottle of dressing to take home! You really can't go wrong with anything off the menu. It was recommended to get the stuffed grouper if you are in the mood for fish. Great dish! read more

We were in town for our friends bachelor/bachelorette party and dined in for lunch. The restaurant was very busy and there was a line out of the door when we arrived. Luckily we had a reservation, so we only had to wait in line for about 5-10 minutes before we were taken to our table. We ordered two pitchers of red sangria and I was pleasantly surprised to see it presented Tableside. There was fresh fruit in each glass, and it was delicious. We snacked on chicken croquettes and the stuffed mushrooms. They were both very flavorful. The croquettes were perfectly fried to a crisp. I was also happy to see each person got served a nice helping of crispy Cuban bread and butter. The shrimp salteado was SO DELICIOUS. The sauce it came with was very flavorful and paired well with the peppers, onions, yellow rice, and shrimp. It was a big portion and I didn't end up eating all of it. I can't believe this was my first time here and I will gladly go back again to try more menu items! read more

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Loved my grouper! I enjoyed my time at Columbia. The house salad is the best. I'd recommend getting that! read more

Columbia Restaurant - Grouper Jimmy - Spanish Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

A visit to St Armands Circle isn't complete without stopping in to Columbia. While the menu has many interesting dishes I come for two items. The 1905 salad and Sangria - both prepared at the table. A mix of ham and turkey is my preference for the salad that eats as a meal. Comes with hot fresh Cuban bread and a butter. Red Sangria by the pitcher is the way to go. Others at the table had the Grouper Jimmy, Eggplant Riojana and Pollo Manchego. They all seemed pleased, especially the Eggplant. Lively place, small lineup but got in without too long of a wait. It's a busy place so the service may be a bit slow but they are extremely friendly and hard working. Strongly recommend the Ybor City location as well. read more

Columbia Restaurant - Sangria - Spanish Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

I thought this was a Colombian restaurant...not. It's a Spanish restaurant- don't let the name fool you. Fantastic!!! The place is huge. So much seating. Super busy place. The food was excellent and so was the service. Our waiter (Robert) was very attentive. Many items (dishes) are made table-side. Very cool. He made our Sangria and we saw him make the 1905 salad table-side. They presented my Paella table-side also. The food was so tasty. My wife's said her Cannelloni de Langosta was superb. She would come back and get it again. My youngest daughter got "The Bambino". That's what I'm having if we ever come back. Definitely a place to visit if you are in Sarasota. read more

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We got right in without having to wait. The restaurant was huge with lots of seating yet they were very busy. I ordered the half Cuban sandwich and the half 1905 salad. They were both very tasty. The Cuban bread was fresh and hot. Delicious! I loved the table side presentation of the salad. Carlos was our waiter and he was very attentive to our needs. I recommend this restaurant for authentic Spanish food! read more

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My food was, well, heavenly to say the least. From the complimentary warm loaf size bread they bring to the table for each person, to the tangy unique salad, the meal started off right. I stepped a little bit out of my comfort zone and tried the la completa cubana, which is a sampler of different Cuban dishes. Everything was good but my favorite part was the Boliche "Criollo", which was cooked perfectly and delicious. We were too full for dessert but several things sounded good. Love the decor and vibe of the restaurant. Our server was helpful and our reservation seated right on time. read more

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Never had a bad experience here- this was no different. Johanna was an amazing server- she gave us great service- the food was wonderful! The sangria is worth the visit alone- everything on the menu is fresh, wonderful and worth the trip! Lunch is excellent- dinner is also an experience! The vibe is everything you want! read more

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This was highly recommended and I see why. Menu has great choices with something for everyone. My son enjoyed his steak while my daughters had a salmon and forgot what else. I did try the salad I was told is a must and liked it but I was not crazy about it, too much dressing for me. The waiter a young guy was the hit of our meal. I wanted a keylime pie and told him nahh I can eat it all alone, and he said I'll help you. I took him up on his offer and we shared my dessert. Because of this I would return here! Don't get me wrong the food was great but he made my night with his good humor. read more

Columbia Restaurant - Spanish Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

Always an amazing experience . Haven't been to this location in a long time, and this visit did not disappoint. Many open tables available at 5:30 , no snowbirds in sight lol We ordered a pitcher of the red ( tinto) sangria, made at the table and delicious. No visit here would be complete without their 1905 salad, which we ordered with turkey and also made table side ( thank you Alexis). My daughter enjoyed her cannelloni de langosta, with big lobster chunks, and my husband enjoyed the shrimp and yellow rice. I just picked; I was full from the salad and always amazing bread: crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Liza, our server, was great, and shout out to Sam too: the entire wait staff for us was fantastic. Until next time! read more

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Great atmosphere and plenty of seating. You will need to find street parking. 2 of us had tapas and the rest ordered meals. We had the specialty table side salad prepared. Also had mojitos prepared table side. Max, our waiter was friendly and attentive. Excellent service. I highly recommend as the food was fresh and very tasty. I will be back. read more

As always fantastic food and great service. Thank you Lisa for the great service! This is a wonderful location with shops and dining. read more

Columbia Restaurant - Spanish Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

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We sat on the covered porch and enjoyed the beautiful weather. I had Boliche Criollo and my wife had shrimp and saffron rice with a sangria. Food was excellent and service superb. I left my credit card and within 10 minutes the assistant manager, Jeremy Danford, called me ( I had used open table for reservations so he had my number) Columbia came as a recommendation from friends and I'm glad we went with it. read more

We enjoyed an excellent family dinner at Columbia last night. This is a large restaurant with a great atmosphere in the heart of St. Armand's Circle. Lots of authentic Cuban dishes here. We started off with Sangria and ordered the "1905" salad. This salad which was noted in USA Today was the star of the meal. It's prepared table side with lots of delicious ingredients. We had ham and turkey added to it. A memorable salad! For entrees, my wife and I both had the Eggplant Riojana. If you like eggplant, order this! Service was very good and parking was easy at a garage around the corner. Fun dinner spot! read more

Columbia Restaurant - 1905 Salad prepared table side. Fantastic salad! - Spanish Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

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It was great, great bread, great empanadas, great salad, great steak, got Palomilla steak and it was delicious, service was great, feels like you are in South America! read more

Columbia is a HOT spot on the circle! Definitely need reservations or be prepared to wait. Service is amazing! Food is top notch! Everything I've tried has been amazing! Excellent seafood options! One of my favorite places to eat. read more

It was as good as we had heard! The service was wonderful. The bread was warm and fresh. Very busy! Reservations! We will return! read more

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Will return. Thanks for having this branch out in City Island. We come to Sarasota often: have subscriptions to the operas and come to concerts @ Van Wezel, and ballet, but never ventured out to this corner. This branch is in St. Armands Circle, a busy location, with good service and delicious food. Love the tiles. We sit by the open door/windows, enjoying both indoor ambience and outdoor lazy December sunshine. we've - Cuban tamale-ts - Shrimp & yellow rice - Eggplant riojana  The bread and all of the above are red hot, which differ from our last week's at their Ybor City when foods were warm to a little cold. The two main courses are delicious - could be a bit saltier (?) ... ok, I'm overdoesing on salt. read more

We were starving and it was hot out so we decided to stop here and eat. Our waitress was very kind and friendly and attentive to our drink refills. After ordering, it took a long time to get our food. I ordered the Spanish bean soup + Caesar salad 1/2 and 1/2 menu item for lunch. Soup was so so so salty, the tiniest cup ever (like 3 spoonfuls of soup and one small piece of ham and one piece of potato in it), and the Caesar salad was soggy with dressing. The lettuce didn't seem very fresh. My Mom got the empanadas and said they were good, and my Dad said his chicken sandwich was also okay but didn't much have much meat on it. It was about 100.00 for 4 people. They give you bread and butter complimentary and there is a nice gift shop. Menu was a little overwhelming to look at as well but had many options from tamales to soups to salads and sandwiches. They also have lunch specials such as tamales. Overall, not super super impressed, but it held us over for lunch for the afternoon. Maybe I would come back, but I'd probably get something else. read more

we went on Mother's Day after high traffic dinner hours around 7:30 PM. It wasn't busy we got seated right away outside on the street. What we didn't know was there's plenty of mosquito and no-see-um the bite itch like crazy . Very unpleasant and no fans to help blow them away. So if you go sit inside where fans are located. We had calamari appetizer that was very good. My husband had a rum and Coke and double that was also fair. I ordered a paella Marina, which I think has half a lobster, seafood, scallop clams mussel Unfortunately, the rice was undercooked so it was chalky it was super salty and most disappointing thing. Is that when you bite into the clam full of dirt, they never soaked the clam. It was disgusting. I spit it out and I could still feel dirt in my mouth and teeth that meal is not worth $48.not sure why you would give me the lobster claw and not give me a cracker to open it. Our server was OK . She forgot my drink did not check on us after the food was delivered. Our food was cold by the time she came and ask us about our food because I definitely did not eat my plate after that first few bites it wasn't edible. My husband had fish and crab meant on it . He said the fish was bland and the crab had no flavor . It was a wasted $285 . My son ate his 2 fish he said it was ok. The atmosphere was ok we will not be back . Salad 1905 was ok to. To sour for our liking . read more

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Came here on Saturday brunch time. Place wasn't very busy. We had a small child with us. We were seated immediately. Service was super friendly and attentive. However both water glasses came dirty, one had a lipstick and one had coke. We got a high chair for our child, and we were given a menu for painting and crayons, which was helpful. We got Mac and cheese from child's menu and our picky toddler loved it, which we appreciate a lot. It came with fruits that were old and soggy. For us we got tomato onion salad, black bean croquettes and chicken with rice. We also got complimentary bread. All food was extremely underwhelming. Tomato salad was the only decent food. We dined at Columbia before in other locations and this one is definitely the worst. read more

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What a delicious restaurant! One of our dishes was fresh shrimp in Spanish rice with peas! The shrimp were so fresh and the rice was to die for! I forgot the name of the dish, forgive me, but it was delicious and of course, our salad which was made tableside that was delicious as well. Our service was outstanding! And the ambience was beautiful. read more

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Came here after the St.Armand's Art Show. There was only a 5 minute wait which is very unusual. I ordered my go to, half a Cuban sandwich and salad. Terrific as usual. Service was fast. Sat inside because it was in the 90's outside. read more

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We had a great lunch 2 pm reservation sat down right away. Service was excellent. It's a lively restaurant. Food was great. Of course the 1905 salad is a must. The chicken was melt in your mouth. I ordered the beef stuffed with Chorizo it was not good. But every thing chicken is the way to go. Definitely go but make a reservation read more

Celebrated my daughter's birthday dinner here. Our waiter, Patrik, was attentive and friendly. We shared the red sangria and it was very good! We were also served hot bread! We tried their chicken croquettes and they were good. I really enjoyed the Spanish bean soup! I hadn't had anything like it before and it was very flavorful! My daughter had their Salmon Aurora dish and I had a bite and WOW, it melted in your mouth! I had the Pollo Manchego and it was good, but next time, I'll be getting the salmon dish! The waitstaff came by with flan and sang Happy Birthday to my daughter which made this experience that much more enjoyable. This restaurant also participates in a wonderful charity that allows the customer to pick. The restaurant is located on a corner and has plenty of outdoor and indoor seating. I'll definitely be back! read more

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You have to visit here and try some of the best Cuban food in town. Service was excellent and the selection was incredible read more

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We love Columbia's restaurant. This is an authentic Spanish restaurant. The service is always friendly. This restaurant is in the square. You can eat inside or out. They start with Cuban bread and butter. The salad is a must . It is made at the table. The soup is good also. The palomino sandwich was good. Cuban bread is fresh. Cuban was ok. Specials are very good. Price is moderate. read more

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Glad we were able to celebrate our 38th wedding anniversary at Columbia Restaurant in Sarasota on St Armands Circle. The food and ambiance was amazing!! Our server Valeria was super attentive and informative and always spot on. We started out with the camarones al ajilo (shrimp n garlic) and worked our way to the Pollo Valenciana which was cooked perfectly. We also enjoyed their red sangria and topped off the evening with the guava cheesecake and coffee. You never leave here hungry or disappointed. Make it a point to visit this local establishment - you will not regret it read more

Columbia Restaurant - Pollo Valenciana!!! - Spanish Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

A local favorite spot. Fantastic location in the St Armands Circle with wrap-around view of the beautiful street scene. I told the server I wanted a light lunch, and he recommended grilled grouper with veggies, and a half Cuban with gazpacho soup. Perfect choices! Posh, elegant dining room with a view, plus the best piece of fish I've had in a restaurant recently. I can see why grouper is Florida's favorite fish....best eaten freshly grilled, not deep fried or in a sandwich. read more

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We had a baby shower at Columbia and it was fantastic!!! The staff was so attentive, helpful, and sweet! Ask for Tyre and Vaness, they were THE BEST!!! We had 20 people (that was the minimum) and it was a great fit, probably would be a little tight with more than 20... We had a custom menu which included the salad, 5 entree options and 2 desert options. The food was so delicious! Everyone raved about it and will absolutely come back. We also had table side sangria pitchers made for us which was equally delicious! read more

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This Columbia Restaurant is the best one we've ever went to. Food was fresh & delicious. Sangria excellent. Service from Yah (?) was perfect. read more

My family and I traveled all the way from San Diego to try this place, but it was a total waste of time. My brother and I were both refused service because we were wearing tank tops, yet the restaurant was full of women wearing the exact same thing. There wasn't a single sign posted about a dress code at the entrance, so we had no way of knowing until we were turned away at the door. It's incredibly frustrating to deal with such a blatant double standard while on vacation. If you're visiting from out of state, don't bother--there are plenty of other places in Florida that treat their guests fairly. read more

Delicious! Food was authentic, prices were reasonable, and staff was very friendly! The restaurant offers tons of indoor and outdoor seating and has tons of space. The only downside was that there is no baby changing table in the bathroom. read more

Columbia Restaurant - Spanish Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

We came here to celebrate my 70th birthday. I was born in Ybor City as were my parents and grandparents. So, I've gone to the Columbia Restaurant in Ybor many time since I was a child. This was one of the most memorable meals that I've ever had! Probably the thing that I most appreciate about the Columbia is their dedication to tradition. They still make the 1905 salad table-side, even if it's for a single portion. Same with the sangria. Sangre de Toro, and Torres brandy, all the fruit and fixings mixed right there at table-side. After all these years, they could probably batch this stuff back in the kitchen and just bring it out. But, for me, this level of attention to this traditional detail is likely why every time you get a dish here, it is the exact same quality as the last time you were here. Respect and commitment to tradition means so much. The photos in the menu of all of the different family members throughout the various anniversaries of the restaurants show how important family and tradition is to the owners. Our server, Kyle, was excellent! Not only was he knowledgeable about the food, he had a great knowledge of the historical background of the restaurant. I started with the Pete's Manhattan. Pete Scaglione a famed bartender at the Columbia in Ybor City was my aunt's father. The added amaro to the classic Manhattan recipe makes this an incredible drink for me. Of course a serving of Cuban bread comes to the table at the start of the meal. The bread comes from the Segunda Central Bakery in Ybor City. The Columbia has had a partnership with the Segunda since they started their business in 1915. The best Cuban bread ever Another example of a time honored tradition here at The Columbia. We split a single serving of the 1905 Salad. I had the beef tip Salteado. Salteado was a dish that my mother made especially on my birthday. Having it here at The Columbia on my 70th birthday brought back a lot of memories for me. The beef was tender and juicy. Mushrooms, potatoes, onions and green peppers done just a tad beyond al dente for the perfect tastes and texture combination. Karen always gets the Pompano en Papillot. Pompano cooked in a parchment paper tent with a stuffing of shrimp, crabmeat, artichoke cooked in a butter and wine sauce. Again, another tradition is to bring the dish to the table steaming right out of the over and the waiter cuts open the parchment paper and folds it back to reveal the steaming beautiful pompano. This adds so much to the enjoyment of the dish. On to postre (dessert). While flan is the usual (and always very good), I decided to go with the Guava Turnover "Carmita". The crispy turnover was stuffed to overflowing with guava paste. Served on a bed of melted sweet cream cheese. Dusted with sugar and drizzled vanilla sauce. Oh my! This was fantastic. Finished up with a couple of after dinner drinks (hey it's my 70th Birthday!) Karen got the Martini de Chocolate. And because of my advanced age, I got the El Viejo (the old man). Bicardi Ohoa rum, Licor 43 (like a triple sec) and chocolate bitters It was created in honor of the founder of the restaurant, Casimiro Hernandez, Sr. What a way to finish off one of the most best meals I have ever had! read more

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