Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    The Spaniard

    4.3 (53 reviews)
    Open 6:30 am - 10:00 pm

    The Spaniard Photos

    THE SPANIARD ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Intimate
    Romantic

    You might also consider

    More like The Spaniard

    Recommended Reviews - The Spaniard

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Chicken flatbread
    Olesya P.

    Came here on Friday night for a dinner. It was pretty empty. It's located inside the hotel. Atmosphere is pretty nice, modern and pleasant.. Service was good and pleasant. We ordered non alcoholic drinks that were ok. I think they could improve their mocktails. We had chicken flatbread, salad, Mahi sandwich. We also ordered a soup but they didn't have it. Food was definitely comfort food but very good. From the name, I though that this place would be more Spanish but it's typical new American. Which is definitely not bad. Mahi sandwich was amazing. Also, it's pretty affordable. Flatbread was pretty tasty as well. Definitely good experience and would recommend!

    Pasta and veggies
    Gerald M.

    WARNING: The Spaniard has left this restaurant and all that remains is the name. The menu has changed and you will no longer find the plates you see in the photos here. For example: there is no paella, mussels, or anything else that looks like a chef made it. The new menu looks pretty boring. We came in on a Friday night at 7pm and it was dead. Bringing a wife here for an anniversary-as the reviewer below did- would make for a very insulted wife. The service and menu is what you'd expect at an airport. The food was ok, the service was ok, the ambiance was like dining at terminal C after the last flight.

    House Roasted Pulled Pork Tostones
    Renelle W.

    I would rate this restaurant 4.5 to be more specific. What made my family's first dining experience at The Spaniard worth every penny was our server Jordan D. From the moment I opened to door, he was exuding such charisma that we were excited to dine. Not only was he hosting, he was also serving and bussing the tables...it was a one man show that night but he did is gracefully and kept a smile on his face! Oh! The food?! Oh yeah, the star dishes were the tostones and the mussels; busting with flavor and extremely large portions! Get it, you won't regret it! The soy glazed hen was sold out so we opted for the duck. I prefer my duck to have a crispy skin and tender on the inside, there's was a bit chewy for me. Overall, I really enjoyed the creativity from the chef! I really enjoyed the experience. My only gripe is that the restaurant is located in the lobby of a hotel, near a pool area so plan on seeing people in bathing suits walking back and forth, which could be distracting and took away from the overall ambiance of the restaurant.

    Scallops and pasta
    Patti K.

    Very nice ambiance upon arrival. Tables all beautifully set with fresh flowers and real candles. Daily 3 course meals reasonably priced along with a nice regular menu. Food presentation was very nice and our meals cooked to perfection. The scallops were tender and seasoned with a drizzle of butter. Pasta was a tad dry, but tasty. Lamb chops were perfectly cooked and the roasted veggies made it a perfect combination. The cheesecake had just the right balance of sweetness with a warm caramel apple glaze, small apple bits, raspberries and a dollop of real whipped cream. This would be a great date place. Quiet, intimate atmosphere. Tastefully decorated. They offer a full bar, spirits, beer and wine. Not a lot of space for larger groups. Comfortable for 6-8 though. The waitstaff was welcoming, friendly and efficient service. The restaurant is on the floor level of the Alba Hotel (Hilton) and looks out onto the patio and pool. Adequate parking, reasonable prices and good value.

    Eggs and breakfast  potatoes
    Brandi M.

    This is not your standard hotel restaurant. The food was Mind blowing. Every bite, every meal was just as wonderful as the last. The prices were in par with the restaurants nearby. The staff was friendly. On Sundays they do offer a breakfast buffet. We didn't try it because we were trying to get through as much of the menu as possible

    Calamari
    Amber N.

    I had Ropa Vieja and Fried Calamari. The calamari is crispy with a great batter. If I had known they put sauce all over, I would have requested it on the side. It makes some pieces mushy after a while, ruining the crunch. The Ropa Vieja is tender, well-seasoned meat with yellow rice, black beans, yucca & plantains. Surprisingly the yucca was my favorite thing; it's almost like thick but crispy fries. I didn't know all that came with the meal because they need better descriptions. I can't offer an opinion on the black beans; sorry I can't eat a whole bowl like that, but my friend enjoyed them. The portion was a good size; a friend and I split it and I left very full. I agree with some other reviews about the service. We were there on Thursday late afternoon/early evening. We were the only ones there, yet service was very slow to bring food and even slower the bring the bill. I was ready to leave probably 30 minutes earlier than when I finally received my bill. I think because it's new they are still working out the kinks. I'm willing to try again because our server was friendly and the food was good. It is next door to my job so if my coworkers suggest it for another after work happy hour, I'll go back. However, if it wasn't in a convenient location for me, I'm not sure how likely I would be to revisit.

    Pineapple margarita
    Joy D.

    I'm on vacation for Bucs vs Rams & I'm staying @ Hotel Alba. The server Brian is amazing & personable. Luv his customer services & great employee as well. He recommended blackened grouper taco, man it was gooooodddddd. Shoutout to the cook, that shit was seasoned well. Overall, im loving it so far & Brian is making it worth my while. Yah got good employee.

    Breakfast buffet
    Janell J.

    Ate here a couple times on our weekend stay here. Both mornings we enjoyed the buffet breakfast, which had fresh fruit, eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, oatmeal, biscuits, sausage gravy and a variety of carbs (bagels, bread, pastries). The breakfast was pretty good, the fruit was very fresh and sweet, the hot food was prepared fresh and hot, and I liked the variety. The sausage gravy was horrible, I'm not sure what happened with it, and the biscuits were rock hard and dry - maybe that day something went wrong with them... but other than the gravy and biscuits, everything else was fine. We also ordered food for dinner one night of wings, fries and a Florida Cuban with yucca fries. The Florida Cuban was AMAZING - I loved it and savored each bite. The yucca fries were good. My husband enjoyed his wings and fries. Service was always friendly, especially the morning crew. We always got our bill promptly without having to wait, and our waters and coffee was always replenished fast. Nice on-site restaurant for the hotel, very convenient.

    The Paella
    Danielle R.

    Had the most amazing experience here on Valentine's Day night! We were expecting the best service because it's valentines night and a Friday so we knew it would be busy but the Spaniard went above and beyond for us! First we arrived to our reservation and they were about 25 mins late seating us but we knew it was just busy and the provided us with COMPLIMENTARY champagne just because they felt bad. Second our service was so amazing! The charcuterie board was so good and same with the Paella! I love the atmosphere of this place and we will be back for sure! Thank you for such an amazing evening!

    Bar
    Tiffany Z.

    We came here for drinks and they were good and cold! The bartender and manager were really nice! I would recommend staying at the Alba hotel and coming down to the bar! Nice setting

    gluten free lump crab salad
    Airamiss L.

    I am a fan of roast pork and that was the main thing ai came here to try. I must admit their roast pork was on point. I am a Tampa native and eat roast pork on the regular. I want a fan so much of the saffron jasmine rice, I would much rather have traditional yellow rice. The seafood dishes are pretty great on the menu. We definitely will be back to try more items. Although they do not have a gluten free menu you can have them check with the chef and to be honest most of the menu is gluten free. I love the decor and all its nids to Tampas Spanish heritage and how the menu does the same. All the dishes we had were plated nicely and we had zero complaints. The hotel is beautiful and you can walk out and sit by the pool with tour drink or in the lounge bar area. There is so much more to this place than just a restaurant! Be sure to check out the art gallery while you are there also. I think prices were pretty fair, for 2 entrees a appetizer and 2 drinks we came out a little over 100$. Thanks for a great evening Hotel Alba/The Spaniard!

    Breakfast Sandwich on a Croissant
    Tranee J.

    While staying at the Hotel Alba, we decided to have a slow morning and try out their restaurant and hang out by the pool. We weren't expecting too much to be honest and boy were we pleasantly surprised! I decided on the avocado toast; sourdough bread, avocado, egg, tomato, and mozzarella cheese. The avocado was flavorful without being overpowering, I opted for scrambled eggs (not a fan of runny yolk), and the tomato/cheese was a nice compliment to the avocado and egg. It was a protein filled breakfast that left me satisfied without being overstuffed. My husband got the breakfast sandwich on a croissant and he thoroughly enjoyed his meal. He was surprised by the freshness and quality of the ingredients. His portion was quite large and he could not finish his sandwich. The fruit on the side was good but not the overtop amazing, just run of the mill mixed fruit. If you are staying at Hotel Alba, give this place.

    Salmon burger

    See all

    Photo of Ryan H.
    762
    1322
    1532

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Nick S.
    1236
    1967
    10161

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    5 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    6 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alexandra M.

    Alexandra M.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alexandra M.

    Alexandra M.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Dee H.
    1
    91
    0

    3 years ago

    Service was good and food was good. Little loud by the pool sometimes. Liked the live music

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jack R.
    214
    60
    13

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Amanda T.
    11
    98
    139

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Yelp said it was open. Still closed during day to covid hours. I have not yet dined here but want others to take note the hours are wrong.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Excellent food and service! Carly our waitress was excellent!!! It was her first day and she handled our large group with ease

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Nick S.
    71
    19
    4

    7 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lesley L.
    55
    98
    16

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Julia M.
    177
    16
    16

    6 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Alexandra M.

    Alexandra M.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 2

    The Spaniard Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - The Spaniard

    You might also consider

    Bahama Breeze

    Bahama Breeze

    3.8
    (1.6k reviews)
    2.5 mi
    $$

    We stooped in on Father's Day for some dinner, I haven't been to Bahama Breeze in a long time. We…read moreordered quite a few items, Jamaican pork chop, Island Snapper, Rasta pasta with shrimp fried on the side My favorite was the Rasta Pasta. So flavorful pasta perfectly cooked, it's delicious. Though it was busy service was great and the wait wasn't too long. Great for any size group or even if you just feel like having a solo dinner.

    Passing through Tampa during my international travels; I dined out at Bahama Breeze. I ordered the…read morespeciality drink RITA Flight which consists of three miniature Margaritas (Classic, Dragon Fruit and Cocorita). They all looked different but tasted the same (Nasty). I asked the waiter for a Heineken (can't go wrong with that I thought). The waiter advised that there were no more. Okay , well let me have a classic margarita. The color of it was a ghost white and a couple of sips made me so sick it ruined my entire trip. The Server had a poor attitude, the drinks were terrible, and there is not one thing Bahamas about the place. In closing, I feel that if a person is not willing to serve people from all walks of life (race, color, creed, etc.) should go into a profession where he doesn't have to deal with people period!!! We took our leftovers with us to discard because I felt they probably would have reused for the next customer who was not of their likings. WORSE DINING EXPERIENCE IN THIS CENTURY!!!

    Photos
    NEW! Tuna Tostada Stack - Ahi tuna poke layered with crispy tortillas, drizzled with a zesty lime aioli, served with avocado.
    NEW! Tuna Tostada Stack - Ahi tuna poke layered with crispy tortillas, drizzled with a zesty lime aioli, served with avocado.
    Hot Honey Mango Margarita - Casamigos Reposado Tequila, mango, hot honey and bitters with a sweet and spicy rim
    Hot Honey Mango Margarita - Casamigos Reposado Tequila, mango, hot honey and bitters with a sweet and spicy rim
    Shrimp Pineapple Bowl - Sautéed shrimp, white rice, diced pineapples and sweet peppers tossed in a jerk pineapple glaze.

    See all

    Shrimp Pineapple Bowl - Sautéed shrimp, white rice, diced pineapples and sweet peppers tossed in a jerk pineapple glaze.
    La Bamba

    La Bamba

    4.3
    (178 reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $

    Great authentic Cuban restaurant located right next to my hotel. It's not a fancy place by any…read moremeans. Just a humble restaurant tucked among office buildings. As soon as I walked in, I noticed everyone was speaking Spanish. There is a large Cuban community in Tampa, and this establishment is clearly a favorite among them. I ordered a Cuban sandwich and added lettuce and tomato...not my usual way of ordering it, but I wanted to switch things up. I also ordered a small side of Cuban black beans topped with onions and a large café con leche. The sandwich was very good. It had the perfect ratio of meats and toppings. The roasted pork was flavorful, the seasoning was on point, and the bread was outstanding...soft on the inside with a wonderful crunch on the crust. The black beans were fantastic. They had so much flavor that I was tempted to order a large bowl, but I was already full. By the way, they have a steam table filled with delicious looking dishes. Everything looked amazing. The coffee was strong, flavorful, and perfectly sweetened. It definitely woke me up and got me moving. The staff was excellent. The ladies working there were friendly, welcoming, and provided great customer service throughout my visit. If you're nearby and looking for authentic Cuban food and excellent service, make sure to stop by.

    Not fancy - just flavor! Yes, the Media Noche sandwich had…read morelettuce on it, but the flavor of the pork paired with the sweet bread easily made me forget all about it. Great café con Leche, too. Friendly service, clean and simple cafeteria style setup definitely geared towards the lunchtime crowd for the office buildings nearby, so don't expect any frills. What you can expect is good food, Latin music softly playing in the dining room, and your hunger satisfied!

    Photos
    La Bamba
    Yummy Plaintains
    Yummy Plaintains
    La Bamba

    See all

    Besito Mexican Restaurant

    Besito Mexican Restaurant

    4.2
    (1.7k reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$

    Stopped by for a quick lunch before heading to airport. Everyone was very friendly and provided…read moreexcellent service. Restaurant was posh, clean and spacious. Food was very tasty, fresh and hot, and affordable. Portions were large and food was presented perfectly. Would definitely go back, and highly recommend.

    First visit to Besito and I came in excited... my friend loves this place and happy hour felt like…read morethe perfect occasion to finally try it! We started with chips and salsa which set a great tone, the tortilla chips were perfectly salty and the salsa was solid, no notes there. It was also Taco Tuesday which means one free drink with a taco order, so naturally I had a classic margarita (also solid!) and went with the al pastor tacos because the sweet plantains on top had my name written all over them. Full disclosure: our waitress actually recommended the chicken, carne asada, or birria... so I can't say I wasn't warned lol! The pork did run a little dry, but the flavors were genuinely enjoyable and the authentic corn tortillas were a highlight for me. The yucca fries were a touch dry as well but still decent with the accompanying sauce. My friend also let me try her octopus, not typically my thing, but the flavors were nicely done! Honestly this feels like one of those spots where I just ordered the wrong things for my first visit, which means I have to go back and do it right. The chicken, carne asada, or birria are calling my name next time. Would definitely recommend checking it out, especially if you can catch happy hour!

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Mixta enchiladas
    Mixta enchiladas
    Mixta Enchilada

    See all

    Mixta Enchilada
    Columbia Restaurant

    Columbia Restaurant

    4.0
    (4.5k reviews)
    6.1 mi
    $$

    From the moment I walked in, it resembled a little piece of old Cuba or Spain! The history,…read morearchitecture, and cuisine celebrated here, along with the family warmth of the place, certainly caught my attention!! The wait staff were very friendly, Mark my waiter, has worked here for over 20 year! Speaks volumes about how they run this place! The service was chill, and the food was 1000% full of delicious flavor. I tried their classic famous salad, the seafood paella, and the flan! Absolutely hit the spot!! Visiting here on a Sunday evening was a totally different experience! It felt less like dining out and more like sharing a family meal in a much-loved, historic home. I'll definitely be returning and will bring friends and family with me next time I visit Tampa!

    Recommended by our friends, we made a reservation at Columbia Restaurant during our visit to Ybor…read moreCity on Friday. As the oldest restaurant in Florida and the largest Spanish restaurant in the world, we felt it was a must-visit to experience its rich history and unique atmosphere. We also reserved seats for the Flamenco dance show, which had a $10 cover charge per person. The restaurant is absolutely beautiful and enormous, with so many different dining rooms. You could probably get lost trying to find your friends inside, just kidding! We were lucky enough to get a table near the stage, so we could enjoy the Flamenco performance while having dinner. For our meal, we started with the Caldo Gallego "Giant Soup" ($10), which was hearty, flavorful, and incredibly comforting. We also ordered Columbia's Original "1905" Salad ($18). Made with crisp iceberg lettuce, julienned baked ham, natural Swiss cheese, tomatoes, olives, grated Romano cheese, Lea & Perrins® Worcestershire sauce, and their famous garlic dressing, it was fresh, light, and absolutely delicious. Our main dish was the Mojito Chicken ($25). The chicken was very flavorful, especially with its delicious citrus-garlic sauce. Although the chicken itself was just a little on the dry side in my opinion, the flavorful sauce made up for it, and the dish was still very enjoyable. We also had the Paella "a la Valenciana" ($40), which was loaded with clams, mussels, shrimp, scallops, calamari, chicken, and pork, along with green peppers, Spanish onions, ripe tomatoes, garlic, and a splash of white wine. It was a generous portion packed with fresh seafood and rich Spanish flavors. The New York Strip Sirloin "The Bambino" ($53) was another excellent choice. The 14 oz. USDA Choice wet-aged boneless strip steak was tender, juicy, and cooked perfectly. To finish our meal, we ordered the Flan ($8). It was smooth, creamy, and absolutely delicious, a perfect ending to a wonderful dinner. The Flamenco dance show was fantastic! The dancers were energetic and passionate, making the entire dining experience even more lively and memorable. Combined with the excellent service, it made for a truly enjoyable evening. Overall, Columbia Restaurant is much more than just a place to eat, it's a historic landmark and an unforgettable dining experience. Between the beautiful Spanish architecture, rich history, delicious food, outstanding service, and exciting Flamenco performance, it's definitely worth visiting when you're in Ybor City.

    Photos
    A dining room
    A dining room
    Crab bites (appetizer)
    Crab bites (appetizer)
    Gem of the ocean cocktail. Yes!

    See all

    Gem of the ocean cocktail. Yes!
    La Teresita Cafe

    La Teresita Cafe

    3.9
    (1.3k reviews)
    2.7 mi
    $$

    Brought friends here for lunch and decided to try the milanesa today, with fries and yellow rice as…read moresides. Just as I expected, this place never disappoints. I've only had Argentinian-style milanesa before, and I can easily say I liked the Teresita style better. The marinara sauce on the milanesa brings enough acidity to cut through the grease from the fried meat -- the meat is thin and crispy, but not at all dry. The fries and yellow rice make the meal an absolute steal based on the amount of food you get. My friend had the fried fish, which looked delicious -- excited to try it myself next time. Will definitely be back to try more items on the menu!

    This place was okay. There was a guy that was kind and did a good job. The girl up front spoke so…read morelow we could not hear or understand her. Definitely needed to speak up or louder. We tried a few things: -Churro: okay but definitely stale, wish it had been fresher. This was a bit disappointing. -Chicken and rice: chicken was not very flavorful. Parts were cooked perfect and some of it was a little dry. Definitely not great... The rice was fantastic, perfectly cooked and seasoned -Salmon and fries: this was really good, flavorful and cooked great. We just wish it was a little bigger for the cost. -Vanilla Flan: very good, just a bit small. -Tres Leche: stole the show! Fabulous! I would come back just for this! The texture was perfect and the flavor was flawless! It was sweet but not too sweet. Great dessert! Definitely check your food before leaving though as they did forget part of the meal. Not a big deal as the guy up front was super apologetic and friendly. That dude was great! They need more just like him. Also, not the cleanest, floors needed swept and mopped. (That definitely would have helped the experience) Overall, it was a good/okay experience, just not great.

    Photos
    La Teresita Cafe
    La Teresita Cafe
    Where you go in

    See all

    Where you go in

    The Spaniard - latin - Updated July 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...