Columbia Restaurant Menu – Sarasota, FL

Type : Spanish restaurant

Location : Sarasota, FL

Family owned since 1905, the Columbia is the oldest restaurant in Florida. The menu is Cuban-Spanish. There are now six other state locations. The restaurant has been named an All-American Icon, One of 21 of the Most Legendary Restaurants, Favorite Romantic Restaurant, One of Florida’s Best Restaurants and to the Distinguished Restaurants of North America Hall of Fame and Florida Trend Golden Spoon Hall of Fame. Wine Spectator awarded its Best of Award of Excellence every year since 2004 for the extensive collection, especially Spanish wines. Other locations include the original in Tampa’s Ybor City, St. Augustine, Celebration near Orlando, Clearwater/Sand Key, Tampa Bay History Center and Tampa Airport. Other brands: Ulele, Goody Goody.

Traditional Spanish restaurant, a branch of a long-standing local chain dating back to 1905. Based on 3 reviews, the restaurant has received a rating of 4.3 stars. Price $$

✔️ Dine-in ✔️ Curbside pickup ✔️ No delivery

Columbia Restaurant 34236

Address:
411 St Armands Cir, Sarasota, FL 34236

Phone: (941) 388-3987

Website:

Hours

Thursday 5–9 PM
Friday 11 AM–10 PM
Saturday 11 AM–10 PM
Sunday 11 AM–9 PM
Monday

(Labor Day)
 11 AM–9 PM

Holiday hours
Tuesday 11 AM–9 PM
Wednesday 11 AM–9 PM

Menu

LUNCH MENU
Spanish Bean Soup
The soup that made the Columbia famous. The original recipe of Casimiro Hernandez, Sr.: Garbanzo beans simmered with smoked ham, chorizo sausage and potatoes in a delicious broth of chicken and ham.		 $6.00
Gazpacho Andalucia
Spain’s famous cold soup of purée of ripe tomatoes, green peppers, onions, cucumbers and garlic. Topped tableside with finely diced vegetables and toasted Cuban croutons.		 $6.00
Cuban Black Bean Soup
Frijoles Negros prepared exactly as our grandmother, Carmen Hernandez, did. Served over a bed of white rice and topped with diced raw Spanish onions. 100% vegan.		 $6.00
Columbia’s Original “1905” Salad
The Columbia’s legendary salad tossed tableside. Crisp iceberg lettuce with julienne of baked ham, natural Swiss cheese, tomato, olives, grated Romano cheese, Lea & Perrins ® Worcestershire sauce and our famous garlic dressing. The award-winning salad won honors from USA Today as “One of 10 Great Places to Make a Meal Out of a Salad.” The signature salad, named for the year the restaurant was founded in Tampa’s Latin district of Ybor City, was inspired by immigrants to the Cigar City: Romano cheese from the Sicilians and the famous garlic dressing used by Cubans to marinate fresh roast pork, plus Florida tomatoes, iceberg lettuce, julienne of baked ham and Swiss cheese.		 $8.00
César Salad
Crisp romaine lettuce tossed with Classic Caesar dressing, Romano cheese and Cuban bread croutons.		 $8.00
Chopped Tomato
A favorite of our father and grandfather, César Gonzmart. Fresh, ripe, Florida tomatoes tossed with julienned Spanish onions and our Original “1905” Dressing made with imported Spanish extra-virgin olive oil, fresh garlic, oregano and white wine vinegar.		 $10.00
The Original Cuban Sandwich
Named “Best Sandwich in Florida” by Food & Wine Magazine. A Tampa treasure! The “Mixto,” as it was known in the beginning, was created in the 1890s for the cigar workers as they walked to and from work. The sandwiches underwent changes as immigrants from different countries came to Ybor City. The City of Tampa was like the sandwich, a mixture of cultures and food. The Spanish brought the fine ham, the Sicilians the Genoa salami, the Cuban the mojo-marinated roast pork, the Germans and the Jewish the Swiss cheese, pickle and mustard. Put it all together between sliced, freshly baked Tampa Cuban bread from La Segunda Central Bakery and life is great. Today we are using the original 1915 recipe of Casimiro Hernandez, Sr., with the same proportions of meat and each ingredient layered atop the other, placed on Cuban bread and brushed with butter on top and pressed to a crispy finish.		 $14.00
Curt’s Meatloaf Sandwich
Meatloaf topped with Swiss cheese, yellow mustard, pickles and pressed between Cuban bread, served with plantain chips.		 $16.00
Palomilla Steak Sandwich
Traditional Cuban steak cut very thin, seasoned and quickly grilled. Served on Cuban bread with lettuce, tomato, our “1905” Dressing sauce and a side of black beans and yellow rice.		 $17.00
Black Bean Cakes
A favorite tapas selection of vegetarians and lovers of black beans. Our house-made black beans puréed and combined with fresh garlic, shallots, Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese, then breaded and fried. Served with guacamole and sour cream.		 $9.00
Queso Fundido
Our rich Rioja sauce of tomatoes, garlic, capers, olives and red wine topped with melted cheese. Served with toasted Cuban bread points.		 $12.00
Croquetas De Pollo
Sunday dinner always would begin with our grandmother and great-grandmother Carmen Hernandez’ special recipe for chicken croquettes. Six fried croquettes made with chicken and Cuban cracker crumbs. Served with Columbia salsa picante.		 $8.00
Gambas “Al Ajillo”
Spain’s most popular tapa features large shrimp sautéed in extra-virgin Spanish olive oil, fresh garlic and chili pepper. Spain’s most popular tapa features large shrimp sautéed in extra-virgin Spanish olive oil, fresh garlic and chili pepper.		 $15.00
Calamares Fritos “Romana”
Tender, wild caught North Atlanta calamares dusted in seasoned flour and lightly fried. The recipe is from our famed third chef, Miguel Bejines of Sevilla, Spain.		 $18.00
Scallops “Casimiro”
Fresh sea scallops baked in a clay casserole with lemon butter and topped with seasoned bread crumbs and white wine.		 $20.00
The “Tapeo” Sampler
Tapeo is the Spanish tradition of sharing small plates of foods with family and friends. Perfect for 3-4 people.		 $35.00
Cakes De Cangrejo
A Cuban twist to an American favorite, our two large crab cakes are loaded with fresh hand-picked blue crabmeat and grilled. Drizzled with a passionfruit alioli sauce.		 $20.00
Shrimp And Crabmeat Alcachofas
Baked casserole of shrimp, crabmeat and artichoke hearts topped with grated Romano cheese and served with Cuban crackers.		 $15.00
Mejillones “Galicia”
Fresh Prince Edward Island mussels sautéed in extra-virgin olive oil with hearts of palm, artichoke hearts, sundried tomatoes, garlic and onions. Simmered in white wine and served with toasted Cuban bread brushed with our Original “1905” dressing sauce.		 $18.00
Empanadas De Picadillo
Our mother and grandmother, Adela Hernandez Gonzmart, always had her empanadas ready when we visited. The empanadas start with her recipe for picadillo, made with spiced ground beef, garlic, tomato, onions, raisins and olives, wrapped in two pastry turnovers.		 $10.00
Ybor City Devil Crab Croquettes
A simple croquette made from seasoned cooked blue crab meat, paprika and garlic, then breaded with Cuban bread crumbs and fried. These two crab croquettes are always served with a side of Columbia salsa picante.		 $15.00
Champiñones Rellenos
Baked silver dollar mushrooms stuffed with baby spinach, artichoke hearts, fresh garlic and Romano cheese. Drizzled with Spanish extra-virgin olive oil and lemon.		 $12.00
Chicken And Yellow Rice “Ybor”
The traditional dish from Tampa’s Ybor City, one quarter chicken baked with yellow rice, green peppers, onions, tomatoes, spices and extra-virgin olive oil.		 $18.00
El Combo De Cuba
Sample the flavors of Cuba and enjoy this feast of roast pork, boliche, empanada de picallo, platanos, black beans, yuca and yellow rice.		 $22.00
Palomilla
If you haven’t been to Cuba or Miami lately, you probably haven’t had a steak like this. Marinated top sirloin cut very thin and quickly grilled, topped with mojo crudo (chopped onion, parsley and lime juice.) Served with plantanos and french fries or rice.		 $20.00
Steak Salteado
Choice tenderloin tips sautéed in extra-virgin olive oil, sliced Spanish onions, green peppers, fresh garlic, mushrooms, diced potatoes, chorizo and red wine. Served with yellow rice.		 $22.00
Roast Pork “A La Cubana”
Generous slices of pork loin with a delicious garlic marinade. Served like back home in Cuba with black beans, white rice, yuca and platanos.		 $18.00
Breaded Steak Milanesa
Top sirloin cut very thin, breaded and pan-fried. Topped with our Catalan tomato sauce. Served with yellow rice and platanos.		 $20.00
Eggplant Riojana
Sliced eggplant breaded with ground plaintain crumbs, smothered in our rich Rioja sauce of tomatoes, garlic, capers, olives and red wine topped with melted cheese.		 $16.00
Salmon St. Yago
Fresh Verlasso Patagonian salmon fillet baked in parchment paper with shrimp, crabmeat and artichoke heart stuffing with fresh tomatoes and asparagus. Served with yellow rice.		 $22.00
Snapper A La Rusa
Boneless fillet of snapper, breaded and grilled. Garnished with lemon butter, chopped hard-boiled egg and parsley. Served with yellow rice. A classic Columbia dish that has been on the menu for decades.		 $28.00
Grilled Grouper
Simply delicious. Seasoned and grilled. Served with yellow rice.		 $30.00
Cannelloni De Langosta
Two tender cannelloni pastas filled with Maine lobster meat, shrimp, pan-seared scallops and sautéed shallots blended with a lobster sherry cream reduction, smothered with a lobster sherry Mornay cheese sauce and pieces of lobster.		 $25.00
Shrimp & Yellow Rice
Large shrimp baked with yellow rice, green peppers, onions, tomatoes and extra-virgin olive oil, splashed with white wine.		 $22.00
Paella “Española”
Spain’s national dish, our lunchtime version consists of shrimp, scallops, calamares, clams, mussels, chicken, pork, Spanish onions, ripe tomatoes, green peppers and fresh garlic, all baked in a paella pan with Spain’s best Valencia rice, “La Bomba.” (Please allow 30 MINUTES)		 $28.00
Snapper “Adelita”
Boneless fillet of snapper, grilled and topped with hearts of palm, artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, extra-virgin olive oil, garlic and onions. Served with yellow rice.		 $30.00
Mahi-Mahi “Cayo Hueso”
Boneless fillet of fresh mahi-mahi marinated in citrus juices and grilled. Served with mojo-marinated onions yellow rice and platanos.		 $22.00
Salmon “Aurora”
Fresh Verlasso Patagonian salmon seasoned, grilled and topped with Argentinian chimichurri. Served with yellow rice.		 $20.00
Black Beans Original “1905”
A large bowl of black bean soup topped with Florida tomatoes and our world-famous Original “1905” Dressing tossed with julienned sweet onions.		 $15.00
Boliche “Criollo”
Roasted eye round of beef stuffed with chorizo and roasted in flavorful gravy. Served with black beans, white rice and platanos. A family favorite!		 $18.00
Ropa Vieja
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.		 $16.00
Chicken Salteado
A hot iron skillet with extra-virgin olive oil is used to sauté boneless pieces of chicken, onions, green peppers, fresh garlic, mushrooms, diced potatoes, chorizo and splashed with a hearty red wine. Served with yellow rice.		 $18.00
Picadillo “Criollo”
We could always count on enjoying our mother and grandmother Adela Hernandez Gonzmart’s delicious picadillo recipe at home. A family favorite for generations. Finely ground choice lean beef, braised with onions, green peppers, olives, raisins and capers. Served with white rice and ripe platanos.		 $16.00
Pollo Manchego
Boneless chicken breast breaded with Cuban breadcrumbs and grated manchego cheese, topped with citrus sauce, sun-dried tomatoes and fresh basil. Served with yellow rice.		 $18.00
Flan
We think our flan is the best we have ever tasted. One taste and we think you will agree. 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.		 $8.00
Churros “Tres Amigos”
Golden-brown Spanish pastry dusted with cinnamon sugar. Served with three sauces of rich, warm chocolate, caramel and guava.		 $10.00
Key Lime Pie
The original Key lime pie recipe was thought to have been created in Key West, the birthplace of our grandmother and great-grandmother, Carmen Piloto Hernandez in the late 19th century. When the family moved to Ybor City, they brought a prized Key lime tree to plant at their home, beginning a tradition of enjoying fresh Key lime pie at family gatherings. Today our pies start with a graham cracker crust, and our filling is made from pasteurized egg yolks, condensed milk and “Nellie & Joe’s” Key lime juice. That’s it! Key lime pie is the “Official Pie of the State of Florida.”		 $10.00
White Chocolate Bread Pudding
Our father and grandfather’s favorite dessert. Simply put, this is the best bread pudding that we have tasted anywhere we have ever visited. Our version is made with white chocolate, La Segunda Central Bakery Cuban bread, Sunny Florida Dairy milk and Florida eggs. Topped with a rich Bacardi rum sauce. Enough to share.		 $12.00
Café Adela
A lovely combination of Kahlua and amaretto blended with Cuban coffee, and a touch of whipped cream		 $10.00
Café Cesar
The distinctive flavor of Anis del Mono blended with Cuban coffee and topped with whipped cream		 $9.00
Spanish Coffee
Café con leche with imported Torres Spanish brandy and Kahlua and topped with whipped cream		 $10.00
Café Melanie
Grand Marnier, Frangelico, amaretto and Bailey’s with fresh roasted coffee topped with whipped cream		 $10.00
Café Ricardo
Double espresso combined with Bumbu XO Rum and Bumbu Cream Rum		 $10.00
DINNER MENU
Spanish Bean Soup
The soup that made the Columbia famous. The original recipe of Casimiro Hernandez, Sr.: Garbanzo beans simmered with smoked ham, chorizo sausage and potatoes in a delicious broth of chicken and ham.		 $6.00
Gazpacho Andalucia
Spain’s famous cold soup of purée of ripe tomatoes, green peppers, onions, cucumbers and garlic. Topped tableside with finely diced vegetables and toasted Cuban croutons.		 $6.00
Cuban Black Bean Soup
Frijoles Negros prepared exactly as our grandmother, Carmen Hernandez, did. Served over a bed of white rice and topped with diced raw Spanish onions. 100% vegan.		 $6.00
Columbia’s Original “1905” Salad
The Columbia’s legendary salad tossed tableside. Crisp iceberg lettuce with julienne of baked ham, natural Swiss cheese, tomato, olives, grated Romano cheese, Lea & Perrins ® Worcestershire sauce and our famous garlic dressing. The award-winning salad won honors from USA Today as “One of 10 Great Places to Make a Meal Out of a Salad.” The signature salad, named for the year the restaurant was founded in Tampa’s Latin district of Ybor City, was inspired by immigrants to the Cigar City: Romano cheese from the Sicilians and the famous garlic dressing used by Cubans to marinate fresh roast pork, plus Florida tomatoes, iceberg lettuce, julienne of baked ham and Swiss cheese.		 $8.00
César Salad
Crisp romaine lettuce tossed with Classic Caesar dressing, Romano cheese and Cuban bread croutons.		 $8.00
Chopped Tomato
A favorite of our father and grandfather, César Gonzmart. Fresh, ripe, Florida tomatoes tossed with julienned Spanish onions and our Original “1905” Dressing made with imported Spanish extra-virgin olive oil, fresh garlic, oregano and white wine vinegar.		 $10.00
Black Bean Cakes
A favorite tapas selection of vegetarians and lovers of black beans. Our house-made black beans puréed and combined with fresh garlic, shallots, Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese, then breaded and fried. Served with guacamole and sour cream.		 $9.00
Queso Fundido
Our rich Rioja sauce of tomatoes, garlic, capers, olives and red wine topped with melted cheese. Served with toasted Cuban bread points.		 $12.00
Croquetas De Pollo
Sunday dinner always would begin with our grandmother and great-grandmother Carmen Hernandez’ special recipe for chicken croquettes. Six fried croquettes made with chicken and Cuban cracker crumbs. Served with Columbia salsa picante.		 $8.00
Gambas “Al Ajillo”
Spain’s most popular tapa features large shrimp sautéed in extra-virgin Spanish olive oil, fresh garlic and chili pepper. Spain’s most popular tapa features large shrimp sautéed in extra-virgin Spanish olive oil, fresh garlic and chili pepper.		 $15.00
Calamares Fritos “Romana”
Tender, wild caught North Atlanta calamares dusted in seasoned flour and lightly fried. The recipe is from our famed third chef, Miguel Bejines of Sevilla, Spain.		 $18.00
Scallops “Casimiro”
Fresh sea scallops baked in a clay casserole with lemon butter and topped with seasoned bread crumbs and white wine.		 $20.00
The “Tapeo” Sampler
Tapeo is the Spanish tradition of sharing small plates of foods with family and friends. Perfect for 3-4 people.		 $35.00
Cakes De Cangrejo
A Cuban twist to an American favorite, our two large crab cakes are loaded with fresh hand-picked blue crabmeat and grilled. Drizzled with a passionfruit alioli sauce.		 $20.00
Shrimp And Crabmeat Alcachofas
Baked casserole of shrimp, crabmeat and artichoke hearts topped with grated Romano cheese and served with Cuban crackers.		 $15.00
Mejillones “Galicia”
Fresh Prince Edward Island mussels sautéed in extra-virgin olive oil with hearts of palm, artichoke hearts, sundried tomatoes, garlic and onions. Simmered in white wine and served with toasted Cuban bread brushed with our Original “1905” dressing sauce.		 $18.00
Empanadas De Picadillo
Our mother and grandmother, Adela Hernandez Gonzmart, always had her empanadas ready when we visited. The empanadas start with her recipe for picadillo, made with spiced ground beef, garlic, tomato, onions, raisins and olives, wrapped in two pastry turnovers.		 $10.00
Ybor City Devil Crab Croquettes
A simple croquette made from seasoned cooked blue crab meat, paprika and garlic, then breaded with Cuban bread crumbs and fried. These two crab croquettes are always served with a side of Columbia salsa picante.		 $15.00
Champiñones Rellenos
Baked silver dollar mushrooms stuffed with baby spinach, artichoke hearts, fresh garlic and Romano cheese. Drizzled with Spanish extra-virgin olive oil and lemon.		 $12.00
Salmon “Aurora”
Fresh Verlasso Patagonian salmon seasoned, grilled and topped with Argentinian chimichurri. Served with yellow rice and fresh vegetables.		 $26.00
Mahi-Mahi “Cayo Hueso”
Boneless fillet of fresh mahi-mahi marinated in citrus juices and grilled. Served with mojo-marinated onions, yellow rice, yuca and platanos.		 $28.00
Snapper A La Rusa
Boneless fillet of snapper, breaded and grilled. Garnished with lemon butter, chopped hard-boiled egg and parsley. Served with yellow rice. A classic Columbia dish that has been on the menu for decades.		 $33.00
Baked Stuffed Grouper
Baked boneless fillet of fresh grouper stuffed with crabmeat and finished with a tropical passionfruit butter sauce. Served with yellow rice and vegetables.		 $40.00
Paella “A La Valenciana”
Prepared in a traditional paella pan featuring clams, mussels, shrimp, scallops, calamares, chicken and pork, baked with La Bomba Spanish rice, extra-virgin olive oil, green peppers, Spanish onions, ripe tomatoes, garlic and splashed with white wine. (Please allow extra time for preparation.)		 $38.00
Shrimp & Yellow Rice
Large shrimp baked with yellow rice, green peppers, onions, tomatoes and extra-virgin olive oil, splashed with white wine.		 $28.00
Filet Mignon
Grilled choice center-cut tenderloin. Served with fresh vegetables and yellow rice.		 $46.00
New York Strip Sirloin “The Bambino”
Known for its intense full flavor, our 14 oz. USDA choice, wet-aged boneless strip steak is bold with beefy notes and fine marbling. Brushed with our Original “1905” dressing sauce. Back in the ’20s and early ’30s, the famed Babe Ruth frequented the Columbia to enjoy this great steak. Served with stuffed mushrooms and yellow rice.		 $48.00
Ropa Vieja
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.		 $22.00
Filet Steak Salteado
Choice tenderloin tips sautéed in extra-virgin olive oil with sliced Spanish onions, green peppers, fresh garlic, mushrooms, diced potatoes, chorizo and red wine. Served with yellow rice.		 $28.00
Roast Pork “A La Cubana”
Generous slices of pork loin with a delicious garlic marinade. Served like back home in Cuba with black beans, white rice, yuca and platanos.		 $26.00
Arroz Con Pollo “Valenciana”
One half bone-in chicken with green peppers, Spanish onions, tomato, smoked ham, hearts of artichoke, garlic and extra-virgin olive oil baked in a casserole with La Bomba Spanish rice. Splashed with white wine and topped with green peas and red pimentos. (Please allow extra time for preparation.)		 $28.00
Pollo Manchego
Boneless chicken breast breaded with Cuban breadcrumbs and grated manchego cheese, topped with citrus sauce, sun-dried tomatoes and fresh basil. Served with yellow rice.		 $26.00
Black Beans Original “1905”
A large bowl of black bean soup topped with Florida tomatoes and our world-famous Original “1905” Dressing tossed with julienned sweet onions.		 $18.00
Eggplant Riojana
Sliced eggplant breaded with ground plaintain crumbs, smothered in our rich Rioja sauce of tomatoes, garlic, capers, olives and red wine topped with melted cheese.		 $22.00
Chicken Salteado
A hot iron skillet with extra-virgin olive oil is used to sauté boneless pieces of chicken, onions, green peppers, fresh garlic, mushrooms, diced potatoes, chorizo and splashed with a hearty red wine. Served with yellow rice.		 $25.00
Boliche “Criollo”
Roasted eye round of beef stuffed with chorizo and roasted in flavorful gravy. Served with black beans, white rice and platanos. A family favorite!		 $22.00
La Completa Cubana
To sample the flavors of Cuba, we offer this Cuban feast of roast pork a la Cubana, boliche criollo, Empanada de Picallo, platanos, yuca, black beans and yellow rice.		 $28.00
Picadillo “Criollo”
We could always count on enjoying our mother and grandmother Adela Hernandez Gonzmart’s delicious picadillo recipe at home. A family favorite for generations. Finely ground choice lean beef, braised with onions, green peppers, olives, raisins and capers. Served with white rice and ripe platanos.		 $19.00
Palomilla
If you haven’t been to Cuba or Miami lately, you probably haven’t had a steak like this. Marinated top sirloin cut very thin and quickly grilled, topped with mojo crudo (chopped onion, parsley and lime juice.) Served with plantanos and french fries or rice.		 $26.00
Ribeye “Sarapico”
Char-grilled, well-marbled, juice 16 oz. bone-in ribeye steak. Served with yellow rice and fresh vegetables.		 $46.00
Cannelloni De Langosta
Two tender cannelloni pastas filled with Maine lobster meat, shrimp, pan-seared scallops and sautéed shallots blended with a lobster sherry cream reduction, smothered with a lobster sherry Mornay cheese sauce and pieces of lobster.		 $36.00
Stuffed Shrimp “Jesse Gonzalez”
Jumbo-sized shrimp stuffed with crabmeat and baked with lemon butter. Served with yellow rice and fresh vegetables. Named for our friend, the King of Shrimp.		 $32.00
Grilled Grouper
Simply delicious. Seasoned and grilled. Served with yellow rice and fresh vegetables.		 $36.00
Snapper “Adelita”
Boneless fillet of snapper, grilled and topped with hearts of palm, artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, extra-virgin olive oil, garlic and onions. Served with yellow rice.		 $35.00
Pompano En Papillot
Boneless fillet of pompano with seafood stuffing of shrimp, crabmeat, artichoke, butter and white wine, wrapped in parchment paper and baked. Served with yellow rice.		 $34.00
Salmon St. Yago
Fresh Verlasso Patagonian salmon fillet baked in parchment paper with shrimp, crabmeat and artichoke heart stuffing with fresh tomatoes and asparagus. Served with yellow rice.		 $28.00
Flan
We think our flan is the best we have ever tasted. One taste and we think you will agree. 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.		 $8.00
Churros “Tres Amigos”
Golden-brown Spanish pastry dusted with cinnamon sugar. Served with three sauces of rich, warm chocolate, caramel and guava.		 $8.00
Key Lime Pie
The original Key lime pie recipe was thought to have been created in Key West, the birthplace of our grandmother and great-grandmother, Carmen Piloto Hernandez in the late 19th century. When the family moved to Ybor City, they brought a prized Key lime tree to plant at their home, beginning a tradition of enjoying fresh Key lime pie at family gatherings. Today our pies start with a graham cracker crust, and our filling is made from pasteurized egg yolks, condensed milk and “Nellie & Joe’s” Key lime juice. That’s it! Key lime pie is the “Official Pie of the State of Florida.”		 $9.00
White Chocolate Bread Pudding
Our father and grandfather’s favorite dessert. Simply put, this is the best bread pudding that we have tasted anywhere we have ever visited. Our version is made with white chocolate, La Segunda Central Bakery Cuban bread, Sunny Florida Dairy milk and Florida eggs. Topped with a rich Bacardi rum sauce. Enough to share.		 $12.00
Café Adela
A lovely combination of Kahlua and amaretto blended with Cuban coffee, and a touch of whipped cream		 $9.00
Café Cesar
The distinctive flavor of Anis del Mono blended with Cuban coffee and topped with whipped cream		 $9.00
Spanish Coffee
Café con leche with imported Torres Spanish brandy and Kahlua and topped with whipped cream		 $9.00
Café Melanie
Grand Marnier, Frangelico, amaretto and Bailey’s with fresh roasted coffee topped with whipped cream		 $10.00
Café Ricardo
Double espresso combined with Bumbu XO Rum and Bumbu Cream Rum		 $10.00

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Menu Photos

Photo Gallery

Order and Reservations

Reservations: columbiarestaurant.comopentable.com

Reviews

Kate Son
My husband and I went here for lunch today and were blown away from start to finish! Our waitress, Sierra, was super friendly and attentive. The food was incredible! Even the bread they brought out before food was spectacular. We ordered the black bean cake tapas, gazpacho soup, and their famous Cuban sandwich. The black bean cakes were wonderful, the gazpacho the best we’ve ever had, and the Cuban sandwich huge – it also came with plantain chips! We shared a flan for dessert that was so light, creamy, and sweet. We had such a wonderful experience!

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Fabio Arbucias
I’ve been there several times, and I’m leaving my review now. Every single time it was a pleasant experience. I love the way they prepare and mix the salad next to us before serving. I can’t count how many different plates we ordered as a family but I can assure you it was a lot. If I’m going on vacation to the Sarasota area, I won’t think twice going back there. My suggestion is ordering their paella if you like it. It’s amazingly tasty!

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Nic I
The tapas sampler is great! The crab, mussels, and queso fundio were all excellent.

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C S
Always lovely! They are renovating at the moment and the dining room is smaller than usual. Was a bit of a wait even though we had a reservation. But the food and service makes up for it and then some! Don’t miss the lobster pasta, the sauce is good enough to eat with a spoon. And the flan is a dream.

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Christine Martin
I’ve been to this location twice now and you can’t get a better location/atmosphere in my opinion! I love the open air dining! Both times I had their famous 1905 salad however the first time, they forgot the fresh lemon in the salad which I didn’t realize until the end. I was a bit disappointed because I felt like I hadn’t truly experienced the greatness of the salad in all of its glory. So the second time I went, I made sure they added in the lemon and as expected, it was even better!

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Jay Tomko
Great restaurant. A must do when visiting St Armands Circle. Wonderful clean well laid out floor plan both inside and outside. Service was amazing. Ask for Chris, he is an awesome server. He was kind, patient and explained all options throughly and was very attentive but not too overbearing.

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Gabee Thomas
This is a family favorite! Liz was amazing and has only been working there for 2 days as a waitress. We LOVED her! The kitchen was awesome and made my yucca fried upon request and it was INCREDIBLE. Ask for it fried its seriously so much better than steamed. My only complaint for my dish was that the rice was a bit overcooked and on the mushy side. My grandmother’s dish contained beef with sausage and the sausage did not have the best texture within the beef but on its own it was tasty. Can’t wait to dine in again with Liz!

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hwasun lim
I love this place! We ordered 3 tapas (2 seafood tapas and 1 non-sea food tapas) and gazpacho soup. It comes with cuban bread and they are so delicious. I can just come to eat the bread. I will definitely come here again.

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Traceé Young
I highly recommend our server Teddy. He was excellent and very attentive to our needs. The red sangria made at our table, bread and 1905 salad were delicious! Unfortunately the entrees were not as good as usual, otherwise I’d have given this restaurant 5 stars.

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LOParadise
If you know, you know! Columbia restaurant is well known in Florida and for good reasons. Fabulous food, beautiful settings, and a feeling of old Florida. The menu is extensive and they’re well-known for their 1905 salad. The location in Tampa is huge and great for parties. This visit we were in St. Armands Circle on a Sunday and before 5:00 it surprisingly was not crowded. My dinner was fabulous and my daughter-in-law kept saying that her dinner was so flavorful. She loved it. I went with the pompeo fish fillet cooked in parchment paper, it was so delicious and packed with flavor. Flavor there’s something on the menu for everyone, including the two teenage boys that accompanied us. Their tapas are very good but save room for their bread which is crusty but soft and inside. Everybody gets their own loaf and you will understand once you start eating it. Yum!! I’ve ever rarely give out five stars and this restaurant earned this rating in every category. Make it a point to go and experience the fun and flavors of Columbia restaurants.

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