There’s a restaurant in Florida where the recipes are older than most of the buildings around it.
Step inside, and you’re hit with the smell of garlic and roasted pork, while servers weave through packed dining rooms carrying giant plates of paella.
The place is huge, the menu is packed with Cuban and Spanish classics, and somehow it still feels like it’s been run the same way for generations.
If you’re the kind of person who plans trips around food, this spot has a story you’ll want to hear.
Where Is It?
Columbia Restaurant is located at 2117 East 7th Avenue in Tampa’s historic Ybor City district.
You’ll find it just a 5-minute drive from downtown Tampa on the lively 7th Avenue strip, surrounded by tall palm trees and historic buildings.
About
Columbia Restaurant is a 52,000-square-foot Spanish-Cuban restaurant that spans an entire city block, making it the largest Spanish restaurant in the world.
When you walk in, you step into a maze of 15 dining rooms, each with its own personality, from colorful tile-lined spaces to elegant rooms with chandeliers.
This place is famous for its classic Cuban and Spanish dishes, and you’ll see tables loaded with paella “a la Valenciana” and Empanadas de Picadillo.
Another highlight is their legendary Cuban sandwich, stacked with ham, roasted pork, Swiss cheese, and mustard on crispy Cuban bread.
You also can’t miss the “1905 Salad,” tossed tableside with ham, Swiss cheese, olives, and a garlic dressing that makes everyone pause mid-conversation.
To complement the food, the restaurant pours a long list of wines, with a huge focus on Spanish selections, so if you’re into wine, you’ll have plenty to explore.
Rounding it all out is a flamenco dance show, where dancers perform sharp, rhythmic routines on a small stage while music fills the room.
Expect a lively, busy atmosphere, especially on weekends, with a mix of locals, tourists, and families all packed into these historic dining rooms.
Service here is part of the experience, with servers who prepare dishes tableside and offer recommendations like they’ve been doing it their whole lives.
And with generous portions, you’ll definitely want to come hungry, since it’s the kind of place where ordering a few dishes to share just works.
History
Columbia Restaurant got its start in 1903 when Spanish-Cuban immigrant Casimiro Hernandez Sr. helped open a small corner café called the Columbia Saloon.
Back then, it was a simple spot catering to cigar factory workers who filled Ybor City, which was booming as the cigar capital of the world.
As the neighborhood grew, so did the restaurant, and it was renamed Columbia Restaurant in 1905.
And over time, Hernandez and his family expanded into neighboring buildings until the restaurant occupied the entire block.
Each new room added along the way brought its own style, which is why today you’ll wander through spaces with Spanish tile, artwork, and wrought iron details.
The restaurant has stayed in the same family for over a century, now run by fifth-generation members who have kept the original recipes and traditions alive.
That legacy is why it has drawn loyal locals as well as U.S. presidents and celebrities, becoming one of Florida’s most iconic dining spots.
Know Before You Go
Hours and Reservations
Columbia Restaurant is open seven days a week, from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM Sunday through Thursday and until 11:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.
Reservations are highly recommended, especially on weekends, and required if you want to catch the flamenco dinner show, as tables fill up fast.
Parking
Parking is easier than you’d expect, with free parking available in two private lots, plus additional street parking nearby, though it can still fill up during peak times.
What to Wear
Dress is casual but slightly polished works best, so think nice jeans or a casual dress rather than beachwear.
Things to Do Nearby
If you’re making a day of it, you’re in one of Tampa’s most interesting neighborhoods, so plan time to explore Ybor City before or after your meal.
You can walk about five minutes to the Ybor City Museum State Park to learn how the cigar industry shaped the neighborhood and its rich cultural history.
If you want to check out some cigar shops and local boutiques, stroll down 7th Avenue.
And for something quick and fun, stop by The Florida Aquarium, which is about a 10-minute drive away and home to over 7,000 aquatic plants and animals.
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