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.
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 |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 411 St Armands Cir, Sarasota, FL 34236
Phone: (941) 388-3987
Menu
Order and Reservations
Reservations: columbiarestaurant.comopentable.com
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Related Web Results
St. Armands Circle, Sarasota | Columbia Restaurant
St. Armands Circle, Sarasota · A Short Walk From Lido Beach, Close To Longboat Key And Downtown Sarasota. · Named “One of Florida’s Top Restaurants” since 1967.
View All Locations | Columbia Restaurant
The Columbia Restaurant in St. Armands Circle opened in 1959 and is now the oldest restaurant in Sarasota. . 411 St. Armands Cir., Sarasota, FL 34236.
Columbia Restaurant: Home
For more than 117 years, the Columbia Restaurant has served Spanish-Cuban cuisine to the state of Florida, using family recipes and tradition.
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!
… moreFabio 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!
… moreNic I
The tapas sampler is great! The crab, mussels, and queso fundio were all excellent.
… moreC 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.
… moreChristine 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!
… moreJay 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.
… moreGabee 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!
… morehwasun 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.
… moreTraceé 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.
… moreLOParadise
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.
… more