Columbia Restaurant

I can't get over that it shows I haven't reviewed this location. I've been here many times.We love all of the seating areas here including the outside, main inside dining area, and bar area.This time around we ordered a chicken salteado with small 1905 salad, & a Cuban sandwich.The salteado was $10 more than on the menu. It was the dinner menu since the Cuban sandwich was not on the menu provided. We always order the chicken salteado. It was ok this time, something missing, and for $30 it wasn't worth that price. The Cuban Sandwich, they state is a winning Cuban Sandwich. We have been trying different Cuban Sandwiches lately. This is definitely on the bottom of the list, it's very dry, it doesn't have any flavor. It was a big disappointment. My favorite here, and it's an always must have is the 1905 salad. It is so simple, but I just can't get enough. It's still so good.Service was pretty good. Nice guy, pretty helpful.I still really like Columbia. I think some locals think it's a tourist trap, but whatever it is, I still like going and bringing out of town guests.I love this location. I've been to most locations too.

Columbia is an institution in Tampa, reportedly the oldest restaurant in Florida, but despite living here for almost 3 years I've never been. I happily jumped at the chance to go to their Sand Key location, which was spacious and rustically decorated (though the parking situation was highly competetive). I made reservations for a large group for a Friday night reunion. I called in to modify the reservation twice, and both times the person I spoke to on the phone was very friendly and helpful. There were no issues with our reservation. Our server got everyone's order a right and did several separate checks with no issue. On to the food. For a Cuban restaurant they actually had a decent smattering of vegetarian options for my wife. We share the black bean cakes and stuffed mushrooms which were both good, if not game-changing. I was very happy with my stuffed salmon. Big portion, perfectly cooked, lots of seafood stuffing, big pile of savory yellow rice as a side. My only gripe was the parchment paper it was served with. A lot of it got stuck in the fish and I was pulling little paper pieces out of my mouth for the whole meal. My wife liked her eggplant. Overall a good meal; our whole group was happy, and they did a great job accommodating us. I think the hype is worth it; I can't speak for the Tampa location, but the Sand Key location won me over as a dinner destination for a group.

We have wanted to always try this place based on the reviews we've read and how folks have raved about the food. I'm so glad we did, it more than lived up to the hype. This place has so much history and it's all on display with tons of photos from its was long history in the area.While we were really impressed with the food the service was what we enjoyed.Roberto was our waiter and he could not have been more welcoming and helpful. He took the time to help stand what we liked and then pointed us in the right direction on the menu. And boy was he spot on!I had the Fideua de Mariscos which is an incredible mixed of seafood prepared in a very flavorful spicy tomato sauce with garlic, white wine and chili pepper.A healthy amount of Large shrimp, scallops, mussels, clams were cooked in this dish on top of fresh pasta. Roberto talked us out of ordering an appetizer and I'm so glad he did, I ended up taking home half the dish.My wife had the Eggplant Riojana and it was equally as flavorful and a very large helping.And did I mention the restaurant is located directly on the water in Sand Key which is less than a mile away from Clearwater Beach. The views are spectacular and while we sat inside it was still an amazing view of the intercostal.So if you stop in ask for Roberto, he'll hook you up or pretty much the whole staff if very friendly.

My companion and I have gone to the Columbia the last couple of years for Thanksgiving dinner and decided to do so again this year. The Thanksgiving dinner plate is wonderful with turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, and green beans as well as cranberry sauce. This year, I decided to have the fideau de maricosa which is the Spanish version of cioppino with noodles. It was full of shrimp, clams, scallops and topped with a sprinkling of crab meat. We of course, had to start the meal with their famous 1905 salad which is made tableside.The waiter was friendly, you can't beat the views, and the meal was obviously delicious. We always enjoy the Columbia and this location in particular since it is near the beach.

Oh my word. The way they bring out half a loaf of bread and a cup of butter per person is the most beautiful thing. The sangria was good and in the cutest pitcher but it wasn't by any means the best i ever had. The dinner was good, but again not the best ever. Yuri was the kindest server who went out of his way to make us happy and full! I wished I would have ordered the canelloni but the stuffed shrimp was still good.

It's okay. Wasn't a huge fan. Loved the tomato salad a lot! Liked the empanadas, the Spanish bean soup, and the Cuban sandwich. The chicken croquettes not a fan at all.

One word: LOCATION!This place is absolutely beautiful inside and out! It's nestled near the hustle and bustle of Clearwater beach. You walk in and there is so much amazing artwork and beautiful decor around to see. We were seated outside in their patio where you get this GORGEOUS view of the ocean. The you walk in and feel like you are in a palace or something: Overall I rate it 4/5 stars.Food:This place is a Spanish and Cuban inspired restaurant. I definitely recommend their famous "1905 salad" where they mix it right in front of you! It's quite a show! And the salad is simple, flavorful and delicious.Now I would stick to the seafood- shrimp and scallops. We had the shrimp tapas and it was pretty tasty. The paella looked duele good too,We got a few tapas that were missing flavor and to be frank not that hasty. It was the stuffed peppers and the crab cakes. The crab cakes REALLY lacked flavor, especially salt. I could not eat more then one.Dessert: we had their famous bread pudding - super flavorful and if you're going to order bread pudding at a restaurant I'd totally try their version. We also had the flan which was ok.My three kids all enjoyed their kids meals. This place is very kid friendly and they have a decent kids menu of Mac and cheese (our favorite), quesadilla, and a few other options. Came with a fresh bread too. And also a side of veggies too. Service: service was pretty great. They kept checking on us and seeing if we needed something.Parking.Parking is a not tricky as the parking lot gets REALLY full. Their lot is very busy and do thankfully there is a valet parking.Overall I'd make reservations ahead of time to come ente. I definitely valet park or some on the early dinner side to snag a parking spot and great table. Also make sure to bring a jacket as in the patio it gets cold, and with heat lamps broken from Christmas they hav emit replaced it yet. I would totally come here again for the ambiance and decor!! It is such a lovely place to come for dinner!

3.5 - I've been to the Ybor location 20+ times, and this was my first at Sand Key. Two of us for 7:45 dinner on Thanksgiving evening. Decor and ambiance were good, and friendliness of the staff was terrific. However, this location fell short for me in two areas - food and pacing of the service. We started with the stuffed piquillo pepper (superb), 1905 salad, Cannelloni de Langosta, Palomilla Steak, and two desserts. Unfortunately, the cannelloni was overcooked and mushy; I took leftovers and wound up scooping out the chunks of lobster and filling and only heating those. The service was also an issue. I truly felt like our server, while friendly, was rushing us. Salads arrived while we still had our appetizer. Entrees appeared while we were still working on salads. After clearing our plates, the server handed us the check and we had to kindly ask for a coffee and dessert menu instead. At a restaurant of the Columbia's caliber, I hardly expect to have to manage my own pacing and delay ordering - but apparently I should have! We were in and out the door in an hour and ten minutes. Horribly rushed and not the experience I had hoped for.

Who knew that there was a Columbia restaurant in Clearwater? I sure didn't but when a friend suggested it for dinner the other night, I was quick to say yes as I am familiar with the original location and its great food, ambiance and impeccable service. Well this location delivered on all of that as well as has a great view out the back to the water. Our server, Alyvia, and she was very attentive and knowledgable. She brought our drinks over quickly and had several suggestions on the menu. As always, my eyes are bigger than my stomach so I had plenty of leftovers for another day.I started with the Columbia original 1905 salad. It is like a chefs salad tossed at the table and was quite good and filling. Between that and the bread I probably didn't need an entree. But I LOVE grouper and their grouper Jimmy was delicious with it's topping of blue crab meat and butter sauce. I think I took most of it home with me as it was a huge portion and came with rice and asparagus. Others in our group gave high marks to the Paella, the chicken manchego and the grilled snapper. For the quantity and quality of the food served the prices were reasonable especially given this is a tourist area. With drinks, my salad and entree ran about $64.If you drive, they have valet parking up front and many of the hotels in the area have shuttle bus service to this restaurant. You should make a reservation as this place gets busy in season or out! All in all a great night out in Clearwater!

It's a very nice place ... waiter was knowledgeable and friendly... the mojito was excellent, the fresh bread was delicious.I wasn't happy with my food! ..Besides flavor wasn't really there , I had a lot better at other Cuban restaurants, the food came out kind of tepid .. it wasn't hot, as food is supposed to be.It wasn't too busy, but at the end I don't know what happens between the kitchen and the customers table. I wouldn't recommend it.