Columbia Restaurant

Overview

Established in 1905 by Cuban immigrant Casimiro Hernandez Sr., the Columbia Restaurant is Florida's oldest restaurant and the largest Spanish restaurant in the world. Located in Tampa's historic Ybor City neighborhood, this family-owned landmark has been passed down through five generations. The restaurant beautifully preserves Spanish and Cuban culinary traditions while showcasing nightly flamenco performances in an ornate dining room adorned with hand-painted tiles and vintage photographs. The Columbia has expanded to multiple locations across Florida, but the original Ybor City restaurant remains a cultural and culinary cornerstone of Tampa.