I had such a good experience at Columbia Restaurant! The restaurant is so beautiful and the atmosphere is really nice. I got the Chicken Salteado and it was sooo good!! Everything was flavorful and cooked perfectly. Our server Veness was also amazing! She was super sweet, attentive, and made sure we had everything we needed. The service definitely made the experience even better. Definitely recommend if you're in Sarasota! I'll definitely be coming back read more

I love love Latin Cuban Mexican food. I'm from Miami. Columbia was One of my favorites. This food experience was a horrible experience compared to what it used to be. It's like they don't even have a chef or a plan or a recipe. The wine glasses have an odor like the dishwasher isn't doing its job. Water stains on the glasses & silverware. No attention to detail. The famous 1905 salad - soggy lettuce and some kind of bottled dressing rather than fresh. My daughter ordered the Paella Marinera ( Seafood lovers Feast) $48 entree with only the shrimp lobster & scallops - UGH! A Huge pile of ugly gross looking GRAY something like risotto - she couldn't eat it and the lobster was gray also. My black beans were thick and just like they came out of a can with no preparation or seasoning at all. My husband ordered the Red Snapper Adelita a $42 entree - instead of being grilled it was battered & fried. The Sangria had a taste of something chemical I can't figure out what it was. Drinkable but definitely not the wonderful fresh fruity brandy feel that it should be - and definitely not enjoyable. I'm sorry to have to say these things - but I don't want your special event to be disappointing like ours was. All I can say is if you loved the old Columbia - DON'T Go here expecting that experience. read more

A great place when in Sarasota to visit. Sit outside or on the indoor patio and watch the world go by. It's a bit pricey, but the food is solid and it's a good experience. The sangria is great and some dishes are tasty! We did the Chicken & Rice along with the Roasted Pork Shoulder. Overall it's a strong must do when in Sarasota. read more

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Locals were trying to tell me this place is overhyped but I think it's hyped for a good reason. The food here was SO good. As a Cuban from the Miami area, this is good Cuban food. And the portions are HUGE. We had a reservation which was well used as it was pretty packed. We sat inside. It was pretty warm inside, though, from the heat so just be prepared for that. We got a pitcher of sangria and they make it right beside the table. It was SO good. Wow. Each person got about 1/4 a loaf of warm bread. They did say it was cuban bread but it wasn't really. But hey the bread was good. We got their famous salad to try (one side order for 2 people to split and one person got it as their entree) and it was very good. They also make that table side. For our meals, we got the lechón, salad, and fish. The portions were HUGE. So much pork. It came with great tasing yucca, beans, and plantains too. For desert, we got the guava pastry and the natilla. The guava pastry was actually kind of amazing. Warm and so so good. The natilla was good but it was closer to a crème brûlée. It was still good, though. I'm excited to go to another (closer) location of theirs again. It was really such good food. We were also able to take our leftovers with us since they gave us so much food. The lechón plate is definitely splittable. read more

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We were not in the mood for a large meal, so stopped in at Columbia for their delicious gazpacho soup. A cup is $8.00; a bowl is $10.00. I had a bowl. After the soup is poured, there are add-ins: chopped tomatoes, onions, green peppers and cucumbers. There are also some , possibly made at Columbia, croutons. I had all of these added to my bowl. Before the soup was served, each diner gets a fresh loaf of warm bread. It's not a traditional meal, but it is filling and delicious. read more

Columbia Restaurant - Gazpacho soup with add-ins - Spanish Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

A beautiful lunch experience in every way. The open air interior is stunning, especially nice as it was a pretty 82 degree afternoon. Fun and friendly server (cute and smiling Gabby) who made our red sangria tableside. Great Cubano sandwiches, tapas (especially the scallops), and yellow rice. That bread and butter...say yes. And the Saint Armand's circle location is so classy. I want to buy the sangria pitcher but will use that as excuse to return next time! read more

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Columbia has been on St.Armands circle since a very long time. When we are visiting Sarasota, it's an almost mandatory stop for us and enjoy their Gazpacho Andalucia. It is a very tasty gazpacho, it has a little kick snd comes with all the fixings: chopped onion, cucumber, tomato, green peppers and croutons. Before the soup arrived we were served a very nice piece of hot bread with butter. read more

Columbia Restaurant - Gazpacho Andalucia - Spanish Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

Going to this restaurant for more than 30 years, about once a year, and nothing much has changed during all of that time. I mean that as total praise. Why mess with a great thing. The food is always excellent, although the reason to go is the famous 1905 Salad. It is a meal in itself, and often is our meal there paired with one or two appetizers. Among those are the various soups - all good, the shrimp and crabmeat alcachofas, and various Croquetas. And, no visit here would be complete without a pitcher of the famous sangria. Just the standard red is perfection. Seating at Columbia can lead to multiple options - the main dining room, the airy patio dining room, outdoors under umbrellas or on the one table wide patio that goes all around the front. Our choice is always the patio when available. In the shade and with fans, it is still comfortable on most days, and the people watching while sitting here is the very best on the circle, and rivals the same in major cities around the world. And, it is also important to note taht service here is always outstanding. A visit to the Sarasota area or any of the barrier islands is not complete without at least one meal at Columbia. read more

We tried the featured daily special appetizer and entrée: the Montadito de Jamón y Manchego and the shrimp & crab enchilado. Both dishes were full of flavor and absolutely worth ordering again. Make sure you try the 1905 salad w/ ham or turkey! We also had the Pollo Manchego, which remains my personal favorite--pan-fried chicken cutlet topped with sun-dried tomatoes and a citrus Manchego sauce, served with yellow rice and broccolini with mushrooms. Another great meal and a reminder why Columbia is a classic. read more

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We were in town for our friends bachelor/bachelorette party and dined in for lunch. The restaurant was very busy and there was a line out of the door when we arrived. Luckily we had a reservation, so we only had to wait in line for about 5-10 minutes before we were taken to our table. We ordered two pitchers of red sangria and I was pleasantly surprised to see it presented Tableside. There was fresh fruit in each glass, and it was delicious. We snacked on chicken croquettes and the stuffed mushrooms. They were both very flavorful. The croquettes were perfectly fried to a crisp. I was also happy to see each person got served a nice helping of crispy Cuban bread and butter. The shrimp salteado was SO DELICIOUS. The sauce it came with was very flavorful and paired well with the peppers, onions, yellow rice, and shrimp. It was a big portion and I didn't end up eating all of it. I can't believe this was my first time here and I will gladly go back again to try more menu items! read more

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A visit to St Armands Circle isn't complete without stopping in to Columbia. While the menu has many interesting dishes I come for two items. The 1905 salad and Sangria - both prepared at the table. A mix of ham and turkey is my preference for the salad that eats as a meal. Comes with hot fresh Cuban bread and a butter. Red Sangria by the pitcher is the way to go. Others at the table had the Grouper Jimmy, Eggplant Riojana and Pollo Manchego. They all seemed pleased, especially the Eggplant. Lively place, small lineup but got in without too long of a wait. It's a busy place so the service may be a bit slow but they are extremely friendly and hard working. Strongly recommend the Ybor City location as well. read more

Columbia Restaurant - Sangria - Spanish Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

I thought this was a Colombian restaurant...not. It's a Spanish restaurant- don't let the name fool you. Fantastic!!! The place is huge. So much seating. Super busy place. The food was excellent and so was the service. Our waiter (Robert) was very attentive. Many items (dishes) are made table-side. Very cool. He made our Sangria and we saw him make the 1905 salad table-side. They presented my Paella table-side also. The food was so tasty. My wife's said her Cannelloni de Langosta was superb. She would come back and get it again. My youngest daughter got "The Bambino". That's what I'm having if we ever come back. Definitely a place to visit if you are in Sarasota. read more

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We sat outside and I loved the location however I'm not usually one to sit at a restaurant like this in a touristy area because I think they are a trap with subpar food. Let me be very clear... This is not the case here. Everything we ordered was amazing and I'll definitely be coming back. read more

Despite its rating being under 4 stars, this place is absolutely worth checking out--and 4.5 stars in my book. During our week in Sarasota/Siesta Key, this ended up being one of our favorite restaurants. The space is huge and great for large groups, which was perfect for us since we went twice with extended family and didn't need reservations. That also meant we got to try a lot of dishes, and almost everything was really good. The bread alone is worth mentioning--it was so delicious that it actually made me want to come back a second time. In fact, this was one of only two restaurants we revisited during our trip, which says a lot. Would definitely recommend, especially for bigger groups! read more

This was highly recommended and I see why. Menu has great choices with something for everyone. My son enjoyed his steak while my daughters had a salmon and forgot what else. I did try the salad I was told is a must and liked it but I was not crazy about it, too much dressing for me. The waiter a young guy was the hit of our meal. I wanted a keylime pie and told him nahh I can eat it all alone, and he said I'll help you. I took him up on his offer and we shared my dessert. Because of this I would return here! Don't get me wrong the food was great but he made my night with his good humor. read more

Columbia Restaurant - Spanish Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

Fantastic meal, service, & drinks at the Columbia Restaurant! Huge space, but always packed. You'll def want to make a reservation on a weekend. The Columbia salad is a must have. Then go to the gift shop and buy a bottle of dressing to take home! You really can't go wrong with anything off the menu. It was recommended to get the stuffed grouper if you are in the mood for fish. Great dish! read more

Always an amazing experience . Haven't been to this location in a long time, and this visit did not disappoint. Many open tables available at 5:30 , no snowbirds in sight lol We ordered a pitcher of the red ( tinto) sangria, made at the table and delicious. No visit here would be complete without their 1905 salad, which we ordered with turkey and also made table side ( thank you Alexis). My daughter enjoyed her cannelloni de langosta, with big lobster chunks, and my husband enjoyed the shrimp and yellow rice. I just picked; I was full from the salad and always amazing bread: crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Liza, our server, was great, and shout out to Sam too: the entire wait staff for us was fantastic. Until next time! read more

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We got right in without having to wait. The restaurant was huge with lots of seating yet they were very busy. I ordered the half Cuban sandwich and the half 1905 salad. They were both very tasty. The Cuban bread was fresh and hot. Delicious! I loved the table side presentation of the salad. Carlos was our waiter and he was very attentive to our needs. I recommend this restaurant for authentic Spanish food! read more

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Food! Is exquisite many choices. Well prepared and presented, Delicious! Reasonably priced!

We enjoyed an excellent family dinner at Columbia last night. This is a large restaurant with a great atmosphere in the heart of St. Armand's Circle. Lots of authentic Cuban dishes here. We started off with Sangria and ordered the "1905" salad. This salad which was noted in USA Today was the star of the meal. It's prepared table side with lots of delicious ingredients. We had ham and turkey added to it. A memorable salad! For entrees, my wife and I both had the Eggplant Riojana. If you like eggplant, order this! Service was very good and parking was easy at a garage around the corner. Fun dinner spot! read more

Columbia Restaurant - 1905 Salad prepared table side. Fantastic salad! - Spanish Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

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My food was, well, heavenly to say the least. From the complimentary warm loaf size bread they bring to the table for each person, to the tangy unique salad, the meal started off right. I stepped a little bit out of my comfort zone and tried the la completa cubana, which is a sampler of different Cuban dishes. Everything was good but my favorite part was the Boliche "Criollo", which was cooked perfectly and delicious. We were too full for dessert but several things sounded good. Love the decor and vibe of the restaurant. Our server was helpful and our reservation seated right on time. read more

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Never had a bad experience here- this was no different. Johanna was an amazing server- she gave us great service- the food was wonderful! The sangria is worth the visit alone- everything on the menu is fresh, wonderful and worth the trip! Lunch is excellent- dinner is also an experience! The vibe is everything you want! read more

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As always fantastic food and great service. Thank you Lisa for the great service! This is a wonderful location with shops and dining. read more

Columbia Restaurant - Spanish Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

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Amazing food. Key lime pie was delicious. Our server Chris was very attentive and friendly. Would highly suggest. read more

Columbia Restaurant - Salad - Spanish Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

It was as good as we had heard! The service was wonderful. The bread was warm and fresh. Very busy! Reservations! We will return! read more

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Came here on Saturday brunch time. Place wasn't very busy. We had a small child with us. We were seated immediately. Service was super friendly and attentive. However both water glasses came dirty, one had a lipstick and one had coke. We got a high chair for our child, and we were given a menu for painting and crayons, which was helpful. We got Mac and cheese from child's menu and our picky toddler loved it, which we appreciate a lot. It came with fruits that were old and soggy. For us we got tomato onion salad, black bean croquettes and chicken with rice. We also got complimentary bread. All food was extremely underwhelming. Tomato salad was the only decent food. We dined at Columbia before in other locations and this one is definitely the worst. read more

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Will return. Thanks for having this branch out in City Island. We come to Sarasota often: have subscriptions to the operas and come to concerts @ Van Wezel, and ballet, but never ventured out to this corner. This branch is in St. Armands Circle, a busy location, with good service and delicious food. Love the tiles. We sit by the open door/windows, enjoying both indoor ambience and outdoor lazy December sunshine. we've - Cuban tamale-ts - Shrimp & yellow rice - Eggplant riojana  The bread and all of the above are red hot, which differ from our last week's at their Ybor City when foods were warm to a little cold. The two main courses are delicious - could be a bit saltier (?) ... ok, I'm overdoesing on salt. read more

We were starving and it was hot out so we decided to stop here and eat. Our waitress was very kind and friendly and attentive to our drink refills. After ordering, it took a long time to get our food. I ordered the Spanish bean soup + Caesar salad 1/2 and 1/2 menu item for lunch. Soup was so so so salty, the tiniest cup ever (like 3 spoonfuls of soup and one small piece of ham and one piece of potato in it), and the Caesar salad was soggy with dressing. The lettuce didn't seem very fresh. My Mom got the empanadas and said they were good, and my Dad said his chicken sandwich was also okay but didn't much have much meat on it. It was about 100.00 for 4 people. They give you bread and butter complimentary and there is a nice gift shop. Menu was a little overwhelming to look at as well but had many options from tamales to soups to salads and sandwiches. They also have lunch specials such as tamales. Overall, not super super impressed, but it held us over for lunch for the afternoon. Maybe I would come back, but I'd probably get something else. read more

What a delicious restaurant! One of our dishes was fresh shrimp in Spanish rice with peas! The shrimp were so fresh and the rice was to die for! I forgot the name of the dish, forgive me, but it was delicious and of course, our salad which was made tableside that was delicious as well. Our service was outstanding! And the ambience was beautiful. read more

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Came here after the St.Armand's Art Show. There was only a 5 minute wait which is very unusual. I ordered my go to, half a Cuban sandwich and salad. Terrific as usual. Service was fast. Sat inside because it was in the 90's outside. read more

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Loved my grouper! I enjoyed my time at Columbia. The house salad is the best. I'd recommend getting that! read more

Columbia Restaurant - Grouper Jimmy - Spanish Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

Place cake highly recommended. We left disappointed. The waitress was so curt and felt like we were bothering her every time we asked for something. Never came around to see if everything was ok; only to take our order and drop off the bill. Food took a while and when it finally came it was cold. read more

The Columbia salad was delicious and something that I can't wait to stop by and try again. Our server was very friendly and helpful when explaining the menu. It's conveniently by the beach and has a beautiful atmosphere. read more

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Celebrated my daughter's birthday dinner here. Our waiter, Patrik, was attentive and friendly. We shared the red sangria and it was very good! We were also served hot bread! We tried their chicken croquettes and they were good. I really enjoyed the Spanish bean soup! I hadn't had anything like it before and it was very flavorful! My daughter had their Salmon Aurora dish and I had a bite and WOW, it melted in your mouth! I had the Pollo Manchego and it was good, but next time, I'll be getting the salmon dish! The waitstaff came by with flan and sang Happy Birthday to my daughter which made this experience that much more enjoyable. This restaurant also participates in a wonderful charity that allows the customer to pick. The restaurant is located on a corner and has plenty of outdoor and indoor seating. I'll definitely be back! read more

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You have to visit here and try some of the best Cuban food in town. Service was excellent and the selection was incredible read more

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Great atmosphere and plenty of seating. You will need to find street parking. 2 of us had tapas and the rest ordered meals. We had the specialty table side salad prepared. Also had mojitos prepared table side. Max, our waiter was friendly and attentive. Excellent service. I highly recommend as the food was fresh and very tasty. I will be back. read more

We love Columbia's restaurant. This is an authentic Spanish restaurant. The service is always friendly. This restaurant is in the square. You can eat inside or out. They start with Cuban bread and butter. The salad is a must . It is made at the table. The soup is good also. The palomino sandwich was good. Cuban bread is fresh. Cuban was ok. Specials are very good. Price is moderate. read more

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Glad we were able to celebrate our 38th wedding anniversary at Columbia Restaurant in Sarasota on St Armands Circle. The food and ambiance was amazing!! Our server Valeria was super attentive and informative and always spot on. We started out with the camarones al ajilo (shrimp n garlic) and worked our way to the Pollo Valenciana which was cooked perfectly. We also enjoyed their red sangria and topped off the evening with the guava cheesecake and coffee. You never leave here hungry or disappointed. Make it a point to visit this local establishment - you will not regret it read more

Columbia Restaurant - Pollo Valenciana!!! - Spanish Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

A local favorite spot. Fantastic location in the St Armands Circle with wrap-around view of the beautiful street scene. I told the server I wanted a light lunch, and he recommended grilled grouper with veggies, and a half Cuban with gazpacho soup. Perfect choices! Posh, elegant dining room with a view, plus the best piece of fish I've had in a restaurant recently. I can see why grouper is Florida's favorite fish....best eaten freshly grilled, not deep fried or in a sandwich. read more

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We had a baby shower at Columbia and it was fantastic!!! The staff was so attentive, helpful, and sweet! Ask for Tyre and Vaness, they were THE BEST!!! We had 20 people (that was the minimum) and it was a great fit, probably would be a little tight with more than 20... We had a custom menu which included the salad, 5 entree options and 2 desert options. The food was so delicious! Everyone raved about it and will absolutely come back. We also had table side sangria pitchers made for us which was equally delicious! read more

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