We had a wonderful dining experience at the Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City today (September 4th…read morearound 4:00 p.m.). Our waitress, Luisa, was absolutely fantastic, attentive, and welcoming. We ordered the legendary 1905 Salad, a classic Cuban sandwich, and iced tea--everything was fresh, perfectly prepared, and delicious. The beautiful, historic atmosphere is always a treat, but it's the top-notch service from staff like Luisa that truly makes a visit memorable. We will definitely be back and will be asking for her section!

Birthday lunch w my friend Traci. The restaurant is beautiful. Kelsey was our server. Fabulous and…read morevery personable. ten plus! . Food was excellent!.

**Quick, solid Cuban food right by the mall**…read more Heading to the mall and wanted something better than food court fare -- La Teresita was right down the street, so we popped in. Skipped the sit-down cafeteria side and grabbed the counter seating instead, which had a fun bar-style setup. Service was fast -- they got our water order in immediately, and we followed up with a large café con leche. Plenty of coffee for the price, though the red plastic cup was a letdown compared to a proper mug. Food came out in under five minutes, which is impressive for how good it was. I got the Milanesa -- a breaded steak in red sauce -- with yellow rice and black beans on the side, and it was excellent for the price. My wife had the Ropa Vieja with yucca and Moros rice, and it didn't disappoint: tender, soft beef with rich tomato sauce and just a hint of olive coming through. We also added a side of tostones with their garlic sauce, which were absolutely delicious. For a quick stop before the mall, this exceeded expectations -- great flavor, fast service, and solid prices. Would go back even without the mall as an excuse.

My tummy is happy!…read more It's been a while since my last visit but oh boy itch scratched! One of the best and very reasonable Cuban food in the Tampa Bay Area. Ordered ropa vieja which isn't available on weekends but they checked with the kitchen and got it for me. Yucca and rice and beans to complement it. Cafe con leche is a must! It was a bustling weekend so we sat at countertop. Still plenty of seats. Good came out very quickly and servers were very accommodating even wi tv my broken Spanish lol

If you're visiting Ybor City, do yourself a favor and stop by La Segunda Bakery and Cafe. This…read morehistoric bakery has been serving the Tampa community since 1915, and it's easy to see why it's still a local favorite over a century later. (La Segunda Bakery) Everything we tried was incredible! The sandwiches are huge, loaded with flavor, and made on their famous fresh Cuban bread. The empanadas were perfectly seasoned and packed with delicious fillings. And don't even get me started on the pastries, they're fresh, flaky, and absolutely amazing. The best part? The prices are incredibly reasonable, especially for the quality and generous portions you receive. Whether you're grabbing breakfast, lunch, or just satisfying a sweet tooth, La Segunda is a must-visit. We'll definitely be back!

Delivery order breakfast during our Tampa trip. The pastelito de guayaba con queso was incredibly…read morefresh and flaky, featuring a huge and well filled crescent portion. The guayaba con queso flip was also delicious, but it texture was not quite as outstanding to me when compared to the pastelito. Also tried double press Cuban toast for the first time, and enjoyed every bite. Next time gotta get a cortadito to go with it.

The Cuban coffee is amazing. Exactly what I was looking for in Tampa. After seeing the food, I have…read moreto go back and eat

Leaving Tampa tomorrow and had to get one of my favorites, mojo pork. The pork was delicious and…read morefully marinated in mojo. Very friendly and courteous service. Please support local, independent businesses

Drinks only review. Stopped here after Riverwalking over to History Museum, and decided that a…read moreproper mojito would make the museum visit even better. Sat at the outdoor bar, and received prompt service. My mojito was tall, well muddled (if Columbia Cafe can't get a mojito right, who can?) and had all the right components, just a bit too much ice. Offspring's strawberry daiquiri was also quite refreshing. We didn't realize there's an entire other bar and seating area (air conditioned!) up on the second floor museum level - the bar up there looks quite ornate and fits in with the museum-oriented atmosphere.

So my wife and I came in around noon on June 25th for lunch. Food was very good but a couple issues…read morethat ruined my experience. My wife ordered the empanadas and the half 1905 salad and I ordered the half and half......half Cuban and half 1905 salad. My wife should have added 'bring them together' but she didn't and the server didn't bother to ask so the empanadas came out and everything else came out 15 minutes later. My wife had a cocktail and the bill was $60.20. Issues to fix: 1)I ordered a Coca Cola, $4.00 and in 92 degree weather it melts in 5 minutes. We were there for an hour and not one time did she ask if I'd like a refill. 2)When she made the 1905 table side she literally 'dropped' a handful of salad ON THE FLOOR between my wife's and my seat......she kind of chuckled, gave us our salads and walked away. She literally left the SALAD ON THE FLOOR THE ENTIRE MEAL! During the course of our meal probably 20 employees walked by and never bothered to pick it up. That in itself was the epitome of laziness and complete lack of respect to the customer. Our bill was $60.20 and I tipped $12 which normally I'm a 30% tipper and I could kick myself for giving her 20%. She deserved zero. I know I will never get a response from management but do you think I will ever come back? Nyet.

Delicious cuban sandwich. Filled with a super flavorful mojo pork. Bread was nice and pressed and…read moreperfectly crispy. Only complaints are that I wish there was mustard and the ingredient distribution could've been better.

Tried out Bodega today, we were looking for a good Cuban sandwich. This place did NOT disappoint!…read more I was not expecting that size of a sandwich for the price, and the flavor was amazing. Decor/Ambiance is rather sparse, but the staff was very friendly. I'd definitely recommend going just based on the sandwich! Lol

Indulged in some Cuban tonight since I'm in Florida and I was STOKED to find this quaint, cozy cafe…read morethat had such a warm and sleek vibe. Started off with their traditional Cuban sandwich (roast pork, ham, salami, swiss cheese) with bread from the oldest Cuban bread bakery. Each component was intentionally delicious and spoke to the quality of the ingredients. The dish I was most curious about however was their Tampa specialty called "Crab Chala" which consisted of a rich, spicy/tangy broth with crab meat served over pasta. This dish was uniquely tasty with its fusion of Cuban and Italian flavors. The owner of this place was great as he talked about the history of his food and the place itself so it gave the experience a personal touch. Definitely give this place a visit if you're ever in the area!

First of all, I am so upset that I am just now finding this small piece of Heaven. I'm just going…read moreto come out and say it...Skip the Columbia Restaurant and come here!!! There, I said it. Jesus is THE best host! You will love the history on the walls and the stories they tell. Being there didn't feel like being at a restaurant, it was more like visiting family and breaking bread. The food will take you back to your childhood. When you see cubano sandwich in the dictionary, Soul de Cuba Cafe should be referenced. EVERY bit of food held the history and love that warms your heart as well as fills your tummy. Don't believe me, just go! We will drive from GA just to get food here. Yes, it's THAT good!

I only came here for a drink before heading out for festivities but it was a solid experience at…read morethe bar that is located in the main hall of what was the old courthouse where Le Meridien now resides. Located on the second floor, accessible by the front entrance, the stairs from the lobby, or the elevators on adjacent sides, Sal Rosa comprises a coffee bar and ice cream parlor, a full restaurant, and a bar and lounge. They offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week if you aren't looking to leave the hotel property in downtown Tampa for a day or night. The dirty martinis are ok but I felt they could be dirtier, especially since I asked for extra -- for some reason, bartenders in more than one establishment tend to still be sparingly with the olive brine. But the service was attentive regardless.

Excellent breakfast offered by the Le Meridien's restaurant. Great deal, I could not finish this…read moremassive stack of pancakes even though I tried. Everything was hot and tasty, coffees were delicious. I'm excited to see what other offerings they have here.

Food was very good! Definitely recommend the jimmy grouper and the bread pudding. Service was very…read moregood as well, server was very friendly!

The Columbia Restaurant in Sand Key Clearwater has pretty water views of the inter-coastal and…read morefeatures a vintage interior style blending old-world Spanish charm with relaxed coastal energy. You can watch boats cruise by while you eat. The best spots are on the open outdoor deck or at a table next to the large windows. Inside, the dining room is decorated in a Mediterranean style. It features colorful Spanish tiles, lush tropical plants, and authentic artwork. The famous historic 1905 salad originally created in 1905 was made table side by Tossing 4 cups of chopped iceberg lettuce, 1/2 cup julienned ham, 1/2 cup julienned Swiss cheese, 1 ripe chopped tomato, and 1/2 cup green Spanish olives. Top with Romano cheese, Worcestershire sauce, fresh lemon juice, and a tangy garlic dressing. The flavor is great and it's a nice light healthy option. 9/10 The Ropa Vieja was Originally introduced to Cuba by Spanish sailors. The name means "old clothes" because the choice beef is shredded, sautéed and simmered with onions, green peppers and tomatoes. Served with platanos and white rice. 9/10 The Shrimp Salteado came with Jumbo shrimp sautéed in exra-virgin olive oil, sliced Spanish onions, green peppers, fresh garlic, mushrooms, diced potatoes, chorizo and red wine. Served with yellow rice. 9/10 For dessert, the flan is one of the best I have ever tasted. The recipe dates to 1935 when the Columbia opened Tampa's first "Conditioned Air" dining room, the Don Quixote. Our grandmother and great-grand-mother, Carmen Hernandez, helped the Columbia gain national fame with her great recipes, especially her flan. Spanish caramel egg custard, prepared the old-fashioned way, using only the best natural ingredients. 9/10 Our server was friendly and informative and our food came out in a timely manner. If you're in the Sand Key or Clearwater area and craving some authentic Cuban food in a classy atmosphere with a nice view of the water, i highly l recommend visiting the Columbia Restaurant.

Came here for the very first time (we're on vacation) my mom's ropa vieja was delicious, my dad's…read moreshrimps very delicious my pork chops needed some help, it barely had any taste, however the onions they put in top of it were delicious. Over all a good place with decent prices. The server Mary was attentive.

This is definitely one of those spots where the local go to ear... brush up on your Spanish! Yes,…read morethe majority language spoken is Spanish but the staff is also fluent in English. Now for the food; the portion of fried pork chucks was relatively big and tasty but perhaps a bit on the over fried side. I asked my server for her recommendation and she suggested the Cuban styled fried chicken ... while not bad, nothing special about it. But don't get me wrong, I want to go back and try some of their other menu options.