We stopped in for dinner and sat at the bar. What a great visit. Thanks to Carolyn, it felt like we visited a family member for dinner. The food was delicious. Do not forget to have dessert and coffee, both were worth the calories. read more

Cheryl and I celebrated our 31st wedding anniversary today with dinner at Columbia Restaurant in St. Augustine, and I can honestly say it was one of those afternoons where everything just came together exactly the way you hope it will. We had made reservations ahead of time, and when we arrived, we were seated immediately. That set the tone right away, no waiting, no stress, just walking in and being welcomed like the day actually mattered, which of course it did to us. Our waiter, Elijah, was outstanding. He struck that perfect balance, attentive without hovering, always nearby when we needed something, but never interrupting the flow of our dinner. You can tell when someone takes real pride in their work, and that's exactly how he came across. It made a difference. For dinner, I ordered the Shrimp Salteado, and Cheryl had the Chicken Salteado. Both dishes were excellent, rich with flavor, perfectly cooked, and exactly what you want from the Columbia's Spanish-Cuban style. My shrimp was tender and well-seasoned, and Cheryl's chicken had that same depth of flavor that makes you slow down and really enjoy each bite. Nothing felt rushed, nothing felt off, just consistently great food from start to finish. What makes the experience even more meaningful is the history you're sitting inside. The Columbia isn't just another restaurant, it's part of Florida's story. It was founded in 1905 by Casimiro Hernandez Sr. in Ybor City and has grown into Florida's oldest continuously operated restaurant. Knowing that you're dining in a place with that kind of legacy, where generations of families have gathered for celebrations, adds something you can't really replicate anywhere else. As we sat there together, celebrating 31 years of marriage, it just felt right. The atmosphere, the service, the food, it all lined up with the moment. Everyone we encountered was attentive and genuinely kind, and that consistency is what turns a good dinner into a memorable one. For us, it wasn't just a meal. It was the kind of experience you hope for on an anniversary, one where you can relax, reflect, and just enjoy being together. And today, the Columbia delivered that perfectly. read more

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This place is a real tourist trap. The food was not good. My wife's fish came out at room temperature and her rice was cold. My dish was a sloppy mess. The stuffing was runny and disgusting and my rice was also cold. When the waiter came to clear her plate he didn't even bother to asked if anything was wrong since she left the whole dinner. There are other restaurants that look much nicer. NOT RECOMMENDED! read more

The disappointment still lingers 4 weeks after visiting The Columbia Restaurant in St. Augustine. It had been over 30 years since I went culinarily nuts over the Gazpacho at the Columbia in Ybor City. The absolute best I had ever eaten, and for a couple of years after, I was making it at home weekly, trying to capture the Ybor City gastronomical memory. Recently, I my wife and I vacationed in Florida and the Ybor City Columbia was on our busy schedule. Due to a Thunderstorm cancelling a day of archeological digging, and rescheduling it, we couldn't make Ybor City. My daughter who is a scheduling Wizard, was able to move enough of our schedule around so that we could get to St. Augustine Columbia. Aha! My gazpacho was saved. We, my wife and I, along with my daughter and her husband and two boys were looking forward to it. We met an old friend and his wife there for a party of eight. The three things I was most interested in in were the 1905 Salad, the "Cubano" or Cuban sandwich, and of course the Gazpacho. Our waiter, a two week employee, did very well. We all enjoyed the wait - talking, enjoying the table made Sangria, and anticipating our meal. The1905 Salad was superb. If possible I would eat it at least weekly. The Cubano, was not. Here I was, expecting the best Cuban in the world, and made by one of the restaurants that helped originate it, and here it was similar to the pre-wrapped ones I used to get at a grocery store while going to high school near Tampa in the 50s/60s. The contents were very skimpy, making the filling to bread ratio way off. Not nearly enough to identify the combination of flavors that makes the Cuban sandwich one of the best in the world. And my favorite. The Gazpacho. Oh, the Gazpacho. Horrible. A bowl of pink froth that looked like it had been whipped in a blender for 19 minutes. The flavor, what there was, was really bad. I couldn't eat it. Others at the table tasted and agreed. I didn't hear much, if any, praise for any of the other dishes ordered, but I may not have been listening while drowning in my disappointment. Thirty years and 2700 or so miles and I got a mostly very low quality meal and a bill that should have represented what I had ordered. Sorry Columbia. Never again. read more

A must go-to restaurant when we are down in St Augustine! Delicious foods, excellent service, and authentic ambiance! My family and I love their black bean soups, and always have to order it as a to go item with some bread to dip read more

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I was very excited to try this place out, as I had seen it on many blogs when looking for places to eat in St. Augustine. I'm so glad we tried it out! The inside is beautiful and huge, with plenty of seating options! We checked in and waited a few minutes to be seated. There's no bad seat in the restaurant! We ordered the Sangria and it was wonderful and tasty with just the right amount of fruit. We also ordered the famous salad which was made tableside. I feel like anything made tableside makes it even more special. The salad was absolutely delicious. I'd definitely recommend ordering it. We then decided to order a few different tapas dishes to share, and my favorite were the empanadas and the skewers with pork, chorizo, and chicken. We ended with the flan, and it was to die for! Our waiter was very friendly and gave us some great suggestions as well. read more

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We had made reservations because we were party of 15. Reception was very attentive and had mentioned they could accommodate us at 8:30 pm. We arrived a bit early the placed was packed! Beautiful Spanish decorations inside, water fountains, Spanish mosaic tiles, plants inside and outside in the patio area. We sat down at around 8:35 pm. The setting was perfect downstairs overlooking the paintings of the generations of family members. The present owners is the niece of the brother of the original owner. The drinks were great! The food was also delicious and desserts were fabulous! Overall it was a wonderful evening! read more

The Columbia - The Mirets, Perales, and Castillo Family! - Spanish Near Me - St Augustine, Florida

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The long waits and hype attracted us to this place. We decided to swing by for lunch, since the wait time was less than dinner. The interior is massive and nicely decorated. I'm glad we checked it out, but our food was underwhelming. We ordered the Mahi Entree, the Mushroom stuffed tapas, and the large house salad. The salad was the best thing. The mushrooms were flavorless and the Mahi nothing special. For the price, we expected more. read more

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First off, kudos to this restaurant for having their own parking lot - often I pass up the opportunity to have dinner in St Augustine because of the complexity of finding parking, but Columbia makes dining there a breeze! Our family visited the restaurant on Easter Sunday and had a wonderful experience - my mother is still raving about the mariscos dinner! All of the meals were very fresh, great seafood and traditional Spanish/Cuban meals. Service from Bridgett was truly excellent throughout the evening - she even brought us some extra bread to go with our leftovers, since the portions were more than enough. We sat on the second floor of the restaurant which is just a handful of steps up. They do have quite a bit of seating, on the night we visited, most if not all of the tables were occupied. Pricing averaged right around $50 per person all in (meals, drinks, tip, tax). The crowd was quite diverse, including everything from families with kids to seniors, and even some folks at the bar. I certainly look forward to returning soon. read more

The Columbia - Fideua Mariscos - Spanish Near Me - St Augustine, Florida

Second time visiting the Columbia, and it was great! Being Cuban and vegetarian, I highly appreciate the vegetarian section and creative veggie dishes that are more entrees than side dishes. The eggplant dish was delicious (similar to an eggplant parm), and the black bean cakes were good too served with guacamole and sour cream. Although I'm not a hot sauce person, this one was particularly good and not too spicy. The Cuban bread with the salted butter was definitely a highlight - and you get a huge hunk of bread too Last time, we highly enjoyed the interior overlooking the courtyard. This time, we had a more private table between a wall and window, which was still nice, but I would have preferred one where we could have enjoyed the interior decor. Service was amazing. Our waiter's name was Tyler, and he brought out the food quickly and had good recommendations. Afterwards we went to the little store because their ceramics are so cute, and we bought their hot sauce and a little garlic holder. read more

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Came for my birthday celebration. Inside was big very nice decor, service was great, food was also good. I ordered the ropa vieja it was not what I expected the sauce was more of a tomatoe sauce then the actual juices from the meat with spices and such that I am used to from a cuban perspective. I rate it a 7/10. The natilla dessert was great much better than a creme brulle rating a 9/10. Coffee roast was strong, hot, and fresh. All in all it was a nice experience. Everyone else loved their dishes we had about 8 to our group 4 of the same dishes were ordered at $30/plate I believe it was La Cubana Completa came with pork, yucca, steak, empanadas. They all rated it a 10/10 read more

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The food is amazing!!!! I guess we were too hungry to take pictures. The bread, rice, black beans , ropa.. everything was delicious and great prices read more

We stopped into Columbina for dinner and this place is beautiful. It has an old Spanish feel to it, with tall ceilings and beautiful features. We were greeted by a large Christmas tree and a very friendly staff member who guided us upstairs to our table. Diana, who was our server, then appeared and shared some info about the location as well as menu options. Everything looked so good that we were unsure of what to get some we started trying random items to share. Diana provided light conversation and followed up with us regularly. The wine selection and drink selection were amazing. They had a broad selection of wines as well as mixed drinks that were all made to perfection. The wine pours are very large and the mojitos and tango mango were yummy. The Mahi Mahi was very good filled with Spanish flavors. The bread was incredibly soft and fluffy and just melted in your mouth. Their Cuban steaks were marinated perfectly, and their rice was not dry and very fluffy. Everything we had was very good and portion sizes were gigantic. Diana was not only knowledgeable about the foods but also knew a lot about their wine, and I just went down the list trying the various wines. Thank you, Diana and Columbia Restaurant, for the great evening. read more

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This place took us back in time, the interior is so beautiful, the views are amazing. The server and service was a 100/10, very attentive staff, made sure we had a good experience and gave us recomendations and did great upselling! The food was so fresh. The seafood pasta did not have a fishy/cheapy flavor, all the seafood was so fresh and i will go back for more! The sangria was our favorite, it was my anniversary dinner and i had a great time. read more

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When we travel we alway research and ask locals where they would eat. We knew we hit the jackpot when we were able to get a reservation at The Columbia in St. Augustine. This gem is a Spanish Cuban restaurant that was founded in 1905. The decor is reflective of their heritage and it is the oldest Florida restaurant and the largest Spanish restaurant in the world. We were greeted promptly by Bridgett who handed us to Mallory our engaging server. We ordered a Pete's manhattan, and the margarita garrafon. Probably the best margarita I have ever had! Mallory expertly navigated us through our questions, and honestly confirmed the paella could indeed be shared by two and it was excellent. We ordered a side1905 salad that she expertly made table side. The Cuban bread....oh my...light, warm, and delicious! With dinner we ordered one of the family wines, AG Rosado and each has a story. This wine paired perfectly with our meal as it was light, crisp, and refreshing. We were not going to order dessert, but when Mallory heard my husband's birthday was in a few days she insisted we have the complimentary birthday flan (minus the singing which he hates!). Creamy custard, excellent caramel sauce and so glad we tried it. Excellent meal, staff, and environment! read more

The Columbia - 1/2 order of the Paella ala Valenciana (we split one order) - Spanish Near Me - St Augustine, Florida

Absolutely amazing experience! Love the beautiful historic building! We had a great table by the window overlooking the bustling St. Augustine nightlife. Our server was fantastic. I highly recommend the sangria! They serve it by the glass or pitcher. You get your own individual fresh HOT bread and your own salted butter. The aroma when it arrives to the table is indescribable and the taste is amazingly fresh! Crisp on the outside and so soft on the inside! Yummmm We had the stuffed piquillo peppers as an appetizer and they were delicious. The ingredients are very authentic. The 1905 salad is a must!! The flavor combination is perfect. My girlfriend loved it so much she purchased the dressing and Spanish olives in the store to make again today. The Pollo Manchego is so good... perfectly cooked and surprisingly light. We completed our meal with Colombian coffee and their delightful version of crème brûlée Crema Catalana. For a delicious authentic Spanish meal and experience, the Columbia Restaurant is the best! read more

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My wife and I chose The Columbia Restaurant in St. Augustine to celebrate a special dual occasion--our anniversary and a birthday--on December 27th. We dined on the Friday, December 26th. Despite the post-holiday rush, the evening was exceptional, largely due to the incredible service we received. We have dined at the Ybor, Clearwater and St Augustine locations before. You can explore their history and menu offerings on the Columbia Restaurant website. The Columbia Restaurant Group, known for the iconic Columbia Restaurant, also owns Ulele (Native American-inspired) and Casa Santo Stefano (Sicilian). All great dining choices. Our server, Amy, was phenomenal. The restaurant was incredibly busy, and we even witnessed some departing guests treating her quite rudely. Amy handled the situation with impressive grace, maintaining her composure and remaining polite and professional throughout our entire meal. The entire wait staff worked seamlessly as a team to ensure every guest was cared for despite the crowd. We began our meal with their signature Spanish Bean soup and the famous 1905 salad. I requested a bowl of the soup, and it was overflowing--a very savory and generous portion. My wife thoroughly enjoyed the salad, which was as fresh and delicious as always, accompanied by two warm portions of Cuban bread. To drink, we ordered a carafe of Sangro de Toro for the table, which is always a reliable and excellent choice. For our entrees, we both opted for the Paella "A la Valenciana." The portion size was massive, packed with an abundance of seafood, chicken, pork, and vegetables. We were so stuffed by the end of the main course that we had to skip dessert, though I did grab a "cafe con leche" Spanish coffee to go to top off the night. Whether you are celebrating a milestone or just want a fantastic meal, I highly recommend The Columbia for a great experience. For those planning a visit, it is wise to make a reservation well in advance, especially during the holiday season, as we did see some people turned away as they hoped for an open table. read more

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2/24/26 Brought some friends and visiting guest here for lunch. It never disappoints and always impress anyone we bring. Everyone loves the 1905 salad and everything on the menu! Today we had Cuban sandwiches and the salad! read more

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My wife and I went to The Columbia in St. Augustine for a date night, and it was fantastic from start to finish. The 1905 Salad is always amazing--fresh, flavorful, and prepared perfectly every time. The staff here is truly top-notch, from the hosts who greet you to the servers who take great care of you, to the kitchen team who consistently puts out excellent food even when the restaurant is packed. The place can seat over 200 people, yet the ambiance still feels warm and intimate, like a much smaller, cozy restaurant. I tried the Pollo Manchego this time, and it was absolutely delicious--rich, savory, and cooked perfectly. Overall, an outstanding experience and one of the best dining spots in St. Augustine. Highly recommended for a special night out! read more

The Columbia - Spanish Near Me - St Augustine, Florida

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I was looking for a nice place to have dinner with my family on Easter. Opentable showed this place had openings around dinnertime so I happily made a reservation for 5 o'clock. We arrived a few minutes early but they were able to quickly seat us in one of their upstairs dining rooms. Bridgette was our server and she quickly came over for drink orders. They had their regular menu with many Cuban and Spanish dishes, as well as a few special Easter entrees. I went with the baked ham Easter special entree. It came with three slices of good tasting ham, as well as sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, and mixed vegetables. My husband had the LA Completa Cubano entree. It had three types of pork, as well as rice and beans, yuca and plantains. My mother-in-law had the Fideua Mariscosas dinner. It was pasta with various seafood items. Both of their dishes were very generous portions. We each also received a big piece of hot Cuban bread. For dessert, we had the churros with three dipping sauces. Service was pretty quick considering it is a big restaurant and it was completely full. They also have a free parking lot behind the restaurant. The decor is lovely and the music is great. read more

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Gorgeous atmosphere. This place has that old school restaurant charm that modern places with their exposed duct work are missing. Beautiful detailed tile work, fountains, really pleasing to the eye. One of the most allergy friendly places I've ever been. My open table says vegetarian so they gave me the allergy menu upon arrival. Super helpful with pictures for anyone avoiding dairy, gluten, nuts... My 1905 beans were good but super simple. I liked them but I felt like it was something I could've made at home. We went back again 2 nights later bc my husband loved his food and the second time I went I ordered the vegetarian paella and highly recommend it read more

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Popped in for a quick bite while visiting St. Augustine for a concert. We ordered the gin spritz, the fresh table-side tossed salad, and the Champiñones Rellenos (stuffed mushrooms) -- which were to die for! We also order the cubano which was a little dry and disappointing I wish we would've ordered a second order of the mushrooms! Service was a little on the slow side, and we waited a bit, but the food and drinks were absolutely worth it. The ambiance is stunning -- honestly felt like we'd stepped right out of the country for a minute. Such a beautiful spot to unwind and enjoy something delicious before a night out! read more

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They had some great specials tonight as well as the regular food menu. Service is spot on we requested Sean for our service. We always do as he is a great server knows the dishes and helps with substitutions. The ambiance is always nice upbeat and very Spanish. read more

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It has been more than 4 years since my last visit, but the quality and service at The Columbia are still very much on point. We took a day trip to St. Augustine this past Saturday. I thought about the 1905 salad all week leading up to our 3:15 reservation. It surely didn't disappoint! I ordered it as prepared except I extracted the olives and substituted the ham with turkey. This was my entree and my friend ordered the paella. The scallops in her dish tasted epic and were as smooth as butter. We started our meal with the Cuban bread and butter and shared the deviled crab croquettes. These featured a nice and surprising kick. My friend drank Diet Coke and I ordered club soda with a side of grenadine so I could manage my intake. Jennifer was our server and our glasses were never empty. Additionally, she was kind and showed grace when I had to exchange the first salad for turkey. Maddie was the hostess and she too excels in customer service. We used the restroom after dinner and a staff member was making certain it was up to standards. Finally, we visited the gift shop and departed with a few bottles of 1905 salad dressing. While it won't taste the same as The Columbia salad, I shall aim for sloppy seconds. If you find yourself in St. Augustine, be certain to dine here. I encourage you to make a reservation because they're always busy and often do not entertain walk-ins. read more

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3.5/5 The salad is great! However, I wasn't blown away by the service. It seems like it's so busy that the staff have to run to keep up and it makes the atmosphere feel more high energy than I'd like for a place like this. The second pic is the ropa vieja in 2021 and the third pic is the same dish recently. You can see the difference and I remember it being a bit better years ago. read more

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A Hilariously Heartfelt Review of Columbia Restaurant. If you're looking for a dining experience that's less a meal and more a time-traveling, flavor-packed fiesta, look no further than the Columbia Restaurant in St. Augustine. From the moment you step inside, you're hit with an aesthetic that can only be described as "cute, old Spaniard," and the low hum of Spanish music so perfectly tuned you can enjoy it without shouting over your own delightful food thoughts. It's the kind of place that wraps you in a warm, buttery, flamenco-infused hug before you even sit down. Now, let's talk about the main event: my plate. I chose the Cannelloni de Langosta, and I'm not exaggerating when I say this dish was a culinary masterpiece. A symphony of lobster, scallops, and shrimp all perfectly blended into a creamy, dreamy medley. The experience was so transcendent, I'm almost embarrassed to admit what came next. With my plate looking a bit too clean for a public setting, I took a piece of the soft, hot Cuban bread--which, by the way, is a delight in itself--and proceeded to scrape every last delicious drop of sauce from the dish. At least I maintained a shred of dignity by using the bread instead of, you know, just licking the plate clean. We've all been tempted, haven't we? Meanwhile, my two sisters had the skirt steak, and they were also in a state of happy, meaty bliss. I managed to get a small, glorious piece for myself, and I can confirm that it was wonderfully tender, juicy, and flavorful. The sort of steak you could cut with a butter knife. It was a solid performance, but frankly, my cannelloni was stealing the show. The entire magical experience was elevated by our waitress, whose name has sadly vanished from my memory, but whose presence was an absolute joy. She was friendly, outgoing, and funny, and she even brought out a flan with other hostesses to sing "Happy Birthday" to me! And oh, my sweet, sweet lord, that flan. You simply must try it. It was the perfect, scrumptious ending to a perfect meal. The only problem? It was criminally small and not shareable. Luckily for me, my sisters only managed to get a tiny bit of my birthday cake, which, as everyone knows, is the most sacred of desserts. Thank goodness! read more

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We have been to the Columbia many times. We came for lunch today and our food was delicious and served quickly. The 1905 salad is always a favorite as well as the Cuban sandwich. Excellent service by Malaya! A beautiful location with the Spanish tile decor. The mojito is delicious and refreshing. read more

The Columbia - Mojito - Spanish Near Me - St Augustine, Florida

Step into a time machine disguised as a restaurant! Columbia in St. Augustine is like dining in a Spanish colonial dream, complete with a fountain-side bird bath (yes, really) that sets the mood before you even walk in. The 1905 salad is the star of the show - watch your server transform it tableside with a flourish of lemon and Worcestershire that'll make your taste buds do a happy dance. Pro tip: Those Cuban bread loaves are MASSIVE. Prepare for carb heaven. Dish breakdown: - 1905 Salad: 10/10 (Perfection on a plate!) - Cuban Sandwich: Solid 7/10 (Good, but not life-changing) - Meatloaf Sandwich: Meh 6/10 (Skip this one) - Spanish Bean Soup: 9/10 (Grandma-level deliciousness) Parking's a bit of a treasure hunt, but hey, it's a charming historic town. Walk it off before and after your meal! Pro tip: Bring stretchy pants. That bread is dangerous. read more

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You should have a reservation!!! At least during the Festival of Lights ! But we had a reservation which seemed to have disappeared...but after a delay of almost 15 minutes we were seated when who I assume was the owner brought us to our table in the rear patio. Thank you This must be a section of the restaurant reserved for those with dogs. But o well we were seated and had menu's in our hands I started with the Cuban Black Bean Soup. My wife had the Black Bean Cakes and a chopped tomato salad . My soup was better but the cakes were good too! I also ordered the Champiñones Rellenos. I never had before and I was not disappointed! T Baked silver dollar mushrooms stuffed with baby spinach, artichoke hearts, fresh garlic and Romano cheese. Drizzled with Spanish extra-virgin olive oil and lemon . Finished with a slice of key lime pie . Good too! My drink was a Moscow Mule and it was in a glass not a copper cup . Still good Thank you serving staff. . Very attentive read more

Food was good - not fantastic. The place is beautiful and a great space to eat. I would return. read more

The Columbia - Sangria!! - Spanish Near Me - St Augustine, Florida

One of our favorite places to go while in Saint Augustine. The three things we love most about this restaurant are the decor/ambiance, fresh, warm bread, and the 1905 salad. My husband loved his crab croquettes, and we also had the crab, corn, and Manchego croquettes, but they lacked flavor for me, and there was no sign of Manchego cheese, which happens to be one of my favorites. The rest of the food has always been slightly above average for me, but not spectacular. My pasta was overcooked and hard to eat with my fork due to the mostly short, broken pieces. The service was spectacular, other than a busboy breaking a couple of glasses and watching the manager go over and scold him in front of us. As someone who worked in the service industry, that was awkward and very unprofessional. It wasn't our best visit but was consistent with our past dining experiences. read more

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This is the 3rd Columbia location I have been to, and the quality remains consistent each time. Sat at the bar because no tables were available without a reservation. Kyle and Crystal took excellent care of us! Despite an unexpected situation with another customer, we had a great dinner - martinis, 1905 salad, and pollo manchego. Perfect when you want an elevated, but not super fancy restaurant. read more

The Columbia - Pollo manchego - A plate featuring mashed yellow rice with peas, cooked greens, and a meat dish topped with melted cheese, served on a restaurant plate. - Spanish Near Me - St Augustine, Florida

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We went to this restaurant thinking it would have authentic Spanish food, specifically the paella, but sadly the paella was not cooked well. The seasonings and taste were not right. It was disappointing. I wouldn't recommend it for an authentic paella, especially since it is pricey. The other dish ordered was not memorable. The server was very kind to our group but I wouldn't return. read more

We've always visited the Ybor City location, so decided to eat dinner here - craving the Cuban sandwich. Made the reservation, only to arrive and be told they were not available in the evening. We knew they weren't on the menu, but had always been able to get them in the Tampa area locations anytime. Big disappointment. It wasn't like they were swamped, and it was too busy - there was no line and the place was about half full. So, we left and returned for lunch the next day. We had excellent service (which is why I gave 3 stars), but the sandwiches were sub-par. Something was missing. I hope it was just a chintzy line cook cutting corners, and this sandwich isn't the new size and quality. read more

Went here on my second trip to St Augustine and it was wonderful! Delicious food, beautiful atmosphere, loved it. Our waitress was so wonderful, I wish I could remember her name! If you want to experience a taste of Spain during your stay, this place is a MUST! read more

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First time trying Columbia - I have heard great things about this restaurant and it did not disappoint. We had a group of 10, and the waiter was attentive. We started with the Chopped Tomato salad, which was filled with fresh tomatoes and onions covered in their house dressing. I was amazed at how delicious a plate of tomatoes could be. For my entree, I got the Cannelloni de Langosta. This was filled with tons of seafood, and very tasty. People around the table tried a variety of options and all enjoyed their entrees. The Paella portions were huge, so I would recommend sharing. This was a great place if you are looking for a delicious meal with a variety of options read more

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The food here is delicious. Thankfully I made reservations for a Saturday night. It was packed! I had the stuffed pompano which is baked in parchment paper and stuffed with crabmeat. My hubs got the mahi mahi and it was the smallest piece of mahi we've ever seen! My boys got the shrimp supreme and the steak. Both were happy with their choice. We got a pitcher of white sangria for the table and they make it at your table. It is fresh and sweet. This is the BEST sangria. Service is attentive in spite of how busy they are. Noise level is loud but the place is worth it. It is always a treat to dine here. read more

The Columbia - Pompano - Spanish Near Me - St Augustine, Florida

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It's the 4th of July; however, we walked in and didn't even have to wait 2 minutes to sit down. The staff was VERY KIND and customer service was great. We ordered 2 paellas as the menu said it had a 30 minute wait. I don't think we waited more than 12 minutes for the paella to arrive. The rice was flavorless, and the seafood was okay. The rice was a bit hard as if it was reheated. The tap water was disgusting. It tastes/smells like sewer rotten pipes. Therefore, we ordered a bottled water. We got garlic shrimp was delicious, the stuffed pepper was great, and the pinchos were OK but not worthy of reordering. We also got gazpacho a 4oz cup and it was okay. We never were offered bread until almost the end. It's basic Cuban bread. Otherwise the location is prime and the structure is nice and clean. read more

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I wasn't too impressed with my experience at Columbia, unfortunately. We had a 6 o'clock reservation on a Monday night, but we weren't seated until about 6:20. Then when we were seated, we were placed in an overflow dining area, which felt more like a cafeteria than a fine dining area. The food was good, albeit nothing to write home about. The ribeye was a bit tough, but the paella was very flavorful. The scallops and calamari were very tender. Our server was probably spread a bit too thin, she checked on us seldomly. I don't like to give reviews for less than four stars, but I would expect better from a place like this. With so many dining options in St Augustine, I don't feel inclined to visit this Columbia location again. read more

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Come here if you are interested in nostalgia. The Columbia has been around for a very long time and located in the historic district in town. As for the food, it's okay. Not bad but nothing to rave about. If ordering a paella dish will take 35 minutes to make. Makes sense but it lacks any real flavor, even with a small variety of seafood. One dish is enough for 2 people. Service felt rushed as the place stays crowded and loud. like buses of tourists are unloadedto eat there. Make a reservation if you decide to come here. read more