Opened in 1905, This Ybor City Landmark Is Florida’s Oldest Restaurant

Tucked away in Tampa’s historic Ybor City neighborhood sits a culinary treasure that has been serving guests for nearly 120 years. Columbia Restaurant first opened its doors in 1905, making it the oldest restaurant in Florida and the largest Spanish restaurant in the world.

Walking through its ornate dining rooms feels like stepping back in time, where Spanish tiles, hand-painted murals, and old-world charm create an unforgettable atmosphere that keeps locals and tourists coming back generation after generation.

The History Behind Columbia Restaurant in Tampa

Cuban immigrant Casimiro Hernandez Sr. opened a small corner cafe in 1905 with just 60 seats, never imagining it would become a Florida institution. He named it Columbia after the symbol of America, hoping to attract both locals and visitors to the bustling cigar-making district of Ybor City.

Over the decades, the restaurant expanded under family leadership, growing from that modest cafe into a sprawling complex that now occupies an entire city block. Each generation of the Hernandez-Gonzmart family has added their own touch while preserving the authentic Spanish and Cuban recipes that made Columbia famous.

Through the Great Depression, two World Wars, and countless economic changes, Columbia has remained family-owned and operated. Today, it stands as a testament to immigrant success and the power of preserving cultural heritage through food. The restaurant has welcomed celebrities, politicians, and millions of everyday diners who come to taste history on every plate.

How Ybor City Shaped Columbia Restaurant

Ybor City wasn’t just any neighborhood when Columbia opened—it was a vibrant melting pot of Spanish, Cuban, Italian, and German immigrants working in the thriving cigar industry. This diverse community influenced everything about the restaurant, from its menu to its welcoming atmosphere.

The cigar workers who filled Columbia’s tables brought their own culinary traditions, creating demand for authentic Spanish and Cuban dishes made with traditional recipes. Columbia became a gathering place where different cultures mixed, shared stories, and celebrated together over plates of arroz con pollo and Cuban sandwiches.

Walking down Seventh Avenue today, you can still feel that immigrant spirit in the architecture, the cobblestone streets, and the colorful murals. Columbia Restaurant absorbed all these cultural influences, becoming more than just a place to eat—it became a living museum of Ybor City’s rich heritage.

What Makes Columbia Florida’s Oldest Restaurant

Staying in business for nearly 120 years takes more than good food—it requires dedication, adaptability, and unwavering commitment to quality. Columbia Restaurant has achieved this remarkable longevity by remaining in the same family for five generations, passing down recipes and traditions like precious heirlooms.

Unlike many restaurants that change hands or close after a few decades, Columbia has maintained continuous operation in the same location since 1905. The Hernandez-Gonzmart family has carefully balanced preserving tradition while updating facilities and service to meet modern expectations.

This combination of authentic old-world recipes and contemporary hospitality creates something truly special. Every generation has added improvements—expanding dining rooms, updating kitchens, adding flamenco shows—without losing the soul of what Casimiro Hernandez created over a century ago. That consistency and respect for heritage is what transforms a restaurant into a landmark.

Florida has no older continuously operating restaurant, making Columbia a true survivor and a living piece of state history.

Inside the World’s Largest Spanish Restaurant

Columbia Restaurant isn’t just big—it’s massive, capable of seating 1,700 guests at once across 15 beautifully decorated dining rooms. Each room tells its own story through hand-painted tiles imported from Spain, ornate fountains, wrought-iron details, and antique furniture that creates an authentic European atmosphere.

As servers guide you to your table, you’ll pass through room after room, each with its own unique theme and character. The Don Quixote Room features elaborate tilework depicting scenes from the famous Spanish novel, while other spaces showcase different aspects of Spanish and Cuban culture through their decor.

The sheer scale is breathtaking—walking through Columbia feels like exploring a Spanish palace rather than a restaurant. Stained glass, vintage photographs, and colorful murals cover nearly every surface, giving your eyes something new to discover with each visit.

Signature Dishes That Define the Columbia Experience

Ask anyone who’s dined at Columbia about their favorite dish, and you’ll hear passionate testimonials about the legendary 1905 Salad. This tableside-prepared creation combines crisp iceberg lettuce with ham, Swiss cheese, olives, tomatoes, and a tangy Worcestershire-based dressing that’s tossed dramatically right in front of you—it’s dinner and a show.

The Cuban sandwich here isn’t just good; it’s perfection on pressed Cuban bread baked fresh daily in Columbia’s own bakery. Layers of roasted pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard create the kind of sandwich people drive hours to taste.

Then there’s the Paella a la Valenciana, a saffron-scented masterpiece loaded with shrimp, scallops, clams, mussels, chicken, and chorizo over perfectly cooked rice. Other favorites include the white chocolate bread pudding, black bean soup, and palomilla steak.

What to Expect When Dining at Columbia Today

Making a reservation is highly recommended, especially on weekends when the restaurant fills quickly with both locals and tourists. Columbia operates Monday through Wednesday from 11 AM to 9 PM, Thursday and Sunday with the same hours, and stays open until 10 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.

When you arrive, expect attentive, knowledgeable service from servers who genuinely take pride in the restaurant’s history. Many will share stories about the building, offer menu recommendations, and some even give impromptu tours showing off the kitchen or special rooms.

If you visit on select evenings, you can catch the spectacular flamenco show featuring talented dancers performing with passion and precision. The restaurant has successfully modernized its operations while keeping that old-world charm intact, creating an experience that feels both timeless and current.

Why Columbia Restaurant Remains a Tampa Landmark

Columbia Restaurant represents something bigger than just a place to eat—it’s a living connection to Tampa’s immigrant past and a celebration of the cultural diversity that built this city. When you dine here, you’re participating in a tradition that spans nearly 120 years and five generations.

The restaurant has earned its landmark status by staying true to its roots while adapting to changing times. It preserves Spanish and Cuban culinary traditions that might otherwise be lost, serving as both a restaurant and an unofficial cultural center for the community.

For Tampa residents, Columbia is where life’s important moments happen—engagements, anniversaries, graduations, and family reunions. For visitors, it’s a must-see destination that offers an authentic taste of Florida’s multicultural heritage. The restaurant has received countless awards and recognition, but its real achievement is creating a space where history, culture, and exceptional food come together.

Columbia doesn’t just serve meals; it serves memories, traditions, and a taste of old Florida that you can’t find anywhere else.