Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Tampa / Central Florida West
  4. Sarasota / Bradenton
  5. Sarasota
Columbia Restaurant - Sarasota, Sarasota, FL

Columbia Restaurant - Sarasota

4.8
4.8
10501 Reviews
$30 and under
Spanish

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 185 times today
  • Good for special occasions
  • Great for outdoor dining
  • Good for groups
Family-owned and operated for more than 116 years, Columbia has earned acclaim for its old-world charm and award-winning Spanish/Cuban cuisine.

Casual attire is fine, but we don’t allow sleeveless shirts on men in the dining room.

Join us for century-old family recipes like Paella "a la Valenciana," Roast Pork "a la Cubana,"and fresh seafood specialties. Don’t miss Columbia’s Original “1905” Salad®, prepared with our delicious, freshly-made dressing, a 100-year-old family recipe of fresh garlic, oregano, wine vinegar and Spanish extra virgin olive oil.

Be sure to sample a fine Spanish wine like Montecillo or Campillo. Relax outdoors on our patio, or inside our Mediterranean-style dining rooms filled with hand-painted tiles and family heirlooms.

We are a sister to the Columbia in Tampa's Ybor City, founded in 1905. Children's menu available. Open 365 days a year, including all holidays.

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Spanish, Cuban
  • Hours of Operation
    Lunch Daily 11:00 am–4:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (941) 388-3987
  • Website
    http://columbiarestaurant.com/
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive Chef
    Jesus Padilla Jr.
  • Private party facilities
    The Columbia Restaurant in Sarasota on St. Armands Circle is the perfect venue for your special event. Our Old World Mediterranean-style dining rooms lend an atmosphere of warmth and elegance to any gathering. For small groups, we offer private dining space.
  • Location
    411 Saint Armands Circle, Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Area
    Sarasota
  • Cross Street
    John Ringling Boulevard
  • Parking details
    Parking options include a garage located at 47 N. Adams Drive, behind the Columbia. Garage parking is 50 cents an hour. Metered and free street parking also is available. Features of the parking garage include: - 484 parking spaces - 5 electric vehicle charging stations - Bicycle storage & repair station - Public restrooms
  • Entertainment
    After your meal, stroll along St. Armands Circle, resembling an elegant European market with bright tropical landscaping. It is home to more than 130 shops that pamper guests from all areas of the world. Sarasota is a cultural haven with stunning beaches and superb shops and galleries. Outdoor activities like golf, tennis, deep-sea fishing and boating are also nearby.
  • Additional
    Gluten-free Options, Patio/Outdoor Dining

Featured in

Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 10,501 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.5Value

Noise • Moderate

Diners' Choice Awards

  • Sarasota / Bradenton

    Good for groups

  • Sarasota / Bradenton

    Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Columbia Restaurant in Sarasota offers an elegant dining experience rich in Spanish and Cuban flavors. This historic gem is known for its "phenomenal 1905 salad" and "delicious sangria." Guests rave about the "impeccable service" and vibrant atmosphere. Reservations are highly recommended due to its popularity.

10,501 Reviews

  1. Annette

    Chicago

    8 reviews

    3.0

    8 reviews

    Dined today

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    It was all just an ok experience. Seemed really disorganized and the timing of food/drinks was off. Some food came out hot and some that should have been hot was not even warm. The famous salad was great as always.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Gilles

    Coastal Georgia

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined today

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 4
    We were excited to have dinner at this restaurant because our first experience on Thanksgiving was excellent. We had reservations for several weeks. When we arrived the hostess was stressed and disorganized. Our waitress (Val) was not friendly, cold and impersonal, quite the opposite from our previous experience. We felt like we were disturbing her. The food was almost cold. The bread was great though. We will not return to this place again.

    Is this helpful?

  3. diane

    Tampa

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    We enjoyed our dinner! It’s good to see the Columbia restaurant is leading the way as St Armand’s recovers after the devastating storms. Service was a bit slow but that’s understandable as they were VERY busy. Thank you

    Is this helpful?

  4. Angela

    Indiana

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food and service were amazing. We sat on the covered patio and it was festive.

    Is this helpful?

  5. wayne

    Orlando

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    So great to see the Columbia at St Armands back, decorated for the holidays, filled with patrons, and as great as ever.

    Is this helpful?

  6. Frederick

    VIP

    Philadelphia

    26 reviews

    2.0

    26 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 2
    Columbia is very large and extremely noisy. The service was inattentive, with dirty dishes left on the table during the course of the meal. Main courses were slow to come out of the kitchen. They did try to accommodate requests for no or light garlic by having the sauce on the side. The food itself is very bland and without any natural taste. Salmon in parchment was a soggy mess. We had 2 fish dishes and they both seemed to be pre-cooked. Its a production line, tourist/large group/family restaurant, best suited for an event where the comraderi is more important than the food itself.

    Is this helpful?

  7. Maria

    VIP

    London

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Loved our waiter Jack J! Amazing meal. Love the place. Back as often as I can and always bring friends!

    Is this helpful?

  8. John

    Philadelphia

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our server, Thomas G, was outstanding! He was welcoming and seemed to really enjoy time with us. We live in the area and will be regulars!

    Is this helpful?

  9. Angelica

    VIP

    Jacksonville

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Pitcher of mojitos made and served table side! Great experience food was excellent!

    Is this helpful?

  10. WFBfoodie

    VIP

    Chicago

    14 reviews

    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    The atmosphere is noisy but fun! Food is very good….just ordered something that was a bit too high in sodium for me. Service was good except we had to ask for water twice and it didn’t arrive until we were halfway finished with our entrees. To be fair, it was very busy. Also I ordered a drink that was described as using fresh fruit juice but it tasted more like simple syrup

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Columbia Restaurant - Sarasota offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (941) 388-3987.

Columbia Restaurant - Sarasota is rated 4.8 stars by 10501 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 185 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Columbia Restaurant - Sarasota

411 Saint Armands Circle, Sarasota, FL 34236

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    John Ringling Boulevard
  • Area
    Sarasota
  • Hours of Operation
    Lunch Daily 11:00 am–4:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Spanish, Cuban
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Parking options include a garage located at 47 N. Adams Drive, behind the Columbia. Garage parking is 50 cents an hour. Metered and free street parking also is available. Features of the parking garage include: - 484 parking spaces - 5 electric vehicle charging stations - Bicycle storage & repair station - Public restrooms
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Jesus Padilla Jr.
  • Entertainment
    After your meal, stroll along St. Armands Circle, resembling an elegant European market with bright tropical landscaping. It is home to more than 130 shops that pamper guests from all areas of the world. Sarasota is a cultural haven with stunning beaches and superb shops and galleries. Outdoor activities like golf, tennis, deep-sea fishing and boating are also nearby.
  • Additional
    Gluten-free Options, Patio/Outdoor Dining
  • Website
    http://columbiarestaurant.com/
  • Phone number
    (941) 388-3987
  • Private party facilities
    The Columbia Restaurant in Sarasota on St. Armands Circle is the perfect venue for your special event. Our Old World Mediterranean-style dining rooms lend an atmosphere of warmth and elegance to any gathering. For small groups, we offer private dining space.

Featured in

Discover
OpenTable
  • About Us
  • Blog
  • Careers
More
Our sites
Businesses
  • Delight more diners
  • Restaurant Blog
Join us on
  • Privacy policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Impressum
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2024 OpenTable International Ltd. Alphabeta Building, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1AH - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
OpenTable Logo