Enjoying Spanish Cuisine in the Oldest City in St. Augustine

The original restaurant is said to have been operating since 1905! 🏛️ Even before coming to St. Augustine, I’d heard that The Columbia Restaurant is one of Florida’s most famous spots for Spanish and Cuban food 🇪🇸🇨🇺. We visited on a Monday, and it was still packed — definitely make a reservation, folks! 📅💥 The average cost per person is around $30–40 💵, and it’s worth every penny. The atmosphere takes you straight to old Havana or a cozy tavern in Barcelona — rustic tiles, warm lighting, and walls filled with history and flavor 🕯️🧱. We started with the 1905 Salad 🥗, named after the year the restaurant was founded. Fresh lettuce, ham, cheese, olives, and their famous garlic dressing — tangy, garlicky, and totally addictive! Then came the Paella “Valenciana” 🥘 — loaded with saffron-infused rice, shrimp, chicken, mussels, and chorizo. The socarrat (crispy bottom layer) was perfect 👌🍤🍗. We also tried the Cuban Sandwich 🥪 — slow-roasted pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard pressed between crispy bread. Simple yet incredible! Ended the meal with White Chocolate Bread Pudding 🍮 — sweet, creamy, and soul-warming. The service was excellent — our server was friendly and full of stories about the restaurant’s history 📖💬. If you’re in St. Augustine (or anywhere in Florida where they have branches!), don’t miss Columbia Restaurant. Perfect for dates, family gatherings, or treating yourself 🥰👨👩👧👦. 📍 The Columbia Restaurant – St. Augustine 💰 $30-40 per person ⭐ Make a reservation – it’s popular all week long! #ColumbiaRestaurant #StAugustine #SpanishFood #OldestCity #FoodieReview #CubanSandwich #Paella #TravelAndEat #FloridaEats