Florida | St. Augustine | A Century-Old Spanish Restaurant Review

This weekend I visited a famous restaurant in Florida — the Columbia Restaurant, known as the oldest and largest Spanish restaurant in the United States! 🏛️🍽️ The original location is in Tampa and has been operating since 1905 — now in its fifth generation of family management. I visited the Tampa branch six years ago. While I don’t remember what I ate, I still recall how stunning and grand the space was. This time, I tried their St. Augustine branch located in the historic George Street. It has been open since 1983. The exterior features simple white walls and a red fountain — elegant and understated, perfectly matching the city’s vibes. The interior is decorated in full Spanish style, much like the flagship store. We arrived at 11:30 AM on a Saturday. The hostess said without a reservation the wait would be an hour 🕚, but luckily there was space at the bar — so we went for it! (👉 If you plan to visit, make sure to book in advance!) 🍞 Complimentary Bread: Served warm with butter — SO GOOD! 😋 Crispy outside, soft inside, and the butter was rich and fragrant. A dream combo for bread lovers! 🧈✨ 🍹 Mojito: Refreshing and lady-friendly 🍃🍸 — not too strong. Made with white rum, mint, lime, and soda. Sweet and smooth. 🥣 Spanish Bean Soup: Simmered with chicken broth, ham, chickpeas, smoked sausage, and potatoes. Rich and slightly salty — perfect with bread! 🥗 “1905” Salad: A must-try signature dish. I got the small portion — generous amounts of roasted ham and Swiss cheese 🥓🧀. The dressing is tangy and bright — great for cutting through richer flavors. (⚠️ Not for those who dislike sour notes!) 🥪 Cuban Sandwich: Another classic — often called “the best sandwich in Florida” 🥖🇨🇺. Loaded with three types of meat, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard. The meat is savory with a distinct pork flavor (you know what I mean 👀), balanced by the tangy pickles and mustard. (⚠️ Avoid if you’re sensitive to strong pork taste.) 🦀 Devil Crab Croquettes: Crab and potato cakes — only two per order, but packed with real crab meat! 🦀 Not fishy, mildly seasoned. Great with the spicy sauce on the side. ⭐ Overall Rating: 5/5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 I loved the food, value, and dining experience. Highly recommended whether you’re in Tampa or St. Augustine! #Florida #SpanishFood #ColumbiaRestaurant #StAugustine #FoodReview #UF #TravelEats #HistoricEats