Tampa Attractions

What is the Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City?

Answered by Ashley V.

The Columbia Restaurant is the oldest restaurant in Florida, founded in 1905 in Ybor City and still family-owned by the Gonzmart family. It spans an entire city block with 15 dining rooms seating 1,700 guests and features nightly flamenco dinner shows. The menu is classic Spanish-Cuban with the famous 1905 Salad prepared tableside being a signature. It is a genuine Tampa institution and a must-do dining experience at least once. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially on weekends.

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Related Questions

What are the best Tampa neighborhoods to visit as a day trip?

The best Tampa neighborhoods for a day trip include Ybor City for history and nightlife, Hyde Park for boutique shopping and restaurants, SoHo (South Howard) for the bar and brunch scene, and Seminole Heights for indie coffee shops and quirky local restaurants. Each neighborhood has a distinct identity. Valrico residents can hit any of these in 25-40 minutes by jumping on I-75 or US-301.

What is there to do in Ybor City Tampa?

Ybor City is Tampa's historic Latin quarter and one of only three National Historic Landmark Districts in Florida. During the day, explore the Columbia Restaurant, the Ybor City Museum State Park, and the boutique shops along 7th Avenue. At night, it transforms into one of Tampa's main entertainment strips with bars, clubs, and live music. The Saturday morning farmers market is a local favorite. Free-roaming chickens are a genuine Ybor City tradition.

What is the SoHo neighborhood in Tampa known for?

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What is Hyde Park Village in Tampa?

Hyde Park Village is an upscale open-air shopping and dining district in the historic Hyde Park neighborhood of South Tampa. It features boutique retailers, national brands like Anthropologie and lululemon, and excellent restaurants. The neighborhood ambiance — tree-lined streets, historic architecture, and walkability — sets it apart from a standard mall. It connects naturally to SoHo and Bayshore Boulevard for a full South Tampa day out. Parking is free in the adjacent garage.

What makes Tampa's food scene worth the drive from Valrico?

Tampa's food scene has evolved dramatically in the past decade into a genuine culinary destination. The city has James Beard-nominated chefs, a booming international food scene rooted in Cuban, Spanish, and Latin heritage, and innovative new American restaurants. The Cuban sandwich alone — invented here — is worth the trip. Neighborhoods like Seminole Heights, Ybor City, and SoHo have independent restaurants that hold their own against any major US city. Valrico is 25-35 minutes from all of it.

What is the history of the Cuban sandwich in Tampa?

The Cuban sandwich (or "Cuban") was invented in Tampa, not Miami — Ybor City's Cuban, Spanish, and Italian immigrant community created the sandwich in the late 1800s for cigar factory workers. The Tampa version includes ham, roasted pork, salami (the Italian contribution), Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard on Cuban bread, pressed flat. Miami's version omits the salami. The debate over authenticity between Tampa and Miami is ongoing and passionate. La Segunda Bakery in Ybor still bakes the original Cuban bread daily.

Where is the best Cuban food in Tampa?

Ybor City is ground zero for authentic Cuban food in Tampa. The Columbia Restaurant is the institution, but for more casual excellent Cuban food try La Teresita on Columbus Drive — a no-frills local staple that has been serving Tampa's Cuban community for decades. For the best Cuban sandwich specifically, Brocato's Sandwich Shop and the Columbia are the most cited by locals. Little Havana restaurants on Nebraska Avenue in Tampa's West Side are also excellent and often overlooked.

Are there good coffee shops in Tampa worth the drive from Valrico?

Tampa has a strong independent coffee scene worth making the trip for. Buddy Brew Coffee has multiple locations and roasts their own beans — the Hyde Park and Armature Works locations are excellent. Kahwa Coffee is another Tampa-based roaster with quality espresso and great atmospheres. For a full experience, Oxford Exchange in Hyde Park combines coffee, books, a restaurant, and stunning interior design under one roof. It is easily one of the most beautiful spaces in Tampa for a morning out.

Are there comedy clubs in Tampa worth checking out?

Tampa has a solid stand-up comedy scene. Laugh Factory Tampa in the Channelside area brings in national headliners and has a consistent local and touring comedy lineup. Side Splitters Comedy Club on Dale Mabry is a longtime local institution with both local showcases and touring acts. Improv Tampa in Ybor City closed but the Laugh Factory has taken its place as the go-to venue. Check listings in advance — shows sell out for popular comics.

Where is the best live music in Tampa?

Tampa has diverse live music options across multiple venues. Amalie Arena and MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre (at the State Fairgrounds) handle major tours. For mid-size shows, the Ritz Ybor, Jannus Live in St. Pete, and Orpheum Tampa are outstanding. For local and emerging music, Crowbar in Ybor City has been a Tampa punk and indie institution for decades. The Cuban Club in Ybor hosts jazz and cultural events in one of Tampa's most beautiful historic buildings.

What are the best art galleries in Tampa worth visiting?

Tampa's art scene is centered around the Riverwalk arts district. The Tampa Museum of Art anchors it with rotating exhibitions and a strong permanent collection. Alongside it, the Glazer Children's Museum and University of Tampa's Henry B. Plant Museum offer distinct visual and cultural experiences. For contemporary and emerging art, the galleries in Ybor City and Seminole Heights have a rotating indie art scene with regular First Friday gallery walks. Creative Clay in St. Pete is also worth the short drive for outsider art enthusiasts.

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