If someone asked you what the biggest restaurant in Florida is, would you know? For Tampa residents, this might be an easy answer. Not only is Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City, Florida, the largest restaurant in the state, but it also holds the title of one of the oldest Spanish restaurants in the entire world! With 15 dining rooms, 1,700 seats, and 52,000 square feet of space, this restaurant takes up an entire city block and is easily one of the best places to eat in Florida.

Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City has been family-owned since 1905.

Not only is this restaurant the oldest in the state, but it also is the largest, too.

The Ybor City location is the original location, although the restaurant has since expanded to six other locations throughout Florida.

First and foremost, this restaurant is HUGE. We’re talking 15 different dining rooms and 1,700 seats huge. Most of these dining rooms offer a different ambiance, too, like the main hall which is very different from the charming Sancho Panza room.

With a mix of Cuban-Spanish cuisine, visitors can expect an eclectic menu that ranges from fresh paella to pressed Cuban sandwiches.

The sangria here is also a fan-favorite, with a choice of red or white wine in a carafe that you can purchase and take home!

But if you don’t want sangria during your visit you can always choose from one of the 1,000+ wines and 50,000 bottles that the restaurant offers.

This ginormous restaurant has won some serious accolades over the years, too, like one of the “Top 50 All-American Icon” restaurants!

So the next time you’re in Ybor City and you want to try the largest restaurant and the oldest restaurant in Florida, head on over to Columbia Restaurant. We promise you will be glad you did!

Check out this interactive map to find the exact location of Columbia Restaurant in Tampa.

Have you ever been to the biggest restaurant in Florida? What was your favorite menu item? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section! Or if you’re looking for more information about Columbia Restaurant, including current hours of operation and other locations, then check out the information on TripAdvisor or the Columbia Restaurant website. It should also be noted that there is a Columbia Restaurant dress code that patrons are asked to follow, so make sure you're in the know before your dining experience.

Meanwhile, if you're looking for other fantastic restaurants in Florida, we've come up with a bucket list like you've never seen. Check out these 12 places to eat in Florida, one for each day of the month.

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/florida/ultimate-restaurants-bucket-list-fl/