The restaurant business is tough, with so many places closing just as quickly as they open. That just makes it even more incredible that a restaurant could continue to run for more than 110 years. The Columbia Restaurant in the historic Ybor City neighborhood of Tampa is not only the oldest restaurant in Florida - it's the oldest Spanish eatery in the country! If you've never visited this local institution, what are you waiting for? A world of flavor awaits!
Columbia Restaurant has stood the test of time, and it's equally amazing that this restaurant has remained in the same family for more than a century.
Though it began in 1905 as a little cafe serving Cuban fare for Ybor City's cigar workers, over the years, it gradually expanded (even during the Great Depression).
Eventually, it reached its massive city-block size of 1,700 seats in 15 dining rooms.
Its 52,000 square feet make it one of the largest Spanish restaurants in the world.
Ybor City struggled in the 1950s and '60s, but Columbia Restaurant stayed strong by building the Siboney Room, which hosted some of the top Latin entertainers of the time.
Today, visitors still flock to Columbia to watch the Flamenco dancers almost every night of the week.
Columbia Restaurant has not only expanded in Ybor City - there are several other locations throughout Florida serving some of the best authentic Cuban and Spanish dishes in the state.
So order a glass of wine, and relax in the stunning atmosphere around you.
And make sure to order a plate of their mussels and chorizo. This dish will dazzle your taste buds.
There's no doubt about it - visiting Columbia Restaurant should be on every Floridian's bucket list.
To learn more about the oldest restaurant in Florida, visit Columbia Restaurant's website or Facebook page.
Have you ever eaten at Columbia Restaurant in Florida? What's your favorite dish on the menu? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below! And if you know another wonderful historic eatery in The Sunshine State, nominate it for a chance to be featured in a future article.
Want to check out some of the best restaurants in Florida? Read our previous article: The 14 Dishes You Have To Eat In Florida Before You Die.
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