Craving a culinary escape to Spain without the jet lag? The Columbia Cafe at the Tampa Bay History Center delivers authentic Spanish and Cuban flavors with a side of waterfront charm—and a dash of Tampa’s historic swagger.
Picture this: you’re sipping a pitcher of sangria so vibrant it could star in a flamenco dance, nibbling on tapas that whisper tales of old Ybor City, and gazing at the Tampa Riverwalk as boats glide by like they’ve got nowhere better to be. Welcome to the Columbia Cafe at the Tampa Bay History Center, where Spanish heritage meets Florida flair in a setting so delightful you’ll wonder why you ever settled for less. This isn’t just a meal—it’s a cultural jaunt through time, served with a garnish of wit and a whole lot of flavor.
A Legacy of Five Generations and Counting
The Columbia Cafe isn’t some trendy pop-up riding the tapas wave—it’s a bona fide piece of Tampa lore. As a streamlined offshoot of Florida’s oldest restaurant, the Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City (founded in 1905 by Cuban immigrant Casimiro Hernandez Sr.), this waterfront gem carries a legacy that’s been simmering for over a century. Run by the Hernandez-Gonzmart family across five generations, it’s the kind of place where tradition isn’t just honored—it’s plated up and paired with a mojito.
Located inside the Tampa Bay History Center at 801 Water St, the cafe opened in 2009, bringing a taste of its Ybor City big sister to the downtown Riverwalk. Think of it as the cool younger sibling who traded cigar factory vibes for panoramic water views—but kept the family recipes intact.
The Menu: A Spanish-Cuban Love Story
Let’s talk food, because that’s why we’re here (unless you’re just in it for the sangria, which, fair). The Columbia Cafe’s menu is a streamlined love letter to Spanish and Cuban cuisine, pulling the greatest hits from its Ybor City mothership without overwhelming you with a novel-length list of options. It’s authentic, it’s hearty, and it’s got enough variety to keep even the pickiest eater in your crew happy.
Must-Try Dishes
- Columbia’s Original “1905” Salad: This isn’t just a salad—it’s a tableside performance. Crisp iceberg lettuce gets tossed with ham, Swiss cheese, tomatoes, olives, and grated Romano, all drenched in a garlic dressing with a secret weapon: Worcestershire sauce, added in the ‘40s by a New York-bound family member. It’s won awards from USA Today as one of the “10 Great Places to Make a Meal Out of a Salad,” and trust me, one bite of this garlicky goodness will have you nodding in agreement. Pro tip: get the shrimp al ajillo version for a seafood twist.
- The Original Cuban Sandwich: Tampa’s claim to sandwich fame, born in the 1890s for Ybor’s cigar workers. Layers of mojo-marinated roast pork, ham, Genoa salami (thanks, Sicilian immigrants), Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard are pressed between Cuban bread from La Segunda Central Bakery until crispy perfection. It’s brushed with butter and served “on the bias” (cut diagonally, because apparently Tampa folks like to eat from the pointy end first). At the cafe, it’s a hefty portion—split it with a friend or embrace the food coma.
- Paella “Española”: Added recently to the menu, this dish is a fiesta in a pan. Clams, mussels, shrimp, scallops, and calamari mingle with chicken, pork, and La Bomba Spanish rice, spiked with white wine and saffron. It’s a taste of Valencia right on the Tampa waterfront—perfect for sharing if you’re not too possessive of your seafood.
- Spanish Bean Soup: A nod to the Cocido Madrileño, this garbanzo bean-packed bowl combines ham, chorizo, and potatoes in a saffron-laced chicken and ham stock. Back in the 1920s, Tampa newspapers raved about the city’s “three great delights: sunshine, cigars, and soup.” One spoonful, and you’ll see why.
- White Chocolate Bread Pudding: Dessert fans, brace yourselves. This massive treat is so indulgent it could double as a flotation device on the Garrison Channel. It’s rich, it’s sweet, and it’s the kind of finale that makes you glad calories don’t send monthly reports.
The tapas selection is equally tempting—think crab cakes with barely any filler, calamari that’s crispy yet tender, and empanadas that might not win over Argentine purists but still pack a punch. Wash it all down with a pitcher of sangria (red or white, made tableside) or a mojito that’s as refreshing as a dip in the Gulf.
Ambiance: Where History Meets Happy Hour
The Columbia Cafe isn’t just about the food—it’s an experience. Step inside, and you’re greeted by Spanish-inspired decor that feels like a warm hug from a tiled hacienda. Hand-painted tiles, custom woodwork, and panoramic windows frame the indoor dining room, where an exact replica of the original 1905 Ybor City mahogany bar stands as a nod to the past. Historic family photos line the walls, whispering tales of Tampa’s Latin roots.
But the real star? The waterfront patio. Canopy-covered and breezy, it overlooks the Tampa Riverwalk and Garrison Channel, offering some of the best outdoor dining views in town. Yachts bob by, water taxis putter along, and if you squint, you might convince yourself you’re in Barcelona—until a pelican reminds you it’s still Florida. Live music fills the air Friday and Saturday nights, turning your meal into a mini-fiesta. It’s the kind of spot where you linger longer than planned, debating whether “one more sangria” counts as cardio since you’re raising the pitcher.
Service can be a bit leisurely—servers dart between the second-floor cafe and the History Center below—but when you’re this relaxed, who’s counting minutes? Bring your patience and a good crew, and you’ll leave with memories, not gripes.
Authenticity That Packs a Punch
So, is it really an authentic Spanish restaurant? Oh, sí, amigos. The Columbia Cafe’s roots dig deep into Tampa’s Cuban-Spanish heritage, blending Iberian traditions with Ybor City’s immigrant mashup. The paella’s saffron and seafood scream Spain, the Cuban sandwich channels Tampa’s cigar-worker past, and the “1905” salad fuses Sicilian and Cuban influences into a dish that’s pure Sunshine State. Five generations of family ownership mean these recipes aren’t just authentic—they’re heirlooms, served with pride and a side of history.
It’s not a Michelin-starred avant-garde affair—it’s comfort food with soul, refined over a century. Purists might quibble (empanadas not Argentine enough? Paella not straight from Valencia?), but for a taste of Tampa’s Spanish-Cuban DNA, it’s as real as it gets.
Why You Should Go
Whether you’re a local hunting a new lunch spot, a tourist fresh off a cruise, or just someone who loves food with a story, the Columbia Cafe delivers. It’s steps from Amalie Arena and the Tampa Convention Center, with public boat docks if you’re feeling nautical. Open daily 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays), it’s got curbside takeout and catering options too—perfect for feeding your crew paella at home.
For a meal that’s equal parts delicious, historic, and downright fun, this is your spot. Book a table via OpenTable, snag a patio seat, and let the Columbia Cafe whisk you to Spain—minus the passport hassle. Just don’t blame me if you start flamenco-dancing back to your car.
Have you tried the Columbia Cafe? Drop your favorite dish in the comments—I’m betting on that bread pudding stealing hearts!
TAP HERE TO VIEW THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO SEE THE MENU AND HOURS OF THE COLUMBIA CAFE
