A Columbia restaurant menu with prices makes it easier to decide where to eat before you arrive. Whether you are visiting for the first time or you are a regular, knowing what to expect helps you plan your meal and your budget. This guide breaks down the Columbia Restaurant menu with prices, covering everything from classic Spanish dishes to daily specials.
Columbia Restaurant is a Florida institution. It opened in 1905 in Tampa’s Ybor City neighborhood. Today, it has several locations across the state. The menu is famous for Spanish and Cuban cuisine, with a strong focus on fresh ingredients and traditional recipes.
Columbia Restaurant Menu With Prices
Below you will find a detailed look at the main menu categories. Prices can vary slightly by location and season, so always check with your specific restaurant for the most current numbers. This list reflects typical prices as of early 2025.
Appetizers And Small Plates
Start your meal with a classic Spanish starter. These dishes are perfect for sharing or for a light lunch.
- Deviled Crab Croquettes – $12.95 (four pieces, served with mojo sauce)
- Spanish Bean Soup – $7.95 (a hearty bowl of garbanzo beans, potatoes, and chorizo)
- Chicken Empanadas – $10.50 (two baked empanadas with a mild tomato sauce)
- Garlic Shrimp (Camaroncitos al Ajillo) – $14.95 (sautéed in olive oil and garlic, served with bread)
- Stuffed Potatoes (Papas Rellenas) – $9.75 (two potato balls filled with seasoned beef)
- Columbia Salad – $9.50 (iceberg lettuce, tomato, avocado, and Spanish olives)
Soup And Salad Combinations
If you want something lighter, the soup and salad combos are a good choice. They come with your choice of soup and a half salad.
- Soup and Half Salad Combo – $13.50 (choose from Spanish bean soup or black bean soup)
- Grilled Chicken Salad – $14.95 (mixed greens, grilled chicken, tomatoes, and croutons)
- Chef Salad – $13.95 (ham, turkey, Swiss cheese, egg, and olives)
Sandwiches And Burgers
The sandwich menu is simple but satisfying. The Cuban sandwich is a must-try.
- Columbia Cuban Sandwich – $13.95 (roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard on Cuban bread, pressed)
- Medianoche Sandwich – $14.50 (similar to the Cuban but on sweet egg bread)
- Grilled Chicken Wrap – $12.95 (grilled chicken, lettuce, tomato, and ranch dressing in a flour tortilla)
- Columbia Burger – $14.50 (half-pound beef patty with lettuce, tomato, and onion, served with fries)
Main Entrees
This is the heart of the menu. Most entrees come with a choice of two sides: Spanish rice, black beans, or fried yucca.
Chicken Dishes
- Arroz con Pollo – $18.95 (chicken cooked with rice, saffron, peas, and pimentos)
- Pollo a la Plancha – $17.50 (grilled chicken breast with lemon butter sauce)
- Chicken Supreme – $19.95 (breaded chicken breast topped with ham and Swiss cheese, served with rice)
Beef Dishes
- Ropa Vieja – $19.95 (shredded flank steak in a tomato-based sauce with peppers and onions)
- Bistec de Palomilla – $20.50 (thin sliced sirloin, pan-fried with garlic and onions)
- Churrasco Steak – $27.95 (grilled skirt steak with chimichurri sauce, served with fries)
- Picadillo – $17.95 (ground beef with olives, raisins, and capers, served with rice)
Seafood Dishes
- Paella Valenciana – $28.95 (saffron rice with chicken, chorizo, shrimp, clams, and mussels)
- Paella Marinera – $32.95 (seafood paella with shrimp, scallops, clams, mussels, and fish)
- Grilled Salmon – $24.95 (Atlantic salmon with a lemon dill sauce, served with vegetables)
- Red Snapper – $26.95 (pan-seared snapper with a light tomato broth)
- Shrimp Scampi – $22.95 (shrimp sautéed in garlic butter and white wine, served over rice)
Pork Dishes
- Lechon Asado – $19.95 (roasted marinated pork shoulder, served with black beans and rice)
- Pork Chops – $21.50 (two grilled pork chops with a mojo marinade, served with yucca)
Combination Plates
These plates let you try multiple items in one meal. They are popular for indecisive diners.
- Combination #1 – $21.95 (choice of two: chicken, beef, or shrimp, with rice and beans)
- Combination #2 – $23.50 (one chicken empanada, one deviled crab croquette, and a small salad)
- Combination #3 – $25.95 (half order of ropa vieja, half order of arroz con pollo, with plantains)
Side Dishes
You can order these individually if you want extra sides.
- Spanish Rice – $4.50
- Black Beans – $4.50
- Fried Yucca – $5.25
- Sweet Plantains – $5.50
- Tostones (Fried Green Plantains) – $5.25
- French Fries – $4.75
Desserts
End your meal with a traditional Spanish sweet treat.
- Flan – $7.95 (creamy caramel custard)
- Key Lime Pie – $7.50 (tangy and sweet, with a graham cracker crust)
- Tres Leches Cake – $8.50 (sponge cake soaked in three kinds of milk)
- Churros – $6.95 (four fried dough sticks with cinnamon sugar and chocolate sauce)
- Ice Cream – $5.50 (vanilla or chocolate, served with a cookie)
Beverages
Drink options include soft drinks, juices, and traditional Cuban coffee.
- Soft Drinks – $3.50 (Coca-Cola, Sprite, Diet Coke, etc.)
- Iced Tea – $3.50
- Lemonade – $3.75
- Fresh-Squeezed Orange Juice – $5.50
- Cuban Coffee (Café Cubano) – $3.25 (small, strong, sweetened espresso)
- Café con Leche – $4.00 (espresso with steamed milk)
Alcoholic Drinks
Columbia Restaurant is known for its classic cocktails and wine list. Here are some popular options.
- Sangria – $9.95 (red or white, made with fresh fruit)
- Mojito – $10.50 (rum, mint, lime, sugar, and soda water)
- Daiquiri – $9.75 (rum, lime juice, and simple syrup)
- Wine by the Glass – $8.00 to $14.00 (selection includes Spanish reds and whites)
- Beer – $5.50 to $7.50 (domestic and imported, including Cuban-style beers)
Daily Specials
Columbia Restaurant offers daily specials that are not always on the printed menu. These change based on season and availability. Here are some common ones.
- Monday – Paella Valenciana for $24.95 (normally $28.95)
- Tuesday – Ropa Vieja with rice and beans for $16.95
- Wednesday – Grilled Salmon with vegetables for $21.95
- Thursday – Churrasco Steak with chimichurri for $24.95
- Friday – Seafood Paella for $28.95
- Saturday – Lechon Asado with black beans and rice for $17.95
- Sunday – Arroz con Pollo for $15.95
Kids Menu
If you are dining with children, the kids menu offers smaller portions at lower prices. All kids meals come with a side of fries or rice and a small drink.
- Kid’s Chicken Tenders – $8.95 (three pieces)
- Kid’s Grilled Cheese – $7.50
- Kid’s Hot Dog – $7.50
- Kid’s Mini Cuban Sandwich – $8.95
- Kid’s Spaghetti with Meatballs – $8.50
Gluten-Free Options
Columbia Restaurant provides a separate gluten-free menu. Many of the traditional dishes are naturally gluten-free. Here are some examples.
- Garlic Shrimp – $14.95 (no breading)
- Grilled Chicken – $17.50 (no marinade with gluten)
- Ropa Vieja – $19.95 (served with rice and beans)
- Churrasco Steak – $27.95 (with chimichurri)
- Flan – $7.95 (gluten-free dessert)
Vegetarian Options
Vegetarian diners have a few choices on the menu. The restaurant can also modify some dishes upon request.
- Vegetable Paella – $22.95 (saffron rice with seasonal vegetables, no meat or seafood)
- Black Bean Soup – $7.95 (served with rice)
- Stuffed Potatoes (Papas Rellenas) – $9.75 (check if the beef filling can be omitted)
- Columbia Salad – $9.50 (add avocado for $2.00)
- Grilled Cheese Sandwich – $9.50 (available on request)
Tips For Ordering
Here are some practical tips to make your visit smoother.
- Check the daily specials. They are often cheaper than regular menu items and just as good.
- Share appetizers. The portions are generous, and sharing saves money.
- Ask about the paella. It takes about 20-25 minutes to prepare, so order it early if you want it.
- Bring cash for tips. Some locations have a service charge for large parties, but cash tips are always welcome.
- Look for coupons. The restaurant sometimes offers discounts in local tourism guides or online.
How To Find The Menu Online
You can view the full menu with prices on the Columbia Restaurant website. Here is how to find it.
- Go to the Columbia Restaurant website.
- Click on the “Menu” tab at the top of the page.
- Select your location (Tampa, St. Augustine, Sarasota, etc.).
- Scroll through the PDF or interactive menu.
- Note that prices may differ slightly between locations.
You can also use third-party sites like Yelp or TripAdvisor to see photos of the menu. These are often updated by customers and show real prices.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does the Columbia Restaurant menu with prices change often?
Prices can change a few times a year due to food costs and location. The core menu stays the same, but daily specials rotate. Always check the official website or call ahead for the most current prices.
2. Are there any hidden charges on the menu?
Some locations add a 3-5% service charge for large parties (8 or more people). This is usually noted on the menu. Also, sales tax is not included in the listed prices.
3. Can I get a copy of the Columbia Restaurant menu with prices emailed to me?
Yes. You can request a menu by email through the “Contact Us” page on the website. They will send you a PDF version. Some locations also offer a mailing list for specials.
4. Is the Columbia Restaurant menu with prices the same at all locations?
Not exactly. The core items are the same, but some locations have regional specials. For example, the St. Augustine location offers more seafood options. Prices also vary by city, usually by $1-3 per item.
5. Do they offer a lunch menu with lower prices?
Yes. Lunch portions are smaller and cheaper. Lunch is served from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM on weekdays. The lunch menu includes sandwiches, salads, and smaller versions of main entrees.
Final Thoughts
Knowing the Columbia restaurant menu with prices before you go helps you avoid surprises. You can plan your meal, budget for drinks and dessert, and decide if you want to try a daily special. The menu is large, but the quality is consistent across all locations. Whether you go for the paella, the Cuban sandwich, or the flan, you are getting a taste of Florida’s Spanish heritage. Just remember to check for location-specific prices and specials. Enjoy your meal.