Following our road trip through Connecticut and Rhode Island, we flew down to Florida for a long weekend, which included a dental procedure, dinner with friends and a look at the real estate market in and around Sarasota. No time for sightseeing, but plenty of time for dining in and out.
One of the restaurants we find ourselves returning to often while in the area:
Columbia Restaurant on St. Armands Circle
In the heart of St. Armands Circle, where the gentle Gulf breeze meets the charm of old Florida, stands a culinary institution that has been serving authentic Spanish and Cuban cuisine for over six decades. Columbia Restaurant opened in St. Armands Circle in 1959 and is now the oldest restaurant in Sarasota, making it a true landmark in this vibrant coastal community.
A Legacy Rooted in Tradition
Columbia Restaurant was founded in 1903 as Saloon Columbia and renamed in 1905 to Columbia Restaurant. What began as a small cafe in Tampa’s Ybor City has grown into the largest Spanish restaurant in the world, with the St. Armands location serving as a beloved outpost of this family dynasty. The landmark has been owned by the Hernandez-Gonzmart family for five generations and serves Spanish and Cuban cuisine using family recipes and tradition for more than 120 years.
The Sarasota location captures the essence of what makes Columbia special: authentic flavors, warm hospitality, and a commitment to preserving culinary heritage that spans over a century.
The Famous 1905 Salad: A Tableside Experience
No visit to Columbia Restaurant is complete without experiencing their signature dish: the “1905” Salad, created by waiter Tony Noriega in the 1940s and adapted by Columbia in the 1970s as their answer to the ubiquitous salad bar. This isn’t just any salad—it’s a theatrical culinary performance prepared tableside with crisp iceberg lettuce, fresh tomatoes, ham, Swiss cheese, and Spanish olives, all tossed with their famous garlic vinaigrette and Romano cheese.
The salad is tossed and made tableside for you as you dine, creating an interactive dining experience that has delighted guests for decades. The combination of fresh ingredients and that distinctive garlic dressing makes this salad worthy of its legendary status.
Mediterranean Ambiance Meets Gulf Coast Charm
Located on St. Armands Circle, a short walk from Lido Beach with easy access from Interstate 75, diners can relax in Mediterranean-style dining rooms or enjoy an outdoor table on the patio while sampling award-winning Spanish/Cuban cuisine. The restaurant’s location provides the perfect setting for both intimate dinners and celebratory meals, whether you prefer the elegant indoor atmosphere or the breezy outdoor patio with its proximity to the beach.
Resilience Through Adversity
Columbia Restaurant’s commitment to the Sarasota community was never more evident than during the challenging hurricane seasons of 2024. At 65 years old, the Columbia Restaurant on St. Armands Circle suffered severe damage from back-to-back hurricanes that brought four feet of flooding. However, demonstrating the same resilience that has sustained the restaurant for generations, Columbia reopened on October 26, 2024, following nearly a month of repair work after hurricane damage.
A Culinary Experience Worth the Visit
Columbia Restaurant operates with hours from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM Monday through Thursday, 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM Friday and Saturday, and 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Sunday, making it accessible for lunch, dinner, or special occasions.
The menu extends far beyond their famous salad to include traditional Spanish and Cuban dishes like Ropa Vieja, paella, and Cuban sandwiches, all prepared with the same attention to authenticity and quality that has defined the Columbia experience for over a century.
More Than a Restaurant
Columbia Restaurant on St. Armands Circle represents more than just a dining destination—it’s a living piece of Florida’s cultural history. With one of the largest Spanish wine collections in the world, the restaurant offers not just exceptional food but also an impressive selection of wines to complement your meal.
As well, it has a lovely gift shop for visitors to pick up some of the beautiful ceramics and condiments they are admiring and enjoying with their meals.
Whether you’re a longtime Sarasota resident or a visitor exploring the treasures of St. Armands Circle, Columbia Restaurant offers an authentic taste of Spanish and Cuban culture in one of Florida’s most charming settings. From the moment you’re seated until the last bite of their famous salad, you’re not just dining—you’re participating in a tradition that has been carefully preserved and lovingly shared for over six decades in Sarasota.
In a world where restaurants come and go, Columbia Restaurant on St. Armands Circle stands as a testament to the enduring power of family tradition, authentic cuisine, and unwavering commitment to excellence. It’s a place where every meal tells a story, and every visit becomes part of the continuing legacy of Florida’s oldest Spanish restaurant.
Columbia Restaurant on St. Armands Circle is one of seven Columbia Restaurants in Florida. Other locations include: St. Augustine, Clearwater Beach, Celebration and Tampa.
