Columbia Cafe - Riverwalk Tampa

Wonderful! Evening was lovely (low 70's) so we sat outside! We had the special of the day! Very good! The custom/table-side-made salad was very good also! Great service too (but it wasn't real busy) Short walk from Marriott Waterside hotel!

They just added a new extended outdoor eating and bar area under a lighted canopy. Beautiful stop for some sangria and cuban bread as you walk the River Walk.

We sat at the new outside bar on a late Sat afternoon/ early evening. Service was a little spotty. Drinks were attended to, but food took awhile and our bartender couldnt seem to remember we asked for cuban bread despite reminders.

Their keg beer was also all out, opening hiccups they said, which I understand, and Im a sangria kind of girl so I was ok with. Hubby was bummed, 2 strikes, no jai alai and no cuban bread.

But, when the food came and the live music started all was well in the world.

I might never really grow up no matter how many candles I get to blow off each year. My father came for a visit. Me? A mixture of excitement and giddiness… and perhaps a bit of exasperation at his premature senility. He is almost eighty. Should I begin excusing his capriciousness and stubbornness? How old do I feel when he is around? Maybe eleven. At least older than when my mother came to visit. She surely makes me feel like I am maybe nine. But he came. Drove four hours to see me and mine. I love to take him out to eat because he is so amused by everything…so grateful. He seems to enjoy everything. I think I have inherited that ability to live in awe.

As soon as he walked into my place, he wanted a glass of red wine and a decision about where we were to have lunch. Last time he visited I had taken him to Columbia Restaurant (also we bar hopped from Jackson’s to hotel lobbies drinking rum and coke since one must walk Channelside and the Riverwalk.) But we sat for a while at Columbia… He loved sitting outside overlooking the canal during sunset. He also loved the Cuban sandwich (not to mention the sangría, even if mine is better. Mine will always be better.) So it was a no brainer to have him smiling over pickles and mustard and pernil. Happiness hugged by Cuban bread.

The problem with choosing a place where they serve familiar food is that we want every entrée in the menu. We get to compare with our own cooking and our typical food. Leticia, the lovely Colombian server, laughed as we fought over possibilities and who was sharing what with whom. His eyes black and round… excited and loving. Of course we ended up ordering too much. The Spanish Bean Soup is reminiscent of the classic Caldo Gallego (Garbanzo beans, chorizo, ham and potatoes). Perfect for a hangover I was to acquire much later in the day. Oh, well. I did try. Papá had the Cuban sandwich and, although he claimed his previous one was better, no one tasted it because he never offered. Assume what you might. The Tortilla Española was okay. A bit mushy for my taste… actually our taste because some loudly criticized it. I ordered la Coca de Langosta. Coca is the Spaniard name for flatbread pizza. Mine had huge lobster chunks and if I had felt genuinely generous and had shared it, I would have starved to death and not eaten any. The whole table was ogling it voraciously and shamelessly. Amazing. But mine. They had to trust me on that.

We ordered empanadas de Ropa Vieja which disappeared immediately and those who do not have a long arm missed them. Oh, well. They will have to trust me on that. Previously I have tried the empanadas de picadillo (yummy) and the arroz con pollo (which I will never ever order again because I make it better.) They make the sangria table-side… and it is a lovely experience. A white and blue ceramic jar filled with burgundy color sweetness.

 My father and his wife ordered café con leche and it was served rather cold. Hey, they like it scalding hot. Don’t ask me because I can sit at Buddy Brew and hold on to that cup until pigs fly and imagine it is frozen and not mind, but they are picky. They believe themselves some sort of baristas from the boonies, I guess. Leticia obliged ad brought two new ones (since they don’t have microwave). They seemed to steam like witches’ brew. Raving reviews in between soccer team talks and Leticia’s family stories.

He looked at me behind the coffee fumes. Eyes filled with joy and love. Yes. I am definitely eleven when he is around. Still.

This is my favorite place to go before the hockey games. It beats bar food and big crowds any day. Great cocktails good food wonderful waterfront views. I mean come on, what could be nicer?

Terrific Food, Service, View. What more could you want. Our server was terrific -- made great recommendations. Didn't rush us as we winded through sangria, soups, tapas, and dessert. We would definitely come back here!

I liked my salad and meatloaf sandwich. Waitress kept the iced tea full. View is great.

This visit was a 5 star experience. 🌟 No wait, service was outstanding and food was cooked to perfection. Tha manager greeted everyone and asked about the food and dining experience. He definitely keeps this place running to perfection. My last review was not that great. I even thought of not returning, but glad I did. It was the best dining experience. 🤩

The food was delicious and the service was great. We went for lunch and didn't have to wait. Even though it was busy. The location is very nice! Definitely will be going again.

Everyone knows about the historic and famous Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City, but not so much for this secondary location. The Ybor spot is a must, but it is more for a special experience, given the difficulty in getting a table there, which is justified. But this one is an excellent option. Situated under the Tampa Bay Historical Art Museum and between Sparkman Wharf and Amalia Arena, the restaraunt is entirely open air, but fully covered and is right on the river - a really beautiful site. It's not as hot as you might think though with breezes off the river and their fans blowing throughout. The menu is not as expansive as the Ybor location, but all the highlights are there. Excellent savory, classic entrees, sumptuous sandwiches and salads all do the trick. Excellent cheap wine. Reservations are not accepted, but so long as there is not an event at the arena, that should not pose a problem. If there is an event, then arrive by 530.

We were in Tampa for a work conference and someone suggested the Columba Cafe. We walked over in the summer heat — and asked for a table inside (ie air conditioning) but no tables were available. So we were seated on the covered patio. Thank goodness for the fans and misters! We enjoyed cold drinks, the famous table side salad, and a few different entrees. Everything was delicious and our server was great! … and we clowned it up at the nearby alligator sculpture!

This place is very authentic, with its historical vibe. Food is quite simple, but really good and tasty. Portions are large! :)