The Columbia Restaurant - a Florida tradition since 1905.
Warm, crusty Cuban bread slathered with butter, the garlicky goodness of "1905" Salad and Spanish bean soup flavored with chewy bits of chorizo - that's Columbia's signature lunch, and they have been dishing it up since 1905. Aromatic dishes on the dinner menu feature traditional favorites of Spain and Cuba, offering tender pork, chicken and rice, fresh fish and shellfish. Entrees are served while still steaming and enhanced by overflowing pitchers of fresh, fruity sangria. Business people bring clients here for lunch and families celebrate milestones within these pretty tiled walls. Enjoy lunch or dinner at this restaurant known for its strong traditions and inimitable style. St. Armands Magazine - 2008
Wherever I've eaten at the Columbia - there are several in Florida now - the staff, food and service have always been outstanding. The St. Armands locale proved no different.
Around the table our entrees spotlighted the rich and often rustic cuisine of Spanish and Cuban dinner tables. Friends chose a paella Valencia, the national dish of Spain featuring Valencia rice, shrimp, mussels, clams, calamari and more seasoned with saffron, pimento and more; roast Cuban pork served with white rice, black beans, yucca and fried ripe plaintains; and pollo RioJana, a boneless chicken breast breaded, grilled and topped with a Rioja tomato sauce and Tetilla cheese.
I tasted my friend's paella and decided that I must try it at such time when I can divorce myself from my usual order of Boliche Criollo, a roasted eye-round of beef stuffed with chorizo. Bradenton Herald – January 11, 2007
The Columbia Restaurant Sarasota is located on St. Armands Circle in Lido Key. Relax in one of our Mediterranean style dining rooms or enjoy an outdoor table on the patio while sampling our award winning Spanish/Cuban cuisine. Enjoy lunch or dinner while surrounded by the circle's paradise of lush tropical landscaping that create an international atmosphere of friendly warmth, enduring elegance, and timeless style. Columbia Sarasota opened in 1959 on St. Armands Circle, and is now the oldest restaurant in Sarasota.
Sarasota is a cultural haven with stunning beaches, acres of recreation, superb shops and galleries. St. Armands Circle is conveniently located near the beaches of Lido and Longboat Key. Lido Beach is located on Lido Key, one half mile southwest of St. Armands Circle. Explore the completely undeveloped and unspoiled North Lido Beach where you can walk under the Australian Pines or anchor a boat along the shore. Enjoy the park-like atmosphere of South Lido Beach or the public pool.
Longboat Key, a narrow stretch of eleven sun drenched miles, lies between the waters of Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico and provides an eloquent beach and bayfront setting for the ultimate in a tropical Florida vacation. Outdoor activities like golf, tennis, deep-sea fishing and boating are also nearby.
After your meal, stroll along the circle that resembles an elegant European market with bright tropical landscaping. It is home to more than 130 shops that pamper customers from all areas of the United States.
We invite you to visit our on-site gift shop for a selection of unique gifts, fine cigars & accessories. And don't forget to take home "A Taste of Columbia" with our World Famous "1905" Salad TM Dressing, sangria mix, Cuban and American roast coffee, hot sauce and Columbia seasoning. You'll also find a wide variety of unique hand-made and hand painted ceramic pieces imported from Spain.
Address: 411 St. Armands Circle
Sarasota, FL 34236
