Tampa’s Spanish and Cuban roots run deep, and our readers named the restaurants that carry on the tradition. Here are the restaurants TAMPA Magazine readers voted Best Spanish/Cuban/Latin American Restaurant in our 2026 Best Restaurants List, along with the runners-up and the spots voters also loved.
Winner
Columbia Restaurant
Florida’s oldest restaurant, the Columbia has been run by the same family since Casimiro Hernandez Sr. founded it in Ybor City in 1905. The original location fills an entire city block with 15 dining rooms, and flamenco shows in the El Siboney ballroom set the scene for a Cuban sandwich, paella or flan.
Runner-Up
- Red Mesa Cantina
Voters Also Loved
- Ceviche Tapas Bar & Restaurant
- Flan Factory
Spanish, Cuban and Latin American Food in Tampa Bay
Ybor City was built by cigar workers from Cuba, Spain and Italy in the late 1800s, and their food is still part of everyday life in Tampa. Today the area’s Latin dining ranges from historic Spanish restaurants to Cuban cafes, Puerto Rican and Venezuelan kitchens, and modern Latin fusion.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Spanish or Cuban restaurant in Tampa?
In TAMPA Magazine’s 2026 Best Restaurants List, readers named Columbia Restaurant the winner for Best Spanish/Cuban/Latin American Restaurant. Red Mesa Cantina was the runner-up.
How were the winners chosen?
The results are based entirely on votes from TAMPA Magazine readers in our annual Best Restaurants contest. Advertising has no bearing on the results.
Where can I find the other categories?
See every category on our 2026 Best Restaurants List, or browse the newest results on our Best Restaurants List.
« Back to the full 2026 Best Restaurants List
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