For over a century, Columbia Restaurant—regarded as Florida’s oldest restaurant—has been serving Spanish tapas and entrées with hot Cuban bread to customers in Ybor City and beyond.
After starting as a saloon, the Ybor City location has since expanded and transformed into the largest Spanish restaurant in the world, now covering an entire city block.
Still family-run, Columbia has grown into a culinary legacy with locations in Sarasota, St. Augustine, Clearwater and Orlando, along with café concepts at Tampa International Airport and the Tampa Bay History Center.
With 120 years under its belt, Columbia Restaurant has certainly mastered the secret to success.
1905 From Saloon to Restaurant (1905)
Columbia Restaurant, founded by Casimiro Hernandez Sr., began as Saloon Columbia in 1903, a Florida Brewery tasting room, before a fire led to its transformation.
A Cool First (1935)
Casimiro, Jr. builds Tampa’s first air-conditioned dining room, creating the iconic Don Quixote dining room. Two years later, he opened the the Andalucia-inspired Patio Room.
A Musical Legacy Begins (1950)
Casimiro Jr. hires son-in-law Cesar Gonzmart, a concert violinist. With wife Adela Hernandez Gonzmart, a Juilliard-trained pianist, they become the restaurant’s third-generation owners and operators.
A Sarasota Landmark (1959)
Columbia opens its second location on St. Armands Circle. Still thriving today, it holds the title of Sarasota’s oldest restaurant.
Fourth Generation Leads (1970)
Richard and Casey Gonzmart join Cesar Gonzmart in daily operations at Columbia, officially becoming the fourth generation of family owners and operators.
Historic Expansion (1983-1989)
Columbia opens in St. Augustine’s Historic District and in 1989 at Sand Key on Clearwater Beach.
A Patriarch Remembered (1992)
Cesar Gonzmart, visionary leader and third-generation owner, passes away, leaving behind a lasting legacy of family, music and hospitality.
Modernizing Tradition (2001)
Columbia builds a 5,000+ square foot state-of-the-art kitchen in Ybor City, Andrea Gonzmart, a 5th-generation family member, joins the company full-time. In 2011, Casey Gonzmart, Jr. joins.
A Taste of History (2009)
Columbia opens Columbia Café at the Tampa Bay History Center, bringing its iconic flavors to the heart of Tampa’s historic waterfront.
Airport Dining (2012)
Columbia Café opens at Tampa International Airport. Years later, Ulele, Goody Goody Burgers and Cafe Con Leche Ybor City open at TPA.
A New Era (2014)
Ulele’s opening led to Columbia Restaurant Group’s 2022 rebranding as the 1905 Family Of Restaurants, which includes Ulele, Casa Santo Stefano (2020) and Cha Cha Coconuts (1989).
A New Milestone (2025)
The 1905 Family celebrated the 120th year of Columbia with a series of wine dinners and events.
Learn more about Andrea Gonzmart Williams‘ Local Knowledge. Or click here if you’re interested in advertising with us.
