The Columbia Restaurant opens its doors! The Columbia Restaurant is the oldest continuously operated restaurant in Florida, the oldest Spanish restaurant in the United States and one of the largest Spanish restaurants in the world. The restaurant, which began in Ybor City as a small 60-seat corner café, now has 1,700 seats in 15 dining rooms taking up 52,000 ft² over an entire city block. Founded by Cuban immigrant Casimiro Hernandez, Sr., the landmark restaurant and its 7 additional locations are still owned and operated by fourth and fifth generation Hernandez/Gonzmart family members. Although the exact date of opening is not known, the restaurant celebrates with “1905 Days” in mid-September every year in recognition of over a century of business.