Take a (sort of) Disney Break in Celebration, FL

We love Disney World. Love it! LOVE! IT! But sometimes it’s nice to break out of the bubble every now and then. Sometimes we’ll hit the outlets around Orlando. Sometimes we’ll trek to a nearby beach. More often than not, though, we’ll take the short drive to Celebration, Florida for lunch at the Columbia Restaurant. 

For those not “in the know” about this historied town, Celebration is a “master planned community” originally developed by The Walt Disney Company. Although Disney is still very present in Celebration, much of its power has since been divested. It conjures images of Stepford and looks like you’ve stepped onto a movie set. A little creepy? Maybe. But it is home to some great dining options outside of the official Disney World bubble. 

Columbia Restaurant

The gpa and his older brother were both served in the US Military. Their travels took them to Macdill Air Force Base in Tampa, home of the original Columbia Restaurant. He dined at the original and has taken us several times to enjoy a nostalgic lunch at both the Celebration and Ybor City (Tampa) locations.

From the Columbia story:

For Spanish-Cuban immigrant Casimiro Hernandez, Sr. , arriving in Tampa, FL, with his four young sons meant searching for opportunity and a better life. 

​On Dec. 17, 1903, he helped to open the Columbia Saloon, which became the Columbia Restaurant in 1905.

Over nearly 120 years, the original restaurant has expanded to an entire city block and is now the largest Spanish restaurant in the world. 

Casimiro’s descendants diligently care for the Columbia Restaurant and help preserve his American dream. As Florida’s oldest restaurant, the Columbia has seven locations in Florida and is still owned and operated by family members. 

The Atmosphere

The Food

The Shop

The amount of Columbia sangria pitchers this family has…

Kilwins

While Columbia has excellent desserts, we always save a little room to stop in next door at Kilwins and grab something sweet!