8 Best Colombian Restaurants in Tampa

Whether you live in or are just visiting Tampa, Florida, you’ll want to know the best places to go for Colombian food and other Latin American fare in the area! Well, luckily for you we’ve compiled a list of some great restaurants in Tampa for you to check out next time you’re there, and they all also happen to be supported by GiftYa.

What is GiftYa, you may ask? Well, it’s a virtual gift card company that allows people to send their loved ones money to spend at a participating location through the app! The recipient, be it friend or family member, then only has to set up that balance with an existing credit or debit card, and then they don’t have to remember to bring anything extra in their wallet when they go out to eat!

So, consider purchasing a GiftYa virtual gift card for someone you know for the next birthday, holiday, or other special occasion, and consider visiting one or several of the restaurants on this list while you’re at it!

La Lechonera

Latin American restaurant with big portions for low prices.

5601 N Armenia Ave | Tampa | la-lechonera.business.site

This restaurant, located in a central location in Tampa, has a lively, casual atmosphere that enhances customers’ dining experience. It’s perfect for grabbing a quick meal or having a sit-down dinner. La Lechonera also offers catering and takeout!

On the menu are soups, specials, sandwiches, frituras, seafood, sides, desserts, and beverages.

La Lechonera is open from 9:30 a.m. until 10 p.m. on Mondays through Saturdays and from 10:30 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. on Sundays.

“Love to eat here when I visit Tampa! Has a little bit of everything, and brings me back to the food I grew up with. Love their yucca!” - Yelp Review

Buy a GiftYa for La Lechonera

El Puerto Restaurant & Grill

Local favorite in Ybor City— and for good reason!

1623 E 5th Ave | Ybor City | elpuertoybor.com

If you’re searching for unique, exotic flavors in Tampa, Florida, look no further than El Puerto Restaurant & Grill! It has been named one of the best restaurants in the Ybor City area on multiple occasions, and for good reason.

There’s a wide variety of dishes on the menu to choose from. For dinner, guests can enjoy appetizers, salads, soups, seafood, meat, chicken, pastas, sides, desserts, and beverages.

Hours at El Puerto are from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Mondays, 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. on Tuesdays through Thursdays, noon until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and noon until 9:30 p.m. on Sundays.

“This is a hidden gem in Ybor City. The menu is great, and hard to pick from, because of the many good and tasty looking dishes. The portions are big, and delicious.” - Yelp Review

Buy a GiftYa for El Puerto Restaurant & Grill

Nico’s Arepas Grill

Traditional Venezuelan dishes in Tampa, Florida.

8303 N Armenia Ave | Tampa | nicosarepasgrill.com

This Venezuelan restaurant serves traditional, delicious dishes that you won’t want to miss out on. The modern, relaxed atmosphere also creates a great space for customers to enjoy a good meal.

There are arepas, cochapas, appetizers, lunch dishes, salads, beverages, sides, and desserts on the menu to choose from.

Nico’s Arepas Grill is open from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. all seven days of the week.

“Never would've thought to stop at this place if not for the great reviews. I didn't know what to expect really, as I'd never tried it before. I had the sampler and wasn't sorry. Service was great.” - Yelp Review

Buy a GiftYa for Nico’s Arepas Grill

Tostones Inc

Delicious Latin American dishes for dine-in, delivery, and drive-through!

5831 Memorial Highway | Town N Country | tostonesinc.com 

Located in the Town N Country area of Tampa, Florida, Tostones Inc is a great place to go for a special event, or even just a casual night out with friends.

The menu is divided into two sections— “munchies,” or snacks and shareable plates, and “meals” which you may want to order for an entree. The options within these two groups at Tostones Inc are endless, and you’ll love what the chefs do with plantains!

Hours at Tostones Inc are from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Mondays through Wednesdays, from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. on Thursdays through Saturdays, and from noon until 8 p.m. on Sundays.

“I'll be back when I'm in Tampa - really can't go wrong here. Portions are huge, prices are reasonable, service is friendly, and food is tasty. No complaints here. Oh, and get some passionfruit juice.” - Yelp Review

Buy a GiftYa for Tostones

Cali Aji Latin Kitchen and Bakery

Family meals and market in nearby Riverview, Florida.

10664 US Highway Suite 301 | Riverview | caliaji.com 

Located in Riverview, which is just a fifteen minute drive from Tampa, this restaurant is definitely worth a visit. Cali Aji Latin Kitchen and Bakery has great deals— including an all day happy hour —and great food!

There are family meals, Colombian empanadas, soups, starters, salads, main dishes, cali mio, cali bowls, tacos, shareable plates, sandwiches, sides, desserts, and beverages on the menu. Also— don’t forget about the breakfast options! There’s eggs, omelets, french toast, pancakes, sandwiches, specials, arepas, sides, kid’s breakfast, and bakery items to choose from.

Cali Aji is open from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays, and from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m. on Sundays.

“I was visiting from Miami and decided to try a local Colombian food spot. Having a LOT of experience tasting Colombian food, I have to say this was really good. The milk guava juice was delicious.” - Yelp Review

Buy a GiftYa for Cali Aji Latin Kitchen and Bakery

La Casona Restaurant

“El Pabellon del Mofongo” in Tampa, Florida.

5709 N Armenia Ave | Tampa | lacasonatampa.com

La Casona is a cozy, family-owned restaurant that’s become a Tampa favorite. The restaurant is famous for its mofongo, but there are a variety of Puerto Rican and Caribbean dishes on the menu.

On the menu are appetizers, salads, soups, fish and seafood, meats, rice dishes, mofongos, kid’s dishes, steaks, sides, beverages, and desserts.

La Casona is closed on Mondays, but it’s open from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesdays through Thursdays, from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and from noon until 8:30 p.m.

“I've been here several times and each time the food is outstanding.  We had the steak mofongo & shrimp mofongo with empanadas. I haven't tried anything other than the mofongo, but I would say that's their specialty.” - Yelp Review

Buy a GiftYa for La Casona Restaurant

Are-Pitas

Venezuelan and Lebanese dishes for your table.

2734 University Square Drive | USF | are-pitas.com 

If you need a restaurant to cater your event in the Tampa area, Are-Pitas could be the palace to go. There’s tequenos, rice, pulled beef, platanos, black beans, pulled chicken, and cheese.

However, you would also enjoy dining in at this restaurant! Pitas, arepas, cachapas, empanadas, tequenos, entree specials, salads, sides, drinks, dessert, and even breakfast— all this can be found on the menu.

Are-Pitas is open from 8:30 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays, from 8:30 a.m. until 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and from 10:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Sundays.

“My wife loved her arepas & empanadas & the side of plantains was cooked to perfection...sweet, tender, caramelized goodness. I must also mention the workers were very kind, polite, & personable.” - Yelp Review

Buy a GiftYa for Are-Pitas

La Casa de Mama Latin Restaurant

A great location in Tampa serving great food.

4820 N Armenia Ave | Tampa | lacasademamafl.com 

The menu at this restaurant includes appetizers, ensopados, rice, dishes a la parrilla, sandwiches, desserts, beverages, and more! Some favorites are the Chuleta Asada, and Ceviche de Ecuador Mixto, Bolon de Chicharrón.

Guests can also order for takeout or delivery!

La Casa de Mama may be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, but it’s open from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. on Wednesdays, from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. on Thursdays through Saturdays, and from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Sundays.

“10/10 I recommend! The ambiance is amazing, the food is magnificent. You will thoroughly enjoy your meal and spending time with your loved ones in this amazing environment. I will definitely be returning to eat here often!”  - Yelp Review

Buy a GiftYa for La Casa de Mama Latin Restaurant

All of these places will definitely satisfy your cravings for delicious Colombian food in Tampa, Florida. But, if none of the spots on this list caught your eye, you can also check out one of our favorite chains for Latin American food is Chipotle, which also happens to be supported by GiftYa!