Centro

Dinner on the patio is best here as indoors is a bit too noisy. Excellent cocktails; Pear Vino was fab! 🤩 Portions are generous the half order of the centro salad was enough for 2! Chicken Saltimbocca was tasty good and they did it gluten free with green beans. I'll be back for another evening on the patio!

Can’t speak to the atmosphere as this order is as to go… this was delectable. The Bianca pizza & ricotta gnocchi, which were expected to be good, knocked it out of the park. If you’re a ricotta fan these are not going to disappoint.

Really good food and service, we always forget about this restaurant but should make it a regular.

The service was good but a little slow, we had a larger group, so it was understandable.

The apps were fantastic, good amount of food and came out quickly. The main course was delicious, we had steak, fish and salad mains. All were prepared well and had fantastic flavor. We did have 2 toddlers with us and had to ask for high chairs and kids menus.

Overall it was a great night and we will be back.

We are lucky in Des Moines. There are a lot of really good restaurants. This is without a doubt, one of the best. Incredible food, great drinks, great service. Treat yourself and someone you love!

Second time eating here. One of my favorite places in Des Moines. Spicy rigatoni is excellent! Steak and pizza is wonderful too. A must go!!

I’ve been here many times over the years for lunch and dinner. The vibe gives upscale and fancy, but I never feel out of place in more casual clothes. It can sometimes get a little loud and busy. I live for the bread. Dipped in oil, it always hits the spot. Some of my recommended dishes for appetizers are the fried brussel sprouts, portobello fries and fried calamari. For meals, I love the tomato basil soup with tortellini- great flavor and texture, the pizzas and the three cheese medallions. Overall the food has always been really good. I’ve been here occasionally when the salt has been a little heavy handed, but this time the food was great. Our meal this time was chicken Frances which was delicious. The lemon butter sauce made the chicken a little soggy and the sauce a little loose, but the flavor was so good. It was pretty much two meals, so for a dinner price it wasn’t bad. Our waitress kept our water glasses full and gave us space but made sure we had what we needed. I’ve never left disappointed and usually have a meal for the next day as portion sizes are pretty good.

Great food with perfect portions. We would definitely recommend coming here while you’re in town.

I took my kids here before a show and it was amazing! We truly loved everything that was served. If ever back in the area we will certainly come back. There was no wait, we had no issues parking midweek, and service was good. This restaurant is accessible. I would say best for date nights or special occasions but if you have well behaved children they fit right in as well!

My husband and I have been coming here for 7 years and it remains one of our absolute favorite spots. Great food with large portions. Very tasty desserts (if you're not feeling a big meal, its worth swinging by for just a dessert). Good staff. Cozy atmosphere. A Des Moines must!

This place always nails it!
The Ribeye was cooked perfectly (medium rare) and had a deep, rich flavor.
We've been many times, and service is always top-notch. The service team has a high sense of urgency and professionalism.

Grace was our server tonight, and she could not have made this experience more extraordinary! My fiancé and I have been coming to Centro for years and this is hands down the best service we’ve ever had! The food was incredible, they have delicious drinks and their recommendations are to be taken seriously. Grace, you’re amazing, never change!!

Everything here exceeded any expectations we had! The service was on-point, food was spectacular, and drinks were delicious! The ingredients tasted so fresh! The meats in each dish were perfectly juicy! We had everything from the salads to the pastas to the pizza. Everything was absolute perfection! We came here to make up for a bad Valentine's Day dinner at another resto the night before and wow, did they make up for it...Not only is their pricing extremely fair, but the portions are huge, and the service/ambience/everything is arguably the best in DSM!!!

Upbeat atmosphere yet inviting. The service and food were superb! The sausage and shrimp penne had the perfect combination of flavors worth a slight bite of heat.
I'll definitely be visiting there again.

Nice Italian place with a slightly casual vibe with pizzas, pastas, steaks, seafood, and good cocktails. We particularly enjoyed the crab cakes, the red sauce pasta with Italian sausage, and most of all the 8 oz filet centro - perfectly prepared rare and super tender!

Only downside I always mention - they tack on a 2.75% “non cash adjustment” to all bills, even before you present a credit card. They also charge this if you pay using a gift card which is a bit under handed since that literally is their cash.

Solid 4.6 Star dining experience. I had to really nitpick to find anything wrong with our meal.

Our service was excellent. The server explained the menu extensively and worked with us to figure out an alternative to an allergy.

We ordered crab cakes and bruschetta to start. Both delicious and packed lots of flavor. The crab cakes, thankfully, had lots of crab, which isn’t always the case here in the Midwest. My only knock on the bruschetta was that it could be cut further. It felt more like a salad than normal bruschetta. Otherwise, it was incredible.

For entrées, we ordered the ribeye, Scallops, Beef tenderloin, and the chicken Francese. There wasn’t a single complaint about the dishes in the table.

Our beverages were also quite delicious, and this is probably where our complaints come to play. A couple of our cocktails were served with regular ice, which diluted them quickly. I wish they served them with a large cube. Also, our wine did come out after we were almost done with our entrees, but it was a packed Friday evening.

That being said, we had a great experience and would recommend Centro to all who live or visit Des Moines!

I'm from out of town and rely heavily on other people's rating when choosing a restaurant. This did not disappoint! Everything about my experience at Centro was fantastic.

Centro in Des Moines is a culinary treasure that truly stands out in the city's vibrant dining scene. From the moment I stepped into the restaurant, I was greeted with a warm and inviting ambiance, setting the tone for a remarkable dining experience.

The menu at Centro is a delightful blend of classic Italian dishes and contemporary twists, each prepared with the freshest ingredients and utmost care. The flavors are rich, authentic, and beautifully presented, ensuring each dish is a feast for both the eyes and the palate. Their pasta is a must-try, perfectly al dente and combined with flavorful sauces that transport you straight to Italy.

What really elevates Centro above others is their exceptional service. The staff is knowledgeable, attentive, and genuinely passionate about providing a memorable dining experience. Their recommendations were spot on, enhancing our meal with perfectly paired wines and dishes.

The restaurant's atmosphere is both elegant and relaxed, making it an ideal spot for everything from a casual lunch to a special dinner. The interior is stylish and comfortable, and there's a sense of sophistication that doesn't feel pretentious.

Centro's location in the heart of Des Moines is perfect for a night out in the city. Whether you're a local or just visiting, this restaurant is a must-visit for anyone who appreciates exquisite Italian cuisine and top-notch service.

In summary, my experience at Centro was nothing short of fantastic. It's a place where every detail is thoughtfully curated to create an exceptional dining experience. I can't wait to return and indulge in their culinary delights again. Highly recommended!

My sister and I went to Centro for her birthday. We experienced a lovely atmosphere delicious food and impeccable service. We were served by Rahemma and she was nothing short of lovely. If I could give her a ten star I would. Attentive, kind and warm all come to mind to explain our experience with her - just a very lovely young lady. Will definitely be going back!

Centro is a great place for a date or a celebratory dinner. The atmosphere is intimate and elegant but not overly so. I got the Peachy Keen mocktail. It was VERY good, I loved it. I recommend getting it. I got the sausage and shrimp fettuccine for dinner, and for dessert, I got the tiramisu sundae. The pasta was straightforward and had a nice taste.

Our server was fantastic! She checked in often to make sure everything was tasting good and to see if we needed anything. The food was delicious and we ended up taking home leftovers because there was so much. Highly recommend checking out Centro of you have not already!