Centro

“I recently had the pleasure of dining at Centro, and I must say, it was an exceptional experience from start to finish. From the moment I walked in, the ambiance immediately caught my attention. The decor strikes the perfect balance between modern elegance and cozy warmth, making it a comfortable place to relax and enjoy a meal with friends or family. The menu at Centro is diverse and thoughtfully curated, offering something for every palate. Each dish I tried was crafted with care and bursting with flavor. The freshness of the ingredients was evident in every bite, and the presentation was nothing short of artistic. I particularly enjoyed the signature dishes, which were rich in taste and perfectly seasoned. The variety of options, from classic favorites to unique chef specials, ensures that every visit can offer a new culinary adventure. Service at Centro deserves special mention. The staff were attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable, making excellent recommendations and ensuring that every need was met without being intrusive. Drinks and desserts were equally impressive, complementing the main courses beautifully. Overall, Centro is more than just a restaurant; it’s an experience. Whether you’re looking for a casual lunch, a romantic dinner, or a place to celebrate special occasions, Centro delivers on all fronts. The combination of delicious food, inviting ambiance, and outstanding service makes it a must-visit. I am already looking forward to my next visit and would highly recommend Centro to anyone seeking a memorable dining experience.”

“What a wonderful dining experience! I was in town for a conference & came for a late lunch during the week. Seated immediately. My server was very sweet & gave excellent recommendations. I usually choose spicy food, but she convinced me to try something else. So glad she did! The food arrived quickly & was beyond delicious. I got the pasta & salad meal. The Centro salad was very good. I cannot express to you how much I loved the chicken and prosciutto. It was perfectly prepared. Very rich, flavorful dish. The chocolate torte with raspberry dessert is every chocolate lovers dream. The torte was creamy & obviously rich. The raspberry drizzle was the perfect compliment. I couldn't help thinking about how much my mother would have loved it. I could have shared this meal with another person. Instead I took leftovers home for a second meal.”

“The building itself sets expectations before you've ordered anything. Centro lives inside a former Masonic temple in downtown Des Moines and the space has those tall, serious ceilings that make a room feel like it was built with more ambition than a standard restaurant deserves. High arched windows, warm lighting, the kind of noise level where you can hear the people at your table and not much else. We went on a weeknight with no particular occasion in mind and ended up staying longer than planned, which is usually the sign of a good meal. The spinach salad with warm bacon dressing was the right way to start. The dressing comes out genuinely warm and the combination of bacon, mushroom, and Asiago on fresh spinach does what a good bistro salad should do: it makes you feel like the rest of the meal is in safe hands. From there I went to the ricotta gnocchi, which is one of those dishes that either goes very right or very wrong depending on the kitchen, and this kitchen does it right. Pillowy, not dense, with a sauce that didn't compete with the texture. Midway through I kept reaching for the bread, which was an error in terms of pacing but the bread was good and I made peace with the consequences. Someone across the table ordered the wood-grilled flank steak, which came with Gorgonzola cream sauce and looked significantly better than I wanted it to while I was sitting there with pasta. I got a few bites and confirmed that yes, it was better than I wanted it to be. The Bianca pizza made an appearance as well, because someone decided the table needed one more thing, and the quattro formaggio situation on that pizza is the kind of thing that makes a forty-dollar entree feel slightly beside the point. The crust on the wood-fired pizzas here has a proper char on the bottom and holds up. We finished with the crème brûlée, which was torched at exactly the right moment and had that thin caramel crust that makes the whole ritual worth it. Centro is not trying to be anything other than what it is: a well-run Italian-inspired restaurant that takes its ingredients seriously and has been doing this in downtown Des Moines for long enough that the staff has a relaxed confidence about everything. The Monday half-price pizza deal is a local institution and worth planning around if you happen to be in town. But honestly, any night works.”

“The spinach salad with warm bacon dressing was the right way to start. The dressing comes out genuinely warm and the combination of bacon, mushroom, and Asiago on fresh spinach does what a good bistro salad should do: it makes you feel like the rest of the meal is in safe hands. From there I went to the ricotta gnocchi, which is one of those dishes that either goes very right or very wrong depending on the kitchen, and this kitchen does it right. Pillowy, not dense, with a sauce that didn't compete with the texture. Midway through I kept reaching for the bread, which was an error in terms of pacing but the bread was good and I made peace with the consequences. Someone across the table ordered the wood-grilled flank steak, which came with Gorgonzola cream sauce and looked significantly better than I wanted it to while I was sitting there with pasta. I got a few bites and confirmed that yes, it was better than I wanted it to be. The Bianca pizza made an appearance as well, because someone decided the table needed one more thing, and the quattro formaggio situation on that pizza is the kind of thing that makes a forty-dollar entree feel slightly beside the point. The crust on the wood-fired pizzas here has a proper char on the bottom and holds up. We finished with the crème brûlée, which was torched at exactly the right moment and had that thin caramel crust that makes the whole ritual worth it. Centro is not trying to be anything other than what it is: a well-run Italian-inspired restaurant that takes its ingredients seriously and has been doing this in downtown Des Moines for long enough that the staff has a relaxed confidence about everything. The Monday half-price pizza deal is a local institution and worth planning around if you happen to be in town. But honestly, any night works.”

“Valentine’s Day weekend. Service was quick, and the food was delicious. The tomato basil soup was amazing, would recommend. I always get the Chicken and Prosciutto pasta, so I highly recommend that was well. Our server, Diana, was very fun and friendly. Great job from her!!”