Centro
Italian Restaurant, Breakfast Spot, and Pizzeria$$$$
Downtown Des Moines, Des Moines
"And check out the Bloody Mary bar on Sundays!"(5 Tips)
"Dale was right... fried ravioli was awesome!"(4 Tips)
"Mondays: pizza and peroni 🍺🍕... Do it 😄"(3 Tips)
"Basil & Tortellini soup"(3 Tips)
97 Tips and reviewsFilter:
- Italian food
- good for dates
- portobello fries
- marshmallow sundae
- peroni
- (15 more)
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Centro's bar area has one of the best street views of Downtown Des Moines. My favorite dish is the hand-rolled Caviatelli. The Sunday morning Bloody Mary bar is also a can't miss.
Sarah CJanuary 27, 2012Adored by locals and famous visitors, Centro has been #1 on MetroMix's list of best restaurants in Des Moines. Start any delicious Italian dish with their deliciously unique Fried Ravioli.
berrybeansMarch 14, 2019Although I don’t know much about the eat-out trend in Des Moines, this is by far the best restaurant in Downtown. Better to book a table before you go.
Dr Kendra StrangeAugust 4, 2018So after a year in Des Moines I finally had to break my “no seafood” in the Midwest rule! A girl can only eat the Iowa pork tenderloin so many times! Centro delivered- flying in fresh seafood daily- Maddie M.July 21, 2013Absolutely my new favorite place! Gorgonzola burger is delicious and has the portobello fries on top (which are so good). Pizza crust is thin & crisp. And check out the Bloody Mary bar on Sundays!
La-Tica BraggDecember 5, 2016Italian food is superb here! Excellent service and great for catching up with friends over a delicious meal!
Stacie MillerJune 1, 2015Their calzone is amazing .. Their breakfast if amazing an getting fresh bread with the oil is very good too 😄
Ricky SherrillFebruary 1, 2016Good food and a great experience from start to finish. Excellent desserts too.
Brett SiksniusJuly 6, 2019Local sausage completes the delicious sauces on the homemade pasta dishes here. Delicious meal.
Jonathan SmithDecember 27, 2015Get the bone in pork chops. They are excellent and wonderful and the best! Trust me. Get the bone in pork chops.
DonovanAugust 15, 2018Ribeye is a must along with portobello fries. Sit at the bar if there is a wait. Great service.
IrmaZandl ZandlSlantAugust 13, 2017Everyone raves about this place. I found it good but not knock your socks off.
Mascarpone stuffed French toast is amazing, and you will never find a better Bloody Mary bar anywhere (weekends only).
- Who goes to an Italian restaurant to order a veggie burger? I do, because it's one of the best I've ever had. The coal-fired pizza is pretty amazing too.
Ben J. DITZELJanuary 11, 2013Went here in 2007 with my best friend. We enjoyed the cuisine and the service. A nice little Des Moines jewel.
Katie MartinApril 7, 2013Stuffed chicken is to die for. Add a vodka soda to the mix and you'll be head over heals with this Italian hot spot.
The marshmallow sundae is amazing! It's filled with ice cream, chocolate peanuts, brownie bites and a giant marshmallow on the top.- Sarah BishopMarch 11, 2014If you are asking yourself if you should try the Tomato, Basil & Tortellini soup, the answer is YES!
Big portions. The meals are good however it's far from Des Moines finer dining. It is big and nice looking and a safe place to eat for those who aren't adventurous.
Desarae VeitApril 24, 2012The prosecco is good it's sweet but dry like seven up. I personally love mascoto, although $30 is over priced for this bottle. But pair it with the cheese and meat platter and you're set.
Chris MitchellFebruary 26, 2013Quite possibly the best meal I have ever eaten......in Iowa. That said, I have eaten many many meals in Iowa. Gotta eat here!
Ashley Martin-LordFebruary 2, 2013Centro Steak was amazing! Swap out the broccoli for sautéed green beans. Trust me. The beans were fantastic!!
Outdoor seating, wine selection, brussel sprout appetizer is great
Has an awesome lunch special! A salad and a "personal pizza" (enough for 2) for only $10.50.
Brandon NattressFebruary 8, 2012Top of many best Des Moines restaurant lists. Everything I have had here is good, friends rave about their pizza.
Fernando FigueroaMarch 29, 2013Chicken Saltimbocca! The Marsala wine sauce give it a very particular, good touch.
eryn oMarch 3, 2012Ask to see the gluten-free menu! Server was helpful and noted GF on the ticket for CC issues. Good experience all around.
Amber PowellJanuary 30, 2012Very, very good! First time trying salmon, and they did not let me down! Will definitely go again.
Marcela EstradaAugust 26, 2013Rain water martini. Light, crisp, and delicious! Husband likes the Moscow mule.
Juice MagazineSeptember 13, 2011Voted #1 in the Top 100 Restaurants in central Iowa. Read why the Italian restaurant tops the list: http://dmreg.com/khZNPe Read more
Christina TellesSeptember 11, 2011as an out-of-town vegetarian, veggie burger is thumbs up! Great bar scene with vintage poster art.
George's pizza is great! The atmosphere was excellent as was the service. Such a great place in downtown Des Moines.
Nicole AlessandraJuly 6, 2011try the green gnocchi, and check out the hot host (who happens to be the mayor) while you're there!
- Juice MagazineFebruary 29, 2012Centro’s Bloody Mary bar is reason enough to stop by the downtown spot for brunch. http://dmreg.co/weNg9z Read more
BrandieOctober 10, 2024We really thought this place was not great. The food was not Italian, but more like American versions you make up at home. The design felt like a jail and we had gnats all over us and the food.
- Desarae VeitApril 24, 2012Bland platter to fill up 2 people. It acts expensive lacking zest. Cheese leaves something to be desired. Love Centro meat but this is lunch meat & grapes. Pair it with wine as a filling snack.
214 Photos
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Conveniently located in downtown Des Moines lives one of the city’s most popular restaurants, CENTRO.
Closed until 11:00 AM (Show more)
- Mon–Thu
- 11:00 AM–2:00 PM
- 5:00 PM–10:00 PM
- Fri
- 11:00 AM–2:00 PM
- 5:00 PM–11:00 PM
- Sat
- 11:00 AM–3:00 PM
- 5:00 PM–11:00 PM
- Sun
- 10:00 AM–3:00 PM
- 4:30 PM–9:00 PM
(515) 248-1780
Features
Credit Cards
Yes (incl. Discover & Visa)
Wi-Fi
Yes
Outdoor Seating
Yes
Food & Drink
Menus
Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, Happy Hour
Drinks
Beer, Wine, Full Bar, Cocktails
See More
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- 8.4
"This is my "seal the deal" restaurant. Great food on every line of the menu. I'm a sucker for their fried chicken livers, but it's a great pasta joint."
Daniel Finney - 8.4
"Pizza is the best sause in town! Toppings are primo also, quality food...yummy"
Michele Eaton - 7.7
"Fantastic lunch, amazing dinner. One of the best in DSM."
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- 7.9
"Get a large iced coffee, raspberry flavouring, light ice & 2% milk. Blueberry Oat Bar or Cheese Danish. You won't regret it!"
Ben J. DITZEL - 8.6
"Great place! Acoustics are mediocre and get a lot of traffic sounds so beware if taking an audition there"
Jeiran Hasan - 9.1
"Mr. Valli was AMAZING & AWESOME! A GREAT entertainer! We had a terrific time!!"
Amy Roberts
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