Upscale yet relaxed, Centro serves creative, Italian-inspired dishes. Located downtown in the historic Masonic Temple, Centro’s interior is spacious, airy, and beautiful while the patio is perfect for al fresco dining and people watching. As for the delicious fare, the menu changes often in order to reflect the freshest, seasonal ingredients available but always features salads, sandwiches, entrées with seafood, chicken, beef, and pork and much more.

Derek Eidson at Centro has been experimenting with handmade pastas and cured meats. Monthly dinners he curates with Formaro bring specialty dishes and menus to a group of 50, almost like opening a completely different restaurant within the Italian eatery, Formaro said.For now, though, Des Moines might want to concentrate on some of the pieces Zimmern says need to be in place before earning national recognition for the dining scene.“I think it needs a traditional restaurant culture more than one generation old, which for restaurants is 10 to 15 years,” Zimmern said. “It needs a dining populace willing to be experimented at.

One of the first restaurants I fell in love with when I moved to Des Moines, Centro will always be a top contender. Being a downtown Des Moines staple, they serve up Italian food, specializing in their pizza/salad combos and homemade breads from the connected lunch spot – South Union. A perfect blend of modern finishes, vintage décor and original floor tile greets you with an aroma of garlic and red wine, followed by a waiter dressed in traditional white shirt, black tie garb and the clicking of utensils & chatter echo across the high ceiling.

Conveniently located in downtown Des Moines in a beautifully restored ex-Masonic temple with high ceilings and elegant décor, Centro one of the city’s most popular restaurants and the go-to spot for fine dining. The urban eatery specializes in contemporary Italian-inspired cuisine fresh locally sourced ingredients and expert preparation by Chef George Formaro and Executive Chef Jon Baker. Signature dishes include the Italian meat-and-cheese plate, Mama’s Meatballs, cheese-and-prosciutto-stuffed chicken, and pork chops Milanese.

The combat zone goes upscale at business district Des Moines ’ Centro. Restaurateur George Formaro and team have naturally added their own creative wrench, inventing the Quentin Tarantino-tribute Kill-Bill Pork Tenderloin. Featuring a triple pork barrel whammy, the dish is stacked with Niman Ranch combat zone, ham, bacon, pepper jack cheese, a cheery side-up egg, red onion and garlic mayonnaise and served on a toasted ciabatta bun, which helps explains its alternate name : The Five Pointed Palm Exploding Heart Sandwich.

One of Des Moines most acclaimed and upscale restaurants is also the state's most romantic. Centro is located in a former Masonic temple, and today it features an open kitchen, white tablecloths, a long banquette, framed vintage Italian posters, and a winning Italian menu from chef Derek Eidson. Take your seat, order a nice bottle of wine, and enjoy dishes like pancetta-wrapped shrimp, handmade cavatelli with Italian sausage, chicken saltimbocca, Angus Iowa steaks, and a wide variety of pizzas.

Restaurateur George Formaro and team have naturally added their own creative twist, inventing the Quentin Tarantino-tribute Kill-Bill Pork Tenderloin. Featuring a triple pork whammy, the dish is stacked with Niman Ranch tenderloin, ham, bacon, pepper jack cheese, a sunny side-up egg, red onion and garlic mayo and served on a toasted ciabatta bun, which helps explains its alternate name: The Five Pointed Palm Exploding Heart Sandwich. Location: 1003 Locust St., Des Moines

Located in the heart of downtown Des Moines, Centro is the local “seen and be seen” dining destination. Featuring authentic Italian food and wood-fired pizzas that would make an Italian grandmother proud, Centro is one of those consistent places where you can rest assured that you’re going to have a great experience. Start your meal with Fried Brussels Sprouts and then move on to a comforting plate of Tofu Gnocchi.

Baked in a coal-fired oven, Centro’s pizzas have a slightly charred or slightly blackened crust with perfectly cooked toppings made with garlic and olive oil. You can’t go wrong with any of the 18 on-menu pizza flavors, or customize to suit with the build-your-own option. Try the favorite of chef and owner George Formaro featuring mozzarella, Graziano’s Italian sausage, roasted red pepper, red onion and red sauce.

Centro is a classy Italian restaurant in downtown Des Moines, with eat-in and delivery services. The restaurant’s menu is diverse, with classic Italian fare like gnocchi and rigatoni, as well as beloved pizza options that include BBQ chicken, garlic pizza, and vegan sausage pizza. Diners can also enjoy chicken, beef, or pork entrées, as well as burgers and sandwiches.

Centro in Des Moines offers a delightful blend of Italian-inspired cuisine with fresh ingredients and masterful preparation. Enjoy a casual yet upscale atmosphere perfect for dining with friends, family, or clients. Highlights include half-price pizzas and Peroni beers on Mondays, along with creative dishes like mortadella corndogs and elote-style street corn pizza.

Stepping into Centro, you’ll quickly realize that this isn’t your typical pizza place. It’s where upscale dining collides with everyone’s favorite comfort food, elevating the humble pizza to new heights of deliciousness. Centro has carved out its niche in Des Moines by offering a traditional pizza experience that tantalizes the taste buds in a way few others can.

You will find Centro in the downtown of Des Moines in an ex-Masonic Temple that has been masterly restored. Centro is truly one of the city’s very popular restaurants and also a great spot for a date. If you are visiting Des Moines with your loved one, this should make one romantic spot, surely a nice addition to your checklist of what to do in Des Moines.

Centro is one of the most renowned restaurants in the city, with remarkably consistent food and service, whether you opt for a wood-fired pizza or homemade pasta. The same could be said for Django, a French-brasserie across from the beautiful Pappajohn Sculpture Garden, offering the best French food you never thought you’d find in the middle of Iowa.

To me, nothing screams Valentine’s Day in Des Moines more than Centro, the classic long-standing Italian restaurant on Locust and 10th. It’ll be busy, of course, but if you can, try snagging a seat near the front windows and bar with the high-top tables and chairs. I’ve always thought it feels a bit more intimate and relaxed in that spot.

Jonathan Baker gets creative with his interpretation of Italian fare for lunch, brunch and dinner, with New York classic pizzas and entrees. Go for the full order of portobello fries with truffle aioli and chipotle dressing. For brunch, be sure to visit the bloody mary bar.

Centro is one of the best Italian restaurants in Des Moines, Iowa. What sets Centro apart from other Italian restaurants is their innovative take on classic meals. They of course serve the traditional homemade pasta, fresh fish, artisan breads, and piping hot espressos.

Centro – The urban eatery is one of our favorite downtown Des Moines restaurants. It specializes in delicious, Italian-inspired food featuring fresh ingredients and masterful preparation by Chef George Formaro. The Wood-Grilled Salmon is excellent!

- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (987 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.5/5)- Type of cuisine: Italian, American- Price: $$ - $$$- Address: 1003 Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309-2805- Read more on Tripadvisor

If you're in the mood for Italian food, Centro is the place to be. This restaurant offers a cozy atmosphere and mouth-watering dishes such as pasta and wood-fired pizza. Prices range from $10-$30, and Centro is located in Downtown Des Moines.

But, to be honest, I can’t wait to hit some of my favorite chef-owned and operated restaurants, such as Lucca, Centro, Django, and Cafe di Scala. If I was made of nothing but money, I would eat at one of those places every day.

One of the best things to do is eat lunch at Centro Des Moines. This restaurant serves excellent Italian food that you will enjoy. Even better, you can have both incredibly authentic cuisine and traditional dishes here.

Centro is the perfect place for groups with differing tastes!. The menu ranges from pasta to burgers, and has something for everyone!. The drinks are delicious, the food is outstanding, and the service can't be beat.

Centro is another upscale, modern Italian eatery in the heart of Des Moines. They boast four menus – dinner, midday, brunch, and family meal. The midday meal is served from 3-5 only on Sundays, brunch from 11 a.m.

One of the most highly rated places in Des Moines is Centro. Centro has a wide variety of high end food items that would make anyones mouth water. Everything from their pastas to pizza is absolutely fantastic.

For a sit-down option, Centro in downtown Des Moines has some vegan options. Tofu gnocchi is on both the dinner and weekend brunch menus. When I had this dish, I found it to be inoffensive but dull.

1003 Locust StDes Moines, IA 50309(515) 248-1780 Visit Website See Menu Open in Google Maps. Centro, which opened in 2002, is a highly acclaimed urban eatery serving contemporary Italian cuisine.

After you check in and get settled, take a two-minute walk to have dinner at Centro, an urban Italian eatery. Take time to savor every bite as your show for the night is right next door.

Centro - Thick cut onion rings - Thick batter (sometimes you get some cooked together because they aren't separated well) - Seasoned (Parmesan probably) - Chipotle ketchup is good

Centro is a Des Moines staple and a go-to place for delicious Italian fare!. Swing by here on Mondays for half-price pizza and Peronis in the dining area or out on patio.

Centro:An upscale Italian restaurant that offers authentic and refined Italian dishes, including house-made pasta, wood-fired pizzas, and an extensive wine list.

1003 Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309Phone: 515-248-1780 Visit Website. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by CentroDSM (@centrodsm)

Some of the dining destinations in downtown Des Moines are the Centro, the Django, the Fong’s Pizza, the Malo, and the Zombie Burger.

Founded by a successful restaurateur, Chef George Formaro, Centro is a classy restaurant operating for over 20 years in Des Moines.

Go to Centro on Monday nights for half-priced pizza and Peroni beers, and make sure you try one of the pasta dishes as well.