Though adorable, and has some good food options, I've been here a half dozen times and found the service to be lackluster at best. Inside and out, a great layout and attention to detail in the building itself. Waiters are friendly, but don't do the best job with hosting/seating and are, because of the layout, inherently far from those ordering food. On a number of occasions, a 20 minute wait has been more like a 60 or 80 minute wait, which in my book, is not acceptable. You also usually eat within two feet of the people next to you, which, depending on how you feel, either is too close for comfort or adds to the charm. It could go both ways. Wine list is acceptable but not great. Overall: charming spot, noisy, tasty pastas, service needs major improvements. read more

I have never had a meal that was disappointing at centro. My two favorite dishes are the arrabbiata and the bolognese. Their bread with oil and vinegar are a great way to start the meal. read more

Centro Café - Italian Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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First time here and just need to say the food was amazing! Disadvantage: We definitely overpaid for our food. My bowl of pasta went from $10 to $24 after I added chicken + mushrooms + asparagus. My friend ordered chicken with her food and instead received shrimp. When the server was told she offered to bring a side of chicken out and we got charged $7 for that as well. The tables were uncomfortably close together but might give them another try. read more

Centro Café - The perfect "basic" pasta that I added shrimp, mushrooms and asparagus to. Yumm! - Italian Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

We had a great first visit to Centro Cafe - don't spend a lot of time in this part of Riverwest, so hadn't come across it before. The food is certainly Italian influence, with plenty of pasta, pizza, & polenta. Cocktails were super tasty (we probably had a few too many, but I promise this review is not unduly influenced!) Apps were solid with decent portions to share amongst 4 people. The butternut squash lasagna was absurdly good - served with a tiny side salad that was a good accompaniment to a sizeable slice of oh-so-cheesy lasagna. The others had pastas & the specials. I have to comment that the gluten free selection is really great - and felt like good attention to my gluten free needs. Excited to have found this gluten free gem! The restaurant itself is tiny and I personally loved the ambiance - and I think the bathrooms might be the inspiration for our home bathroom remodel :) Prices were reasonable, even including the surcharge for gluten free pasta (which I will gladly pay for the higher ingredient cost & labor cost for extra careful attention to a safe gluten free meal) One little thing I would encourage management improve -- the seats in the front window are cozy & charming, but chilly! Even the two guys in our group struggled to give up their coats. Maybe consider a curtain around the door or even a space heater on the floor, maybe not a lovely addition to the decor, would be most welcome during cold WI nights :) read more

I love this place. We have been here several times and I can't remember all of the food we have ordered. That said, they have awesome food and are creative in their servings. I love the atmosphere as well; it's small and cozy with a good local vibe. I tend to buy gift cards for people to this place when I am buying gifts because it's local and fabulous! read more

After 1 visit, I basically love this place. The ambiance is stellar. I don't really think it's "tiny" per se - the tables ARE close together, but real estate is expensive, so the more the merrier, no? Reminds me of NY when they try to use every inch of space available for seating. Tons of dishes that can be prepared gluten free. We ordered (for 2 people): Calamari/scallop appetizer: just ok, came with a small side of greens Salad with prosciutto, figs, parmesan: delicious, including the vinaigrette, definitely will be ordering this again Gluten free pasta with shrimp/scallops: this gluten free pasta was the best I have ever had -- does not taste like gluten free! Good wines too - bonus! $75 for the above plus 4 glasses of vino. read more

In the interest of full disclosure, I ripped this place a new one on another review site after my first visit well over a year ago. The service was absolutely awful and the food was bland and lackluster at best. I was actually a little upset with the family members who brought my wife and I here (clearly not their fault as you'll read below) Somehow, I still really wanted to like this place, possibly because it was a cute little spot or maybe because it's the best dining option close to Foundation Bar, so my wife and I returned with friends several months later and had a wonderful time. The service was stellar this time and the food was very good. All four of us thoroughly enjoyed our meals. My third and most recent visit was the true test. Sweetest Day. The place was PACKED and we were offered a small table in the newer upstairs lounge while we waited for our table. We went ahead and bought a bottle of wine and a lovely prosciutto-wrapped asparagus appetizer. We waited for quite awhile, but were having a great time in the lounge so there were no worries. Once we were led to our table downstairs, the service and food were as good as on our second visit. A great value as most entrees are plentiful and in the low to mid teens. There were some decent low-priced wines on the menu which is welcome. A good bet if you find yourself in the neighborhood. A good one-two punch with Foundation Bar where you can grab a tiki cocktail or two before or after your meal! read more

Great vegan pasta and meatballs. Very fresh bread with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

Another city tin! The salsiccia is incredible, it's what we always come back for, sooooo delicious. A spicer penne pasta dish with a creamy red sauce, mushrooms, and spicey Italian sausage--- amazing!!! Last night we went and had a great time, our server was really busy so we felt a little ignored but that's okay. She was able to take our drink orders and appetizer order promptly while still tending to a dozen tables. We tried the fried gnocchi last night for the first time and just loved it. The food quality at this place is just amazing and the atmosphere is nice. My few dislikes for this place: we sat right by the kitchen and there were fruit flies buzzing around our balsamic that we were dipping our bread in. My vodka/tonic didn't come with a lemon or lime and our server was so busy she didn't come back so we had to go up to the bar. Last but not least, the napkins are paper! I think any self respecting restaurant that's going to charge over $10 a drink should at least have cloth napkins. It doesn't feel worth $70 for a dinner for two when you are using a paper napkin. read more

I was impressed with this place and will definitely go back to try out the rest of the menu. When we showed up there was not an available table, and there is not space for people to stand around waiting, so the host took my phone number and sent us down the street to loiter at Fuel (we went to Riverwest Film and Video instead). He called about 20 minutes later and our table was ready. Very nice. The food was delicious and our server (Erika?) was good to us. I had something involving peppers and sausage with a touch of cream in the sauce. It was rich and satisfying. read more

I was here the first week they were open and I remember liking it, but I hadn't been back until last night. A friend of mine and I went and though it there was a half hour (and then quickly an hour) wait for a table, we got seated right away at the last sidewalk table. It is small, that is to be sure. But there's a main dining area, a bar (so confused about Rachel's post!), and a rear dining area and two tables on the sidewalk out front. It ain't much but I'm fine with doing small well. Despite having a full house inside our waitress was attentive (I think her name was Michelle or Melissa. It started with an M and she was awesome :) We ordered the proscuitto-wrapped asparagus, my friend got the pesto pasta and I got the tortellini with white wine sauce, more proscuitto and a little bit of shredded fontina cheese. Which I had with a glass of sangiovese blend that was delicious. The wine, the food were absolutely great. If you're looking for elegant dining in Riverwest this is it. This is probably an awesome spot to take a date. read more

Went last night for a relaxing dinner. What a mistake. Two tables over were the loudest, drunkest group of six young ladies(?) you could ever imagine. You could hear them throughout the entire restaurant. This place is always too loud but this was over the top. Mentioned it to the waitress and the receptionist but of course all they could do is apologize. Really soured us on the restaurant. We will not be back. read more

I ate here last night and I'm definitely going back! Their gluten-free pasta is amazing. I haven't been able to eat Italian out since finding out about my celiac disease. It's great to have a place that I know I can eat a real dish without having to special order my meal. I think they need to expand their gluten-free options by offering GF bread and desserts. You will have a HUGE gluten-free following if people know you're offering these options!! The price was very reasonable. I don't mind spending my money on this yummy food. I had the pasta primivera and asparagus with prosciutto. Both were amazing and served piping hot. The service was great. I can't wait to go back!! read more

Good Food, Good Wine, Good Atmosphere, Cash Only . I like the place since it is in my neck of the woods and don't find any other nicer Italian places around here. The food is always good especially with their lengthy wine list. It is a small place and they don't take reservations so get there early or plan on waiting outside since there isn't really a bar area. I recommend stopping by if you are in the area but the place is starting to become very trendy, which can either be a good thing or a bad thing for a smaller place like this in Riverwest. read more

Stopped in for dinner last night with a friend - it was the first time at Centro for both of us but I had heard good things so I suggested we check it out. The inside of Centro is adorable & I love that they cook the food right behind the bar area! Speaking of the food - OH-MY-GOSH was it delicious! Both of our dishes were amazing, the bread at the table was amazing, the wine was amazing. I wish I would've had room for dessert, because I'm sure that would've been out of this world too! I will DEFINITELY be going back now that I've discovered Centro for myself!! read more

This place is pretty radical. It sort of stands apart on the otherwise dark street - small tables that are close together, dimly lit, and a really small staff. Outdoor dining for summer, even though I hate sitting outside... The down side is that I probably wouldn't go alone, there really isn't a bar area it is more of a chef's counter, but it is really nice for an intimate dinner with a friend or someone who you want to be friends with. The apps were unimpressive, but the wine and pasta were so affordable ($10-$15 a plate) for a large, flavorful portion, that I will definitely be back, if I can find a friend. go. read more

I wanted to like Centro, but I was pretty underwhelmed all together. The atmosphere and the staff were pleasant and inviting. However, the waiter made no attempt to ask us anything about our food preferences before suggesting that basically everything on the menu is good. Considering we were one of the first tables at 5:00, a little more time may have been spent to give us a recommendation beyond "yes, it's good." I had the asparagus soup, which, looking back, may have been a boring choice on my part, but the taste was definitely boring. One friend had the salsiccia, which was relatively bland and uninteresting. Another friend's meal, the giardiniera, was definitely the most flavorful dish of the bunch. For the price, I would probably skip Centro and opt for Louise's instead. read more

I'm so impressed by the entrees,salads, atmosphere and service that I'm making this my new Italian restaurant when we head out within bicycling distance. Our bottle of Italian wine was reasonably priced and so were both salads. All the pasta is made to order and my dish had knudi which were small dumplings served with fresh spinach and grated cheese. My husband really loved his entree and we'll be back soon. read more

Way too expensive for what it is. If you're going to charge $13 for old buttered noodles, maybe think about including a salad or something. And when the waitress asks if somebody would like to add a vegetable at an extra $3.00, and that person agrees, try using more than 3" of the ass end of a piece of asparagus. Seriously. I had a $16.00 bowl of pasta with 5 teeny pieces of asparagus. I also had to use all of the oil on the table because it was dry as a bone. I don't normally complain like this, but wth kind of a $50 dinner did we just pay for? I could dig through my empty cabinets right now and come up with something better than dinner tonight. And I should have. Try harder. read more

This charming little jewel in riverwest is definitely worth the visit....:) We had a party of 8 and I was concerned that we would have a long wait. I had phoned in advance only to find that they don't take reservations but they were gracious enough to set up for our large party in advance. That was so very nice. We snuggled in the back bar and it was delightfully intimate. A full bodied Syrah called ' hey mambo' started our evening out on just the right note and the entrees were the symphony with just the notes we were looking for. There was no clunker in the mix but the standout of the experience was the pasta bolognese. Meaty, deep and with a hint of spice to round out the bowl it was deeply soul satisfying on a chilly Wisconsin night. The desserts were a delight with the tiramisu truly transcendant. Service was knowledgeable and pleasant. The ambience is warm and inviting. Relax and enjoy. read more

Great food, great ambiance. Service was a little slow to start, but once we got a waitress the night ran smoothly. Friendly staff. This is a tasty spot if you're looking for some good classy Italian food. We had the penne con salsiccia and the salciccia flatbread. Both were phenomenal. read more

My friend and I were lucky enough to nab two spots here at the Chef's table last Friday night and I couldn't have asked for a better view. The restaurant itself is small, but cozy and great for a first date, long-lost friends, or simply to share entrees with your best friend (such as in my case). The staff were friendly and patient as we decided what to order based on what we saw the Chef cooking up. He recommended the duck sausage pizza and the special, a penne con tonno (tuna), and boy was he right. Always go with the Chef's recommendations. ALWAYS. This restaurant embraces the simplicity in life and it absolutely shines through in its decor, atmosphere, and food. I loved everything about it! My budget won't allow for regular recurring visits, but it was certainly a treat to start off a long weekend and I'll be recommending it to anyone who's looking for good food and a softly busy atmosphere in Milwaukee. read more

Great setting nestled away in the Riverwest Area. The service was outstanding and the food was tasty. The sauces on all pasta dishes where excellent. We had a veg head with us that tried the vegan meatball sandwich. Its a was made up of lentils and tofu. Its was a hearty sandwich but had no taste of herbs or spices. The cheese they used was favorless and no where to be found on the sandwich. The amostophere was perfect, lights slightly dimmed and the noise of peoples chatter. The food prices are reasonable. I'm suprised they don't have fresh shaved paramesean grated at the table. I think you might be missing something?! Remember to stay with the local foods and think about incorporating harvest foods on your menu especially in October. We couldn't find any fresh pumpkin or squash pasta dishes. We'll be back. Apa! read more

This is my boyfriend and I favorite little get away lately. The service is always great, super relaxed atmosphere and the pasta is soooo tasty! Thanks centro! We love u read more

I was really excited when this place opened in my neighborhood because the quality was high and the prices were lower than similar places that you would find in the Third Ward. I have heard of and seen people coming from wealthier places in Milwaukee just to experience this restaurant. I still have no complaints about the food and drinks but I think they have raised their prices over the past few years and it is not as accessible/affordable for those who actually live in Riverwest. Let's try and play fair, okay? read more

Outstanding little gem! My wife found this place one rainy afternoon looking for dinner options. Wow what a wonderful surprise. Food was outstanding and a great selection of wines! We look forward to dining here again. read more

Great pasta and atmosphere. Feels upscale yet casual and inviting. The food is very well priced for handmade pasta, and the portions are generous. I very much enjoyed my experience. read more

We had an extraordinary meal beginning with the goat cheese & duck bacon gluten free pizza as an appetizer. My wife and daughter both loved the fresh seafood risotto and I the Diavalo spicy linguine. Our server Michael was very helpful in helping digest this very special Menu and enjoy our dining experience.. read more

Really cool atmosphere and fantastic food. I would recommend sitting at the bar and watching the action in person as the chef delivers each plate in front of you. I will be visiting this restaurant many more times. read more

Centro Cafe is my number 2 place for pasta in the city, and number 1 place for seafood pasta. Their sauces are all perfectly seasoned, their bread is warm when it reaches the table, the seafood is perfectly cooked, and the pasta cooked to al dente. It's got a romantic but not a formal feel to it, so it's perfect for a casual date night. The wait can get long on the weekends, so be prepared if you don't come by 6 to wait for a table. They typically recommend going over the Company Brewing for a drink while you wait, since their isn't a bar or waiting area in the restaurant, so plan accordingly. read more

Dinner was delicious. I ordered the pollo and my friend ordered the special pizza and everything was very good. The only thing is that it is very small and seating is tight I felt like it was so small that I was having dinner with the people beside me. read more

So good. The wait was real long we ended up going to hookah bar for hot chocolate to wait. Found them on my gluten free app and yelp. Hard to travel and be celiac very knowledgeable. We ended sitting at the chefs bar and it was perfect chef overheard I was gluten free and recommended the special. Scallops cooked to perfection and the goat cheese stuffed portobello was divine. Caprese salad with blood orange WOW! Definitely worth going here read more

Fresh pasta, I literally live for it. Centro is knock your socks off good. Ive gotten various items, really obsessed with goat cheese dip and the fresh pesto pasta. Its very cute, small, local place. It gives me the vibe that I am actually somewhere other than Milwaukee. Michael is a wonderful server, always knowledgeable and friendly. I suggest this to anyone who wants a little taste of Italy. read more

I like Centro for it's quaint atmosphere. The food is presented well - maybe a bit "over-sauced" at times.. but still the flavors are good. Service has been fine on both of my visits - neither here nor there. I wanted it to be a bit more friendly. A-OK. Yea. That's about right. read more

Centro Cafe has been open for four years and I finally got there - what took me so long??? I really loved this place. The ambiance is great. Reminds of those great little restaurants you find in the trendy "foodie" cities. Although not to poo-poo Milwaukee's restaurant scene - we have plenty of great choices. I just wasn't expecting this caliber of restaurant in the Riverwest neighborhood. We had excellent service. I hope to go back and dine at the Chef's counter soon. Probably best to go on a weekday night as I understand it gets pretty busy on the weekends. We enjoyed a nice bottle of Lambrusco. Yes, Lambrusco...it paired perfectly with my spicy roasted tomato soup and Gnudi entree (ricotta dumplings with spinach & pancetta) which was fairly salty...but sooo good. My husband had the special which was broiled scallops on asparagus risotto with a blueberry sauce...sounds a little different, but it was really, really good. I will not wait another four years to go back to Centro Cafe. read more

Love this little place, which is just a few blocks from where I live. I've been here twice and was pleased both times. The food is excellent. Fresh, tasty italian food. I especially like their seafood pastas and the italian sausage in the dishes. Good portion sizes at a good price. Not too buttery or greasy like some alfredos or cream sauces at other italian restaurants. Only complaint was that one of their dishes was extremely salty. The white bean dip appetizer was delicious. The downside to this place is that it is extremely small. Only a handful of tables. Fortunately between my first and second visit they were able to expand a little to the back, so now there is at least a place to sit/stand in the back by the bar while you are waiting for a table. It is decorated nicely and has a quaint ambiance. Waitstaff is friendly and knowledgable. They also accept credit cards now, which they did not do the first time I visited. read more

I visited Centro for the first time last night with a group of friends. Since there was a huge snowstorm and we arrived shortly after 6pm, we didn't have to wait for a table for 5 which was awesome. As Centro is quite small, I wondered where folks would wait if they did have to. A friend who had been before informed me that the hostess usually takes a name & number and advises folks to get a drink at Stonefly; they'll call when a table's ready. I love to see this camaraderie among small local businesses, but I can see how it could be inconvenient - especially if one were wearing flats and there were several inches of snow on the ground and traipsing all the way across the street would be no picnic. Not that I know anyone like that. I really loved the ambiance of Centro; in fact this is why I'm up to 4 stars rather than 3. I look forward to visiting again; great place for dates and actually plenty comfortable for a group of 5. Based on food alone, Centro gets 3 starts. Bruschetta was yummy, but not as good as Transfer (although I realize it's winter, so maybe it's better in the summer). I had a hard time deciding between the Creamy Pesto & the Pasta Primavera so I asked the server for advice. She said exactly what I was thinking: Peso needs some veggies which is an up-charge, so go with Primavera. I did, but was surprised when it arrived with a tomato sauce. I should have read the menu more closely because I was really in the mood for something creamy. Cocktails were awesome. I tried every one at the table (for research purposes) and they were all delicious. We'll probably visit Centro again when it's warmer for some sandwiches & cocktails. I look forward to sampling a non-pasta dish and I definitely look forward to sampling more cocktails on the fairly extensive menu! read more

Cozy, cute place.. go early to beat crowd and make sure the good stuff isn't sold out! Lots of great vegan options. Never had a bad experience here!.. all love! read more

Centro Café - Vegan spaghetti and meatballs - Italian Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

I'm in love. First off, the service as so great! From the hostess to the server, everyone was knowledgeable and very kind. They were crazy accommodating. It's hard to go to an Italian restaurant and have non-pork meat options (usually sausage is mixed into everything). These guys had a number of delicious sub options for meats, veggies, vegan and GF options for pasta. The atmosphere is very cozy and very high end. I loved the way they decorated this place. Food: Baked Goat Cheese - YUM Gnudi (sub pancetta w/duck prosciutto) - Decadent! Truly a dish made for kings. It was delicious, but very rich. Salsiccia (sub lamb sausage) - This was my favorite. The flavors were both bright and bold! Loved it! Flourless Chocolate Cake - As good as this dish could get. Amazing. If you haven't' tried this place yet, please make an effort to check it out! read more

Went there on a Monday night. Even though it was packed the service was fast. The chef made the food right in front of us, so you know what you're eating. Fresh homemade pasta was an obvious plus and the server was really pleasant. Only wish they had a larger Lakefront Brewery selection. read more