Okay. What...the...hell. If I knew Milwaukee had this good of Italian cuisine, I would come back more often! I came here for a business dinner and was thoroughly impressed. We sat at the counter and took the opportunity to watch the chef in action. I had the Grande Mela and enjoyed it. We shared the Trio Spreads. The bruschetta, white bean dip, and baked goat cheese were delectable. For mains, we had the Arancia (chef's fave...), Bolognese, and the Gnudi. The orange/tomato sauce on the Arancia was something I've never had before and so worth it. The Bolognese was deliciously light and went well with the penne (mmmm...penne with bolognese...how so tipico italiano!). My dining partners highly recommended the Gnudi. After sampling it, I understood why they raved about it. The ricotta dumplings were pillowy and light and absorbed the flavors of the truffle oil and other ingredients so well. I would love to learn how to make this! Of everything eaten, the Gnudi was my favorite, and I would come back just for that. The service was impeccable, and CC was a great place to go to on a snowy Milwaukee night in Riverwest. I look forward to the next time! read more

I went here with my sister, and we were both VERY impressed with this place! The decor is nice and cute. The service was impeccable. Our waitress was probably the most pleasant waitress we've ever met. To be honest, the food wasn't mind blowing, but it was GOOD! The price was also very reasonable too! Anyway, we had a VERY enjoyable dinner, and we'll definitely come back to this place again! read more

I heard this place was hard to get a table at, so I thought it would be great! We went on a Friday night and had to wait about 20 minutes for a table. Not that bad, especially when you can drink at the bar while waiting. Drink prices are average to high for a craft beer (about $5). The menu was fairly predictable, but the food was prepared well. We had the appetizer dip platter, which was good but not life-changing. I cannot turn down any seafood dish and ordered the Fruitti de Mare. The price was reasonable for the variety of seafood (scallops, shrimp and calamari). The amount of fish was VERY generous, I thought, and cooked to perfection. The staff is also very nice and accommodating. All in all, this place was above average in quality but did not offer anything too unique. read more

Classic Italian favorites here! We ordered some wine, started with the rocket salad and the. Also split the duck bacon carbonara and the salsiccia pastas. Really liked how fresh the rocket was - simple as lemon vinaigrette, arugula and Parmesan cheese on top. The carbonara was excellent and I liked even more than the salsiccia. That pasta was a tomato sauce with mushrooms and sausage. Always a solid choice for Italian in Milwaukee and a riverwest staple. read more

On a Monday night around 6, the cramped table spacing didn't matter, as each table had an empty table between them and the next. The decor is clean and classy, and service is good. I had the pollo (chicken) in a cream sauce with vegetables and pasta. Unfortunately, the pasta was not al dente. It was fine, but i expected it to be cooked perfectly, especially considering the other reviews and that the menu is predominantly pasta dishes. I had a great port, and the tira misu was outstanding. We enjoyed a lovely open air feel with the large screened windows in the front open. Overall, a very enjoyable atmosphere in a less than likely location with potential for a bit of improvement on some of the food. 3.5 stars. read more

Centro Café - Fantastic tira misu - Italian Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

This is my favorite neighborhood restaurant in River West. Great little cafe with very friendly service, an adorable (yet small and noisy) dining room and great food. Definitely a European vibe. The menu features pasta plates creatively sauced and spiced. Even has gluten free which is great for me. Some dining is outside which was a recent treat with guests from out of town. One odd feature is that they don't take credit cards but there is an atm right in the dining room which is sort of weird, albeit convenient. Order anything you want. It's all great. read more

I got a $100 gift card to Centro. I ended up using it three times in three weeks with my partner. Everything I had was very, very good. I was skeptical of the gluten free pizza, but ended up ordering it twice. The bolognese is currently my favorite. You can tell there are very quality ingredients in everything they make. The service is very professional. The only downside is service is a little slow, which I don't mind considering it takes time to make great fresh food. Make sure you plan on staying for an entire hour or more for dinner. Even appetizers take a while to come out, but they are also excellent. read more

When Centro first opened a few years ago we made sure to go there right away. An Italian place in Riverwest? AWESOME. Entrees were very reasonable and we had enough leftovers for lunch the next day. AWESOME. You can sit at the bar and watch the chefs cook your meal and see how they plate everyone elses meal? AWESOME. The seating was a little tight, but I don't mind that, they've since expanded, and though I haven't eaten up in that area yet I plan to. My only gripe causing this to only get 4 stars is that prices seem to have increased over the past few years and the portion size has decreased. Still great food, but keep with Riverwest tradition and please don't allow this to become a high priced place that only big spenders can afford to frequent. Thanks! read more

We ordered take away....The bolognese was mediocre. The duck carbonara was ok. Neither were worth the money. It's been awhile since I've been to the restaurant and wonder if they got a new chef. read more

I have never had a bad experience. The food is AMAZING. Just be aware the dining room is very small so expect a wait. The tables are also VERY close together. Avoid any personal conversations as there will be an audience. read more

Tonight was our first time dining at Central Cafe and I will not be returning anytime soon. I was there with 4 other women celebrating a friend's birthday. Centro Cafe is a small place; tables are close together and are best suited for parties of two or three people. Our waitress was attentive, but she clearly had little or no training, and service was poor. Our party ordered 5 entrees and 2 desserts to share among us; all of these items were disappointing including dishes that previous reviewers have raved about. One dish (gnudi) was over seasoned with cracked pepper and another dish (duck risotto) had undercooked risotto. The daily special (steak) was by far the best of the main entrees. Probably most disappointing was the so-called tiramisu which actually had very little resemblance to the actual dish. Considering this is billed as an Italian restaurant, this was particularly surprising. read more

5/5 stars. Food was delicious (definitely recommend the bolognese), atmosphere was great and our server was amazing. Can't wait to come back! read more

Centro is one of the reasons I love living in Riverwest. I moved to the neighborhood in September, so I have only been a couple times, but it has been nothing short of excellent. I took my parents when they were in town and they loved it too. I've had the Bolognese and the Giardiniera. Both are full of flavor and just absolutely delicious. I am also a very big fan of the Baked Goat Cheese. Well, writing this review has made me quite hungry...if you need me, you can find me at Centro. read more

I felt like Owen Wilson in "Midnight in Paris." In this case, it would be "Midnight in Pisa." I rarely pass along a 5-star rating, but I am more than happy to give this Riverwest charmer its well-deserved top honors. I had every intention of eating at the bar, and it was definitely the best place in the house. My husband said it felt as though we had been transported to a cafe in Anywhere, Europe. It had all of the makings of a quaint European bistro. I wish I had found it sooner. We sat at the corner of the top bar, and it was still intimate, even among the steady crowd that moved in and out as they were being seated. This place turns them over, which brings a smile to my face. The food is the main attraction here, even though the surroundings (decor, lighting, bartenders, etc.) are a major draw as well. Even with all of the conversations floating in the air, I felt as though my husband and I were the only ones in the bar. We worried at first, when we initially sat down at the bar, that the bartenders would not tend to us quickly enough. Then, we began to relax. Centro makes you feel like there is no need to hurry. When the bartenders--plural, since both tended to our every whim--did tend to us, they were very attentive (refilling glasses, offering additional bread). I was very pleased with the service. It was literally service with a smile. Our dining experience began with an aperitif. When in Rome...I ordered an Americano campari with sweet vermouth and a splash of soda. It was dead on. Sometimes, campari can be overpowering, with its bitter bite, but not this time. The bartender created the perfect balance with all of the ingredients. It was smooth and easy to ingest. My husband had a rehorst gin martini. He said, "I like how he pours." It was tasty and up to his martini standards. To compliment our beverages, we had an order of the trio spreads. I wanted to stick my head in the kitchen to see how the chefs could precisely crisp the baguette pieces. Mine never turn out like theirs: lightly oiled, crisp but slightly soft. Wonderful. I was a big fan of the kalamata olive tapenade. I took a bite of the bruschetta mix too and...oh my. Packed full of unbelievable flavor. All of that kick in one small bowl of tomato and onion pieces. They are magicians. For the main event, I stuck with an appetizer for my dinner, the grilled calamari and scallops. Let me just say that the folks at Centro know what they are doing. Don't change a thing. My husband's dish of pomodoro disappeared before my very eyes, and it was because he couldn't put his fork down. He loves his red meat, and he said that it didn't need a single thing. It was simply angel hair pasta, EVOO, basil, tomato, and he sprinkled on parmesan. It doesn't get more simple than that. When we got the bill, I was even more blown away. Very reasonable. I felt like I was cheating them. All of this goodness for so little cost. I was given all of this simple luxury without feeling its impact in my wallet. Thanks, Pat! I will, without a doubt, return to Centro Cafe. I want to share this experience with others. I want them to enjoy the same luxuries and continue spreading the word. We need more places like this that offer exquisite food in a simple and elegant place without being one bit pretentious. How do they do it? Come in and find out. read more

It was my fifth visit to my old neighborhood restaurant. There were four of us. I went back because the food was good. Tonight everything fell apart. After we were seated in a rather tawdry and uncomfortable environment semi-outside, we were ignored for 10 minutes. While sitting at folding tables on a pew for a seat, the bartender finally came out to take our order. A long time later he brought our drinks and we placed our order. Even after asking him to make my second drink different from the one I had at the bar, I got the same very bad Manhattan. My entrée arrived before my salad. My table mates already were enjoying their salads but only about one or two bites. We asked them to return that food to the kitchen and please not bring it back when we were done with our salad, but make some fresh for us. After we finished our salads and two other tables who came in after us were served, they brought out the same pasta that they had brought us 20 minutes earlier only this time tepid. Upon our complaint they became belligerent. As we left we asked to see the manager and were told he was not there. A waitress then confessed that they had called the owner to ask what they should do with our pasta and he told them to reheat it and bring it back to our table. Again they were unrepentant. So good luck at this restaurant. My friends and I will not return. read more

It is probably the best of the Italian restaurants in Milwaukee, keep up the good work.

Maybe the cook changed but we used to be able to order gluten free and dairy free garlic bread. Not last night. And the meat ball was as hard as a bowling ball. Ate at the bar which was a mistake. Not again read more

With a 4.5 star rating on Yelp and a strong recommendation from a friend I suggested this was the place we go for an early dinner to celebrate my wife's birthday. I had heard about how "tiny" the place is, and they don't take reservations, so we made a point of getting there a little before 5:30pm on a Friday. We were the second group there, and were seated against the wall at a 3-seat table. Yes, very cozy, and I could just imagine what it was going to be like in 2-3 hours. It's the size place where you better be friendly with your neighbor, because you're practically going to be sitting on their lap. On to the food! We started with the MUST-HAVE prosciutto wrapped asparagus spears. I loved the little char on the prosciutto from grilling, and the overall effect-flavor was awesome. I ordered the large Caesar salad to split with my wife and daughter. One of the better one's I've had in a while. Top of the line greens, lots of croutons, and a light-flavorful dressing. Very fresh and delicious. At this point let me talk about prices. This is one of the RARE restaurants left in Milwaukee where you can look at what you're getting vs. what you're paying and your immediate reaction will be: This place is cheap! The large VERY GOOD Caesar was $6! That's $10-14 anywhere else. My wife ordered the lobster filled ravioli on a cream sauce, and gave it a thumbs up. My daughter ordered the tortellini with fontana cheese, but ended up eating more of my wife's entree. I had a pasta dish with gorgonzola cheese, grapes, walnuts, (I added chicken), and a white wine sauce. I liked it----lighter and perfect for a hot summer night. Since it was a B-Day celebration we had to have dessert! My daughter ordered the pineapple sorbet that was definitely home-made and arrived in a hollowed out half of a pineapple---nice presentation---and delicious. My wife and I split a lemon layer cake. It wasn't quite what I was expecting with a bit of an artificial lemon flavor going on, but my wife liked it. Service was friendly if not a bit scattered especially considering the place was only about 1/3 full by the time we were leaving 1.5 hours after arriving. Again the bill was a pleasant surprise considering everything we had ordered. Beware! Cash only! There is an ATM right in the middle of the place for cash emergencies. Definitely an enjoyable experience for us. We shall return! read more

Incredible food, incredible service. I have celiacs, and the gluten free food was simply delightful. Waitress was incredibly attentive and offered recommendations, made sure we were comfortable. When I left, I forgot my favorite scarf in the restaurant, and a waiter ran out into the 3 degree cold to give it to me! Will return again for sure read more

Food is still solid though never spectacular. What is concerning is that customer service has deteriorated quickly and significantly. Used to be one of my regular stops during my business trips to milwaukee. The hostesses are especially rude and seem to lack any sense of customer service or attention. Not sure what led to or is causing the laissez faire approach with customers . It's hard to develop loyal customers. This is my third successive bad experience. You lost a loyal customer. Will not be back. read more

I'm glad I read the reviews before going, because the place was small and like others said, we left our phone number for a call when our reservation was ready. There are a couple of bars in the area so my wife and I walked over to have a drink while we waited. 30-40 minutes on a Saturday night wasn't so bad, particularly when we were having a drink while waiting. Tight quarters but restaurant was nice looking and the food looked and smelled great. My wife really enjoyed the prosciutto wrapped asparagus as an appetizer. Both our pasta dishes were wonderful, my wife was talking about how good hers was the next day even. (can't remember what it was, but there was bow tie pasta involved). I had the penne bolonaise which I liked too. Very good food and the cost was very reasonable. I'd like to go back and sit at the counter, where you can watch the chef cook. It looked like they were adding more space, which would be good because it was sort of cramped. Be advised it's cash only. read more

Okay, first off this place is delicious. By far some of the best Italian food in the city. However, it is cramped inside- you sit on top of each other. I'm not exaggerating. Also this place used to be really affordable, as well it should be given the neighborhood it's in. It's not anymore. The prices have increased and the portions have decreased. Since when do you leave an Italian restaurant feeling like you could eat more? Love the food, but not worth my time and money to trek to other side of town anymore. read more

So many things I loved about our experience here, and just a few things to improve. This is a cozy space on a cute street in Riverwest. The decor and atmosphere is incredible: fresh flowers, marble tables, and you can see the chefs cooking right from your seat. That said, it's a little too cozy. I could hear every word of the people next to me like we were sitting at the same table, and it was incredibly hard to get out of my seat with my winter coat without knocking anything over! I've been to many restaurants with tight seating, but this was over the top. Our server was nice, but did seem a bit like he was rushing us. He didn't give us the specials, but gave them to the table next to us. Still, the food was incredible. We started with the bruschetta, which was standard, but I ordered the risotto verde with Italian sausage for my main dish, and it was SO good, and a huge portion. It's creamy, with flecks of spinach, hearty mushrooms, and the sausage gave it a nice flavor. My date had the Bolognese, which was not a traditional style, but still very good. They have an extensive wine list and cocktails were only $10- even my Tito's martini. The wine pours were also large, which I appreciate. Overall the food was so good and reasonably priced here that we will be back! Definitely the best pasta I've found in the city thus far read more

My wife and I went to Centro on Saturday night. Our first visit. We arrived at 7:40 and were seated immediately, which was nice. My first impression was that I love the space. Very small (I think I counted 10 tables in all), cozy, warm, and inviting. Reminded me a lot of the cafes I used to dine at during my years in NYC. So that was a plus. Our server was a bit of a flake. He was nice, but either really, really high or was just having an off night. Never asked how the food was, we had to flag him down to order a second round of drinks, and the oddest thing was the check. Centro is cash only (there's an ATM on-site in case you forget to bring $$ with you), so I handed him $80 for our $54 tab assuming he'd bring me $26 back. He came back with 5 singles, a five, and a ten and said, "I hope you don't mind, but I just broke your extra twenty." Obviously I planned to tip him more than the 10% he'd already assumed he was entitled to, but still, it was strange. Now onto the good part: The food. We started with the bruscetta. The bread was soft and crisp, if that makes sense, and the toppings were flavorful. Very good. For our entrees, my wife ordered the spaghetti con fruit di mare. I had the penne bolognese. The penne bolognese was likely the best pasta dish I've ever had. No joke. It's such a simple dish, but it was done just so perfectly. I'd have a hard time not ordering on my next visit. My wife's entree was also very good. The sauce and seafood had the very distinct taste of Old Bay seasoning, but my wife thinks it was the chef's own spice concoction of cinnamon and cloves. I'm not so sure. Either way, Old Bay is never a bad way to season shrimp. It's not always the best way, but it's a good seasoning to bring out the flavor of shrimp. Dessert - a lemon bar - was on the house as the host, near the end of our meal, moved us over one table in order to accommodate a group of 6. (By the way, Centro is not good for groups. Any more than 4 and you should look elsewhere to dine.) No big deal. It's a small place and they needed to get some tables filled, so I can't argue with it. The lemon bar was rich and filling. And of course, lemony. We both liked it. Final verdict: I'd go back in a heartbeat. Italian isn't often my first choice for dining out, but Centro was that good. read more

Wow! So good! I had some of the best risotto ever. The waitstaff was great as well.

Excellent food, prepared right in front of you if you sit at the bar. Get the chef's recommendation from the actual chef--who will make sure yours is prepared exactly right. The Polla pasta dish is the best! read more

My fave restaurant in Milwaukee. Originally from Chicago and it makes me feel like I'm back there. The food never disappoints. My fave is seafood risotto and giardinera (sp) the only thing is they are packed on weekends and they tell u to go somewhere else. Why would a business do that? Anyway great food great atmosphere when u can get a table! read more

Centro Cafe has grown...Yes more room to sit and they do accept credit cards now. The rationale before was to keep the cost down, but many people just don't carry cash anymore and like me I don't use my card to take cash out, so I don't know my pin # and using the ATM on the premises did not work for me on several occasions that I forgot....anyway that is behind us now. Centro has a wonderful bar and dining space now. You have to go...the pasta is so very good. The white bean dip is great and the Olive Tampenade appetizer is tangy and light- not salty like the Dead Sea (which you find at other places). There are drink specials, and nice selection of beverages. The bartenders are very efficient, friendly and skillful. Thee owners are a delight. They are genuinely happy to meet you and appreciative of your patronage. Regarding if there is room for groups, yes in the new bar area, there is room to accomadate a group. read more

My wife had been here before and dragged me from BayView all the way up here. It was more than worth it. The food was fresh, authentic and delicious. Seems as if they use local ingredients. Her GF dish was impossible to tell it wasn't traditional pasta. It was a lil expensive but it was worth every penny and probably no more than other great Italian in the area. You gotta get here if you haven't. read more

Food was just okay but our server was lovely and the outside seating is always a win. Overall, the experience was nice. Would go back because it's in our neighborhood and lovely enough, not because I remember what we ate or will crave it in the future. read more

Must go if you haven't been. Delectable Italian with a modern bistro-like atmosphere. Always a go-to if we can't decide where to eat. Last time we visited, I was in the mood for greens--went with the Tuscan Kale salad and it was absolutely delicious. Shared the prosciutto wrapped asparagus, perfectly cooked with the right amount of fattiness from the prosciutto. Wine list is always good, cocktails are delicious, and food is always fresh. Get there early or come later when its a little bit quieter in the evening. Service is always great--wait staff is always patient and never rushes the orders. Love coming here! read more

I found that place just lovely, and it would have gotten five stars if our server wasn't very inexperienced and made some mistakes which caused some people in my dinner party to get upset. However, I don't hold that too much against the restaurant because I thought the food and drink was creative and a nice addition to the Riverwest neighborhood. They serve a variety of pasta dishes and I liked most of what I tried from them. There are also some nice gluten free options. I got a simple bowl with rigatoni, sun dried tomato, and various other vegetables. Nothing to write home about, but it was good. I also drank a couple "principessas" off the cocktail list which were nice champagne mixers. After the service mix-ups, my parents were so unpleased that we had to leave without dessert. However, I would definitely go back to try more. They jury is still out on Centro Cafe... they have some kinks to work out. read more

An amazing restaurant. Wish thee were more like this. The staff is friendly and the place is cozy. The food selection is excellent. Would like to see them do well and expand. read more

Centro Cafe is an overrated hyped up piece of crap. Every time I come here I receive bad service and recently reheated, not cooked fresh pasta. This last episode was the last straw. There was only one other couple eating at the time and we were seated awkwardly right next to them. The tables are too small and there's too much crap next to you to enjoy dinner. The plates are small and the pasta lukewarm from having been reheated. She forgot our bread. I think I'd give it one star except I feel bad for their pretentious attempt at a classy restaurant in RW. Fuck their food and service. read more

Break out the "thumbs down" or dislike button, because I don't have much positive to say about this place except that it's priced appropriately. She ordered linguine and scallops and I the penne al bolognese and added meatballs to that. The meatballs were awful. Dry, fell apart, and honestly tasted like potting soil. No, i haven't tasted potting soil, but im tempted after these meatballs, just to see if I'm close in my assessment. The scallops were rubbery, she was thoroughly unimpressed. The bolognnese, which, let's face it, if you can't nail a bolognese as an italian restaurant, what are we doing? right? Centro's bolognese lacked flavor. Lacked a punch like a bolognese brings. Walking that delicate balance of savory and spice w/ the distinct meat flavor... they didn't come close. Really. This place averages four stars? It is the first restaurant this well ranked that I have dumped on like this. Im not even in a bad mood. It's friday, and I just finished work. Im on yelp, trying to figure out where I'm going out for italian tonight and this place popped up and i had to share my experience. This place is not 4 starts. I promise you. read more

Seafood risotto was very delicious and rich. Friendly staff and very welcoming environment. Would return on my next trip to Milwaukee. read more

I have been a regular at Cafe Centro for many years. It has historically had a small town neighborhood feel with fantastic gluten free options. Unfortunately, the last couple times I have dined there, it has completely lost the vibe that I have always loved. I was EXTREMELY disappointed in the service this evening. I walked up to the bar as usual and sat at one of the three open bar stools. The bartender did not acknowledge me. Five minutes later a cold hostess very loudly and rudely came up to tell me that there was a 45 minute waiting list to sit at the bar and asked me to leave. How mortifying! How was I supposed to know this?! Two customers were behind me to sit down. When I walked downstairs, I asked another hostess if I could sit at the open stool up at the bar. She said that I had to be added to the wait list. Why would they leave an open bar stool open when a single diner could fill it?! Let's think about doing the right thing and treating people kindly - a very poor service experience and also a bad business decision. My once favorite neighborhood pasta place now feels quite snooty and cold! read more

This was truly one of the best meals I've ever had. From service, to wine, to the actual food, I was impressed by everything. I have Celiac disease, so I initially found this place based on the GF menu items I saw on their menu and let me to all you, I was not disappointed. Their gluten free garlic bread was phenomenal aaa a HUGE order (luckily I didn't have to share). For my main I ordered the GF lasagna which included butternut squash, mushrooms, and goat cheese. The lasagna was INSANE. Just beyond amazing. I sat at the bar and from the second I sat down the kindest bartender was offering to walk me through the wine list and even told me one of the owners of the restaurant has Celiac, which made me feel super comfortable about their kitchen situation. All around amazing meal, I would 1000% recommend to anyone, but especially my gluten free peeps. read more

Went back tonight and had a different server, Erica, who was EXCELLENT. This place is tasty. Would definitely go back.

We arrived around 7, and had a seat at the chef's counter while we enjoyed a glass of wine and waited for a table to open up. In the meanwhile, we had a wonderful time observing the chef in action. We watched the plates go out, which only increase our appetites - they looked and smelled amazing. Within 30 minutes, we were seated and we began our dinner with the prosciutto wrapped asparagus, and each selected a pasta for the entree. My husband's bolognese was superb, as was my lobster and shrimp dish (the special of the night). We finished by sharing a slice of cheesecake topped with a little strawberry sauce. Prices were very reasonable - most entrees were under $13, except for the evenings special - and portions were generous. I would highly recommend it. Btw, they only take cash, but there is an ATM inside the restaurant. read more