Centro Cafe

4.5 ( 456 reviews )
$30–50
808 E Center St, Milwaukee, WI 53212, United States
+1 414-455-3751
Centro Cafe is a delightful Italian restaurant nestled in Milwaukee’s Riverwest neighborhood, known for its warm, old-school charm and inviting atmosphere. Customers rave about the robust flavors that define their menu. Highlights include the rich artichoke dip paired with crispy garlic crostini and the refreshing Caprese salad showcasing burrata and heirloom tomatoes. Diners appreciate the careful attention to detail and the welcoming staff, with many noting the exceptional service that enhances the overall experience. The cocktails, such as the Italian Manhattan and the Loren, receive particular praise, making Centro a perfect spot for leisurely summer evenings. The menu adeptly balances classic Italian dishes with contemporary twists, ensuring something for every palate, including vegan options. For dessert, the tiramisu steals the show, described as rich and luxurious—an indulgence worth every calorie. Guests feel an immediate sense of community within the cozy interior, especially after a long week, making Centro Cafe not just a meal, but a memorable experience to revisit. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, Centro invites you to indulge in their culinary offerings—it’s a hidden gem ready to be discovered.

Amenities and More

  • Accessibility
    • Has wheelchair-accessible seating
    • Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
    • No wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • Service options
    • Has outdoor seating
    • Offers takeaway
    • Serves dine-in
  • Highlights
    • Serves great cocktails
    • Serves great coffee
    • Serves great dessert
    • Has great wine list
  • Popular for
    • Popular for dinner
    • Good for solo dining
  • Offerings
    • Serves alcohol
    • Serves beer
    • Serves cocktails
    • Serves coffee
    • Serves comfort food
    • Serves food
    • Serves healthy options
    • Serves small plates
    • Serves spirits
    • Serves vegetarian dishes
    • Serves wine
  • Dining options
    • Serves dinner
    • Serves dessert
    • Has seating
  • Amenities
    • Has bar on site
    • Has toilet
  • Atmosphere
    • Casual
    • Cosy
    • Romantic
    • Trendy
    • Upmarket
  • Planning
    • Dinner reservations recommended
    • Accepts reservations
  • Payments
    • Accepts credit cards
    • Accepts debit cards
    • Accepts NFC mobile payments
    • Credit cards

Reviews For Centro Cafe

William Berdine
May 30,2025
Food was excellent, atmosphere is old school italian restaurant. Service was very good . Little jazz bar next door playing music on the weekends was nice too.
Ryan Inawat
May 26,2025
As you can see from the photos below, Centro has perfect Instagram lighting for foodies! That is just the cherry on top though, as they serve extremely flavorful and balanced Italian dishes and great cocktails. Any of the spritzs will be a great choice during a summer day. Also great place for seafood. Staff is friendly, atmosphere is great, and prices are wallet friendly as well. Centro is definitely ready for more in person customers as the world opens up!
John Contreras
May 11,2025
Iva was our waitress and I can't even express how welcomed I felt. My partner and I decided to go here after a long week, and it definitely hit the spot. The food was phenomenal, and the service was wonderful. The place has a great vibe and I will definitely visit again.
Mark P. Behar
Apr 28,2025
Wow! Great new experience on E Center in Riverwest! Started off with cocktails: Italian manhattan" with rye and a bunch of other exotics; and "Loren" with elderflower, gin, violet, basil & lime juice. Delicious! Garlic bread with sciotino's Italian with herbed garlic butter. A little salt made this really good. Small Caesar salad was huge with slivers of parmesan and very light dressing & croutons. Shrimp (six) scampi in wine & olive oil was light and flavorful with asparagus tips, garlic and other spices. Braised short beef colognes with rich Rosemary tomatoes cream and mushrooms with home made fettuccine. Both were memorable!! Finally for dessert (it was a special occasssion!), tiramisu was so rich and creamy with powdered cinnamon & powdered sugar, with the lady fingers imbeded deep in the serving glass; dont inhale too close to the powder like I did!!And 1 scoop of vanilla, hazelnut & chocolate gelato (3 scoops total).
Vel Natarajan
Apr 25,2025
We were a party of 6 and had a cozy table in the back. Loved that they had a vegan option for one of our party. Service was friendly and attentive. Food was delicious with a nice variety and take on classic dishes. Would return to try other dishes.
Olivia Komppa
Apr 18,2025
Went last night and this place was amazing! The bruschetta with gluten free bread was so fresh and delicious. The Frellini spritzer was super tasty and the other spritzes were pretty tasty too. The Chicken Piccata, Chicken Parm, and Vodka Gnocchi dishes were all phenomenal! Then for dessert the Flourless Chocolate Cake, Salted Caramel Gelato, and Tiramisu were all soooo good.
Leah Burg
Mar 23,2025
One of the best places to eat! Huge favorite for us! Food is FRESH, FRESH, FRESSSSSHHH! (And you can reallyyyy taste the difference!) The chef's cook right in the dining room in an open concept kitchen. There's intimate outside seating, too! Perfect for anniversary or any special occasion.
Anthony Jones
Mar 5,2025
Food and service were nothing but exceptional. I had the spaghetti & meatballs, my wife had the chicken parmesan. The drinks were really tasty too! Will definitely come back!

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