CentroDSM

CentroDSM CENTRO (pronounced chen-tro) is a casually elegant eatery specializing in Italian inspired food from Italy.
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Centro set out to bring a uniquely urban dining experience to downtown Des Moines well before the city center enjoyed the vibrant nightlife we know today. Since its opening, the restaurant has grown to become one of the Iowa’s top restaurants. In late 2001, developers Harry Bookey and Pamela Bass Bookey took on the challenge of restoring the historic Masonic Temple at 10th & Locust Street to its o

riginal splendor. Their goal was to create an entertainment venue that would go on to jumpstart the proposed Western Gateway area just outside of the city’s core with entertainment, fine dining and culture. Simultaneously, a young chef named George Formaro was rising to prominence with his artisan South Union bread and its namesake deli, South Union Bread Café. Even as the lines continued to grow outside of George’s deli, he longed for a larger venue where he could broaden his culinary creativity. Harry believed the appeal of South Union would be a great addition to a remodeled Temple project and contacted Formaro to set up a tour. As he walked through the dilapidated building, George fell in love with its high-profile location in the burgeoning Western Gateway district. The two worked together to move South Union Bread Café to The Temple. In addition, they reached out to restaurant experts Paul Rottenberg and Michael La Valle and began working on a concept to create a new, urban Italian-inspired eatery that would serve as an anchor tenant for the building. Their vision was realized in November of 2002 when Centro opened its doors to huge crowds.

Please note - We will be closed today in observance of Memorial Day. We will reopen tomorrow (5/26) at 11am for lunch se...
05/25/2026

Please note -

We will be closed today in observance of Memorial Day. We will reopen tomorrow (5/26) at 11am for lunch service.

05/21/2026

It's a great Thursday for a pizza 🍕

We'd love to see you for happy hour today! Join us Tuesday - Friday from 3-6pm for HAPPY HOUR! Save on beer, wine, cockt...
05/20/2026

We'd love to see you for happy hour today!

Join us Tuesday - Friday from 3-6pm for HAPPY HOUR! Save on beer, wine, cocktails and small bites.

🍸🍸🍸

It's Pizza & Pint Monday!  Enjoy half-price pizza and select beer when dining in the restaurant or on the Centro patio e...
05/04/2026

It's Pizza & Pint Monday! Enjoy half-price pizza and select beer when dining in the restaurant or on the Centro patio every Monday from 4pm to close. *Dine-in only; not valid with any other deals or discounts.

MARGHERITA / mozzarella, basil, red sauce

We've got a fun, Masters inspired menu and you've still got today to give it a try! ⛳️The Augusta Special $15 lunch pack...
04/10/2026

We've got a fun, Masters inspired menu and you've still got today to give it a try! ⛳️

The Augusta Special
$15 lunch package

CHOOSE ONE SANDWICH:
Pimento Cheese
Egg Salad
Chicken Salad

Also includes choice of side and a complimentary Georgia Peach Ice Cream Sandwich! 🍑

Optional cocktail pairing available!

04/09/2026

Having FOMO from not being at the Masters? We've got a fun two day lunch special to celebrate. ⛳️

The Augusta Special / April 9 & 10
$15 lunch package

CHOOSE ONE SANDWICH:

Pimento Cheese
Egg Salad
Chicken Salad

Also includes choice of side and a complimentary Georgia Peach Ice Cream Sandwich! 🍑

Optional cocktail pairing available!

04/08/2026

We've got a fun lineup of features, available all April long! This porchetta sandwich will be available for both lunch and dinner, Thursday - Sunday. Plus our talented bar team has a variety of pairings to go along with each.

Porchetta Sandwich / shaved porchetta, fried peppers, and provolone cheese on a South Union sesame seed roll, served with porchetta dipping jus

Fritto Misto (dinner) / fried shrimp, cod and walleye in a salt and vinegar chip breading, with fennel pollen aioli

Olive Oil Cake (dinner) / strawberries, strawberry vermouth, strawberry cream, basil

Ever wondered what makes CentroDSM's pizza unique? Check out this article from The Des Moines Register to learn more abo...
04/02/2026

Ever wondered what makes CentroDSM's pizza unique? Check out this article from The Des Moines Register to learn more about our traditional coal-fired pies, plus other styles of pizza you can find around Des Moines!

A guide to pizza styles in Des Moines, from Neapolitan and New York slices to deep dish, Detroit and Quad Cities traditions. See link below ⬇️

📸 Lily Smith/The Register

Classic Centro Cocktails - Meet the Blood Orange Gin Sour & Passion Fruit Mai Tai
03/26/2026

Classic Centro Cocktails -

Meet the Blood Orange Gin Sour & Passion Fruit Mai Tai

Join Centro and Vite Colte Winery for a special five-course dinner exploring the wines of Piedmont! One of Italy’s premi...
03/25/2026

Join Centro and Vite Colte Winery for a special five-course dinner exploring the wines of Piedmont! One of Italy’s premier winemaking regions, Piedmont’s culinary culture pulls from Italian, French and Swiss heritage for a flavor all its own. Nevres Sehic (Gateway Market Wine & Beer Director) will join us for an interactive guided tasting of Vite Colte wines throughout the meal with an opportunity to purchase select bottles to take home. Limited seats available - reserve your spot today.

Friday, April 17
Doors at 6:15pm; dinner at 6:30pm
Tickets: https://www.exploretock.com/centrodesmoines/event/601469/piedmont-wine-dinner

MENU

FIRST
Carbonarancini / risotto with guanciale, pecorino romano, and black pepper; stuffed with egg yolk jam and served over guanciale aioli
Paired with 2024 Vite Colte 'Villata' Arneis, Roero Arneis

SECOND
Stuffed Mushrooms / crimini mushrooms stuffed with fresh duck sausage, farmer's cheese, confit shallots, roasted tomato and almond pesto
Paired with 2024 Vite Colte 'San Nicolao' Barbera, Barbera d'Asti

THIRD
Lamb Tagine / spiced lamb shoulder with carrot, golden raisins, ras el hanout, garlic toum and garbanzo beans
Paired with 2021 Vite Colte 'Spasso', Rosso Passito, Piedmont

FOURTH
Anatra Al Barolo / dry-aged duck breast, red currant Barolo jus, duck fat confit potatoes, spring onion
Paired with Vite Colte 2019 'Essenze', Barolo, Barolo del Comune di Barolo

FIFTH
Olive Oil Cake / with strawberry rhubarb compote, whipped crème fraîche

Address

1003 Locust Street
Des Moines, IA
50309

Opening Hours

Monday 4pm - 9pm
Tuesday 11am - 9pm
Wednesday 11am - 9pm
Thursday 11am - 9pm
Friday 11am - 10pm
Saturday 11am - 10pm
Sunday 11am - 9pm

Telephone

+5152481780

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