A former Masonic temple in downtown Des Moines now holds a dining room with soaring ceilings, wood-fired pizza, and a half-price pizza night that locals plan their Mondays around. The building once served a private fraternal group, and today anyone can walk through the doors and sit down to dinner.
The menu leans Italian, with hand-made pasta, crab cakes, and a warm spinach salad that gets plenty of attention. Keep reading to find out where this unusual spot is and why it deserves a place on your list.
A Temple Turned Dining Room
Most people expect a restaurant to start life as a restaurant. This one did not.
The space began as a Masonic temple, and the tall ceilings still tell that story the moment you look up.
The building now serves modern Italian food, yet the grand scale of the room has stayed. Big rooms usually echo and feel cold, but the lighting here keeps things warm and calm.
That mix of old structure and new purpose is the main reason this place sticks in memory. You come for dinner and end up studying the ceiling between bites.
Plenty of cities have Italian restaurants. Very few have one inside a former temple, and that detail changes how the whole evening feels.
It sets the tone before a single plate arrives.
Next, let me tell you exactly where to find it, because the location makes planning easy.
Finding Centro on Locust Street
The restaurant is called Centro, and you will find it at 1003 Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309, United States. It sits in the heart of downtown, which makes it simple to pair with other city plans.
Hotel Fort Des Moines is close by, so guests staying there can walk over without worrying about a car. Drivers can use the Locust parking ramp, which is only about a block away.
Hours change a little by day. Monday opens at 4 PM and closes at 9 PM, while most other days open at 11 AM.
Friday and Saturday run until 10 PM, and Sunday through Thursday close at 9 PM.
It is smart to check the website before you go, since hours can shift. Once you are inside, the first thing that grabs you is the room itself, and that is where we go next.
Lighting and Atmosphere
Soft lighting does a lot of quiet work in the dining room. It makes a large space feel calm, and it gives dinner a relaxed pace even when every table is full.
The decor blends modern style with cozy touches. You could show up dressed up for an anniversary or drop in casually with friends, and neither choice would feel out of place.
One thing to know ahead of time is the noise. During the dinner rush the room gets lively, and conversation can be harder to hear at a big table.
If you want a quieter meal, aim for a late lunch or an off-peak hour. There is also another option outdoors, which brings us to a feature that gets a lot of love in the neighborhood.
The Patio Option
Ask around about this restaurant and the patio comes up again and again. Eating outside offers a calmer feel than the busy dining room, and the setting is pretty on a mild evening.
Tables fill quickly on nice nights, so plan ahead if you hope for a spot outside. Arriving at an off-peak time can improve your odds.
The patio works well for a slow dinner with a shared salad and a pizza in the middle of the table. Portions are generous, so splitting plates is a smart move.
Weather decides everything, of course. When the forecast cooperates, this is the seat to request, and you will not need to raise your voice to talk.
Now that you have a seat, it is time to talk about the bread that lands on the table first.
Focaccia and Starters
Dinner opens with focaccia, and it disappears faster than you plan. Diners often mention it as a highlight, and it is easy to fill up before the main course arrives.
The appetizer list gives you plenty of other choices. Crab cakes are one of the most talked-about starters, and the calamari comes lightly fried without feeling greasy.
Bruschetta and garlic knots also show up on the table for many guests. The knots arrive soft and buttery with a dipping sauce on the side.
Onion rings and portobello fries are on the menu too, for those who like a crunchy start. Sharing several starters is a good way to sample the kitchen.
Pace yourself, though. Soup and salad come next, and both deserve attention.
Soups and Salads Worth Ordering
A warm spinach salad might not sound exciting, but here it is a standout. The bacon dressing arrives truly warm, poured over fresh spinach with mushrooms and Asiago.
The tomato basil soup is another favorite and a cozy pick on a cold Iowa day. It pairs nicely with a shared plate of bread.
Then there is the house Centro salad. Portions run large, and a half order can feed two people with ease.
For a heartier choice, the steak salad features well-seasoned steak cooked just right. It makes a full meal without needing a pasta course.
Once the greens are done, the real star of an Italian menu waits. Pasta is up next.
Pasta Worth the Trip
Pasta is where the kitchen shows its strength. Cavatelli is one of the most mentioned dishes, and ricotta gnocchi comes out pillowy rather than dense.
The chicken and prosciutto pasta is a repeat order for many guests. It is rich and savory, and portions are big enough to bring leftovers home.
Peppercorn mac is another option for those who want something creamy and bold. Chicken saltimbocca also has fans, and it can be prepared gluten free with green beans.
A simple tip helps here. Lean into the Italian dishes on the menu, since those are where diners tend to find the best flavor.
Not everyone wants noodles, though. The oven in the back has plenty to offer too.
Wood-Fired Pizza
Pizza here comes from a wood-fired oven, and the crust shows it. The edges crisp up, the bottom gets a proper char, and the center stays soft.
The Bianca pizza leans on four cheeses and keeps the flavors clear instead of heavy. Toppings are measured, so each bite tastes like its ingredients.
A vegan pizza is on offer for those who skip dairy and meat, and it has won praise. Pepperoni pies are popular too, with a smoky bite.
Planning matters here. Monday nights are known for a half-price pizza deal, and locals treat it as a tradition.
Bring a friend, order two kinds, and compare. After that, a few non-pasta mains deserve a look.
Steak, Sandwiches, and Other Mains
Not every plate at an Italian restaurant needs red sauce. The wood-grilled flank steak arrives with Gorgonzola cream sauce, and it tempts diners who ordered something else.
A pork tenderloin sandwich is on the menu as well, and some guests rave about it. Fish mains and chicken parmesan round out the list.
The kitchen can also adjust dishes when asked. That helps guests who have dietary needs or picky tastes.
Chicken parmesan comes comforting with sauce and cheese, though opinions vary on it. If classic red-sauce comfort is your goal, ask which dishes are favorites that day.
Save room, because the dessert case holds the best surprises.
Desserts Worth Saving Room For
Dessert deserves its own plan. The creme brulee gets torched at the right moment, leaving a thin caramel crust that cracks under a spoon.
Chocolate fans can look to the chocolate torte with raspberry. It is creamy and rich, and the drizzle adds a bright finish.
Cheesecake is a common pick for celebrations. Key lime budino offers a lighter, tangy choice, and sorbet works well after a big meal.
Sharing is wise, since portions are generous. Two spoons and one plate usually does the trick.
Many guests come to mark a special night, and the restaurant has a way of fitting that in. That is the next detail to explore.
Celebrating Special Occasions
Birthdays and anniversaries fit well here. Couples have noted custom menus and table linens printed with celebration messages, a touch that makes the evening feel planned.
The room itself supports the mood. High ceilings and soft light give dinner a sense of occasion without stiffness.
Price is a fair question. Dinner is not the cheapest in town, but many guests find the quality matches the cost, and a nice meal for two can stay reasonable.
Mention the occasion when booking so the team can prepare. Reservations are a good idea on busy nights.
For a cheaper way in, there is another option, and it happens in the late afternoon.
Planning Your Visit and Exploring Nearby
A happy hour runs from 3 to 6 PM and includes some appetizers and pizza. It is a lighter way to enjoy the room without committing to a full dinner.
Reservations help on weekends, since the dining room often fills. Families can ask for high chairs and kids menus.
Parking is easy with the Locust parking ramp a block away. Hotel guests nearby can simply walk.
After dinner, take a stroll through downtown Des Moines and see what else catches your eye. The city has more locally loved restaurants and sights worth a second trip.
A former temple, a wood-fired oven, and a warm spinach salad make a solid case. Go hungry, look up often, and enjoy.
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