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Cento, Madison, WI

Cento

4.8
4.8
2721 Reviews
$31 to $50
Italian
Top Tags:
Please visit our website for up-to-date safety precautions, including our customer and employee face covering policies. Thank you!

Make a reservation

2 people
10:30 PM
Booked 67 times today
Experiences are available.

Additional information

  • Dining style

    Casual Elegant

  • Cuisines

    Italian, Wine Bar, Pizzeria

  • Hours of operation

    Brunch Sat, Sun 10:00 am–2:00 pm Dinner Mon–Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm

  • Phone number

    (608) 284-9378

  • Website

    http://www.centomadison.com/

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Dress code

    Smart Casual

  • Executive chef

    Chris Myers

  • Catering

    For catering inquiries, please contact Jordan Bright at jbright@foodfightinc.com.

  • Private party facilities

    At Cento, we pride ourselves on hosting spectacular private events. Whether you would like to entertain a select small group, or host a large reception throughout the entire restaurant, Cento offers a number of options suitable for any occasion. We tailor each event to suit your needs, and a dedicated staff will ensure that every detail of your event is attended to. Experience Cento from within the intimate atmosphere of our second dining room, which can accommodate up to 35 guests. Our second dining room is equipped with a private bar and is perfect for any occasion, whether it"s a business function or a celebration with family and friends, and is situated a few steps up from our main dining room. For larger groups, exclusive use of the restaurant can be arranged for both luncheon and dinner events, with the front lounge and bar as the perfect setting for a reception in advance of a seated event.

  • Private party contact

    Jordan Bright: (608) 284-9378

  • Location

    122 W. Mifflin St., Madison, WI 53703

  • Neighborhood

    Madison

  • Cross street

    Fairchild

  • Parking details

    Two public parking structures adjacent to Overture Center offer more than 1,400 parking spaces. Additional parking ramps can be found on State Street and the Capitol Square, and on-street metered parking is also available for short-term parking in the downtown area. www.cityofmadison.com/transportation/parking.cfm

  • Additional

    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Takeout, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Featured in

Experiences

  • Valentine's Day Prix Fixe

    $100.00 per person

    Prepaid

    Feb 14, 2023 only
    Join us on Valentine's Day at Cento as Executive Chef Chris Myers celebrates with a four-course prix fixe menu for $100 per person. Price does not include beverages, tax, or gratuity. Please note any dietary restrictions when making a reservation. Our regular menu will not be offered this evening. Valentine's Menu is available on www.centomadison.com A valid credit card is required to secure your reservation. Your credit card will be charged $100 per person when booking. On Valentine's Day, your bill will be credited $100 per person. Cancellations at least 48 hours prior to reservation will be refunded $100 per person. Cancellations or decreases in party size within 48 hours of reservation time will not be refunded.

What 2,721 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.5Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Wisconsin

    Italian

  • Wisconsin

    Most Booked

  • Madison

    Best Overall

  • Madison

    Best Service

  • Madison

    Best Ambiance

  • Madison

    Best Value

  • Madison

    Innovative

  • Madison

    Great for fine wines

  • Madison

    Most Booked

Sort by

Filters

  1. LE

    LangstonE

    Milwaukee

    9 reviews

    4.0

    9 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    Very good service and eve food was solid.
  2. D

    Delaney13

    Chicago

    31 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    31 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    My daughter and I ate at Cento before a show at The Orpheum. The atmosphere was very nice. The drinks were very good and the food was fantastic. We had a fried artichoke appetizer that was lightly coated and crispy, the burrata salad was delicious and the squash pizza was wonderful. Our server Shelby was very friendly and helpful. We will definitely dine here again.
  3. a

    aidanm

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food was fantastic and our waiter was amazing. He was patient and explained in detail everything we had questions about
  4. MM

    MariM

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Our pre-theatre dinner was delicious. Cento offers an elegant ambiance and attentive service. We will go back again.
  5. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Milwaukee

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had a great server! She helped me navigate the menu to find good plant based options and she was attentive and friendly
  6. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on January 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This was our first visit to Cento since the new chef joined the restaurant and we were all amazed by the rejuvenation of the menu. I’ve always enjoyed Cento, but this menu is the best iteration since the restaurant first opened. Risotto w/seafood excellent, spaghetti bolognese was perfection and my husband enjoyed the meatballs and burrata. The Burrata preparation was fresh and made him feel like spring was right around the corner.
  7. T

    Tami

    Milwaukee

    19 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    19 reviews

    Dined on January 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    It was fantastic. We had the octopus appetizer. Delicious! Our entree’s were risotto and cavateli, both were excellent!
  8. MM

    MichelleM

    Milwaukee

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on January 28, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    A fun place to brunch before a show next door.
  9. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Milwaukee

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 28, 2023

    overall5food4service3ambience5
    The boozy brunch is a great deal! The cocktails were tasty, lots of food options, and great ambiance! Service was a bit slow, but they were fairly busy. Definitely will be back!
  10. d

    dragonfly

    San Francisco

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on January 27, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    we had a lovely dinner -good food and fun atmosphere
  11. MM

    MaxM

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 27, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience5
    I had the gnocchi with a red wine and it was absolutely wonderful! My server was very sweet, genuine, and courteous. I would definitely come back.
  12. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    2 reviews

    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on January 27, 2023

    overall2food1service4ambience5
    I was really disappointed with the carbonara. When I ordered I was expecting pasta carbonara but what I received was plain under-salted rigatoni with only a speck here or there of Parmesan and a cold poached egg on top. Even after I broke the egg and mixed it together with some extra Parmesan it just tasted wet and bland, not like the comforting warm eggy cheesy mixture I expect when I eat a carbonara. I often also wish that Cento allowed to people to order a side salad. Often with pasta I’m trying to order something green to balance out the carbs and I don’t want a salad that has a ton of toppings or texture, I just want simple well dressed greens to support the main. A lot of the veg I remember seeing on the sides menu — potatoes, maybe squash—are also nutritionally carbohydrates. We did order Brussel sprouts appetizer which was delicious. We go to Overture a ton— we have two different subscriptions, and I’m just so frustrated by the meal that I have that I don’t think we’ll be back for a while.
  13. NN

    NickN

    Milwaukee

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 26, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    We had excellent service from our waiter and the ambiance was fine. If the restaurant is crowded, as it was when we came in, it was hard to hear. My dish of scallops was good. However, my wife is a vegetarian. Since there was no vegetarian pasta on the menu, she asked to have one prepared without meat. That's always a dangerous proposition and unfortunately it wasn't that well executed. Its kind of odd that there was no vegetarian pasta option. Overall a decent experience, but pretty expensive for what you get.
  14. SZ

    SandraZ

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 25, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    The service was excellent! Austin is a great server!
  15. t

    tweinarn

    Milwaukee

    13 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on January 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    All staff are amazing! Easy to make reservations via Open Table
  16. RT

    RossT

    Milwaukee

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Really loved our first dining experience here. We can’t wait to come back and try more!
  17. A

    Annmaries

    Chicago

    23 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    23 reviews

    Dined on January 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Cento is a regular stop when visiting my Badger. It never disappoints and my daughter is always appreciative of a great meal.
  18. BS

    BudS

    New England

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    I picked Cento for a pre-Overture matinee brunch with me 80+-year-old mother. The location was the primary draw, and I had heard positive things from friends. It did not disappoint. The food, service, price, and location all made for a positive experience.
  19. MS

    MadcitySRJ

    Chicago

    40 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    40 reviews

    Dined on January 22, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience3
    Food is ok but not great. The only reason to go to Cento is for location across street from Overture Center.
  20. K

    Kenn

    Milwaukee

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on January 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Excellent as always. Waiter was the best!
  21. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Milwaukee

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    It was great
  22. S

    Scott

    New England

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 16, 2023

    overall4food2service5ambience5
    Our drinks and appetizers were fantastic, but two members of our party ordered the chicken parm and said it was bland and seemed like it had been reheated. The Funghi pizza was nothing special either; adding pepper and Parmesan at home improved the leftovers. We don't mind paying well for good food and the good overall experience at Cento, but our entrees during this visit were really a weak link.
  23. JN

    JordanN

    Pittsburgh

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on January 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great service, ambiance, food, and drinks! The portions are a bit small.
  24. M

    Mackenzie

    New England

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on January 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great experience, food, and service.
  25. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Anniversary
  26. LK

    LarryK

    Milwaukee

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent food - great service makes for an exceptional dining experience!
  27. TC

    TamaraC

    Milwaukee

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The service and food were excellent Went with colleagues from out of town to dinner and we loved it!!
  28. B

    Brittany

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We did a girls night here and it was perfect! Great drinks, great food and fabulous service! One of our water glasses broke and it was replaced in no time, with an apology. Would recommend this place and will definitely be back for a date night!
  29. CL

    CariL

    Milwaukee

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on January 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    My first time at Cento and I can see why you need a reservation. All of our meals were excellent, staff was nice, and I will definitely be back!
  30. d

    dhcdoc

    Milwaukee

    61 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    61 reviews

    Dined on January 8, 2023

    overall2food2service3ambience3
    We were terribly disappointed. As difficult as it is to get a reservation here on a weekend other than at 430 pm., all 4 of our dishes were disappointing in the lack of flavors and the mix of components. Any hint of the food being Italian could almost only be found in the name. I can scarcely imagine rabbit being used in a dish and a quick stroll through a half dozen cookbooks never once turned up rabbit. And god forbid one use pork! I can understand almost the lack of veal on the menu; it seems people here in Madison either have never heard of it or think they are real animal rights advocates to eschew eating it. But wait, maybe it is just that the chef is trying so hard to be avant-garde that he forgot this was supposed to be Italian.
  31. MD

    MadisonDiner

    Milwaukee

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food and service were fantastic. One of my favorite places.
  32. I

    Its23

    Milwaukee

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 5, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    Great food, great staff, and the ambience was lovely
  33. D

    Daniel

    Milwaukee

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 1, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent 6-course New Year's Eve dinner with wine pairing.
  34. LS

    LisaS

    Milwaukee

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on January 1, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I hadn’t heard of this restaurant, we typically always went to another downtown for special occasions but they were booked. Cento was fantastic. We will be back. We had a five course meal and left with boxes of food and feeling unbelievably stuffed. The food was great. The chef made exceptions for my celiacs which I appreciated. Our waitress was knowledgeable, friendly and fun. We really enjoyed our experience.
  35. S

    Shellz

    Milwaukee

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on December 31, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    As usual, another meal at Cento was awesome. It was New Year's Eve Brunch for my husband's birthday. We were not sure what to expect for Brunch, but as usual had a wonderful meal. Service was great..Thanks to Austin! So personable and friendly. Food was outstanding, especially the Baked Eggs and Seasonal Omelet. Birthday guy had the Tagliatelle pasta with Bolognese ragu which is his fav...and it did not disappoint. Best Italian restaurant in town!!
  36. P

    Patron

    San Francisco

    6 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on December 31, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Beautiful view of Overture Center which was lit up for Christmas. Good cocktails, attentive service.
  37. K

    Katiecat

    Wilmington

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on December 30, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Wonderful! The cocktails were great, the food was delicious, and the booth we were in was perfect. Loved the ambience.
  38. BW

    BradlyW

    Chicago

    13 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on December 29, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Loved the ambiance and food.
  39. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Minneapolis

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 29, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We enjoyed a wonderful meal with the attentive help from Austin. We will be back.
  40. AM

    AustinM

    Chicago

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on December 29, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food, vibe, service, and the price is reasonable for the quality and quantity.

FAQs

Cento offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (608) 284-9378.

Cento is rated 4.8 stars by 2721 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
10:30 PM
Booked 67 times today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for Cento

122 W. Mifflin St., Madison, WI 53703

Additional information

  • Cross street

    Fairchild

  • Neighborhood

    Madison

  • Hours of operation

    Brunch Sat, Sun 10:00 am–2:00 pm Dinner Mon–Sat 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm

  • Cuisines

    Italian, Wine Bar, Pizzeria

  • Dining style

    Casual Elegant

  • Dress code

    Smart Casual

  • Parking details

    Two public parking structures adjacent to Overture Center offer more than 1,400 parking spaces. Additional parking ramps can be found on State Street and the Capitol Square, and on-street metered parking is also available for short-term parking in the downtown area. www.cityofmadison.com/transportation/parking.cfm

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Executive chef

    Chris Myers

  • Additional

    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Takeout, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

  • Website

    http://www.centomadison.com/

  • Phone number

    (608) 284-9378

  • Catering

    For catering inquiries, please contact Jordan Bright at jbright@foodfightinc.com.

  • Private party facilities

    At Cento, we pride ourselves on hosting spectacular private events. Whether you would like to entertain a select small group, or host a large reception throughout the entire restaurant, Cento offers a number of options suitable for any occasion. We tailor each event to suit your needs, and a dedicated staff will ensure that every detail of your event is attended to. Experience Cento from within the intimate atmosphere of our second dining room, which can accommodate up to 35 guests. Our second dining room is equipped with a private bar and is perfect for any occasion, whether it"s a business function or a celebration with family and friends, and is situated a few steps up from our main dining room. For larger groups, exclusive use of the restaurant can be arranged for both luncheon and dinner events, with the front lounge and bar as the perfect setting for a reception in advance of a seated event.

  • Private party contact

    Jordan Bright: (608) 284-9378

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