Centro

Great food, Attentive and fast service. Authentic Mexican taste. Could recommend the horchata and fish tacos here. Only downside, international cards don’t work for payment through the on table ordering app.

If not the best Mexican I've had yet then definitely top 3. Every item was delicious. The tacos were unreasonably good; like the chef had something to prove. Service was great. Atmosphere was great. Most definitely recommended.

Absolutely a gem - had lunch iho Cinco de Mayo. The tacos were so delicious especially the Del Sur..muy bueno! Also it was a cool and rainy day so I tried the chicken and rice soup - SOOO GOOD! Made from scratch. Check ‘em out.

Some of the best Mexican food I have had! Great service and drinks too.

I’ve been coming here for years since I work and live downtown—but last night Centro catered the State of the City event and wow! The empanadas and other items were amazing but the star was the incredible esquites. It came in individual cups and I wish I had walked away with more than one to go. I need this on menu, I would eat this every day. Or maybe every week 😂 I’m about to throw an empanada party just to order the esquites.

We LOVED our lunch! I would recommend the torta to anyone; it was just delicious! The bread was soft, the steak tender - I couldn't have asked for more. The soup is also delicious. I would also recommend the shrimp tacos. We also especially appreciated the great service. We'll be back!

I love popping in to Centro for lunch. Great, quick service, and reliably awesome food. The flautas and tacos are my favorites - and they even have a gluten free fried chicken taco which is so so good!

The food here is always fantastic! You can’t go wrong with any of their tacos. Most days they have lunch specials which are also always worth trying. The space is uniquely decorated and has a very eclectic vibe. Table sizes are somewhat limited so if you come with a large party will be difficult to get everyone seated. My latest visit we had six people and we simply sat at the bar which worked out fine. Definitely a local favorite and I’m always excited to visit again.

The minute I walked through the door I could tell the food was going to be great. The server came right away and took our orders. The vibe of the whole place was extremely positive and the servers were very kind when serving us. The environment was very friendly and I heard laughter everywhere. The server gave great recommendations and the food was the best authentic Mexican food I have had in a while. Next time I maybe would have ordered more because I couldn't get enough of the tacos. I definitely recommend Centro for a top notch Mexican restaurant.

Left this place leaving hungry and dissatisfied. Ordered the "enchiladas" which were overpriced and essentially taquitos with sauce poured over them. They were tiny! They must have been taquitos because they were crunchy - even though I'm using the term jokingly, they most certainly do taste and have the same texture as it. The drinks were pretty good and service was nice. Food was not the best

Met several friends for dinner here. Cute spot downtown -- we were at a cozy table under the stairs beside the bar. Didn't order a cocktail but they looked amazing. We ordered chips, salsa and queso for the table. All were delicious. I ordered the centro bowl with chicken for my entree. It was the perfect amount of each ingredient in the bowl. I'm not normally a guacamole fan but it just with with the bowl and was quite tasty. Waitress was attentive without being overbearing. I look forward to returning and trying some cocktails and a different entree.

Had a great meal. My whole family enjoyed their food here. I just wish they open earlier but, the wait is worth it.

I have visited Gallo Pelon that is located above Centro (it is a must visit) so I was excited to check out Centro on this most recent visit. We started off with cocktails, it was one of the drink specials for my husband and the aniversario followed by the picosita (with half of the heat) for me. The picosita was so good. For food we started with the chips & guacamole then it was the Enchiladas de la Familia for my husband and the Mole Poblano for me. I knew I had to save room for dessert because Tres Leches was on the menu. The food and service were both good.

Great food, margaritas and service! We even got chosen randomly a free pitcher on cinco de mayo weekend, so they took it off our tab at the end. Has the burrito, enchiladas, queso and classic margarita. Everything was great!

Oh, Centro. We had such a good thing going. Once upon a time, you were Raleigh's crown jewel - the owner often present, dishes so fresh they might've just been picked from a garden. But lately? My enchiladas felt more like a microwave's handiwork than a chef's. For seventeen bucks, I was hoping for more than a lukewarm and crunchy enchilada. I get it, times are tough, and online ordering might save on staffing costs. But the service? Friendly, yet it's like watching paint dry. And about that tipping - starting at 20% on the tax-included total and reaching for the 30% stars? It's ambitious, to put it nicely. I'll always have a soft spot for our good old days, Centro. But I've sidestepped into a new dining dance partner who's got the rhythm just right. Keep that chin up and the recipes fresher!

My wife and I came here on a Friday night. I'd made a reservation for us the day before since I wasn't sure how busy they'd be--there were a few open tables when we arrived (7:45PM), but it definitely seemed like it would fill up quickly so I recommend making a reservation if you plan to visit on a weekend! The service was wonderful--our waitress was attentive and kind. The decor and the smell of all the delicious food truly makes you feel like you're in an abuela's home! What really sold me here was that they give back to the community--$2 of the cost of the Veronica drink are donated to the Carolina abortion fund, and $2 of the Pride Jarritos drink are donated to the LGBT center of Raleigh. And the FOOD--my goodness, everything was delicious. We had the chips and queso, the enchilada plate, the ignacios (nachos), and the tres leches cake. The queso was perfectly flavored (nothing like bland store-bought queso), and the nachos had a great ratio of toppings to chips. The only thing I would change about them is to ask for additional black beans on top--it says they come with "beans" on the menu, but really it's just a very thin layer of bean paste on the bottom. As a vegetarian, I was hoping for a little more protein. On that note, if you are vegetarian do note that this place has a limited number of options per the menu. I was happy with the nachos as it was though! And it could be that they're amenable to making a dish vegetarian, but I didn't ask. It is a bit pricey here--the enchilada plate was $17, the nachos were $12, chips and queso were $9, and our drinks were $12-15 each. However, I'm happy to pay that in order to support a small local business delivering such fresh, delicious food.

Yesssss!! Love it! I ordered the lunch special chorizo tacos, IT WAS SO GOOD!! I loved the meat, pickled onions, and the jalapeno sauce! The place was so cool, very different from what other stores are like. The decor is very reminiscent and authentic. The ordering system was so cool. Overall, I loved it! Would definitely recommend and come back!

Such good food, I just wish I was actually waited on. I get the arguments for QR code restaurants, but that doesn't mean I like it!

So glad Centro is back for inside dining. I usually get tacos but went for chilaquiles this time. Sooo good on a chilly day! The green tomatillo sauce mixed with the creamy cheese making a delicious casserole with the corn tortillas and fried egg. I added chicken but didn't even need it because it was so hardy. My husband always gets the enchiladas de familia and he loves them- steak, chicken, & bean. I also have a love affair with their perfectly fried tortilla chips and the best salsa in downtown Raleigh. Beware that it is super cold inside the restaurant right now. No idea why but I had to dine with my winter coat on.

Went to Centro Saturday for lunch. And of course in Raleigh, concept of Sunday Brunch is lost on the restaurants here. Why not just leave it to Sunday. It makes it more special. Back to review. It seems they have come up with a touch-less ordering system. The app had many many glitches and QR code is hit or miss in terms of readability. Service was poor and person available said if it doesn't work, go to the bar and order... rather carelessly. She couldn't care less. Bar was 5 orders deep and required waiting their. And since one of our guests didn't show yet, we couldn't just order appetizers. One person at table got menu up and it is a limited brunch menu - Of Course! And we came for Mexican food. The whole experience was a nightmare!!!! Please don't bother going for a sit down meal... or fire the person who developed their app. And redo it. In meantime... We figured out if we order all the courses including dessert all at once like you do at a fast food chain, it can actually work. "You want fries with that?". BTW... I am a deeply tech person and have been using Every app available at restaurants for a decade or more. Never have I experience this. I am not even expressing the frustration well enough. And with the flippant nature of the woman working the floor..... Wasn't willing to take an order. App wasnt working still... orders were submitted and sauce selections etc were glitchy and get kicking us out. We finally ordered at Bar... it took three separate attempts to go to the bar because we had to wait for someone to acknowledge our presence. Because... as a bar, your priority is to serve drinks which are a quadruple margin business compared to food for any restaurant. Food orders were lower priority. It took three tries of going to the bar to get their attention to order. The hostess at podium out front intervened to take our order finally. Thank god. For the food... it was actually delicious. Hence two stars. Thought of giving 3 stars BUT... it was a nightmare and who wants that on their Saturday? It's my fun day! We ordered tacos and enchiladas. They were delicious. Guac and chips... ordered but guac was so-so. I have made tons better. it was light on lime, Jalapeño, and salt, and missing garlic or onion flavoring. Bland and gringo style but with fresh avocado. Would I go there again? Never for a sit down. It in my book is a take-away or uber eats only kind of place. Better places to repeat if you want Mexican... GO TO VIRGIL's INSTEAD!!!! Please!!!!! Service with a smile, huge variety and tasty street tacos and more, bar is awesome with drinks, and service is excellent and person... they also have online ordering, take away and more. Centro all-in-all sucks in experience. It was utter chaos and disaster. If you want to add stress to your life, by all means go... sit down and eat there and you will get a rather nice but ADHD server and no food or drink for 30 mins... other than water for the table. With patience and many attempts, you might get your food. Good luck Centro... the cloud/app based touch-less worls is NOT for you. Either go back to a human interface service or close down. Not repeating this one!!!!

If you dine at the restaurant downstairs, get the enchilada plate! Best enchilada experience in all of Raleigh. The upstairs mezcal bar is so fun and the bartenders are adorable.

First time here and what a gem this restaurant is. First impressions: there's so much attention to detail in all the decor. There's 2 areas in this restaurant: 1. The Mezcalaria- a rooftop bar and deck for nibbles and a huge catalog of mezcal. 2. Centro- the full service menu restaurant. The owner Angela is the most welcoming and warm person. You can tell she has beyond a passion for hospitality. All the staff is attentive and joyous to work there. The murals all over the stairwell are incredible. Make sure to peek upstairs at the rooftop deck mural. It's incredible. Now, the food. There are many Mexican style restaurants in town. Centro has a Colombian flair and unique set of flavor combinations that set this place apart. We started with chips, salsa and various dips (Guacamole, queso, and this incredible corn dip!) I ordered the 20+ ingredient mole with chicken. This was the most delicious mole I've had and wanted to eat it with a spoon. My hubby got the enchiladas- and the cream sauce was divine! So, if you want a great meal with phenomenal service, run, don't walk to Centro! Oh and Saturday there's a brunch. Can't wait to try it! I'm hungry thinking about this food now!

Used to be good but has gone downhill and they are one of those penny pinching restaurants. We sat at the bar last night so I unfortunately had to watch the bartender make drinks while we were there. She was under pouring the $15 margaritas then stuffing the glass with ice. They don't even put a one ounce pour of tequila in the drinks which means they are ripping people off. Also what kind of Mexican restaurant offers chips and salsa at the bar then charges you for them? The food is okay but service and drinks have made it so we won't go back. $120 wasted

Drinks- our waitress suggested the margaritas and she was not wrong! There are four special ones and we tried the spicy and the chambord one - both were awesome. Mole chicken and southern chicken tacos were awesome!! The cilantro rice seemed like it was freshly prepared not a mass produced side dish, Tres leches cake for dessert!!! So good but not overwhelming! Many thanks to the bartender at a neighboring restaurant who sent us here!!

I walk by often and decided to check this place out. There were people waiting for the doors to open for dinner. We sat at the bar, ordered Antiguo & Fabuloso Margarita's and both were quite strong. Ordered gorditas de frijol which I was so excited to try but not what I was expecting. I was hoping for authentic gorditas but overall nice bar. I really enjoyed the guacamole. I enjoyed the freshness and flavors.

Centro had some pretty good white queso which went great with the complimentary chips that were immediately placed on the table for us right when we sat down. Salsa was average. For brunch, I ordered the Gorditas de Emilia (two corn masa pockets stuffed with scrambled eggs, sausage, mushrooms, peppers, cream, cheese). Was decent, but I will say that most of the stuffing was the scrambled eggs. You don't get much of everything else. I found that just one of those stuffed corn pockets was enough to fill me up (or maybe I had too many chips with queso for my appetizer!). The meal also came with sides of cilantro rice and black beans. The cilantro rice was delicious! Wish there were a bigger portion of it. I came with a few friends and everyone enjoyed their meal. Taste | 4 Atmosphere | 4 Presentation | 3.5 Service | 3.5 OVERALL | 4

Centro was amazing! I came here last weekend for dinner and it was definitely a hit. I had the Los Carlos and it was delicious! They are steak tacos with cheese, avocado, and pico de gallo. It is also served with a side of cilantro rice, which was super flavorful and good, despite cilantro not being my favorite! Chips and queso, also wonderful! I had a glass of Sauvignon Blanc which was a nice addition, and tried a rum cocktail which I forgot the name of but it was delicious as well. Service was stellar & the atmosphere was super hip and fun. I will definitely be back!

I have been meaning to try Centro for so long and finally made it happen! I recommend making a reservation for weekend dining, we went on a Friday night and without a reservation the wait was an hour and a half! Service was a little slow, but we weren't in a rush and our waitress was very friendly! We started with the chips and queso and it was freaking delicious! I am such a sucker for queso and Centro's did not disappoint. I shared tacos with my friend we so could get two different kinds. We got the chicken and chorizo and their steak taco. They were both good, but the steak taco was really good! When I'd go back I'd get the steak tacos again. My husband got the seafood dish and it was good, was a bit more like a stew than he expected. I tasked the sauce and it was really flavorful and delicious. The margaritas were also on point (no surprise). A great spot downtown, I'll be back!

Centro is delicious! This was my first time and I wish I had tried it earlier. I went with two friends on Saturday night around 8:30pm and there was no wait. The food, service, and atmosphere were all great so I'll definitely be back soon! Chips + Salsa + Guac 4/5 - Wish chips and salsa weren't extra but it was yummy and worth it. The portion of guac was small but it didn't cost much so I can't complain. Chicken Tinga Tacos 4/5 - I really like how the tacos have double tortillas. The chicken tinga was yummy but I don't think I'll get it again. I really liked the rice and refried beans! I'm not usually a fan of refried beans but I ate them all. Wish I was able to mix and match tacos though Atmosphere 5/5 - Really fun atmosphere! The decorations are great. Service 5/5 - Service was great!

I definitely didn't expect this fun, funky ambience, so close to the Capitol. The food was very fresh and flavorful. It's on our come-back list.

People have been telling me to try Centro for awhile and I finally got to try it out on Monday. Our server and the bartender, Roberto, was amazing! His suggestions were exactly what we needed. First starters, they had the freshest salsa I've ever had at a restaurant and their queso was perfect from flavor to texture. For drinks, I ordered the margarita del Gallo. It has mezcal with a spicy smoky but citrusy flavor. I loved it! Such a unique yet delicious combination. You HAVE to try the mole poblano. The flavor is like nothing else I've eaten and the fried sweet plantains were a perfect compliment. Without hesitation, my significant other ordered the tres leches and he said it was the best he has had and he ate the whole thing before I could get one bite in . Try Centro, you won't be disappointed.

I come here as soon as they open because it gets crowded for lunch. The decor is thought out, the tables are unique, and just the feel of the place feels comfortable. We came here for lunch and we ordered the chicken enchiladas with refried black beans on the side and also ordered the special that they had which was chilaquiles with carne asada. They were both amazing and took the rest home. We also ordered the chips, salsa, and queso. Delicious flavor all around. Favorite place to come in Raleigh. They have great Latin food and I stop by when I can. Highly recommended for a date night or if you just want a great meal in Raleigh.

It can be crowded because there's not a ton of seating, but the food is always amazing! If you have to wait for a seat, they do have some space around the bar to get a drink while you wait. Last time I went I got the "antigua margarita" described as being "booze forward". It was very nice and drinkable and not overly sweet (which can sometimes be a problem with margaritas). My friend and I split some guacamole which was fantastic. For dinner I had the enchiladas trio--cheese, chicken, and steak. The enchiladas were perfect! I think the chicken was my favorite but they were all 3 very good. It made for a very satisfying dinner.

When I moved here 2 years ago my nephew came to visit and we were blown away by the food. This year the first place he wanted to return to was Centro. This place is rock solid! Sent friends there as well and they were equally impressed! Great energy, food/drinks and service make for a happy belly!!!

I went here on Halloween with my girlfriend, we had seen this place from the street a few weeks before and were immediately drawn in, the decorations and ambiance look so inviting. And so we decided we'd have dinner there, which we did. The ambiance was nice! The waiter seemed liked her mind was elsewhere. I usually enjoy recommendations as she notice we were struggling with our orders since it was our first time. It really sets a place apart when the staff is inviting, but rather I left feeling a bit like I was intruding on the premises. The food was great though! I got the carnitas tacos. Highly recommend that! I went upstairs to check out the bar and immediately was greeting by the bartender who was more than eager to make me comfortable and help me out. A total 180 from what was happening downstairs.

I first went here with a co-worker and HAD to come back with my partner so I could have the brisket Tostadas again - they're that good! That dish alone is worth the visit. The service is also exceptional and some of the other dishes are delicious as well. We enjoyed the margarita, plantains and cameron a la Veracruzana. The only downsides: I didn't enjoy the guacemole or los Carlos tacos as much as I'd hoped.

Someone's abuela is in the back making homemade tortillas in this restaurant! I have never had Mexican food this good. Ever! Everything here is fresh and homemade. It's not like those chain run of the mill Mexican restaurants you are used to. Five stars are not a fair reflection of the quality of this restaurant. They deserve 10. The staff is super friendly. The food is out of this world. It's just like authentic. The Mojito was incredible! Everything is so fresh. I feel like I need to say the word fresh repeatedly. Fresh. Fresh. Just incredible, delicious food. I wish I could eat there every day. Dear owner/manager if you are reading this, my birthday is coming up soon.

A funky little place with a laid back vibe in downtown Raleigh. This was my 2nd visit, and is obviously very popular. 1st visit, no reservations, had to wait a while. 2nd visit, made reservations, got there a bit early, so we had to wait(understandably, and not complaining!) We went upstairs to the bar and went for the pitcher of margaritas! Good idea on this sultry Sat. Eve...refreshingly clean and cooling. The guava was a nice touch that cuts the tequila bite a bit. We were seated at a booth in this cute little nook. Promptly ordered the salsa and guac. Sadly, the guac was no more. I guess that's what we get for a later dinner res. So, we had to settle for the salsa and queso. The salsa is bursting with a palate of flavors, queso was yummy(how can cheese not be!) and the chips are fresh and come to you warm. The menu has a great variety to choose, which can make it very difficult to pick just one. And they do switch it up which is both wonderful and sad. I was expecting to find something from my first visit, but it wasn't there...BUT...Everything we had was outstanding! So, good luck Our table had the fish tacos, brisket tostada and a Mexican version of shrimp and grits with poblano(don't remember the name and the website isn't up to date that I could find) Tacos, filled with fresh fish and piled with tasty cabbage, pick de Gallo and the most delicious cilantro mayo! And yes, it IS spicy and spectacular. I stole some for my brisket. The tostadas were stacked with a generous brisket serving and stacked with fresh kale and avocado (I would have liked more). The retried black beans were a nice change from the traditional. Fresh fried tostadas supported the whole Shabang....well, I truth be told, I used my fork. The shrimp dish would have been outstanding with fresher shrimp. It was stated that said plate would have been licked clean if certain others were not around. (Everything surrounding the shrimp- 5 star, shrimp- 3 star) The staff has been super awesome both times. Price point is right there. I would highly recommend Centro when you crave some not so pedestrian Mexican.

Stopped by here for lunch with a friend and was extremely satisfied. Their lunch menu is vast and has plenty of items under $10. I went with the chicken torta ($12) which was MASSIVE and delicious. It was served with rice and a salad. There was enough for me to take home.

I love eating here and have been so excited to go eat for a special occasion since they opened back up. I called to reserve a table but backed out because they are charging $20 to sit at a table! Hopefully this will change soon because I won't be paying to sit at a table.

I love candlelight on date night and Centro does it right. Cozy, romantic, playful ambiance and super tasty Mexi eats! Heather B and Brittany S have also turned me on to the Wednesday Margarita Run mentioned in their reviews so that's definitely going on my list of fun runs. Tacos and a margarita after a sweaty 5 mile run? I'm all over that like a cat on a mouse. Mrowr! The corn something with lime amuse-bouche was very tasty, the Mahi Mahi tacos were delicious, the service was fantastic even though it was Friday night and they were very busy, and parking wasn't a problem. The only drawback was the noise level...it's loud. I've been here during lunch and the noise level hasn't been bad at all. But, on a Friday night during dinner, plan on some loud conversation. I will say that the background music is very good although not super loud. It's mostly just people socializing and if you can deal with the noise level, you'll probably enjoy it. Overall, I love this place. Kudos Centro!

Centro is my favorite restaurant in the metro. I've been eating there a long time, and always get excited at the prospect of another meal there. It's a great spot for lunch in the middle of a work day, and also a fantastic dinner spot. My favorite dishes are the chilaquiles (recommend the lamb option) and the enchiladas de la familia. I've also been a fan of their COVID-19 response. They have been offering some "take and bake" options where you get a meal that is mostly completed, and then you pop it into your oven when you get home to finish it. This is particularly nice since I live a bit of a distance away, and some items are better right out of the oven (like the chilaquiles) than they would be after a drive home with take out. This way you get the fresh taste that you would get at the restaurant, but you also don't get COVID. I do miss eating in the restaurant itself, but this is a great option given the circumstances. I'm a huge fan and I highly recommend visiting.

Very slow service. Inconsistent drinks. Lackluster menu. Food was mediocre (tried all three meat burritos and a taco dish). And mandatory $20 table fee. Not going back.

I love the decor & ambiance at Centro. It just feels very authentic. But more importantly, the food here is delicious. The guacamole is the best I've had, and that's saying a lot b/c I travel quite a bit and consider myself a guac aficionado. My entrée and those of everyone else at my table were fantastic, and the cocktails - especially the spicy margarita - you must try it, it's divine- were awesome. We also ordered shots of tequila, and they were presented nicely, with salt and lime. The service was spot on as well. Highly recommend!

Ok American-Mexican food for a terribly high price. NOT WORTH IT. The flavors weren't bad but nothing to get greedy about. The chips and salsa were mediocre and not provided for free. Now, I'm not saying I'd never pay for chips or expect cheap Mexican, but seriously, they don't even serve more than one salsa. Instead they charged me $1 for hot sauce that was so bad I didn't eat it. The service in general was pretty bad tonight where the waiter didn't come refill our waters or attempt to check in on us. Usually, I don't care, but if you're making me pay a premium price, I expect premium service. The restaurant itself was cute and the atmosphere wasn't bad, only a bit noisy. You need a reservation to come here on the weekends for dinner, sadly. The favorite thing I had tonight was the Old Fashioned and almost worth the $12. I guess I'll treat this like a bar next time and go to my hole-in-the-wall favorites instead. Disappointing and dissatisfying. Went to get awesome gelato afterwards to make up for it.

All of my friends always ask me where to get good Mexican food. My response is always the same, my mom's kitchen! That answer has changed with centro. Everything at centro is simply well thought out and delicious. Delicious in the sense that my dad dubbed it the best mole he's ever had (only second to his abuelas.) Centro puts so much love and soul into their food and it shows, the flavors are amazing with great service to match! I highly highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a taste of true Mexican flavors with hand crafted cocktails (I'm looking at you, Gallo Pelón!) This place is hands down the best Mexican food in North Carolina, (trust me y'all, I'm Mexican.) In all seriousness, if you want good, soul warming food that tastes straight out of your abuela's kitchen- COME HERE. Disclaimer: From this point on a rant will take place. Centro is not your run of the mill chain Mexican-American restaurant. It is everything good about Mexican food and then some. Is their food pricier than your average Mexican place? Yes. But there is a good reason for it. Mexican cuisine is some of the most labor intensive cuisines you will come across. Also, assuming that all Mexican food should be cheap because of the $4 dollar lunch special at the place across town IS NOT OKAY. Assuming that Mexican food should be cheap is racist. Mexican food takes a lot of time and a lot of ingredients and the price reflects such. No restaurant owes you free chips & salsa, period.

Amazing food and drinks and great vibe. A great spot in downtime Raleigh if you want something different

I was very pleasantly surprised by this restaurant. Centro has a unique ability to capture a very welcoming and inviting ambience while appreciating hispanic culture. The food was incredibly filling and at reasonable prices. I ordered "Torta con Huevo" with Horchata and both were great. The jalapeños balanced with avocado made the torta perfect (not too spicy) and the horchata was incredible. It is by far my favorite restaurant, if I only lived closer to it.

Don't get the mole poblano. It tasted really strange. We liked the brisket and the enchiladas were okay. Definitely get the queso. The spicy margarita has a blue cheese aftertaste says woman in picture. I liked it. But I have a cold so I couldn't taste anything.

OMG --nummy nummy in my tummy!! I moved here from the west (AZ and CA) I know my Mexican food... and this place is GREAT! Too start with we had chips, salsa and queso which were all fabulous, Chips were crispy, thin -but had integrity. salsa was so flavorful - had a kick but not too hot. And the queso - I mean c'mon, it is hot molten cheese, of course it is good. Our entrees included the Latin-inspired BB-Q ribs and enchiladas. abso-flipping-lutely tasty! I actually woke up the next morning and called a friend to see if they wanted to join me to have dinner there for the second night in-a-row. So that should sum up how delicious the food is. Other notable mentions: the decorations are quaint, the bartender was awesome, the restrooms and dining room are clean and comfortable, and the the prices were reasonable. Good people, good food, good atmosphere and good prices- they deserve their 5-star rating!

This is still my favorite Mexican spot in Raleigh. I love it sooo much. I love the Enchiladas de Familia- and probably would have that meal on my deathbed. The cocktails are phenomenal too.

Amazing service! The bartender was super entertaining and the drinks and food were superb.

Came on a weekday and was easy to get a table for two. Fun and lively ambiance with great service. For apps got the chips and Guac--fresh and flavorful and would def recommended. For drinks tried a few but the best hands down was the Margarita del Gallo. I also tried the Cadillac but wish id stuck with the spicy one. For food we split the del sur and the pescado tacos. Both were very tasty from both the quality of the meat as well as the flavors of the toppings. Cost was on the pricier end as it was 12 bucks for two tacos with rice/beans. But I was happily stuffed at the end with uneaten sides. Overall pricier than your average Mexican place but also trendier with unique flavors. Would def be back with a group of friends maybe before a night out!

We stumbled upon Centro through a recommendation from a local owner. What drew is in was the idea of fresh, locally sourced ingredients and house made margaritas. On none of those fronts was anything less than wonderful! I had the enchiladas de familia and they were spectacular. Each had a unique flavor - and flavor is a theme at Centro - everything we ate had exquisite, strong and fresh flavor that was truly unique. My only issue is that it's really hard to order here if you are on a ketogenic diet like I am - I ended up having to forgo half my plate since they don't have side options (I added on a side salad that wasn't listed on the menu, which also included beans and rice.) They weren't willing to offer substitutions or really alter the dishes which I respect (should've read the menu beforehand or called ahead to ask on my part) but it's tough when your health depends largely on what you eat. For my gluten free and paleo friends though - it's a great spot. It's also good for vegetarians. My partner got the brisket tostadas and he loved them. The carrots that come with were absolutely insanely amazing. We have already begun research into how to make them at home! The service was great, our waitress answered our many questions and was so kind! Highly recommend for an authentic experience with good fresh food. The house margarita is reason alone to go.

Came here with a date. The decor feels rustic and cozy. I like the little candle on each table to enhance the overall feel. Food wise, I ordered the Chicken Tinga tacos while she ordered the legendary 20+ ingredient Mole Poblano. The tacos were quite delicious. I do appreciate the double corn tortillas. I tried the Mole Poblano and it was interesting. I can't quite find the right word for the taste. It tasted like nothing I've tried before. The fried plantains that came with the Mole Poblano was sweet yet a bit tangy as well. Overall, the venue is nice, the staff are friendly and the food is great.

To be 100% honest, the first two times I came to Centro was because it was the favorite restaurant of one of my friends who lives downtown so it was a convenient choice. The last few times were because I was craving it and it is now one of my favorite restaurants. Everything has always been 100% on point every time I've come in. Being the responsible adult that I am, I haven't made a reservation for any of my dinners here and the host has always made it work out. I have never had to wait for more than 30 minutes and that always gives me the perfect excuse to order their Aniversario Margarita (highly recommend!!!) before dinner. My favorite menu item is the Enchiladas de la Familia (Mexico on a plate: Local steak, chicken and black bean enchiladas topped with chipotle and tomatillo sauces, Mexican cream, and melted cheese- served with cilantro rice and refried black beans. $15). Their tacos are also incredible but I find that this dish is able to capture three completely different flavors and mesh them perfectly on one plate. The atmosphere is very cozy and I enjoy the smaller space as it makes it feel more homey and intimate. Gallo Pelon is upstairs so also a great option for post-dinner drinks!

Our group had a really nice lunch today. We were surprised at how large Centro actually is. We entered the front door, were led back, to the right, up a secret (seemed like it to us) staircase, up the stairs, around a bend and up more stairs, through a doorway, and to the right. There was our table for 8. Our table for 8 faced these really strange paintings. The one on the left was a lady in purple underwear and a black cat head, with four eyes. The middle one was a lady with three goldfish on her head. The third lady on the right also was in underwear with a white cat head for a head. Behind us to the right a bunch of candlesticks hung from the wall. Very interesting. The art in that space definitely provided for some interesting conversation. On to actual lunch. There was a small lunch menu. I had the Centro Combo. $10. Chose a taco (chicken) and side salad. Then you're allowed to choose slaw, rice, and beans. You could also choose a tort or a cup of sopa. It's cool that Centro has a bit of a diverse menu with regard to Mexican, Latin style brunch, and Gluten-Free.