Grand Cafe in the classic Parisian tradition

(212) 818-1222

200 Park Ave at E. 45th St.
New York, NY 10166 40.7543 -73.9766

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Neighborhoods: Midtown Center, Midtown

patinagroup.com

Last updated 5.11.11

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, Discover, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Lunch Spot

Cuisine:

French

Other Locations:

What People Are Saying About Cafe Centro

The Owner

Cafe Centro

Owner

New York's Cafe Centro is a richly elegant Manhattan cafe with classic Parisian tradition set in the iconic international style landmark MetLife Building on Park Avenue offering great views and delicious French cuisine.Cafe Centro offers a select menu of French favorites with a Mediterranean twist. Fresh seafood and raw bar specialties, grill selections and seasonal plates du jour are popular choices in this bustling bistro, which also offers a delicious business breakfast - the best-kept secret in Midtown! Come dine outdoors with friends or co-workers and enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner.…

Provided by CityGrid

Read more from the owner

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

The Scene – You won't find choo-choo memorabilia here; rather, the brasserie-like dining room is a sparkling expanse done in shades of beige with high-backed banquettes, a gleaming open kitchen and a fireplace where chickens twirl. Next door to the main dining room is a sleek beer bar. The staff is well-trained and hard-working. – – The Food – The French-tinged menu changes daily, but a consistently good way to start is with one of the more exotic dishes, such as the bisteeya (a sweetish but nicely textured Moroccan chicken-and-phyllo pie enhanced with almonds, raisins…

ambiance
95.83000183105469% positive
  1. “The crowd seemed to be enjoying the atmosphere and the staff was knowledgeable and chose the perfect wines.”
  2. “This is a great restaurant in every way, great food at an affordable price, friendly professional service and a beautiful, bright atmosphere.”
  3. “The atmosphere was very romantic, with comfortable lighting, great decor, and a fireplace.”
  4. “Cafe Centro offers a very nice decor to compliment their food.”
  5. “Went there for the 1st time tonight; fantastic food (try the cold seafood app), very good service and nice atmosphere; and reasonably priced.”
  6. “great location!”
dessert
100.0% positive
  1. “The seafood chowder was excellent (we both had it), his prime rib was perfect, my jumbo crab cakes were yummy, and our creme brulees were delightful treats.”
  2. “had the chilean sea bass which was FANTASTIC and all my girlfriends raved about their food as well (try the crab cakes, the "cafe de paris" steak, raw seafood platter, or any of the soups).”
  3. “There is something for everyone here from the excellent salads to the fresh fish and the dessert menu is delectable!”
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. “The crowd seemed to be enjoying the atmosphere and the staff was knowledgeable and chose the perfect wines.”
  2. “Great wine list as well.”
  3. “suppose, however, it's a good venue for a glass of wine after work.”
food quality
90.62999725341797% positive
  1. “he also brought a loaf of fresh crusty french bread along with our menus.”
  2. “the portions, though, on the small side, were quite tasty.”
  3. “but again, the food was great.”
  4. “We ordered oysters which were delicious.”
  5. “Went there for the 1st time tonight; fantastic food (try the cold seafood app), very good service and nice atmosphere; and reasonably priced.”
  6. “The food fresh and perfectly prepared.”
  7. “unfortunately, the bread wasnt warm but we were really hungry, so we demolished it along with the fresh butter it came with.”
  8. “The design features terrazzo floors inlaid with marble, delicately detailed columns accented with gold leaf above sculpted friezes of fish, birds, and animals, a beautiful wood ceiling, and soft amber lighting.”
  9. “expensive but good lunch food”
  10. “French cuisine with American and international influences never fails to impress and the new fall menu is fantastic.”
  11. “have a particular problem with the "fillet mignon" caesar salad (it featured no dressing at all, and the meat had the appearance of chuck) as well as the horrendous, staggeringly bad hamburger.”
  12. “There is something for everyone here from the excellent salads to the fresh fish and the dessert menu is delectable!”
  13. “The food is incredible and the place is very nice.”
  14. “bit pricey, but great food”
  15. “My husband, who normally does not like venturing out for dinner, enjoyed his meal immensely.”
  16. “This is a great restaurant in every way, great food at an affordable price, friendly professional service and a beautiful, bright atmosphere.”
  17. “Tasty food and quality service is very consistent.”
  18. “it was very good food and a portion was big.”
  19. “had the chilean sea bass which was FANTASTIC and all my girlfriends raved about their food as well (try the crab cakes, the "cafe de paris" steak, raw seafood platter, or any of the soups).”
  20. “Cafe Centro offers a very nice decor to compliment their food.”
  21. “my coworkers filet was also really good, though it only came with about seven steak fries.”
  22. “For the main course I had a filet mignon which was so tender and perfect and my boyfriend had the chilean seabass which was also extremely delicious.”
  23. “it came perched atop some fresh vegetables.”
  24. “The seafood chowder was excellent (we both had it), his prime rib was perfect, my jumbo crab cakes were yummy, and our creme brulees were delightful treats.”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “he also brought a loaf of fresh crusty french bread along with our menus.”
  2. “There is something for everyone here from the excellent salads to the fresh fish and the dessert menu is delectable!”
  3. “French cuisine with American and international influences never fails to impress and the new fall menu is fantastic.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “This is a great restaurant in every way, great food at an affordable price, friendly professional service and a beautiful, bright atmosphere.”
  2. “overall, this was a good place for lunch.”
  3. “The atmoshpere is very nice and the restaurant is spacious and fairly big.”
  4. “this is easily the best restaurant in the area and the service was impeccable-- efficient to say the least!”
service
96.87999725341797% positive
  1. “Tasty food and quality service is very consistent.”
  2. “Our server was courteous and attentive -- great service overall.”
  3. “The kitchen is viewable and the staff was very friendly and helpful.”
  4. “The waiters were extremely nice and curtious and overall we had a very nice dinner.”
  5. “this is easily the best restaurant in the area and the service was impeccable-- efficient to say the least!”
  6. “This is a great restaurant in every way, great food at an affordable price, friendly professional service and a beautiful, bright atmosphere.”
  7. “Went there for the 1st time tonight; fantastic food (try the cold seafood app), very good service and nice atmosphere; and reasonably priced.”
  8. “The crowd seemed to be enjoying the atmosphere and the staff was knowledgeable and chose the perfect wines.”
value
80.0% positive
  1. “bit pricey, but great food”
  2. “This is a great restaurant in every way, great food at an affordable price, friendly professional service and a beautiful, bright atmosphere.”
  3. “you will enjoy great meals and value ,consistantly at this french bistro.”
  4. “the portions, though, on the small side, were quite tasty.”
  5. “expensive but good lunch food”
3 Star Rating: Average

01/30/10

nothing to write home about.

by peanutmoore at Citysearch

I went there last night...I had one of those 50/50 coupons they offer you for your birthday (see their website...basically you get $50 off near your b-day) so I decided to check it out.

Good thing I had the $50 coupon, because I don't think I'd have like to pay the full amount for what I got.

It's fine, nothing really to complain about, I just wouldn't rush right back. It's just "OK". I wouldn't recommend it to friends, but I'm not complaining about it either. Just so-so.

  • Pros: service was good, good seats near the window
  • Cons: atmosphere is a little cafeteria-like
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

08/24/08

Absolutely Exquisite Dining Experience

by moodychicken at Citysearch

Fabulous wine list and tasty fresh takes on classic French dishes NEVER disappoint. And, they have one of the BEST foie gras appetizers we have ever had.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

10/18/06

The soul of Paris in the heart of New York."

by nygirl10036 at Citysearch

Modeled after a classic Parisian bistro, Café Centro is a truly a gem in midtown. The design features terrazzo floors inlaid with marble, delicately detailed columns accented with gold leaf above sculpted friezes of fish, birds, and animals, a beautiful wood ceiling, and soft amber lighting. Art Deco touches, a glass-enclosed kitchen, and a hearth rotisserie add to the sophisticated air of the Café. French cuisine with American and international influences never fails to impress and the new fall menu is fantastic.

  • Pros: Enchanting
  • Cons: None
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

10/11/06

Paris in the heart of New York!

by llauren234 at Citysearch

Café Centro is the soul of Paris in the heart of New York. My office is in the Met Life building, and I go there all the time for the French cuisine. There is something for everyone here from the excellent salads to the fresh fish and the dessert menu is delectable! The beautifully-detailed wood ceiling, soft amber lighting, and a fully exposed glass kitchen add to the sophisticated air of the Café. It's my little escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.

  • Pros: Fresh fish and great atmosphere
  • Cons: none
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

10/06/06

Great Food, Huge Restaurant!

by doggiebag at Citysearch

great location! (i really cant stress that enough!) my boyfriend lives in westchester, and we had some time spare before he had to catch his train at Grand Central, so we just walked right across the street to this wonderful place. i had the filet mignon, which was DELICIOUS and HUGE. the pomme frite were nice and crispy. i thought i was going to pop afterward! this is easily the best restaurant in the area and the service was impeccable-- efficient to say the least!

  • Pros: great location-- GCT right across the street

The Details on Cafe Centro

Place Categories:

  • great lunch food
  • great professional service
  • great restaurant
  • very nice place
  • helpful nice staff
  • enjoy great meals
  • beautiful bright atmosphere
  • nice pomme frite
  • warm crusty french bread
  • big portion
  • enjoy value
  • very nice decor
  • great fish
  • great wine
  • best dining
  • cold seafood app
  • great fun crowd
  • comfortable lighting
  • really good coworkers filet
  • beautiful wood ceiling
  • extremely delicious chilean seabass
  • fresh butter
  • fantastic new fall menu
  • delicious filet mignon
  • excellent salads

Message from Cafe Centro

  • Cocktails & Appetizers
  • Weekend Dates
  • Business Dinners & Pre Theater

New York's Cafe Centro is a richly elegant Manhattan cafe with classic Parisian tradition set in the iconic international style landmark MetLife Building on Park Avenue offering great views and delicious French cuisine.

Cafe Centro offers a select menu of French favorites with a Mediterranean twist. Fresh seafood and raw bar specialties, grill selections and seasonal plates du jour are popular choices in this bustling bistro, which also offers a delicious business breakfast - the best-kept secret in Midtown!

Come dine outdoors with friends or co-workers and enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner. Cafe Centro offers a beer bar and wine list to complement any dish. From its popular large patio, the glassed-in kitchen, the open dessert station and the corner fire pit, Cafe Centro is sure to please. For inquiries on catering or private parties please feel free to call.