This is a quaint place in old towne orange. It gets quite busy on weekends so plan accordingly. The staff is friendly and helpful with answering questions. I got a lemon spritz to drink. For starters, we opted for the calamari. Our mains were rigatoni salsiccia and spaghetti carbonara. We got cannoli and zeppole for dessert. Lemon Spritz- It was refreshing with a strong citrusy flavor and mild sweetness. Perfect for the heat! Calamari- Crisp breading and a nice, chewy interior. Seafood was fresh. Served with a lemon wedge and a side of marinara. Rigatoni Salsiccia- This dish comes with a savory tomato based sauce with italian sausage. Quite tasty and filling. Spaghetti Carbonara- Rich and creamy with a cheese based sauce and crispy guanciale pieces. Probably one of the best carbonara versions I've had. Cannoli- Crisp shell and creamy ricotta filling. It was light and tasty. Zeppole- Served fresh from the fryer. The dough is pillowy and light with a rich nutella filling. Finished with powdered sugar. read more

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Centro Storico is a nice little hidden spot in Old Towne Orange that you could easily walk right past. We ordered the Margherita pizza, which was good, along with two pasta dishes. The chicken pasta was flavorful and the penne was also really good. We paired everything with one of their white wines, I can't remember which on, but it went really well with the meal. The restaurant itself has a really nice atmosphere and service was good for lunch time on Saturday. Prices are definitely a little on the higher end though. Overall, I enjoyed everything we ordered, but nothing really stood out enough for me to put it in the 4 star category. I've had stronger Italian food elsewhere, especially around this price point. Still, it's a nice spot to consider if you're walking around Old Town Orange and want some Italian food in a relaxed setting. 7/10 read more

Centro & Storico Cafe - Italian Near Me - Orange, California

They forgot a dish, service was slow, place was nice ish, food was good. They also have a little gelato case in the front with all the flavors, but a big outlier for me was that they forgot a dish. Wouldn't stop me from coming back but I'm not bringing it up with spectacularity. If you're only worried about food though, enjoy! You'll like it! read more

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Cute pizza spot with a surprisingly lovely gelato selection. The chocolate and pistachio were awesome, and my friend's strawberry flavor was incredibly fresh. You could taste the real berries. Friendly vibe, cozy atmosphere, and delicious treats. The beautiful blond lady who helped us was super kind and friendly! read more

Centro & Storico Cafe - Italian Near Me - Orange, California

I dined here again, but this time I was heading to the café part, which I was really excited about. I ordered the Parma sandwich with Prosciutto di Parma, mozzarella, arugula, and olive oil. The focaccia was delicious, and the prosciutto was perfectly balanced with the other ingredients. The plus side the portions is great for the cost. I also tried the Summer Mood recommend by the staff. The green tea, strawberry, and lavender and it was deliciously different. I love how the café setup lets you grab something quick, too. This is definitely becoming one of my go-to spots in the area! read more

Centro & Storico Cafe - Prosciutto di parma ham, mozzarella, arugula & evoo - Italian Near Me - Orange, California

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AMBIANCE (4/5): Indoor seating and outdoor patio with heaters gives great date night vibes or just a girls night! SERVICE (5/5): We had a group of 5 and service was top notch! FOOD (4/5): So glad I tried this place, they really impressed me with their food. Will definitely be back! $4 BREAD: soft and fluffy and perfectly salted with an herby sauce. LOVED! $6 ITALIAN SODA (STRAWBERRY): I'm not much of a soda drinker but I tried this and it was PHENOMENAL! It's mixed with milk, still has bubbles and the taste is in-between a soda and a milkshake. SO GOOD! If you've never had it like me, JUST TRY IT. $21 PEAR & GORGONZOLA SALAD: the full salads are HUGE! Definitely for sharing between 3-4 people. Was amazing! Light and perfectly dressed. $30 PASTA VONGOLE: White Sauce was delicious! Didn't feel like a heavy red sauce. Tons of clams. Split between 2 people. $27 COLETTA (thin fried chicken breast): so flavorful! Doesn't need a sauce, got this with our pasta for more protein. $6 GELATO (small): ALL THE FLAVORS ARE AMAZING! If you go to the counter they let you sample any and every flavor you want! And it's hard to decide because they are all DELICIOUS! $12 LIMONCELLO FLUTE: big portion of lemon gelato sorbet with a splash of limoncello. read more

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Centro is such a solid spot in Old Towne Orange for a chill Italian dinner night. The ambiance is relaxed and cozy, the food came out super fast, and the outdoor seating was perfect since we brought our dog We ordered the calamari, pizza, and cannoli... everything was delicious and hit the spot. Simple, good food with a great vibe. Definitely coming back. read more

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The food was good but not great. I'd give it a 4 out of 5 stars. We had the vegetarian pizza, kids butter and parmigiana pasta, and margarita pizza. I would definitely consider eating here again. The customer service was closer to 3 out of 5 stars, but not bad! read more

Centro & Storico Cafe - Remnants of the vegetarian pizza - Italian Near Me - Orange, California

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Amazing food. Each dish is large enough to be shared. Attentive, efficient service. Great ambiance. A new local favorite!

Was looking forward to eating here, but a bit disappointed once trying it. The food was pretty good..the pizza for sure being the highlight which deserves some credit...but the service not so much. Very slow..we had to get our own napkins and request silverware multiple times, eventually just finding them ourselves even after our food came. Never bothered to refill waters once. Biggest red flag is to watch out for the 20% auto gratuity..they state on the menu that it's for groups 6 or larger..my group was only 5 and they still did it. Maybe it was a glitch and just an off night but I'd stick to Francoli's for Italian food if in Old Town Orange. read more

Had such a nice lunch here! Good lunch specials. Food was delicious and the service was great! Can't wait to come back soon. read more

Centro & Storico Cafe - Italian Near Me - Orange, California

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Went here for dinner one night since we are such big fans of the Tustin location. We ordered two pasta dishes, the ragu and the vongole. Both pastas were really good, with a preference towards the vongole. We also ordered the prosciutto pizza which was very good, we will definitely be ordering that again. As an app, we did get the calamari which was just alright. The breading seemed mushy or undercooked for this batch was not really sticking to the calamari at all, but this could be a one time thing. The service was nice and quick as well. Overall this place is really good, but I do like the Tustin location better overall; however, I will be back to the Orange location in the future. read more

The food was honestly amazing the fettuccine was great, compliments to the chef. Our waiter was also incredible: super attentive, kind, and genuinely made the experience enjoyable Now an even bigger shoutout to the manager for his outstanding counter terrorism and anti-pasta theft operations throughout the evening The way he monitored our table from a distance with the awareness of a hawk was truly inspiring I especially appreciated the repeated receipt inspections and the dedication to making absolutely certain nobody escaped the premises without paying for their Alfredo . It was comforting knowing we were under such elite surveillance during dinner Also impressive was the ability to question payments while not fully knowing what our order even was. That takes talent ‍‍‍ We would NOT want a criminal in our group Thankfully he was there to protect the establishment from organized fettuccine crime. Came for the pasta , stayed for the surprise police interrogation experience Thank you for keeping the Tustin streets safe manager. Overall: amazing waiter, amazing food, and a manager with a very promising future in homeland security, TSA, or private investigatio read more

Centro & Storico Cafe - The alcohol - Italian Near Me - Orange, California

Ok, I'll keep this short and simple. This Pizza is Awesome!!! It reminds me of similar experiences I had in Italy. From Florence to Rome to Siccily, it is absolutely on point. Try the Capricciosa, it will not disappoint. To kick it up a bit, ask for chili oil to drizzle on it. That's Amore! That's all for now. I'll return with updates. Ciao ciao! read more

We were driving by and decided to try out this location. Centro is a tucked away behind a large building. Easy parking in the rear too. The service is great. Always making sure you have everything. The turkey panini was great. Very tasty. Big enough to share that for sure. The picture was half the panini. You will love it here. Great for relaxing and enjoying the day with great food. read more

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This isn't my first time here and that's exactly why I came back. I had to try more things on the menu, and once again, everything was incredible. The pear Gorgonzola salad was amazing, and I absolutely love that they serve it on a chilled salad plate. I know that sounds small, but a chilled plate makes such a difference and just feels right. Our pastas came out piping hot and steamy (I'm adding a video because you need to see it), and they tasted just as good as they looked. There genuinely hasn't been a single thing I've ordered here that I didn't love. I've also stopped by for breakfast before and had the breakfast burrito, which was delicious, and I tried their new latte special the blueberry chai latte and it was so good. At this point, I know I can come here for breakfast, lunch, or dinner and leave completely satisfied. The prices are also very reasonable, which makes it even better. Even though we were FULL, we still had to try dessert, because how could we not. We ordered the chocolate-covered gelato (I forgot the exact name, but trust me), and it was SO good. Rich, creamy, and absolutely worth it. Honestly, it was so filling that next time I think I need to plan better like sharing a salad and a pasta or pizza just so I can save room for dessert. I already know I need to come back just to try more desserts, especially the Nutella one with the fried pizza dough and Nutella gelato. That is definitely happening.The only downside and this isn't the restaurant's fault at all is parking. During the day you do have to pay for metered parking through an app. It's not expensive, just something to be aware of if you're visiting. Overall, consistently amazing food, great drinks, and a place I'll happily keep coming back to. Worth it every single read more

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The food was soooooo yummy. The service was great! I'm craving the pasta again just hours later. We will definitely be back! read more

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I wasn't going to be this harsh since this is a new location and there are always wrinkles. However, when you make mistakes, you must own them and show some sense of care. Overall, if they don't fix the service here, it will be a kiss of death. Sat outside for 10 mins and no server approached my table. Ok, fine. I took a seat on the inside and was eventually treated. Strangely, the sense of urgency on the server staff side doesn't seem ingrained as a pillar of their service model. That can be fixed. Poor attitude cannot. The dish I received was the next fail. I got a sad piece of salmon that was so over cooked it was inedible. I took one bite and could not eat anymore. I wasn't mad.... more concerned. It was so off the mark. The server agreed it was overcooked. I chose not to try again and he offered the chicken. A boring alternative but I decided to played it safe. The chicken was, chicken. At least it was not overcooked. I had already finished the salad so I ate my chicken breast solo when it arrived. It the experience I was hoping for. So, I get the bill and I was still charged the $3.00 up charge for the Salmon. I brought it to the server's attention and his response was: But I brought you the chicken as a replacement. What!? So, I get a piece of Salmon as dry as jerky, you bring me a piece of chicken because I no longer wanted to chance the Salmon, and you feel I should still pay the Salmon up charge? Astonishing. I then I got a snarky comment when I further challenged the up-charge. I guess he forgot that his established failed once already by serving something he himself should have identified as grossly overcooked. It was clearly visible. But to knowingly not adjust the check to charge me the dish I ultimately was served, the chicken - NOT the Salmon - is absurd. Mistakes in food preparation are excusable. How the establishment handles that hopefully rare situation matters. Crappy attitude by your server is never acceptable. I'm still baffled by the lack of care or responsibility in the crappy dish I was served. Then the attempt to still up-charge me was truly wild. I wasn't asking for a discount, but at least charge me for what I actually received. Hospitality 101 failures across the board. read more

We visited the restaurant side about a month ago and this review is for the coffee side. Lots of great options to choose from, but my friend chose the Luna Mocha...which was a mix of chocolate and almond. Overall, very good flavor and not too overpowering. I ordered a regular coffee, which was also quite good. Finally, we saw some day old pastries discounted in the front which worked out great as we were heading on a small road trip. All three pastries included were also very tasty. We will definitely be back read more

Service is amazing and warm cozy vibes!! Perfect place to walk to. After picking your son up from school. Best gelato!!! Don't forget you r coffee and a cookie. read more

Centro & Storico Cafe - So pleased with the service here old town vibes in old town Orange!! Drop coffee and a warm oatmeal cookie! - Italian Near Me - Orange, California

It was my boyfriend and i's first time dining here and we ended up jumping to three different tables because everywhere was so cute and we couldn't decide where to sit. The staff were so patient and accommodating even amidst a busier evening and we ended up sitting on the patio (super pretty) and enjoying the juiciest pizzas either of us have had in a long time. Boyfriend got the calzone which came with this really fresh tomato sauce that we dipped the pizza in. Definitely will bring family and try some deserts next time. We felt bad switching seats but it was worth it in the end for great atmosphere and a delicious meal. read more

Centro & Storico Cafe - Italian Near Me - Orange, California

My family of 4 got here on a Friday night around 6:40 with no reservations, we were able to get seated in 20min. They do take reservations through easytable when I searched on google. We sat in their cute basement level. My kids ordered from the bambini menu, and my husband got the lasagna and I got a pasta. Everything we delicious and our server was gracious. Food speed was slow though, we waited quite a bit between each course. Overall nice addition to the orange circle. read more

Food was delicious and fresh. Seating on the balcony outside was cozy and relaxing with italian music playing in the background. Lovely little gem in Old Towne Orange. We also had an appetizer of Focaccia bread with a salsa verde sauce. Yum! read more

Centro & Storico Cafe - Vodka Ravioli - Italian Near Me - Orange, California

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Christina was an absolutely amazing server. So attentive and kind! Food was amazing and fast! We will definitely be back.

My new go-to coffee spot in Orange Circle I've already been here 4 times and keep coming back to try different coffee and matcha flavors. Everything I've had so far has been really good, the vibe is cozy, and the staff is always super nice. Definitely one of those spots you end up craving randomly throughout the week read more

Centro & Storico Cafe - Matcha - Italian Near Me - Orange, California

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My husband and I were really excited to try this restaurant after walking by it earlier in the week. We were seated at a two-top in the middle of the dining room and started with drinks and a salad, which were both a great start to our meal. However, our table was positioned next to a wooden divider with open slats. On the other side was a bar-style counter with seating. Just as our entrées arrived, a group of three was seated there while waiting for a table. Because of how the space is designed, all three of them were facing directly toward us, and we could clearly hear their entire conversation throughout our meal. About halfway through, I also noticed that one person's foot was uncomfortably close to our table. At that point, it became difficult to enjoy the experience, and I unfortunately lost my appetite. We asked to speak with a manager to share our concerns, but were told there was no manager onsite, which was disappointing. Another employee did stop by to hear our concerns, but as she did not appear to be trained to handle situations like this, the response felt subpar and did not resolve the issue. Overall, the food was good, but I would strongly recommend that parties of two request a different seating area to avoid this situation. read more

The coffee is one of the best coffee in Orange CA and it just opened in January! The customer service is top tier! You can tell they hire personality here. Shoutout to Eddie and Kate! So personable and so attentive, I get why they were hired! Id hire them too lol The atmosphere is a cute vibe. They have a coffee seating area that has a nice outside view where you can do work or even people watch the passer byers. I haven't tried their food yet since all I get is coffee from here. read more

Centro & Storico Cafe - Iced vanilla breve! - Italian Near Me - Orange, California

Food was excellent, wine outstanding and the service was also great!!! The dessert Awsome

Great Food Great Service Cozy Atmosphere Best Pizza Best Salad Best Hazy IPA in Orange County We have been going there for years , it is always great experience. read more

Awesome food. Amazing pizza. Love the decor and ambiance. Found the service to be ok but not great. I find most servers tend to be less attentive to dry tables and sadly this was the case here, we had to chase down our server for refills and check. read more

Food is OK. Service was terrible! Went there for breakfast, will not be returning again for breakfast. Two items were incorrect and 1 drink was made incorrectly, and they made us feel like it was our fault. read more

Food was overall very good, got the lunch special and it was plenty of food. Love the pizza. Mateo was very attentive. Love the patio vibes too. But the hostess at the front had no personality, as we walked in she didn't even acknowledge us. I think we stood there for a solid 5 minutes until we got sat. The restaurant was not busy. Dined 4/15 12:30pm As we were leaving. Doesn't even say thank you or nothing. Just from a customer service standpoint. Not a good look. read more

The food was delicious! The service was great! What else can you ask for? Great ambience? They have that too! The coffee bar was great and the under ground pizza bar was fun and cool to see and the outdoor lounge was casual and relaxing! Can't wait to return! read more

Centro Italian Cafe in Orange offers a charming ambiance and genuinely authentic Italian cuisine. Their Margherita pizza is a standout--crisp crust complemented by a delightful aroma of fresh ingredients that elevates every bite. Though the place can get quite busy during peak hours, reservations are recommended to ensure a smooth experience. Definitely worth a visit for a true taste of Italy read more

I have been here two times and each time was at approximately 6:30-7:00 pm. I am always told the wait will be 20 minutes and it is always 40+ minutes. There are always empty seats and it is frustrating being told one thing and waiting for double the time. The food is great, though, and the service is spot on. I do wish they'd get rid of the televisions outside too. read more

Such great Italian food! I love the tasty food and environment! Great customer service! Would love to come back for a party sometime read more

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We went with a group of friends and as always everyone enjoyed this great family owned restaurant. Our service was excellent and the food was very fresh and delicious. They suggested the perfect wine to go with our dinner. Looking forward to our next visit! read more

My sons took me to Italy a while back and during that time they told me I had to try what is called an Affogato. If you have not had one of these, you are truly missing out.! It is gelato with espresso. Ice cream isn't my go to for dessert, but I love coffee! I live in Old Town Orange and I've been waiting for this small little Italian café to open up. I found out that they actually make these coffee ice cream drinks. The young man behind the counter was so gracious and immediately placed the order and encouraged me to have some whip topping on the drink. Oh my gosh, it was wonderful! If you're in the area and you want to try something new, try this location! It's very quaint. My recommendation is you don't need the syrup in the drink. It is so good and so perfect without. read more

Centro is such a welcome addition to the Orange Circle! I've been twice now, once for a mommy meetup over coffee and breakfast burritos (so good and so reasonably priced), and again for an early dinner on the patio with my mom and daughter. Both experiences were amazing. The service was warm and attentive, the food was delicious, and their spritz cocktails are a must. They were also incredibly sweet and accommodating with my very active baby, even surprising her with gelato, which made her whole day. My only request.... An adult pepperoni pizza! because my husband is a child & very basic man and that's exactly what he'd order every time This spot is officially on our regular rotation read more

Enjoyed the carbonara! Fresh pasta and correctly prepared sauce (eggs & cheese - no cream). So many restaurants get this wrong. Only complaint was food was warm not hot when served. Other than that everything was wonderful. Also another visit I had a Cappuccino & a scone to go from and both were excellent! read more