The Center Cafe

Needham, United States

3.9

Closed now

20 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards
Free Wi-Fi

Contacts

QR code, vCard

Telephone:
+1 781-455-8800
Website:
www.thecentercafe.com
Address:
1027 Great Plain Ave, Needham, MA, 02492
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
30 ftNeedham Center
240 ftChapel St @ Great Plain Ave
270 ftChestnut St @ Great Plain Ave
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Bussiness info

Takes Reservations
Yes
Delivery
No
Take-out
Yes
Accepts Credit Cards
Yes
Accepts Bitcoin
No
Good For
Dinner
Parking
Street, Private Lot
Bike Parking
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible
Yes
Good for Kids
Yes
Good for Groups
Yes
Attire
Casual
Ambience
Intimate
Noise Level
Average
Good For Dancing
No
Alcohol
Full Bar
Happy Hour
No
Coat Check
No
Smoking
No
Outdoor Seating
No
Wi-Fi
Free
Has TV
Yes
Dogs Allowed
No
Waiter Service
Yes
Caters
No
Has Pool Table
No

Today

Today 5:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Closed now
Local time (Needham) 04:11 Friday, 30 May 2025

Business hours

Monday –
Tuesday 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Wednesday 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Thursday 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Friday 5:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Saturday 5:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Sunday 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Description

Specialties

Across the tracks from an inviting pedestrian walkway in the heart of Needham Center, the café is a converted commuter stop with the warm welcoming atmosphere of a neighborhood hideaway serving terrific American cuisine.

Our chefs come to us from some of the top restaurants in Manhattan and draw on experiences from the West coast to the East.

Our Wine List, Specialty Drinks, Gluten Free menu, and Young Person’s Menu accommodate an eclectic set of guests.

See you soon.

History

Established in 2010.

The Center Café is the neighborhood restaurant serving New England fare to many of the towns in Suburban Boston. We offer a hands on approach to hospitality and an entertaining environment in which to relax.

Meet the Business Owner

Steve and Karen W.

Business Owner

Steve, Karen, Josh, Jon and Vanessa have been together as a family in the hospitality industry for 20 years.

Steve and Karen traded one passionate career in Hi Tech for a second one when they purchased their first hospitality, The Egremont Inn, in The Berkshires in 1994. They opened The Center Café in 2010.

Vanessa and Jon ran the kitchen at The Egremont Inn after working in Minnesota, Boston and finally New York just prior to moving to The Berkshires. Vanessa cut her teeth in two Danny Meyer restaurants, Union Square Café and Grammercy Tavern while Jon honed his skills under the tutelage of Bill Telepan, currently of Telepan in New York. Josh provides inventive cocktails which can be found in his ever evolving Special Drinks offerings.

Karen rounds out the division of labor as the family accountant, while Steve her husband is the nightly host.

Come join us.

The Center Café also recommends

Owen’s Poultry Farm — CLOSED

14

reviews

Meat Shops

Steve and Karen W. says,

«The freshest chicken around.»

Volante Farms

48

reviews

Nurseries & Gardening

,

Farmers Market

Steve and Karen W. says,

«Volante Farms has incredible local produce. We are proud to source many of our ingredients from them.»

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20 reviews of The Center Cafe

No registration required
Place rating: 4
Framingham, MA
Everyone who works there is very nice and welcoming, and they were sensitive that our time was limited. The photography on the walls and on the menus was very nice.
In terms of food, we loved the soups, but the veal was rather small and the burger was somewhat overcooked. The wine list was fine, but not outstanding, and the cost of the food items was a little high.
Overall, the place deserves a solid four stars, but did not rise to a five-​star level.
Place rating: 5
NORTH ATTLEBORO, MA
I would drive by the sign on my way through Needham. Decided to finally give it a try. Set off the main drag in Needham along the train tracks. Charming façade. Upon arrival we were welcomed in like family. Service was exceptional and our waiter, Josh, was very knowledgeable about wine pairings. My husband had the breast of duck which he couldn’t stop raving about. I had the trout which was flaky and flavorful. We picked the brownie sundae for dessert. Brownie was fresh baked topped with ice cream. Also had a chocolate martini that tasted like dessert in a glass with a kick. Even personalized with my name. Can’t say enough about the service. Felt like we were royalty.
Highly recommend and will be back soon.
Place rating: 5
New York, NY
The owners and staff at The Center Café are so welcoming and friendly. Service couldn’t be better. Not intrusive, but we didn’t have to wait for anything.
The food is delicious. We have tried the Icelandic cod, the salmon, the veal, the mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes, the spinach and the crème brûlée. It was all very good.
The interior is really nice as well. I would recommend reservations as it does seem to fill up even in the middle of the week. We will be back.
Place rating: 1
Norwood, MA
Wired experience! We just drove by there and my husband really wanted to have a drink in some place. This place looked nice from outside, so we just walked in. At that time, they just opened and wasn’t busy at all. When we just got in there, a lady who’s in PJ PANTS came to say hello and started to introduce everybody in there to us… This is really out of our expection. Actually, she seemed a little bit drunk. Then a black Labrador came to say HELLO. This didn’t bother me because he’s super friendly and cute. From that lady, we got known that it’s a family business. There’s an old lady who’s the owner, a mid aged guy, a big guy who’s the chef and that lady who’s probably the waitress, but only the mid aged guy was polite and normal. The owner was very unfriendly, the big guy was very grumpy and the lady seemed drunk. Maybe because both of us just ordered a drink, when we tried to asked how to go to a place in Needham, the owner was just ignoring us. Very rude!
This is really a wired experience and no fun at all. I’m sure they won’t have the honor to serve me any more! And I won’t recommend this place to anyone I know.
And BTW, their price is pretty high and their service definitely not worth it.
Place rating: 5
Needham Heights, MA
The owner at Center Café is amazing — he came over and chatted with us, and was very sweet with our toddler.
It’s a nice, romantic restaurant, but also kid-​friendly and perfect for a group.
I consider it a hidden gem. I had lived here for about 6 months before even realizing there was a restaurant in the old train depot. It’s much nicer and cozier inside than I expected.
Food-​wise, three of us steak and I can’t remember what the other person got (it’s been a few months). But we all absolutely loved our food and devoured it. It was pricey, but there were 4 of us and we got drinks and a kids’ meal, so it’s not too surprising.
I can’t wait to go back!
Place rating: 5
Needham, MA
We love eating here. The atmosphere is relaxed and the food is always excellent. The staff are very friendly. You have to look for the Café since it is not right on Great Plain Ave. but just a few steps along the railroad tracks. There is parking in back. It’s a great place to go with another couple because it is quiet.
Place rating: 1
Manhattan, NY
This is the kind of experience that makes you open a Unilocal account. No exaggeration needed. When we walked in, the owner was chastising the employees and her partner in front of guests. After we sat and had not been acknowledged for 15 mins, a member of our party got up and asked the owner for a gluten free menu. She was rudely told to sit down like a child in a classroom. It was 75 mins before we were served and so a diabetic in our party asked for a gluten free roll. When the bill came, we were charged for it. When the food finally came, the chicken was cold — the quality of the meat was poor. When we told the owner, he said it was a frozen piece of chicken (though he didn’t admit it at first) and it would cost more for a fresh piece of chicken. Then we were told that it must not be the chicken, we must not like the curry. When customers politely provide feedback instead of causing a scene the owners should be amiable and appreciative. Sorry owners, the hug at the end did not make up for the rudeness and the unprofessionalism. We would certainly not eat there again and would not recommend this place to anyone.
Place rating: 4
Auburn, NY
Fun place to go. Nice Irish atmosphere and a family feel. Salad was small which was a good thing because the meatloaf was huge.
Place rating: 4
Randolph, MA
Was there for a 5-​course Bourbon tasting and dinner. I must say the selection and preparation of the courses was exceptional! A converted commuter rail stop with the ambience of a side street hideaway for exotic American cuisine.
Venison, clam fritters, and a host of other delicious selections; not to mention some quality Bourbon! Highly recommend going to experience Steve’s restaurant.
Place rating: 5
Needham Heights, MA
I don’t understand how this place does not get 5 stars. I’ve eaten here a total of 5 times and the experience was fantastic every time. The service is the best. One memorable experience I had was when I took my grandmother who was visiting from China here. Everyone was friendly and made her feel very welcome. She was happy which made me happy.
I’ve ordered the salmon entrée, steak, and crème brûlée here. I’m sure I’ve ordered
more, but can’t think of it right now. The food is amazing, it’s so good that you have take your time to chew in order to taste all the flavors. I’ve left here full and happy each time and can’t wait to come back again.
Place rating: 5
Rancho Santa Fe, CA
This restaurant has amazing customer service. We were tight on time and they took us right in and showed us what we could and could not order. The owner even showed us his high quality bourbon. The food was excellent and reasonably priced.
Place rating: 1
Natick, MA
Our first time there and we loved it! Delicious food and loved the family owned atmosphere! Delightful owners! Mercy and bats
Place rating: 2
Boston, MA
First time here, we live just a few minutes away and finally had a sitter for young children. Found staff friendly but waited over an hour, if not longer for our entrée’s and understood there were large parties in front of us. At least comp us a round of drinks while we wait and apologize?! We were famished when we got our meals which we good but we paid a great deal for a sub– par date night. We won’t be recommending this local restaurant.
Place rating: 5
Virginia Beach, VA
Fabulous food in a cheerful family-​run restaurant! They served me lamb chops equal in taste to those my mother used to cook — so delicious and cooked to perfection — with sides of sauteed spinach and mashed potatoes, both superb. This wonderful meal was perfectly topped off with a hot fudge (homemade) sundae. If I lived closer, I know this would be a favorite restaurant of mine. It was especially nice to feel so welcomed by the good-​humored gentleman who owns the restaurant. Altogether a wonderful place to dine!
Place rating: 5
Randolph, MA
The black bean burger was incredibly delicious. It was so flavorful, I didn’t need any condiments. The sauteed spinach was wonderfully buttery and not the least bit bitter. I had a bite of the pork chop cooked medium and it melted in my mouth. I wish I lived closer to this restaurant so I can come again sooner. The staff was so attentive. They had great atmosphere and we had a really nice dinner.
Place rating: 4
Needham Heights, MA
This outstanding little restaurant in Needham serves up reliably great food by a staff and management that’s always attentive — to just the right degree. After chatting at the end of our terrific meal with owner Jon Taufman, we felt like part of the Center Café family. The entrees we got at our table: salmon, lamb and ribs (all superb), and tuna (my friend loved it but I found it a little overdone; why can fish be only rare or well?)
The crème brûlée was outstanding for dessert, and the person at our table celebrating a birthday was treated to a beautifully presented chocolate cake, with a special message to him decorated on the charger plate.
I wish this restaurant had more space to expand, because it’s truly a little gem. The only thing keeping me from giving it 5 stars were the slightly long wait times (on a very busy Saturday night — no room for more kitchen or wait staff? — and the fact that fish had to be either rare or well done. That said, I adored my rare salmon. DEFINITELY give this restaurant a try!
Place rating: 5
Boston, MA
I am extremely picky and do not like most restaurants I go to, but when I walked into the Center Café I loved it from the start. It has such a warm and cozy feeling. While it can be very fancy (if you wish dim lighting) or casual. I love going here for all occasions. The food is amazing and so fresh! And reasonably priced. It is family owned so I like supporting those types of restaurants. The service was great and the staff are super friendly. I just started coming here and have been back about 4 times in 3 weeks. It is good for families, couples, people who just wanna have a quick drink, and celebrations. If you like fish get the Salom. Love this place!
Place rating: 2
Newton, MA
An extremely disappointing meal. I expect a restaurant to start with fresh not frozen food, and was disappointed to find the fries and the onion rings, were previously frozen. The hamburger was ‘slow cooked’ according to our waiter, because of the way their grill functions. This means there isn’t any char and therefore not much taste. The service was innattentive, although there were not many people eating when we arrived. In addition, I found that the décor was unattractive and devoid of charm, which only exacerbated my feeling that there was little care put into any aspect of this establishment.
Place rating: 5
Boston, MA
Great food, ambiance and service. The Veal Marsala is wonderful!
Place rating: 4
Franklin, MA
I met a friend here an early dinner. The staff was friendly. Very nice décor with a cute little bar that reminded me of Europe for some reason. The host told us the menu was just changed and they change it often. That’s always a good sign because as seasons change, so does what’s good with food. I was very happy with the trout and my friend had broiled sole that was equally fresh and tasty. I’ll definitely return to try more items on the menu. From the selection, it’s clear that the chef is not one to offer up the same boring fare.
My only personal objection was the flat screen TV over the bar, visible from the dining area. It did not fit the atmosphere. A small thing, but it bothered me. (I also object to cell phones and so forth in a restaurant, it takes away from the enjoyment of good friend together with good food & drink).
But I will return, no question about that. I just want to sit far away from the flat screen…