Highest-rated fine dining restaurants in Fresno by diners
Fine dining in the U.S. isn't what it used to be. Many customers are no longer interested in classic white tablecloths and 16-ounce New York strips; instead, it's about cutting-edge culinary experiences.
Although steakhouses have defined fine dining in America since the 19th century, that started to change in the mid-1990s. Elite chefs like Thomas Keller at the French Laundry unearthed a whole different kind of tasting experience (with 40 courses), and a new age of fine dining was born. Soon, prix fixe meals—a French style of serving with a set menu—became the norm for fine dining in the U.S.
Between the rise of chef's tasting menus and consumers' continued desire to have diverse culinary experiences, the restaurants that grace the pages of top-tier restaurant reviewers like Zagat or the Michelin Guide look very different today than they did 30 years ago. Restaurant goers aren't just looking for high-quality food. They want the type of menu that will tell a story. They want creative ingredients they've never tried before. They want to be transported into a whole new world.
With so many innovative menus and restaurant experiences popping up across America to choose from, it can be challenging to choose where to go for a special evening. Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated fine dining restaurants in Fresno using data from Yelp. Businesses were selected using Yelp's ranking system, which calculates an adjusted rating value that takes into account the number of ratings as well as the rating score itself.
Only businesses with at least five reviews and at least level 2 pricing (i.e., $$ to $$$$) were considered. Also, in an effort to highlight independent businesses and local chains, those with five or more locations nationally (based on Yelp data) were not included. Restaurants in certain lower-cost categories (like "diners," "buffets," and "food trucks") were excluded. Data is as of Aug. 19, 2024.
Read on to find a potential restaurant for your next special meal out!
#29. Butterfish California Poke
- Rating: 4.1/5 (617 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 8482 North Friant Road Ste 101 Fresno, California
- Categories: Poke, New American
- Read more on Yelp
#28. Tandoori Night
- Rating: 4.2/5 (540 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 6751 North Blackstone Ave. Fresno, California
- Categories: Indian
- Read more on Yelp
#27. SabaiDee Thai Lao Cuisine
- Rating: 4.2/5 (894 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 5730 North First St. Fresno, California
- Categories: Laotian, Thai, Seafood
- Read more on Yelp
#26. Al's Cafe
- Rating: 4.2/5 (314 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1823 West Olive Ave. Fresno, California
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#25. Amir's Shish Kebob
- Rating: 4.3/5 (122 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2023 West Bullard Ave. Fresno, California
- Categories: Persian/Iranian, Imported Food
- Read more on Yelp
#24. Indian Kebab Palace
- Rating: 4.4/5 (628 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1552 East Champlain Drive Ste 103 Fresno, California
- Categories: Indian, Bars, Kebab
- Read more on Yelp
#23. Bay Leaf Indian Kitchen
- Rating: 4.6/5 (299 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 4368 West Shaw Ave. Fresno, California
- Categories: Indian
- Read more on Yelp
#22. Richard's Prime Rib and Seafood
- Rating: 3.9/5 (317 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 1609 East Belmont Ave. Fresno, California
- Categories: Steakhouses, Seafood, Cocktail Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#21. Yosemite Ranch
- Rating: 3.9/5 (1318 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 1520 East Champlain Drive Fresno, California
- Categories: Steakhouses, Bars, Seafood
- Read more on Yelp
#20. Eureka! Fresno
- Rating: 3.9/5 (851 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 7775 North Palm Ave. Fresno, California
- Categories: American
- Read more on Yelp
#19. Pismo's Coastal Grill
- Rating: 3.9/5 (2095 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 7937 North Blackstone Ave. Fresno, California
- Categories: Seafood, Bars, New American
- Read more on Yelp
#18. Tamari Robatayaki & Whisky Bar
- Rating: 3.9/5 (365 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 6731 North Palm Ave. Fresno, California
- Categories: Japanese, Whiskey Bars, Sushi Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#17. Cosmopolitan Tavern
- Rating: 3.9/5 (386 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 625 O St. Fresno, California
- Categories: Cocktail Bars, Italian, American
- Read more on Yelp
#16. Santa Fe Basque Restaurant & Bar
- Rating: 4.0/5 (120 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3110 North Maroa Ave. Fresno, California
- Categories: Basque, Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#15. Five Restaurant
- Rating: 4.0/5 (730 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1110 East Champlain Drive Ste 101 Fresno, California
- Categories: Italian, Seafood, Pizza
- Read more on Yelp
#14. Manhattan Restaurant
- Rating: 4.0/5 (291 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 1731 West Bullard Ave. Ste 121 Fresno, California
- Categories: Steakhouses, New American, Lounges
- Read more on Yelp
#13. Max's Bistro and Bar
- Rating: 4.0/5 (734 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 1784 West Bullard Ave. Fresno, California
- Categories: Seafood, Steakhouses, New American
- Read more on Yelp
#12. Kabab City
- Rating: 4.1/5 (323 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 682 East Nees Ave. Ste 101 Fresno, California
- Categories: Mediterranean
- Read more on Yelp
#11. Cracked Pepper Bistro
- Rating: 4.1/5 (577 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 6737 North Palm Ave. Fresno, California
- Categories: New American, Cocktail Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#10. Parma
- Rating: 4.2/5 (367 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 6729 North Palm Ave. Fresno, California
- Categories: Italian, Salad, Noodles
- Read more on Yelp
#9. Roger Rocka's Dinner Theater
- Rating: 4.2/5 (126 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 1226 North Wishon Ave. Fresno, California
- Categories: Dinner Theater
- Read more on Yelp
#8. George's Bar & Grill
- Rating: 4.4/5 (196 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 6680 North Blackstone Ave. Fresno, California
- Categories: Mediterranean, Armenian
- Read more on Yelp
#7. Sabor Cocina Latina & Bar
- Rating: 4.4/5 (429 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 7845 North Palm Ave. Ste 104 Fresno, California
- Categories: Latin American, New Mexican Cuisine
- Read more on Yelp
#6. The Annex Kitchen
- Rating: 4.4/5 (1665 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 2257 West Shaw Ave. Fresno, California
- Categories: Pizza, Italian, Cocktail Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#5. Saizon
- Rating: 4.4/5 (656 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 2894 East Shepherd Ave. Fresno, California
- Categories: New American, New Mexican Cuisine
- Read more on Yelp
#4. Sushiyaki
- Rating: 4.5/5 (292 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1234 North First St. Fresno, California
- Categories: Teppanyaki, Sushi Bars, Chicken Wings
- Read more on Yelp
#3. The Lime Lite
- Rating: 4.5/5 (586 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 1054 West Shaw Ave. Fresno, California
- Categories: New American
- Read more on Yelp
#2. Heirloom
- Rating: 4.6/5 (2416 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 8398 North Fresno St. Ste 101 Fresno, California
- Categories: New American
- Read more on Yelp
#1. Señor Ají Peruvian Kitchen
- Rating: 4.6/5 (426 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 6701 North Milburn Ave. Ste 130 Fresno, California
- Categories: Latin American, Peruvian
- Read more on Yelp
This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Kiersten Hickman, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 299 metros.
