Highest-rated fine dining restaurants in Merced 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 Merced 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., $$ to $$$$) were considered. Also, in an effort to highlight independent businesses and local chains, those with five or more locations nationally (based on Yelp data) were not included. Restaurants in certain lower-cost categories (like "diners," "buffets," and "food trucks") were excluded. Data is as of Aug. 19, 2024.
Read on to find a potential restaurant for your next special meal out!
#9. Fiesta Mexicana
- Rating: 3.3/5 (96 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 530 West 16th St. Merced, California
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#8. Thai Cuisine II
- Rating: 3.3/5 (367 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 779 East Yosemite Ave. Ste G Merced, California
- Categories: Thai
- Read more on Yelp
#7. The Branding Iron
- Rating: 3.6/5 (450 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 640 West 16th St. Merced, California
- Categories: Lounges, Steakhouses
- Read more on Yelp
#6. Five Ten Bistro
- Rating: 3.7/5 (303 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 510 West Main St. Merced, California
- Categories: Bars, Italian, American
- Read more on Yelp
#5. Bella Luna
- Rating: 3.9/5 (571 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 350 West Main St. Merced, California
- Categories: Italian, Cocktail Bars, Wine Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#4. Agaves Mexican Grill
- Rating: 3.9/5 (212 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 779 East Yosemite Ave. Ste A Merced, California
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#3. Sam Cafe
- Rating: 4.1/5 (454 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 235 West 12th St. Merced, California
- Categories: Thai
- Read more on Yelp
#2. Destino's
- Rating: 4.1/5 (210 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 460 West Main St. Merced, California
- Categories: Pizza, Italian, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#1. Table 59
- Rating: 4.2/5 (145 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3360 North State Hwy 59 Ste H Merced, California
- Categories: Italian, New American
- 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.