Highest-rated fine dining restaurants in Stockton 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 Stockton 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., $$ to $$$$) were considered. Also, in an effort to highlight independent businesses and local chains, those with five or more locations nationally (based on Yelp data) were not included. Restaurants in certain lower-cost categories (like "diners," "buffets," and "food trucks") were excluded. Data is as of Aug. 19, 2024.
Read on to find a potential restaurant for your next special meal out!
#16. Papapavlo's Bistro & Bar
- Rating: 3.5/5 (817 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 501 Lincoln Center Stockton, California
- Categories: Greek, Mediterranean, American
- Read more on Yelp
#15. De Vega Brothers
- Rating: 3.7/5 (263 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 5757 Pacific Ave. Ste A140 Stockton, California
- Categories: Italian, New American
- Read more on Yelp
#14. Eric's New York Style Pizza
- Rating: 3.8/5 (216 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 4118 North El Dorado St. Stockton, California
- Categories: Pizza
- Read more on Yelp
#13. Sizzler
- Rating: 3.8/5 (403 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1862 East Hammer Lane Stockton, California
- Categories: Seafood, Steakhouses, American
- Read more on Yelp
#12. Green Papaya
- Rating: 3.9/5 (536 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 6262 Pacific Ave. Stockton, California
- Categories: Thai, Laotian
- Read more on Yelp
#11. Tsing Tao
- Rating: 4.1/5 (257 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2339 West Hammer Lane Ste H Stockton, California
- Categories: Chinese
- Read more on Yelp
#10. Tandoori Nites
- Rating: 4.3/5 (489 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 8102 Kelley Drive Stockton, California
- Categories: Indian
- Read more on Yelp
#9. Cocoro Japanese Bistro & Sushi Bar
- Rating: 3.9/5 (709 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2105 Pacific Ave. Stockton, California
- Categories: Sushi Bars, Japanese
- Read more on Yelp
#8. Seoul Soon Dubu - Korean BBQ
- Rating: 3.9/5 (568 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2041 Pacific Ave. Stockton, California
- Categories: Korean
- Read more on Yelp
#7. Mezzo
- Rating: 4.0/5 (304 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 3499 Brookside Road Ste A Stockton, California
- Categories: Italian, Wine Bars, Cocktail Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#6. Ibiza Lounge & Tapas
- Rating: 4.0/5 (52 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2113 Pacific Ave. Stockton, California
- Categories: Lounges, Tapas/Small Plates
- Read more on Yelp
#5. AVE on the Mile
- Rating: 4.0/5 (332 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2333 Pacific Ave. Stockton, California
- Categories: Bars, New American
- Read more on Yelp
#4. Market Tavern
- Rating: 4.0/5 (1714 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 236 Lincoln Center Stockton, California
- Categories: New American, Seafood, Pizza
- Read more on Yelp
#3. La Mesa- A Mexican Kitchen
- Rating: 4.0/5 (202 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 329 Lincoln Center Stockton, California
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#2. Prime Table
- Rating: 4.2/5 (504 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 357 Lincoln Center Stockton, California
- Categories: Steakhouses
- Read more on Yelp
#1. Toyo Sushi
- Rating: 4.4/5 (715 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 4011 East Morada Lane Ste 100 Stockton, California
- Categories: Japanese, Sushi Bars
- 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.
