Highest-rated fine dining restaurants in the Modesto area by diners

Written by:
July 29, 2025
Javier Volcan // Shutterstock

Highest-rated fine dining restaurants in the Modesto area by diners

Fine dining in the United States isn't what it used to be. Many customers are no longer interested in classic white tablecloths and 16-ounce New York strips; these days, it's all 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 and his three-Michelin-starred restaurant, 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鈥攁 French style of serving with a set menu鈥攂ecame the norm for fine dining in the U.S.

Between the rise of chefs' 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, it can be challenging to choose where to go for a special evening. compiled a list of the highest-rated fine dining restaurants in the Modesto area using data from . 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 June 25, 2025.

Read on to find a potential restaurant for your next special meal out!

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#30. La Huerta Vieja

- Rating: 4.0/5 (438 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2100 Standiford Ave. Ste E1 Modesto, California
- Categories: Mexican
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#29. Pastas Pronto

- Rating: 4.0/5 (149 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2509 Coffee Road Ste C Modesto, California
- Categories: Italian, Salad, Wine Bars
-

#28. Velvet Grill & Creamery

- Rating: 4.0/5 (291 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3250 Dale Road Ste A Modesto, California
- Categories: American
-

#27. Bella Italia

- Rating: 4.1/5 (705 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2625 Coffee Road Ste K Modesto, California
- Categories: Italian
-

#26. Hula's

- Rating: 4.1/5 (497 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2261 Jackson Ave. Escalon, California
- Categories: American, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Breakfast & Brunch
-

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#25. Raw Sushi Bistro

- Rating: 4.1/5 (764 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1200 I St. Modesto, California
- Categories: Sushi Bars, Japanese, Asian Fusion
-

#24. Papachino's

- Rating: 4.1/5 (281 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1212 J St. Modesto, California
- Categories: Mediterranean, Salad, Sandwiches
-

#23. Papapavlos Mediterranean Bistro & Bar

- Rating: 4.1/5 (309 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1320 Standiford Ave. Ste 2 Modesto, California
- Categories: Greek, Mediterranean
-

#22. Fuzio Universal Bistro

- Rating: 4.1/5 (461 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1020 10th St. Modesto, California
- Categories: New American, Cocktail Bars, Breakfast & Brunch
-

#21. Cora at Roseburg Square

- Rating: 4.1/5 (95 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 825 West Roseburg Ave. Modesto, California
- Categories: Cocktail Bars, Spanish, Filipino
-

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#20. Masumi Japanese Restaurant

- Rating: 4.2/5 (397 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1140 Colony Road Ste 110 Ripon, California
- Categories: Japanese
-

#19. Papapolloni Mediterranean Bistro

- Rating: 4.2/5 (211 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2501 Mchenry Ave. Modesto, California
- Categories: Italian, Greek, Mediterranean
-

#18. Dewz Restaurant

- Rating: 4.3/5 (742 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 1505 J St. Modesto, California
- Categories: New American, Steakhouses
-

#17. Mei Wei Chinese Restaurant

- Rating: 4.3/5 (354 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2900 Standiford Ave. Ste 11 Modesto, California
- Categories: Chinese
-

#16. Michael's Pizza Bar and Grill

- Rating: 4.3/5 (624 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 500 North Carpenter Road Modesto, California
- Categories: Pizza, Sandwiches, Bars
-

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#15. Wildfire Public House

- Rating: 4.3/5 (1761 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1533 Oakdale Road Modesto, California
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, Desserts, Cocktail Bars
-

#14. Skewers Kabob House!

- Rating: 4.3/5 (1359 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 821 L St. Modesto, California
- Categories: Mediterranean, Persian/Iranian, Kebab
-

#13. Mike's Grillhouse

- Rating: 4.3/5 (980 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3801 Pelandale Ave. Ste B11 Modesto, California
- Categories: American, Salad, Desserts
-

#12. El Bistro by Salt and Pepper

- Rating: 4.4/5 (295 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 901 North Carpenter Road Ste 18 Modesto, California
- Categories: Latin American, Breakfast & Brunch, New Mexican Cuisine
-

#11. Delicioso Bistro

- Rating: 4.4/5 (215 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1410 H St. Modesto, California
- Categories: Diners, Creperies, Breakfast & Brunch
-

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#10. Thaiburi

- Rating: 4.4/5 (53 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3900 Pelandale Ave. Ste 155 Modesto, California
- Categories: Thai
-

#9. Falcon's Lair

- Rating: 4.4/5 (377 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1225 Canal Blvd. Ripon, California
- Categories: Lounges, Speakeasies, Pizza
-

#8. Burly's California Bistro

- Rating: 4.4/5 (147 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1219 North Carpenter Road Ste 5 Modesto, California
- Categories: New American, Bars
-

#7. Gusto Italiano

- Rating: 4.4/5 (126 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3948 Sylvan Ave. Ste 307 Modesto, California
- Categories: Southern, Italian
-

#6. Me'Mo's Middle Eastern Cuisine

- Rating: 4.6/5 (482 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2221 McHenry Ave. Modesto, California
- Categories: Lebanese
-

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#5. Super Gyros

- Rating: 4.6/5 (447 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2252 McHenry Ave. Modesto, California
- Categories: Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, Salad
-

#4. Camp 4

- Rating: 4.6/5 (759 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1508 10th St. Ste B Modesto, California
- Categories: Wine Bars, Cafes
-

#3. The Vine House

- Rating: 4.7/5 (114 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 222 West River Road Ste B Ripon, California
- Categories: Wine Bars, Beer Bar, French
-

#2. Braulio's Bistro

- Rating: 4.7/5 (59 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 621 9th St. Modesto, California
- Categories: Italian, Food Trucks, Chicken Shop
-

#1. Bauhaus

- Rating: 4.7/5 (175 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 405 Downey Ave. Modesto, California
- Categories: Wine Bars, Beer Bar, Tapas Bars
-

This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 319 metros.

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