The best fine dining restaurant in Modesto in 2024, according to Yelp reviews—plus, see the rest of the 30 best

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Highest-rated fine dining restaurants in Modesto 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 Modesto 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!

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Yelp

#30. Sizzler

- Rating: 3.6/5 (251 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3416 Dale Road Modesto, California
- Categories: Seafood, Steakhouses, American
- Read more on Yelp

Yelp

#29. Verona Cucina Italiana

- Rating: 3.6/5 (265 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 1700 McHenry Ave. Ste I46 Modesto, California
- Categories: Italian, Wine Bars
- Read more on Yelp

Yelp

#28. Sushi Garden

- Rating: 3.9/5 (379 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3500 Coffee Road Ste 25 Modesto, California
- Categories: Sushi Bars, Japanese, Soup
- Read more on Yelp

Yelp

#27. Velvet Grill & Creamery

- Rating: 4.1/5 (279 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3250 Dale Road Ste A Modesto, California
- Categories: American
- Read more on Yelp

Yelp

#26. La Huerta Vieja

- Rating: 4.1/5 (423 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2100 Standiford Ave. Ste E1 Modesto, California
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp

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Yelp

#25. Mei Wei Chinese Restaurant

- Rating: 4.3/5 (312 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2900 Standiford Ave. Ste 11 Modesto, California
- Categories: Chinese
- Read more on Yelp

Yelp

#24. Noah's Hof Brau

- Rating: 3.8/5 (196 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1311 J St. Modesto, California
- Categories: Chinese, American
- Read more on Yelp

Yelp

#23. Bag o'Crab

- Rating: 3.8/5 (325 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3919 Pelandale Ave. Bldg D Modesto, California
- Categories: Cajun/Creole, Seafood, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp

Yelp

#22. Javi's Modesto Mexican Restaurant

- Rating: 3.8/5 (211 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1225 Standiford Ave. Modesto, California
- Categories: Mexican, Cocktail Bars
- Read more on Yelp

Yelp

#21. Galletto Ristorante

- Rating: 3.9/5 (500 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 1101 J St. Modesto, California
- Categories: Italian
- Read more on Yelp

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Yelp

#20. Gervasoni's Restaurant

- Rating: 3.9/5 (100 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 5801 McHenry Ave. Modesto, California
- Categories: Steakhouses, American, Seafood
- Read more on Yelp

Yelp

#19. Osaka Sushi

- Rating: 3.9/5 (681 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2402 McHenry Ave. Modesto, California
- Categories: Japanese, Sushi Bars
- Read more on Yelp

Yelp

#18. Ciao Bella Ristorante

- Rating: 3.9/5 (383 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2401 East Orangeburg Ave. Ste 320 Modesto, California
- Categories: Italian, Beer, Wine & Spirits
- Read more on Yelp

Yelp

#17. Pastas Pronto

- Rating: 4.0/5 (137 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2509 Coffee Road Ste C Modesto, California
- Categories: Italian, Salad, Wine Bars
- Read more on Yelp

Yelp

#16. Bella Italia

- Rating: 4.0/5 (673 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2625 Coffee Road Ste K Modesto, California
- Categories: Italian
- Read more on Yelp

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Yelp

#15. Surla's

- Rating: 4.0/5 (417 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 431 12th St. Modesto, California
- Categories: Asian Fusion, Italian, Seafood
- Read more on Yelp

Yelp

#14. Redwood Cafe

- Rating: 4.1/5 (873 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 4342 Dale Road Modesto, California
- Categories: New American, Tapas/Small Plates, Wine Bars
- Read more on Yelp

Yelp

#13. Raw Sushi Bistro

- Rating: 4.1/5 (724 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1200 I St. Modesto, California
- Categories: Sushi Bars, Japanese, Asian Fusion
- Read more on Yelp

Yelp

#12. Fuzio Universal Bistro

- Rating: 4.1/5 (429 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1020 10th St. Modesto, California
- Categories: New American, Salad, Cocktail Bars
- Read more on Yelp

Yelp

#11. Papapavlos Mediterranean Bistro & Bar

- Rating: 4.1/5 (287 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1320 Standiford Ave. Ste 2 Modesto, California
- Categories: Greek, Mediterranean
- Read more on Yelp

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Yelp

#10. Papapolloni Mediterranean Bistro

- Rating: 4.2/5 (186 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2501 Mchenry Ave. Modesto, California
- Categories: Italian, Greek, Mediterranean
- Read more on Yelp

Yelp

#9. Dewz Restaurant

- Rating: 4.3/5 (690 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 1505 J St. Modesto, California
- Categories: New American, Steakhouses
- Read more on Yelp

Yelp

#8. Wildfire Public House

- Rating: 4.3/5 (1585 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1533 Oakdale Road Modesto, California
- Categories: New American
- Read more on Yelp

Yelp

#7. Mike's Grillhouse

- Rating: 4.3/5 (923 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3801 Pelandale Ave. Ste B11 Modesto, California
- Categories: American, Salad, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp

Yelp

#6. Skewers Kabob House!

- Rating: 4.3/5 (1290 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 821 L St. Modesto, California
- Categories: Mediterranean, Persian/Iranian, Kebab
- Read more on Yelp

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Yelp

#5. Gusto Italiano

- Rating: 4.5/5 (108 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3948 Sylvan Ave. Ste 307 Modesto, California
- Categories: Southern, Italian
- Read more on Yelp

Yelp

#4. Burly's California Bistro

- Rating: 4.5/5 (131 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1219 North Carpenter Road Ste 5 Modesto, California
- Categories: New American, Bars
- Read more on Yelp

Yelp

#3. Me'Mo's Middle Eastern Cuisine

- Rating: 4.6/5 (462 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2221 McHenry Ave. Modesto, California
- Categories: Lebanese
- Read more on Yelp

Yelp

#2. Camp 4

- Rating: 4.6/5 (734 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1508 10th St. Ste B Modesto, California
- Categories: Wine Bars, Cafes
- Read more on Yelp

Yelp

#1. Super Gyros

- Rating: 4.6/5 (425 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2252 McHenry Ave. Modesto, California
- Categories: Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, Salad
- 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.

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