Highest-rated restaurants in Merced by diners
Humans are creatures of habit. We tend to stick to our morning routines, rewatch movies we've seen time and time again, and hit up the same tried-and-true restaurants when going out for a meal. In fact, 35% of Americans said they rarely, if ever, try a new restaurant they haven't been to before, and 5% say they never do, according to a survey of more than 2,600 diners from TouchBistro.
But those numbers look quite different when you focus on younger generations—56% of Gen Zers and 47% of millennials in the U.S. say they visit new restaurants once a month or more. When it comes to deciding which new restaurant to try, younger generations are also more likely to rely on online reviews, through sites like Yelp or Google or from social media. The TouchBistro survey found that 71% of Gen Zers and 72% of millennials have opted to try a new restaurant solely because of favorable reviews online.
Some of the best restaurants in your neck of the woods might be those established spots that customers have been visiting for decades, but some may be brand new. More than 10,000 new restaurants opened in 2023, up 5.7% from 2022, according to a report from BentoBox. The states that saw the most new restaurants open up in 2023 were Florida, Texas, California, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania, but new locales are popping up all over the U.S.
To help you determine which spots—both new and long-standing—to try out, Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated restaurants in Merced, according to Yelp reviews from diners as of January 2024. Only restaurants with at least 20 reviews were considered. Read on to find some inspiration for the next time you dine out.
Note: The photos in this article are stock images and do not necessarily reflect each restaurant listed.
#30. Rainbird
- Rating: 4.0/5 (57 reviews)
- Price level: $$$$
- Address: 609 West Main St. Merced, California
- Categories: New American, Breakfast & Brunch, Wine Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#29. Kabab City
- Rating: 4.0/5 (78 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 125 East Yosemite Ave. Space D Merced, California
- Categories: Mediterranean
- Read more on Yelp
#28. Tacos El Pollo merced ca
- Rating: 4.0/5 (22 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 371 South CA-59 Merced, California
- Categories: Food Trucks, Tacos
- Read more on Yelp
#27. Destino's
- Rating: 4.0/5 (197 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 460 West Main St. Merced, California
- Categories: Pizza, Italian, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#26. Tacos Hidalgo Taco Truck
- Rating: 4.0/5 (88 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 550 East Main St. Merced, California
- Categories: Food Trucks, Tacos
- Read more on Yelp
#25. Mainzer
- Rating: 4.0/5 (292 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 655 West Main St. Merced, California
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, American, Dinner Theater
- Read more on Yelp
#24. El Palmar Taqueria
- Rating: 4.0/5 (111 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1127 Martin Luther King Jr Way Merced, California
- Categories: Mexican, Seafood
- Read more on Yelp
#23. El Tlahualil Mexican Restaurant
- Rating: 4.0/5 (145 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1277 V St. Merced, California
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#22. Lupian's Mexican Restaurant
- Rating: 4.0/5 (91 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 802 West 16th St. Merced, California
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#21. Jantz Cafe & Bakery
- Rating: 4.0/5 (444 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3361 G St. Merced, California
- Categories: Bakeries, Breakfast & Brunch, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#20. Table 59
- Rating: 4.0/5 (100 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3360 North State Hwy 59 Ste H Merced, California
- Categories: Italian, New American
- Read more on Yelp
#19. Coconut Cafe
- Rating: 4.0/5 (186 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3368 North State Hwy 59 Ste North Merced, California
- Categories: Laotian, Thai, Seafood
- Read more on Yelp
#18. Joe On the Go Cafe
- Rating: 4.0/5 (134 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2806 G St. Merced, California
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Breakfast & Brunch, Cafes
- Read more on Yelp
#17. H & W Drive In
- Rating: 4.5/5 (474 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 121 West 16th St. Merced, California
- Categories: Burgers, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#16. Cortes Tacos - 2
- Rating: 4.5/5 (22 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 15TH West 15th St. Merced, California
- Categories: Mexican, Food Trucks
- Read more on Yelp
#15. Gateway Pizza N Subs
- Rating: 4.5/5 (45 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1220 V St. Merced, California
- Categories: Pizza
- Read more on Yelp
#14. Toni's Courtyard Café
- Rating: 4.5/5 (679 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 516 West 18th St. Merced, California
- Categories: Sandwiches, Breakfast & Brunch, American
- Read more on Yelp
#13. Thai Star
- Rating: 4.5/5 (155 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 57 West Alexander Ave. Merced, California
- Categories: Thai
- Read more on Yelp
#12. Pretty Good Burger
- Rating: 4.5/5 (93 reviews)
- Address: 439 West Main St. Merced, California
- Categories: Burgers
- Read more on Yelp
#11. Vinhos
- Rating: 4.5/5 (29 reviews)
- Address: 427 West Main St. Merced, California
- Categories: Tapas/Small Plates, Wine Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#10. Yummy Thai
- Rating: 4.5/5 (46 reviews)
- Address: 2961 Beachwood Drive Merced, California
- Categories: Thai
- Read more on Yelp
#9. Donut King's
- Rating: 4.5/5 (236 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 260 West Main St. Ste A Merced, California
- Categories: Donuts, Sandwiches, Bubble Tea
- Read more on Yelp
#8. Marco's Tacos
- Rating: 4.5/5 (20 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 99 East Donna Drive Merced, California
- Categories: Food Trucks, Tacos
- Read more on Yelp
#7. Carniceria Y Taqueria Superior
- Rating: 4.5/5 (56 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1725 West Hwy 140 Merced, California
- Categories: Mexican, Latin American
- Read more on Yelp
#6. Scotts Diner
- Rating: 4.5/5 (196 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2015 East Childs Ave. Merced, California
- Categories: Diners, American
- Read more on Yelp
#5. Richwood Meat
- Rating: 4.5/5 (39 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2751 North Santa Fe Ave. Merced, California
- Categories: Meat Shops, Delis
- Read more on Yelp
#4. Little Oven Pizza
- Rating: 4.5/5 (463 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 433 West Main St. Merced, California
- Categories: Pizza
- Read more on Yelp
#3. Masala Express
- Rating: 4.5/5 (106 reviews)
- Address: 560 West Olive Ave. Merced, California
- Categories: Indian
- Read more on Yelp
#2. Mariscos El Nacho
- Rating: 5.0/5 (48 reviews)
- Address: 1560 Yosemite Pkwy Merced, California
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#1. Asian Style Kitchen
- Rating: 5.0/5 (66 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 601 East Main St. Merced, California
- Categories: Asian Fusion, Food Trucks
- Read more on Yelp
This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Jaimie Etkin, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 331 metros.
