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Rainbird, Merced, CA

Rainbird

4.8
4.8
283 Reviews
$31 to $50
Californian

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2 people
21:30
Booked 14 times today
  • Good for special occasions
  • Charming
  • Healthy
Located in the heart of one of the most productive agricultural regions globally, chefs at El Capitan prepare artisanal fare and spirits that pay homage to the ranchers, farmers, cheesemakers, bakers, brewers, and winemakers that have re-fashioned Merced into one of California’s best kept epicurean secrets.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Californian
  • Hours of Operation
    Breakfast Daily 06:30–11:30 Lunch Daily 11:30–14:00 Dinner Daily 17:00–21:00
  • Phone number
    (209) 446-4026
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive Chef
    Chef Evan Morrison
  • Area
    Merced
  • Cross Street
    Main and M
  • Parking details
    Valet
  • Additional
    Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 283 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.9Service
  • 4.8Ambience
  • 4.5Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Fresno / San Joaquin Valley

    Best Overall

  • Fresno / San Joaquin Valley

    Best Food

  • Fresno / San Joaquin Valley

    Best Service

  • Fresno / San Joaquin Valley

    Best Ambience

  • Fresno / San Joaquin Valley

    Best Value

  • Fresno / San Joaquin Valley

    Great for brunch

  • Fresno / San Joaquin Valley

    Child-friendly

  • Fresno / San Joaquin Valley

    Innovative

  • Fresno / San Joaquin Valley

    Healthy

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Rainbird is a culinary gem in Merced, offering "best dining in Merced" with exquisite dishes and a serene environment. Patrons rave about the "excellent food and service," with the ambiance perfect for romantic evenings. The menu features standout items like Chilean Sea Bass and creative cocktails, ensuring memorable dining experiences.

283 Reviews
  1. angela

    New Orleans

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I had the pleasure of dining with my family at Rainbird for Thanksgiving dinner, and the experience was nothing short of exceptional. From the thoughtfully curated menu to the perfectly paired drinks, every detail reflected the chef’s dedication to showcasing the agricultural bounty of the Valley. The sweet potatoes were a standout—both forward-thinking and deeply rooted in tradition, serving as a beautiful homage to the seasonal ingredients and the region’s rich heritage. This harmonious blend of creativity and respect for local produce elevated the entire meal, making it a memorable celebration of the season and the area’s culinary identity. The dessert, crafted in-house by the pastry chef, was a delightful finale to the meal. Its rich flavors and impeccable presentation perfectly capped off an already exceptional dining experience. I hope the chef considers hosting Thanksgiving dinner—or even lunch—again in the future, as this thoughtful and delicious offering is truly something to look forward to.

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  2. Rebecca

    Minneapolis

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Nice, bright place with good, fresh food and good service. Would visit again!

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  3. Sarah

    Central Coast

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on 17 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent food!!! Consistently amazing experience.

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  4. Patty

    Central Coast

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on 9 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We loved the food, service and atmosphere!! Our waitress Dayan was fantastic!!! She made my Mom's Bday very special!!
    RainbirdResponded on 10 November 2024
    Patty, thank you for leaving us a five-star review. We love hearing that the food, service, and Dayan was fantastic. We are thrilled to hear that you choose us for your mom's special day!

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  5. Debra

    San Joaquin

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on 3 November 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our server, Kao was excellent!!! Friendly, and knowledgeable, without hovering- met all of our needs perfectly : )
    RainbirdResponded on 10 November 2024
    Debra, Thanks for the feedback, we're thrilled to hear that you had an excellent experience at Rainbird. Our team works hard to provide friendly, knowledgeable service, and we're glad to know we hit the mark for you. We appreciate your kind words and the perfect ratings you've given us. We look forward to serving you again soon!

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  6. Melissa

    San Joaquin

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 22 October 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I have been to every wine dinner, except the last one and I can say this was the best meal I have had at any tasting. I would love to see some of the dishes on the daily menu!!!
    RainbirdResponded on 25 October 2024
    Melissa Thank you so much for joining us for our wine dinners and for sharing such wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear this one stood out as your favorite. It's always exciting to hear when certain dishes resonate, and we'll definitely keep your suggestion in mind as we plan future menus. We look forward to welcoming you back soon for more memorable meals!

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  7. Cindy

    Las Vegas

    5 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on 22 October 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our group of ten had the most amazing experience dining at Rainbird. The chef prepared a four course meal using sweet potatoes from our farm along with a variety of sauces using our son’s sweet potato spirits. Everything was delicious and so creative. Kudos to the chef and thank you to our server, who also did an amazing job.
    RainbirdResponded on 25 October 2024
    Cindy Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear that your group enjoyed a memorable dining experience at Rainbird. It was a pleasure to incorporate sweet potatoes from your farm and your son's sweet potato spirits into the menu. I'll be sure to pass along your compliments to our chef and your server. We hope to welcome you and your family back soon for another creative dining experience.

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  8. Deanna

    San Joaquin

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 20 October 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Beautiful restaurant, amazing food, and spectacular service 💙
    RainbirdResponded on 25 October 2024
    Deanna thank you for review and rating us five stars. Have a wonderful day!

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  9. Jamie

    Los Angeles

    19 reviews

    5.0

    19 reviews

    Dined on 19 October 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Fabulous flavors. Highly recommended. Everyone enjoyed.
    RainbirdResponded on 10 November 2024
    Jamie, thank you for your five-star review. Thank you for highly recommended us. Have a wonderful day!

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  10. Brenda

    Las Vegas

    31 reviews

    5.0

    31 reviews

    Dined on 11 October 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We are locals and enjoy going to eat. It is open 7 days a week and they have healthy options in a pretty setting. We love the salmon.

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FAQs

Rainbird is rated 4.8 stars by 283 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people
21:30
Booked 14 times today
Google Map for Rainbird

609 W Main St, Merced, CA 95340

Additional information

  • Cross Street
    Main and M
  • Area
    Merced
  • Hours of Operation
    Breakfast Daily 06:30–11:30 Lunch Daily 11:30–14:00 Dinner Daily 17:00–21:00
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Californian
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    Valet
  • Executive Chef
    Chef Evan Morrison
  • Additional
    Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Impressum
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
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