Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
Rainbird, Merced, CA

Rainbird

4.7 (336)
$31 to $50
Californian
609 W Main St, Merced, CA 95340

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 13 times today

About this restaurant

  • Charming
  • Neighborhood gem
  • Good for special occasions
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 6:30 am–11:30 am Lunch Daily 11:30 am–2:00 pm Dinner Daily 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive chef
    Chef Evan Morrison
  • Neighborhood
    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 336 people are saying

Rainbird reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.7
4.7 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 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 Ambiance

  • Fresno / San Joaquin Valley

    Best Value

  • Fresno / San Joaquin Valley

    Innovative

  • Fresno / San Joaquin Valley

    Healthy

  • Fresno / San Joaquin Valley

    Neighborhood gem

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Rainbird offers a consistently "amazing" dining experience, perfect for special occasions with its "delicious food," "great ambience," and "attentive" service. Guests rave about the creative dishes, especially the "best cheesecake" and Tomahawk steak. While service timing can improve, the food remains "top notch" in Merced's vibrant dining scene.
336 Reviews
  1. Zachary

    California Central Coast7 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Absolutely amazing anniversary dinner!!! I couldn’t recommend a better place to eat for a special occasion. We had amazing service, delicious food, wonderful service and a great ambience.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Maria

    Fresno / San Joaquin Valley1 review

    3.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    I’m general, food was good, could improve a soft lounge music.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Edward

    San Francisco Bay Area9 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 23, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    As usual and as expected Rainbird was terrific. Our meals were delicious and we were given our dessert on the house to celebrate our anniversary.

    Is this helpful?

  4. OpenTable Diner VIP

    San Francisco Bay Area9 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 22, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Wow! Pleasantly surprised, I felt I was somewhere else, for sure not Merced. I plan on returning and staying in the hotel there, El Capitan. I’m going for the full experience.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Chris

    San Diego12 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 18, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Wife and I celebrated our 47 wedding anniversary. Very enjoyable time and delicious meal

    Is this helpful?

  6. Bob VIP

    San Francisco Bay Area39 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 16, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great Fathers Day dinner! The Tomahawk steak for 2 was a generous cut with plentiful sides. The presentation was five star. The scallops dish was creative and cooked to perfection. Highly recommend.

    Is this helpful?

  7. Kelly VIP

    San Francisco Bay Area20 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 15, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Dad really enjoyed his Father's Day Brunch. This is my go to and favorite restaurant in Merced

    Is this helpful?

  8. Vanessa

    San Francisco Bay Area3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on June 14, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I love going here for a special night out- the food is always amazing. The cheesecake was the best I’ve ever had!

    Is this helpful?

  9. Matthew

    New Orleans / Louisiana7 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on June 6, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    The service was great but our filet mignons were overcooked and had a strange consistency so we sent them back. We ordered the chicken which was quite good.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Cheryl

    Fresno / San Joaquin Valley1 review

    5.0

    Dined on June 4, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent dining experience for my mother‘s 84th birthday. Our waiter was exceptional. He seemed to be the only one on the floor working at that time and our meal was served in a timely mannercooked properly. This place get five stars from me. A huge thumbs up. The definition of tips: To Insure Prompt Service. That is exactly what we got. The waiter was nicely compensated. He was very personable and polite.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Rainbird is rated 4.7 stars by 336 OpenTable diners.

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

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Fresno / San Joaquin Valley
  4. Merced
  5. Merced

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 13 times today
Google Map for Rainbird

609 W Main St, Merced, CA 95340

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Main and M
  • Neighborhood
    Merced
  • Hours of operation
    Breakfast Daily 6:30 am–11:30 am Lunch Daily 11:30 am–2:00 pm Dinner Daily 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • 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
OpenTable
  • About Us
  • Blog
  • Careers
  • Press
More
Businesses
  • Restaurant Management Solutions
  • Restaurant Reservation Software
  • Restaurant Marketing Software
  • Restaurant Event Software
  • OpenTable For Restaurants
  • OpenTable For Restaurant Groups
  • Restaurant Resources
  • OpenTable Pricing & Plans
Join us on
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2025 OpenTable, Inc. 1 Montgomery St Ste 500, San Francisco CA 94104 - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
OpenTable Logo