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.
Make a reservation
2 people
May 30, 2023
9:00 PM
Experiences are available.
Additional information
Dining style
Casual Dining
Cuisines
Californian
Hours of operation
Sun 9:00 am–2:00 pm
Dinner
Thu–Sat 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
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
4.9Ambience
4.3Value
Noise • Moderate
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
Great for brunch
Fresno / San Joaquin Valley
Innovative
Fresno / San Joaquin Valley
Healthy
Fresno / San Joaquin Valley
Great for fine wines
Fresno / San Joaquin Valley
Good for special occasions
Sort by
J
Jarnathan
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 4 days ago
overall5food4service5ambience5
The service is excellent, the food is delicious and original with each visit. I highly recommend.
B
Bling
San Francisco
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on May 21, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
The ambience sets the mood, we knew we were in a great restaurant. Cocktail offerings delicious along with beautiful presentation. A very nice selection for every course, especially loved the eggs benedict. Waiters were attentive and willing to answer our many questions. It was a belated birthday celebration that could not have been better. We are looking forward to our next visit.
TP
TomP
Sacramento
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 21, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
On of the best dining experiences I've ever had, anywhere.
CC
CrystalC
Los Angeles
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on May 19, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Went here for a special anniversary meal. The staff was very polite and accommodating to my food allergy. I was hesitant to eat here at first because the descriptions of the meals online seemed a bit odd to me, but once I tried the food, it was absolutely delicious.
NN
NomNom
San Francisco
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on May 14, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Always love brunch at Rainbird and the Mother’s Day menu did not disappoint!
A
Adriana
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 14, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
The brunch at Rainbird was so delicious and well worth what we paid! We will definitely be returning!
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 14, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Professional and courteous customer service. Very accommodating and quick response when you ask or request for something. The greeter was very prompt and very friendly and welcoming upon arrival.
C
Cori
San Francisco
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 14, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Wonderful service. Creative menu! Appreciate the mocktail options.
WL
WadeL
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on May 14, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Service was great food was outstanding cocktails were absolutely wonderful had a great time the 8 course is amazing very happy Merced has a different spot to eat these days
AG
AjayG
San Francisco
8 reviews
vip
4.0
8 reviews
Dined on April 30, 2023
overall4food4service5ambience5
Have been here several times. There are new menu items which we were excited to try. They were mostly very good but some of them like the fish need some work getting the flavors right. Service and ambience were exceptional as usual.
Overall an excellent spot for a special occasion dinner
KM
KaarenM
San Francisco
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on April 29, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Delicious seasonal menu! Enjoyed the crab w trout roe appetizer. The farro bread is NOT filler it deserves its own course on the menu! And I’m so glad it is presented as food to be savored - delightful!
The mains did not disappoint lamb w morel mushrooms … need I say more? Thyme basted monkfish w potatoes and parsley cream…
Dessert - the unexpected beetroot cherry and berry mouse w aged sherry - a fun exploration in flavor. And the dark chocolate mousse w the caramelized popcorn and brûléed banana ice cream a rich satisfying end!
K
Kona
San Francisco
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on April 28, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Tried the 8 course sampler-a lot of fun! Food was delish and service was friendly. A very enjoyable dinner to celebrate a milestone!
L
Loren
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on April 23, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
It was a pleasant surprise to discover this 1st class restaurant in Merced. Every aspect of this dining experience met my highest standard of quality.
MR
MichaelR
San Francisco
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on April 21, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Party of 5 for birthday. Attended one of the wine experiences. Everyone at our table enjoyed the whole experience - not just the food, which was wonderful, but interacting with the chef, the wine maker, and the other guests around us.
ET
EuTom
San Francisco
1 review
vip
5.0
1 review
Dined on April 15, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
The food was delicious and beautifully presented. We had our kids share one dinner. It was so nice of Chef Quentin to include a special dessert for the kids. We love the food.
OC
OlympiaC
Sacramento
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on April 9, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Good experience everything was delicious !!
We will totally come back.
S
Shootingstar
Central Coast
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on April 9, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
Unparalleled service and attention! Gourmet and sustainable dishes. The staff was more than willing to accommodate eating preferences and dietary limitations. Terrific eatery for a special occasion.
SL
SherryL
San Diego
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on April 9, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Food and service was outstanding. My husband and I will most defiantly will be eating here again
B
Barb
San Francisco
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on April 9, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
The food was all delicious and beautifully presented. The wait staff were awesome.
GB
GinnyB
San Joaquin
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on March 26, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
We enjoyed a beautiful brunch with our daughter and grandchildren on Sunday noon. Our first visit but definitely not our last. Everything was delicious and the restaurant is so tastefully decorated it was a very pleasant experience for all. Thank you!!
RainbirdResponded on April 5, 2023Hello GinnyB! We are so delighted you enjoyed our brunch. Thank you for the lovely review and most importantly, thank you for being our guest! We look forward to seeing you again soon.
AR
AiryR
San Joaquin
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on March 26, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
I loved the ambience of the restaurant and the attentive staff. My expectations were met and I will be back to try the brunch and will make this a seasonal must!
RainbirdResponded on April 5, 2023Dear AiryR,
Thank you for the lovely review. We are thrilled to have met your expectations! Yes, please visit us again soon for the brunch. We are working on elevating the experience even more and would love for you to be our guest.
JS
JeffersonS
San Joaquin
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on March 26, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
The dinner experience is quite amazing when you consider the level of food preparation, presentation and care given so one can enjoy the experience of elegant food. Well worth the time, effort and price.
RainbirdResponded on April 5, 2023Thank you so much for your review! We look forward to serving you again soon. Please keep us in mind in the next few weeks as we look to elevate our brunch offerings as well. Thank you for being our guest!
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on March 24, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Have been here a couple times already. Food and everything always great. Thanks. Keep up the great work
V
Victoria
San Francisco
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on March 19, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Love this place. The food is amazing and the service is amazing.
OT
OpenTable Diner
San Francisco
2 reviews
vip
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on March 19, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Amazing! Can’t wait to go back. Great spot to spend a quiet dinner together. Loved ever bite.
RainbirdResponded on April 5, 2023Thank you so much for your review! We are delighted to know that you were amazed with the food and the dining experience. Thank you for being our guest. We look forward to serving you again soon.
j
johnv
Sacramento
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined on March 12, 2023
overall5food4service5ambience5
Rainbird is at the top of my list; they are very customer oriented and went beyond our expectations, wonderfully entertained, and to top it off the food was exceptional. Our favorite go-to-place in the Central Valley! Hats off to the entire staff. John
A
Angelo
San Francisco
3 reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Dined on March 12, 2023
overall4food3service5ambience3
Overall it was a unique experience. Food was good but for the cost the environment seemed a little casual. The 7/8 courses took too long. We had a good time for the first 1 1/2 hours but then started to get a little tired of sitting. We were seated at 5:32 PM and didn't finish until 8:15 PM. The restaurant wasn't very busy for a Saturday night. I believe there was only about 8-10 tables in total that were occupied.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Central Coast
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on March 5, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Wonderful food and service. It was a memorable experience and in our top all time great dining.
LM
LilianaM
San Francisco
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on March 4, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great food and service! Glad this place exists in Merced.
PT
PamToo
Sacramento
86 reviews
vip
5.0
86 reviews
Dined on March 4, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
The food and service were outstanding. We were a group of four. Two had the wine pairing. All wines were well paired. One of us is gluten free for medical reasons. The chef went out of his/her job to accommodate. Actually the gluten free bread was the best ever. Planning to go back.
JJ
JeaniJ
San Joaquin
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on February 26, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
We had an amazing experience at the Rainbird. I would definitely take another special person there.
C
Chic
San Joaquin
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on February 26, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
We had impeccable service. The food was presented beautifully. The decor of the restaurant and hotel was very modern chic. I loved the cups and utensils they used for serving too. Even though the portions look small the food was actually filling. Although we did order a side of potatoes and bacon. Rainbird is an experience everyone should try at least once.
CM
ChrisM
San Diego
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on February 26, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
5 course dinner with wine pairing. Each course had depth, layers of flavor. A time to savor each bite. Allow 2 hours to have enjoyable dinner and conversation. Great service and quiet. The chef is very creative. Wine pairings were adequate, not great. If you see a favorite wine on the list, get it.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Los Angeles
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on February 18, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Everything was delicious- what a gem in Merced!
BT
BTeamInLA2
Los Angeles
16 reviews
vip
5.0
16 reviews
Dined on February 18, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
We had a wonderful dinner at Rainbird. The food was fabulous. Amazing service and a wonderful quiet dining room. We highly recommend it next time you’re in Merced.
AG
AjayG
San Francisco
8 reviews
vip
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on February 18, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great night out
OT
OpenTable Diner
Las Vegas
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on February 18, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
It was fun.
SP
SamP
San Francisco
9 reviews
5.0
9 reviews
Dined on February 15, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
It was a Valentines dinner event. All food and wine pairings were preselected . The food and wine selections were outstanding. Good service.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Central Coast
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on February 12, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Every course was incredible. It wasn’t just a meal, it was an experience. Highly recommend and we will definitely be back.
D
Dee713
Los Angeles
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on February 12, 2023
overall3food3service4ambience4
Presentation is definitely something they have done well here. Unfortunately when I balanced out the presentation with the taste of the dinner, the value fell short. While I understand you are paying for an experience, I would think that the most important piece would be the taste of it all. None of the food stood out to me other than to say that it lacked flavor.
FAQs
Rainbird is rated 4.8 stars by 178 OpenTable diners.
Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.