The 12 Best Restaurants to Explore in Modesto

By Mei Chen

I’ve roamed Modesto’s food scene long enough to know one thing: this city loves flavor, creativity, and a touch of local pride. Here are the 12 can’t-miss restaurants in Modesto.

1. Galletto Ristorante

This Italian favorite delivers Modesto sophistication with its house-made pastas and wood-fired meats. I once spent a full evening savoring Galletto’s osso buco—no regrets. The airy patio doesn’t hurt either.

2. Dewz Restaurant

Dewz brings upscale dining to Modesto with a wine list that could impress a sommelier. I had their rack of lamb once, and let’s just say, it changed me.

3. Bauhaus

Bauhaus blends upscale vibes with casual charm. It’s part beer and wine lounge, part global tapas paradise, with Chef Tye Bauer orchestrating a lineup of small plates and rotating craft beers. I stopped by on a Sunday for their brunch service, which made for a perfect lazy morning in Modesto.

4. Harvest Moon

Harvest Moon is a downtown staple that blends comfort with flair. Their signature Moon Burger, pictured above, arrives dripping with blue cheese; it’s a masterpiece that’ll make you question every burger you’ve had before.

5. Churchkey

Churchkey delivers a hip yet approachable vibe. Known for its focus on craft beer and cocktails, it doubles as a haven for food lovers with inventive small plates that make you wonder if a chef snuck in from a Michelin-starred kitchen. When I visited, their crispy pork belly and fried chicken sliders were worth every calorie. Add in the friendly staff who genuinely seem excited about their menu, and you’ve got a winning formula for a night out.

6. Fuzio Universal Bistro

Global-inspired dishes with a Modesto spin. Fuzio’s fire-grilled pizzas and fried avocado tacos will take you around the world without leaving your barstool.

7. Camp 4 Wine Café

Wine lovers, Camp 4 is your spot. Pair their artisan charcuterie boards with a glass of locally sourced red, and you’ve got a perfect Modesto evening.

8. Modesto Sukiyaki

Modesto Sukiyaki is a retro Japanese restaurant that’s been serving up teriyaki and tempura since the ‘60s. It’s the kind of place your parents would’ve taken you—if they had good taste.

9. Mocha Magic Café & Bakeshop

For breakfast or a sugar fix, this nostalgic bakeshop offers everything from cinnamon rolls to frittatas. Mocha Magic’s almond scones are a local legend.

10. The Fruit Yard

Part restaurant, part experience. The Fruit Yard’s tri-tip sandwich is practically a rite of passage, and the Sunday brunch is where locals linger. Trust me, the biscuits here are the fluffiest you’ll ever encounter.

11. Oakdale Cheese & Specialties

Technically just outside Modesto, Oakdale is where you go for the best gouda and grilled cheese sandwiches around. Add a cup of their tomato soup for dunking nirvana.

12. Roberts Ferry Gourmet

Drive out to Waterford for almond butter milkshakes so thick they’re practically meals. Plus, the Roberts Ferry patio overlooks orchards—a scenic end to a food-filled day.