Destino's

4.2 (261 reviews)

ModeratePizza, Italian, Desserts

Closed • Closed

Updated a few days ago

Add Review

Call

Directions

Order Destino's Takeout or Delivery

Order Takeout or Delivery

Destino's Photos

Destino's - Venitian pizza - Pizza Near Me - Merced, California

Destino's - Fried Calamari - Pizza Near Me - Merced, California

Destino's - Gnocchi with lobster sauce & french fries with catsup. - Pizza Near Me - Merced, California

+233

Destino's - Coconut shrimp - Pizza Near Me - Merced, California

Destino's Popular Dishes

5 Photos13 Reviews

3 Photos7 Reviews

6 Photos7 Reviews

Destino's menu photos

See all

DESTINO'S ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?

Inside

13 Photos

Outside

5 Photos

Moderate noise

Trendy

Casual

Dogs allowed

You might also consider

Recommended Reviews - Destino's

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.

Start your review...

Browse more easily on the app

Reviews With Photos

Ray M.

Destino's is always a very solid choice. One of the better Italian casual restaurants in the entire Central Valley. Service is always welcoming and friendly. Food is consistent..the rigatoni was simple but good. Could have used fresh ground pepper but still really good. Only taking away a star because I saw the menu on Yelp and wanted the Italian sausage pasta, but they rotate menus on the weekend do was a bit disappointed. Still a really good visit

Nasser S.

I love love pizza and been wanting to try this place for awile. It's located square in the middle of quaint downtown Merced. It was my first time there and it's a small yet spacious little spot with upstairs area to boot. I was greeted on arrival and the service was friendly and helpful. I had the coconut shrimp which is always on my radar to try and they didn't disappoint. I tried the Torino white sauce pizza with chicken minus the bacon (i don't eat pork) and added bbq sauce and pineapple because I read it on one of the yelp reviews and it sounded good, it was. I was very pleased. It's definitely worth the short trip from Modesto to try it out. Pro tip: there is parking behind the building which will be much easier to find parking.

Philip J.

The pizzas were delicious here. Fried Calamari was good, coconut shrimp was a great starter, fried ravioli was good Service was good and attentive Nice venue in downtown Merced.

Joe B.

Always a safe bet. Great for small or large groups. We had family in town the other day and we all popped into Destino's for pizza and drinks. Perfect! Easy, fun, affordable. They put together a bunch of tables upstairs and it was an instant party. Pizzas were delicious! For an appetizer you gotta get the garlic cheesy pizza bread and the bruschetta. Other favorites are the Destino's Special sandwich, the beef ravioli and lasagna. Great food, great service.

Christopher V.

Delicious food with a great atmosphere! There is construction going on around downtown, but don't worry they are still open. The chicken was perfectly crispy, yet still juicy. The sauce on the chicken was full of flavor. It came with pasta, but that one did lack some flavor. The service was great and the food was out within 15 minutes. I would definitely recommend it if you are craving pasta or pizza.

We eat her alot, sit down and takeout, most of the time the food is good but i feel like if youre specifically ordering to go then the quality is poor, only really upset about it because we always order a couple pizzas, totals about 57 dollars, and this time one of them was just burnt to a crisp underside was almost all black and the crust was breaking apart like a hard cracker, again though its not always like this.

Esmi V.

my co-workers and i come here often. the food is amazing, and Javi is always very attentive, and great! definitely recommend if you love Italian food.

Another fantastic feast. My mom ordered meatballs and I will say, they didn't seem quite the same as last time. Other than that, the consistency of this place is truly amazing. We love the fries, the pizza, and the pastas so much that we go all out and get everything each time we're here. Leftovers for days!

Maricel P.

We recently had lunch here and they definitely serve big portions. We saw really great reviews so we decided to come here. As soon as we walked in, you can tell right away that the service was gonna be great. We were greeted with friendly faces and happy servers. Once we were seated I noticed several tables and seating upstairs too. We sat downstairs but the servers were really on point with waiting on all the tables up and down stairs. The place is really cute. It's warm and welcoming. If you're in the area and looking for a nice place for lunch or dinner then you should check this Italian restaurant out. Prices are not too bad and we had plenty of leftovers left. The only thing is the parking. I'm not sure if it gets busy during this time, but we could not find a place to park, so we had to drive around for a bit.

Michael G.

This place is one of my all time favorites in Merced! Definitely a top 10 for me. They serve up some delicious food and it is one of their goals. To serve fresh Italian meals and specialty drinks with a smile. If you are downtown looking for a bite to eat, this is the place to visit. First off, when you walk in the place may seem small, but they have two levels. If there is a server able to host guest on the second level, then you will enjoy eating upstairs. However, if not, do not worry, the place offers good vibes. The servers are top notch and friendly. When it comes to choosing from the menu, it can be tough considering all the delicious options. I had their fresh pepperoni pizza, roast beef sandwich, sidewinder fries, and fresh salad. I even had one of their specialty drinks, the Moscow Mule. Most recently, I enjoyed their Roast Beef Sandwich served with Sidewinder fries and Au Ju juice. The roast beef was packed with flavor as I dipped it into the Au Ju juice, my favorite part. If you have left over juice too, just use some of the fries to dip in. Highly Recommend

Gnocchi with lobster sauce & french fries with catsup.

Excellent Italian & continental food with a full bar. The gnocchi with lobster sauce (no longer on the menu) with "pink sauce" instead. The French fries are giant twisted wedges, perfect with gobs of ketchup! They really complement each other--fries & gnocchi, hahaha!

See all

Jesse G.

Elite 26

196

172

7 years ago

For my first visit there I was very pleased with the outcome. Our server sat us quickly as our friends were already there. I ordered a appetizer of cheese French bread and it was good. I ordered the meatball sandwich and my wife ordered a sandwich also. Her bread was a little burnt for her liking but hers was still okay and mine was very good. I believe our friends really enjoyed there pasta meals but the waitress did accidentally get one of there orders wrong. She did apologize and get it fixed right away though. Will definitely come back again read more

Business owner information

Tessa P.

Jesse, it's great to hear that your whole party enjoyed your meals…

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Shelly S.

3 years ago

Great little restaurant in Downtown in Merced. The coconut shrimp were amazing. The wait staff were extremely friendly and attentive. Will be back again and try more of their menu items soon. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Joseph A.

Elite 18

1523

2156

7 years ago

This restaurant has plenty of seating for both smaller groups and larger parties with a view of Main St visible no matter where you are seated. Their beer selection here is top notch, they stock many standard beers like Coors and Heineken, but also carry local craft brews from Dust Bowl (Turlock), and if you dine between 3-6pm Monday-Friday, you can catch happy hour. All of their food is pretty tasty, but as a fan of bar food, the happy hour menu is where I usually gravitate towards, prices are cheap and you have the option of choosing between quite a few tasty treats like chicken tenders, cheese bites, and coconut shrimp. read more

Destino's - Street View Seating - Pizza Near Me - Merced, California

Destino's - Full Bar Set Up - Pizza Near Me - Merced, California

Destino's - Coconut Shrimp ($7)(Happy Hour) - Pizza Near Me - Merced, California

Destino's - Caesar Salad - Pizza Near Me - Merced, California

See all

Business owner information

Tessa P.

Joseph, thanks for taking the time to leave your comments about our…

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Dana L.

3 years ago

We enjoy the friendly, casual atmosphere , and our food came in a timely manner. Their Blanco Lasagna has a wonderful flavor but this is the second time the pasta was WAY undercooked. I had to use a knife to cut into it and got tired of fighting it and just brought it home. Not real sure I can remedy it though...probably just eat around it.... I'd love to try it again but not sure if I will read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Yanet A.

107

6 years ago

After spending money at this place for years I will not be going back. I spent nearly $50 tonight on 2 salads and an appetizer. After getting home to a different town I realized my salads did not come with the dressings. They were dry. I called and explained I was in a different town and we couldn't eat the salads like this. They promised to call me back which they never did. I called back four hours later and asked if they would refund me or allow me to pick up the salads on a different day. They explained they would only refund me $5 as the dressing did not make the whole meal. Well, I think it does. It's like asking for spaghetti and having to eat it without the sauce . I will not be going back to this business. I don't appreciate their condescending tone and their terrible customer service read more

Business owner information

Tessa P.

We're very sorry that we forgot the salad dressing for your meal,…

Helpful 2

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Marissa M.

4 years ago

The employees are always kind and friendly! Their pizza is amazing. The Milan is the best white sauce pizza I've ever had. You can't beat their fried raviolis either. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

GC L.

6 years ago

THANK YOU Tessa & Drew for staying open to offer delivery & to go orders during this time! The community is here to support you guys too! Keep positive, you're THE BEST!!! See you soon for a pick up order! read more

Destino's - Shrimp Caesar Salad & - Pizza Near Me - Merced, California

Business owner information

Tessa P.

GC, thanks for sharing everything you love about our place! I'm glad…

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

bob w.

498

9 years ago

Great service! Great food! Great atmosphere everything you want in a great restaurant! We try to eat there at least once a week normally twice. Best gluten-free pizza crust I have ever had. read more

Destino's - Pizza Near Me - Merced, California

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Michelle C.

Elite 17

224

279

7 years ago

The owner reached out to fix the double charged. Thank you! My family and I appreciate your help. read more

Destino's - Love this gelato. There were new flavors today, lemon and raspberry. A young man offered one sample to both my kids. - Pizza Near Me - Merced, California

See all

Business owner information

Tessa P.

Thrilled to know you love our food, Michelle! Sorry we were out of…

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Yen B.

249

7 years ago

We were in town so the hotel receptionist recommended this place. We were greeted as soon as we walked in which was nice. Place has an upstairs so it is not so tight. We ordered cheese bites and coconut shrimps for appetizers, cheese bites were just that, cheese bites. Coconut shrimps were not bad, the honey drizzled on top was over kill for me...too sweet. For entree, we ordered white sauce lasagna, which my husband thought was too much cheese. I ordered the lobster ravioli, which was good. Overall, friendly service and food was ok. read more

Destino's - Lobster ravioli - Pizza Near Me - Merced, California

Destino's - White sauce lasagna - Pizza Near Me - Merced, California

Destino's - Mojito - Pizza Near Me - Merced, California

See all

Business owner information

Tessa P.

Yen, we're happy to hear that you had a good experience dining with…

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Marco C.

8 years ago

They let us in at closing. Amanda was great! They were very courteous and fun. I will let you judge the pizza for yourself.

Business owner information

Tessa P.

It's great to know you were impressed by our team, Marco! Thanks for…

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Elizabeth P.

8 years ago

This place is amazing. The Italian sausage sandwich is to die for. The kids pizza is great and the perfect size for my 3 yr old. And to top it off, the service from our server Lexi was top notch. Totally coming back!!! read more

Destino's - Eating dinner with the family - Pizza Near Me - Merced, California

Business owner information

Tessa P.

This review is amazing, Elizabeth -- glad you enjoyed your sandwich…

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Felicia W.

274

7 years ago

It's just okay. It's kind of expensive. I was sad about the calamari. The flavor wasn't there. The house salad was good and the pizza was better than most. read more

Destino's - Kids pizza - Pizza Near Me - Merced, California

Destino's - Meatball sub - Pizza Near Me - Merced, California

Destino's - House salad - Pizza Near Me - Merced, California

See all

Business owner information

Tessa P.

Felicia, thanks for giving us a try. Sounds like you enjoyed the…

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Camille W.

3 years ago

Paid $20 for a medium size plate of pasta. No soup or salad. Terrible acoustics. Won't be back there.

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Terrie G.

4 years ago

Every time we come here we are never disappointed! The service is off the charts as their food and specialty drinks. My favorite by far in Merced! read more

Business owner information

Tessa P.

When it comes to providing our community with delicious food and…

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Robert H.

6 years ago

This place has the worst service ever. They're dishonest and judgemental. They're food was terrible and one of the waitresses was extremely rude. After writing my initial review I was literally text and harassed by the owner and another employee. Shame on you. read more

Business owner information

Tessa P.

This is a false review and has been reported to yelp. You did not…

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Connie T.

4 years ago

Had the Chicken Parmesan. The chicken was heavily fried and the sauce didn't have much flavor. I'll return but try something else from the menu. Good location. Parking was tough even at 5 pm. Good service. read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Rob C.

5 years ago

The whole team at Destinos is the best in the business!! They treat me like family and are super professional and serve some great food. Thank you Tessa and Drew for all you do for your customers and the community!!! read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Brian D.

6 years ago

Went there with my girlfriend for dinner and we both had chicken Caesar salad's and they were fantastic. Not the best I've ever had but up there with the better places , we also ordered a pizza. The pizza was pretty good, the crust had a veryWell cooked texture throughout and it was not greasy at all. The toppings were high quality and we sat outside and it was a great dinner place for a date. read more

Business owner information

Tessa P.

There's truly no better combination than pizza and salad in our…

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Monica G.

7 years ago

I've gone to Destino's so many times and usually I'll get pizza because it's so amazing but today I switched it up and got a turkey sandwich. The fries were AMAZING and I only wish I had gotten more but they were really that good. The turkey sandwich was so delicious, they give you a great amount of turkey. The spinach was a nice touch inside as well. Our waitress was very nice, I didn't catch her name but she was awesome. Overall, I'll be back again if not for the sandwich than the pizza! read more

Destino's - Cold turkey sandwich with fries - Pizza Near Me - Merced, California

Business owner information

Tessa P.

Glad you tried something new this time, Monica! The fries are…

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

C S.

5 years ago

The staff was excellent. Food came out quickly. Clean & great layout. It was quiet during 1pm. The Chicken Pesto Panini was the best I ever had! A++ read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Sueno C.

5 years ago

Some of the best food in Merced! Whether it's lunch or dinner; destinos is the way too go. The staff is always on it , not to mention the owners are always there engaging the people. Very personable and family home town vibe. If you stop in for lunch, GET THE HOT TURKEY SANDWICH with garlic fries OR any of their pizzas. YOU WONT BE SORRY read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Dennis B.

9 years ago

A Jewel of a restaurant in Merced and the new owners Drew & Tessa are fabulous! A must try on your list of Restaurants in Merced, the food is Awesome and the service and staff is outstanding! Everything on the menu is delicious! And save room for deserts that melt in your mouth! It is for sure one of our new favorite restaurants! We will be regulars for sure! Dennis Brazil, Gustine Ca read more

Helpful 2

Thanks 0

Love this 1

Oh no 0

Cortney G.

196

9 years ago

Food and service are amazing! Staff, management, and ambience is phenomenal...I love this place and highly recommend it to everyone!! read more

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Gaby C.

4 years ago

Pasta and bread was great but watch out if you're sitting downstairs and being waited on by the with the chick that wears huge false eyelashes!!! Too busy talking at the bar area and in return you don't get good service! Sit upstairs if you have to!! Chances are you'll get better service!! read more

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Nicole S.

8 years ago

Greeted as soon as we walked in. Clean building. Friendly staff. Our waiter was chill & also fast at taking our order my husband travels to work in this area sometimes and he often comes here to Destino's for the pasta. Thanks for feeding hubby when I can't travel along with him lol read more

Business owner information

Tessa P.

Happy to hear you enjoyed coming in, Nicole! We're always happy to…

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Big O.

5 years ago

Destino's was amazing through and through. Wifey and I stopped by for lunch earlier today and were pleasantly surprised. We were greeted by Tessa who we later realized was the owner through friendly conversation. You couldn't tell she was the owner at first glance cause she was working just as hard as the other employees (sweeping, cleaning, delivering food to curbside pickup, etc) she was jamming the whole time. Customer service was amazing from everyone here. They have a full bar, indoor/outdoor seating and the restaurant was in full covid compliance. There's an upstairs area that looks cool to go and sit up there maybe in future it's closed for now. We ordered the beer battered cheese bites, beef ravioli, and also the roast beef sang wich hot with au dip. All items were good flavor wise. Sauce was fire in ravioli. Let's get back to this roast beef sang wich though.. some guy posted a google review if I'm not mistaken talking about how it sucked blah blah blah after he told Tessa in person it was good. Not sure what that guy was talking about cause we both fully enjoyed it. I would order it again. Some people thrive off negativity I guess but it's crappy for someone to put down a mom and pop shop when it ain't true. That's why I did this review. I had to dispute that guy and give credit where credit is due. Thanks again Tessa I will always speak highly of you guys to others and you will see us come back soon. read more

See all

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Brenda M.

229

9 years ago

My girls & I had lunch at Destino's & the service & food was amazing. We were recommended to try the new pizzas & it didn't disappoint! read more

Destino's - Wine & Garlic Fries - Pizza Near Me - Merced, California

Business owner information

Tessa P.

We're happy you had a great time, Brenda -- thanks for stopping in…

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Nikki S.

8 years ago

So glad we came here for lunch! My 3yr old won a bike in he raffle ..lol and to think we stopped in because she wanted spaghetti, even though she didn't eat it..lol but she definitely ate it all for dinner and loves it! We also loved our chicken broccoli rigatoni and pastrami sandwich! Love the crew! read more

Business owner information

Tessa P.

We're happy you came by for lunch too, Nikki -- thanks for the…

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Gina G.

6 years ago

Just ordered our dinner curb side! Destino's has amazing shrimp and pizza! Service was amazing and fast too!Our family is full and happy! Thank you so much drew and Tessa for taking care of our family during these uncertain times. If you haven't given them a try your missing out! call them and place your order you won't be sorry you did. Prices are awesome too! read more

Business owner information

Tessa P.

Gina, it can be hard to keep the whole family full and happy, but I'm…

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Anthony V.

118

202

393

6 years ago

Friendly servers and owner came to check on us. We had theater tickets so they accommodated us rather quickly for being so busy. Tasty food. Friendly staff. Pizza was huge, as were the portions of all other entree's. Side salads were huge! Will come back again. read more

Business owner information

Tessa P.

T, glad we were able to accommodate and make sure you didn't miss out…

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Becky M.

7 years ago

Yum! They don't have too many options for vegans, but I was starving and they were one of the few places still open. Spaghetti and red sauce. It was surprisingly good! Bread was great too and friendly service. read more

Business owner information

Tessa P.

Bee, glad we were able to whip you up something that fit your dietary…

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 2

Oh no 0

Josh P.

8 years ago

This is now our fav. Spot to get away! The atmosphere is great you feel like your not really in Merced! I had the Papa Pinok and she had the shrimp scampi Linguine, the pizza is fired in a real brick oven crispy and full of flavor!! We're excited to return. Wait staff is fast and friendly, would highly recommended... read more

Business owner information

Tessa P.

You're the best, Josh -- thank you!…

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Dottie T.

6 years ago

Love it went here on my birthday prompt service and delicious food ! It was 8 of us and food came out perfect!

Business owner information

Tessa P.

Dottie, everyone deserves to have a special birthday -- it's…

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Raymond B. L.

4 years ago

Excellent service, delicious food, substantial portions, friendly staff, large menu to choose from.

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

T W.

7 years ago

This is an incredible restaurant! We are in Merced for our son's wedding and stopped in Destino's for a pizza. However, we stayed in and ordered full dinners, which were delicious. I got the shrimp linguine with the white sauce- A MUST have! My husband got the chicken parmesan and loved it! We also got the wedge salad, which is enough for two people! I'm glad we shared it. Aside from the fabulous food, the service was outstanding!!! Stephanie was our server, and she delivered outstanding service. She is knowledgeable, friendly, and committed to delivering top notch service! We noticed her interactions with every table and bar customer she had and she never lost a step. If all of the servers are in Stephanie's model, then they are in position for lifelong success with happy repeat customers!!! read more

Business owner information

Tessa P.

T, we pride ourselves on delivering top notch service and delicious…

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Mark S.

201

6 years ago

The pizza wasn't the only thing hot and thick Definitely recommend. Bartender was cool too.

Business owner information

Tessa P.

Thanks for stopping by, Mark! Come back and see us for another pizza.…

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Annette M.

6 years ago

Don't live in Merced , just meeting friends for lunch and needed a dog friendly place. The food was awesome wait staff was great prices were really reasonable. Would come back anytime read more

Business owner information

Tessa P.

Thanks for choosing our place for your lunch destination, Annette! We…

Helpful 1

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Wynn S.

7 years ago

Tasty food, good staff, good location in heart of downtown. If you dine on a Friday, the clam chowder is delicious!

Business owner information

Tessa P.

Wynn, so happy you've found so many things to love about dining here.…

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Angela T.

8 years ago

Expensive and a small menu. We went at lunch and it was dinner prices. The best soup, the Italian sausage and zucchini, was very tasty! And most affordable. read more

Business owner information

Tessa P.

Sorry if you weren't happy with the prices on your last visit,…

Helpful 0

Thanks 0

Love this 0

Oh no 0

Page 4 of 7

460 W Main St
Merced, CA 95340
Directions
(209) 580-4418
Call Now

Hours

What time does Destino's open?

Destino's opens at 11:00 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.Destino's opens at 11:30 AM on Saturday.

What time does Destino's close?

Destino's closes at 7:30 PM on Monday and Tuesday.Destino's closes at 8:00 PM on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday.Destino's closes at 9:00 PM on Friday.Destino's is closed on Sunday.

Mon-Tue 11:00 AM - 7:30 PMWed-Thu 11:00 AM - 8:00 PMFri 11:00 AM - 9:00 PMSat 11:30 AM - 8:00 PMSun Closed

Payment methods

Does Destino's take credit cards?

Yes, Destino's takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does Destino's have catering options?

Yes, Destino's does have catering options.

Does Destino's have a drive thru?

No, Destino's does not have a drive thru.

Does Destino's have a happy hour?

Yes, Destino's has a happy hour.

Does Destino's serve alcohol?

Yes, Destino's serves alcohol. Full Bar

Indoor Amenities

Does Destino's allow dogs?

Yes, Destino's allows dogs.

Does Destino's have TVs?

Yes, Destino's has TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Destino's have bike parking?

Yes, Destino's has bike parking.

Does Destino's have outdoor seating?

Yes, Destino's has outdoor seating options.

Does Destino's have parking?

Yes, Destino's has parking options. Street Parking

Other Amenities

Is Destino's wheelchair accessible?

Yes, Destino's is wheelchair accessible.

Does Destino's have free WiFi?

No, Destino's does not have free WiFi.

From the Business

Specialties

In Italy, food is so much more than just a meal -- it's a celebration of culture, of family, and of life itself. Dishes enjoyed for generations in villages throughout Italy inspire our menu, giving Destino's its authentic Italian taste. In true Italian fashion, love and passion go into every step of our cooking process. We start with hand-tossed dough, homemade pasta, seafood -- you get the idea -- then we add our homemade sauces, which are prepared fresh daily. We finish off each dish with a dash or two (or three) of fresh cheeses, toppings, and garnish. Last but certainly not least, we serve it to you with a smile. It's our way of celebrating life with the community we love. Whether you're joining us for a quick lunch, a dinner with the family, or a round of specialty drinks with friends after work, we'll always be excited to see you!

History

Established in 2017.

This restaurant rebranded and opened as Destino's in 2017, serving delicious homemade Italian dishes and specialty drinks in the warm, welcoming space guests know and love. We're looking forward to many more years ahead.

Meet the Business Owner: Drew.Tess W.

Drew and Tessa have recently purchased the business and are making it their own, while still keeping the great food and warm atmosphere. Between the two of them, they have 30 years of restaurant and customer service experience. Drew and Tessa are striving to create a warm and welcoming environment for family and friends, a place to celebrate with good homemade food and specialty drinks.

More Info

Special Hours

Destino's Reviews in Other Languages

French
1 Review

Ask the Community - Destino's

Is this place still in business? No one answers the phone....

Yes!

View 1 more answer

Do they have a nice salad bar?

They don't have a salad bar, but they do have salads.

View 1 more answer

View All 4 Questions

You might also consider

Little Oven Pizza

4.6(561 reviews)

0.0 mi

•$

Tucked away in Merced, this little pizza shack delivers legit New York-style pizza by the slice…read morewithout trying too hard to be "authentic" every five seconds. The slices are large, around $4.50 each, and worth it. I tried the pepperoni and the Tucci special -- roasted tomatoes, pesto, and ricotta -- and that one absolutely stole the show. Simple combo, big flavor. The inside is definitely on the smaller side, so don't expect a big dine-in experience, but the staff was friendly and the food came out fast. Great spot when you want a solid slice without the usual mall-food-court disappointment pretending to be pizza.

Cute, quaint little town in Cali. We stopped on our trip from Yosemite to Santa Cruz to grab a bite…read moreto eat. Best pizza I've ever had! It was the perfect amount of greasy. The crust was thin and crunchy, and also perfection! I worked in a pizza restaurant through high school, have traveled to some of the US states know for their pizza... nothing tops this! I only wish we'd ordered a pie and not just slices, so we could've eaten again on our trip! My daughters still talk about this pizza 6 months later!

Photos

Manco slice - Mushrooms, bacon, and mozzarella

See all

Lover’s Deli

4.6(105 reviews)

0.1 mi

•$$

10/10!!! I had…read morelooked up places to eat in Merced and it had popped up with some good reviews for sandwiches. We had passed it and turned back around to get a slice of pizza. So glad we did. Loved the vibe. Cool retro displays. We ordered the bambino. WOW. It was so good. Good big squared slice. The vodka sauce w/ the mozzarella yum. Whenever I'm in Merced again, I'm getting another slice of pizza.

My wife and I have been coming here for a while now and man.... this place is amazing! Their pizza…read morenever fails. Besides their killer pizza, my other favorite is their house bread aka focaccia bread for their sandwiches. They make it in house and man.... that just makes whichever sandwich you choose even better! Good vibes & great food what's not to love from this place.

Photos

Alrighty Then

See all

Gateway Pizza-N-Subs

4.2(70 reviews)

1.0 mi

•$

I've gotten a sub sandwich here several times. Always delicious. Prices are the usual, bit on the…read morelower side, so didn't absolutely break me. Have also gotten pizza. Delicious. Very friendly, clean establishment. Love going here.

Pizza, there's so many different styles, flavor profiles, and honestly if done right it's the…read moreperfect all around food. Gateway is in a horrible spot, but their pizza is good with fresh ingredients and a decent value for the amount you receive. The service, always take out is lackluster and weird, but for a good pizza I will suffer.

Photos

Exterior

Yes this is real... They should probably be reported to PETA.....

See all

Full price. Manager said he was unaware...lol....DO NOT ORDER FROM HERE!!

Calzone Life

4.4(13 reviews)

1.0 mi

The place is actually called Pizza Guys. Same address as the one listed as Calzone Life in Yelp…read more Staff was friendly and helpful. I ordered a mushroom sausage calzone and enjoyed it. Crust was cooked just right. Ambiance wise, it definitely a basic pizza place. Few tables. Looks like they primarily cater to take out. Which is ok since the calzone was really good. I'll add this to my places in Merced to get pizza in the future. The place is actually called Pizza Guys. Same address as the one listed as Calzone Life in Yelp. Staff was friendly and helpful. I ordered a mushroom sausage calzone and enjoyed it. Crust was cooked just right. Ambiance wise, it definitely a basic pizza place. Few tables. Looks like they primarily cater to take out. Which is ok since the calzone was really good. I'll add this to my places in Merced to get pizza in the future.

I called in an order with a 11:45 am delivery time. When I still hadn't gotten it at 3 pm I called…read morethe restaurant. I spent 20 minutes on the phone trying to to talk to a person. Couldn't do it. Called GrubHub and without an explanation why was told it would be delivered at 5 pm. Never received a calzone, call or text. The order did get paid though. Today I can't speak with a person from Calzone Life or GrubHub or the IRS.

Photos

Calzone: Golden Gate 2

Calzone: Santa Monica 3

See all

Calzone: Napa 4

The Mainzer

4.0(382 reviews)

0.2 mi

•$$

Came across The Mainzer while staying next door for the night and of course I was curious thinking…read morethis was a German place based on the name. Apparently the owners might been from Mainz but that's about it. The ambience and food were great and so was their beer! Cheers

Came on a Saturday for a bunch event including house music. The overall vibes were chill and the…read moredjs were doing a great job. The service was also excellent, it was pretty full and the server still kept checking in on us. The burger was nothing special, but it was really solid. Adding the fried eggs helped take it over the top though.

Photos

Sold Out Concert! Photo Credit: Indigo Rain

Tomato Brunch Cast Iron

See all

Smoked Turkey Club

Pizza Factory

Had an amazing experience today! Jade was so helpful and kind as well as the other two employees…read morethat were working at the time the food and appetizers were amwzing and came out right on time overall was a good experience ! we enjoyed our time their and will continue to come back to this location!

Well went in at 12:15pm to have the lunch buffet. Was very disappointed they had 2 pizza's that…read morewere out half gone and cold. Luckily the salad bar was filled so I could have salad and 1pizza of cold pizza. It took them over 30mins. to put anymore out. The counter girl was very nice. There were over 12 people in the restaurant who were just waiting for hot pizza. Won't be returning back. Never had this problem at any of the pother locations I go to!!

Photos

See all

Table 59

4.2(197 reviews)

2.0 mi

•$$

Family-owned & operated

Catering service

My party of six friends ate at Table 59 the other night. We were all very pleased with our orders,…read morethe atmosphere, and the attentiveness of the server. Our food was delivered accurately, as were the drinks. Everything was delicious! A few of us took a take-home box, since the servings were large enough for an extra meal at home. Overall, an excellent evening. We'll be back.

Amazing hamburger. The bun melts in your mouth. The bacon was crisp not burnt just right. The…read morecheesecake was the bomb. It had a moist texture and creamy taste to the buds. The crust was moist and firm. Very enjoyable to your tastebuds. I reviewing only the hamburger anxious to try out another item.

Photos

Salt, Lime, $5 Margaritas. That's the vibe ‍ Every Wednesday's celebrate in style

#ScampiEnergy

See all

Creamy Cajun sauce Pizza topped with shrimp, onions, bell peppers, and spinach drizzled in Cajun sauce.

Pizza Guys

3.5(76 reviews)

1.0 mi

•$$

Went to a location in Merced, CA with our work group. All I can say was that everyone agreed... IT…read moreWAS DELICIOUS. The crust was crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, good texture. The sauce, perfect. I had the white sauce and it had the right flavor of garlic for me. Some had the Buffalo sauce which had a good kick and flavor. The red sauce was perfectly balanced. I definitely enjoyed the look of the pizza when it was done: clean , level and topped evenly. Service was good and the staff was patient and took their time to get our orders ready; as we picked them up there was good friendly communication and the staff didn't feel rushed at all ( We ordered online ahead of time) One of our group members enjoyed the salad, fresh veggies, crispy hot chicken 10/10! Altogether we would love to go back again and try other styles. I recommend it when it comes to going to a regional chain pizza place.

Love their pizzas and calzones Quick and easy service with…read moregood delivery and friendly people Definitely recommend this place

Photos

See all

Save $4 on any Large Pizza at regular menu price. CODE: SAVE4

Bella Luna

4.0(642 reviews)

0.1 mi

•$$

Wow! Where do I start? I contacted Bella Luna for a group reservation for my the parents of my…read moreson's water polo team. We were all visiting from out of town and there was a group of 38 of us. I called and left a message and Giancarlo called me back right away. Giancarlo is an amazing owner/manager and helped set up our amazing experience. We were able to sit in the back room on 3 separate tables. Our original group grew from 30 to 38 and they were still able to accommodate us. The restaurant is absolutely beautiful - exquisitely decorated with an Italian grocery store next door. I love this! You can dine and shop in their amazing little store! Our dinner was absolutely delicious - I ordered the margherita pizza and my husband ordered the gorgonzola and fig pizza. Of course I didn't get any pictures because I ate it too quickly and was having too much fun! Our servers provided us with the best customer service and took such great care of us. They were so patient with our large group and truly treated us like family. I want to thank Giancarlo and his wonderful staff for the excellent service and food and helping our team's parents enjoy a wonderful time together. It was so memorable and we will always be grateful for this phenomenal experience! I highly recommend Bella Luna if you are in town and want some delicious Italian food and feel like a VIP. The servers and their amazing customer service are one of the biggest reasons I would come back again and again!

We had lunch here today, as part of a Tauck tour. Today is Sunday and Mother's Day, when the…read morerestaurant should be closed, but they had staff come in especially for us. They were so pleasant, even though they worked on their day off. We had a soup, salad and sandwich buffet that was delicious. The include some great cookies. I loved the pastrami sandwich and red velvet cookie! The restaurant is an adorable, quaint place with a new Italian food market. Definitely recommend!

Photos

Best Seat in the House

See all

Book for Private Events. Contact : banquets@bellalunamerced.com. Tuscan Room. Seats 80.

Mountain Mike's Pizza

3.3(98 reviews)

1.7 mi

•$$

After a seven day hike in the Yosemite Wilderness, I decided to indulge with a heavily laden pizza…read more The person I ordered from on the phone tried to sell me a combo, which was one or two toppings more than I wanted. I ended up forgetting to take one of them out, but that's on me. Fast service and delicious pizza are all that mattered. This is a big improvement over the last time I used this establishment five years ago. I look forward to coming back!

Pros: Clean tables…read moreClean restrooms Good customer service Refillable soft drinks Cons: Tiny wings Pepperroni pizza was dry and cool/warm (not hot) Overpriced First time here and was not impressed. The person taking my order was pleasant. The restaurant was pretty clean. The restrooms were clean as well. I appreciate that they have a refillable soft drink station. But at the end of the day I came here to eat and not to drink soda and admire their cleanliness. I wanted pizza. I ordered a medium pepperoni pizza, two soft drinks and an order of Buffalo wings (6pc) Total came up to almost $40!!!! The wings were tiny...and soggy. The pizza was not hot. It was dry. So dry that my husband had to ask for extra pizza sauce on the side.... Which by the way came in a pre served cup out of their drink fridge. So that tells me that they know their pizza is dry and that people are going to ask for extra sauce.... But why out of the fridge? Why not serve it warm? Anyway, that also didn't help so we dipped it in ranch... That still didn't help. Overall, this was a very unpleasant experience. You should reconsider your prices and the quality of your food. P.S. after eating here, I checked out the reviews. Apparently I should be expecting diarrhea soon. Can't wait.

Photos

See all

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

Hundreds of millions of reviews are posted on Yelp, and our automated recommendation software works in the background to showcase the reviews that it …

18 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Naomi G.

2 years ago

Had such a great afternoon out with friends the other day! Food was really good! So much meat on the JLaw pizza! Very lively and comfortable to be. Definitely will recommend! The waitress was so amazingly sweet and very attentive. The owner Tessa even came over and helped bring our food out, very supportive to her staff and a definite forward thinker that one. The bussers in the back were also VERY kind and super nice when I got lost trying to find the restrooms. Looking forward to my next visit! read more

Shelley S.

6 years ago

Drove up from Bakersfield today to take a Merced customer to lunch. They suggested Destino's. Tessa greeted us and spent a minute talking to us after we were seated. Great conversation and the food was excellent and reasonably price. Service was attentive the 2.5 hours we were there enjoying the company and outside dining. I'm looking forward to going back next I am in town. Shelley read more

Cheryl L.

8 years ago

Great food and great service! Prompt seating and service. Our waitress Nikki provided excellent and friendly service, with a smile. She was deserving of the tip given and represented the restaurant well. Note: The term TIPS is an acronym for the phrase, "To Insure Proper Service". My table of two definitely received proper service. Thanks! read more

Donna B.

9 years ago

I am so Happy that Destino's kepted same menu after they purchased pinnochios... My Mom and I always get there white sauced Lasagna, it our go to place when she comes to visit,the portion is very big too,and oh so yummmy ! The service was great ...Im glad when my Mom comes to town there's a nice place to take her to. read more

Jeanie L.

8 years ago

Destino's always has amazing food and service! One of our favorite restaurants in Merced. Lexi was our server this time and she was amazing. So sweet and attentive! We will definitely be back soon. :) read more

Sara C.