Max’s is regarded as one of the finest restaurants in the Central Valley. Our rustic California Cuisine and Gallery setting features local artist Tomas Panzarino. Max’s has welcomed Fresno visitors and our local neighbors for over 10 years. We are dedicated to using fresh local produce along with our house made artisan breads to insure a quality and healthy dining experience. The same quality and freshness is found in all the cocktails from our bar. Premium liquors, hand squeezed juices and muddled berries create our exceptional and award winning martini’s. We look forward to your visit!
"The food was perfectly cooked. I had a party of 8 and there wasn't a single complaint about any of our dishes. We all cleaned our plates! The waitress was kind and knowledgable - our glasses never went empty. The decor is beautiful and the lighting was just right. I would definitely recommend Max's to anyone I know and I plan to come again (this was my first visit)."
Dined on 5/15/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for lunch, special occasion
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"The food and service were excellent. We were there got Mothers Day brunch. I wish they would have brunch every Sunday. It didn't seem crazy and chaotic even though they were completely booked for Mothers Day. Everything was so organized and one of the best brunches I've been to. I will definitely be back for lunch or dinner."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion
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"Enjoyed a small birthday celebration on this visit to Max's. Our waiter was attentive, our food was outstanding and I loved the '"Pretty Woman" martini! This restaurant does not disappoint. If you like eggplant try their special fries!"
Dined on 04/26/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion
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Review 6 for Max's Bistro & Bar
Overall rating
(Very Good)4/5
We returned to Max's after
OpenTable Diner Since
Dined on 04/14/2013
2002
Dined on 04/14/2013
2002
Food
(Very Good)4/5
Service
(Outstanding)5/5
Ambiance
(Very Good)4/5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We returned to Max's after having a great time there the previous week.Three out of the four of us had the halibut that was cooked perfectly.A small issue......the food presentaton is lacking ,but I 'm really glad to get
We returned to Max's after having a nice experience there the previous weekend.Of our party of four,three had the halibut which was excellent.It was also nice to see an unoaked Chardonnay on the wine list....we had two bottles.The server,Jordan, was marvelous.My only negative is that the presentation of the halibut was lacking completely.With the great ambience and art on the walls,a little artistry on the plate would be welcome.We'll be back."
Dined on 04/14/2013
2002
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 7 for Max's Bistro & Bar
Overall rating
(Very Good)4/5
We had dinner on Sunday night
OpenTable Diner Since
Dined on 04/07/2013
2002
Dined on 04/07/2013
2002
Food
(Very Good)4/5
Service
(Very Good)4/5
Ambiance
(Very Good)4/5
Noise Level
Energetic
"We had dinner on Sunday night accompanied by a house guest from Pacific Palisades.I went throught the usual stress of deciding where to eat out in Fresno with someone who has a wealth of superb restaurants in her area.Although reviews of Max's are inconsistent,I decided on going there.It has a nice ambience,is not a chain and we've been loyal diners over the years throughout the ups and downs.We had a very good experience.....thoughtful service,good steak and porkchop.The bar was full and the room lively.Our friend was impressed.We'll be back soon."
Dined on 04/07/2013
2002
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"I always drop in for lunch when I'm visiting my folks from the Bay Area. Great food, exceptional service and I love the ambiance. Santa Cruz could use a gem like this and I'll keep coming back for more!"
Dined on 04/06/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch
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"Our first dining experience on a Monday evening was a delight at every level. The dining room tables were mostly unseated at 7:30pm, those seated we observed appeared to be casual and business guests. Mondays tend to be stay home. I'm just know making a Thursday night reservation for next week, I anticipate that visit may change the scene. Do go there!"
Dined on 03/25/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion
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"First time dining in your restaurant and was very happy with the whole experience. The wine selection was great and the food was superb. Our server was also very curtious and there anytime we needed her. Overall a great experience and we wil definitly be returning."
Dined on 03/22/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, special occasion
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"We have eaten at Max's many times, but this time was very bad. The service was terrible. Our waitress was MIA...needed to ask for everything. Took too long to get a cocktail and the food was marginal. Very dissapointed!!"
Dined on 03/23/2013
2005
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"We had a delightful evening, just the correct amount of service, never felt ignored, but they didn't push. Always quick to fill water, but unobtrusive. Food was excellent."
Dined on 03/16/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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"Great meal, good experience! Only suggestion is that the wait staff be given the opportunity to become more knowledgeable about the wines available on the wine list."
Dined on 03/15/2013
2010
Special Features: notable wine list
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"We normally love this restaurant, but last Friday was not up to par. It started with the hostess telling us they were setting up our table and it would be a few minutes. Actually they were waiting for diners to leave. Then they told us they were moving us to another table and setting up that table. After 10 minutes I checked the table, which was back in a corner, and found diners still sitting at it. Why not just say the table was not abailable?
The food was OK, but the special "Sea Bass" was too salty. The usually prompt service was slow. We were there over two hours having a moal dinner without cocktails.
My guess is that Max's cannot handle a full house well. We normally go mid-week."
Dined on 03/08/2013
2002
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"Absolutely love it! We went specifically for appetizers and drinks and were not let down. We knew we wanted the sweet potato fries, but were pleasantly surprised by the other options! The coconut prawns were excellent and the amuse-bouche was amazing (we wanted to order some). As always, the decor and ambiance were amazing, as was the service!"
Dined on 03/02/2013
2010
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion, hot spot
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"Ezzy was an amazing server. Very attentive, kind and positive. My 88 year old Dad enjoyed her friendly personality and couldn't wait for her to return to the table to continue conversations with her. She was very sweet to my folks and again a GREAT server! We need more server's like Ezzy in this world. It certainly makes dining out a great experience!!!"
Dined on 03/02/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, great for lunch
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"As always, Max's was a joy to visit. Our meals were delicious. We went on a Monday and only a few other tables were seated for dinner, so it was a nice quiet celebration of our anniversary. Our waiter was also the bartender and a little distracted - he brought the wrong dessert and forgot to bring a dessert wine. He did apologize (seemed kind of out of it) and brought us the correct dessert - so we enjoyed both! We decided not to remind him about the wine and just went without. I would imagine on more crowded nights staff is not stretched so thin."
Dined on 02/18/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"Wonderful experience, will do again, and again, and again!!!"
Dined on 01/31/2013
2012
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion, great for lunch, hot spot
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"We enjoyed celebrating my mom's 76 birthday in your restaurant. The Sweet Potato fries were incredible...I think I could have made that my whole meal. My petite filet was cooked perfectly. The special Ravioli's (squash inside???) were not the favorite both my mom and my daughter did not finish their dinner.... BUT, what was very impressive was the waitress brought out a chocolate LAVA cake to die for and did not charge us because of the Ravioli dinners that were not eaten. Classy, we will be back. Thank you."
Dined on 02/02/2013
2013
Special Features: special occasion
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"Even though I am a long-time resident of Fresno, this was my first visit to Max's - and it did not disappoint. We were seated promptly (thanks to Open Table reservations!) and within 30 mins all of our entrees had been served. The seabass special was excellent (& generous) as well as the filet, and crabcakes. The dessert selections were excellent as well. Wine list is more than adequate and offers many reasonably priced choices. Decor was pleasant and vibrant, service was efficient and cheerful. Very satisfied customers, planning a return trip soon!"
Dined on 01/21/2013
2010
Special Features: neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"Max's is our favorite Fresno restaurant. It would fit right in in San Francisco, and we would consider ourselves lucky to find such a restaurant in London or Paris. The food is contemporary and consistently excellent, with nice variety, and specials that actually are special. The service is attentive and personal without being cloying. The atmosphere is informal, warm and unpretentious -- a little noisy when really busy, but it's the sound of happy diners enjoying themselves. You can have a conversation without worrying about the next table. We look forward to every meal we have at Max's. We know we won't be disappointed."
Dined on 01/19/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"The service was second to none. We ordered 3 petite fillet meals and 1 chicken under brick. The fillets were tender cuts but barely warm and my mother didn't appreciate the nature of the extremely 'flat' chicken. I tried to explain the cooking process to her but she said it was dry and tasteless. She didn't like the finishing sauce either. Again, great service, good ambiance but we prefer steaks hitting the table sizzling."
Dined on 01/18/2013
2013
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"I brought my dad and two friends from Los Angeles. Dad and I have eaten at Max's many times and always walk away quite satisfied. My friends from LA, who are exposed to many fine restaurant, were very pleased with their meals and the presentation. One friend is a retired chef and she heaped praises upon her meal. The restaurant was very comfortable and inviting place to spend an evening. Service was quick and waitress was attentive. The art work on the walls was amazing."
Dined on 01/14/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch
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