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Foreign Cinema

4.8
4.8
7574 Reviews
$31 to $50
Californian
Top Tags:
Foreign Cinema is a one of a kind, nationally acclaimed restaurant combining independent films with California-Mediterranean cooking. Enjoy an airy yet chic setting, complete with indoor dining room with a fireplace, outdoor courtyard, mezzanine, gallery curated by Modernism & full bar in the main dining room. There is also a great cocktail bar next door, Laszlo, as you enter from Mission Street.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 183 times today
Private dining

Private dining

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Additional information

  • Dining style

    Casual Elegant

  • Cuisines

    Californian, Mediterranean

  • Hours of operation

    Brunch Sat 11:00 am–2:00 pm Sun 11:00 am–3:00 pm Dinner Mon 5:00 pm–9:30 pm Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm

  • Phone number

    (415) 648-7600 ext. 0

  • Website

    http://www.foreigncinema.com/

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Dress code

    Casual Dress

  • Executive chef

    Gayle Pirie & John Clark

  • Private party facilities

    Venture into the distinctive experience of dining at Foreign Cinema. The dramatic candle lit entry welcomes you to a repast that you won’t soon forget. Foreign Cinema brings together the serendipitous relationship between food and film, dining and entertainment. Have your next event with us!

  • Private party contact

    Janine Jacobson: (866) 945-8174

  • Location

    2534 Mission St. San Francisco, CA 94110

  • Neighborhood

    Mission District

  • Cross street

    21st St.

  • Parking details

    We recommend parking at the Bartlett Garage located on 21st St between Valencia and Mission.

  • Public transit

    MUNI: 14 Mission bus; BART: 16th & 24th/Mission station

  • Entertainment

    We show a film starting at dusk only in the outdoor patio dining room. This is to provide a lovely ambiance, dialogue is not audible. While we take into consideration all requests for courtyard seating none are guaranteed.

  • Additional

    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Entertainment, Full Bar, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Featured in

What 7,574 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.8Ambience
  • 4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • San Francisco Bay Area

    Californian

  • San Francisco

    Best Ambiance

  • San Francisco

    Californian

  • San Francisco

    Most Booked

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Filters

  1. MC

    MarthaC

    San Francisco

    16 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    16 reviews

    Dined today

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great place, nice experience, the food was excellent, appetizers , main course and great desserts. The attention too
  2. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    As always the food, cocktails, servers, and vibe are perfect!
  3. t

    tacosforlife

    Chicago

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The whole experience was amazing. We were 30 minutes early but the host was so kind and still seated us right away. Our server was attentive and checked in at appropriate intervals. The food portions are amazing so we easily got appetizers, entree and a desert. The food was well seasoned but still let all the ingredients shine so didn’t have to ask for anything (like salt). We were celebrating my husbands birthday and so glad we came here. 10/10 would recommend. We got the oysters, chèvre, saffron risotto, sea bass, cheesecake.
  4. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Fantastic!
  5. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Foreign Cinema remains my favorite restaurant in SF.
  6. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Dashel the host was the best! Polite, kind, accommodating, and attentive to my party’s needs. Food and ambiance was also great! We will definitely be back when we come visit the SF area!
  7. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    8 reviews

    4.0

    8 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall4food4service3ambience5
    Great martinis. Love both the indoor and outdoor seating here, even on a windy night. Food was good as expected. Duck was delicious. We were celebrating so indulged in the $75 caviar. Good but not worth the $$. Service was friendly but not near the level we’re used to here, as we were looking for our server a few times
  8. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Seattle

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall2food2service2ambience4
    Overly salty food Service was too quick trying to move you out vs enjoying
  9. TM

    TyMo

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I took my wife to this restaurant for the first time, we were celebrating our 10 year anniversary from the first day we met. We were amazed by not only the quality of food but the 5 star service. They congratulated us multiple times and had some quality congratulatory gifts for us. We fell in love with this restaurant and it reaches to one of our now favorites in SF. Thank you for a special night! Highly recommended.
  10. BM

    BrianM

    New York Area

    11 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food4service5ambience4
    Very very friendly staff. Interesting menu and very flavorful meals.
  11. N

    415N

    San Francisco

    264 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    264 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Foreign Cinema is the best! Last night we had a lovely dinner outside in the courtyard. The food was delicious -- the vegetable salad and the ceviche for appetizers and the pork chop with tomatoes and green beans for entrees -- were all delicious. For dessert we tried the coconut birthday cake and the warm chocolate chip cookies. Our meal was so good, we went online while we were still there to make a reservation for next week. We can't wait!
  12. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Diego

    4 reviews

    1.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall1food3service5ambience2
    The noise of the place was absolutely overwhelming that the staff couldn’t even hear us to take our order. No music was played, and if there was music we couldn’t hear it due to how loud the place was.
  13. MS

    MelanieS

    Los Angeles

    13 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food/drinks, service, ambiance!
  14. k

    kespinozza

    Dublin

    19 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    19 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Beautiful food, fantastic service. They even gave us a little treat as it was a special occasion. I feel like they make such a huge effort to ensure their guests have a wonderful night, and it shows.
  15. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 29, 2022

    overall2food2service4ambience4
    Food was cold, we had hair in two of our dishes and presentation was sloppy.
  16. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Seattle

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on June 28, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Anniversary
  17. R

    Rico

    Los Angeles

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on June 28, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Compliments to the chef and the staff. Everything our server suggested was perfectly cooked and seasoned. We had Kumamoto Oysters, Brandade Gratinee, Safron Risotto Galletes, and American Heritage Porkchops.
  18. AM

    AmyM

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 28, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Loved this place!!! Amazing food, ambience, and they played the lost boys from the 1980's
  19. JU

    JUCR

    San Francisco

    19 reviews

    4.0

    19 reviews

    Dined on June 28, 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    Had been quite some time since my last visit here. Staff was very pleasant and attentive. Forgot how beautiful it is. We sat outside and were enjoying the warmth from the heat lamp but they decided to open up the canopy and lost that “heat bubble.” Not a big deal. Ordered a variety of dishes and split all of them with friends. Overall a lovely evening of sharing & laughing. Definitely planning another evening there.
  20. m

    mrop

    San Francisco

    19 reviews

    5.0

    19 reviews

    Dined on June 25, 2022

    overall5food5service3ambience5
    Brunch at Foreign Cinema is a family favorite and never disappoints. I'm convinced it is the best brunch in San Francisco. The food was excellent as usual and prepared expertly. The service was a bit choppy this time but nothing major. One entree did not arrive with the others and there was a rather long lag time before it arrived. Oyster forks were placed, another server removed them before the oysters arrived and we had to request more forks. Coffee was served but no cream. It was delivered promptly after we flagged someone down to request. Nothing major, just unusual for this restaurant but, I guess not for the current times we live in. It will not stop us from returning!
  21. JF

    JessicaFrench

    London

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 25, 2022

    overall3food3service3ambience4
    The overall ambience was great. But with the food, we did expect much better for the cost. $21 for 3 cookies that were barely warm and tiny, and $70 dollar steak that wasn’t cooked as well as expected. We were disappointed because of this!
  22. LI

    LoveItalia

    Los Angeles

    64 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    64 reviews

    Dined on June 25, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent food. Best fried chicken anywhere. Excellent service. Anticipated every possible need. Most unique exciting restaurant setting. We’ve never had a less than stellar experience. Can’t wait to return. Thank you!
  23. K

    Kobe

    San Francisco

    38 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    38 reviews

    Dined on June 25, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Such a great menu and wine list and comfortable ambience
  24. SM

    SimpleMan

    Washington DC

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 23, 2022

    overall3food3service3ambience5
    Had been waiting to go to Foreign cinema for a long time. We were able to go on a Wednesday for a date night. The vibe and ambience is outstanding. I was able to see the rave reviews. Maybe Im just not a fan of "fine dining", but I thought the food and portions were just okay for the price point. My cocktail was kind of watery and the appetizers were...interesting. The best thing on the menu was the pork chops which was recommended by the waiter. All in all, I would probably come back for drinks, but not for dinner.
  25. B

    Bluewhim

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 18, 2022

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    Delightful brunch at Foreign Cinema! We ordered the homemade nectarine and strawberry Pop-Tarts, beef tartare, and a light fluffy omelette with some of the best crispy potato wedges ever. . . sitting in the outdoor courtyard made it feel like I was transported to a sunny cafe in Europe. What a wonderful and delicious escape!
  26. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    21 reviews

    5.0

    21 reviews

    Dined on June 16, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great paced service and host check in! Had my birthday here again because food, service and ambiance always worth it!
  27. E

    Eventsgirl

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 16, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    One of the most incredible restaurants in San Francisco. Such an incredible vibe and atmosphere and honestly one of the best places to eat in the World. Yep, the world. Each plate is lovingly crafted, and you can taste it in each bite. Excellent cocktails and wine, and the best service. Book early- months in advance- it’s worth it!
  28. RS

    RichS

    San Francisco

    5 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on June 16, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I hadn't been here in years and it was every bit as good as I remembered. A really lovely night out with friends. Great service! Exceptional dishes.
  29. JB

    JanB

    San Diego

    6 reviews

    4.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on June 14, 2022

    overall4food5service4ambience4
    What a fun, high energy, delicious food experience at Foreign Cinema. It is a hidden gem in that neighborhood. Really yummy food, great service. This is on my list of great finds!
  30. RB

    RBNC

    San Francisco

    10 reviews

    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on June 12, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Always a fun spot for brunch - great food, impeccable service and unique ambience!
  31. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 12, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had a great night here. And especially loved the pork chops.
  32. RM

    RobertM

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on June 11, 2022

    overall4food4service3ambience4
    This is a festive spot that is great for a date night or for a brunch with friends. The food is always innovative as the chefs bring their concept of world cuisine to the menu.
  33. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 11, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    It was great! Great vibe, great food!
  34. JV

    JVagina

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 11, 2022

    overall5food4service4ambience5
    Beautiful! Definitely a good place for birthdays, anniversaries and or any special occasion. Not a good place for any picky eaters as two of my friends only ate bread. However, the rest of our group are foodies and throughly enjoyed our meal.
  35. LN

    LoganN

    San Francisco

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 11, 2022

    overall4food4service3ambience4
    Exciting wine and food options, lovely ambiance.
  36. G

    Gianna

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 11, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Service was impeccable and the food was delicious. Highly recommend sharing appetizers to get a variety of tastes. Oysters and caviar were a great way to start.
  37. RL

    RichardL

    San Francisco

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on June 10, 2022

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    As always, an outstanding night. A rare warm San Francisco night with little wind. Incredible meal with attentive service.
  38. JB

    JessB

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 9, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food was great, our server was delightful, I'll definitely be back.
  39. CL

    ConradL

    San Francisco

    10 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on June 8, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great staff, been a regular spot for us for years.
  40. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    4 reviews

    3.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on June 8, 2022

    overall3food3service4ambience4
    Portions were small and we all left hungry. We had to ask for bread! Would not recommend.

Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings
    • Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers

  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace

FAQs

Foreign Cinema is rated 4.8 stars by 7574 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 183 times today
Google Map for Foreign Cinema

2534 Mission St. San Francisco, CA 94110

Additional information

  • Cross street

    21st St.

  • Neighborhood

    Mission District

  • Hours of operation

    Brunch Sat 11:00 am–2:00 pm Sun 11:00 am–3:00 pm Dinner Mon 5:00 pm–9:30 pm Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm

  • Cuisines

    Californian, Mediterranean

  • Dining style

    Casual Elegant

  • Dress code

    Casual Dress

  • Parking details

    We recommend parking at the Bartlett Garage located on 21st St between Valencia and Mission.

  • Public transit

    MUNI: 14 Mission bus; BART: 16th & 24th/Mission station

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Executive chef

    Gayle Pirie & John Clark

  • Entertainment

    We show a film starting at dusk only in the outdoor patio dining room. This is to provide a lovely ambiance, dialogue is not audible. While we take into consideration all requests for courtyard seating none are guaranteed.

  • Additional

    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Entertainment, Full Bar, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

  • Website

    http://www.foreigncinema.com/

  • Phone number

    (415) 648-7600 ext. 0

  • Private party facilities

    Venture into the distinctive experience of dining at Foreign Cinema. The dramatic candle lit entry welcomes you to a repast that you won’t soon forget. Foreign Cinema brings together the serendipitous relationship between food and film, dining and entertainment. Have your next event with us!

  • Private party contact

    Janine Jacobson: (866) 945-8174

Featured in

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