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Foreign Cinema

4.8
4.8
7521 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
May 2022
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7:00 PM
Booked 111 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

Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 7,521 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
  • 4.9Ambience
  • 4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • San Francisco Bay Area

    Californian

  • San Francisco Bay Area

    Most Booked

  • San Francisco

    Best Ambiance

  • San Francisco

    Californian

  • San Francisco

    Most Booked

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Filters

  1. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined today

    overall4food2service3ambience5

    Great setting; food was under whelming. No taste and very small portions. But I’ll give it another try.

  2. W

    Walla

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined today

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Amazing as usual! Foreign Cinema is one of my favorite restaurants in the Bay Area and it never disappoints.

  3. CK

    CeciliaK

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    An incredible experience. The food, the cocktails, the whole ambiance of the place was heavenly.

  4. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 1 day ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Everything was amazing, from the food to the service to the ambiance.

  5. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 2 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Reliable food and service as always.

  6. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Birthday dinner for my friend. They greeted us with a birthday card for him right when we walked in. The food was amazing the service was great. We saw the movie but it was a bit hard to hear the actual movie. Overall I loved it and definitely will recommend!

  7. R

    Renee

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall4food5service1ambience5

    The ambiance was great and the food was great but our waiter was outright rude and condescending. Short blond hair with an earring - marred our experience at what should have been a restaurant with hospitality in mind. My partner and I were very much looking forward to this night and I wish it had been the date night we were looking for.

  8. LH

    LianneH

    New York Area

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service4ambience5

    Perfect location for our anniversary brunch on Saturday. The service was attentive but not too much - with great recommendations on what to have. Food was delicious and the cocktails outstanding!

  9. BL

    BiancaL

    Miami

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Had a wonderful time here on my birthday. Brunch was delicious and they brought me sorbet with a birthday candle which was a sweet touch. Highly recommend!

  10. BA

    BrokenAmbience

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 20, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    Being from a foreign country, It was not a good idea to sit a couple next to another couple from the same country. It broke the ambience completely driving us out of SF feeling.

  11. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 20, 2022

    overall5food4service5ambience5

    Real nice environment!

  12. D

    Diner65

    San Francisco

    36 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    36 reviews

    Dined on May 20, 2022

    overall4food5service3ambience5

    Excellent food! In general the staff was friendly and helpful. AcknowledgeD my husband’s birthday. Our server, though, was rude and inattentive. Still a good place for a birthday celebration.

  13. MM

    MMahon

    Cincinnati

    15 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on May 20, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Everything was great!

  14. AL

    AlexL

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 20, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Our favorite restaurant in San Francisco. First time out with a new baby and it was still the best.

  15. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 18, 2022

    overall5food5service4ambience5

    Platter of steamed and raw seafood cooked to perfection served with array of sauces was delicious although the lobster a little chewy, as lobster often is. Thoroughly enjoyed the creamy cod appetizer so savory—melt in your mouth. The zaatar chicken was tasty. Butterscotch pot de crème the bomb with hints of Carmel and salt: yum. Love this place. Attentive service and interesting menu. A colorful destination!

  16. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Hawaii

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 17, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience5

    We're international and were here obviously for the unique ambiance and it didn't disappoint. The entrance was very discreet (to us anyway, that being our first visit). I loved the decor and seating was well spread. The hosts were great, server was attentive, didn't care much for the bartender's attitude but overall the experience was good. Food portions were generous: we ordered Brandade grantineé, Plancha!, American Heritage pork chop and finished with Butterscotch and a cheesecake.

  17. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Central Coast

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 17, 2022

    overall5food4service4ambience5

    Anniversary

  18. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 15, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Wonderful lunch!

  19. RG

    RudeGuy

    San Francisco

    9 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on May 14, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience5

    Excellent as always. They need to bring back the balsamic fried egg to the brunch menu. It was my favorite.

  20. G

    Guadalupe

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 14, 2022

    overall4food2service5ambience5

    It was great DONT get me wrong! Amazing and very attentive service. Great atmosphere. Food just wasn’t everything. Cocktails we’re great. I would definitely come back for drinks but not so much for dinner. Steak was a little bland. Main dishes just weren’t eye catching.

  21. DB

    DBPbear

    San Francisco

    22 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    22 reviews

    Dined on May 12, 2022

    overall4food5service5ambience4

    Food and service were outstanding. 6 stars, but the noise level is almost intolerable.

  22. S

    Scott

    San Francisco

    5 reviews

    3.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on May 12, 2022

    overall3food3service3ambience3

    Quality dropping. Sloppy plating of the food. VERY conservative when serving glasses of wine. Fried chicken is soggy. Over-priced and over-hyped.

  23. LH

    LexiH

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 11, 2022

    overall4food3service5ambience5

    The atmosphere and service were amazing. I just don't think the food is worth the price! It was good but not great.

  24. H

    Helenitza

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 11, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Excellent food and service. This is fine dining in a very casual atmosphere.

  25. SD

    StephanieD

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 11, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We were too early for the film - but the pork chop was excellent. A great way to spend a birthday dinner -

  26. N

    Newlywed

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 11, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We came in for our elopement dinner with our parents and young children! There was something for everyone. Not only do they have the cutest 3 course meal option for kids, but they were so understand about ordering for the littles right away and accommodated our scattered dining style and constant need for champagne. Foreign cinema features an elevated dining menu paired with a casual yet sophisticated ambiance, something you honestly wish for from every establishment. It was such an amazing experience for our special night and can’t wait to come back for our first anniversary, or sooner!

  27. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Diego

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 10, 2022

    overall5food5service4ambience5

    Birthday. They gave a cute signed card and added a Happy Birthday sign to my mom’s dessert.

  28. JP

    JenniferP

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 10, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Delicious drinks and food! and a beautiful atmosphere. Perfect for a date night.

  29. JJ

    JoJo

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 8, 2022

    overall4food5service3ambience5

    absolutely incredible food. one of our favorite mother’s days in recent memory. ambiance was great. servers were busy and we would have appreciated more attention. I dropped goat cheese (which was very good) in my water and wasn’t able to flag down a server to get a replacement throughout the entire meal.

  30. RN

    RowenaN

    San Francisco

    23 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    23 reviews

    Dined on May 8, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Service and food made Mother’s Day even more special!

  31. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 8, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Perfect place to celebrate Mother’s Day

  32. a

    anthonys

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 8, 2022

    overall2food2service1ambience3

    We’d been to Foreign Cinema many times in the past and always found it enjoyable. This time it felt like the staff was just in a hurry to close up and go home. The food was underwhelming, average at best.

  33. KT

    KaTu

    Chicago

    6 reviews

    4.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on May 8, 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience5

    Good. The vegetarian main option was very disappointing though. It was so small and thin, I feel like it was max 200 calories. It also didn’t come out until like 10 mins after all the other entrees which were grilled. Everything else was very good.

  34. FS

    FreddieS

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 7, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great Food! Great Service from waiters! Great Warm Welcome to Foreign Cinema Restaurant from the Host on Saturday, May 7, 2022.

  35. LC

    LeticiaC

    San Francisco

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 7, 2022

    overall4food3service4ambience4

    The service was good, but some of the beverages took a while to arrive. Food was good but not great like other times. Not sure if it was the dishes we ordered but I had better experience with the food in the past.

  36. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Toronto

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 7, 2022

    overall5food5service4ambience5

    Great vibe and atmosphere. Food was exceptional and flavours well balanced. Hope to get back again soon.

  37. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 7, 2022

    overall3food4service4ambience4

    I made a reservation for a friend’s birthday based on the high rating on OpenTable. Natasha from FC called me after she saw my note in the reservation. The minute we checked in, my friend was greeted Happy Birthday with his name. Their service is wonderful and all the dishes we ordered were delicious. Our only disappointment was the drinks. We ordered Collins from the bar while we wee waiting and house wine during dinner. Both of drinks had awkward taste. We will definitely go back, maybe without ordering drinks.

  38. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 7, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Such a great experience!!! Can’t wait to go back!

  39. AB

    AnatB

    San Francisco

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 6, 2022

    overall2food1service1ambience3

    Food wasn’t tasty very salty . Water wasn’t nice

  40. JR

    JoeR

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 6, 2022

    overall5food5service4ambience5

    Took a little to long at the end to receive our check. The server seemed to get a little behind.

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 7521 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people
May 2022
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
7:00 PM
Booked 111 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

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