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Indoor Dining Room - Foreign Cinema, San Francisco, CA
Indoor Dining Room - Foreign Cinema, San Francisco, CA
Indoor Dining Room - Foreign Cinema, San Francisco, CA
Outdoor Courtyard - Foreign Cinema, San Francisco, CA
Outdoor Courtyard - Foreign Cinema, San Francisco, CA

Foreign Cinema

4.7
4.7
8232 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 with 35mm film screening starting at dusk, 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.

We are currently booking for Outdoor Patio & Indoor/Standard seating 60 days in advance. A ‘standard seating’ reservation is indoor dining. Reservations for 9+ may be booked through private dining department - contact janine@foreigncinema.com for more information.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 137 times today
Experiences are available.
Private dining

Private dining

Book your next event with us

View details

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Cuisines
    Californian, Mediterranean
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch Sat, Sun 10:30 am–2:00 pm Dinner Mon 5:00 pm–9:30 pm Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 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: (415) 648-7600 ext. 124
  • 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

Experiences

  • STARS Featuring Jeremiah Tower at Foreign Cinema

    Nov 9, 2023 only
    Stars restaurant defined an era of iconic San Francisco dining, as well as being a world class destination of distinctive California food and wine from Chef Jeremiah Tower and his stellar culinary team. To commemorate our Stars at FC in 2013 experience, once again, we will recreate the magic of that night with Jeremiah Tower featuring a collaborative glorious a la carte dinner menu, festive cocktails, beautiful wines, live piano music, and high energy in Foreign Cinema style, with love and nostalgia flowing freely. No-shows or cancellations less than 2 days in advance will be subject to a charge of $50 per person.
    STARS Featuring Jeremiah Tower at Foreign Cinema Photo

What 8,232 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.7
4.7 based on recent ratings
  • 4.6Food
  • 4.5Service
  • 4.8Ambience
  • 4.3Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • San Francisco Bay Area

    Most Booked

  • San Francisco

    Most Booked

8,232 Reviews

  1. Ocean

    San Francisco

    26 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    26 reviews

    Dined today

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great ambience, great food, great service. A bit expensive. I treated 4 of us and it was $400.

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  2. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined today

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Wonderful, magical meal! Excellent service! Impeccable vibes!

    Is this helpful?

  3. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined today

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing! Great food and ambiance. A perfect dinner date spot

    Is this helpful?

  4. KatharineG

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined 2 days ago

    overall2food3service1ambience5
    I have been going to FC for about 18 years. The food quality and service have decreased in recent years. My friends and I went for Brunch this past weekend. The ceviche was excellent. The omlets were okay (one was completely undercooked), french fries cold and crab melt just okay. The service was 100% lacking. The ambiance is always lovely on the back patio. That being said, sit outside, order oysters and some bubbly and skip the main menu. Maybe you will get a decent food server, maybe not, its a gamble.

    Is this helpful?

  5. PhilipS

    Palm Springs

    5 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent brunch!! Have a pop tart!! Can’t wait to go back

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  6. Marge

    San Francisco

    10 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had an outstanding experience from the moment we arrived, very friendly hostess, excellent wait person, and the food choices made it difficult to decide. All of us were extremely happy with our choices!

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  7. Maricela

    San Diego

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Wonderful from beginning to end- such a gem of a restaurant. Love to visit whenever I get the chance to come to SF.

    Is this helpful?

  8. Cgmlee

    Vancouver

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Definitely a hidden gem in San Francisco! Loved the decor. The food and service were impeccable. Been there previously for brunch but dinner was definitely an out of the world experience for my guests from out of town.

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  9. shzy

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall2food2service2ambience4
    quality diminished from several months ago, service feels as though you're just a number

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  10. razfine

    San Francisco

    64 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    64 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Foreign Cinema was excellent. We had warm olives, butternut squash soup, fried chicken, and Maine scallops. Everything was delicious. The service was attentive but not intrusive. We highly recommend Foreign Cinema.

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  11. MaryC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Super cool atmosphere. Great service, delicious food and drinks.

    Is this helpful?

  12. rachaelh

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Our dinning experience was excellent, we came on a Wednesday night and it was still busy. Despite a full floor our waiter Charles was attentive, kind, and professional. The food was fantastic, we had oysters, a salad, the risotto, and green curry for dinner; and left nothing on the plate. For dessert we had the birthday cake and butterscotch pot de crème and they were both scrumptious. We can’t wait to come back again! Foreign Cinema is perfect for a special occasion or a Wednesday night, you will not be disappointed.

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  13. OpenTable Diner

    Central Coast

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food was delicious but portions were small. The place is beautiful tho and was great to celebrate a birthday or date here

    Is this helpful?

  14. SamMason

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 25, 2023

    overall5food3service5ambience5
    Foreign Cinema has excellent atmosphere and we enjoyed Dining there. Service was excellent and prompt. The dining courtyard supposed for people to enjoy also watching a movie projected on a wall but the sound was overpowered by the noise and I would recommend they put speakers at every table to allow people hear the movie if they like. Overall it is a good value to try it out.

    Is this helpful?

  15. OpenTable Diner

    Orange County

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 25, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience4
    All good. Ambiance, service and food! We will definitely go again and will recommend it to my friends and family.

    Is this helpful?

  16. Maryann

    Sacramento

    11 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on September 25, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Food generally good but definitely Higher priced for the amount and quality. Paying for ambiance. Probably would not come back.

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  17. Rosemary

    San Francisco

    13 reviews

    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on September 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience2
    Always am outstanding meal at Foreign Cinema. It's noisy but that's part of the fun. Choose outdoor seating if you are sensitive to noise.

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  18. Payton746

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great high end weekend brunch spot. We were celebrating a birthday and all the staff ensured we had a fabulous experience. Food was varied and very high quality. Highly recommended.

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  19. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    It was great. Thank you Leo. Great service and great food.

    Is this helpful?

  20. MissionNAtive

    San Francisco

    15 reviews

    5.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on September 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Foreign Cinema is always a treat and this meal did not disappoint! The pork chop is amazing and my husband had the fish which was also delicious. The fish portion was smallish in comparison to the meaty and generous pork chop but no one left hungry! It’s a beautiful restaurant with consistently wonderful meals!

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  21. Leilas

    San Francisco

    4 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on September 21, 2023

    overall2food2service1ambience5
    I can not believe our server came back and asked for more tips. The food portion was super small - took forever to get our drinks - the food was cold and still, our server wanted us to give him %22 tips.

    Is this helpful?

  22. Jill

    Los Angeles

    61 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    61 reviews

    Dined on September 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Great place for dinner with an old friend except it was a cold night so we wanted to eat indoors, the noise was so bad we had great difficulty hearing each other.

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  23. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Such a great experience from the host, to the server to the wait staff! Everyone was so kind! The food was AMAZING!!!!

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  24. tamarar

    San Francisco

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on September 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food and experience will come back again. A place that deserves a visit.

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  25. WallaceM

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I took my (now) wife on our second date to Foreign Cinema almost 20 years ago. For a while we ate there often because of the consistently excellent food and classy casual atmosphere, but with kids, COVID and life we hadn't been there in several years. Yesterday we went there for our 18th anniversary. I'm very happy to say that Foreign Cinema is as wonderful as ever. I loved the food, but that doesn't mean much. My wife is a foodie. That she repeatedly raved about the flavors is high praise. Service was prompt, attentive and best of all non-intrusive. Like everywhere the prices have gone up, but it still doesn't break the bank. On a Monday night the entire place was packed and lively. It's not a quiet place, but it's a happy noise not irritating.

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  26. ROSITSAP

    San Francisco

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 18, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    Great venue and service. Delicious food and cocktails

    Is this helpful?

  27. OpenTable Diner

    Miami

    10 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on September 17, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    Great all around, food was outstanding, drinks great, service excellent and nice souroundings

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  28. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 17, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    Foreign Cine mas has been one of my top fav restaurants for over 20 years. After all these years, it continues to pleasantly surprise me every time I go

    Is this helpful?

  29. Caitlin

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 16, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    Food was amazing. Loved every dish. Server made great recommendations.

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  30. Greenbees

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    It had been 30 years since we were last here. Great then, and great now! We all loved our appetizers, entrees and dessert.

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  31. McBane

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent food, service and ambiance. Came for a friend's birthday and they were very accommodating; brought the cake out, cut it up for us and everything. The movie playing in the background is the perfect ambiance, especially if your friends are cinephiles. 10/10 recommend

    Is this helpful?

  32. OpenTable Diner

    Alabama

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 12, 2023

    overall4food4service3ambience5
    Nice place to eat. We were overcharged for our beverages based on menu price. Except for bill great place to eat.

    Is this helpful?

  33. Clayton

    New York Area

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on September 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great ambience, service was attentive and quick, and great selection of seafood/steaks

    Is this helpful?

  34. FoodieSF

    San Francisco

    10 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on September 10, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Reserved Foreign Cinema for brunch to celebrate my daughter's birthday. Great setting, service and food. The presentation of the food was very nice. Loved the atmosphere. Can't wait to go back again sometime!

    Is this helpful?

  35. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    4 reviews

    3.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on September 9, 2023

    overall3food3service3ambience5
    Wasn’t great unfortunately. Bloody Mary was watery, no taste. Oysters weren’t described when dropped off, had to ask. Croque Madame was poorly made. Wasn’t the level of food it use to be.

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  36. SusanSF

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on September 9, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience4
    We were celebrating a birthday and our server was very sweet to our birthday girl. The only complaint was that the noise level was high and we had to shout to each other.

    Is this helpful?

  37. Cichlisuite

    San Francisco

    32 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    32 reviews

    Dined on September 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    my happy place…french fries and oysters on an indulgent saturday seafood tower..,with a coriscan rosé and dear frieds

    Is this helpful?

  38. KrutikaS

    San Francisco

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 9, 2023

    overall1food2service1ambience3
    The service at Foreign Cinema was appalling. The staff at the check-in desk were fine. Hoewever, our server was not always perceptive to our needs, nor answered questions we had, always trying to rush to the other table she was serving. For example, we weren't asked how we wanted our steak done. Furthermore, when we wanted a picture taken near your beautiful flowers, another staff member was extremely rude and just said she's busy and can't take a picture. She and a third member said the same. Finally we had to walk to the check in counter and the female staff there was nice enough to help us. We felt like second class citizens, were treated horribly and looked down on by the staff for no apparent reason. THe staff need training in basic etiquette. Now the food - serving sizes are tiny for the price we pay. And the food isn't exceptional enough to boast of the high price tag. The only saving grace is the coffee and dessert. Never coming back. This was our second try after a mediocre dinner previously, but we continue to be disappointed.

    1 person found this helpful

  39. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I made reservations for me and my wife’s 10th anniversary dinner and this spot did not disappoint. The atmosphere was amazing and the location was easy to find. Parking a block away was convenient. Somehow we were seated next to one of my wife’s friends she hasn’t seen since our wedding so that was incredible. Food was excellent as well. We will definitely be back and recommend for any kind of a date night.

    Is this helpful?

  40. Cheuton

    Los Angeles

    162 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    162 reviews

    Dined on September 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent on all fronts. Fantastic cocktails. Great wine list. The Schoolyard Bread is the best wheat bread ever, especially with the house cultured butter. Heirloom tomato salad is terrific. The Akaushi New York steak is pricey but worth it -- I'm pretty sure mine was larger than the 14 oz listed on the menu. It was extremely flavorful and tender, yet not at all fatty.

    Is this helpful?

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 4.7 stars by 8232 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 137 times today
Experiences are available.
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, Sun 10:30 am–2:00 pm Dinner Mon 5:00 pm–9:30 pm Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 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: (415) 648-7600 ext. 124

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