"Whether you’re doing a birthday dinner with just a few people or gathering a big group with everyone from your childhood best friend to your coworker, Foreign Cinema is always a great bet. To get there, walk down the red carpet and emerge into a beautiful courtyard with twinkling string lights and a movie playing in the background. Then, kick back on the relaxed patio with wine, oysters, and something else from their frequently rotating menu, like beef carpaccio, smoked salmon, or ceviche." - julia chen 1, patrick wong, ricky rodriguez
"At night, the heated outdoor patio, twinkle lights, and movie playing on the big white wall in the back makes Foreign Cinema feel like a romantic drive-in theater. During the day, sunlight floods the Mission patio and makes it a bright, breezy place to have croque madames big enough for four, crispy potatoes you’ll be talking about for weeks, and homemade Pop Tarts that rival store-bought. Movies won’t be playing on the wall, but you won't mind—the sunshine, the french toast, and Bloody Marys make Foreign Cinema a brunch spot to keep in your back pocket for any occasion." - julia chen 1, lani conway, ricky rodriguez, patrick wong
"A short TikTok mini-documentary on this well-known restaurant has racked up hundreds of thousands of views and showcases the cinematic visual language that informs the series — think purple- and pink-hued medium‑tight shots inspired by The Grand Budapest Hotel and Wong Kar Wai’s In the Mood for Love. The videos emphasize subjects speaking about 'the effort behind the curtain' while the filmmaker stays out of frame; she equips herself with a Canon R6 Mark Two, her dad’s pricey lenses, and a DJI mic to achieve that look. On why she started the project she says, 'I loved the city as a kid,' and 'I was so excited to come back. Everyone has a unique story to tell.'" - Paolo Bicchieri
"Foreign Cinema is an institution in the Mission. Their space is massive and completely unlike any other in the city. Half of the restaurant is seated outside where movies are projected onto a wall. Even from inside you still get glimpses of the movie or at least collect the atmosphere. Their menu of upscale American food is ever changing but you can always count on quality meat dishes, fresh oysters and delicious desserts. Their brunch menu is more constant and some top favorites are the Persian Omelette and the fried eggs with duck confit. The cocktails and wine list are no joke either! All around this is a perfect spot for a date or a group meal!" - Avocados and Coconuts
"We usually aren’t watching a movie that’s being projected onto a huge white wall, and making our way through a dozen oysters under the orange-y glow of twinkle lights—unless we come to Foreign Cinema. The Mission spot is down a long dramatic hallway (there’s even a red carpet, on brand with the movie-themed experience), and serves great seasonal plates like pasta with tomatoes and zucchini, and curry fried chicken. You’ll also find us here on slow Sunday mornings at brunch, and weeknights catching up with friends who are visiting from across the country." - julia chen 1, lani conway, patrick wong