Foreign Cinema
Californian restaurant · Mission ·
Californian-Mediterranean fare & films screened nightly in a courtyard
Californian-Mediterranean fare & films screened nightly in a courtyard
"Foreign Cinema is hands down one of the most unmissable andunique dining experiencesin the city. To get here, walk on a red carpet down a long hallway before emerging into a beautiful courtyard with high white walls, twinkling string lights, and a movie playing in the background. The relaxedpatiosetting isn’t the only reason Foreign Cinema is a standout. It’s also the perfect spot to hunker down over wine and oysters, or one of the dishes from their changing menu of things like beef carpaccio, smoked salmon, or ceviche. Getting to the patio forbrunchis also never a bad idea." - Team Infatuation
"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