Foreign Cinema
The Verdict
"Book a courtyard table for weekend brunch, it's the best setting. Start with oysters, get the roasted chicken, and don't skip the baked-to-order cookies. Bar seats are your walk-in backup plan."
What you need to know
Foreign Cinema is one of those San Francisco restaurants that sounds like a gimmick and turns out to be genuinely great. Classic and independent films are projected on a courtyard wall while you eat California-Mediterranean cuisine. But the food stands entirely on its own merit. The movies are just a bonus.
For over 25 years, this has been one of the Mission’s most beloved destinations for special occasions and memorable dinners.
The Space
The indoor/outdoor courtyard is the main draw. Heaters keep it warm on foggy nights, and the films (mostly classics from the ’60s and ’70s) provide atmosphere without demanding attention. You can watch or ignore them as you prefer.
Inside dining rooms offer a more intimate setting without the screens. The whole building, a converted warehouse, has that perfect industrial-romantic San Francisco aesthetic.
The Food
Chef Gayle Pirie’s menu is California-Mediterranean, which means seasonal produce prepared with techniques borrowed from France, Italy, and Spain. Expect dishes like pan-roasted chicken with herb jus, grilled lamb chops with seasonal vegetables, fresh pastas with carefully sourced ingredients, and oysters from their raw bar.
The brunch is legendary, one of the best in the city. Reserve a courtyard table on a sunny weekend morning and settle in for an extended meal.
What to Order
Start with oysters from the raw bar if you’re an oyster person. The selection is always excellent.
The roasted chicken is a signature dish and a good benchmark for how seriously the kitchen takes execution.
Don’t skip dessert. The pastry program is strong, and the baked-to-order cookies are a perfect finish.
The Scene
Foreign Cinema draws a mix of date-night couples, groups celebrating occasions, and Mission residents who’ve been coming for years. It’s festive without being loud, special without being pretentious.
The bar area is excellent for walk-ins if the dining room is full. Good cocktails, the full menu available, and you can still catch glimpses of the film.
Practical Info
Price: $$$ (entrees $32-55)
Reservations: Strongly recommended, especially weekends
Dress: Smart casual
The Legacy
Foreign Cinema opened in 1999 and immediately became one of San Francisco’s defining restaurants. The concept, great food, movies, a space that makes you feel like you’ve discovered something, captured exactly what the city wanted.
Two and a half decades later, it’s still delivering. That kind of longevity in San Francisco’s restaurant scene is rare and earned.
📍 Location: This restaurant is in The Mission District. Explore the neighborhood →
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What to get
Oysters from the raw bar, roasted chicken, baked-to-order cookies