Dartise Jones

Josue made there service a 10/10! Very attentive and you can tell he loves his job. He needs to become a lead server if he isn’t already. Great job. The food was a 10/10 as well, full of flavor. We had the smaller bites but it did the job. The drinks top notch The atmosphere is great as well, it’s feels like a high end movie theater with food and great cocktails.

+3

Sam Breach

Foreign Cinema is close to my heart because I met my life partner at a private party there in 2003. So we have eaten here many times, although not as much in recent years since moving out of the City. This week I came with a bunch of women friends, some of whom had never experienced this gem and it was perfect, living up to its reputation of being a purveyor of only the best of local produce. Elsewhere you might eat a dozen meh melons and then, bam, Foreign Cinema reminds you exactly what a melon is truly capable of (especially when served with pistachio pesto and razor thin pancetta). My duck dish (pictured) was sublime in every way, the meat so tender, the spices so comforting and the hazelnut tasting like the best darn hazelnut you ever tasted in your life. I love this restaurant, all the great food, its reliability, how over the years it has charmed all the visitors from overseas I’ve taken there and thus all the sweet memories it holds for me. thank you FC.

Jacob Celestine

Foreign Cinema offers a truly unique and classy fine-dining experience. It’s got a niche vibe that's perfect for a special night out, centered around the novel concept of watching a movie while you eat. The atmosphere is fantastic - they project a film on the wall, and the lighting across the entire space makes it feel really special. The servers were polite and friendly, the drinks were great, and the food was very good, all contributing to a solid overall experience. A crucial tip: this place was packed, so making a reservation is a must if you don't want to wait. They've also thought through the outdoor seating really well; there's heating so you don't get chilly, and a clear cover lets you enjoy the ambiance without being exposed to the elements. While it is costly, you're paying for a memorable and interesting experience. If you're looking for a dinner spot that's more than just a meal, I would definitely recommend it.

+4

N K

Went for a brunch with family and friends. I honestly didn’t expect much for the food but it exceeded my expectations. The food was good and the server was attentive. Would like to come back for dinner for a date night.

cantik

Finally had an amazing experience at Foreign Cinema! After several visits, they truly delivered this time. The ambiance is fantastic with the iconic outdoor movie projector, though we sat inside near the patio where it got a bit chilly from the wind. Drinks: Tried the Woodford Manhattan, Crescendo ($19), Old Fashioned ($15), and Cabernet. The Crescendo was overpriced with honey overpowering the alcohol, but the Old Fashioned was perfectly balanced and reasonably priced. Food: Ordered oysters, arugula salad, tuna carpaccio, grilled octopus, and ribeye steak. Portions are small for the price, but the presentation and flavors were exceptional. The ribeye was the standout - beautifully plated with carrots, vegetables, and garbanzo beans in a unique presentation I've never seen elsewhere. Cooked to perfection! Dessert: Sweet Corn Ice Cream Sundae with caramel, blackberries, brûléed marshmallow fluff, and cornflake crumble, paired with Brazil dessert brandy. The corn ice cream was surprisingly delicious and the combination was addictive. Service was attentive throughout. Great date night spot with unique atmosphere!

+6

Dennis

We were at Foreign Cinema for our 47th anniversary. When we arrived they had a nice "Happy Anniversary Card" at our table. Our server was Sophie E, she was great. She was all smiles, very knowledgeable about the menu and was very attentive without being intrusive. She made a great suggestion to have the pork chop rather than the steak, and she recommended Bing cherry clafoutis, baked almond custard, noyaux ice cream, for dessert. The whole dinner was fantastic. We ended up with 1 fantastic steak dinner and 1 amazing pork chop. Will definitely go back.

Anna Oh

Fantastic service and lovely space. Food was amazing. - Al pastor octopus 10/10. The sauce is amazing. - Peach semifreddo with huckleberry sauce. 10/10. Probably one of the best desserts I've had in SF. Super delicious. - Goat cheese with blueberry. 7/10. The blueberries balance out the cheese well. - Salmon. 7/10. The three pieces of potato are amazing. So soft, creamy and potato-y. Salmon beautifully soft. - Oysters 6/10. Good, but you can get similar elsewhere. - Pasta 5/10. Good, but you can get a better entree here. - Acme bread 5/10. Delicious but buy your own loaf at the Acme bakery.

+4

Anderson Angkeyile (Flying Sailor)

This was my second visit to Foreign Cinema. It’s a fun and beautiful spot with a great atmosphere and good food. We didn’t stay long enough to catch the movie this time—maybe next time! On our first visit, we had lunch indoors. The space was open and the seating was very comfortable. This time, we sat outside for dinner, and the patio was just as pleasant and inviting. The food was slightly on the pricey side, especially considering the portion sizes and relatively simple preparation. That said, the service was excellent and the ambiance truly makes the experience special, which helps justify the cost. I’d definitely recommend it and plan to return.

+2

Josh Folghera

This was my first real dining experience in San Francisco and this was nothing short of top notch. The bacon was crispy, sweet and delicious. The acme bread was crispy on the outside but so soft and tangy on the inside. The cinnamon scroll was on another level. The oysters were so tasty and fresh. The wagyu bavette was phenomenal 👌 Gave me all i needed to power through a day around the mission district.

+2

I really enjoyed this place! I was visiting San Francisco over the New Year and met with family here for brunch. The food was great and our waiter was so friendly! I had their pork chop and it was co…

We had the perfect girls' night out at Foreign Cinema! Service was speedy, friendly, and attentive, and dishes were satisfying and shareable. It also definitely helped that we were seated outside on …

I really enjoyed this place! I was visiting San Francisco over the New Year and met with family here for brunch. The food was great and our waiter was so friendly! I had their pork chop and i…

I really enjoyed this place! I was visiting San Francisco over the New Year and met with family here for brunch. The food was great and our waiter was so friendly! I had their pork chop and it was …

We had the perfect girls' night out at Foreign Cinema! service was speedy, friendly, and attentive, and dishes were satisfying and shareable. It also definitely helped that we were seated outside o…

I've been meaning to write this since my son's birthday on December 27th, the night we went there. \nHe has wanted to go for years but it hadnt.worked out until this year. It certainly was worth th…

I had been here for brunch before, but just returned for dinner and let me just say it was absolutely delicious. The outdoor dining room is stunning with a movie playing quietly in the background a…

I had been here for brunch before, but just returned for dinner and let me just say it was absolutely delicious. The outdoor dining room is stunning with a movie playing quietly in the background a…

Phenomenal atmosphere, cuisine, and service. Our waiter, Samuel, was attentive and kind. Perfect spot for a date night

Phenomenal atmosphere, cuisine, and service. Our waiter, Samuel, was attentive and kind. Perfect spot for a date night

Phenomenal atmosphere, cuisine, and service. Our waiter, Samuel, was attentive and kind. Perfect spot for a date night

Cute restaurant for a date night or to celebrate something special! My boyfriend and I came here to celebrate our anniversary, they congratulated us and gave us a little card. The vibes were immacu…

A very lovely experience! Came here for a shared birthday dinner, and they gave each of us a birthday card upon entry. The three of us shared the House Pappardelle, the Risotto, and the Duck. I…

Amazing spaces, great crowd, fantastic food and service. We had a delightful brunch, trying the summer salad, the pulled mozzarella, chorizo scrambled, the pop tart, just to name a few. Our waiter wa…

Amazing spaces, great crowd, fantastic food and service. We had a delightful brunch, trying the summer salad, the pulled mozzarella, chorizo scrambled, the pop tart, just to name a few. Our w…

Amazing spaces, great crowd, fantastic food and service. We had a delightful brunch, trying the summer salad, the pulled mozzarella, chorizo scrambled, the pop tart, just to name a few. Our waiter…

We have a lovely dinner inside foreign cinema. The food was outstanding and drinks nice. It was expensive, but considering the environment and food quality I was happy to pay that. My only advice …

We have a lovely dinner inside foreign cinema. The food was outstanding and drinks nice. It was expensive, but considering the environment and food quality I was happy to pay that. My only adv…

We have a lovely dinner inside foreign cinema. The food was outstanding and drinks nice. It was expensive, but considering the environment and food quality I was happy to pay that. My only advic…

We have a lovely dinner inside foreign cinema. The food was outstanding and drinks nice. It was expensive, but considering the environment and food quality I was happy to pay that. My only advic…

We have a lovely dinner inside foreign cinema. The food was outstanding and drinks nice. It was expensive, but considering the environment and food quality I was happy to pay that. My only advic…

Great Restaurant with a great ambience & vibe. Went for our first wedding anniversary & the experience was a delight. The dishes were good to great & desert were delicious. They were also playing a…

Excellent atmosphere, great pork chop, skip the basic appetizers and desserts. Will absolutely be back.

Leah

Foreign Cinema is one of those classic San Francisco date-night spots that’s really all about the atmosphere—and honestly, it does that part very well. The outdoor courtyard is beautiful, cozy, and incredibly romantic, especially at night with the string lights and movie playing in the background. It’s relaxed, intimate, and perfect for couples or special occasions. I can absolutely see why this place has become such a longtime SF favorite for dates. Service was warm, attentive, and never intrusive, which made the evening feel very comfortable and unhurried. The food, however, was more on the safe and classic side. Everything we ordered was good and well-executed, but nothing was especially memorable or surprising. No major flaws, just not the kind of place you’d come to purely for amazing food. Portions were generous and pricing felt reasonable for the setting, so it’s definitely more “good value for a nice night out” than fine-dining. That said, this is really a restaurant you come to for the vibe. If you’re celebrating something, going on a date, or just want a romantic, cozy night with great ambiance, it’s a lovely choice. If you’re only looking for top-tier food, there are better options elsewhere. One thing to note: parking is not easy, and the surrounding area can feel a bit hectic and not the safest, especially at night, so it’s worth being extra aware or using rideshare. Overall, a beautiful, atmospheric SF classic — best enjoyed as a romantic experience rather than a purely food-focused one. 💫🍷

+6

Karen Zheng

Food and vibes are pretty good but feels a bit overpriced. For starter we ordered a selection of oysters - pretty fresh with a wide selection of source though didn’t tell too much of a difference (lol), and crudo - the sauce has a sour taste to it, super appetizing and blends well with the fish. For main we ordered the steak - tastes good but pretty standard, and clam pasta with fish roe - savory but a bit on the salty side. Dessert was pretty sweet. Our server was super nice. Maybe we went a bit early so didn’t catch the movie. ~$100 pp post tax and tip

+1

Pooya Fayyaz

Foreign Cinema is definitely one of the cooler spots in SF, the vibe is what makes it special. Dining outside while classic movies play on the wall is such a unique experience, and the atmosphere is unmatched. The food, on the other hand, was just good, not bad at all, but nothing that wowed me either. Service was friendly, and overall the night felt enjoyable mostly because of the ambiance.

Christopher Metoyer

Went for brunch and sat in the beautiful outdoor courtyard. We started with the warm bread and oysters, both excellent fresh, flavorful, and a great way to kick things off. My main was the scramble, which tasted great but had a presentation that felt a bit messy compared to the rest of the experience. The only real downside was my table placement I was seated directly next to an outdoor speaker that was playing music the entire time. It was only about 6–8 inches from my ear, and felt uncomfortably loud for a leisurely brunch. Not sure why a speaker would be positioned right next to a guest’s seat, but it definitely took away from the otherwise relaxed atmosphere. Overall, good food, charming space, and I’d happily return hopefully just with a different seat next time.

Great decor and environment with, as expected, a foreign cinema theme. Plenty of indoor seating, bar space, and covered outdoor seating in a courtyard. Good service overall though felt a bit rushed…

Very good ambience and an amazing date night spot!! Its hard to find a reservation so be sure to book weeks in advance.\nYou can also lookup on their website which movie is playing and you can deci…

We had an 8pm reservation but arrived about 15 minutes late so we had to wait a bit and were seated indoors around 8:25pm. I really liked the ambiance. The open kitchen gave it a classy, polished, …

Before arriving for dinner, I wondered how the whole dinner and movie thing worked. It really doesn’t. If you’re sitting outside, where there are heaters by every table, you can see the movie that is…

A great evening thanks to the delicious food and lovely ambiance! Perfect date night spot or intimate dinner with friends!

A great evening thanks to the delicious food and lovely ambiance! Perfect date night spot or intimate dinner with friends!

A great evening thanks to the delicious food and lovely ambiance! Perfect date night spot or intimate dinner with friends!

A great evening thanks to the delicious food and lovely ambiance! Perfect date night spot or intimate dinner with friends!

Booked a table to celebrate my Wife's birthday. Lovely touch of staff giving a card as we arrived. Our table was near to the "screen" which was.goid, except that we were sat under a patio heater …

Booked a table to celebrate my Wife's birthday. Lovely touch of staff giving a card as we arrived. Our table was near to the "screen" which was.goid, except that we were sat under a patio heater …

Waiter not interested in attending us. Not helpful. Had no answer when I mentioned an intolerance. Didn’t propose other option. Very expensive food and little portion. I do not recommend.

Trendy restaurant! Harmony our server was fabulous! The Fried Chicken, Pork, Calamari, Goat Cheese & Smoked Salmon were all delicious ! The Le Piguete wine was fruity and paired perfectly with the…

I’ve been twice before and the food and experience was much better than last night. The bar tender didn’t care to give us a sufficient answer, the waiter didn’t seem engaged and the Biryani was way too oily. Water wasn’t filled. Still a beautiful environment. Three times is enough.

Great ambiance and the service was also great. Couldn't say the same with the food... it lacked flavor and felt like they compensated that by making everything salty. I think it's too hyped up

Classic SF place but nothing was that exciting nor stood out. Been to this place several times over the years and kept hoping for something that would be memorable... but still waiting unfortunatel…

We made a reservation for 6 and note you can only watch the movie if you sit outside but they have heaters. Honestly we weren't really watching the movie so inside could have been nice and the soun…

Had a horrible dinner two weeks ago with food poison afterwards. I called the restaurant and filed complaint. Sadly, no one called me back.\n\nNo more visits for me.

Had a horrible dinner two weeks ago with food poison afterwards. I called the restaurant and filed complaint. Sadly, no one called me back.\n\nNo more visits for me.

Not sure how this place has good reviews.. maybe we came on a bad night but the service was TERRIBLE. Came to celebrate my boyfriend's birthday and we were SO disappointed. Slow and inattentive ser…

Made a reservation and was made to wait almost half an hour after the time. The vibes were terrible and the girl at the host stand was aloof and not helpful. Another gentrifying force in San Franci…

I had been to Foreign Cinema about 10 years ago and loved it. We were truly shocked at how poor the food was for the price. We ordered the salmon appetizer - nothing special - essentially smoked …