Foreign Cinema enchants with its vibrant outdoor patio, where you can savor California-Mediterranean cuisine while classic films play against twinkling lights.
"At this iconic Californian restaurant and arts enclave, walk down a long, dark hallway to find the glowing dining room with the kitchen at one end and the bar at the other, and a big fireplace centered between. Foreign Cinema might be known best for the movies flickering on the patio, but on a chilly night, it’s not wrong to snag a seat by the fire and feast on that Madras sesame fried chicken." - Becky Duffett, Eater Staff
"Take a seat at Foreign Cinema's "director’s table" for an evening of sophisticated California-Mediterranean fare and a view of the romantic, string-lit courtyard below. Adjacent to the table sits a vintage 35 mm projector which plays out classic films beneath the translucent canopy. Foreign Cinema can be reserved for up to 12 guests with various packages and pricing." - Dianne de Guzman, Eater Staff
"Foreign Cinema is hands down one of the most unmissable and unique dining experiences in 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 relaxed patio setting 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 for brunch is also never a bad idea. " - julia chen 1, lani conway, 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 cozy dates, or, really, any occasion. " - ricky rodriguez, julia chen 1, lani conway
"Everyone on your team hit their quota, and the company is turning a blind eye so you can reward your troops. Skip the karaoke bar that you take them to too often, and get a table at Foreign Cinema instead. Whether it’s for brunch or dinner, split a bunch of oysters and at least try to toast them for once without using the phrase “teamwork makes the dream work.” Trust us, they’ve heard it enough for one lifetime." - will kamensky
