Foreign Cinema

2534 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110, United States
+1 415-648-7600
$$$ Californian restaurant
(3102 Reviews)
Price Range $50–100

Welcome to Foreign Cinema, an enchanting Californian restaurant situated in the heart of San Francisco at 2534 Mission St. This exquisite dining destination seamlessly blends fantastic cuisine with an artsy atmosphere, creating a truly unique culinary experience that lingers long after you've left.

As you step inside, you are greeted by a vibrant ambiance—a delightful mix of vintage movie projections and chic, modern decor. On the outdoor patio, you can enjoy your meal while watching classic films being projected on a wall, setting the perfect backdrop for a romantic evening or a special celebration.

Foreign Cinema offers an impressive array of dishes that showcase the best of Californian cuisine. Guests rave about the Al Pastor Octopus—a dish so exquisite it has received perfect scores from diners. The Peach Semifreddo with Huckleberry Sauce is another standout, often described as one of the best desserts in San Francisco. For those looking for something heartier, the Wagyu Bavette is phenomenal, delivering a tender and flavorful bite that you won't soon forget.

The menu also caters to a variety of tastes with options like fresh oysters and the acclaimed Baked Hawai'i, making every visit a delightful expedition through culinary creativity. Whatever you choose, each dish is beautifully crafted, ensuring that your taste buds are tantalized with every bite.

According to customers, the service is equally remarkable, with staff like Sophie E., who is not only friendly but knowledgeable about the menu, helping to enhance your dining experience. Diners often mention that the warmth of the staff perfectly complements the inviting space, making you feel right at home.

Don't forget to check out their weekend brunch, which has become a beloved local tradition. Whether you're sitting indoors or out, you will be enveloped by the inviting atmosphere, delicious brunch offerings, and the enchanting allure of a classic film in the background.

In conclusion, if you are searching for a delightful dining experience in San Francisco that combines exceptional food, an artistic atmosphere, and fantastic service, look no further than Foreign Cinema. Make a reservation today by calling +1 415-648-7600 and get ready for a memorable night out!

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Does not have assistive hearing loop
No wheelchair-accessible car park
Service options
Has outdoor seating
Offers delivery
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
Highlights
Has fireplace
Has great beer selection
Serves great cocktails
Serves great coffee
Serves great dessert
Has great wine list
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves cocktails
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves food
Serves healthy options
Serves organic dishes
Has private dining room
Serves small plates
Serves spirits
Serves vegan dishes
Serves vegetarian dishes
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves breakfast
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has bar on site
Has toilet
Has Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
Cosy
Romantic
Trendy
Upmarket
Crowd
Family friendly
Good for groups
LGBTQ+ friendly
Popular with tourists
Transgender safe space
Planning
Brunch reservations recommended
Lunch reservations recommended
Dinner reservations recommended
Accepts reservations
Usually has a wait
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
Has changing table(s)
High chairs available
Has kids' menu
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Paid multi-storey car park
Paid parking lot
Paid street parking
Pets
Dogs allowed
Dogs allowed inside
Dogs allowed outside
Openings Hours
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Monday

5:00 AM - 9:30 PM

Tuesday

5:00 AM - 9:30 PM

Wednesday

5:00 AM - 9:30 PM

Thursday

5:00 AM - 9:30 PM

Friday

5:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Saturday

10:30 AM - 2:00 PM

,

5:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Sunday

10:30 AM - 2:00 PM

,

5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

3102 Reviews
Josh Folghera

24 Aug 2025

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.

Anderson Angkeyile (Flying Sailor)

19 Aug 2025

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.

Anna Oh

10 Aug 2025

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.

cantik

10 Aug 2025

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!

N K

27 Jul 2025

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.

Jacob Celestine

24 Jun 2025

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.

Christopher Metoyer

12 Jun 2025

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.

Dennis

06 Jun 2025

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.

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