Movies About Restaurants

From Jack C. Newell, starring Bill Arnett, Desmin Borges, Bethany Cofer, Stew Cofer

In Open Tables, Jack C. Newell deconstructs the conventional restaurant experience in order to explore the tension between the need for human connection and the growing reliance on technology. The film follows four Chicagoans – a veteran chef, a tech-savvy entrepreneur, a single mother, and a young couple – as they grapple with this dichotomy. Through their stories, Newell examines the complex dynamics of the restaurant industry, highlighting the ways in which technology can both support and disrupt the traditional dining experience. Open Tables offers a thoughtful meditation on the power of technology, reminding us of the importance of creating meaningful connections even in a quickly-changing world.

From Directors: Brad Bird, Jan Pinkava, starring Brad Garrett, Lou Romano, Patton Oswalt, Ian Holm
Rated G

Ratatouille is a 2007 Pixar animated film directed by Brad Bird and Jan Pinkava. The story follows Remy, a rat who dreams of becoming a great chef. When he is separated from his family, Remy finds himself in the sewers of Paris and ends up in the kitchen of a renowned restaurant. With the help of his rat colony and a young kitchen worker, Linguini, Remy must overcome the challenges of being a rat in a world of humans to achieve his culinary dreams. Through the course of the film, Remy discovers the importance of friendship, family, and making the most of his unique situation.

From Jûzô Itami, starring Ken Watanabe, Tsutomu Yamazaki, Nobuko Miyamoto, Kôji Yakusho
Rated Not Rated

Tampopo is a Japanese comedy-drama film directed by Jûzô Itami. It follows the story of a young widow, Tampopo, as she strives to create the perfect bowl of ramen. With the help of a mysterious truck driver and his friend, along with an eclectic cast of characters, Tampopo must overcome the many obstacles that stand in the way of her dream. Along the way, viewers are treated to a variety of exquisitely prepared dishes and humorous vignettes from the many characters that inhabit the world of ramen. The film is a celebration of the art and craftsmanship of ramen-making with a healthy dose of humor and a heartwarming story of friendship and perseverance.

From Ritesh Batra, starring Irrfan Khan, Nimrat Kaur, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Lillete Dubey
Rated PG

The Lunchbox is a 2013 Indian drama film written and directed by Ritesh Batra, and produced by Guneet Monga, Anurag Kashyap, and Arun Rangachari. It stars Irrfan Khan, Nimrat Kaur, and Nawazuddin Siddiqui in the main roles. The story follows a mistaken delivery in Mumbai's famously efficient lunchbox delivery system, which connects a young housewife to an older man through the exchange of notes in the lunchbox. They build a fantasy world together through the daily lunchbox exchange, and explore the complexities of love and life in the modern age. The film was critically acclaimed and was nominated for the 2014 BAFTA Award for Best Film Not in the English Language. It was also the recipient of several awards including the Grand Rail d'Or at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival and the Critics Week Viewers Choice Award at the 2013 Mumbai Film Festival.

From Ang Lee, starring Sihung Lung, Kuei-Mei Yang, Yu-Wen Wang, Chien-Lien Wu
Rated Not Rated

Eat Drink Man Woman is a 1994 comedy-drama directed by Ang Lee, which follows a retired Chinese chef, Mr. Chu (Sihung Lung), and his three grown daughters living in modern Taipei. As the movie progresses, the audience is given a glimpse into the lives of each of the Chu family members and their unique struggles when it comes to family, love, and tradition. As weekend dinners become the only time the family is together, each meal becomes a lesson in culture, as Mr. Chu prepares traditional dishes as a way to share his stories and values with his daughters. In the end, the Chu family learn to accept one another and come to an understanding despite their differences.

From Stars: Takeru Satoh, Haru Kuroki, Sei Ashina, Ryû Morioka, starring

The Emperor's Cook is a 2015 Japanese biographical drama based on the true story of Kihachi Kumagai, a humble, quiet cook who served three generations of emperors during the Meiji, Taisho, and Showa eras. Takeru Satoh stars as Kihachi, a man who dedicated his life to perfecting his culinary skills and to serving Japan's emperors with the finest dishes. Alongside him is Haru Kuroki as Kihachi's wife, and Sei Ashina and Ryû Morioka as their children. Through Kihachi's journey, the film follows the story of the Japanese people over a period of 70 years - from the Meiji Restoration to the post World War II period - revealing how the transformation of Japanese society affected the lives of individuals. Ultimately, The Emperor's Cook is a tribute to the spirit of resilience and perseverance that has enabled the Japanese people to survive and thrive in difficult times.

From Louis Malle, starring Andre Gregory, Wallace Shawn, Jean Lenauer, Roy Butler
Rated PG

My Dinner with Andre is a 1981 comedy-drama directed by Louis Malle. It follows a conversation between two friends, theater director Andre Gregory and playwright Wallace Shawn, as they discuss life, art, and the human condition over dinner. The dialogue-heavy film explores the complex philosophical and spiritual issues the two men discuss, their differing approaches to life, and their reflections on the human condition. Through their conversation, they challenge, debate, and ultimately come to a better understanding of each other and the world around them. The film has been praised for its sharp dialogue, philosophical depth, and strong performances from the two actors.

From Bruce Beresford, starring Eddie Murphy, Britt Robertson, Natascha McElhone, Xavier Samuel
Rated PG-13

Mr. Church is a 2016 American drama film directed by Bruce Beresford and starring Eddie Murphy, Britt Robertson, and Natascha McElhone. The film follows a unique friendship that develops between a young girl named Charlotte (Robertson) and an enigmatic cook named Henry Joseph Church (Murphy), who is hired by her dying mother to provide meals for the family. Over the course of several years, Church becomes an important figure in Charlotte's life, teaching her to cook, helping her to make wise decisions, and providing emotional support and comfort. As time passes, Charlotte discovers the truth about Church's past, and the two build a deep bond that lasts beyond her mother's death. The film explores themes of family, loyalty, and love, celebrating the power of connection and the importance of honoring our elders.

From Tassos Boulmetis, starring Georges Corraface, Ieroklis Michaelidis, Renia Louizidou, Tamer Karadagli

A Touch of Spice is a 2003 Greek drama film directed by Tassos Boulmetis. The film follows Fanis, a Greek boy living in Istanbul, Turkey, who is passionate about cooking and spices. After his father's death, Fanis moves back to Athens, Greece with his mother, where he is unable to find the same culinary stimulation as he did in Turkey. As Fanis grows older and becomes a physicist, he is haunted by memories of his father, who encouraged him to pursue his love of cooking. Eventually, Fanis decides to return to Istanbul, where he finds his own identity and reconnects with his beloved spices. Along the way, he learns to embrace his heritage and find his place in life.

From Joji Matsuoka, starring Kaoru Kobayashi, Saki Takaoka, Tokio Emoto, Mikako Tabe

Midnight Dancer is a 2014 Japanese drama film directed by Joji Matsuoka. It follows the story of a mysterious, anonymous chef who opens a diner in the middle of the night. Each night, the diner serves as a gathering place for various people from different walks of life. The chef listens to the stories of each of his patrons and provides them with his own unique brand of comfort and understanding. As the diner continues to be a refuge for those seeking solace, the chef discovers the beauty and joy of life in humanity. Through his interactions with his loyal customers, the chef learns to embrace his own darkness and find the courage to move forward.

From Peter Greenaway, starring Richard Bohringer, Michael Gambon, Helen Mirren, Alan Howard
Rated NC-17

The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover is a 1989 dark comedy-drama film directed by Peter Greenaway and starring Richard Bohringer, Michael Gambon, Helen Mirren, and Alan Howard. The film follows an arrogant, cruel criminal and his wife, who begin an affair with a mild-mannered bookseller. As the affair is discovered, the criminal descends into an escalating cycle of violence and destruction. The film's complex visual patterns and unconventional storytelling explore themes of power, violence, and revenge. The film is set in a lavish restaurant that serves as a metaphor for the power structures of British society.

From Naomi Kawase, starring Kirin Kiki, Masatoshi Nagase, Kyara Uchida, Miki Mizuno
Rated Not Rated

From Niall MacCormick, starring Alan Rickman, Emma Thompson, Andi Soric, Siubhan Harrison

From Directors: Campbell Scott, Stanley Tucci, starring Tony Shalhoub, Stanley Tucci, Marc Anthony, Larry Block
Rated R

From Jirí Menzel, starring Ivan Barnev, Oldrich Kaiser, Julia Jentsch, Marián Labuda
Rated R

From Jon Favreau, starring Jon Favreau, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Dustin Hoffman
Rated R

From Lasse Hallström, starring Juliette Binoche, Johnny Depp, Judi Dench, Alfred Molina
Rated PG-13

From Lasse Hallström, starring Helen Mirren, Om Puri, Manish Dayal, Charlotte Le Bon
Rated PG

From Naoko Ogigami, starring Satomi Kobayashi, Hairi Katagiri, Masako Motai, Jarkko Niemi

From Sandra Nettelbeck, starring Martina Gedeck, Maxime Foerste, Sergio Castellitto, August Zirner
Rated PG

From John Lee Hancock, starring Michael Keaton, Nick Offerman, John Carroll Lynch, Linda Cardellini
Rated PG-13

From Anthony Lucero, starring Diana Elizabeth Torres, Yutaka Takeuchi, Rodrigo Duarte Clark, Kaya Jade Aguirre
Rated PG

From Marco Ferreri, starring Marcello Mastroianni, Michel Piccoli, Philippe Noiret, Ugo Tognazzi
Rated NC-17

From Florian Frerichs, starring Bruno Eyron, Sharon Brauner, Michael Degen, Daphna Rosenthal

From Yoshihiro Nakamura, starring Ryô Nishikido, Fuku Suzuki, Rie Tomosaka, Keisuke Horibe