With The Menu premiering in September, and riveting viewers the world over, it's clear that the hunger for movies set in restaurants has not died down. Aside from offering audiences a view into a world they only see one side of, a good restaurant movie can affect audiences in many ways.
It can have viewers on the edge of their seats, wincing at the protagonist's desperate struggle to succeed, or, conversely, it can have audiences hungry beyond their wildest dreams. Whatever the effect, these movies, according to IMDb scores, are some truly delicious slices of cinema.
The Hundred-Foot Journey (2014) - 7.3
Starring Helen Mirren, The Hundred-Foot Journey tells the story of the Kadams, an Indian family who leave their home country for , where they open a restaurant opposite Madame Mallory's Michelin-starred establishment.
A delightful tale of one family's battle against insurmountable odds, The Hundred-Foot Journey is a light-hearted affair sure to get the stomach rumbling. Helen Mirren turns in a great performance as Madame Mallory, and her rivalry with the Kadam family makes for very entertaining viewing. It also acts as a tale of tolerance and acceptance, with the Indian family clashing with French ideals.
Big Night (1996) - 7.3
Co-directed by Stanley Tucci, Big Night is a delightful story about the meaning of food in our lives. The plot follows two Italian-American brothers running a restaurant together, who can't compete with their rivals. In a last-ditch attempt to save their restaurant, they plan an evening of incredible food.
Known for its Timpano recipe, famously recreated by YouTuber Binging With Babish, Big Night is a well-acted and beautifully-written picture. Stanley Tucci and Tony Shalhoub have a wonderful rapport, and every moment they share onscreen is enormous fun. What's more, the ing players are just as entertaining. Big Night is a vastly under-seen movie that deserves a wider audience.
Chef (2014) - 7.3
An obvious ion project from writer-director Jon Favreau, better known as the mastermind of the MCU, Chef tells the story of a head chef who buys a food truck after quitting his job, hoping to reclaim his creative freedom and pursue his dreams.
While not the usual high-action far audiences expect from Favreau, Chef has what a lot of those movies lack, which is a distinct personality. It's a movie that's well-paced, very funny, but unafraid of more dramatic beats. It's a movie about food and how we, as people, connect through the food we eat. For those who want something different from Favreau.
Dinner At Eight (1933) - 7.5
Dinner At Eight is an adaptation of the acclaimed play, which follows the affluent Millicent and Oliver, as they throw an extravagant dinner party for a collection of well-to-do's, all of whom harbor many secrets.
Directed by the masterful George Cukor, Dinner At Eight is a glorious display of actors at their most theatrical. It's 110 minutes of salacious scandal and butting heads, with enough star power to keep the lights on. For those who appreciate old movies, or those who study the craft of movie-making, this will be sure to satisfy.
The Cook, The Thief, His Wife & Her Lover (1989) - 7.5
Directed by Peter Greenaway, who could certainly be described as an "acquired taste," The Cook, The Thief, His Wife & Her Lover is a Jacobean tragedy of the finest order. The story takes place over a seven-day period, and follows its titular characters as they interact and degrade themselves.
To talk too much about the plot would be to spoil the surprises this picture has to offer, but it deserves the most lavish of praise. It's a visually-striking movie (costumes from Jean-Paul Gaultier) and the acting, particularly from Helen Mirren and Michael Gambon, is just extraordinary. As if that wasn't enough, the screenplay is terrific, and the movie absolutely nails its final scene.
Boiling Point (2022) - 7.5
An acclaimed drama known for being shot in one 90-minute take, Boiling Point holds a place as one of the most stressful movies of 2022. The story follows a day in the life of a head chef and the struggles of managing his staff on the busiest day of the year.
Led by a raw and unfiltered performance from Stephen Graham, one of Britain's finest actors, Boiling Point is a perfect one-precinct drama. It's absolutely relentless in its pace, rarely allowing the audience to breathe; viewers will no doubt want a rest after the movie is over. It's a real feat of movie-making and has to be seen to be believed.
My Dinner With Andre (1981) - 7.7
Directed by a legend of the French New Wave, Louis Malle, My Dinner With Andre is a fascinating portrait of two men and their differing perspectives. The plot, if it can be called that, is an extended conversation between two men (Wally and Andre), one tells stories, and the other notices their differences.
Lacking a plot in the true sense of the word, My Dinner With Andre may seem like a boring watch for those more used to plot-driven narrative pictures. On the contrary, this movie is gripping. It's a joy to listen to these two people, both played so naturally, and hear how they differ. It's not flashy, nor is it particularly loud. It's simple and wonderfully effective.
The Discreet Charm Of The Bourgeoisie (1972) - 7.8
From the mind of Luis Bunuel, the master of surreal cinema, The Discreet Charm Of The Bourgeoisie follows a group of friends who keep trying to eat dinner together, but are constantly interrupted by a series of increasingly absurd occurrences.
Known even by those who haven't seen it, The Discreet Charm Of The Bourgeoisie is a darkly-comic satire of the upper class and their customs. It's also absolutely bizarre. Bunuel's movement from the real to the absurd is so seamless that it's hard not to sit back in awe at the chaos unfolding on the screen. Fans of this movie should also be sure to check out his other works.
Tampopo (1985) - 7.9
A Japanese movie about ramen noodles, Tampopo tells the story of a truck driver who comes across a small noodle shop and decides to help out their business. The movie also includes a series of vignettes about the similarities between love and food.
A light and playful movie about the magic in food, Tampopo is sure to have audiences wishing they had a bowl of ramen. It's also about love and how homemade food can spread joy in the world, and that's a beautiful message.
Ratatouille (2007) - 8.1
One of Pixar's finest films, Ratatouille is a life-affirming movie. It follows Remy, a rat with ambitions of cooking, as he winds up in Paris. With the help of a bumbling young chef, he works secretly in a high-end kitchen.
A fun-filled movie about how dreams are always attainable, Ratatouille has a lot more to offer than just shallow entertainment. It's about togetherness, love, prejudice, and so much more. Any scene involving cooking is an absolute treat, what with the expressive animation and the plentiful food, which just looks good enough to eat.
