A thin film solid oxide fuel cell (TFSOFC) having a porous metallic anode and a porous cathode is provided. The fuel cell is formed by using a continuous metal foil as a substrate onto which is deposited a thin anode metal layer which is then patterned to reveal an array of pores in the anode. A dense thin film electrolyte is then deposited onto the porous anode layer overcoating the anode and filling the anode pores. The substrate foil layer is then removed to allow for exposure of the porous anode/electrolyte to fuel. The cathode is then formed on the electrolyte by depositing a cathode thin film cap using known film deposition techniques. Further processing may be used to increase the porosity of the electrodes. The metal foil may be treated to have an atomically ordered surface, which makes possible an atomically ordered anode and atomically ordered thin film electrolyte for improved performance.