What started as an idea shared by Elon Musk in 2018 has now become a real-world experience. Tesla’s long-awaited diner and drive-in has opened on Santa Monica Boulevard in Hollywood, California, combining food, EV charging, entertainment and Tesla technology under one roof. The Tesla Diner & Drive-In officially opened its doors on July 21, 2025, creating a unique destination that is much more than a traditional restaurant.
The concept brings together an American-style diner, a large EV charging facility and an entertainment space. With 80 EV charging stalls surrounding the property, the location is designed to give Tesla drivers something to do while their vehicles recharge. At the same time, the diner is open to everyone, including people who do not own an electric vehicle.
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A Futuristic Diner With a Classic American Touch
Located at the intersection of Santa Monica Boulevard and Orange Drive, the Tesla Diner immediately stands out because of its unusual design. The circular, two-story building combines elements of classic American roadside diners with Tesla’s futuristic design language.
Tesla chief designer Franz von Holzhausen was involved in the project, which takes inspiration from several Tesla design themes, including the sharp styling associated with the Cybertruck. At the same time, the interior features rounded booths, chrome details and a black-and-white color scheme that gives the restaurant a mixture of retro and futuristic character.
Two massive 66-foot LED screens sit alongside the building. These screens can display movies, short films and Tesla-related content, giving visitors something to watch while they eat or charge their vehicles. The screens can also be seen from the outdoor charging area and the rooftop Skypad.
Inside the diner, visitors can find curved counters and rounded seating areas while roller-skating servers move around the restaurant. A spiral staircase leads toward displays featuring different versions of Tesla’s Optimus humanoid robot.
During the early opening period, a live Optimus robot was also used to interact with visitors. The robot, which Tesla fans nicknamed “Poptimus,” was seen serving popcorn to guests on the rooftop. The diner operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and welcomes Tesla owners, other EV drivers and members of the general public.
Tesla Diner Menu and Prices
The food menu focuses heavily on familiar American diner favorites while adding Tesla-specific branding to the experience. One of the main attractions is the Tesla Burger, which uses a smashed-style Brandt Beef patty with caramelized onions, pickles and Tesla’s proprietary Electric Sauce served on a Martin’s Potato Roll.
Other choices include grilled cheese, tuna melts, breakfast tacos, beef-tallow fries and salads. The beverage selection includes specialty fountain drinks containing ingredients such as green coffee extract and ginseng, along with traditional milkshakes.
The diner does not serve alcohol and operates as a cashless establishment.
| Menu Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Tesla Burger | $13.50 |
| Grilled Cheese | $9.00 |
| Tuna Melt | $14.00 |
| Beef-Tallow Fries | $4.00 |
| Market Salad | $10.00 |
| Charged Soda | $8.00 |
| Slice of Pie à la Mode | $12.00 |
| Chocolate Chip Cookie | $5.00 |
Tesla has also connected the restaurant experience with its vehicle ecosystem. Customers using the Supercharger stalls can view the menu and place their food orders through the Tesla app while their vehicle is charging. This makes the location more of a combined charging, dining and entertainment stop rather than simply another restaurant.
Why the Tesla Diner Matters to the Company
The opening comes at an important time for Tesla. By the middle of 2025, the company had experienced several consecutive quarters of declining sales, while deliveries in the second quarter were reportedly down around 13.5 percent compared with the same period a year earlier.
Because of this, the diner represents more than a new restaurant for the company. It gives Tesla an opportunity to create a physical destination where customers can experience several parts of the brand at once.
Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives, a long-time Tesla supporter, described the project as part of the company’s broader effort to rebuild its all-encompassing brand identity. Tesla had also faced increased public discussion surrounding Musk’s involvement in politics, which had affected the company’s image among some customers.
The location itself also carries historical significance. The diner was built on the site of a former Shakey’s Pizza Parlor along the famous Historic Route 66. That connection to American road-trip culture fits closely with Tesla’s attempt to reinterpret the traditional roadside diner for the electric-vehicle era.
Mixed Reactions From the Public
The Tesla Diner quickly attracted attention from both supporters and critics. During its opening period, protesters gathered outside the restaurant with signs and inflatable figures referencing Musk and his political activities.
Inside, however, Tesla supporters and fan groups were celebrating the opening. Cybertruck owners organized gatherings and light shows, while some Tesla enthusiasts reportedly traveled long distances specifically to visit the new location.
The diner has also generated concerns among some nearby residents. People living in surrounding buildings have reportedly raised issues involving traffic, noise and the large LED screens. The restaurant’s 24-hour operation has also added to discussions about the impact of the venue on the surrounding neighborhood.
Despite the controversy, early visitors have generally responded positively to the food and overall atmosphere. Many have described the location as a combination of vintage American diner culture and futuristic Tesla technology.
The location has also attracted attention for Tesla-branded merchandise. Products such as Optimus action figures and “Supercharged Gummies,” which were reportedly priced at $35 per pack, became part of the wider experience surrounding the diner.
Could Tesla Expand the Diner Concept?
The Hollywood location may only be the beginning. Elon Musk has indicated that Tesla could eventually introduce similar diner and charging destinations in other major cities around the world.
The company has also discussed the possibility of incorporating the concept into Supercharger locations along major long-distance travel routes. If successful, these locations could provide EV drivers with food, charging and entertainment during longer journeys.
Tesla’s Optimus robot could also become a more important part of the experience. Future versions of the concept could potentially use Optimus robots to perform tasks such as delivering food directly to vehicles while customers wait for their cars to charge.
Such a development would bring several of Tesla’s major areas of interest together in one location: electric vehicles, artificial intelligence, robotics and automated services.
A New Kind of Tesla Experience
The Tesla Diner is an unusual experiment for a company best known for electric cars. It combines a restaurant, charging station, entertainment venue and technology showcase into a single destination.
Whether the concept becomes a successful business model or remains a one-of-a-kind Tesla experiment will depend on how customers respond over time. The Hollywood location has already generated significant attention, attracting Tesla fans, curious visitors and critics alike.
For Tesla, the diner offers another way to turn its brand into an experience rather than simply a vehicle manufacturer. For visitors, it provides an unusual combination of burgers, EV charging, movies, futuristic design and Tesla technology.
Whatever its long-term future may be, the Tesla Diner has already managed to accomplish one thing: creating a roadside destination that is very difficult to ignore.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Tesla Diner open to everyone?
Yes. Visitors do not need to own a Tesla or another electric vehicle to enter the diner, eat there or access the rooftop area. The Supercharger section, however, is intended for EV charging.
Does the Tesla Diner accept cash?
No. The Tesla Diner operates as a cashless establishment and accepts card and digital payment methods. Alcohol is also not served at the diner.
What are the Tesla Diner’s operating hours?
The Hollywood Tesla Diner & Drive-In operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Will Tesla open more diners?
Tesla has indicated that the diner concept could eventually expand to other major cities and selected Supercharger locations, depending on the success of the Hollywood location.
