Elon Musk Opens Tesla Diner in Los Angeles: A Retro-Futuristic Drive-In Experience

Tesla has officially launched its long-awaited Tesla Diner & Drive-In in Santa Monica, Los Angeles, offering visitors a unique blend of 1950s nostalgia and futuristic Tesla tech. Complete with a drive-in movie theater, humanoid robot servers, and Cybertruck-themed containers, the new diner aims to be more than just a place to eat — it’s a Tesla-branded experience.

The diner, which also acts as a Tesla EV charging station with 80 Superchargers, is located on Santa Monica Boulevard and is open 24/7, with indoor and outdoor seating for up to 250 people.

Planned by Elon Musk since 2018, the concept merges a classic American diner with cutting-edge Tesla innovations. Upon arrival, guests are greeted by servers on roller skates offering ice cream samples, and a rooftop movie screen plays nostalgic classics like The Jetsons. Food is ordered via digital kiosks inside.

The menu, curated by celebrity chef Eric Greenspan, includes diner staples like fried chicken & waffles, grilled cheese, and tuna melts, along with Tesla-themed items such as the Tesla Burger with Electric Sauce. Prices range from $4 to $15, aligning with typical Los Angeles diner rates. However, not all diners were impressed — some criticized the food as “mediocre,” and long wait times due to technical glitches dampened the experience for a few.

Tesla branding is strong throughout the location, including robot display cases, a 360-degree rooftop, and a Tesla shop selling $40 T-shirts and $175 levitating Cybertruck models. The popcorn stand on the rooftop is staffed by Optimus, Tesla’s humanoid robot.

Since opening, the diner has gone viral on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, and Reddit, with visitors — including Cybertruck owners — flocking to the location.

While the diner is currently exclusive to Los Angeles, Elon Musk has hinted that more locations could roll out globally if it proves successful. With Tesla already entering markets like India, where stores in Mumbai and soon Delhi are opening, the Tesla Diner may soon become a global icon of the brand’s lifestyle extension.