Tesla and Elon Musk Open Retro Diner to Make EV Charging Less Boring

Quick listen: Tesla’s new diner turns charging into cinema and commerce—in under 2 minutes.

Tesla’s new diner fuses retro Americana with high-tech novelty, and it’s open 24/7 on one of Hollywood’s busiest streets.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has officially launched the company's first "Diner & Drive-In" located at 7001 Santa Monica Boulevard, aiming to transform vehicle charging into a lifestyle experience.

The concept brings together old-school design elements, fast food, retail, cinema, and automated service, all on top of 80 new Supercharger stalls.

Long lines formed during its July 21 debut, with Musk hinting that global expansion could follow if it takes off.

If it turns out well, Musk plans to expand the retro-futuristic diner in key cities around the world, he writes in a post. 

The location welcomes Tesla owners and walk-in guests alike.

Visitors can order directly from their car dashboards or touchscreen kiosks, choosing from a menu of burgers, wings, hot dogs, milkshakes, and a tuna melt that’s already gaining buzz.

The food is delivered in Tesla-branded packaging like Cybertruck-shaped boxes, and roller-skating staff and robot servers share the work of bringing orders to tables or parked cars.

Inside, the steel-covered, two-story building offers indoor and rooftop dining for 250 people, styled with 1950s neon signage and curved chrome details.

Outside, parked Teslas face two 45-foot LED screens streaming curated short films and family-friendly movies.

Audio syncs to each car via geofencing to turn your charge time into a private cinema experience.

What the Hollywood Site Actually Offers

Beyond food, the site doubles as a Tesla merchandise hub, complete with T-shirts, model cars, and limited-edition collectibles.

The company’s Optimus robot, which was introduced in 2024, also makes regular appearances as a popcorn server and photo-op draw, adding a futuristic edge to the diner’s nostalgic appeal.

Chef Eric Greenspan developed the menu using locally sourced ingredients, intentionally keeping supply chains within a 300-mile radius which is roughly the full range of a Tesla.

The all-electric kitchen reinforces the company’s clean-energy mission, with no gas stoves or traditional ovens.

Tesla also tied the launch to its larger visual identity.

The diner is meant to feel immersive but unmistakably Tesla, from touchscreen menus to branded utensils.

Every design element reinforces the carmaker’s aesthetic while introducing it to non-owners who might enter as tourists or moviegoers.

Whether more locations will follow depends on how this one performs financially.

But early signals like the turnout and Musk’s public enthusiasm suggest Tesla sees the Hollywood site as more than a one-off.

Our Take: Is Tesla Turning a Niche Into a New Category?

Say what you want, but Tesla's new diner is a calculated play to boost brand stickiness and diversify how Tesla earns per customer.

Restaurants are tough businesses, and Elon Musk is a polarizing figure, which can raise questions about long-term appeal.

But I think there’s real potential here.

Beyond food, Tesla is selling a curated moment in the brand ecosystem.

It may not scale easily, but as a flagship concept, it puts Tesla in the cultural spotlight for something other than controversy.

And in a year where EV sales growth is unpredictable, that brand lift matters.

Recently, Pepsi unveiled its plans to drop a new probiotic cola. 

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