Elon Musk’s long-awaited Tesla diner opens in Los Angeles

With the Diner & Drive-In in Los Angeles, Tesla tries to turn electric car charging into a retro-futuristic ode to 1950s American diners. The idea had been in the works since 2018.

Restaurant, drive-in cinema, and the world’s largest Supercharger station: after years of anticipation, Elon Musk’s retro-futuristic diner — first announced in 2018 — has finally opened its doors in Hollywood, at 7001 Santa Monica Boulevard. It marks a new chapter in Tesla’s expansion beyond car manufacturing, tapping into the nostalgic legacy of the 1950s American Dream to reimagine the EV charging stop as a moment of social gathering and entertainment.

Designed by the Stantec studio, the two-story complex with panoramic terrace — 350 square meters indoors and 550 square meters of outdoor space — features the iconic curved lines and glowing contours of Googie architecture, the same aesthetic that once imagined rockets and highways leading to a highly technological future. The Tesla Diner looks as if it leapt straight out of a Jetsons episode, with reflective metallic surfaces, glowing neon signage, and oversized cinema screens playing curated short films and vintage clips in 30-to-40-minute loops — precisely timed to align with Tesla’s charging cycles. What truly sets the Tesla Diner & Drive-In apart is its seamless integration with Tesla vehicles. Audio from the screens syncs directly with the car's stereo system, allowing users to control volume from their seat — a fully immersive, in-car cinematic experience.

The interior design embraces the aesthetic codes of the classic American diner: long red vinyl booths overlooking continuous glass walls, chrome-accented counters, and waiters on roller skates — all lit by cool-toned diner lighting that amplifies the retro charm of the space. Yet subtle reminders that we are in the 21st century abound: Tesla’s own Optimus robots deliver popcorn to guests, while integrated tablets allow in-car ordering of diner staples like burgers, shakes, chicken wings, and hot dogs, all served in angular, geometric packaging inspired by the Tesla Cybertruck.

If the format proves successful — Musk has hinted at plans to replicate it across key cities and along major travel routes — we may be witnessing the birth of a new kind of urban space, where the electric vehicle becomes the catalyst for an entirely new form of entertainment-driven architecture.

Natural stone is an eternal material

Now in its 59th edition, Marmomac returns to Verona from September 23 to 26 to showcase the role of stone in contemporary design.

  • Sponsored content

Latest News

Latest on Domus

Read more
China Germany India Mexico, Central America and Caribbean Sri Lanka Korea icon-camera close icon-comments icon-down-sm icon-download icon-facebook icon-heart icon-heart icon-next-sm icon-next icon-pinterest icon-play icon-plus icon-prev-sm icon-prev Search icon-twitter icon-views icon-instagram