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.