Elon Musk has opened his long-awaited Tesla Diner and charging station in LA, featuring robot servers, Cybertruck-shaped meal boxes and giant drive-in movie screens. Olivia Palamountain reports

The circular, chrome-and-glass Tesla Diner, located on Santa Monica Boulevard in Los Angeles, launched on July 11 at 4.20pm - timing that reflects Musk's well-documented fondness for cannabis-related humour.

The diner aims to provide what Musk calls a "retro-futuristic" experience combining nostalgic drive-in culture with cutting-edge electric vehicle technology.

Standout dining features include an Optimus robot that serves popcorn from the rooftop Skypad, though the machine was reportedly "out" during midweek operations. Meals arrive in elaborate Cybertruck-shaped boxes, while customers can watch classic films including Star Trek and The Twilight Zone on giant outdoor screens.

Reflecting Musk's emphasis on creating experiences tailored to Tesla drivers, who can charge their vehicles while dining, the facility houses 80 V4 Supercharger stalls, making it the largest urban Supercharging station in the world and open to all NACS-compatible electric vehicles.

Solar canopies over the western charging area help reduce the site's carbon emissions by approximately 12 million kilograms of CO2 annually.

The 24/7 restaurant offers both drive-through service and indoor dining across two levels. Tesla owners can order directly from their vehicles through a dedicated app, giving them priority over walk-up customers who faced waits of up to three hours during the opening week.

The menu combines high-end and casual options, developed with Los Angeles chef Eric Greenspan and restaurateur Bill Chait. Items include "Epic Bacon" - four strips served with sauces - alongside avocado toast, matcha lattes and a kale salad served in cardboard Cybertruck containers.

According to The Guardian, Musk proclaimed the diner as a success, saying "diners don't typically get headline news around Earth", calling it "a shiny beacon of hope in an otherwise sort-of bleak urban landscape".

The restaurant's interior features futuristic 1950s-style white chairs and tables, chrome finishes and a curved staircase decorated with robots in display cases. The upstairs Skypad offers views of charging Teslas below while customers can purchase merchandise including US$95 retro hoodies, US$65 Tesla salt and pepper shakers and a US$175 "levitating Cybertruck" figurine.

The launch week revealed significant operational challenges. The ordering app experienced glitches, forcing Tesla owners to order inside rather than from their vehicles. Kitchen problems led to shortages of chicken, waffles, milkshakes and caffeinated sodas.

According to Fortune, the diner has since cut back its menu options. Reports indicate there are now just five sandwiches on the menu and several items, such as Epic Bacon, were removed. Hours appear to have been reduced as well.

The diner represents Musk's latest attempt to blend entertainment with his electric vehicle business, creating a destination that serves both Tesla owners and curious visitors.

Musk posted on social media platform X that "Optimus will bring the food to your car next year" and suggested the robot might wear "cute" retro outfits, indicating plans to expand the automated service elements.

The project continues Musk's pattern of ambitious announcements followed by challenging implementations, though the billionaire's supporters appear willing to overlook technical difficulties for the novelty of the experience.