Jun 18, 2026 Content & Experiences
For decades, one thing has united Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello and Raphael: an unwavering love of pizza. Now, that iconic connection is coming to life in a first-of-its-kind dining experience.
On June 20, the world’s first official Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Pizzeria opens its doors in Santa Monica, transforming a longtime piece of TMNT lore into a real-world destination where fans can eat, shop and immerse themselves in the Turtles’ universe.
Located in the heart of Santa Monica, the 3,000-square-foot restaurant blends the spirit of the original 1980s TMNT universe with a chef-driven commitment to great pizza.
“For more than 40 years, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles has inspired a passionate fan community across generations, and our TMNT Pizzeria brings that fandom to life,” said Josh Silverman, President, Global Products & Experiences, Paramount. “The Turtles’ are synonymous with pizza, so we wanted to create an immersive experience that celebrates the spirit of the franchise that audiences have embraced for decades. We’re thrilled to invite fans into the world of the Turtles in a whole new way.”
From the moment guests walk in, they’ll find themselves surrounded by visual nods to New York City, the Turtles’ underground home and the humor, friendship and adventure that have defined the franchise for more than four decades. But make no mistake: this isn’t just a themed restaurant. At its heart is a dedication to authentic New York-style pizza.
To develop the menu, TMNT Pizzeria partnered with renowned pizza consultant Angelo Womack, a Brooklyn-based pizzaiolo whose experience spans more than two decades. Womack has worked with acclaimed pizza brands including Roberta’s, Scarr’s Pizza, Mama’s Boy, Glide Pizza and Manos, and previously owned Michelin-recognized Oak & Rye in San Jose.
Together, the team focused on getting every detail right — from traditional fermentation techniques to recreating New York water conditions and baking methods.
“Everybody knows the Turtles love pizza, but what excited me about this project was that the team genuinely wanted to build a serious New York-style pizza program behind the nostalgia,” said Angelo Womack. “We’ve spent a lot of time dialing in the dough, fermentation, bake and overall structure of the slices so that the pizza stands on its own — whether you’re a TMNT fan or just somebody who loves great pizza.”
Fans can expect a menu packed with classic New York-style slices and whole pies, including signature creations such as the Cowabunga Cheese, topped with fresh mozzarella, tomato sauce, parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil; Shredder’s Revenge, featuring pepperoni, jalapeños and Mike’s Hot Honey; and Rocksteady’s Meat Smash, loaded with Italian sausage, bacon, pepperoni, ham and prosciutto.
For the team behind the concept, honoring the franchise was just as important as delivering memorable food.
“As someone who grew up with the Turtles, this has been such an incredibly fun passion project for us to pursue and we wanted to do right by the legacy of this legendary franchise that’s beloved to so many generations,” said Andy Nguyen from Lunchbox Group, the team bringing TMNT Pizzeria to life. “Not only did we want to do justice to the Turtles experience, but we knew the food had to actually be legitimately good, too.”
The experience evolves throughout the day. Families can enjoy free arcade games and a casual atmosphere during daytime hours, while evenings bring happy hour specials and a cocktail program for adult fans looking to relive a bit of their childhood.
Beyond the food, visitors can take home a piece of the experience through a dedicated retail space featuring exclusive merchandise available only at the Santa Monica location, including graphic tees, hoodies, lanyards, tote bags and custom skate decks.
TMNT Pizzeria
1444 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica, CA
Hours
Sunday–Thursday: 11 a.m.–10 p.m.
Friday–Saturday: 11 a.m.–11 p.m.