There’s a Serious Pizzaiolo Behind the Newly Opened Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Pizzeria

The world’s first official Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) Pizzeria opened in Santa Monica on Saturday, bringing a first-of- its-kind dining experience to Los Angeles that merges chef-driven pizza with one of the most beloved franchises in entertainment.

Located in the heart of Santa Monica, the 3,000-square-foot restaurant is designed as an immersive environment inspired by the original 1980s TMNT universe—from its New York City roots to its underground aesthetic and unmistakable sense of humor and camaraderie.

Josh Silverman, president, global products & experiences for Paramount, said 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.”

“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.”

At its core, the concept is grounded in serious pizza-making, the companies said. The menu focuses on classic New York-style slices and whole pies developed in collaboration with Brooklyn-based pizza consultant Angelo Womack, a veteran pizzaiolo with more than two decades of experience helping restaurants around the country execute New York-style pizza programs.

Womack previously owned and operated Michelin-recognized Oak & Rye in San Jose and worked with acclaimed pizza brands including Roberta’s, Scarr’s Pizza, Mama’s Boy, Glide Pizza and Manos.

The pizza program at TMNT Pizzeria places an emphasis on authenticity at every level, from replicating New York water conditions to traditional fermentation and baking techniques, the companies said.

“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.”

The menu will feature signature pies like Cowabunga Cheese, with fresh mozzarella, tomato sauce, Parmesan and drizzle of olive oil; Shredder’s Revenge, with pepperoni, jalapeños and Mike’s Hot Honey; and Rocksteady’s Meat Smash, with Italian sausage, bacon, pepperoni, ham and prosciutto.

By day, the pizzeria offers a family-friendly environment with free arcade games; by evening, the space transitions into a more adult-oriented setting, with happy hour offerings and a cocktail program. It seats about 60 guests across indoor and outdoor dining areas and also features a dedicated retail component, offering both custom-designed merchandise and exclusive items available only at the Santa Monica location.

The grand opening on June 20 offered exclusive giveaways for the first 100 customers and a special appearance by the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles themselves.