diff --git a/src/ui/GameWorldView.cpp b/src/ui/GameWorldView.cpp
index 2492e7c..b582733 100644
--- a/src/ui/GameWorldView.cpp
+++ b/src/ui/GameWorldView.cpp
@@ -898,15 +898,7 @@ void GameWorldView::keyPressEvent(QKeyEvent* event)
         }
         break;
     case Qt::Key_Escape:
-        if (m_builderType.has_value())
-        {
-            exitBuilderMode();
-        }
-        else if (m_demolishMode)
-        {
-            m_demolishMode    = false;
-            m_demolishHoverId = kInvalidEntityId;
-        }
+        emit escapeMenuRequested();
         break;
     case Qt::Key_Backspace:
         if (m_demolishMode)
@@ -1114,6 +1106,11 @@ void GameWorldView::exitBuilderMode()
     emit builderModeExited();
 }
 
+double GameWorldView::gameSpeed() const
+{
+    return m_gameSpeedMultiplier;
+}
+
 void GameWorldView::setGameSpeed(double multiplier)
 {
     m_gameSpeedMultiplier = multiplier;
diff --git a/src/ui/GameWorldView.h b/src/ui/GameWorldView.h
index 1374c74..d4a8710 100644
--- a/src/ui/GameWorldView.h
+++ b/src/ui/GameWorldView.h
@@ -46,6 +46,10 @@ signals:
     void stateUpdated(Tick tick, int blocks, double speed);
     void gameOver();
     void builderModeExited();
+    void escapeMenuRequested();
+
+public:
+    double gameSpeed() const;
 
 public slots:
     void enterBuilderMode(BuildingType type);
diff --git a/src/ui/MainWindow.cpp b/src/ui/MainWindow.cpp
index 1a2fc63..ca8ba08 100644
--- a/src/ui/MainWindow.cpp
+++ b/src/ui/MainWindow.cpp
@@ -52,6 +52,9 @@ MainWindow::MainWindow(Simulation* sim, const GameConfig* config,
     connect(m_gameWorldView, SIGNAL(gameOver()),
             this, SLOT(onGameOver()));
 
+    connect(m_gameWorldView, SIGNAL(escapeMenuRequested()),
+            this, SLOT(onEscapeMenuRequested()));
+
     // Signals: build grid → game world
     connect(m_buildButtonGrid, SIGNAL(buildingTypeSelected(BuildingType)),
             m_gameWorldView, SLOT(enterBuilderMode(BuildingType)));
@@ -95,6 +98,35 @@ void MainWindow::onStateUpdated(Tick /*tick*/, int blocks, double /*speed*/)
     m_buildButtonGrid->updateAffordability(blocks);
 }
 
+void MainWindow::onEscapeMenuRequested()
+{
+    const double prevSpeed = m_gameWorldView->gameSpeed();
+    m_gameWorldView->setGameSpeed(0.0);
+
+    QMessageBox box(this);
+    box.setWindowTitle("Paused");
+    QPushButton* continueBtn = box.addButton("Continue", QMessageBox::AcceptRole);
+    QPushButton* restartBtn  = box.addButton("Restart",  QMessageBox::ResetRole);
+    QPushButton* quitBtn     = box.addButton("Quit",     QMessageBox::DestructiveRole);
+    box.setEscapeButton(continueBtn);
+    box.exec();
+
+    QAbstractButton* clicked = box.clickedButton();
+    if (clicked == restartBtn)
+    {
+        m_sim->reset();
+        m_gameWorldView->resetForNewGame();
+    }
+    else if (clicked == quitBtn)
+    {
+        close();
+    }
+    else
+    {
+        m_gameWorldView->setGameSpeed(prevSpeed);
+    }
+}
+
 void MainWindow::onGameOver()
 {
     const Tick tick = m_sim->currentTick();
diff --git a/src/ui/MainWindow.h b/src/ui/MainWindow.h
index 52f571c..563c7fe 100644
--- a/src/ui/MainWindow.h
+++ b/src/ui/MainWindow.h
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ protected:
 private slots:
     void onGameOver();
     void onStateUpdated(Tick tick, int blocks, double speed);
+    void onEscapeMenuRequested();
 
 private:
     void layoutPanels();