The cpk menu goes far beyond pizza. California Pizza Kitchen combines its famous California-style pizzas with pasta, salads, appetizers, bowls, main plates, sandwiches, desserts, kids meals, and lighter or customizable choices.
If you are checking the menu before visiting, the biggest challenge is knowing what CPK currently serves, which dishes are signature items, and how prices and nutrition differ by location.
Quick answer: The cpk menu centers on California Pizza Kitchen’s hand-tossed pizzas, led by The Original BBQ Chicken Pizza, along with pasta such as Chicken Tequila Fettuccine, salads including Thai Crunch, starters, main plates, Lunch Duos, CPKids meals, desserts, and beverages. Selection and prices can differ by restaurant and ordering platform.
cpk menu Categories at a Glance
California Pizza Kitchen, commonly shortened to CPK, was founded around the idea of putting creative, globally influenced toppings on pizza. That remains the restaurant’s identity, but the modern menu is considerably broader.
Depending on the restaurant, you may see categories covering:
| Menu category | What you can expect |
|---|---|
| Starters | Dips, egg rolls, cauliflower, shrimp and shareables |
| Pizza | Original, classic and globally inspired recipes |
| Pasta | Creamy, tomato-based and spicy pasta dishes |
| Salads | Entrée-size chopped and composed salads |
| Main plates | Chicken, salmon and other plated entrées |
| Bowls | Rice, vegetables and protein combinations |
| Sandwiches | Lunch-friendly chicken, turkey and vegetarian choices |
| Lunch Duos | Smaller pizza, pasta, sandwich, soup and salad pairings |
| CPKids | Pizza, pasta, chicken, fruit and desserts |
| Desserts | Butter Cake and other sweets |
| Beverages | Tea, lemonade, soda, coffee and specialty drinks |
Not every location carries every item. Delivery services can also display slightly different assortments and prices from dine-in menus, so restaurant-specific ordering information should be treated as the final reference. Current third-party menus show this location-based variation clearly.
Pizza on the cpk menu
Pizza is still the centerpiece of California Pizza Kitchen.
Rather than limiting itself to familiar combinations such as cheese or pepperoni, CPK became known for using toppings and sauces inspired by barbecue, Thai, Mediterranean and Southwestern cooking.
The Original BBQ Chicken Pizza
The Original BBQ Chicken Pizza is CPK’s defining dish.
It combines barbecue sauce, chicken, cheese, red onion and cilantro, with smoked Gouda appearing in the classic preparation. The pizza dates back to the restaurant’s early history and remains one of the items most closely associated with the brand.
Current menu listings continue to feature it prominently among CPK favorites.
It is a useful first choice for someone who has never eaten at California Pizza Kitchen because it illustrates exactly what made the chain distinctive: pizza interpreted through California-style fusion rather than traditional Italian rules.
California Veggie Pizza
The California Veggie is aimed at diners who want vegetables to play the starring role.
Typical ingredients include vegetables such as broccolini, eggplant, Cremini mushrooms, roasted corn, sun-dried tomatoes and red onions alongside cheese.
Some locations allow it to be paired with cauliflower crust, giving diners another way to adjust the meal.
Mushroom Pepperoni Sausage Pizza
For a more familiar meat-forward option, the Mushroom Pepperoni Sausage Pizza combines pepperoni and Italian sausage with mushrooms, Mozzarella and herbs.
Current CPK menu listings continue to include the pizza among commonly ordered favorites.
Traditional cheese and pepperoni choices
People who do not want a heavily customized California-style pizza can still find straightforward combinations such as cheese and pepperoni, particularly through lunch and children’s menus.
That makes CPK more approachable for groups where some diners want adventurous combinations while others prefer familiar flavors.
Starters and Shareable Appetizers
The appetizer section is one of the broadest parts of the menu.
Rather than relying only on breadsticks or wings, CPK mixes familiar restaurant appetizers with dishes influenced by Asian, Mexican and Californian flavors.
Avocado Club Egg Rolls
Avocado Club Egg Rolls are one of CPK’s recognizable starters.
Current versions combine ingredients such as avocado, chicken, tomato, Monterey Jack cheese and applewood-smoked bacon inside crispy wonton wrappers, accompanied by dipping sauces.
They are considerably richer than a typical vegetable spring roll, so they work better as a shared appetizer than as a light starter.
Spinach Artichoke Dip
Spinach Artichoke Dip is another long-running menu choice. It is normally served hot with tortilla chips.
This is one of the safer group-sharing options because the flavor profile is much more familiar than some of CPK’s fusion dishes.
Lettuce Wraps
CPK lettuce wraps bring together ingredients such as mushrooms, jicama, cabbage and scallions with a spicy ginger-soy profile.
They are particularly useful when a table wants a shareable dish that feels lighter than fried appetizers.
Dynamite Shrimp
Dynamite Shrimp combines crispy shrimp with a sweet-spicy Sriracha-style sauce, scallions and sesame seeds.
The dish sits on the richer end of the appetizer menu because the shrimp are fried and sauced.
Spicy Buffalo choices
CPK has also offered Buffalo-style chicken and cauliflower preparations. These usually combine heat, tang and creamy elements such as ranch or Gorgonzola.
The cauliflower version is especially notable because it gives diners a plant-forward alternative without simply offering a plain vegetable plate.
Pasta on the California Pizza Kitchen Menu
Pasta has become nearly as important to CPK as pizza.
The menu ranges from mild cheese-based pasta to dishes with stronger Southwestern or Asian-inspired flavors.
Chicken Tequila Fettuccine
Chicken Tequila Fettuccine is one of the restaurant’s signature pasta dishes.
The current preparation uses spinach fettuccine with chicken, red onion, bell peppers and cilantro in a creamy jalapeño-lime sauce.
The name may suggest an extremely strong tequila flavor, but the defining character is really the combination of creaminess, citrus, pepper and cilantro.
Garlic Cream Fettuccine
Garlic Cream Fettuccine is the simpler choice.
It uses a creamy garlic-forward sauce with Italian parsley and may be customizable with ingredients such as chicken, shrimp or Cremini mushrooms at participating locations.
If Chicken Tequila Fettuccine sounds too spicy or complex, Garlic Cream is usually the more traditional alternative.
Mac ‘N’ Cheese
CPK’s Mac ‘N’ Cheese uses fusilli rather than traditional elbow macaroni.
The spiral-shaped pasta holds the cheese sauce particularly well, which explains why the restaurant uses the same pasta shape in several children’s dishes.
Tomato-based pasta
Tomato Basil Spaghetti appears in CPK nutrition and lunch information and offers a less cream-heavy direction.
CPK’s nutrition data lists a lunch portion of Tomato Basil Spaghetti at roughly 480 calories before optional additions such as goat cheese.
That example also illustrates why portion size matters when comparing menu calories: lunch and full-size entrées should not be treated as equivalent.
Salads, Bowls and Lighter Choices
Ordering at a pizza restaurant does not necessarily mean ordering pizza.
CPK has historically placed substantial emphasis on entrée salads and vegetable-heavy dishes.
Thai Crunch
Thai Crunch is one of the restaurant’s better-known salads.
It brings together crunchy vegetables and bold Asian-inspired flavors instead of following the standard lettuce-tomato-cheese format found at many casual chains.
Its popularity is reflected by its continued appearance among CPK favorites on current menu listings.
Original BBQ Chicken Chopped Salad
This salad translates the flavors associated with CPK’s signature barbecue chicken pizza into an entrée salad.
For diners who like the sweet-smoky BBQ profile but do not necessarily want pizza crust, it is an obvious alternative.
Seasonal and specialty salads
The salad lineup can change. Recent menus have included options such as Steakhouse Salad, California Fields Salad, Crispy Chinese Dumpling Salad and Charcuterie-inspired salads.
Seasonal availability is one reason older CPK menu guides frequently disagree with current restaurant listings.
Bowls
Some CPK locations offer composed bowls combining rice, vegetables, sauces and proteins.
Examples seen across current regional menus include Shanghai-style and Baja-style bowls, although availability differs substantially between markets.
That regional variation matters: the United States menu should not automatically be assumed to match menus in Canada or international CPK restaurants.
Main Plates Beyond Pizza and Pasta
California Pizza Kitchen also serves full plated entrées.
These make the restaurant more suitable for groups because someone who does not want pizza or pasta can still order a conventional protein-based meal.
Chicken Piccata
Chicken Piccata typically combines chicken with pasta, lemon and capers in a creamy white-wine-influenced sauce.
It remains among the prominent CPK favorites appearing on current menu listings.
Cedar Plank Salmon
Cedar Plank Salmon is one of the seafood-oriented entrées currently appearing on CPK menus.
It is also identified in current menu guides as a protein-focused option.
Salmon Piccata and seasonal seafood
Depending on season and location, diners may encounter other salmon preparations or seafood dishes.
Recent menu data has shown Salmon Piccata as well as seasonal dishes such as Seafood Cioppino.
These are precisely the kinds of items most likely to change, so checking the restaurant’s current menu is worthwhile before visiting for a specific seafood entrée.
CPK Lunch Menu and Lunch Duos
Lunch Duos are one of the most useful parts of the CPK menu for anyone who wants variety without ordering two full entrées.
The format generally pairs smaller portions from different categories.
Depending on the location, choices may include a 7-inch pizza, lunch-size pasta, half sandwich, soup or salad.
Current CPK nutrition information lists Lunch Duo components such as 7-inch Wild Mushroom Pizza, Tomato Basil Spaghetti, Spaghetti Bolognese and sandwiches including Banh Mi, BBLT, California Club and Mediterranean Hummus.
Some restaurant listings show Lunch Duos offered during a specific daytime window, historically around late morning to early afternoon. Because hours and participation can differ by restaurant, diners should verify their location rather than assume every CPK follows the same schedule.
Why Lunch Duos are different from full entrées
The main advantage is portion flexibility.
For example, instead of choosing between pizza and salad, you may be able to have a smaller portion of each. It also makes the lunch menu easier to compare nutritionally because CPK publishes information for individual lunch components.
A 7-inch pizza is not nutritionally interchangeable with a full-size pizza, so pay attention to serving descriptions whenever you compare calorie figures.
CPKids Menu
The CPKids menu is designed around recognizable foods rather than miniature versions of the most adventurous adult dishes.
Current offerings across U.S. ordering platforms include children’s pizza, pasta, chicken, salad, fruit and desserts.
Typical pizza choices include Traditional Cheese, Pepperoni, Original BBQ Chicken and Mushroom Pepperoni Sausage.
Pasta options commonly include:
- Curly Mac ‘N’ Cheese
- Buttered Fusilli
- Fusilli with Tomato Sauce
- Fusilli Alfredo
- Fusilli with Meat Sauce
Chicken choices may include grilled chicken breast or crispy chicken, with vegetable or fruit sides available at participating restaurants.
For dessert, children’s menus can include a brownie, sundae or cookies. Fresh fruit is also offered at some locations.
Vegetarian and Plant-Forward Choices
Vegetarian dining at CPK is relatively straightforward because pizzas, pasta, salads and appetizers naturally provide several meat-free starting points.
Possible choices can include California Veggie Pizza, vegetarian lettuce wraps, vegetable-based salads and some pasta dishes.
Current menu guides also identify items such as Spicy Buffalo Cauliflower and Cauliflower Steak Piccata as plant-forward selections.
There is an important distinction between vegetarian and vegan, however.
Cheese, butter, cream-based sauces and dressings are common throughout the restaurant. A vegetable-centered dish therefore should not automatically be assumed to be vegan.
Ask about individual ingredients and substitutions whenever avoiding all animal-derived ingredients matters.
Does CPK Have Gluten-Free Pizza?
CPK provides gluten-free choices, but diners need to distinguish an ingredient substitution from a guarantee that no cross-contact can occur.
Gluten-free crust is available for certain pizzas, and CPK’s allergen information warns that restaurants use shared preparation spaces and equipment. Cross-contact therefore remains possible.
That distinction is especially important for people with celiac disease or medically significant wheat or gluten allergies.
A cauliflower crust is also not automatically synonymous with gluten-free unless the restaurant specifically identifies the preparation as such.
Current menu data shows cauliflower crust being offered with selections such as California Veggie Pizza, but ingredient and preparation information should always be checked separately.
CPK Nutrition and Calories
Calories on the cpk menu can differ dramatically based on portion size, crust, toppings, sauce and customization.
The most reliable approach is to compare the exact serving listed in CPK’s nutrition information rather than estimating from the dish name.
For example, CPK’s published nutrition data lists lunch-size items independently. A 7-inch Wild Mushroom Pizza is listed around 610 calories, while the corresponding cauliflower-crust lunch pizza is listed around 520 calories in the nutrition database.
That does not mean cauliflower crust is always dramatically lighter. The total depends on the complete recipe, not merely the crust.
The same principle applies to pasta.
A lunch portion of Tomato Basil Spaghetti is listed around 480 calories, while adding goat cheese raises the listed figure to about 550 calories.
Small customizations can therefore make a measurable difference.
Smart ways to compare menu nutrition
Look at the serving size first, particularly with pizza. Check whether nutritional information refers to one slice, a full pizza or a lunch-size pizza.
Then examine more than calories. Sodium, saturated fat, carbohydrates, protein and allergens may be just as relevant depending on your dietary needs.
Finally, account for extras. Dressings, dipping sauces, cheese, meat additions and side dishes can significantly change the nutritional profile of a meal.
Food Allergies and Cross-Contact
Guests with food allergies should treat allergen information separately from general menu descriptions.
CPK identifies common allergens including gluten, dairy, tree nuts, soy, shellfish and eggs and states that shared cooking surfaces, equipment, fryers or preparation areas may create cross-contact risks.
This means a dish that does not intentionally contain a particular allergen may still not be suitable for someone with a serious allergy.
Inform restaurant staff about a severe allergy before ordering and check current restaurant-specific allergen guidance rather than relying solely on an online menu summary.
cpk menu Prices in 2026
There is no single nationwide price that can accurately represent every California Pizza Kitchen restaurant.
Prices vary by market, restaurant, ordering channel, customization and delivery platform.
Current third-party U.S. menu listings, for example, show several popular entrées roughly in these ranges:
| Example item | Approximate listed price* |
|---|---|
| Spinach Artichoke Dip | Around $16–$17 |
| Avocado Club Egg Rolls | Around $17–$18 |
| Original BBQ Chicken Pizza | Around $22–$23 |
| Garlic Cream Fettuccine | Around $21–$22 |
| Chicken Tequila Fettuccine | Around $26–$27 |
| Chicken Piccata | Around $26+ |
| Cedar Plank Salmon | Around $31+ |
| CPKids entrées | Around $9–$10 |
*These figures are examples from current online menu listings, not guaranteed national prices. Delivery markup, taxes, fees and local pricing can change the amount you actually pay.
That explains why two websites may show different CPK menu prices without either necessarily being incorrect.
For accurate budgeting, compare the menu for the exact restaurant you plan to use.
Desserts on the CPK Menu
CPK’s dessert lineup is led by Butter Cake, one of the chain’s most recognizable sweets.
It is intentionally rich and works particularly well as a shared dessert after pizza or pasta.
Recent menus have also introduced variations such as a Mini Butter Cake Flight.
Seasonal sweets can appear as well. Recent menu data has included Strawberry Shortcake, while children’s options can include brownies and sundaes.
Because dessert selections rotate more readily than core pizzas, seasonal items should be checked shortly before visiting.
Drinks and Beverages
Standard beverage choices include fountain drinks, iced tea, lemonade, coffee and bottled or canned drinks.
Flavored lemonades and teas can also appear depending on the location. Current catering and delivery listings, for example, include strawberry and peach lemonade variations.
Full-service restaurant beverage menus may differ from delivery listings, so not every drink available in the dining room will necessarily appear online.
What Is CPK Most Famous For?
If only one menu item represents California Pizza Kitchen, it is The Original BBQ Chicken Pizza.
Its combination of barbecue sauce and nontraditional pizza toppings helped define CPK’s California-style approach to pizza.
After that, several dishes repeatedly appear among the restaurant’s best-known offerings: Chicken Tequila Fettuccine, Thai Crunch, Original BBQ Chicken Chopped Salad, Avocado Club Egg Rolls, Spinach Artichoke Dip and Butter Cake. Current menu listings continue to group many of these among CPK favorites.
For a first visit, choosing one signature pizza and then sharing either an appetizer or dessert gives a clearer picture of what distinguishes CPK from a conventional pizza chain.
How to Choose From the CPK Menu
The easiest way to navigate such a large menu is to decide which style of meal you want before comparing individual dishes.
For classic CPK, start with The Original BBQ Chicken Pizza. For something creamy and distinctive, Chicken Tequila Fettuccine is one of the restaurant’s signature pastas. If vegetables and crunch sound better, look toward Thai Crunch or another entrée salad.
Lunch diners can get more variety through Lunch Duos, while families have a fairly broad CPKids selection.
Anyone managing calories, gluten or food allergies should check the restaurant’s current nutrition and allergen information before ordering rather than making assumptions based on names such as “cauliflower,” “vegetable” or “salad.”
Final Take on the cpk menu
The cpk menu is best understood as a California-inspired casual dining menu rather than simply a pizza list. The Original BBQ Chicken Pizza remains its signature dish, but pasta, salads, appetizers, seafood, Lunch Duos, children’s meals and desserts give diners considerably more variety.
The key thing to remember in 2026 is that menu selection and prices can vary by location. Seasonal dishes come and go, delivery platforms may charge different prices, and dietary modifications can change both nutrition and allergen considerations.
Use the core menu categories above to narrow down what sounds appealing, then check the current listing for your specific California Pizza Kitchen restaurant for exact availability, pricing and dietary details.
