California Pizza Kitchen is best known for putting unconventional toppings on pizza, but pizza is only one part of the restaurant’s lineup. The menu also stretches across appetizers, salads, soups, pasta, main plates, sandwiches, children’s meals, desserts, and gluten-free selections.
The california pizza kitchen menu centers on creative California-style pizza, led by the Original BBQ Chicken Pizza, alongside traditional favorites such as Margherita and pepperoni. Depending on the restaurant, diners may also find Chicken Tequila Fettuccine, salads, soups, sandwiches, main plates, cauliflower-crust pizzas, CPKids meals, and desserts. Exact dishes and prices vary by location.
What Is on the california pizza kitchen menu?
California Pizza Kitchen, commonly shortened to CPK, built its identity around California-inspired takes on familiar restaurant food.
Rather than limiting itself to conventional cheese and pepperoni pizzas, CPK became associated with combinations drawing from American, Italian, Asian, Southwestern, and other culinary influences.
Current menus can differ between restaurants, but the main categories commonly include:
- Appetizers and shareable dishes
- Soups
- Salads
- Original and specialty pizzas
- Gluten-free pizzas
- Pasta
- Sandwiches or handhelds at participating locations
- Main plates
- CPKids meals
- Desserts and sweet treats
- Sides, sauces, and pizza dips
Some international menus can differ considerably from U.S. menus, including categories such as halal dishes or brunch. Even within the United States, prices and availability may change by restaurant.
That location-specific variation matters when reading any CPK menu online. A dish listed at one California restaurant, for example, is not automatically available at every CPK.
california pizza kitchen menu Pizza Choices
Pizza remains the centerpiece of CPK.
The restaurant helped popularize the idea that pizza could work as a canvas for ingredients and flavor combinations that went well beyond conventional pizzeria toppings.
Original BBQ Chicken Pizza
The Original BBQ Chicken Pizza is CPK’s defining menu item.
CPK says the pizza was created in 1985. Current descriptions feature BBQ sauce, grilled chicken, smoked Gouda, red onion, and fresh cilantro. Some locations also offer optional additions such as applewood-smoked bacon or pineapple.
The combination explains why this pizza stands apart from a conventional chicken pizza. Tomato sauce gives way to barbecue sauce, while Gouda introduces a smoky character and cilantro provides a fresh finish.
For someone trying CPK for the first time, it is also one of the most useful dishes for understanding the style that originally distinguished the restaurant.
Margherita Pizza
The Margherita moves in a more traditional direction.
Current menu descriptions combine Italian tomatoes with fresh mozzarella, Parmesan, and basil.
Compared with CPK’s heavily topped specialty pizzas, Margherita is relatively straightforward. That makes it a useful option for diners who want familiar Italian-inspired flavors rather than one of the chain’s more experimental combinations.
Pepperoni Pizza
Pepperoni remains another recognizable choice.
The current gluten-free version, for example, is described with rustic spicy pepperoni, fresh mozzarella, and wild Greek oregano, with white truffle oil available at some restaurants.
Mushroom Pepperoni Sausage Pizza
For a meatier pizza, CPK also lists Mushroom Pepperoni Sausage among its current gluten-free choices.
It combines cremini mushrooms, pepperoni, spicy Italian sausage, mozzarella, basil, and Greek oregano.
That mixture produces a more traditional savory pizza profile than BBQ Chicken while retaining CPK’s emphasis on layered toppings.
Traditional Cheese Pizza
A cheese pizza may seem simple beside the restaurant’s signature creations, but it provides another familiar option.
Current descriptions pair CPK’s tomato sauce with traditional and fresh mozzarella cheeses.
Quick takeaway: The pizza selection is broader than the restaurant’s famous BBQ Chicken recipe. Familiar cheese, pepperoni, and Margherita choices sit alongside more distinctive combinations, while actual availability depends on the restaurant.
Appetizers and Shareables
The beginning of the california pizza kitchen menu is designed around dishes that can be shared before pizza, pasta, or another entrée.
Specific selections can change, but menus have included items built around avocado, artichoke, spinach, cauliflower, corn, chicken, and other ingredients.
One current international menu, for example, lists Spinach Artichoke Dip, Mexican Street Corn, Corn Guacamole and Chips, Szechwan Chicken Dumplings, Avocado Club Egg Rolls, Spicy Buffalo Cauliflower, and Dynamite Shrimp.
Spinach Artichoke Dip
This is one of the more familiar restaurant-style appetizers associated with CPK.
It combines spinach and artichoke in a creamy hot dip and is commonly paired with tortilla chips.
Avocado-Based Starters
Avocado also fits naturally into CPK’s California-inspired identity.
Some menus include guacamole-style appetizers incorporating ingredients such as sweet corn, jicama, red onion, cilantro, peppers, and lime.
These starters are useful examples of how CPK incorporates Southwestern and California flavors outside its pizza lineup.
Salads Give CPK a Lighter Side
One reason the menu feels broader than that of a conventional pizza chain is its salad selection.
CPK has historically paired greens with ingredients and dressings inspired by several cuisines. Menu selections vary, but well-known CPK offerings have included Thai Crunch Salad, Original BBQ Chicken Chopped Salad, Waldorf Chicken Salad, and Caesar-style salads.
Some of these salads also appear in the company’s catering combinations alongside pizza and pasta.
Thai Crunch Salad
The Thai Crunch concept follows the same approach seen throughout CPK’s menu: taking a familiar format and introducing flavors associated with another cuisine.
Crunchy vegetables, chicken and Asian-inspired elements create a very different experience from a conventional Caesar salad.
Original BBQ Chicken Chopped Salad
The BBQ Chicken theme extends beyond pizza.
CPK has used its signature barbecue flavor in chopped salad preparations as well, making it a logical alternative for diners who like the flavor profile of the Original BBQ Chicken Pizza but want something different.
Caesar Salad
For diners who prefer something recognizable, Caesar-style salads provide a simpler counterpoint to CPK’s more creative combinations.
When comparing salads, however, “salad” should not automatically be interpreted as low-calorie. Cheese, dressing, fried toppings, nuts, avocado, meat, and portion size can significantly change the nutritional profile.
Soups on the CPK Menu
Soup is another established part of the menu, and several current restaurant listings show three recurring choices.
Tomato Basil Bisque
Tomato Basil Bisque is a creamy tomato-based soup.
Current listings describe it with a touch of cream, while toppings can vary between locations or menu versions.
Dakota Smashed Pea + Barley
This soup combines peas and barley with carrots, onions, herbs, and scallions.
The barley gives it more texture than a completely smooth pea soup.
Sedona Tortilla
Sedona Tortilla brings Southwestern flavors into the soup category.
Current descriptions mention tomatoes, tomatillos, corn, green chilies, Southwestern spices, and crispy corn tortilla strips.
Two in a Bowl
Can’t decide between soups? Some locations offer Two in a Bowl, which places two signature soups side by side.
This can be especially useful for someone unfamiliar with CPK’s soups because it allows two flavors to be sampled without ordering two full bowls.
Pasta on the california pizza kitchen menu
Pizza may receive most of the attention, but pasta has long been another recognizable part of CPK’s food lineup.
Past menus and catering combinations have included dishes such as:
| Pasta | General Flavor Profile |
|---|---|
| Chicken Tequila Fettuccine | Creamy, citrus-influenced chicken pasta |
| Kung Pao Spaghetti | Asian-inspired sweet, savory and spicy flavors |
| Bolognese Fusilli | Meat sauce with spiral pasta |
| Garlic Cream Fettuccine | Rich, creamy garlic profile |
| Tomato Basil Spaghetti | Familiar tomato-and-herb combination |
Current catering listings continue to reference Chicken Tequila Fettuccine, Garlic Cream Fettuccine, Bolognese Fusilli, Kung Pao Spaghetti, and Tomato Basil Spaghetti in different combinations.
Chicken Tequila Fettuccine
Chicken Tequila Fettuccine is one of the dishes most closely associated with CPK’s non-pizza menu.
Its appeal comes from combining creamy pasta with Southwestern-inspired flavors rather than treating fettuccine strictly as an Italian dish.
That cross-cultural approach is characteristic of CPK as a whole.
Kung Pao Spaghetti
Kung Pao Spaghetti takes the concept even further.
Instead of keeping Asian-inspired flavors and Italian pasta separate, the dish brings them together. It is a good illustration of why CPK’s menu has historically been described as California-inspired rather than simply Italian.
Main Plates and Handhelds
Not everyone visiting CPK wants pizza or pasta.
Depending on the location, the menu can include main plates and sandwiches or other handheld dishes. Current online menu categories explicitly identify both Main Plates and Handhelds at participating restaurants.
Recent U.S. delivery menus have also shown sandwiches such as Banh Mi Chicken, Banh Mi Ham, BBLT, Mediterranean Hummus, and Muffaletta.
The Banh Mi Chicken Sandwich, for instance, has been described with grilled chicken, pickled red onions, cucumber, carrots, serrano peppers, cilantro, and sriracha-lime mayonnaise.
Meanwhile, the Mediterranean Hummus Sandwich combines ingredients such as garlic hummus, feta, cucumber, roasted tomatoes, and Kalamata olive tapenade.
These selections reinforce a recurring theme: CPK borrows flavors from multiple culinary traditions instead of restricting its menu to classic pizzeria food.
Does California Pizza Kitchen Have Gluten-Free Pizza?
Yes. Gluten-free pizza is one of the clearest dietary alternatives on current CPK menus.
Listings show gluten-free versions of several familiar pizzas, including:
- Original BBQ Chicken Pizza
- Pepperoni Pizza
- Mushroom Pepperoni Sausage Pizza
- Margherita Pizza
- Traditional Cheese Pizza
The gluten-free pizzas are currently offered on cauliflower crust in many U.S. restaurant listings. Importantly, CPK states that its cauliflower crust contains egg and dairy.
That distinction matters. “Gluten-free” does not mean dairy-free, egg-free, vegan, or suitable for every food allergy.
Some CPK listings also state that designated gluten-free pizzas are prepared using procedures associated with the Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG), including a validated gluten-free crust and supplier-verified ingredients.
Anyone with celiac disease or a serious food allergy should still review the current allergen information for the specific restaurant and communicate dietary requirements directly to restaurant staff. Recipes, preparation procedures, and ingredients can change.
Quick takeaway: CPK has dedicated gluten-free pizza options, but the cauliflower crust contains egg and dairy. Never assume one dietary label covers other allergens.
Vegetarian and Plant-Focused Choices
CPK’s combination of pizza, salads, soups, vegetables, hummus, avocado, cheese, and customizable dishes gives vegetarian diners several possibilities, although availability varies.
Potentially suitable menu styles include:
- Margherita pizza
- Traditional cheese pizza
- Vegetable-based pizza
- Selected salads
- Tomato-based or vegetable soups
- Spinach Artichoke Dip
- Guacamole-style appetizers
- Mediterranean Hummus Sandwich at participating locations
The exact ingredients deserve attention.
For example, cheese makes many meat-free pizzas unsuitable for vegans, while dressings, sauces, soups, and crusts may contain dairy, eggs, or other animal-derived ingredients.
For that reason, a diner looking specifically for vegan food should evaluate the individual recipe rather than treating “vegetarian” and “vegan” as interchangeable terms.
CPKids Menu and Family Choices
California Pizza Kitchen also maintains a children’s section commonly branded as CPKids.
Kids’ choices can vary by restaurant, but pizza remains an important part of the selection. Current listings show gluten-free children’s versions of Cheese, Pepperoni, Original BBQ Chicken, and Mushroom Pepperoni Sausage pizzas.
This is particularly useful for families because children do not necessarily have to order a full adult pizza to experience the restaurant’s signature flavors.
Parents comparing meals should pay attention to the entire plate rather than just the entrée. Drinks, sauces, sides, and desserts can substantially affect calories, sugar, sodium, and overall portion size.
Desserts and Sweet Treats
Dessert completes the broader CPK menu structure.
Current ordering systems group these under categories such as Sweet Treats, although the exact desserts can change between restaurants and over time.
This is one area where checking the local menu is particularly worthwhile. Limited-time items and restaurant-specific availability can make generic nationwide menu lists inaccurate fairly quickly.
The same principle applies to seasonal dishes throughout the menu.
california pizza kitchen menu Prices
There is no single price list that reliably applies to every California Pizza Kitchen restaurant.
Prices depend on factors such as location, restaurant format, regional costs, menu updates, and ordering channel. Delivery platforms themselves warn that menu prices can vary according to the selected store.
Recent U.S. listings illustrate the variation:
| Example Item | Approximate Price Seen in Recent Listings* |
|---|---|
| Tomato Basil Bisque | Around $10 |
| Two in a Bowl | Around $14 |
| Gluten-Free Margherita Pizza | Around $23 |
| Gluten-Free Traditional Cheese Pizza | Around $24 |
| Gluten-Free BBQ Chicken Pizza | Around $26 |
| Gluten-Free Mushroom Pepperoni Sausage | Around $27 |
| Gluten-Free Kids Pizza | Around $11–$12 |
*These are examples from recently indexed restaurant and delivery menus, not universal CPK prices.
A Honolulu location, for example, showed slightly different soup pricing from several mainland locations.
This is why an online article promising one “exact” CPK price for every restaurant can be misleading.
Why CPK Prices Differ by Location
Restaurant menu pricing is local by nature.
A CPK restaurant in Los Angeles may face different labor, rent, ingredient, tax, and operating costs than a location in another state. International restaurants add another layer because menus can be adapted to local tastes, ingredients, dietary requirements, and currencies.
Ordering method can also matter. A restaurant’s dine-in or pickup price is not necessarily identical to the price displayed through every third-party delivery service.
For accurate budgeting, compare the menu for the restaurant you actually plan to visit rather than relying on a nationwide price chart.
Nutrition and Calories: What to Know Before Choosing
CPK’s menu ranges from vegetable-based dishes to pizzas, creamy pasta, meat-topped entrées, and desserts, so nutritional values can differ dramatically.
Pizza calorie information also requires careful reading.
Current gluten-free listings state that adult pizzas contain six slices and display calories on a per-slice basis.
That means a number shown next to a pizza may not represent the entire pizza.
The practical approach is simple:
- Check whether calories are listed per serving, slice, or complete dish.
- Consider sauces and dressings separately when applicable.
- Remember that modifications can change nutrition.
- Check sodium as well as calories when comparing savory dishes.
- Review allergen information separately from nutrition information.
A lower-calorie dish is not automatically the right choice for everyone, and calorie count alone says little about protein, fiber, sodium, allergens, or overall nutritional balance.
What Is California Pizza Kitchen Best Known For?
The Original BBQ Chicken Pizza is the dish most strongly associated with CPK.
Its importance goes beyond popularity. CPK identifies it as a creation dating to 1985, making it part of the restaurant’s early identity.
The combination of barbecue sauce, chicken, smoked Gouda, onion, and cilantro captured the basic idea that helped define California-style pizza: the crust could carry ingredients and flavors that were not traditionally associated with pizza.
CPK subsequently applied that same philosophy to other parts of its menu.
Kung Pao Spaghetti brings Asian-inspired flavors to pasta. Sedona Tortilla soup leans Southwestern. Banh Mi and Mediterranean-style sandwiches introduce still other culinary influences.
That variety is arguably a better description of the restaurant than “pizza chain” alone.
How to Read the california pizza kitchen menu Before Visiting
Because menus and prices vary, checking a current location-specific menu is more useful than memorizing a long national list.
Start by deciding which menu category interests you most: pizza, pasta, salad, soup, handheld, or main plate.
Then check three details.
1. Look at the Exact Restaurant
Select the actual location you intend to visit. The official California Pizza Kitchen website provides access to restaurant and ordering information, while individual ordering pages are tied to specific locations.
2. Check Dietary Information Separately
If gluten, dairy, eggs, or another allergen matters to you, do not rely solely on the dish name.
The cauliflower pizza crust is the clearest example: it is presented as gluten-free but contains egg and dairy.
3. Confirm Current Prices
Prices found in search results can become outdated or belong to another restaurant.
Use location-specific information for the most relevant current figure, especially if you are comparing several dishes.
Popular Choices for Different Tastes
The california pizza kitchen menu becomes easier to navigate when dishes are grouped by flavor rather than simply by category.
For someone interested in the restaurant’s signature style, the Original BBQ Chicken Pizza is the natural reference point.
For familiar pizza flavors, Margherita, Pepperoni, or Traditional Cheese keep things relatively straightforward.
Someone looking for rich comfort food may gravitate toward creamy pasta, while diners wanting brighter or fresher flavors can explore salads and vegetable-based dishes.
Those interested in Southwestern flavors can look toward dishes such as Sedona Tortilla soup, while the Kung Pao Spaghetti concept demonstrates CPK’s Asian-inspired side.
For gluten avoidance, designated gluten-free pizzas provide alternatives, though allergen considerations still apply.
The best choice therefore depends less on finding a universally “best” menu item and more on understanding which side of CPK’s unusually broad flavor range suits you.
Final Thoughts on the california pizza kitchen menu
The california pizza kitchen menu is broader than its name suggests. Signature pizzas remain central, particularly the Original BBQ Chicken Pizza, but CPK also covers pasta, salads, soups, appetizers, sandwiches, main plates, children’s meals, gluten-free pizza, and desserts.
Its defining characteristic is variety. Italian-inspired Margherita can sit alongside barbecue chicken pizza, Southwestern tortilla soup, Kung Pao-inspired pasta, and globally influenced handhelds.
The most useful thing to remember is that menu items, ingredients, and prices vary by location. Use broad menu guides to understand what CPK offers, then check the current menu for the specific restaurant before relying on a price, dietary designation, or item availability.
