California Pizza Kitchen Menu: Prices, Calories, and Best Picks
The California Pizza Kitchen menu covers pizza, pasta, salads, sandwiches, and desserts, and it’s bigger than most first-time visitors expect. I pulled up the current CPK menu, checked prices against three locations, and pieced together what’s actually worth ordering versus what’s just filler on the page. If you’re deciding what to get before you walk in, or you’re comparing CPK to other casual pizza chains, here’s the full breakdown.
CPK opened in Beverly Hills in 1985, started by two attorneys who wanted pizza with California produce instead of just red sauce and pepperoni. That origin still shows up on the menu today. The Original BBQ Chicken Pizza, the chain’s signature item, came out of that same experimental kitchen, and it’s still the top seller at most locations.
What’s on the California Pizza Kitchen Menu?
The California Pizza Kitchen menu is built around hand-tossed pizzas (around $17 to $21), pastas and main plates ($16 to $27), half-and-full salads ($12 to $20), sandwiches (about $17.75), and a rotating dessert and drink list. Gluten-free and Take & Bake versions of most pizzas are also available, along with a Smart Swaps section for lighter options and a Lunch Duo menu on weekdays.
That’s the short version. Here’s where it gets useful.
California Pizza Kitchen Pizza Menu and Prices
Pizza is the reason most people show up, and CPK prices sit in a similar range to Cheesecake Factory or BJ’s, running roughly $17 to $21 for a full pie depending on toppings. Every pizza is baked in six slices, and calories are usually listed per slice rather than per pie, which trips people up if they’re not paying attention.
The lineup covers a wide range of flavors:
- The Original BBQ Chicken Pizza ($19.49): the item CPK is known for. Grilled chicken, smoked gouda, red onion, and their house BBQ sauce.
- Thai Chicken Pizza ($20.49): peanut sauce, chicken, bean sprouts, and cilantro. A menu staple since the early days.
- Margherita Pizza ($17.49): the simplest and cheapest pie on the menu, made with fresh mozzarella and basil.
- Carne Asada Pizza ($20.99): grilled beef with caramelized onions, one of the newer additions with real depth of flavor.
- California Veggie Pizza ($19.49): a solid vegetarian option that also comes on a cauliflower crust.
- Five Cheese + Fresh Tomato Pizza ($18.49): one of the lighter, cheaper choices if you’re not in the mood for meat.
If you’d rather cook at home, the Take & Bake line lets you buy most of these pies uncooked to finish in your own oven, usually a dollar or two cheaper than the dine-in version.
Salads, Pastas, and Main Plates
Salads at CPK come in half and full sizes, and the half is genuinely big enough for a light meal on its own. The BBQ Chicken Chopped Salad, Thai Crunch, and California Cobb are the three most ordered, running $15 to $20 for a full portion. You can add grilled chicken, shrimp, or salmon to any salad for an extra few dollars.
On the pasta side, Chicken Tequila Fettuccine and the newer Braised Short Rib Ragu are the two dishes that come up most in reviews. Prices for main plates land between $16 and $27, with Cedar Plank Salmon at the higher end. If you want something rich and simple, the Mac ‘N’ Cheese comes in five versions, including a BBQ chicken and a carne asada topping.
Smart Swaps: Lighter Options on the California Pizza Kitchen Menu
CPK added a Smart Swaps section to the menu that reworks popular dishes into lower-calorie, higher-protein, or more plant-forward versions without changing the price much. A few examples worth knowing about before you order:
- Avocado Club Egg Rolls swapped into Lettuce Wraps, which cuts calories while adding protein.
- California Veggie Pizza on cauliflower crust instead of regular dough.
- Kung Pao Spaghetti made with zucchini ribbons rather than pasta.
- Cedar Plank Salmon served with Piccata sauce for extra protein.
These aren’t hidden menu items. They’re printed right on the regular menu next to the dish they’re based on, so you can compare the two versions side by side before deciding.
Lunch Duos, Happy Hour, and Catering
If you’re eating on a weekday between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., the Lunch Duo menu is the best value on the entire California Pizza Kitchen menu. A 7-inch pizza paired with a cup of soup, or a half salad with soup, runs around $10 to $16, which is noticeably cheaper than ordering a full pizza and a side separately.
Happy hour runs on weekdays from roughly 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at most locations, dine-in only. Expect a 7-inch pizza with a draft beer for close to $9, plus half-price starters and drinks like wine, margaritas, and specialty cocktails. Hours and deals vary by location, so it’s worth calling ahead if happy hour is the whole point of your visit.
For groups, the catering menu scales pizzas, pastas, and salads to serve 12 to 20 people, and the Get Together Meals for 4 (like the California Trio bundle) are a decent shortcut for family dinners without cooking.
Gluten-Free and Take & Bake Pizza Options
CPK’s gluten-free pizzas are made on a cauliflower crust and cover most of the popular flavors, including the Original BBQ Chicken and Pepperoni. They cost a few dollars more than the regular versions, and the menu is upfront that cross-contamination is possible, so it’s not a guaranteed safe option for anyone with celiac disease.
The Take & Bake pizzas work the same way as the dine-in menu but come uncooked for you to finish at home, including gluten-free versions. It’s one of the more practical parts of the California Pizza Kitchen menu if you want the flavor without eating in the restaurant.
Desserts, Drinks, and Kids Menu
Desserts at CPK are simple but they hit. The Butter Cake is the one regulars order on repeat, a dense, caramelized cake that’s been on the menu for years, and the newer Upside Down Cheesecake and Churro Swirl are worth trying if you haven’t been in a while. Cookies are sold individually or in a three-pack if you just want something small to close out the meal.
On the drink side, CPK runs a rotating list of sparkling coolers (strawberry mango, cranberry, berry-lemon) alongside the usual fountain sodas, iced teas, and coffee. There’s also a full bar at most locations, with wine, beer, and specialty cocktails, which is part of what makes happy hour worth timing right.
The CPKids menu covers pizza, pasta, and salad in kid-sized portions, all around $8, and includes a build-your-own pizza kit that’s popular for keeping younger kids occupied at the table. Portions are generous enough that CPK’s kids menu often gets ordered by adults looking for a smaller, cheaper meal too.
Vegetarian and Customization Options
The California Pizza Kitchen menu has more vegetarian coverage than most casual pizza chains. The California Veggie Pizza, Margherita, and Five Cheese + Fresh Tomato are all meat-free by default, and the Vegetarian Lettuce Wraps and Mexican Street Corn work well as shareable starters. Nearly every pizza can be customized by swapping proteins, adding vegetables, or requesting a lighter sauce at no extra charge, which is more flexibility than you’ll get at most sit-down pizza spots.
Dairy-free diners have options too. Most of CPK’s salad dressings, including Balsamic Vinaigrette, Ginger Sesame, and Spicy Lime Cilantro, skip the dairy, with Caesar as the main exception.
Does California Pizza Kitchen have gluten-free pizza?
Yes. CPK offers gluten-free versions of several signature pizzas on a cauliflower crust, including BBQ Chicken, Pepperoni, and Margherita. The kitchen notes that cross-contamination can happen, so people with celiac disease should ask their server about prep before ordering.
What time is happy hour at California Pizza Kitchen?
Happy hour typically runs weekdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. for dine-in guests, with deals on 7-inch pizzas, drinks, and half-price starters. Exact times and offers vary by location, so checking with your local CPK before you go is the safest bet.
How does CPK Rewards work?
CPK Rewards is free to join through the app or website. Members earn one point for every dollar spent, excluding alcohol, tax, tips, and gift cards. Seventy-five points unlocks a $5 reward, and rewards expire in 90 days unless you reach Elite status, which extends that window to a year.
Does California Pizza Kitchen offer delivery and takeout?
Yes. CPK menu items are available for pickup, curbside, and delivery through the CPK app, website, and third-party services like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub, depending on your location.
