Updated in 2021! Don’t let the name fool you. California Pizza Kitchen does far more than make pies. This full-service restaurant has a whole menu of pastas, salads, small plates, other mains, and of course, pizzas. There are dairy-free options in every category, but we were particularly impressed with their extensive entrée salad selection. The information below includes both menu items and custom order options for dairy-free guests.
California Pizza Kitchen Dairy-Free Menu Guide with Vegan Options
California Pizza Kitchen goes above and beyond with allergen charts, vegan and vegetarian guides, and an interactive menu. The following are options made without dairy ingredients at the time of our review.
Small Plates & Appetizers
- Asparagus + Arugula Salad (no cheese; vegan)
- White Corn Guacamole + Chips (vegan)
- Lettuce Wraps with Chinese Vegetables, Chicken, or Shrimp (no rice sticks; can be vegan)
- Sourdough Baguette and California Olive Oil with Mediterranean Herbs (vegan)
Heads Up! The Szechwan Chicken Dumplings, Spicy Buffalo Cauliflower, and Sticky Asian Cauliflower at California Pizza Kitchen surprisingly contain milk.
Soups
- Dakota Smashed Pea + Barley (vegan)
Heads Up! The Sedona Tortilla Soup at California Pizza Kitchen surprisingly contains milk.
Salads
- Roasted Veggie (can be vegan)
- Super Spinach + Quinoa
- Thai Crunch
- California Cobb (no cheese, dairy-free dressing)
- Italian Chopped (no cheese, dairy-free dressing)
- The Original BBQ Chicken Chopped Salad (no cheese, dairy-free dressing)
- The Mediterranean (no cheese, dairy-free dressing)
- Waldorf Chicken (no cheese, no candied walnuts)
Dairy-Free Salad Dressings: Champagne Vinaigrette, Chili Lime Vinaigrette, Dijon Balsamic Vinaigrette, Fat Free Vinaigrette, Lemon Herb Vinaigrette, Lime Cilantro / Thai Peanut Dressing, Oil & Vinegar (All of these are listed as egg-free, too, but select varieties might contain honey. Inquire if strictly vegan.)
Heads Up! Aside from the cheesy and ranch options, the Mustard Herb Vinaigrette contains dairy.
Make it a Meal: You can “add protein” to your dairy-free salad at California Pizza Kitchen. The Grilled Chicken Breast, Sautéed Salmon, and Grilled Shrimp are made without dairy ingredients.
Pizzas (cheeseless)
- The Original BBQ Chicken (no cheese)
- BBQ “Don’t Call Me Chicken” (no cheese; vegan)
- The Works (no cheese)
- Thai Chicken (no cheese)
- Wild Mushroom (no cheese; vegan)
- Hawaiian (no cheese)
- Fresh Tomato (no cheese; vegan)
- California Club (no cheese)
- California Veggie (no cheese; vegan)
- Pepperoni (no cheese)
- Mushroom Pepperoni Sausage (no cheese)
- Roasted Garlic Chicken (no cheese)
Heads Up! The Gluten-Free Cauliflower Crust is made with Cheese. But, at the time of our review, any Original Hand-Tossed or Thin Crist pizza at CPK can be dairy free if ordered without cheese except for the following:
- Carne Asada (currently has Parmesan in the Cilantro Pesto)
- Roasted Artichoke & Spinach (dairy in the Artichoke & Spinach sauc)
- Shrimp Scampi (dairy in Piccata Cream Sauce)
- Spicy Chipotle Chicken (can be dairy free if ordered without cheese and Lime Crema garnish)
- Tostada (can be dairy free if ordered without cheese and Ranch Dressing garnish)
Sandwiches
- California Club with Chicken or Turkey
Power Bowls
Heads Up! The Santa Fe Bowl at California Pizza Kitchen appears to contain dairy, even without the ranch dressing.
Pastas
- Kung Pao Spaghetti
- Tomato Basil Spaghetti (vegan)
Heads Up! Their Bolognese and meat sauces contain dairy.
Other Main Plates
- Fire-Grilled Ribeye (no blue cheese butter)
CPKids
- Fusilli Pasta with Tomato Sauce or Olive Oil (vegan)
- Grilled Chicken Breast
- The Original BBQ Chicken Pizza (no cheese)
- Hawaiian Pizza (no cheese)
- Pepperoni Pizza (no cheese)
- Mushroom Pepperoni Sausage Pizza (no cheese)
- Baby Broccoli (vegan)
- Edamame (vegan)
- Fresh Fruit (vegan)
This Post is for Informational Purposes Only
Menus, ingredients, kitchen procedures, management, and restaurants are subject to change at any time. Always read the menu and discuss your dietary needs with the staff before ordering. Make sure that they can accommodate your situation. This post is for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as advice.
There is always a risk for potential cross-contamination of allergens in any commercial kitchen. If cross-contamination is an issue for you, always speak with the manager to ensure that your meal can be safely prepared. Listings here do not guarantee that a restaurant is safe enough for your individual needs. Only you can make that decision.
Where to Find California Pizza Kitchen
The chain has over 250 locations in more than 30 states and 11 countries. Their heaviest concentration of restaurants is in, you guessed it, California, and on the East Coast. See their website below for addresses, hours, allergen menus, and online ordering.
Website: www.cpk.com
Average Reader Review
5
5 out of 5 stars (based on 1 review)
Rate Your Dairy-Free Experience with this Restaurant
What Others Are Saying …
I love them!
March 21, 2021
The wait staff was great with answering questions and helped pick out food for my son. The chef would take the time to personally come out to check on how my son liked the food (even asked if he wanted more) and let us know that they used fresh utensils/pots for the food. Always a good experience at our local CPK.
Lillian
