Cocopelli Gourmet Pizza Bar makes hand-crafted pizzas with fresh local ingredients, offering an extensive selection of traditional and gourmet pizzas — from the classic Margherita to signature creations like the Montonara, topped with pistachio nut cream. Beyond pizza, the menu runs to gourmet salads, pastas, porterhouse steak, garlic sizzling prawns, pork belly, nibbles and platters, and in-house made desserts.
The restaurant caters for all, including kids, with alfresco dining for warm evenings and a bar serving cocktails made by its own bartenders. The venue also hosts group functions and offers gift cards, and runs a set of daily 'Ritual' specials through the week alongside a weekday happy hour.
Customers regularly highlight the generous portions, quick service and the signature Montonara pizza, and the kitchen is also known for producing well-regarded gluten-free pizza for coeliac diners.
Cocopelli Gourmet Pizza Bar has built a loyal following in Christchurch around one thing above all: hand-crafted pizza made with fresh, local ingredients. The menu runs from the classic Margherita through to gourmet creations, with the Montonara — grilled chicken, sun-dried tomato, brie, spring onion and a sweet chilli and pistachio nut cream topping — standing out as the restaurant's most talked-about pizza.
While pizza is the headline act, Cocopelli's menu extends well beyond it. Diners can order gourmet salads, pastas, porterhouse steak, garlic sizzling prawns and pork belly, alongside nibbles and platters for sharing and a range of in-house made desserts. There's a kids menu too, making it a straightforward choice for family dinners, and reviewers have specifically praised the gluten-free pizza on offer, calling out its quality for coeliac diners.
Cocopelli runs a structured set of weekly deals it calls 'Daily Rituals.' Sundays bring any large traditional pizza for $28 all day, while the Weekday Lunch Special offers any small pizza for $18 between 11am and 3pm. Mondays see any medium pizza for $26 from 5pm, Tuesdays offer any pasta for $25 all day, and Wednesdays combine a small pizza and dessert for $30 from 5pm. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday bring a happy hour from 4pm to 6pm with $2 off tap beers, house wines and house spirits, Thursdays add triple loyalty club points, and Saturdays feature a $15 cocktail of the day from 4pm to 6pm. All specials are for dine-in only and don't apply on public holidays.
The restaurant offers alfresco dining for warm evenings and a bar where skilled bartenders mix cocktails, alongside beer and wine. Reviewers consistently mention a lively, welcoming atmosphere and food that comes out quickly even on busy nights, making it a popular pre-movie dinner stop as well as a destination for birthdays and anniversaries. Group bookings are catered for, and the restaurant also hosts group functions for larger parties.
Cocopelli can be reached on 03 386 2220, with bookings available online. The venue also offers gift cards for anyone looking to share the experience, and there's plenty of parking available for those driving in.