Our Story
Two Decades of Pizza, People, and Passion: Cocopelli Celebrates 20 Years
Located at The Palms Arena in Christchurch, we’re a family business that loves supporting our local community. From day one, we’ve had a strong focus on sustainability and caring for the environment, using paper straws and biodegradable or recyclable packaging wherever possible.
We’re proud of our great food and the fantastic service we offer. Our goal has always been to create a warm and friendly environment where you can enjoy anything from a few quiet drinks and nibbles to a large function with friends and family.
Our menu is created using fresh, local ingredients, and our famous pizzas and à la carte dishes are designed to please everyone – from meat lovers to vegetarians. More than 85% of our menu is available gluten-free on request, because we believe everyone should be able to enjoy a great meal together.
Open 7 days a week
Monday – Sunday: 11am – late
The Secret Ingredient
On the 8th of November, 2025 we celebrated our 20th anniversary. What has contributed to our longevity? Our success has always come down to our people. From long-standing team members to loyal regulars, the relationships built here have created something rare – a restaurant that feels like family. Our head chef and restaurant manager have been with us since 2011, helping shape a workplace culture that defies the burnout so often seen in hospitality.
Our philosophy is simple: you don’t live to work – you work to live. When our team is happy, that energy flows into everything we do. You can feel it in the atmosphere, and you can taste it on the plate.
We have customers who’ve been dining with us since the very beginning – couples who came in on their first dates and now bring their children, and others who visited as kids with their parents and now return with families of their own.
Much has changed since those early days, but inclusivity and connection remain at the heart of everything we do.
Community at the Core
For many locals, we’re not just a place to eat – we’re a place where life has unfolded over the past two decades. We’ve seen first dates turn into anniversaries, proposals turn into weddings, and families grow up around our tables. When the Christchurch earthquakes changed the city and its nightlife disappeared, we opened our doors in a different way – transforming into a makeshift dance floor. With lights, DJs, and music filling the space, we became somewhere people could reconnect, celebrate, and feel human again in challenging times.
Bringing people together has always been what we’re about – not just through food, but through connection. That same spirit of inclusivity continues to shape us today. We’re honoured to be the backdrop for countless personal milestones – proposals, birthdays, anniversaries, and even first dates. Whether the night ends in laughter, love, or simply great pizza, we’re proud to be a place where everyone belongs.
No Shortcuts - Great Food Takes Time
Our menu has evolved over the years, but some favourites have never left. The Montanara pizza has been our signature dish since day one, topped with its much-loved pistachio nut swirl. And our legendary fries – coated in a closely guarded secret seasoning – are still just that: secret (though we might reveal it on our 30th…).
We focus on fresh, local ingredients. Our pizza sauce is made from scratch, and all our desserts are baked in-house. There’s something comforting about home baking, and over the years we’ve adapted and perfected our recipes based on feedback from the people who matter most – our regulars.
After more than two decades, we’re still here doing what we love: bringing people together over great food, in a place that feels like home.
