The controlled surface modification of composites with thermoplastic matrices is essential for improving their adhesive bonding performance. Abrasive Waterjet (AWJ) texturing is a promising technique for reliable surface functionalization, as it can create optimal surface morphology without heating the material or inducing fibre delamination. This study aims to explore the possibility of using AWJ for structural bonding applications. The influence of surface roughness on the adhesive performance of carbon fibre reinforced thermoplastic samples with an epoxy adhesive is investigated through single lap joint tensile tests. The results show that AWJ texturing significantly improves the strength of CFR-PEKK / FM 300M bonds for a wide range of parameters and with good repeatability, leading to predominantly cohesive failure inside the adhesive.