Chakana is a modern Peruvian restaurant situated in a former bank building in Moseley, Birmingham. The restaurant offers a lively atmosphere with a menu featuring traditional Peruvian dishes such as ceviches, tiraditos, and causas, all prepared with bold flavors and vibrant colors. Chakana also boasts an extensive selection of pisco, one of the largest in the UK. The interior design incorporates elements inspired by the Inca Cross, reflecting the restaurant's cultural heritage. The establishment provides options for private dining and is wheelchair accessible, catering to a diverse clientele.
What each source says
- Open Table 4.8 1,179
- Google 4.8 600
Bar length is review volume, so you can see how much weight sits behind each score. Captured 2026-08-26.
What visitors single out
Liked
- Creative and Flavorful Tasting Menu The tasting menu is a highlight, showcasing chef's artistry with interesting flavors and textures. It's a culinary adventure, especially for those new to Peruvian cuisine, with vegetarian options available.
- Exceptional Peruvian Cuisine Chakana offers phenomenal Peruvian food with standout dishes like sea bass and tuna ceviche. The menu features unique flavors and beautifully presented dishes, providing a memorable dining experience.
- Great Cocktails and Drinks Chakana is known for its fantastic cocktails, including highly recommended Pisco Sours. The drinks menu complements the food, adding to the overall enjoyment of the meal.
- Luxurious Ambiance Housed in a beautiful old bank, the restaurant has a luxurious feel with great attention to detail. The ambiance enhances the dining experience, making it suitable for special occasions or casual meals.
- Outstanding and Knowledgeable Service The staff is consistently praised for being friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable about the menu. Servers provide detailed explanations of each dish, enhancing the overall dining experience.
Criticised
- Inconsistent Service Service can be slow or inattentive at times, particularly during the first hour of dining. Delays in drink orders and food arrival have been reported.
- Main Courses Can Be Uneven Some reviewers feel the main courses and desserts do not always live up to the high standards set by the appetizers and starters.
- Meat Seasoning Some diners have found the meat dishes to be bland without sauces, suggesting that they could benefit from more seasoning.
- Tasting Menu Value While the tasting menu receives much praise, some diners feel it is expensive for the portion sizes or doesn't fully represent typical Peruvian cuisine.
- Temperature Issues Some customers have noted that the restaurant can be cold due to issues with the front door not closing properly. This can affect the overall comfort during the meal.
The longer read
Chakana receives overwhelmingly positive reviews, frequently praised for its exceptional and unique Peruvian cuisine. Many reviewers highlight the tasting menu as a standout experience, describing it as an 'adventure for your taste buds' and a 'taste sensation' that celebrates Peruvian flavors. The presentation of the dishes is consistently lauded as artistic, vibrant, and beautiful, demonstrating the chef's artistry. Diners appreciate the creative combinations of flavors and textures, with many mentioning that the food is unlike anything else they've experienced, including Peruvian and Japanese fusion elements. Specific dishes frequently praised include the ceviches (sea bass, tuna, sea bream, scallop), the Hot Crab Causa, the Red Mullet in Hot Ceviche, and the Hake Amazonia. Several reviewers mentioned the Roasted Suckling Pig Pekinés and Tuna Tiradito as highlights. The quality of the ingredients is also consistently noted, with mentions of freshness and phenomenal quality. Service is another strong point, with many reviewers commending the staff's friendliness, knowledge, and attentiveness. Several reviewers specifically mention Erika (and Julia) as providing outstanding service and detailed explanations of the dishes. The staff's passion for the food and Peruvian cuisine is also apparent, making the dining experience special. The restaurant is described as beautiful and luxurious. The cocktails, especially the Pisco Sours, are highly recommended, and are considered reasonably priced for their creativity and quality. Chakana is considered suitable for special occasions, and several reviewers mention returning for birthdays, anniversaries, and celebrations. Many feel the restaurant offers great value for the high quality of food and service. While most reviewers had an excellent experience, a few mention minor issues such as slow initial service, a draft from the door, and occasional seasoning issues with meat dishes. One reviewer felt the tasting menu wasn't representative of typical Peruvian food. Despite these few critiques, the overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, with many reviewers highly recommending Chakana and expressing a desire to return.
A synthesis of published third-party reviews. Not written by Breaks.
Getting there
- Phone
- +44 121 448 9880
- Website
- chakana-restaurant.co.uk
| Mon | Closed |
|---|---|
| Tue | Closed |
| Wed | Closed |
| Thu | 18:00 - 23:00 |
| Fri | 18:00 - 23:30 |
| Sat | 13:00 - 23:30 |
| Sun | 13:00 - 21:30 |
Against the neighbourhood
Rated 4.8 against a median of 4.6 across the 77 places to eat we hold for Birmingham, where the most-reviewed is The Ivy Temple Row.
Booking
Still deciding?
- What are the most highly recommended Peruvian dishes to try at Chakana for a first-time visitor?
- Which pisco cocktails and spirits make up Chakana’s extensive selection, and are there any house specialties?
- What is the typical reservation policy at Chakana and how long are average wait times during peak dinner hours?
- How does Chakana’s price range compare to other upscale restaurants in Birmingham, and what value does the tasting menu offer?
- Is Chakana easily accessible by public transport and does the venue provide wheelchair access and parking options for diners?
What this page cannot tell you
- Descriptions and review summaries are supplied by the source index and are reproduced as published; they are not independently verified by Breaks.
- Ratings and review counts are point-in-time snapshots and drift constantly. Check the venue's own site or the rating provider for the current figure.
- Opening hours change seasonally and at short notice. Confirm with the venue before travelling.
- Category labels come from the source index and are occasionally wrong — a venue may be filed under a type that does not match how it trades.
- Straight-line distances understate real walking distance, especially where a river or railway sits between two points.