The story
Chakana brings the vibrant flavours of Peru to Moseley, Birmingham, under the direction of Michelin-starred chef Robert Ortiz. Situated within the walls of a beautiful old bank, the restaurant offers a setting that is both accessible and relaxed, driven by a genuine passion for sharing Peruvian food with a wider audience.
The name Chakana pays homage to the Andean Cross, an ancient symbol used by indigenous Peruvian cultures. It represents the three worlds – above, the ground we step on, and the underworld – and signifies living in harmony with nature and each other. This philosophy weaves through the restaurant's approach to food and hospitality.
Chef Robert Ortiz's work here has earned the restaurant a Michelin Recommended status, a recognition that speaks to the quality and integrity of the cooking. The menu explores the rich traditions of Peruvian cuisine, offering diners a chance to experience its soulful essence in each plate. The relaxed atmosphere encourages guests to settle in and savour the experience, whether visiting for a special occasion or a regular evening out. For larger parties or private events, the restaurant also offers a dedicated private dining space and welcomes booking enquiries for groups of seven or more.
Recognition
Ambience
Details
History
Peru comes to Brum in the shape of Chakana, the first solo venture from chef Robert Ortiz (ex-Lima in London). Located in the city’s Moseley district and housed in a former Lloyd’s bank (the safe is now a private dining room), this neighbourhood restaurant is an airy, plain and comfortable space with stripped wood floors and thick, rustic-looking wood tables. Food-wise, the ‘ambitiously sized’ carte delivers ‘creative and exciting’ dishes such as braised squid with Andean potato stew, crispy artichoke, seaweed and anchovies, or duck escabeche with plum and beetroot sauce and vegetable saltadito. Starters are mostly riffs on marinated fish, perhaps a visually arresting, incredibly fresh scallop tiradito – a citrusy, bright-red tiger’s milk sauce of hibiscus and rocoto peppers cut with another vividly yellow tiger’s milk, all squiggled around slices of incredibly creamy shellfish. Others have commented on the tasting menu, with highlights ranging from ‘excellent’ tuna quinoa nigiri (a take on sushi involving potato rather than rice) and sea bass ceviche with beautiful coloured chillies, different types and textures of corn and a sweet potato purée to superb 24-hour confit suckling pig with crispy crackling, plantain, charapita chillies and 100% Amazonian chocolate. Chakana may be Peruvian, but it also serves up a very decent Sunday roast combining the best of native produce with British lunching traditions. To drink, a mix of South American and European wines starts at £24; otherwise, the list is very strong on pisco-based cocktails.
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