Chakana London

One of the newest additions to the Hackney dining scene, Chakana is setting hearts ablaze with Peruvian food that is fresh, thoughtful and innovative.

Chakana actually started out in Birmingham, headed by none other than Robert Ortiz whose name is enough to gather people from all over the world to try his food. Having dazzled the Michelin inspectors before and achieving a star with his restaurant Lima, the chef is now taking on the capital, carrying on Chakana's legacy by serving the same dishes the restaurant is famous for. And whilst Moseley will always be Chakana's home, this new expansion is exciting for foodies in London.

In true Chakana style, brilliant impressions begin from the very first forkful. The starters are a delicate mix of ceviche and tiradito, playing around with the original format by experimenting with seabream, salmon, Andean corn, tuna, watermelon and scallops, all with intricate sides and sauces.

Now, the meat plates are where the evening hits its highest point—a famously meat-loving cuisine. Peru gives beef pachamanca with roast potatoes, suckling pig with a corn tamale and lamb seco alongside a really comforting pumpkin stew. Soul food like nothing you've experienced before, Chakana is going above and beyond to showcase the very best of Peru. The Amazonian chocolate mousse proves to be the perfect end at one of the UK's most celebrated establishments.