CHAKANA by PLAYA sits on Dubai’s West Beach, offering a contemporary take on Peruvian cuisine that pulls inspiration from the Andes, Amazon, and Pacific coast. The restaurant’s design mirrors this fusion, with earthy tones and natural materials creating a welcoming and laid-back space. The interiors are elevated by distinctive artwork, including black-and-white sketches depicting the journey of a Peruvian fisherman, and the striking fish-scale fins on the ceiling are a beautiful nod to ancient Aztec and Mayan influences.
We visited on a Saturday for the La Reunion Brunch, which strikes the right balance between relaxed and exhilarating. The open kitchen and bar layout keep things interactive, while the ambient sound picks up as the afternoon progresses, without feeling overwhelming.
Highlights
Look forward to an updated brunch menu that brings a few fresh faces to the table, but still holds onto those classic hits that keep diners coming back. Expect a sharing-style experience, where starters flow seamlessly into mains, all while a live singer, percussionist, and DJ set the tone for a buzzing afternoon. Start strong with the Playa Clasico Ceviche, where seabass and crispy calamari soak up the sharp leche de tigre, or the Salmon Tostada, a crispy corn tortilla topped with salmon, piquillo sauce, and crispy black quinoa.
The Peruvian Corn Salad offers a mix of trio of corn, cherry tomatoes, pomegranate, sesame dressing, truffle, and figs, adding a sweet and savoury balance that’ll get you coming back for more. Sushi rolls such as the Spicy Shiromi provide a great blend of freshness and heat.
In addition, the Peruvian Breakfast Sandwich is a satisfying combination of sweet bread, scrambled eggs, turkey ham, and avocado with a zesty rocoto kick, while the Chicken Causa, shaped like a ball, brings layers of creamy Peruvian potatoes, pulled chicken, and truffle shaving together.
When it comes to mains, the Deboned Baby Chicken shines with its smoky, juicy flavour, while the 48-Hour Short Ribs offers melt-in-your-mouth tenderness paired with Peruvian squash and choclo. If you’re after something richer, the hearty Arroz con Mariscos is a seafood-packed rice dish that hits all the right notes. Vegetarians can opt for the 3-Hour Cauliflower, slow-cooked and paired with chimichurri for a punch of flavour.
Dessert is a must, with the Mini Alfajores providing the perfect sweet bite, and the Lucuma Childhood Dreams delivering a playful take on tres leches cake, topped with lucuma sauce, raspberry gel, and popping candy on the side.
Book now
Every Saturday, from 2pm-5pm. AED345 per person for soft beverages, AED455 per person for the standard package, AED535 per person for the prosecco package. Visit website.