Skip to content
Join our Newsletter

Restaurant Spotlight: Mount Pleasant's Chicha Restaurant

Since opening in 2014, Chicha Restaurant has become a local favourite for the Mount Pleasant crowd.

Since opening in 2014, Chicha Restaurant has become a local favourite for the Mount Pleasant crowd. Chicha serves up excellent small plates inspired by Peruvian cuisine along with killer cocktails, local craft beers, a solid wine list and one of the city's best bars. Warm and inviting, Chicha Restaurant and Bar is now recognized as the city's top destination for Latin American cuisine.

 Photo courtesy: Chicha Restaurant Photo courtesy: Chicha Restaurant

Open for dinner nightly at 5pm, grab a seat at the bar or one of the blue painted wooden tables. Chicha's small plates range from $10-$16. The outstanding ceviche comes with four different varieties including the most popular "Mixto" with white fish, mussels, octopus and squid served with corn on the cob, cancha corn and sweet potato. The popular Peruvian Street Style grilled skewers include Pemberton Meadows beef and Farmcrest Farm chicken. For vegetarians, try the "Locra de Zapallo Empanadas", flaky pastry filled with roasted butternut squash, corn, kale and fresh cheese served with a chifa style salsa. The Quinoa salad with mango, avocado, roasted pepper, red onion, cilantro finished with jalapeno huacatay dressing has a cult following with the added bonus it is gluten-free.

Photo Courtesy: Chicha Restaurant

Larger plates range from $14-$22 and include "Chulpe De Mariscos" (Peruvian style seafood bouillabaisse), Arroz Con Pato (duck confit leg) and "Lomo Saltado" (Pemberton Meadows medium rare bavette steak, kennebec fries, red onion, bell peppers, tomatoes stir fried with a rich veal demi).

Photo Courtesy: Chicha Restaurant

End the evening with Chicha's signature desserts, sinful Picarones (sweet potato and pumpkin Peruvian donuts served with a pisco raspberry and orange spiced honey) or  the gluten-free Flourless Chili Spiced Chocolate Cake served with a pisco raspberry sauce and warm chocolate sauce. ($7.25)

Chicha serves up every day Happy Hour drink specials  from 5pm-6pm, perfectly paired with the restaurant's "Antojitos" (casual snacks) ranging from $6.00-$13.00.  The "Bolas De Yuca", cassava root croquettes filled with creamy asiago, cheddar, scallions and jalapeo filling or the "Papas Fritas" (kennebec potato fries with a Peruvian inspired tartar) always hit the spot.

The restaurant's signature cocktail, the Pisco Sour is a must drink. This wonderful cocktail has been declared by both Peru and Chile as their country's national drink. Chicha's follows the Peruvian tradition of making the cocktail by vigourously shaking and straining Pisco (40% alcohol grape brandy), fresh lime, egg whites, sugar then finished with three drops of Angostura Bitters. It is one of Vancouver's must drink cocktails. On Tuesday celebrate Double Pisco Sours ($6.00) all night long.

Photo courtesy: Chicha Restaurant

Open for brunch on the weekends, morning staples include two eggs any style with red nugget potatoes and in-house made quinoa and honey toast. ($9.00) Choose from sides ($4.00) of Chicharron (pork belly), turkey sausage or organic bacon. Huevos Benedict ($13.00) and the Buttermilk and Sweet Potato Waffles ($14.00) with dulce de leche crema and pisco glazed mango are local favourites. On Sunday, happy hour is available all day.

Chicha serves up great food and drinks at reasonable prices with a cool Latin American vibe. The neighborhood agrees, this Mount Pleasant "it spot" is packed nightly.

136 E Broadway (at Main Street)

Sunday-Thursday: 5pm-11pm

Friday- Saturday: 5pm- midnight

Saturday & Sunday Brunch: 10.30am-2.30pm