Nandos

A cheeky Nando’s. I recently had the chance to visit Nando’s for the first time… I know what you’re thinking. Shocking.

Nando’s is a South African chain that focuses on Portuguese peri peri chicken, and after hearing so much about it, I was eager to see what all the fuss was about. The weather was lovely, perfect for a meal outside, which added to the experience.

As I settled in, I took a look at the menu and decided to order a variety of dishes. I started with hummus drizzled with peri peri sauce, a spicy rice bowl, half a medium spice chicken, three chicken wings, and a fully loaded wrap. My mouth was watering just thinking about it!

When the hummus arrived, I dove in, but I quickly realised that the peri peri drizzle was so spicy it overpowered the taste of the hummus itself. I could hardly taste the lovely dip beneath the heat, which made me wonder why I needed to use an entire bottle of the sauce on it. Despite that, the warm pitta triangles served alongside were delightful and perfectly complemented the hummus. I think in all honesty, it was my fault for putting too much sauce onto the hummus.

As I waited for the rest of my meal, I took a moment to appreciate the self-service ice machine for drinks—what a nice touch! Finally, the wrap and rice bowl arrived, and I couldn’t wait to dig in. The wrap was packed with flavour, including moist chicken, creamy avocado, and crisp lettuce. It was delicious, although I found it a bit pricey at £9.75.

Next, I turned my attention to the half chicken. Cooked to perfection, it was juicy and tender, with just the right amount of medium spice. The chicken leg was definitely my favourite part, boasting a real succulent flavour which you do not always get from chicken. I also tried the peri peri chicken gravy, which added a nice kick that complemented the chicken beautifully. I need to get my hands on that recipe.

Then came the spicy rice bowl, loaded with pickled cauliflower, broccoli, and a warm rice base. It felt healthy, but at nearly £10, it made me ponder if I was paying a premium for just a bowl of rice. The real adventure began with the extra hot chicken wings, which were so spicy they left me hiccuping! I soon realised that I might have made a mistake ordering those; the heat was intense and not enjoyable at all… that’s not Nandos fault – it was once again, my own.

Despite a few hiccups, I left Nando’s feeling satisfied. The chicken was moist, and the peri peri gravy was a game-changer. While the salad bowl looked visually appealing, it was still a bit too expensive for what it offered. In the end, I awarded Nando’s an 8 out of 10, appreciating the excellent service and flavour throughout my meal. The wrap was undoubtedly the star of the show, and I can’t wait to return for another round—perhaps skipping the extra hot sauce next time!

Nandos is fast food and one of the best I’ve been visited.