Yes, Nando’s is in the United States. The South African-born restaurant chain has locations in select U.S. cities, including the Washington, D.C., area, Chicago and Houston. However, it is not yet a nationwide chain, so whether you can visit one depends on where you live or travel. If you are searching for “Nando’s near me,” check the restaurant’s official location finder for the latest addresses and opening hours.
Known for flame-grilled chicken and its signature PERi-PERi sauces, Nando’s has built a following around the world. Its U.S. restaurants bring that distinctive menu to American diners, while keeping the casual, shareable style that has made the brand popular internationally. Here is what to know about Nando’s in the U.S., including where to find it, what to order and how the experience compares with other chicken restaurants.
Where Is Nando’s in the United States?
Nando’s has a limited but established presence in the United States. Its restaurants are concentrated in a handful of metropolitan areas rather than spread evenly across the country. The main markets to check are:
- Washington, D.C., and nearby communities: Nando’s has restaurants in the District and surrounding parts of Maryland and Virginia. This is the chain’s original U.S. market and remains an important center for its American operations.
- Chicago: The company serves diners in the Chicago area, with restaurants in the city and nearby communities. Locations and operating hours can vary, so check the locator before making a trip.
- Houston: Nando’s has also expanded into Houston, giving Texas diners a chance to try its flame-grilled chicken.
Restaurant locations can open, close or change hours, and not every neighborhood in these metro areas will have a nearby branch. For the most reliable information, use Nando’s official U.S. website and search by city or ZIP code. Maps and delivery apps can be useful, too, but the restaurant’s own locator is the best way to confirm that a location is currently operating.
If you are outside these regions, you may not find a Nando’s close by. The brand’s international reputation can make it seem more widely available than it is in America. In practice, many U.S. residents still need to travel to one of its current markets to eat at the restaurant.
What Is Nando’s?
Nando’s is a casual restaurant company that began in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 1987. Its food draws on Portuguese-style cooking and the African bird’s eye chili known as PERi-PERi. The chain’s best-known dish is chicken marinated, cooked over an open flame and served with a choice of heat level.
The combination of grilled flavor, customizable spice and relaxed dining has helped Nando’s grow beyond South Africa. The company now operates in several countries, but its presence varies significantly from place to place. In the U.S., it is a regional option rather than a restaurant you can expect to find in every state.
Nando’s is sometimes described as a fast-casual restaurant. Guests can order at the counter or through a digital ordering option, depending on the restaurant, then enjoy their meal in a casual dining room or take it to go. Service details may differ by location, so check the individual restaurant’s information if you have a particular preference.
What Does Nando’s Serve in the U.S.?
Chicken is the focus of the Nando’s menu. You can generally choose a portion of flame-grilled chicken, such as a quarter or half chicken, or select a chicken sandwich, wrap or other prepared option. Menu lineups can change, and particular dishes may not be available at every restaurant.
The central choice is often the PERi-PERi heat level. Nando’s lets guests choose from milder seasoning to much hotter sauces, making it possible to tailor a meal to different spice preferences. Popular choices commonly include:
- Lemon & Herb: A milder option with citrus and herbs.
- Mild: A gentle introduction to the chain’s signature flavor.
- Medium: More heat while keeping the spice manageable for many diners.
- Hot or Extra Hot: Bolder choices for people who enjoy stronger chili heat.
Names and options can vary across menus, and spice is personal: a sauce that seems moderate to one diner may feel hot to another. If you are unsure, start with a lower heat level and ask whether sauces can be added separately. That gives you more control over each bite.
Meals are often paired with sides such as fries, rice, coleslaw, corn or other available accompaniments. Nando’s also offers options beyond its main chicken dishes, which may include salads, vegetable sides and meat-free choices. These selections can change, so review the current menu for the location you plan to visit.
Is Nando’s Chicken Spicy?
It can be, but it does not have to be. One of Nando’s selling points is that guests can choose how much PERi-PERi heat they want. Milder flavors offer a way to enjoy the grilled chicken without a strong chili burn, while the hotter sauces are designed for diners who actively seek spice.
Keep in mind that heat levels are not standardized across all restaurants or all people. If you are sensitive to spicy food, ask staff for guidance and choose a mild option. You can also check whether a sauce is served on the side. If you are ordering for a group, selecting different heat levels can make it easier for everyone to find something they enjoy.
Is Nando’s Popular in America?
Nando’s has a loyal following in the U.S., particularly in the markets where it has been operating for years. Its restaurants offer something different from standard fried-chicken chains: the signature preparation is flame-grilled, and the menu emphasizes Portuguese-inspired flavors and adjustable chili heat.
Still, Nando’s is not as widely known or accessible across the country as major national fast-food brands. Many Americans have heard of the chain through travel, social media or friends who live near a U.S. location, but have never visited one themselves. That regional footprint is an important part of the answer to “Is Nando’s in the U.S.?” The answer is yes, but it is not everywhere.
Interest in the restaurant may be especially strong among people who have tried Nando’s overseas. Its international presence means travelers may already recognize the menu, sauces or branding. For local customers, the appeal can be as simple as finding a grilled-chicken meal with a choice of flavor and heat in a casual setting.
Can You Order Nando’s for Delivery?
Delivery and takeout availability depends on the individual restaurant and the delivery services operating in its area. Some locations may offer ordering through Nando’s digital channels, while others may appear on third-party apps. Search for the nearest restaurant and enter your address to see what options are available.
Delivery coverage is usually limited by distance, service hours and local demand. A restaurant may be close enough for pickup but outside the delivery radius. Menu prices, fees and available dishes can also differ between in-restaurant and app orders, so review the final details before placing an order.
Does Nando’s Have Vegetarian or Vegan Food?
Although flame-grilled chicken is the chain’s signature, there may be meat-free dishes, sides or plant-based choices on the U.S. menu. The selection can vary by restaurant and change over time, so check the current menu rather than assuming a particular item is available everywhere.
If you have dietary restrictions, allergies or concerns about cross-contact, contact the restaurant directly before ordering. A dish that appears suitable based on its ingredients may be prepared or served in a shared kitchen. Staff can provide the most relevant information for that location, but people with serious allergies should confirm details carefully.
How to Find a Nando’s Near You
The easiest way to see whether Nando’s is available nearby is to search the official U.S. restaurant locator. Enter your city, state or ZIP code to view current locations and details. Before heading out, check the restaurant’s hours, dine-in availability and any notices about temporary closures.
- Search by ZIP code if your city has several surrounding suburbs.
- Confirm the address and hours on the restaurant’s official listing.
- Review the current menu for location-specific items and prices.
- Check delivery or pickup options separately if you do not plan to dine in.
These steps are particularly useful in larger metro areas, where locations may be spread across different neighborhoods. They can also help avoid relying on an old directory listing or a map result that has not been updated.
Is Nando’s Coming to More U.S. Cities?
Restaurant companies often expand into new markets, but announced plans, construction timelines and opening dates can change. Unless Nando’s has confirmed a specific location through an official announcement, it is best not to assume that a new restaurant is definitely on the way. The company’s location finder and verified social channels are better sources than rumors or outdated news articles.
If there is no Nando’s in your area, keep an eye on official updates for expansion news. In the meantime, the chain’s presence in the Washington, D.C., area, Chicago and Houston gives visitors to those markets an opportunity to try the U.S. menu.
Conclusion: Is Nando’s in the U.S.?
Yes, Nando’s is in the United States, but its restaurants are concentrated in a small number of metro areas. You can look for locations in the Washington, D.C., region, Chicago and Houston, and use the official restaurant locator to confirm the closest branch and its current hours.
At U.S. Nando’s restaurants, the main attraction is flame-grilled chicken seasoned with PERi-PERi, with different heat levels and sides to choose from. Whether you are a longtime fan or trying it for the first time, check the local menu before visiting. If you are not near one of its current markets, Nando’s may not be an everyday option yet—but for diners in the areas it serves, it is a distinctive alternative to more familiar chicken chains.
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