Nando’s Kerrisdale has returned to the neighbourhood after a fire forced their previous location to close in October 2023. The restaurant had been part of Kerrisdale for nearly 20 years, making the reopening feel like more than a standard relocation.
The new restaurant is just down the street from the former space, giving longtime guests a familiar West 41st Avenue connection while introducing a refreshed room. I noticed the cork ceiling with light shades from South Africa right away. The wall paneling added visual interest, while the hand-plastered wall gave the dining room a textured, crafted look.
The room still felt casual and approachable, which is what I expected from a Nando’s visit. At the same time, the design details made the new Kerrisdale location feel more current and considered.
Here are some beautiful menu covers by artists Norman O’Flynn and Emma Aspeling.
What I Tried
I started with the Hummus With PERi-PERi Drizzle, which came topped with superseed crunch and served with warm pita. The hummus was smooth, while the PERi-PERi drizzle added a gentle heat. It was an easy starter to share before the chicken dishes arrived.
The PERi-PERi Chicken Bowl had spiced rice, PERi-PERi chicken, arugula, roasted red peppers, roasted corn, and hummus. I chose the Lemon & Herb baste for the chicken thighs, which gave the bowl a milder, citrusy flavour. It was filling without feeling too much, and I liked how the hummus brought a creamy element to the rice and vegetables.
The Mediterranean Salad came with salad mix, grape tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, olives, roasted red peppers, feta, and house dressing. I had it with boneless chicken breast, which made it feel more complete as a meal. The salad was refreshing, with the feta and olives adding a salty note.
The Chicken Tender Skewers were flame-grilled and basted in a chosen PERi-PERi flavour. I had them with regular fries and PERi Mac. The skewers were easy to eat, and the sides gave the order that familiar Nando’s comfort. The PERi Mac added a creamy contrast to the grilled chicken.
The Thigh & Mighty Sandwich came with two boneless thighs, arugula, tomato, pickled red onions, and PERinaise. I had it with regular rice and corn. The chicken thighs made the sandwich juicy, while the pickled onions added brightness.
The ½ Chicken was flame-grilled, skin-on, and basted with PERi-PERi sauce. I had it with regular garlic mash. This felt like the most classic Nando’s order of the visit, with both breast and leg portions on the plate. The garlic mash was simple and comforting beside the chicken.
For dessert, the Naughty Nata was a small Portuguese custard tart with a flaky pastry shell and creamy centre. It was a nice way to end the meal, especially after the savoury PERi-PERi dishes.
We also enjoyed some Housemade Lemonades to wash it all down.
Overall, the new Nando’s Kerrisdale brings the restaurant back to a neighbourhood where it already had history. The fire made the return more meaningful, and the new space gives the restaurant a fresh setting while keeping the familiar PERi-PERi menu intact.
Nando’s Kerrisdale is located at 2179 W 41st Ave, Vancouver, BC.
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I referenced current reopening coverage noting that the former Kerrisdale location closed after an October 2023 fire and reopened down the street at 2179 West 41st Avenue. (retail-insider.com)