Nando’s, the South African chicken restaurant, has been part of the North Vancouver community for more than 30 years – the 13th & Lonsdale location opened in 1995. So North Shore residents were left hungry for more when it closed last year.
Thankfully the restaurant is back in the neighbourhood, just across the street at the CentreView building, with a fresh new design. The highlight is still flame-grilled PERi-PERi chicken, which is marinated for 24 hours, then basted with your choice of their signature PERi-PERi sauce (there are plain, mild and spicy options). Nando’s then flame-grills the chicken, and serves it to order. “We will always be grateful to the community of North Vancouver for loving our flame-grilled PERi-PERi chicken, helping us to increase awareness of our brand and sharing this best-kept secret with Canada,” says Mark Thomson, the Patrao, Nando’s term for restaurant manager.
While the delicious flame-grilled PERi-PERi chicken has remained the same, the service style and menu have slightly changed. All the food is now served in a fast-casual style, where you order and pay at the counter before eating, so you can leave as soon as you please or order more when your Nandoca (server) comes to check on you.
Another change is the all-new, beautiful designs. “A key design inspiration for our new Nando’s comes from the undulating natural landscapes of South Africa and British Columbia and the bright blue and orange hues,” says Emily Schorn of Design Agency. “Our suspended wood ceiling has traditional motifs in a circular shape that echoes the service counter, providing pops of colour and texture from above. Another feature is the handcrafted lighting, which is designed and made in South Africa.”The interior design acknowledges both the brand’s African roots, and the North Shore location.
Nando’s North Shore is located at 148 13th Street East, North Vancouver, BC V7M 2H7. Follow the brand on Facebook and Instagram @nandoscanada, or on Twitter @NandosPERiPERi, and check out the menu at www.nandos.ca
