Chicken Chain Nando’s Finally Opens Austin Restaurant

South African fast-casual chain restaurant Nando’s Peri-Peri is opening its first Austin location this fall. The Austin Nando’s is found on the ground floor of the Origin Hotel in Mueller at 1825 McBee Street starting on Wednesday, November 13.

Nando’s is most known for its grilled chicken marinaded in a peri peri pepper-spices-herbs sauce (also spelled as “peri peri” or referred to as African Bird’s Eye chiles). The poultry is available in various forms — whole, wings, breasts, thighs, legs, and even livers. Then there are chicken-studded rice bowls and salads; sandwiches; and platters with chips (meaning fries). Sides include mac and cheese, roasted cauliflower, Portuguese rice, sweet potatoes, and more. Desserts include Naughty Natas (Portuguese custards), gooey brownies, and raspberry cheesecakes, among others. There are also lots of hot sauces made with peri peri, like the lemon-herb and garlic. Drinks include draft beers, wines, cocktails, and sodas.

Ben Porter

The physical Nando’s was designed by noted restaurant architect Michael Hsu. There are yellow tiles, wooden details and furniture, pendant lights that look like Johannesburg’s skyline, and more. There are also South African contemporary artworks on the walls through a partnership with the South African organization Creative Block. There’s the indoor dining room and the outdoor patio.

Nando’s began in 1987 in Johannesburg, South Africa, and grew into a global restaurant chain. Its first Texas location opened in Houston in 2023; Dallas later that same year and Katy in February 2024. The press release notes that the company is opening a third Houston-area restaurant in the Montrose neighborhood in 2025.

The Origin Hotel opened in June 2022 with its own American restaurant, Blue Lacy.

Nando’s Austin hours are from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. For now, the restaurant is only open for dine-in service. Takeout and delivery services will be added later.

Ben Porter