Nando's Peri-peri - Ottawa

Would you think less of me if I said the best dish here is the veggie mushroom and cheese sandwich? <br/><br/> I haven’t been to the other Nando’s in the area, but this one certainly meets the expectations.

I understand that some portion sizes can be a bit surprising for the price, but I recommend sticking to the items that are definitely worth it, like the sandwich. It's always busy whenever I visit, so be prepared for a bit of a wait. The owner/manager is incredibly friendly and regularly checks in to ensure everything is going well, which makes the experience enjoyable. My only wish is that they had more seating space.

He ordered the quarter chicken with fries, while I opted for a veggie dish: the Portobello Mushroom with Halloumi Cheese and Chili Jam for $7.50. I know it’s an unusual choice at a place famous for its chicken, but I wasn't disappointed! The bun was large, fresh, and toasted to perfection. The flavors blended beautifully, and the chili jam added just the right amount of heat. It was quite messy to eat, though—I almost resorted to using a knife and fork! So, if you're looking for a date-night meal, it might not be the best choice. As for my husband's chicken meal, it was advertised as a quarter chicken, but it included just a drumstick and a small thigh, which felt a bit short of a quarter. Oh well! The service was excellent, and while the exterior may not be impressive, the restaurant is actually quite charming. It has a laid-back vibe, and I noticed many patrons were there for workplace lunches. I do want to mention that it got pretty loud during the busy lunch rush.

Food is fresh and tasty, prices are high, portion-size is decent, service is alright, atmosphere is ok, although the seats were worn out, so it wasn't the nicest looking location. Overall, a pretty good experience, and I would probably return.

Yum. Better choice of chicken than deep fried, it was not dry and was delicious. The share platter was plenty for 2 people. Was a bit disappointed in the Portuguese egg tarts tough, too bouncy and with soggy pastry.