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Arlington, VA

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Nando's Peri-Peri

3.8 (516 reviews)
Open • 10:30 am - 10:00 pm

Order Nando's Peri-Peri Takeout or Delivery

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NANDO'S PERI-PERI ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Moderate noise
Good for groups
Dogs allowed

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Tiny chicken
Nima B.

These are photos from two different visits. I thought maybe it was a mistake but they barely put any chicken on your sandwich. A sandwich, drink and fries is almost $20. I should bring a scale and weigh the chicken. Better to walk over to chikfila if you want to be full.

LEMONADE: honey lavender + blood orange mango
Toya D.

When life gives you lemons...drink NANDO'S lemonade! honey lavender + blood orange mango Stopped in recently after shopping (and dropping) at the nearby TJMaxx. It was a beautiful day and a perfect time to enjoy some refreshing flavored lemonade. Ahh! __ I thrift. @DCthriftish I eat. @f.hux

Scott H.

The food was excellent. My friend and I had the 24 piece wings with fries. I always like the nando's pea mash. The dining room was clean and well kept. But the service was abysmal. The guy taking the orders, curly hair, was either stoned or heavily medicated. He had absolutely no personality, and he stumbled over the simplest parts of taking an order. When he spoke it was as if he were on thorazine. The guy roaming the restaurant handing out food, young guy, dark hair, was worse. He wandered expressionless around the restaurant. He refused to make eye contact with any customer and he never said a single word that wasn't dragged out of him. When he dropped off the food he essentially literally dropped the plates on the table and walked away. It looked like he hated his job. The kitchen staff were turning and burning impressively. The manager was working hard. But the two most customer facing employees should have been kept hidden in a back room somewhere.

Peri Chicken Rainbow Bowl
Jacky C.

Came here for lunch. There is table service, but the server will tell you to scan a QR code and place your order and pay all on the site. They would then bring the food out to you. I ordered the Peri Chicken Rainbow Bowl ($15). I was very surprised how balanced this meal is with the right amount of protein, carbs, and veggies. And yes, this tasted fantastic. I would order this again.

Pero PERi Mac Stack w Brussel Brussels Sprouts
David S.

Food: the food is always excellent, this peri mac stack sandwich is bomb. It's a mix of mac and cheese, slaw and shredded chicken in a Portuguese roll. The sprouts are mad good and the kids grilled chz and fries are nop notch. Service. And this is why I only gave 3 stars. The employees of nando's are young I get it but you guys gotta become more friendly and want to actually serve and help the customers. I asked for silverware and a To-go box today and I could just tell how annoyed the runner and employee behind the counter were. Your job is to serve the customer, so do it and be happy to do it and do so with a smile on your face. Same with the host/hostess, when you greet the customer have a smile on your face. Ambiance: the ambiance is great, very cool chill relaxing atmosphere, love the stories written on the walls. My daughter loves nando's because of the music and just pure charm. Nando's is a great chain, I just wish the attitude of the staff could improve a bit.

Tank G.

I came here for lunch. You will find this place in a trendy outdoor food court. There is metered street parking, a metered parking lot and a commercial garage within a reasonable walking distance. They have a decent sized dining area, an out door seating area on the sidewalk out front and a large patio area on the other side of the sidewalk to sit and eat. The inside is very hip and trendy. They do not offer table service. You are seated and place an order using a QR code. After you place your order, they will bring your food to your table though. If you do not have a phone or is not tech savvy, they do have paper menus available and will assist you in ordering. The staff there was friendly enough. I only had limited interaction with them though. The restaurant is part of a small chain and they serve delicious Peruvian food. I ordered the mango & lime chicken wings, with Peri chips (aka Fries), Peri honey sweet potatoes and a naughty natas for desert. The restaurant is none for its sauces, which you will find in a self serve station by the drink area. The sauces include: lemon herb, garlic, medium, hot, XX hot, and orginal. It took about 12 minutes for them to bring me out my food. It was fresh and hot. It was something different for me, but was delicious. The wings were good. I got some of the medium sauce to dip it in. The sweet potatoes were awesome. They were very unique and flavorful. I highly recommend them. The fries were very good, well seasoned. I topped my meal off with the naughty natas. It was a savory pastry and put an exclamation point on my meal. All in all, I really enjoyed my meal here. It is a hip place with a cool vibe. The food was very tasty and I highly recommend checking this place out.

inside
Joanna Z.

Great choice for a place to grab lunch or dinner. I stopped by to place an order for takeout and it took about 10-15 minutes since they cook the chicken on the grill to order. Inside was spacious and had plenty of seating. I had the 1/2 chicken along with fries and brussel sprouts. They had this special mayo based sauce on the brussel sprouts that was so delicious. You can also get the other peri sauces to go in little plastic containers and they had plenty of choices from lemon garlic to hot sauce. It's located in a nice plaza area with other restaurants/cafes and is a nice place to hang out. Would recommend!

PERi PERi Chicken Bowl
Emi M.

I loved Nando's when I tried them in Chicago a few years ago- and I found it near where we were staying in crystal city so we went there. I cannot remember what I tried before, but I was sure I would enjoy anything with rice and chicken. We chose to just seat ourselves and order online from our table (which I think is great and convenient). We ordered and entered our table number accurately, but it seemed servers were confused between ours and people sitting next to us. They delivered their food to us, and my bf got a drink cup when he had ordered sangria. They were not friendly either. The other location was so much better. I liked the peach rooibos tea. I wish it was unsweetened, because it's always easy to add sugar. But there's no removing sugar from sweetened tea. I had a bowl which had many toppings like hummus, and corn. It was delicious. My bf ordered one chicken breast with a small side of rice, and it was $14 - I think that particular one is overpriced. Not a good value. I would not recommend it. However, Portion of my bowl was reasonable. Nando's is still my favorite but this location in particular was sub par, unfortunately.

Two 1/4 Lemon & Herb Chicken Legs with 2 Sides, Corn on the Cob and Mixed Leaf Salad, Pineapple Lemonade 16oz
Emil C.

This location is located fairly close to the Pentagon City Station which makes it very convenient. From the station, I just walked through the Fashion Centre shopping mall to reach the restaurant. My friend turned me onto this delicious South African chicken when I was over in London last year. They're known for their PERi-PERi pepper aka African Bird's Eye Chili. After I was seated, I used my phone to scan their QR code and ordered two 1/4 lemon & herb chicken legs with 2 sides. For my sides, I got the corn on the cob and mixed leaf salad. For my drink I got a 16oz pineapple lemonade. They have an open kitchen, so you can actually tell when your food is about ready. Once you're done, you can leave your plates and cutlery at your table as someone will come and bus the table.

Half chicken with peas and garlic bread
Jennifer D.

My dinner here was fantastic. I ordered the half chicken with two sides which was about $18. For my sides I choose the garlic bread and the spiced peas. I was really impressed on the amount of food and how delicious everything was. The peas had a wonderful mint spice blend on them and the chicken was perfectly juicy. They have a sauce station where you can get cups of their different flavors of their peri peri sauce. I had plenty to take home for leftovers. I noticed that they do family meals here as well so it would be a great place to grab to go dinner for a family. The medium spice on the chicken was perfect for me but if you are not a fan on heat they have plain or other sauces that are not spicy for you.

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Reviews are mixed. Many highlight the fresh, flavorful food, especially chicken dishes, and the friendly staff. The cozy, clean ambiance and good drink selection are also appreciated.

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1 month ago

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8 months ago

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1 year ago

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Hi Ron E., thanks for the love! See you again soon! : )

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1 month ago

The service was great, ordered chicken breast, it came nice and fresh. The food was delicious and the price is really great

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Hey Nasan B., you know what's up! We can't wait to see you again soon!

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We're loving this energy! We can't wait to see you again soon.

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1 year ago

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Hi Chantel P., thanks for the love! See you again soon! : )

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3 years ago

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Thanks for the rating! See you again soon : )

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7 months ago

Lowk fire ngl would go again if I was not leaving in a day. That one Hispanic employee is very apologetic

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3 years ago

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Hi Mary, thanks for the love! See you again soon! :)

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2 years ago

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Hi Monica, thanks for the love! See you again soon! :)

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4 years ago

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Hi Heather, Thanks for the review! See you again soon! :)

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3 years ago

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Hi Anushka, thanks for the love! See you again soon! :)

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Page 1 of 13

Nando's Peri-Peri Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Nando's Peri-Peri

Is the chicken halal?

Hi Bismah, Thanks for reaching out to our team! At this time we do not serve Halal meat in the US,… 

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Nando's Peri-Peri

Nando's Peri-Peri

3.8(973 reviews)
3.2 mi•Dupont Circle, Downtown
•$$

Their story is full of the love they have for the food and the service they being to this…read morecustomers. We had the two quarter leg combo with rice and mashed potatoes. The chicken was amazing! Full of flavor already and you can select from additional dipping sauces like garlic, lemon, spicy, etc. Every employee as very friendly and their customer service was second to none. The menu was extensive and everything looked so good.

We've loved Nando's since our first visit in London, so when we stopped in last night after a long…read moretravel day, walking over from our hotel for dinner felt like a no-brainer. Unfortunately, this location didn't hold up. The ordering process was a mess from the start. They were out of boneless chicken, so we pivoted to a half chicken... only to be told they were out of that too. Then it turned out they did have it. We ordered the hummus appetizer and got the side portion instead, which meant another trip to the counter to sort it out. We ordered medium peri peri sauce and got something noticeably spicier. Too tired and hungry to send it back, we just ate it... and the meal just didn't hit the way Nando's usually does. The mushy peas we'd been looking forward to aren't even on the menu anymore, which was its own small disappointment. On the bright side, I ordered a 5 oz glass of wine and got what looked like a double pour. Not complaining... but it does sum up the vibe. The staff seemed indifferent, whether it was end-of-night fatigue or just an off-night, hard to say. We'll probably give Nando's another shot elsewhere, but this DC visit was disappointing enough that I can't really recommend this location.

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Nando's Peri-Peri
Nando's Peri-Peri
Nando's Peri-Peri

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Nando's Peri-Peri - 2 Two 1/4 Chicken Breasts with garlic bread and mashed potatoes

Nando's Peri-Peri

3.8(1.3k reviews)
3.2 mi•Penn Quarter
•$$

This was my first visit to Nando's in downtown DC. I ordered the half chicken with no sides, and…read moremedium spicy sauce. The chicken came out with blackened edges because of their preparation method. I don't prefer that taste, but others may. I did not find the sauce to be particularly spicy so I added the 'extra hot' sauce on the side, which helped to add more flavor. Surprisingly, the chicken breast was very moist, along with the thigh. The ambience is casual and relaxed. There are plenty circular or modular seats along with smaller tables along the back end of the restaurant. My biggest complaint was their restrooms. They have gender neutral restrooms; two stalls total. Both restrooms were in great need of cleaning with a LOT of bodily fluids all along the toilets and floors. Also, there was no option for hand towels, only an air blower to dry your hands, which is one of the most disgusting ways to dry freshly washed hands. I recommend either creating one male and one female stall instead of unisex because men and women have very different habits in the restroom. On the positive side, Carolina and Barian were quite helpful and kind. They made the overall experience better.

I visited Nando's PERi-PERi for dinner on July 8, 2026, around 7:00 p.m. with a group of eight. A…read morefew of us were first-time visitors, so after being seated, we waited for someone to take our order. Unfortunately, the hostess never mentioned that we needed to order at the counter. There was a sign, but it wasn't very noticeable when we walked in, so we completely missed it. A quick explanation when we were seated would have made a much better first impression. Once we realized how ordering worked, everyone went to the counter. I ordered last, but my meal was fairly simple: The Wingman (6 wings with PERi Chips and PERi-PERi ranch) plus a side of rice from the kids' menu. Everyone else received their food, ate, and finished before my order ever came out. To the staff's credit, one employee noticed I still hadn't been served and appeared to rush my order. When my food finally arrived, I was disappointed to find one of my six wings was so small and burnt that it wasn't edible (see photo). Some of the other chicken served to our table was also a little over-charred. On the positive side, I really enjoyed the lavender lemonade, and I liked the variety of PERi-PERi sauces available to customize the flavor and heat level. Overall, the experience had some service and food quality issues, but there were enough positives that I'd be willing to give Nando's another try. Hopefully, the next visit will be smoother.

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Nando's Peri-Peri - Nando's newest flagship restaurant in Penn Quarter

Nando's newest flagship restaurant in Penn Quarter

Nando's Peri-Peri - Two 1/4 Chicken Breasts with Portuguese Rice

Two 1/4 Chicken Breasts with Portuguese Rice

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Maydan - Roasted carrots

Maydan

4.3(1.4k reviews)
4.3 mi
•$$$$

Went here with my husband for our anniversary, and had a gift card. We chose outdoor seating…read morewithout seeing it, I had previously seen pictures of the inside and assumed the outdoor vibes would be just as fun and vibey. I was very wrong. It was literally in the alley, and was giving Covid setup. Definitely would not recommend the outdoor area to anyone. There was no music, the decor was fine but again, looked very subpar and you could tell everyone else that arrived and sat outside after us had the same thoughts. Now to the food. I will say all of it was good, but for the price? I could find another Middle Eastern adjacent restaurant in DC for less money. It was a little outrageous in my opinion. We did choose the tawle experience. The dips with good, and came with endless flatbread. But it was interesting how some of the portions were huge and then others felt like they were skimping. We got huge portions of pickled vegetables and a giant salad, but then when it came to the shrimp kabobs we ordered, we got 5 pieces of shrimp. I will say the steak portion we chose we large, but then again for dessert, it was just a half mason jar size of a chocolate mousse to split...It was just interesting. Several of the staff knew it was our anniversary and they could've given maybe an additional dessert or a glass of champagne but nothing. Again for a restaurant of this caliber, you would just expect more. I say all of this to say, we did have a gift card that covered most of our $300+ meal. But if I were going without that, I would've been even more disappointed. I know people have raved about this place for years, but the original chefs have changed, and I'm understanding more why they've lost their Michelin star. It was good/fine but was far from exceptional.

There's still technically 2 months left before 2026 ends, but I think this may be the best meal…read moreI've had this year. What an incredible spontaneous hangout and surprise by my friend that lead to this memorable meal! Thank you, again Not only was the beet borani beautiful, the sweetness of the beet mixed with the garlic and rosemary paired very well with the warm and fluffy bread. The fire kissed asparagus are the best asparagus I've ever had in my life. The char was perfect and allowed the asparagus to be the best version of itself. The bed of both cream and herb sauce it laid on top of gave it other dimensions of flavored when paired. It was good on its own or eaten with the other protein dishes we ordered. The chicken shish taouk was juicy, well seasoned and very good with the toum! The seared scallops were the biggest, sweetest and my favorite dish of the night (though I 100% would say everything we got was so so good). The natural sweetness of the scallops paired with the various sauces were delightful. The serpent drink had a sour but creamy foam texture that was fun to sip on throughout the meal. Shout out to Nari, our server sharing her love of garlic and giving us a sample of the carrot havuc which did not taste like carrots at all but more of this light almost sweet potato-like dip with a fun crunch from the crispy onions & for compting our turkish coffee gelato, which was strong and creamy and best way to end the meal.

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Tawle

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Elmina - Shrimp & Grits

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4.2(180 reviews)
4.2 mi

This was a good experience from start to finish. I'm so glad that my first exposure to Ghanaian…read morefood was with Chef Eric Adjepong. As always my first time somewhere, I order a lot. I arrived some short time after Chef Eric introduced a prix fixe menu with standout choices. Not on my radar, but highly recommended by my server and the table leaving as I was seated, was the Zaalouk Dip featuring eggplant and goat cheese served with flatbread. Somehow the cheese brightened this dish. I can't explain it, but try it for yourself. I'm a huge fan of okra in all forms, so I added the Crispy Okra Fries. I thoroughly enjoyed this dish. I would also love it if Chef Eric added a spicy dip in addition to the creamy dip that it came with. I wished I were at home with one of my favorite movies and a huge bowl of these -- so good! Take note of the liner under the okra, so cute! Also not on my radar, Roasted Carrots. I may have to come back to this review, because I need to pray for better adjectives to describe this dish. I'm half-Korean so when I read chili crisp in the description, I expected a very spicy dish. Hold your horses! Do not be alarmed! This was the most earthy, enjoyable, balanced dish I've ever eaten with carrots. The cheese(s), as in the dip dish, are transformational. I truly could have stopped here and been completely satisfied. I'm very pleased I was able to share my sentiments directly with Chef Eric. By the way, he was very warm and gracious. As Maroon, Las Vegas has set a new standard for steak, Chef Eric Adjepong has elevated the lowly carrot by creating this inspired dish. The ritual: a clear bowl of soapy water, a fresh white towel, a steaming bowl of goodness. The book I can write about my first experience with Fufu. I could have eaten the Fufu swirling it around in the peanut? tomato? broth by itself and been as happy as a pig in slop. Instead, I had the most perfectly cooked seared fish with it. I could have gotten up and danced to the Afrobeats, and what sounded like the Calypso I heard from my childhood. I was stuffed, but I kept eating. I ate every drop. I wanted to lick the bowl. It could not get any better. Wait . . . I was served a Jollof and Duck Pot. The presentation of this dish is so pristine, you really won't want to disturb it. However, I had to taste this Jollof. My first Jollof dish was merely days before, prepared with a Nigerian recipe. I didn't understand what all the hype was about. Chef Eric's Jollof answered my confusion. I'm pleased to say in the battle of two local Top Chefs (Nigeria vs. Ghana), Elmina and Ghana wins! No contest, hands-down, no notes, have a seat, can never be debated . . . Did I make myself clear? The duck was succulent and another surprise, the tiny salad was a star! Again, a thoughtful, bright and balanced dish, perfection. The night ended with an espresso and Malva Pudding Cake. This cake is not for the weak. The richness and texture is not to be toyed with. This was the perfect ending to a fun, unexpected, thrilling meal. I trust Chef Eric will be able to take his precise, alluring talents across the globe, and hopefully to Miami, soon!

ZIP! ZERO! ZILCH! No complaints. Oh, we had a time!…read more Located off bustling 14th St. in NW, DC, parking can be sketchy...so be prepared to circle the block. I was lucky to find parking and I was on time for my reservation. The downstairs level is a bit small. The kitchen is an open concept, which I love. We ordered a few dishes, to include: oysters, half chicken, fish (I forgot the type), and curry shrimp with chickpeas. The two stars of the evening were the oysters and the half chicken. The presentation of the oysters was so pretty -- almost too pretty to eat! It had a hibiscus finish with jalapeños. Delectable. The chicken was well-seasoned and beyond moist; didn't know chicken could melt in your mouth. It's a lot of chicken, so you will have leftovers. While the fish and curry shrimp were good, I don't think I would order them again. Nothing bad, just not memorable. Lastly, I think Elmina rotates their menu every now and again, so some of the dishes I mentioned may no longer be available. We really had a good time. I've been dying to go back...hopefully, soon! Cheers!

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Elmina - Interior

Interior

Elmina - Amuse-bouche: chopped scallop ceviche

Amuse-bouche: chopped scallop ceviche

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Nando's Peri-Peri - portuguese - Updated October 2026

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