Nando's PERi-PERi — Restaurant in Washington

Saturday, August 2, 2025. 7pm

After a very long day, walked 20 minutes here, excited to try South African-influenced food. It's semi casual; you order at the counter, but there's servers.

Everything seemed ok, staff was friendly & I said that someone in NYC recommended the place to me. The vibe got weird after I got my food. I ordered the mango lime thigh, crispy brussels sprouts, mashed potatoes, pine lemonade. I noticed the dish of mashed potatoes looked like it had been stirred into a spiral. I tried a 1/4tsp & it tasted buttery & okay. I really wish I trusted my instincts.

The staff were all standing along the back counter & I felt all eyes on me. There were a few other solo diners & 3–4 groups. It was obvious that the staff was watching carefully what I ate. I locked eyes with a few & the cook on the left. At one point I mouthed to him "How are you?" because he seemed locked in. Every time someone walked by carrying dirty dishes, or from across the room. Felt like they were hiding smiles.

Different bites of the food started tasting like rubbing alcohol, something bitter. I had a weird upchuck feeling. I immediately took some (traveler emergency) Pepto & drank a lot of water. I'm not usually sensitive to food, so it was incredibly strange.

I cut up the rest of the chicken & taste different bits & the brussels. The first 1/3 of the meal was very normal, so I was confused. I kept going back to the mashed potatoes to mask that taste. I eat a lot of different cuisines - Peruvian chicken, jerk chicken, chili oil noodles, mala stir fries; this food here was def tasting weird.

I sat near the back, just a few tables away from the manager on a laptop & staff chatting with her. The whole time they were kind of gathered over there. At one point she gets up and goes to me "Are you okay?"..."How's your food?" (I stayed polite & said fine), checks on other tables. You know the vibe when you just feel like you're being watched? 3 staff, 1 manager & 3 cooks

I slowly finished the small plate & noticed an occasional stomach rumble. I know right away that something's not right. It was clear they put some kind of diuretic in the food. Maybe rubbing alcohol? Maybe the food got messed up but they still served it anyway? Let’s just say I did not have diarrhea, but my systems were moving & loose. Which isn’t my normal evening bathroom schedule, lol.

Headed to the restroom and one of the waiters seem to follow me, went into the kitchen door next to the bathroom. I waited at the door & looked back out because it was so odd, he pokes his head back out in my direction, we lock eyes & I looked at him with a "What?" expression. He goes back into the kitchen. When I exit the bathroom, the waiter comes out of the kitchen at the same time. He says good night & was about to start clearing my drinks. I needed to say something - turned around & went back & asked the waiter if they "use liquid smoke in the food" because it got bitter.

"Our chicken is made differently maybe it's from the grill."

Said that I felt uncomfortable, it felt like everyone was watching and waiting for me to eat.

"This place is pretty open, yeah it feels that way."

What do YOU think I should I do if I feel nauseous?

He said he would get the manager & I can get a refund. The look of fear & guilt on his face!

The manager came over, quickly listened, didn't react, said I could get a refund. (Almost a little too quick) While I was waiting at the cash wrap for the refund, I made sure I was in eye sight of the waiter; who sat down near the Manager’s laptop; with his head between his knees, then looked up & worried, watching me.

So disappointed. I think tampering happens in the food industry more than we know - diuretics & tourists. I filled out Nando's company contact form & sent the incident & my receipts to the DC Department of Health. Would really like some CCTV footage of body language & facial expressions of their staff that...

If you're looking for a culinary adventure in the heart of Washington, DC, look no further than this vibrant Afro-Portuguese restaurant. I have to admit, I was a bit hesitant at first, but I’m so glad I took the plunge. From the moment I stepped inside, I was welcomed by an explosion of different aromas and of colors that set the stage for this incredible dining experience.

One of the standout features of this place is the inviting atmosphere. Guests have the freedom to choose their seats, creating a relaxed and casual vibe. Instead of the traditional server interaction, you can conveniently order through an app, which adds a modern twist to your dining experience. My friend received their meal quite promptly, but I did encounter a slight delay with my order. While I was a little disappointed when my food arrived not quite hot enough, a quick request to warm it up led to an incredibly thoughtful response from the staff, making sure I received a fresh new plate of ingredients. Let me not forget u can pick your level of heat for the dish.

Not only did the owner personally come over to ensure my satisfaction, but he also provided insights into the kitchen process, explaining why my dish took a little longer than expected. As a chef myself, I appreciate the attention to detail and the dedication to quality. When the chicken liver finally arrived, it was absolutely stellar—flavorful, well-prepared, and worth the wait!

Another pleasant surprise was the affordability of the menu. Everything is reasonably priced, making it an excellent choice for both casual meals and special occasions. And let's not forget dessert! I can’t quite recall the name of the sweet treat I ordered for just six bucks, but I can say it was absolutely divine—a perfect finish to a delightful meal.

In summary, if you’re in the DC area and craving fresh, healthy, and vibrant ingredients with a unique twist, this Afro-Portuguese restaurant is a must-visit. The combination of a welcoming atmosphere, attentive service, and flavorful dishes makes it a standout option. I’ll definitely be returning for another round of...

I first want to start off by stating what attracted me to this Nando’s were the reviews. The photos posted from other reviews were outstanding, and the food looked fresh and delicious. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case with my experience.

I’ll start by addressing the atmosphere. The restaurant was very clean and organized. Space did seem tight, but I can understand due to the location.

Next thing is the service. The cashier was friendly and very patient while waiting for me to decide what to order. After placing my order, i waited patiently on the side. 40 minutes went by, and a friend of mine had asked if my order was ready and the guy went back to check. The order was finally brought out to me. The employee (or maybe manager) there even apologized for the wait and stated the reason why it took so long was because all the orders came in at once. Although it did get a little busy, 40 minutes is too long for a take out order. There were even customers who came in the same time as me, ordered, ate their meal, and left before I even got mine. I had only ordered rainbow bowl, a side of sweet potatoes, and brussel sprouts.

Next is the food quality. Once I got in my car, I quickly opened my bag to get my meal. Upon opening it, the photo posted is what I was presented (I get it, take out isn’t going to look as pretty as the photo, but it didn’t have to look that sloppy neither, in addition, this is a take out order, not a third party pick up and delivery). The sides were fine, the only complaint I have was the rainbow bowl wasn’t warm at all anymore, the chicken breast was dry, and if it wasn’t for the sauces I added on, I probably would of through the whole dish away.

This is my second and last time at any Nando’s restaurant. I did come to one a few years ago, and the quality was much better. But this location really made me not want to spend my money at any of their...