We’re getting pretty excited here at Nando’s HQ as it’s nearly that time of year again when we grab our boards and head on down to the skate park . . .

Already established as one of the hottest events on the skateboarding calendar, Nando’s xPERimental Skate Jam returns for the fifth year running on Saturday 24th September at Baysixty6. We can’t wait for you to get stuck in, learn some fierce new tricks and meet up with all your skateboard-lovin’ Nando’s fans.

This year is set to be a jam-packed day again with beginners and skilled boarders alike having fun on the ramps and battling it out for the top spot. So, if you’ve never skateboarded before or you’re the next Tony Hawk or [insert name of who you think is the best skateboarder in the world right now], join us at London’s Baysixty6 skate park for a day of tricks, competitions and (of course) a tasty ramp-side Nando’s BBQ.

And that’s not it. We’re looking forward to a 3D screening of action videos by the amazing UNBELEIFABLE and BIEBELS WORLD and throughout the day there will be a chance to take home some amazing prizes, including exclusive t-shirts, signed decks and trainers from the likes of Girl, Lakai, Royal, 4Star, Chocolate, Adidas Skateboarding, Element, Blueprint, Plan B, Independent, Spitfire & Habitat Clothing.

Still haven’t decided whether to join us or can’t make it down? You might just want to check out the video of the Nando’s xPERimental Skate Jam from last year or have a peek over here.

This week we opened the doors to our very first Dublin city centre restaurant on Mary Street, much to the delight of our Irish fans.

Fifteen Barci’s flew in for the occasion and took to the streets of Dublin to spread some PERi PERi love and news of the opening even reached as far as New Zealand, with one very special Nando’s fan taking time out before the opening of the Rugby World Cup to tweet his support.

Irish player Rob Kearney tweeted, “Hope everyone enjoyed the opening of Nando’s on Mary Street in the city centre. Looking forward to a trip in when I’m back home”. We can’t wait to see you either Rob and wish you the best of luck on Sunday when you take on USA in your first game!

Check out the photos of the restaurant below and over on Facebook (Isn’t she beautiful ?!). And, if you you’re in the neighborhood, make sure you head on over to Mary Street and enjoy your favourite Nando’s, Dublin style.

On Wednesday London’s Soho Square was home to our first ever GigNic. What’s a GigNic we hear you ask? Well it’s our twist on a picnic and gig combo…

T4’s Jameela Jamil hosted our GigNic stage where the London crowds enjoyed an afternoon of intimate acoustic sets from the UK’s fresh new musical talent. Josh Osho kicked off the first set of acts with his amazing hit ‘Redemption days’ and we all loved Sinead Harnetts stunning vocals – dubbed by Wiley to be the next big thing! By lunch the crowds were flocking for the hip-hop beats from Rizzle Kicks and SBTV favorite Angel.

Things got a bit crazy, so we took a little break where the crowd and musical acts re-fuelled at our Nando’s cart and AfroMagic impressed us all with his magical card tricks. Sinead tried her luck with the giant Jenga before Maverick Sabre set the tone for the early evening sessions with his amazing vocals.

The ingenious Alex Clare wowed the crowds and the evening was rounded up by electro-pop band the Special K’s (now these guys were awesome singers and absolutely hilarious!) not to mention hot new girl band Excuse Me Miss.

Check out our Facebook page for even more photos – there was so much going on we got a bit snap-happy! Massive thanks to all the acts who performed and everyone who came down! We just need to know one thing, how do you feel about another GigNic? Let us know where you want to see the next one!

We’re pretty excited about the bank holiday weekend – a long (and hopefully sunny) weekend all to ourselves to do whatever we like. Here in the Nando’s office, we’ve been chatting about our plans for the three-day break and there’s so much choice we can’t decide what to do!

With festivals going on up and down the country, loads of new films out at the cinema and London’s Notting Hill carnival, it’s almost overwhelming! If you’re in London like us and happen to be swinging past King’s Cross, why not pop down to our restaurant? While you’re tucking into your PERi-PERi chicken, don’t forget to check out the walls…they are home to one of our favourite artworks – ‘Coming to the City’ – a giant mosaic that spans the entire length of the restaurant.

Made in South Africa from over two tonnes of mosaic, it’s a pretty awesome sight! If however you aren’t heading to the capital this weekend but would like to check out the tiny stones in all their glory, sit back and press play.

Our restaurant in Southampton has just had a major facelift! Not only is it now looking pretty special, it’s twice the size it used to be. The team are all delighted with their new look restaurant and are welcoming more and more of our beloved fans by the day. We thought we’d share some before and after pics. Doesn’t she look beautiful!

BEFORE:

AFTER:

One of the UK’s hottest dance troupes, FLAWLESS, are performing in Edinburgh at the Fringe Festival and we are excited to say that we have exclusive tickets to the show to give away to four lucky fans. Their new production called ‘Intergalactic Dreams’ takes their explosive street dance act all the way into space – so get set for a journey to the stars…in more ways than one!

As FLAWLESS are massive PERi-PERi fans themselves, we thought we’d make it a night to remember for the winners, so along with the tickets, we’ll also throw in a meal for you and your mates at Nando’s. You’ll even get the chance to meet them privately after the show to get up close and personal with the guys – you can ask them any questions you like, take pictures and for any aspiring dancers out there, you may even get time to show them some of your moves!

So for your chance to win this incredible prize, all you have to do is answer this simple question:

What has been your most FLAWLESS-like moment on the dancefloor?

Leave your answer in the blog’s comments box and remember, be honest, the one that impresses us the most will win!

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Competition Terms and Conditions: Competition closes on Monday 22nd August at midnight and all entrants must be over 18. The winner will be notified via email on Tuesday 23rd August by 12pm. Prize comprises four tickets to one showing of ‘Intergalactic Dreams’ at The Pleasance Grand in Edinburgh on Thursday 25th August and four combination meals and soft drinks at a Nando’s restaurant in Edinburgh. Alcohol not included. Prize excludes travel and accommodation.

We had a great weekend at Brighton Pride. We enlisted the help of a team of Brazillian dancers and Samba drummers who really brought the crowd to life. The team from the restaurant ‘brighton’ed’ everyone’s day by handing out Free Nando’s Fans – to cool them down and vouchers for Free chicken – to spice them up! There was an amazing vibe on the streets and it was great to get out and meet some of our fans getting into the party spirit!

Last updated: Thursday 11th August, 11am

Most of our restaurants will be trading as usual today, however a couple of restaurants are still closed, these are:

Brixton
Woolwich

For up to date information please visit this blog where we’ll share any updates as we get them.

Thanks for your support

You might remember us mentioning Nando’s Hot Heroes a few weeks back – it’s a competition we’re running with LIVE magazine to celebrate young people who’re doing good stuff in their communities.

On Monday we hosted our second Hot Heroes lunch with the UK’s top dance act FLAWLESS, where the ten-strong crew came down to have lunch with the winners and even taught them some of their moves!

Ten Nando’s fans, most of whom are aspiring street dancers themselves, got to spend an afternoon with FLAWLESS at Nando’s in London’s Mile End, learning some new dance moves and tucking into their favourite Nando’s meal. FLAWLESS even posed for some snaps with everyone (including Barci!).

Thanks to FLAWLESS who made the day really special for all the winners and also to the team at Mile End who, as always, provided a true Nando’s experience!

Last week we had a great night at our restaurant in Dundrum, Ireland. Six of Leinsters top rugby players took to the grills and ran our restaurant to raise money for Temple Street Children’s Hospital.

Brian O’Driscoll, Rob Kearney, Luke Fitzgerald, Sean O’Brien, Fergus McFadden, and Eoin O’Malley were on top form and they took to their new roles as if they had been working in Nando’s for years! The boys come into the restaurant a lot so have obviously been watching the team in the restaurant work their magic!

During the night the players also helped to sell raffle tickets for two signed Leinster shirts that they had donated, as well as a voucher for free Nando’s for a year.

The lads did a great job, grilling the chicken, welcoming customers and taking orders, each player was supported by a Nandocas (one of our team) to give them hand throughout the evening.

Brian O’Driscoll answered a call from an unsuspecting customer who wanted to place an order. Little did the customer know that he talking to the captain of Ireland’s Rugby team! The players had fun taking pictures of each other on their mobile phones and posting them on their twitter accounts.

At the end of the night Brian O’Driscoll pulled out the winning tickets from the raffle which raised over €2,000 for Temple Street Children’s Hospital.

It was a fantastic night and we were really pleased to be able to help support Temple Street Children’s Hospital – Well done guys!