Nando’s PERi-PERi Chicken has expanded its Houston presence—this time to the ultra-hip Montrose neighborhood, with a new outpost at 1201 Westheimer Road inside the historic Tower Theatre block redevelopment. The opening serves as a rebirth for the storied strip, which previously housed El Real and Acme Oyster House, and will soon be home to a jazz club from San Antonio musician Brent “Doc” Watkins.
While Houstonians may have long heard of the Nando’s name, the company is relatively new to the city, only debuting its Galleria-area location at Post Oak Plaza in 2023 followed by an outpost in LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch in 2024.
Nando’s launched in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1987, and earned fanfare for its 24-hour-mariniated chicken and signature peri peri sauce made with the Bird’s Eye chili pepper introduced to the Portuguese centuries ago by indigenous Africans. In the decades since, the company has grown exponentially with locations spanning 24 countries across five continents.
The Montrose location offers a radiant space that reflects Nando’s brand and thoughtful approach to artistry and design. The dining room features custom furnishings and hand-crafted booth fabrics, along with original works by South African artists. Keeping sustainability in mind, the restaurant showcases countertops derived from recycled refrigerator plastic.
Through Nando’s Creative Block program, in partnership with the Spier Arts Trust, a large-scale textural installation was commissioned exclusively for the Montrose restaurant, demanding attention from above the bar.
With Montrose known as a creative and cultural hub for the local community, Nando’s fits in seamlessly, giving visitors a space to bask in the vibrancy of the neighborhood. Dining on the restaurant’s spacious patio shaded by preserved oak trees, allows guests to soak in a quiet pocket of Mt. Vernon Street. The patio was built with raised decking in an effort to protect the root systems of the grown Post Oak trees that line the street, leaving the natural beauty of the area to be admired.
Like its sister locations, the Montrose location will serve up its signature flame-grilled chicken, marinated in a blend of Southern African herbs and spices in dishes like the half-chicken with chips, aka fries; the PERi chicken bowl with Portuguese rice; and the Nandoca’s Choice, a butterflied chicken breast served on garlic bread with house-made coleslaw.
A variety of beverages are available to soothe the palate, should the spice be too intense. Along with a selection of drinks on tap, Nando’s serves up bottled wine and beer, and frozens like the passio fruit frosé and the mango Rosalita.
Nando’s Montrose is now open daily from 10:30 am until 10 pm.
1201 Westheimer Rd., Ste. G, Houston, nandosperiperi.com
