Nandos

This eagerly-anticipated South African multinational restaurant chain finally brought it's Portuguese flame-grilled, peri-peri style chicken restaurant to Galway, with an official opening on 27 May, 2026.

There was a small break after the first few days, to sort out some electrical issues, but by the middle of the first week in June, they were open again and busy!

The restaurant located at the north end of the Galway Shopping Centre site on the Headford Road, in the Bodkin building (named after the roundabout that used to be next door). This has had a long history: most recently it was the Bodkin Point Asian buffet restaurant, before that Star King, and longer ago the "interesting" Kate's Bar, the Rendezvous, the Roundabout - and probably a few more names too.

The building had been empty for some years, when it was selected as Nando's first Connaught location.. Some places have a refurbishment, but this has had an almost-complete rebuild - only a few of the internal walls were kept. So it's looking fresh, new and sporting the distinct Nando's designs inside and out.

On the menu, there's an interesting mix of cheese and peri-peri chicken, with dishes including starters, burgers, flame-grilled chicken, salads and bowls, and sides. This is classic fast-food with some surprising restaurant twists, including dishes like chicken livers & rustic Portuguese roll, fino pita, and spicy rice bowl. And of course some plant-based dishes, too. All items are available for take-away, as well as in their 110-seat restaurant.