For years, New Yorkers who’ve visited London have returned with the same question: why doesn’t NYC have a Nando’s?
The cult-favorite South African-born chicken chain has become a phenomenon across the UK, where its flame-grilled PERi-PERi chicken, spicy sauces, and “cheeky Nando’s” catchphrase are practically part of British culture.
And now, after years of fans wishing the chain would make its way to the city, Nando’s is finally popping up in NYC.
According to reports, Nando’s is bringing a free three-week takeover to SoHo beginning this Saturday, June 27, complete with flame-grilled PERi-PERi chicken, live music, watch parties, limited-edition collaborations, and special guest appearances.
The best part? It won’t cost you a single penny.
The Nando’s NYC Pop-Up Schedule & Event Lineup
- 📍 Where: 341 Broome Street, SoHo
- 📅 When: Select dates from Saturday, June 27 through Saturday, July 11, 2026
Nando’s is pulling up to the Big Apple with an incredible lineup of events, watch parties, and major talent. Here’s the official calendar:
Saturday, June 27 (Opening Day, 12pm–3pm)
Nando’s officially kicks things off by firing up the grills.
UK rapper Aitch and streamer Max Khadar will host a UK-meets-NY watch party for the England vs. Panama 2026 FIFA World Cup match, bringing Extra Hot punditry, food, and soccer together.
Thursday, July 2 (12pm–4pm)
Jungle and drum-and-bass icon Nia Archives and friends will take over the space for a massive night of music and PERi-PERi.
Saturday, July 4 & Saturday, July 11 (10am–4pm)
In a legendary New York crossover, Nando’s is teaming up with Queens favorite Utopia Bagels to create a limited-edition bagel.
The exclusive recipe links up Nando’s iconic PERi-PERi with Utopia’s pillowy-soft baked dough. It’ll be available while stocks last, so get there early!
Thursday, July 9 (12pm–4pm)
Global music platform NTS has curated an exclusive evening featuring A$AP NAST, PDP Soundsystem, and special guests. (Plus, keep an eye out for Marlon pulling up to host an exclusive watch party during the residency).
What’s On The Menu? (Yes, The Sauce Station Is Bottomless)
Whether you’re getting a taste for the first time or reuniting with your go-to UK order, the pop-up is serving up classic menu items for free. Guests can expect fan-favorites, including:
- The Sunset Burger: a beloved menu staple
- Wing Roulette: a platter of wings ranging unpredictably from mild to wild
- PERi-Salted Chips
- A Fully Stocked Bottomless Sauce Station: You can dunk, dip, and drizzle as much as you want. They’re bringing everything from mild Lemon & Herb all the way to the viral, internet-famous PERi-PERi Saka sauce
Merch, Local NYC Vendors, & Interactive Experiences
Each week, the SoHo space will transform into NYC’s hottest summer spot, showcasing a curated selection of local vendors, fashion, and custom art. Visitors can shop jerseys and dresses from Coco Cultr, textile art from Stitched in the City, and custom fashion pieces from My Perlitas and Xtina’s Werld.
Food Service & Ticket Window Hours
Because all event access and PERi-PERi is completely free, you’ll want to plan your visit carefully.
Official Food Service Hours:
- Saturday, June 27: 12pm – 3pm
- Thursday, July 2: 12pm – 4pm
- Friday, July 3: 12pm – 4pm
- Saturday, July 4: 10am – 4pm (Utopia Bagel Collaboration Drop)
- Thursday, July 9: 12pm – 4pm
- Friday, July 10: 12pm – 4pm
- Saturday, July 11: 10am – 4pm (Utopia Bagel Collaboration Drop)
Secret NYC Tip: While you can head down during the day for food, tickets and sign-ups for the specific weekly evening events (like Aitch, Nia Archives, and A$AP NAST) will drop each Monday via the official Nando’s UK Instagram account.
Why Is Everyone So Excited About Nando’s Coming To NYC?
If you’ve never experienced the hype, the obsession might seem baffling.
Founded in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1987, Nando’s built its empire on chicken marinated for 24 hours in PERi-PERi (a spicy sauce made from African Bird’s Eye chilis) and flame-grilled to order.
Over the past several decades, the chain has expanded globally, though it’s become particularly beloved in the United Kingdom, where it’s evolved into something of a cultural institution.
While Nando’s actually operates several permanent U.S. restaurants in markets like Washington D.C., Chicago, and Texas, it has famously bypassed New York City—until now.
The lack of an NYC location has been a fierce point of debate on Reddit for years, with some saying they would order it weekly if it ever arrived in the city, while others argued New York’s existing peri-peri and rotisserie chicken scene would be tough competition.
This three-week SoHo takeover is your ultimate chance to taste the hype for yourself and decide if NYC needs a permanent shop.
Get ready for your first official “cheeky Nando’s,” New York.
