Nando's Abu Dhabi menu, ranked | Time Out Abu Dhabi

Anyone else hungry for a cheeky Nando’s in Abu Dhabi?

It might have been born in South Africa (Jo’burg, to be precise), but this chicken franchise, famed for its peri-peri sauce, has garnered cult status in cities around the world, and particularly among the planet’s Brits. (Apparently they’re all clamouring for Ed Sheeran’s Black Card.)

When it comes to the Nando’s menu, you’ll find people generally divvy up into tribes, from the committed Chicken Pita pickers to those who don’t believe it’s been done properly until there’s a peri-peri hummus on the table.

For now, here’s our ranking of what to order from the Nando’s menu in Abu Dhabi.

Cheeky? Naturally.

The rooster: ½ chicken

We’re not messing around here – we’re going for one of the big hitters right off the bat from the On The Bone menu at Nando’s in Abu Dhabi. The ½ chicken meal sees a leg and thigh plus a breast and wing, lathered in Peri-Peri sauce dropped onto your plate. Prepare for a mess as your fingers, face and hopefully mouth get covered in a sauce that has been bringing smiles to faces since 1987. Add a side and a soft drink into the mix and you have a hearty feast for Dhs65.

The awkward peck: Caesar Salad

So you’ve come to Nando’s in Abu Dhabi and decided to order a salad from the menu? Each to their own we say but the Caesar salad (note the lack of chicken) consists of cos lettuce, parmesan cheese and croutons topped with Nando’s Caesar dressing. It will set you back Dhs42 but for those looking to add some protein it will be an extra Dhs15.

The veggie one: Veg Burger

The good people down at Nando’s haven’t forgotten about our vegetarian friends in Abu Dhabi and serve up a few meat-free alternatives with the Peri-Peri Veg menu. With all the taste of a delicious chicken-filled bun, vegetarians can wrap their lips around a veg patty smothered in tangy yoghurt, chilli jam before being topped with tomato and lettuce, all in a Portuguese roll.

The sweet chick: Choc’late Lovin’ Spoon Cake

Another selection from Nando’s that hasn’t got any chicken in it? We’re not joking. For those who have some space left (somehow), The Choc’late Lovin’ Spoon Cake (a recent entry to the dessert menu) is certainly going to keep any sweet teeth happy in Abu Dhabi with a chocolate cake layered with a smooth chocolate pudding and served with vanilla ice cream. Who said happiness doesn’t come on a plate?

The classic one: Chicken Caesar Wrap

Like a one club footballer, the chicken Caesar wrap never lets you down, is the first name on the team sheet and is the first name many look for on the menu at Nando’s. We’re talking chicken fillet, croutons, parmesan cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and Nando’s Caesar dressing all wrapped up in pita bread. Score one of these on your next visit to Nando’s in Abu Dhabi for Dhs44 plus one side.

The little one: Three full chicken wings

Hey, we all need to warm up no matter the sport and at the Time Out offices we are masters at our pursuit – eating. And when it comes to the ‘Appeteasers’ menu (get it?) in Nando’s in Abu Dhabi, we’re only ever going to go for the chicken wings, drenched in our choice of (hot) peri-peri sauce. Only Dhs25, this is a great start to any Nando’s feast.

The wingman: Chunky mashed potato

These plates don’t get the credit they probably deserve as the start of the show is always the chicken. But we would notice if they were missing (and not just because we paid for them). When it comes to chicken there is no better pick on the sides menu at Nando’s in Abu Dhabi than the chunky mashed potato for Dhs16 regular or Dhs24 large. Controversial? Let’s be having you…

The auld reliable: Chicken Burger

Sometimes familiarity is the best course of action when ordering off any food card and on the Casa Deals menu at Nando’s, the chicken burger never disappoints. But why not go for the Pulled Chicken Burger option this time? Juicy, saucy chicken is served in a toasted Portuguese roll and joined by grilled onions and a slice of cheese for Dhs25. Simple but definitely effective at filling a gap in any stomach in Abu Dhabi.

The sophisticated one: Chicken Butterfly

In no mood to be fighting with your chicken, or even worse destroying up that nice clean top? Class up your Nando’s experience in Abu Dhabi with the fork-and-knife-friendly Chicken Butterfly from the Off the Bone menu. Sure you can’t indulge you’re inner caveman as you would like by tearing strips off with your teeth with a regular chicken on the bone, but this dish still hits the spot as two chicken breasts have their skin crisped before being accompanied by two sides of your choice.

The team player: Jumbo Platter

We’re not shy about heading to Nando’s en masse, and if the crew is big enough we take on the jumbo platter from the sharing menu. Two big chickens glistening with the aforementioned PP sauce and five large sides is the challenge that confronts the group for Dhs260. Enjoying a cheeky Nando’s with your mates in Abu Dhabi? The way it truly is supposed to be.