Going to Nando’s? - Ask for the Ingredients Book for Full Allergen Listings!

I have rarely been so impressed with a restaurant when it comes to ingredient knowledge and food allergy understanding but Nando’s just raised the bar. When I’m eating out I need to trust my waiter, the chef and the restaurant, in that order. I look at the waiter as my food allergy representative in the kitchen and if he/she doesn’t understand me the line of communication is going to disintegrate rapidly. I have been to restaurants (almost always large chains) which have a go-to-reference guide of ingredients for the waiters to refer to but Nando’s was the first time that I was freely given the guide, allowed to pour over it at my table before ordering and was literally blown away by its usability, freedom of information and food allergy awareness.

The Ingredients book lists the full ingredients of each item on the menu right down to the sauces and breads and below each ingredient list is a full, clearly marked list signifying what the item is or is not free from with the following checklist:

- Nuts & derivatives
- Fish & derivatives
- Crusaceans
- Molluscs
- Milk & derivatives
- Soya & derivatives
- Celery
- Mustard
- Lupin
- Sesame Seeds
- Gluten
- Sulphur dioxide (>10mg/kg)
- Monosodium Glutamate
- Irradiated Foodstuff
- GM Matter
- Suitable for Vegetarians
- Suitable for Vegans
- Suitable for Coeliacs

...and beside the yes/no tick there are related comments such as ‘this product is made in a factory that packs products containing nuts’, ‘Nando’s mayonnaise contains mustard’ or ‘the optional cheese slice contains milk’, etc.)

Nando’s is one chain that I will support. In addition to this, if you are Vegetarian or Vegan don’t let the copious amounts of chicken put you off if your friends drag you here because they have some nice quality, filling salads available which are guaranteed as Vegetarian and even Vegan which is something that surprised me (I recommend the couscous salad)...but of course I understand not being thrilled at going to a chicken house! ;)

But seriously, the food is good, the chicken is tender and this is one place that you can definitely rest when it comes to hidden food allergens. My only word of warning/advice, is to order separately and double confirm with your server when your meal arrives because once my mom and my sauces were mixed up... People will be people and mistakes can happen to anyone so keep your safety in your own hands and never let your guard down completely, even though it is super tempting given such odds!!

P.S: there’s even a Vegan Sorbet for dessert!

Locations

Nando's Andrews Lane
12 St. Andrews Lane
Dublin 2
tel: (01) 677 9166
web: www.nandosrestaurant.ie
Opening Times: sun-wed 12:00-22:30; thurs-sat 11:30-23:30

Nando's Dundrum
Dundrum Town Centre
Dundrum, Dublin 16
tel: (01) 298 5889
web: www.nandosrestaurant.ie
Opening Times: sun-wed 12:00-22:00; thurs-sat 12:00-23:00

Nando's Swords Pavilion
The Pavilions Shopping Centre
Swords, Co. Dublin
tel: (01) 813 8531
web: www.nandosrestaurant.ie
Opening Times: sun-wed 12:00-21:00; thurs-sa 12:00-23:00

Nando's Mary Street
51-52 Mary Street
Dublin 1
tel: (01) 872 0011
web: www.nandosrestaurant.ie
Opening Times: sun-wed 12:00-22:00; thurs-sat 12:00-23:00

Nando's Cork Mahon Point
Mahon Point Shopping Centre
Mahon, Cork
Dublin 1
tel: (021) 435 0900
web: www.nandosrestaurant.ie
Opening Times: sun-tues 12:00-21:00; wed-sat 12:00-22:00

Nando's Victoria Sq, Belfast
1 Victoria Square
Belfast, BT1 4QG
tel: 02890 323 452
web: www.nandosrestaurant.ie
Opening Times: mon 12:00-21:00; tues-thurs 12:00-22:00; fri 12:00-23:00; sat 11:30-23:00; sun 13:00-21:00

Nando's Bedford Street, Belfast
24 Ormeau Avenue
Belfast BT2 8HS
tel: 02890 434 442
web: www.nandosrestaurant.ie
Opening Times: sun 12:00-23:00; mon-tues 12:00-22:00; wed-sat 12:00-23:00