THE FLAME HAS LANDED IN STELLENBOSCH
Nando’s has given invited guests a first look at its new flagship restaurant in Stellenbosch, ahead of its official opening to the public.
Located in the historic Woodmill precinct, the new restaurant combines great food, local creativity and the laid-back outdoor lifestyle that Stellenbosch is known for. Surrounded by mountain views and greenery, the space has been designed to encourage customers to linger a little longer, whether that’s over lunch with friends, a family dinner or a leisurely soft serve on a sunny afternoon.
The restaurant was unveiled at a special opening celebration this week, bringing together food, art and music in true Nando’s fashion.
A dedicated bottomless station lets customers help themselves to unlimited PERi-PERi sauces, soft serve, RUBRO iced tea and soft drinks, while a full-service bar adds another reason to settle in and stay awhile.
For those passing through, the drive-thru comes with its own surprise. A dramatic viewing window gives customers a front-row seat to the action, offering a glimpse into the mastery, theatre and flame-grilled craft that goes into every Nando’s meal.
Designed and built by local teams, the restaurant takes inspiration from both Stellenbosch’s architectural heritage and the site’s industrial past. Warm terracotta tones, natural textures, abundant greenery and a striking central rooflight create a space that feels both contemporary and distinctly rooted in its surroundings.
Greeting customers at the entrance is Aquifer, a monumental mosaic by acclaimed South African artist Clive van den Berg. Stretching nine metres long and standing 3.7 metres high, the artwork frames views of the restaurant’s gardens.
Made from approximately 50,000 hand-cut pieces of stone, ceramic and glass, the installation took more than 6,000 hours to complete and was created alongside ten artisans trained through the Spier Arts Academy.
The commission marks a special reunion for Van den Berg and his collaborators, who first worked together on Coming to the City, a large-scale mosaic created for Nando’s King’s Cross restaurant in London 15 years ago. Their latest work brings that story full circle, celebrating South African craftsmanship and creative excellence on home soil.
The opening also served as the launchpad for the new limited-edition Siya Sauce, developed in partnership with Springbok captain Siya Kolisi and available exclusively in Nando’s restaurants nationwide from 3 November 2026.
The opening celebration brought together food, art and music in true Nando’s fashion. Guests were among the first to taste Siya Sauce while enjoying live performance by Duncan Johnson as well as Hluma Shoko, better known as @not_a_she, the DJ and artist from the Bridges for Music community. The performance reflected Nando’s ongoing commitment to supporting creative talent and creating platforms for South African artists to be seen and heard.
The new restaurant continues Nando’s long-standing investment in local creativity. Through its partnership with Spier Arts Trust and its support of organisations such as Bridges for Music, the brand has spent decades championing artists, artisans and musicians, creating opportunities for South African talent to reach wider audiences both locally and globally.
More than just a place to grab a meal, Nando’s Stellenbosch is a place to gather, discover and connect. Whether you’re stopping by for flame-grilled PERi-PERi chicken, helping yourself to one more serving of soft serve, enjoying a drink at the bar or taking in the mountain views from the garden, the new restaurant offers a distinctly Stellenbosch experience with unmistakable Nando’s flavour.
