Nando's Reopens After Being Rebuilt in Kerrisdale

In October 2023, a fire destroyed Nando’s in the Kerrisdale neighbourhood in Vancouver, a community-favourite for two decades.

After more than two years of rebuilding, they recently reopened their doors at a new location, which has moved down the street to 2179 West 41st Avenue with a fresh new look and updated interiors.

“Kerrisdale has always meant more to us than just a restaurant location. For 20 years, it was a place where friendships were built, families gathered, and our team truly felt part of the community,” said Sonny Mahal, Owner & Operator, Nando’s Kerrisdale.

“Losing the restaurant in the fire was heartbreaking, but the support we received from the neighbourhood reminded us how special that connection really was. Reopening in Kerrisdale is incredibly meaningful for us, it’s a chance to continue the story, welcome our longtime guests back, and create new memories with the Kerrisdale community.”

The new restaurant features updated interiors and a refreshed design that reflects a new direction for the brand.

“The Kerrisdale restaurant had been part of the neighbourhood for so long, losing it was incredibly sad for the entire company,” said Lauren Aubry, Director of Marketing for Nando’s Canada. “Seeing the dedication to rebuild after the fire has been inspiring for all of us. We’re excited to welcome guests back.”

Nando’s signature chicken is marinated in PERi-PERi chili peppers for 24-hours and flame-grilled to order in the heat level of your choice, meaning there’s something for both mild lovers and heat seekers. The diverse menu includes sandwiches, wraps, bowls, salads, and more. Guests can choose between dine-in, pick-up takeout, or order for delivery.

After making its 1987 debut in Johannesburg, South Africa, Nando’s expanded to Canada with its first location in 1994. There are currently 29 locations across Canada.

Mahal said he started with Nando’s in 2006 with the location in Kerrisdale. He also has another location in North Vancouver which he has owned since 2021.

Mahal still vividly remembers the night of the fire.

“We were at work, and everything happened so fast. One minute we were cooking, and the next, the fire department came into our building saying everybody needed to evacuate,” he explained.

“We left everything inside, thinking it might be a small incident. But there were police everywhere, a whole bunch from the fire department, smoke coming into our building. We weren’t sure where it was coming from, but we were evacuated and told to stay behind police lines because it was not safe. We stayed there until about eight o’clock in the morning, just watching what was going on.

“The fire happened two doors south, two businesses down, and it slowly spread because these old buildings did not have firewalls. After one building caught fire, it kept spreading. Around 2:30 a.m., it jumped to the restaurant, and that was it. They couldn’t put the fire out. They had over 80 firefighters, and around 5:30 a.m., they made the decision to get a bulldozer and demolish it because it wasn’t coming under control.

“It was devastating. Not just for us, but for our employees too. Over 25 employees overnight lost their jobs. It also affected the neighbourhood—some businesses were here 10–15 years, and some apartment buildings meant people were left homeless. It devastated the community; it affected everybody personally.”

Mahal said it was definitely a challenge to rebuild. Challenges included finding a site, construction, and design. They had four design teams involved—from South Africa, the UK, Canada, and U.S. Everything was custom: lighting and furniture from South Africa, tables from the UK, some furniture from the US, tiles from Italy.

“We signed the lease in June. The hardest part was finding a location back in Cardale. We could have opened anywhere in Vancouver, but coming back to this community, where we started, was important. It took two and a half years to finally secure a location,” said Mahal.

“I think the hardest challenge for us was finding a location back in Kerrisdale. Technically we could have opened anywhere in Vancouver but just coming back in this community because we had been here for so long (was important). The support from the community and guests has been amazing,” said Rachel Chand, co-owner.