A little way inland from the coast, among the showroom units on the eastern side of Castlepoint, Nando's has grown into one of the busiest places to eat in this corner of Bournemouth without much fanfare. It makes no claim to be a destination restaurant. It is the place you land after an afternoon of shopping, or on a Friday evening when nobody can settle on anything more adventurous, and it seldom lets anyone down.
The food
Everything here revolves around a single idea: chicken steeped in PERi-PERi for a full 24 hours, then cooked over an open flame and basted while it grills. It is that grill that sets the food apart from the standard high-street chain, leaving the skin properly charred at the edges instead of the pale look of something warmed through.
The heat is your decision. On the PERi-ometer you go from the mild PERi-Tamer through Plain...ish and Medium to Extra Hot, with guest flavours like Mango and Lime, Spiced Clementine or Garlic BBQ appearing alongside the regulars from time to time. The chicken comes as quarters, halves, wraps, burgers or sharing platters, and a sizeable plant-based section caters for anyone giving meat a miss. The sides account for a good part of the appeal. Younger diners have the Nandinos menu. As the range shifts with the seasons, look at the website before fixing on one particular dish.
The setting
As a retail-park restaurant, it leans into what that format does well. Tables move quickly, the noise level is lively rather than stressful, and a toddler mid-tantrum raises no eyebrows. An outdoor seating area earns its keep on warm evenings, free Wi-Fi is available if you want it, and there are baby changing facilities.
Families, groups of friends and anyone after a proper hot meal without the formality of a full evening out will feel at home. Prefer to eat in? Both collection and delivery can be arranged through the Nando's website and app.
Where it is
The address is Unit 10, Showrooms East, Castlepoint, Castle Lane West, BH8 9UZ, which puts it a short drive north of Boscombe and the seafront within the area's biggest shopping centre. Free parking is the real practical bonus, with accessible bays close to the entrances, and local bus routes reach the centre if you would rather not drive. For other restaurants around the town, see our wider food and drink guide.
Good to know
Since online bookings are not taken for dining in, expect a wait at busy times, especially weekend evenings and during school holidays. Step-free access and wheelchair accessibility run throughout the restaurant. Opening hours differ across the week and may change on bank holidays, so confirm them on the Nando's website before you set off. For particular requests, whether a group visit or the latest allergen information, get in touch with the restaurant directly.