Nando’s opens ninth NI restaurant at revamped Odyssey

South African food chain Nando’s has opened its ninth Northern Irish restaurant at Belfast’s Odyssey complex, creating 40 jobs in the process.

The UK’s favourite chicken restaurant, which specialises in Portuguese-style food and is famed for its peri-peri sauce and marinade, is among the new tenants for the revamped pavilion.

Investment company Matagorda 2, which acquired the long lease for the Odyssey Pavilion in 2016, originally announced a £17 million refurbishment programme in late 2019.

Cineworld opened its first premises in the north at the Odyssey in 2021, with Hollywood Bowl moving in last year.

Italian food chain Zizzi and burger specialist Five Guys have also signed leases for new restaurants at the Odyssey.

The Odyssey Trust remains the ultimate landlord and runs both the arena and the W5 attraction.

Manager of the new Nando’s restaurant, Gerrie Anderson said: “We’re delighted to be opening our stunning new restaurant at the new Belfast Odyssey complex. We can’t wait to be giving customers the unique Nando’s experience and serving our delicious flame-grilled peri-peri.”