Casa Do Frango Heddon Street

Heading to a spot which has been described as a sort of boujee Nandos, you might find yourself making assumptions on what you’re going to get. It turns out that Casa do Frango on Heddon Street, however, isn’t so easy to put in a box.

Light-hearted music fills the softly lit room that's immaculately decorated with spinning fans, vast hanging lights, and sweeping green plants. The space is cosy but luxe, with wooden features and exposed brick walls giving it a charming feel.

Quick to arrive after friendly recommendations by the team, the food at Casa do Frango transpires to be both a visual and gustatory feast – a plethora of bright (and very generously portioned and keenly priced) dishes to share. The huge cauliflower portion is a far cry from the veggies you might have been made to eat as a child and transforms something that can so often be bland into something special. Sharp but sweet, thanks to an inspired contrast in flavours of honey, lemon, piri-piri, and lime and coriander, it melts-in-the-mouth. Pistachio crumbs and a golden grilled edge also give an exciting texture twist.

The signature green rice is a fun and flavoursome side, fresh mint cutting through the spice found elsewhere. The Feijoada – a Portuguese white bean stew – is creamy and smoky, rich in flavour and accentuated by the addition of sweet potato and crispy kale. Finally, the batatas fritas, though they look like standard fries, are seasoned perfectly.

The dessert menu isn’t spell-bounding, but the Portuguese chocolate biscuit ‘salami’ cake, which tastes like a cross between rocky road and cookie dough, allows you to finish on a sweet, satisfying note.

Washed down with a cocktail or two from Casa do Frango’s cocktail menu – try the piri-piri Margarita for a spicy twist on a cocktail classic – the offerings in this Portuguese paradise bring bags of flavour and fun, and who wouldn't enjoy that?

Portuguese restaurant and piri piri chicken favourite Casa Do Frango has opened a third site on Heddon Street following major success at its first two London Bridge and Shoreditch locations. This 200-cover outlet just off Regents Street is the brand’s flagship restaurant and the largest of its three offerings, encompassing a street level terrace, a bright dining room, bar and two private dining rooms set over two floors. Inspired by co-founder Marco Mendes’ upbringing in the Algarve region of Southern Portugal, guests can expect a menu of traditional Portuguese dishes served in its signature urban-chic, leafy interiors.   

Designed by Alessio Nardi of A-nrd Studio, the restaurant stays loyal to Casa do Frango’s vintage rustic style, reminiscent of the sun-bleached facades of the Algarve and the region’s humble roots. The design complements the building’s existing architecture with reclaimed wood flooring, blonde oak furniture, traditional tile friezes and decorative pieces from the region. 

Menu-wise, guests can expect plenty of Casa Do Frango favourites which are also served at its original sites, with the menu focused around the culinary traditions of the Algarve. An open-fire wood grill injects dishes with smoky char and flavour, an integral part of the restaurant's signature dish Frango piri piri, which sees half a chicken brushed with a secret piri piri sauce. Discover plenty of sharing plates and sides, too, including Iberico pork croquettes, Bacalhau fritters, African rice, Batatas Fritas and a Montanheira salad. 

Drinks from the bar are lifted straight from the Algarve. Sip on a classic white port and tonic, or take your pick from a selection of Portuguese beers on draught, bespoke cocktails with Portuguese twists and an all-Portuguese wine list featuring the restaurant’s own Vinho Verde, Boa Pinga, a lightly effervescent wine created by the team, in collaboration with  Quinta de Santiago.