Bolton - Vaults - Ryan Review

Stopped into this Nando's on a very sunny afternoon in Bolton. It's located in the Market Place shopping Centre, which is easily found by car and is well sign-posted. Market Place has its own parking and is charged Mon-Sat 0-90mins FREE, 1.5-2.5hrs/£1, 2.5-3.5hrs/£2, 3.5hrs+/£4, Sun 0-90mins FEE, 1.5hrs+/£1 (open until midnight each night). There are loads of other car parks in Bolton town centre too, all offering evening and very cheap rates with the NCPs offering free parking all day Sunday. Bolton Train station is half a mile walk away.

As you enter the Market Place main entrance, escalators are right infront of you with a big finger suspended from the ceiling pointing down towards The Bolton Vaults. Nando's is the first restaurant you see at the bottom. Two low arches are on the outside with two large planters in each. Inside, there are three seating areas - separated by further arches. The front section has a yellow leather banquette on the right for the waiting/seating area with a row of tables chairs (with one big red bucket chair and one yellow string-backed chair) to the left of this, with black domes for lighting above these. Through the arches (which have some yellow and orange balls suspended from them) into the middle section are a few large red leather square booths to the left and a good mix of table/chair seating with a further leather banquette on the right. Above them is a black lattice metal pattern with a variety of lights hanging down from it. Through the arches into the back section where the tills/kitchen are (clad in the familiar green tiles) is a further yellow banquette with yellow tiles on the wall and a range of colourful paintings.

Toilets are located at the very back and consists of unisex cubicles which are a little cramped, but very colourful with yellow and lime green tiles. Everywhere was bare brick too - a very nice restaurant.

I arrived here at around 5pm and there were just a few tables in use which meant the food came in just under 10 minutes. I went for the thigh burger and chips and it was truly delicious. The two thighs fillets were thick, juicy and covered in sauce and were creeping out of the bun. The portion of chips was massive - nearly as big as a large and all were piping hot and crispy. It was lovely.

Staff were very friendly and up for some chat and bants too.