Colchester - Archive Review

The Colchester branch is an old favourite of mine, not only because it's my local but because of all the good times I've had there! We've been trying to back for a while now and things keep messing up our plans! So, today, I was looking for the very best of Nando's.

It was a Saturday lunchtime and I was expecting a wait. We had a big group (4 adults, 1 child, 1 highchair) and while the Colchester branch has a lot of 2 and 4-person seating, they don't have very many tables for large groups. The staff were friendly and took our name and we went away for a bit, and they did indeed have our table a half-hour later as we had been told and we didn't have to wait longer than that.

The restaurant was very busy but the queue at the tills to order was not terrible, and moved quickly. The staff member who served us at the till point was very patient as two of our party (including myself) gave orders for 6 people, and then helped us take drinks back to our table.

By the time we'd taken our trips to fill up soda glasses, get tableware and sauces, our food was already arriving. The orders were all correct aside from one of the children's sides (garlic bread) having been put on an adult's plate.

Everyone was very happy with their food. The chicken was well cooked and juicy, and the two vegetarians in the party enjoyed their beanie burgers immensely. The sides were well-portioned and tasty. Everyone left satisfied, happy, and full.

This restaurant is tightly packed but even on a busy day it was not uncomfortable. Though, it was a shame the garden area wasn't opened as it was a decent day for it! We sadly didn't get to sit in my favourite booth- a very neat long booth that sits under the stairwell to the upstairs bathrooms in a low tunnel-like arch. The back of the restaurant could use with a touchup- the front has had one recently and looks amazing. We did not use the regular bathrooms but the member of our party who used the handicapped/family bathroom said that it was not up to scratch and was very dirty, with some facilities being broken or nearly so.

Parking for this restaurant is not far but can be a bit expensive. However, almost all the busses that serve Colchester town centre stop within 50 metres or less. The Odeon is also almost directly adjacent and there are a few good pubs nearby for drinks afterward.

We had a great time, and I'm always happy to go back to Nando's Colchester!