This beautiful restaurant is the star of London’s powerful Portuguese dining scene.
Piri piri. So good they named it twice.
Casa do Frango has brought authentic Portuguese flavours to the city. Specialising in regional Algarvian-style piri piri chicken, known as “frango”, their food is – dare I say it? – cheekier than Nando’s. You’ll currently find it on Southwark Street in London Bridge, but a little birdie tells us (okay, it’s their PR company) that they’re opening a second branch in Shoreditch this December.
Although Frango is the main focus of the menu, there’s also an extensive list of sharing plates and salads, including Octopus Rice and Salt Cod & Chickpea Salad, as well as vegetarian options such as Grilled Vegetables in Piri Piri. Of course, for dessert, there’s Portugal’s famous Pasteis de Natas, as well as Chocolate Mousse and Bica (Portuguese coffee). Meanwhile, the drinks menu features the classic Port & Tonic, a Casa G&T, and some lovely Portuguese wines.
The restaurant is a beautiful space filled with natural light, greenery and exposed brick walls. It has alfresco vibes without the cool breeze, so it’s perfect for the cooler months when we’d rather be on holiday.
If you’re feeling nosey and inquisitive, you may even stumble across the restaurant’s hidden bar – a more intimate, candlelit affair. Found behind a secret door in the London Bridge branch, The Green Room is a sexy speakeasy with an epic list of cocktails. It’s open from 6–11pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and 6–12 from Thursday to Saturday.
The bar serves up all the classics, like Caipirinhas and Sazeracs (i.e. one of the oldest cocktails in the world), as well as some more fiery options, such as the Pimenta da Casa with jalapeño vodka, or the Green Room Blossom, an awesome take on a Tom Collins with grapefruit and orange blossom.
Location: 1st Floor, 32 Southwark Street, SE1 1TU. See it on Google Maps.
Date: Monday to Friday, 12pm – 3pm then 5pm – 12am. Saturday and Sunday, 12pm – 12pm.
Price: Half a chicken costs £9, and sides range from £3 to £5. Small plates range from £4 to £8, while cocktails cost £8.
More info: on the Casa do Frango website.
Watch this space for more info about their Shoreditch opening!
Also published on Medium.