cheeky Nando's
/ˈtʃiːki ˈnændəʊz/
CommonA spontaneous or mildly indulgent trip to Nando's, the peri-peri chicken restaurant.
Became internet-famous as an example of distinctly British banter culture. Used both genuinely and ironically. Non-British audiences often find it baffling, which adds to its charm.
Real-world examples4 examples
| # | Example | What it means | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | fancy a cheeky nandos after this? | Suggesting an impromptu Nando's trip once the current activity ends. | x, 2015 |
| 02 | ended up in a cheeky nandos at 10pm somehow. no regrets | An unplanned late Nando's trip happened and it was worth it. | tiktok, 2023 |
| 03 | the american did not understand why we said cheeky nandos. spent 20 mins explaining british culture | A non-British person struggled to grasp why 'cheeky' applies to a restaurant visit. | reddit, 2022 |
| 04 | treated myself to a cheeky nandos for handing in that dissertation. deserved | Rewarded an achievement with a Nando's trip. | x, 2024 |
Use it when
- Suggesting an unplanned trip to Nando's.
- Ironically referencing British lad culture.
- Describing any mildly indulgent impromptu food outing.
Do not use it when
- You are describing a planned meal out.
- You genuinely want to describe Nando's food quality.
Origin and context
Emerged from British lad culture in the early 2010s. Became a viral meme around 2015 when the phrase was highlighted as quintessentially British, often cited alongside British banter culture on social media.
- First seen
- early-2010s
- Confidence
- medium
Cite this page
Use this stable URL to reference the entry.
https://slang.fyi/cheeky-nandosUpdated: 2026-08-28License: CC BY 4.0