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- calendar_today November 9, 2026
Port of Peri Peri Chicken Announces Seattle Expansion
The rapidly growing fast-casual chain Port of Peri Peri Chicken, renowned for its Portuguese-style flame-grilled chicken seasoned with African bird’s eye chilis, is preparing to open a new location in Central Seattle. The new restaurant will join a busy block on 12th Ave, further enriching the area’s diverse food and drink options.
A Developing Culinary Hub on 12th Ave
The 12th Ave corridor, already famous for offering an array of dining alternatives beyond the Capitol Hill center, continues its culinary evolution. The street-level retail spaces in the mixed-use Tapestry apartments at 12th and Fir are being developed to accommodate two new restaurants: an outpost of Port of Peri Peri Chicken and Cheng’s Dumplings and Noodle, a Taiwanese eatery by first-time Seattle restaurateurs Ya-Tzu Cheng and Yu-Fen Liu.
Port of Peri Peri: From Kirkland to Central Seattle
Known for their signature peri peri chicken, Port of Peri Peri Chicken brings with it the flavors of Portuguese-style flame-grilled chicken, distinguished by its spicy marinade. The chain currently operates locations in Kirkland and Bothell, and is part of a network spanning nearly 30 locations across 11 states.
The ‘Chicken War’ Intensifies
The latest addition of Port of Peri Peri Chicken contributes to what has been described as a surge of new chicken restaurant openings in the Capitol Hill and Central Seattle environs. This includes the arrival of Starbird Chicken, a San Francisco-based chain opening on E Pike in a space formerly occupied by part of an Amazon grocery store, and Char the Chicken, a new grilled poultry concept from the backers of the now-closed Mt. Joy chicken sandwich brand along with a popular food influencer.
Continuity and Change in the Neighborhood
The ongoing transformation of 12th Ave reflects both new beginnings and past challenges. The new restaurants are moving into a block that previously saw Saba Ethiopian lose its lease and vacate its space several years ago, following redevelopment plans for the area. The most longstanding presence on this culinary stretch remains L’Oursin at 14th and Jefferson, which has thrived for over a decade.
Looking Ahead
With Port of Peri Peri Chicken set to open its doors in the near future, Seattle diners can expect an even broader selection of peri peri chicken and other grilled poultry options as the area’s so-called “chicken war” heats up. The influx of new concepts continues to reshape Central Seattle’s restaurant landscape, offering locals more choice than ever before.
Source: capitolhillseattle.com.
