A Scottish chef and business owner who was recently named the UK’s best burger chef is set to open a new restaurant.
Nick Watkins of El Perro Negro - which has restaurants in Glasgow and Edinburgh - is gearing up to launch Birds, a brand-new fried chicken concept.
Birds will open next month within the much-loved Phillies of Shawlands in Glasgow’s southside.
Building on the ethos of quality, simplicity, and bold flavour, Birds will bring Watkins’ signature attention to detail and ingredient-driven approach to the world of fried chicken.
Just as El Perro Negro redefined Glasgow’s burger scene, Birds is set to shake things up, offering a carefully curated menu of high-quality fried chicken dishes in a laid-back, welcoming setting.
The collaboration sees Watkins and business partner, Peter McKenna, owner of esteemed Glasgow fine dining restaurant, The Gannet and also a shareholder in El Perro Negro, joining forces with Luke Miskimmin and Phil Kirkpatrick, the dynamic duo behind Phillies, to bring a fresh and exciting addition to Glasgow’s thriving Southside.
The venue will see Birds seamlessly integrated into Phillies, with Laura Hughes, general manager of Phillies, overseeing all front-of-house operations for both businesses.
Recently crowned as the UK’s ‘Burger Chef of the Year’ at the National Burger Awards 2025, Nick Watkins, founder of El Perro Negro and co-owner of Birds, said: “Birds has been in the making for some time, and I’m absolutely buzzing to finally share what we’ve been working on.
“We’ve built a reputation at El Perro Negro for keeping things simple and letting high-quality ingredients do the talking, and Birds will be no different.
"Partnering with Phillies, a place that has become a real hub for great food and drink, is the perfect fit. We can’t wait for people to see – and taste – what we’ve got in store.”
Luke Miskimmin, co-owner of Phillies, added: “We’ve always been about bringing people together over great food, drinks, and atmosphere, and Birds will add another dimension to the Phillies offering. The opportunity to collaborate with Nick, Peter, and the whole Birds team was an absolute no-brainer – it’s going to be something really special for Shawlands.”
The full menu remains under wraps for now, but expect an uncompromising focus on top-tier produce, expertly executed fried chicken, and bold, crave-worthy flavours.
Further details, including the official opening date, exclusive menu previews, and launch events, will be revealed in the coming weeks.
Birds is set to be one of the most anticipated openings of 2025, and with Watkins at the helm, Glasgow’s fried chicken scene is about to get a serious upgrade.
