Lagos is a city that offers an endless array of local cuisines enjoyed at various types of restaurants. Whether it’s the ‘bukka’ on your street, the roadside food vendor, or the larger fast-food chains, there is always a wide range of options to choose from. Nevertheless, when it comes to relishing the real taste of Lagos, there are a few exceptional spots where you can enjoy local Nigerian food, elevated to new heights of flavour and experience. To help you discover these culinary gems, we’ve compiled a list of recommended places where you can indulge in an exceptional dining experience.
Here are the top 7 restaurants in Lagos for local cuisine:
- Afefeyeye: Located in Ikeja, Afefeyeye is the ideal spot for a truly local dining experience. With its unique ambience, beautiful details and delectable menu featuring authentic Nigerian favourites such as native jollof, boli and fish alongside freshly made palm wine – plus the option of takeout if needed! – It’s sure to make your mealtime one you’ll never forget.
- Delta Pot: If you stay around Lekki environs and you’re craving the most authentic South-South cuisine you can find, Delta Pot is the spot for you. With its unique dishes, friendly staff, and suitable venue for private parties, it provides a very satisfying dining experience. Also, they are famous for their starch and Banga soup which you must give a try.
- Ofada Boy: With a space that feels like a modernised and almost royal bukka, Ofada boy is a top-notch local restaurant located in Surulere. As their name suggests, they are known for their range of Ofada delicacies. (A local rice meal originated from Abeokuta, West Nigeria) With mouth-smacking food that goes beyond the ofada options and a great ambience to match, this is a place that you will definitely visit frequently.
- Nok by Alara: If you want an elevated dining experience of Nigerian cuisine, this is the place for you. Located in Victoria Island, this intricately decorated space is for lovers of food and arts. This fine-dining restaurant owned by Reni Folawiyo serves modern interpretations of classic Nigerian dishes. This place will take your taste bud on an adventure of Contemporary African Dishes.
- Terra Kulture restaurant: Located in Victoria Island, Terra Kulture restaurant shares a space with their theatre, bookstore and art gallery. It is an amazing place to enjoy culture in all its facets. With a good range of local cuisine, suya and palm wine served in calabashes, this is a spot to visit.
- Ile Eros: With a cute, intimate space that is hidden in a corner in Lekki, Ile Eros is a restaurant fusing Nigerian and Western flavours in their extensive menu. It’s a real delight to those who want their usual meals but with an extra oomph.
- Jevinik: A classic spot situated around Lagos, Jevinik is a restaurant that offers home-cooked meals at affordable prices. If you’re looking for somewhere you could pop-in with a moderate budget but still expecting good food, this is the place for you.
We hope this list helps you find the perfect place to enjoy a delicious meal in Lagos! Have you ever been to any of these places or would you like to give any of these a try? You can let us know in the comments. You can check out our previous editions of ‘Where to Eat in Lagos”.