Lagos has a variety of tourist attractions that are worth visiting, but did you know that you can “travel” to foreign cities from within the state? If you’re trying to create a travel experience for yourself on a budget, these locations make reference to certain cultures or socio-demographics and allow a momentary escape to your favorite destinations. We’ve put together some of such places in this article, you’re guaranteed an out-of-body experience with a visit.
Greece: Mykonos on the roof
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Mykonos is one of Greece’s many islands and a dream honeymoon or vacation destination for many people, thus getting a taste or feeling of it right here in Lagos is worth racing for. Mykonos on the roof affords you that opportunity while living up to the popular Lagos saying, ‘that thing wey you dey find for Sokoto dey for your shokoto’ which loosely translates to, ‘you need not go travel far to find what you seek.”
Located in Lekki Phase 1, Mykonos on the Roof is a charming restaurant that, as the name suggests, sits on the rooftop of a decent building that also plays home to the infamous Tea Room restaurant. You can tell that the owner of the business has a thing for concept restaurants. The restaurant’s interior design is inspired by traditional Mykonian architecture, the white and blue colors, and its minimalism. However, while the architects in Greece built their houses with their backs to the north to protect against the wind, our Lagos knockoff has an outdoor area that would instantly remind you of Lagos’ humidity. You might want to wear light clothing if you plan on sitting in the outdoor area.
Looking at the menu, there are a variety of options that make reference to Greece, including their traditional Greek salad, Mykonos cheeseburger served with fries and Avocado Cobb salad with prawns. They were also generous enough to add some familiar Naija food like small chops platter, chicken suya, and of course classic cocktails to complement your dish.
We would definitely say the ambiance of this rooftop is perfect for picturesque photos and is well-designed to deliver that island bliss.
Location: 6a Ogbunike st. Lekki, Lagos.
Instagram: mykonosontheroof
Dubai: Eko Atlantic
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Hold your horses! We understand that the only visible similarities between Dubai and Eko Atlantic are the massive structures, but this location was designed to be the “Dubai of Nigeria,” so it’s only right that we show it off as such. Of course, the structures in Dubai are true works of art; the attention to detail, quality, design, and visible proper maintenance set them apart.
However, if you spend time at the Eko Pearl Towers, one of the luxury structures in Eko Atlantic, with a large swimming pool and a clean and serene atmosphere, you can easily convince your friends that you’re on a ‘business trip or vacation’ to the UAE by showing them a photo from here. Because Eko Atlantic isn’t finished yet, making it exclusive and devoid of people, the environment is still clean, with puddles of the Lagos Lagoon strewn about, giving it a breezy island feel. You can find one or two luxury cars driving past to add to the effect. Alternatively, for an exotic and cosmopolitan experience akin to Dubai, you could enjoy lunch at the new upscale and premium restaurant, Kaly, overlooking the Eko Atlantic City.
Location: Off Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Instagram: ekoatlantic
Korea/China: Hua Han Restaurant(pronounced ‘Wa ‘Han’):
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Chopsticks, Ramen, Tofu, Boba, Sushi, and all that nice stuff come to mind when you think of Korea and its cuisine. Hua(Wa) Han(Han) not only provides these, but they also score a good one with their ambiance (I’m sure anime and K-Drama fans will love it here). Hua Han has a rich cultural representation of Korea in not just their cuisine but in the total experience. You’ll find cherry blossoms, porcelain figurines, geisha waiters, anime wallpapers, and more. You would also be sure to find some Asians dining here, it’s all part of the experience.
If you haven’t had Teppanyaki, your Asian escape isn’t complete. You get to watch your food cook right in front of you. Koreans are known for their politeness, and you can totally experience this at Hua Han as the customer service here is top-notch. We would absolutely recommend it.
Location: 3 Lekki Expressway, Victoria Island, Lagos
Instagram: huahan_lagos
Paris(Cafe De Flore)/ Cafe De Flore Ng:
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Cafe de Flore is one of the oldest coffee bars in Paris, and guess what? There’s one in Lagos! Don’t hold your breath because they do not belong to the same franchise. The Lagos replica of Cafe de Flore might be underwhelming, but it does perform well when compared to other cafes in Lagos.
Cafe de Flore, Lagos has a minimalist yet sophisticated decor, with indoor and outdoor spaces to choose to dine in. The design is very Parisian and their menu boasts of pastries. Although, compared to cafes in Paris, this one is quite elitist-having a dress code, restricting to only reservations and we’ve heard they have a minimum spend. Okay! Go off! We would recommend this for your brunch and tea party with friends and family, especially if you’re trying to impress people by suggesting you’re on a vacay in the French countryside.
Location: 12 Glover Road, Ikoyi, Nigeria
Instagram: cafedeflore_ng
Tulum, Mexico: Moist Beach Club & Restaurant
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The major similarity between Tulum and Moist Beach Club is a replica of the iconic VEN A LA LUZ (Come to the light) sculpture at the entrance. But that’s not all.
Moist is a tropical beach club that has a bar, lounge, and restaurant located along the shores of the Atlantic Ocean at Oniru private beach in Victoria Island. This upscale spot has an outdoor sitting area, cabanas, a swimming pool, and a restaurant stationed on the water to give you that getaway experience while you enjoy nicely grilled seafood and sip on their pricey cocktails.
It not only projects the serene nature of Mexico but also its somewhat similar nightlife. You can catch one of the electronic music raves at this location, or more frequently, the free weekly salsa classes, where you can enjoy some body-stimulating Mexican dances, and it would be a complete miss out if you didn’t get to watch the scintillating performance of their official in-house dance act, “Moist Tritons.”
With the cool breeze from the waters surrounding you and the melodic Latin tunes in the air, you’d almost believe you’re right in Mexico. Lest we forget, the most important requirement is for you to come here and enjoy yourself.
Location: Ligali Ayorinde Street, Oniru Private Beach, Lagos.
Instagram: moistbeachoniru
