Lagos Diaries - #ZubzzDotComTakesNigeria!
First International Gig!
Your girl (that would be me of course), got invited to Nigeria to try out this super cool new app (I’ll tell you more about it later) and review a few places.
Let me start by saying I have an itsy-bitsy fear of flying, so I can not tell you how many pep-talks it took from my “management” to board the plane. Also I’ve never been to Nigeria, which makes it very new territory, and it scares me a little - but my host and my trip were both unbelievably amazing so I’m definitely doing this again (Yes, Nigerian brands, invite me and I’ll come).
Lagos is super popular for its nightlife but that’s another review waiting to happen - My main focus for this trip was the food.
There are so many beautiful restaurants with (presumably) good food but I didn’t get to go everywhere I wanted to. #ZubzzTakesLagos 2.0 loading.
So! The most important question: Whats good to eat in Lagos? The answer is: A lot! Seafood, sushi, Italian - if you’re craving it, they’ve got it. A running theme with all the restaurants I went to was the SPEED with which the food came. I did not wait more than 20 minutes at any point in time, I was so impressed. Also they invest a lot in their interior, some are actually breathtaking. Their food portions are generally bigger than Ghanaian ones which might be why they are more expensive, but each portion is worth the price.
I apologise in advance for the volume of pictures and length of this post, but if I’m going to give you a proper breakdown, I have to show you eeeverything. I’m giving you guys my list of 10 best (in ascending order, minus the first one because my hotel comes first) restaurants to go when you decide to visit Lagos.
Let’s start with - My hotel!
1. Radisson Blu Ikeja
38/40 Isaac John St, Ikeja GRA 100271, Ikeja, Nigeria
“Radisson Blu is an upscale international chain of full service hotels and resorts brand for Radisson Hospitality, Inc. and Radisson Hospitality AB mostly outside the United States, including those in Europe, Africa, and Asia.” - Google.
They have 360 hotels all over the world, 2 of which are in Nigeria: Ikeja & Victoria Island.
Room prices start from
$180 / ₦64800/ ¢970 in Ikeja and
$140 / ₦50,400 / ¢755 in Lagos
I got a one bedroom suite, which is priced around $342 / ₦123120 / ¢1850 a night and comes with breakfast and access to the Executive Lounge. Floor to ceiling windows, a beautiful chandelier, warm lighting - My suite was absolutely gorgeous!
The rooftop pool, Amani spa and Iyeru Okin Restaurant are all on the 1st floor and accessible to the public.
Food-wise, the sandwich I got off the night menu was pretty average but everything else was great (the prawns were huge and the fried rice had this really nice buttery taste to it). Their menu is pretty small, even though they have 2 restaurants and a lounge.
It’s such a beautiful hotel and its only 15-20 minutes from the airport.
Breakfast Buffet - ₦8500 (¢127, $24)
Chicken Wings - ₦4500 (¢68, $12.50)
Nederburg (sold in bottles) - ₦10000 (¢150, $28)
Grilled Prawns (with choice of rice) - ₦11500(¢172, $32)
Tomato Cream Soup - ₦6000(¢90, $17)
Club Sandwich (with fries) - ₦6000(¢90, $17)
Penne On Creamy Mushroom & Chicken Sauce - ₦6500(¢98, $18)
Vanilla Ice Cream - ₦3000(¢45, $8)
Chocolate Brownie - ₦4500 (¢68, $12.50)
2. Ocean Basket
35 Akin Adesola St, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria
Ocean Basket is a South African seafood restaurant with 3 branches in Nigeria (One at the Festival Mall, one at Ikeja City Mall and one on/in Victoria Island)
I had to try them because
1. Seafood Lover
2. Sushi Lover
3. Platter Enthusiast.
and they have number 1 & 2, in the form of number 3.
There was an Ocean Basket close to the hotel, but since I spent most of my time on VI, I went to the one there. The food was decent. Pretty average. The calamari heads were really nice, and the portion definitely matched the price. I’m upset I didn’t get my waiter’s name because he was such a sweetheart. Its a very simple but nice place.
Sushi For 1 Platter (3 pcs Prawn Nigiri, 3pcs Crabstick Homosaki, 4 pcs Salmon Uramaki, 4 pcs Prawn Uramamki) - ₦6300 (¢95, $17.50)
Platter for 1 (3 Mussels, 6 Prince Prawns, Fish, Calamari & Calamari Heads) - ₦6750 (¢100, $19)
3. Tearoom Lagos
6A Ogbunike, Off Wole Olateju Crescent, Lekki, 105102, Lagos, Nigeria
The famous Tearoom. It would seem if you didn’t go there, you didnt go to Lagos. I didn’t get to actually eat there, it was my last stop after a very busy day. I tried the shrimp popcorn though, and that was nice but the Green Tea martini was definitely the right choice, it has been on my mind since!
I love their set-up - flowers everywhere, good lighting, and multiple Instagram-worthy backdrops.
Green Tea Martini - ₦4000 (¢60, $11)
Shrimp Popcorn - ₦2000 (¢30, $5.5)
4. Craft Gourmet By Lou Baker
Mega Plaza Mall 3rd Floor, 14 Idowu Martins Street
Breakfast at Craft Gourmet was a must! I heard about it months ago and its been on my list since then. Craft Gourmet is this cute little cafe on the 3rd floor of Mega Plaza Mall. Its possible there was an elevator which I didn’t see, but we took the stairs and my poor chest couldn’t take it (coming back down was considerably easier, plus I felt like I was burning some of the calories).
I got the Gourmet Breakfast and it was pretty filling. I loved the toast, anything salmon-related usually does it for me. It was very filling too. The iced tea though, not a fan - it tasted diluted. I love the vibe, and I see why its so popular - its a good breakfast and/or brunch spot.
Gourmet Breakfast (Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese & Avocado on Toast with Eggs and a Side Salad) - ₦6500 (¢97, $18)
Cafe frappe - ₦2500 (¢38, $7)
Iced Ginger & Citrus Green Tea - ₦1200 (¢18, $3.5)
5. Cactus Restaurant
20/24 Ozumba Mbadiwe Street, Victoria Island
I tweeted “everyone and their father drives a benz in Lagos” and this was inspired by Cactus alone. The carpark looked like a luxury car showroom - it gave me a fair idea of the type of place it was. Inside was pretty packed, it was Sunday afternoon so I assumed it was family outing time. Its a little on the expensive side, and from the looks of things can get very crowded. Its the perfect brunch spot though, think Coco Lounge vibes.
Screwdriver - ₦3000 (¢45, $8.5)
Centre Cut Filet Mignon - ₦11000 (¢165, $30.5)
6. Talindo Steak House
7B Karimu Kotun St, Victoria Island 101241, Lagos, Nigeria
If you google best Nigerian restaurants/Must-visits in Nigeria or something similar, Talindo comes up.
It is a steakhouse/restaurant on Kotun Street in VI. Interior-wise it was the plainest restaurant I visited, but not in an underwhelming way. It’s simple both on the inside and outside, with music playing at just the right (low) volume in the background.
Their food, both in terms of taste and presentation, was great. The staff was very attentive, as usual the food was relatively fast, and they even offered to charge my phone for me when my battery was about to die. (*Sidenote, you know how most restaurants in Accra have at least 3 plugs in the restaurant where you can charge your phone? Nigerians aren’t with that lifestyle lmao. I think we all know why)
The place is pretty easy to miss, its walls are pretty high with a completely solid black gate. I think its a “those who need to know, know” thing, like Michelangelo. Talindo is relatively expensive, so go prepared.
Mixed Grill (Grilled Age Steak Fillet, Prawns, Calamari, Chicken & Sauteed Vegetables with garlic mayo and chilli sauce, served with baked potatoes) - ₦20,000(¢300, $56)
Mai Tai - ₦3000(¢45, $8.5)
7. R.S.V.P.
9 Eletu Ogabi St, Victoria Island 101001, Lagos, Nigeria
RSVP is the classic upscale restaurant everyone visiting Nigerian goes to - I’m sure of it. It was one of the first restaurants I tried and they made such a good impression. My food was brought in under 20 minutes, and this was clearly really fresh food. My drink took under 10 minutes and of course it tasted great - Totally set the mood for the day. The pasta tasted great AND they were liberal with the seafood which is always a major plus (side eye, Accra). From the creative architecture to the beautiful decor and big windows/glass walls and mirrors, its definitely Top 5 Lagos restaurants to me.
Seafood Pappardelle (Prawns & Calamari served on handcrafted pasta with fresh tomato sauce and sprinkle of parmesan cheese) - ₦7,200 (¢108, $20)
Pink & Naughty (Musgrave Rose Gin, Rose Syrup, Lime Juice & Fresh Grapefruit) - ₦3800 (¢57, $10.5)
8. Nok By Alara
Alara, 12a Akin Olugbade St, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria
Third favourite place! Nok is more or less the only traditional Lagos food place I visited but they made quite an impression. It’s a very beautiful place with outdoor and indoor seating and was pretty busy with Sunday brunchers.
It’s fancy local food, like fufu at Kempinski. I got the Abula 1 (which is Amala, Ewedu, Gbegiri & Assorted Meat Stew) with the Snail Bruschetta with Iru Tapenade and a Poached Egg, and a Lagos Mule (Lime Juice, Ginger Syrup, Club Soda and Ginger Beer).
I am an official amala person now, right off my first time eating it, and its all because of Nok. Definitely recommending the restaurant for a ‘bougie’ first time visitor to Nigeria.
Amala, Ewedu, Gbegiri & Assorted Meat Stew) - ₦4000(¢60, $11)
Snail Bruschetta with Iru Tapenade and Poached Egg - ₦5000 (¢75, $14)
Lagos Mule (Lime Juice, Ginger Syrup, Club Soda and Ginger Beer) - ₦3000(¢45, $8.5)
9. Chai Tang
Twin Waters Entertainment Center, Okunde Bluewaters Scheme, Off Remi Olowude Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos
Second favourite place! Put aside the good food - what a beautiful place! It overlooks the Atlantic Ocean, and guys, its such a beautiful view. Perfect date spot - There are seats on the balcony that let you eat your food while watching the ocean, and as both a chinese and water lover, you do not know what this does to me.
Food wise, they’ve very solid - the rice and sauce were good, and the prawn balls especially were amazing. My margarita was overflowing, it was a LOT.
For views, romantic settings(ie a date with your Nigerian beau) and good Chinese food, this is the place.
Prawn Balls - ₦6,000 (¢90, $17)
Shrimp Fried Rice - ₦5,800 (¢87, $16)
Stir Fried Squid - ₦7,500 (¢112, $21)
Virgin Margarita - ₦2,800 (¢40, $8)
10. Shiro
Landmark Center. Oniru Estate, Block XVI 3 & 4 Victoria Island, Eti-Osa 101241, Lagos, Nigeria
MY FAVOURITE!
I had my biggest wow moment of the trip when I stepped inside Shiro - absolutely beautiful! It’s a pan-asian restaurant and they NAILED the theme. Wow! It’s beachside too, like I thought it couldn’t get any better then l I went outside and there was this beautiful and super clean beach just beyond the patio.
To be completely honest, the food was a little underwhelming. I loved the chicken wonton with sichuan chilli oil, but the Mi Goreng was pretty average. My green apple and peach vodka infused sparkling wine hit aaall the right spots though. I think it’s more than just the food they’re selling, it’s the entire vibe.
Shiro is right next to Hard Rock Cafe, which unfortunately I couldn’t visit because there was no time. Definitely definitely doing BOTH my next trip.
Chicken Wonton - ₦3800 (¢57, $10.5)
Mi Goreng (Fresh egg noodles with spicy thai sauce & chinese wine with prawns) - ₦5500 (¢82, $15)
Green Apple and Peach Vodka Infused Sparkling Wine - ₦3500 (¢53, $10)
So I’m done with #ZubzzTakesLagos1.0 (1.0 because there will be a 2.0). I was finessed at the airport by the way😂. Based on the stories I had heard, I was waiting for that to happen to complete my trip. The lady at the airline stand wouldn’t stop bugging me to ‘help’, insisting she would fill my immigration card. Called me everything from beautiful girl to “Ei, yellow Aunty with nice hips”. I tried to explain I didn’t even have naira on me but she was pretty adamant I could “find something for the girls, even cedis”. ¢15 later, I realized she hadn’t even written my name on the form, she wrote “Zuba Zuba” and called it a day. Didn’t even get the date right. Tsk tsk.
I’m typing this on the plane back to Accra and I really should say, Lagos is a foodie’s dream. An absolute food haven. I miss it already😭. Definitely, definitely doing this again.
*The Naira is the fixed/actual price but the Cedi and Dollar conversions are estimates done via Google are subject to change.