The Ona

The Ona is a modern restaurant on Violet Yough Close in Victoria Island that takes Nigerian flavours in new directions. Its chef, Obehi Ekhomu, comes from Benin in Nigeria, and the kitchen's approach is to reinterpret traditional Nigerian ingredients and combine them with techniques and ideas from around the world. Lonely Planet included it in its 2025 feature on the Lagos food scene.

Dishes reported by recent visitors include spiced goat meat in bao buns, Korean-style wings with labneh, lemongrass oil and a dukkah crumb, and a sticky pudding to finish. If you are in a group, ordering several dishes for the table is a good way to try the range. Signature cocktails are a big part of the experience.

The setting is relaxed and intimate, with dim lighting and soft drapery indoors and a backyard dining area outside that is pleasant once the heat of the day has passed. It suits long dinners and conversation.

The Ona suits couples, small groups of friends and food lovers curious about where Nigerian cooking is going next. It is a good alternative to the large, showy venues of Victoria Island, with prices in the upper-middle range. Booking ahead is wise, particularly for weekend evenings and for the outdoor tables, and it is worth asking about the current menu as dishes rotate.

Because the menu changes, it is a good idea to ask what is new when you sit down and to let your server guide you through dishes you do not recognise. Mention any allergies or dietary needs when booking. Evenings are the most atmospheric time to visit, when the lighting and the backyard come into their own. Check whether service charge and VAT are added to the bill, as practice varies between Lagos restaurants. Arriving a little earlier in the evening usually means a calmer room and more time to talk with staff about the menu.

Violet Yough Close is in Victoria Island and is best reached by ride-hailing car; give the driver the full address and a nearby landmark. The restaurants and bars of central Victoria Island are a short drive away, so you can easily continue the evening elsewhere, for example at Bature Brewery or the lagoon-side bars along Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue.