Café
Mai Shayi Coffee
A Nigerian specialty coffee company that grows, roasts and serves its own Plateau State Arabica, with two cafes in Asokoro including a late-opening flagship.
Crush Cafe
A popular Gwarinpa cafe on 1st Avenue serving coffee, desserts and African, seafood and international dishes, with table tennis and volleyball for families and friends.
At a glance
- Type
- Cafe and casual restaurant
- Area
- Gwarinpa, Abuja, Nigeria
- Price
- $$ · Mid-range
Good to know
- Coffee and desserts
- Table tennis
- Volleyball
- Family-friendly
Why we recommend it
Crush Cafe is one of the liveliest cafes in Gwarinpa, the large residential district in the north-west of Abuja. It sits on 1st Avenue, the district's main road, and has built a following among young people and content creators thanks to its stylish interior and its coffee and desserts. It is a useful address for visitors staying or visiting friends in this part of the city, which is some distance from the cafes of Wuse 2 and Maitama.
The menu goes beyond coffee and cake. Crush serves African dishes, seafood and international plates, so it works for a full meal as well as a quick drink. Coffee and desserts are the main draw in the afternoons, while evenings bring groups of friends who stay for dinner.
What sets it apart from most cafes is the space for games. Table tennis and volleyball are available, which makes Crush a good choice for families with children and for groups who want something more active than sitting over a drink. The playful atmosphere is very different from the quiet, laptop-friendly cafes elsewhere in the city, so come for socialising rather than for work.
The cafe has traditionally opened in the afternoon and stayed open late, with earlier openings at weekends, but hours can change, so check its social media before you go. Weekend afternoons and evenings are the busiest times. Prices are moderate, and the relaxed setting suits casual visits rather than formal occasions.
Crush is especially popular with content creators, who come for the interior as much as the menu, so expect phones and cameras out at busy times. If you prefer a quieter visit, go soon after opening on a weekday. The cafe has also taken online orders in the mornings, which is handy if you are staying in Gwarinpa and want food delivered.
Gwarinpa is easiest to reach by taxi or ride-hailing car; allow extra time at rush hour, when traffic between the suburbs and the centre is heavy. Other well-known eating places line 1st Avenue and the surrounding streets, so the area is worth exploring if you are staying nearby or visiting friends who live there.
Crush Cafe FAQs
Where is Crush Cafe?
On 1st Avenue in Gwarinpa, at the Bonny B corner shop.
What does Crush Cafe serve?
Coffee and desserts, plus African, seafood and international dishes.
Is it family-friendly?
Yes. Table tennis and volleyball make it popular with families and groups.
Is it good for working on a laptop?
It is a lively, social cafe, so it is better for meeting friends than for quiet work.
When is it busiest?
Weekend afternoons and evenings.
How do I get there?
By taxi or ride-hailing car, allowing extra time at rush hour.
Are opening hours fixed?
Hours can change, so check the cafe's social media before visiting.