Craft Gourmet by Lou Baker

Craft Gourmet by Lou Baker is an artisan bakery and cafe on the third floor of Mega Plaza in Victoria Island. It was founded by Loubna Fakhri-Baker, known as Lou Baker, whose Hedonista Hospitality Group also runs the Victoria Island restaurant Kaly. Craft Gourmet is known for breakfast, pastries and relaxed lunches, and its location inside a busy mall makes it an easy stop between errands or meetings.

Baking is at the centre of the menu. The croissants are made over three days, and the counter usually holds almond croissants, pain au chocolat and cakes such as carrot cake and salted caramel chocolate cake. For breakfast, the menu includes avocado smash on thick-cut sourdough, eggs Benedict on brioche or sourdough, and Craft French toast with berry compote and whipped mascarpone. Later in the day, salads made with hydroponically grown greens and house-made pasta with Mediterranean flavours make it a good choice for lunch.

The cafe suits anyone looking for a reliable breakfast or brunch, people meeting friends over coffee and cake, and visitors who want familiar bakery favourites done well. Pastries can also be bought to take away.

Go in the morning for the best choice of pastries, as popular items can sell out. Weekend mornings are a popular time for brunch, so come earlier if you want a choice of tables. If you are buying a cake for a celebration, ask about ordering in advance. As with many Lagos cafes, check the bill for VAT and service charges.

For a first visit, pair a croissant or pain au chocolat with coffee and then decide whether to stay for a full breakfast; the French toast and eggs Benedict are among the breakfast highlights. If you have dietary requirements, ask staff about ingredients, as many items are made with butter, eggs and wheat flour. Lunch is a good alternative to breakfast if you want salads or pasta rather than pastries.

Mega Plaza is in central Victoria Island, a short ride from the island's hotels and offices and from Ikoyi. Ride-hailing cars can drop you at the mall entrance, which is easier than looking for parking at busy times. Combine a visit with shopping in the plaza or with a walk to other cafes and restaurants on Victoria Island.