Best Restaurants in Lagos (2026)

The Lagos restaurant scene is one of the liveliest in Africa, and the best way to understand it is to mix local bukas with more polished dining rooms. Start with the classics. Amala Shitta in Surulere serves amala with ewedu, gbegiri and stew to hundreds of customers a day, while Ilé Iyán in Lekki serves nothing but pounded yam with egusi or efo riro. Yellow Chilli and the Terra Kulture Restaurant on Victoria Island are comfortable places for first-timers to try jollof, okra soup, asaro and peppered meats.

For a special evening, NOK by Alara serves dishes from across Africa and its diaspora in a garden setting, The Ona reinterprets Nigerian flavours, Z Kitchen offers grills and set menus in the former Westafco building, and Shiro brings pan-Asian food and ocean views to the Oniru estate. RSVP and Circa Lagos combine dining with lively bars. Book ahead for upscale restaurants, especially at weekends, and check whether service charge and VAT are added to the bill. Spice levels can be high, so ask for milder pepper if needed, and use ride-hailing cars for evening journeys.

10 places · Updated November 12, 2026

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1. NOK by Alara

Contemporary African$$$$Victoria Island

Opened in 2015 in the garden of Reni Folawiyo's Alara concept store, NOK serves contemporary dishes from across Africa and its diaspora in an art-filled setting.

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2. Z Kitchen

Upscale international and Nigerian$$$$Victoria Island

Opened in 2018 in the former Westafco building, Z Kitchen is a Victoria Island restaurant with a courtyard garden, wine room and menu of grills and comfort classics.

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3. RSVP Lagos

American-inspired restaurant and poolside bar$$$$Victoria Island

Opened in 2014, RSVP is a Victoria Island restaurant with American-inspired food made in house, a strong cocktail list and a poolside bar and lounge for over-21s.

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4. Shiro Lagos

Pan-Asian$$$$Oniru, Victoria Island

Opened in 2017 in the Oniru estate, Shiro is a large pan-Asian restaurant and bar serving sushi, dim sum and teppanyaki, with cabanas and views of the Atlantic or city.

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5. The Ona

Modern Nigerian$$$Victoria Island

The Ona is a modern Victoria Island restaurant where chef Obehi Ekhomu reinterprets Nigerian and global flavours in dishes such as spiced goat bao buns.

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6. Yellow Chilli

Nigerian and pan-African$$$Victoria Island

Yellow Chilli is a long-running restaurant and bar serving Nigerian and pan-African dishes such as seafood okra and jollof, with branches on Victoria Island and in Ikeja GRA.

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7. Terra Kulture Restaurant

Traditional Nigerian$$Victoria Island

Set inside the Terra Kulture arts centre on Victoria Island, this restaurant serves Nigerian classics such as ewa agoyin, asaro and peppered meats before shows.

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8. Ilé Iyán

Pounded yam house$$Lekki Phase 1

Ilé Iyán in Lekki Phase 1 serves only pounded yam, wrapped in leaves and paired with egusi or efo riro, with Yoruba-themed service and decor.

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9. Amala Shitta

Amala buka$Surulere

Amala Shitta in Surulere is one of Lagos's most famous bukas, serving amala with ewedu, gbegiri and stew to hundreds of customers a day at budget prices.

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10. Circa Lagos

Restaurant and lounge$$$Lekki Phase 1

Opened in 2018 on a residential street in Lekki Phase 1, Circa is a restaurant and lounge mixing Nigerian and continental dishes such as asun, burgers and seafood pasta.

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