THE BEST RESTAURANTS IN LAGOS NIGERIA (2018) | AN HONEST PERSPECTIVE

I have been spending more time than I should in restaurants in Lagos (on the island). I have been sharing my visits on my instagram stories and many of you have asked me to share “My best restaurants in Lagos” in a blog post so here goes.

The list below has nothing to do with aesthetics as we all know that some restaurants are instagram-worthy but will never receive more than one visit from patrons. This list is all about quality and taste. I have visited or ordered food from these restaurants on multiple occasions and I believe they deserve your patronage (in my humble opinion). If you disagree, let me know but here goes:

1. SHERLATON INDIAN RESTAURANT

 Location: 1230E Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island

Arguable the best Indian restaurant on the island and the most affordable at that. The restaurant isn’t the prettiest so you go here for the food.

 

2. PIZZE-RIAH

Location: 13 Musa Yardua Street, Victoria Island, Lagos

For me, its the best pizza I have had in Lagos. Honestly if you try this pizza, you won’t go to Dominoes again. Pizza from a wood-fired oven #Authentic

 

3. CASPERS & GAMBINI

Location: Agoro Odiyan St, Victoria Island (Alibert Building)

This restaurant is consistent so you know they employed very decent chefs. Their food is delicious and you won’t be disappointed.

4. RSVP

Location: 9 Eletu Ogabi St, Victoria Island

RSVP’s food is delicious but it isn’t cheap. Try the Salmon and make sure you get the chocolate fondant dessert. Thank me later.

5. BL RESTAURANT

Location: 147 Younis Bashorun Street, Victoria Island

BL is one of those restaurants I enjoy going to (Those that follow me on instagram will know). The food is great, portions are decent and customer service is 100!! Also the menu is extensive. Known for their Lebanese dishes and pizza. It is a great location for birthdays and events.

6. THE GEORGE

Location: 30 Lugard Ave, Ikoyi

The George is a popular luxury hotel in Ikoyi. Sunday brunch at the hotel’s restaurant is a must! It isn’t the cheapest at N18,000 (as at Jan 2018) but once a while, its good to treat yourself.

 

7. CASA LYDIA

Location: 19 Glover Rd, Ikoyi

Casa Lydia, Casa Lydia, Casa Lydia! Go for the seafood pasta and thank me later.

 

8. IKOYI CLUB

Location:  6 Ikoyi Club 1938 Rd, Ikoyi

Probably the cheapest place to eat on the island. This is because the food prices are subsidised through the fees of members of the club. I always have jumbo prawns in spicey sauce and rice and costs me approx N2500. Find someone that is a member and force them to take you 🙂

 

I really hope you enjoyed my list and agree with me. But I want to know your opinion on the best restaurant on the island. Leave a comment with your favorite below xx

CHECKING IN: ORIENTAL HOTEL LAGOS

ORIENTAL HOTEL LAGOS

I stayed at the Oriental Hotel Lagos and decided to do a review of two rooms I stayed in at the Hotel. The hotel is a 5* hotel located on 3 Lekki – Epe Expy, Victoria Island, Lagos. I hope you enjoyed this vlog and review.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKr_LukgZpc[/embedyt]

 

Have you stayed at the Oriental Hotel Lagos before?

A GUIDE TO VISITING LA CAMPAGNE TROPICANA BEACH RESORT

La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort is a private 60-acre beach resort in Lagos. The beach resort is located in Ibeju lekki, a 2 hour drive from Victoria Island. WATCH my VLOG and leave a comment if you have any questions.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXvFuWeODu8[/embedyt]

 

Share below your favorite beach resort in Nigeria!!

A GUIDE TO VISITING NIKE ART GALLERY

Nike Art Gallery is Nigeria’s leading art gallery. It is also No.1 on Trip Advisor’s list of top places to visit in Lagos, Nigeria. The gallery is owned by Chief Nike Davies Okundaye. The Lagos gallery is located at 2 Elegushi Beach Road in Lekki. This four storey gallery comprises of an art gallery and textile museum featuring over 7,000 pieces. On-site is also home to a coffee shop. Below is a visual diary and information on the gallery.

The entrance of the gallery

A view of the courtyard at the gallery’s entrance

A view of the gallery from the 3rd floor

More art

A wall of incredible beading and textile

The onsite gallery cafe

Meeting Chief Nike at her gallery

LOCATION: 2 Elegushi Beach Road, 3rd Roundabout, Epe Expressway, Lekki Phase I, Lekki, Nigeria

ENTRY COST: No entry fee

OPENING HOURS: 10AM TO 6PM (Everyday)

CONTACT INFORMATION: +234 1 270 5964

WHAT TO EXPECT: From Textiles to Paintings to Metal work to Fabrics

PRICE RANGE: It ranges from a few thousands to millions of Naira

PAYMENT METHOD: USD and local currency “Naira” is accepted

OTHER PLACES OF INTEREST NEARBY: Lekki Arts & Craft Market (Aka. Jakande Market), Lekki Conservation Centre

Have you heard of Nike Art Gallery before? Leave a comment

 

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Featured image credit: EkoCityGuide

 

Nigeria Travel Week: Organizers Unfold Nominees for The Balearica Award

I was honored and proud to have attended the press conference for the launch of the “Nigeria Tourism Awards” which will hold during the Nigeria Travel Week (NTW) between November 20252017. The organisers of the travel and tourism trade event announced the nominees for the Balearica Awards, which forms part of activities slated for the four days gathering that is geared at promoting Nigeria Tourism.

WHAT IS THE “NIGERIA TRAVEL WEEK”?

The Nigeria Travel Week is a curated gathering that is geared towards promoting Nigeria tourism both to the domestic and foreign markets. The week will see 52-hosted buyers from 23 countries across the world attending in attendance.  The aim is to expose these buyers to Nigeria as a destination and offer them the opportunity to experience Nigeria and in return, market the country through their various platforms. The essential aim of the week is to begin to change the narrative in Nigeria with regard to tourism.

THE NIGERIA TOURSIM AWARDS (THE BALEARICA AWARDS)

The Chief Executive Officer at Nigeria Travel Week (NTW), Efetobo Awhana, who is also CEO of Avantgarde Tours said that the award, which is to reward and recognize excellence and those who have made immense contributions to Nigeria tourism, would transform the face of tourism, insisting that is a unique one.

nigeria travel week

OTHER EVENTS DURING NTW

  • A Tourism Cup (Golf Tournament) will be held at Ikoyi Club Golf course with the aim to harness the power of golf in promoting tourism.
  • “The Travel Roundtable” holding at The Wheatbaker Hotel, which brings stakeholders together to discuss key issues affecting tourism development.
  • Village Square holding at Freedom Park celebrates Nigerian culture through dance drama and food.
  • The Travel Hangout, where Nigerians can network and talk about tourism in a relaxed and natural environment of the Lekki Conservation Centre.

The four days event would climax with The Balearica Awards, where the full names of the awardees would be revealed and celebrated for their different achievements.

Click here for the link to vote

To register for the Nigeria Travel Week, click here 

VISA-FREE DESTINATIONS IN AFRICA FOR NIGERIANS ??

I receive many questions from my readers, some of which are related to travel destinations I would recommend for honeymoons and group trips. Some of these questions come from my Nigerian readers, who have issues getting visas or simply don’t have the patience to apply for them. Below is a video answering their question. Below are AMAZING visa-free destinations for those readers and YOU.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGAfX8GAUCM[/embedyt]

 

Have you been to any of these destinations before? And what were your thoughts on them?

7 HACKS to save money when visiting Lagos

There are different kinds of people that visit Lagos. There are the ones that have come to attend an event/celebration like a traditional wedding, those that are in town to seal a business deal, those that are here to soak up the sun in the summer, those that are Party-ready, PepperDemGang-ready and come to Lagos in December to find their future husbands. And of course, those that are here to visit family.

The tips I will be providing in the 5 ways to save money when visiting Lagos applies to everyone mentioned (as we know most likely you might fall into a combination of two or more of the categories even if by accident).

1. DON’T BUY ASO-EBI (if it will bankrupt you)

Aso-Ebi is a traditional wear that the friends of the couple wear to attend a wedding. Prices can run up high so rather than follow the crowd, analyse your pocket #EnoughSaid

2. ASK BEFORE YOU BUY/USE/DRINK

Especially at bars, ensure to ask exactly how much the prices for alcohol is as you might have a heart attack if you’ve already consumed the drinks and realise the venue wasn’t created for people like you. It is also important to ask and get a clear sense of EXACTLY what you are paying for when making any purchase or transaction (Don’t ASSUME anything).

3. NEGOTIATE

Remember in Lagos, everything can be negotiated (except food in a well organised grocery supermarkets) so make sure that you never pay the first price stated by a vendor. Vendors expect you to bargain (as they naturally overprice their products) so please DO. (Tip: You can negotiate deals at electronics stores especially if you are buying high valued items, just request to speak to the manager)

4. DON’T TIP (if you can’t afford it but do tip for great service)

Memory lane takes me to when I was in New York 7 years ago when I forgot to tip a cab driver. He followed me out of the cab and uttered some serious insults for not tipping. That will not happen in Nigeria. Tipping isn’t an obligation, it is a free choice so ensure that you exercise your right to choose your stance.

5. REMEMBER YOU ARE NOT “MOTHER THERESA” (unless of course you are)

Most people that visit Lagos are very generous with giving money to the needy and I personally find nothing wrong with that but it will get exhausting. Rather than giving money to beggars, why don’t you sponsor a child’s education through a well organised organisation with small donations (It will go farther).

6. CHEAPER DOESN’T MEAN BETTER

In your quest to save money, make sure you don’t compromise on quality. If a price seems too good to be true, make sure you run it by a close Lagosian friend who will give you a review better than that on Trip advisor. Ensure to do your research as the same product can significantly be sold at different prices in the same vicinity.

7. STAY AND SOCIALISE ON THE MAINLAND (and from time to time pop over to the Island)

The prices of everything in Victoria Island, Ikoyi and parts of lekki are inflated. This is due to the cost of rent in these areas which are much higher than those on the Lagos Mainland for instance. Whether it be the cost of hotels or food or artefacts, it will be more expensive in Victoria Island and Ikoyi.

 

Those are my quick tips on how to save money when visiting Lagos. I hope it was useful. Let me know if it was and perhaps you have other tips and hacks. Comment below!!

 

A GUIDE TO VISITING EKO HOTEL ART & CRAFT MARKET

Eko hotel art and craft market is an organised creative market located in Eko hotel and suites in the heart of Victoria Island. It can be found on Plot 1415 Adetokunbo Ademola Street. The market is very similar to that in Lekki “Lekki Arts & Craft Market”. It is certainly  a smaller version of the Lekki market and its location on prime property also reflects on the prices of the pieces sold at the market. The market consists of organised stalls under one roof. Pieces range from bronze pieces to jewellery to masks (Expect to see less paintings for sale as compared to in Lekki Art Market).

This market is also home to Foreign exchange traders. Expect to find one of the best FX rates in Lagos here. Don’t forget to haggle as I have re-iterated in many of my Nigeria-related posts.

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Animal skin bags for sale

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A jewellery store which also double takes as a FX currency store

 

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 A view of a trader at his store
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The market is home to many stunning sculptures and masks

TIPS FOR WINNING BIG AT EKO HOTEL ART & CRAFT MARKET (CRAFTS OR FX)

?*TIP 1* Don’t buy from the first shop you visit (Window Shop First).
?*TIP 2* Prepare to bargain heavily (I always try to start my bid at 25% of the sellers first price).
?*TIP 3* Don’t feel pressured to buy anything (especially if you have a few days in Lagos and you can visit again). Simply collect the vendors information for future visit.
?*TIP 4* Pretend to be a local and tell the vendor that Nigeria is home so they have to give you a non-touristy price.
?*TIP 5* For FX transactions, make sure to check the black market rate first (AbokiFX) and expect to get very close to that price (If not, don’t deal)
Do you know of other hidden gems like this EKO hotel Art & Craft Market in Lagos? Please share below and don’t forget to click “recommend” if you enjoyed this post x
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A GUIDE TO VISITING OLUMO ROCK, ABEOKUTA

Olumo rock is a popular tourist destination located in the city of Abeokuta [meaning “under the rock”] in Ogun State (only an hours drive from the bustling city of Lagos). The city of Abeokuta was originally inhabited by the egba people who found refuge at the Olumo rock during inter-tribal wars in the 19th century. The rock acted as sanctuary to the people as well as a vantage point to monitor the enemy’s advance. The site was renovated in 2006 to include an elevator, a water fountain and a museum.

Below is my travel video to Olumo Rock {Click here to SUBSCRIBE to my YouTube Channel for more AMAZING ?? travel videos}, visual diary and tips on visiting Abeokuta and Olumo Rock.

WATCH MY TRAVEL VIDEO BELOW

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mFEFgQO3fg[/embedyt]

 

VISUAL DIARY

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At the fountain in front of the Rock

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The elevator and garden at the base of Olumo Rock

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The Cultural and Musical Heritage Centre at Olumo Rock

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The small centre which was not opened during my visit

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A view from the second landing whilst climbing the rock

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In front of the “Orisa Olumo Chamber”, a shrine at the site. (Spot the sacrificed birds on the door of the shrine)

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About to explore the Hide-Out cave in the Rock

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The lady behind me is known to be the 132 year old Iya Orisa who lived most of her life under the rock (2017)

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Another shrine at Olumo Rock

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A representation of the deities

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Manoeuvring between the rocks

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Getting a helping hand from my tour guide to climb the rock

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The view from at the top of my climb

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TRAVEL TIPS

  • Make sure to get a tour guide to take you up the rock. It is safer and I enjoyed the delivery of the history lesson. (My tour guides where incredibly knowledgeable and were very happy to take pictures and record my trip)
  • Ensure to take a bottle of water up the climb in case you get dehydrated.
  • Take your camera up the climb to capture the views at the top of Olumo Rock which showcases the beauty of Abeokuta
  • Tour guides do not charge a standard price/they aren’t allowed to but feel free to tip them as you deem fit
  • Make sure to dress appropriately (wear trousers/leggings and trainers for the climb

TRAVEL REVIEW

Costs: N700 to visit. N2000 to visit using the elevator (bear in mind the elevator wasn’t working during my visit).

Where did I stay: Abeokuta has many accommodation options. I stayed at the Daktad Suites and Event Centre (a lovely hotel). Tip would be to book your hotel in advance on Jumia travel.

Accessibility: If walking up a small hill is an issue for you, I would avoid visiting Olumo rock as I cannot guarantee the elevator would work (unless you are happy to admire the rock from the base).

My verdict: I had a great time visiting the rock. It was an impressive site with very knowledgeable guides.

 

What did you think of my write-up? Hope you enjoyed it and it was useful? LET ME KNOW

 

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