Top 10 Restaurants in Lagos, Nigeria: Owners and Price Guide

Lagos, Nigeria, is a culinary hub, blending traditional Nigerian flavors with global cuisines. From street food to fine dining, the city offers diverse dining experiences. Below is a curated list of the top 10 restaurants in Lagos, including owner details where available and approximate price ranges for mains or set menus, based on recent reviews and dining guides.

1. NOK by Alara

• Description: Located in Victoria Island, NOK by Alara is renowned for its African diaspora-inspired dishes, such as Ethiopian red lentil stew and Jamaican curry goat. The restaurant, part of the luxury concept store Alara, offers a chic indoor dining area and a relaxing garden setting.
• Owner: Reni Folawiyo, founder of Alara, a prominent figure in the Business of Fashion 500.
• Price Range: Mains from 15,000 NGN (~$10 USD).
• Location: 12A Akin Olugbade Street, Victoria Island 106104, Lagos

2. The Ona

• Description: A newer addition to Victoria Island, The Ona, opened in 2022, reimagines traditional Nigerian dishes with creative twists. Highlights include bao with tozo beef and cocktails like the Tigernut Margarita.
• Owner: Chef Obehi (specific ownership details not fully disclosed in sources).
• Price Range: Mains from 23,000 NGN ($15 USD); seven-course menu at 115,000 NGN ($74 USD).
• Location: 1701 Violet Yough Close, Victoria Island 106104, Lagos

3. University of Suya

• Description: A legendary street food spot in Ikeja, University of Suya specializes in suya—spiced, grilled meat skewers. It’s a go-to for affordable, smoky, and flavorful Nigerian street food.
• Owner: Not explicitly named in sources; operates as a popular street stall.
• Price Range: Skewers from 2,000 NGN (~$1 USD).
• Location: 62 Allen Avenue, Allen 101233, Lagos

4. Ocean Basket

• Description: Known for its seafood platters, Ocean Basket in Lagos Mainland offers dishes like prawns, mussels, and calamari in an aesthetically pleasing setting with a rooftop dining area.
• Owner: Part of the Ocean Basket international franchise; local ownership not specified in sources.
• Price Range: Mains from 5,000 NGN (~$14 USD and up).
• Location: Multiple locations, including Lagos Mainland

5. Circa Lagos

• Description: A favorite for cozy dining, Circa Lagos in Lekki offers dishes like seafood pasta bake and lamb chops in a welcoming atmosphere, ideal for date nights or client meetings.
• Owner: Not specified in sources; managed by a professional team with attentive service.
• Price Range: Mains from 20,000 NGN (~$13 USD).
• Location: 2 Kafi Street, Lekki Phase I, Lagos

6. Shiro Lagos

• Description: Located in Victoria Island, Shiro Lagos combines Nigerian, Mexican, and Asian cuisines in a vibrant, theatrical setting, perfect for memorable dining experiences.
• Owner: Part of a larger hospitality group; specific owner details not provided in sources.
• Price Range: Mains from 25,000 NGN (~$16 USD).
• Location: Block A3, Eko Pearl Towers, Victoria Island, Lagos

7. Hard Rock Cafe

• Description: A Lagos staple in Victoria Island, Hard Rock Cafe offers American-style dishes with vegetarian options like okra and fried rice, set in a lively, music-themed environment.
• Owner: Part of the Hard Rock Cafe international franchise; local ownership not detailed in sources.
• Price Range: Mains from 15,000 NGN (~$10 USD).
• Location: Plot No. 3 & 4, Water Corporation Road, Victoria Island, Lagos

8. Tarragon

• Description: A fine-dining gem in Lagos, Tarragon offers an extensive menu and is known for its culinary academy, making it a romantic and upscale dining choice.
• Owner: Not explicitly named in sources; associated with a culinary academy.
• Price Range: Mains from 30,000 NGN (~$19 USD).
• Location: Victoria Island, Lagos (exact address not specified in sources)

9. Bukka Hut

• Description: Located in Gbagada, Bukka Hut serves authentic Nigerian dishes like ofada rice with fermented locust bean sauce, capturing the essence of street-side buka flavors in a restaurant setting.
• Owner: Not specified in sources; family-run with a focus on traditional recipes.
• Price Range: Mains from 2,000–5,000 NGN (~$1–$3 USD).
• Location: Gbagada-Oworonshoki Expressway, Gbagada, Lagos

10. White House

• Description: A semi-street-food restaurant in Lagos Mainland, White House is celebrated for its smoky jollof rice, prepared in an open kitchen, offering an authentic Nigerian dining experience.
• Owner: Not specified in sources; operates as a modest, family-oriented establishment.
• Price Range: Mains from 2,000 NGN (~$1 USD).
• Location: Gbagada-Oworonshoki Expressway, Gbagada, Lagos

Notes

• Owner Details: Specific owner information is often not publicly disclosed for restaurants, especially those part of franchises (e.g., Hard Rock Cafe, Ocean Basket) or smaller establishments (e.g., White House, University of Suya). Where known, such as Reni Folawiyo for NOK by Alara, the owner is noted.
• Price Accuracy: Prices are approximate, based on available data from 2020–2025 sources. Currency conversion (NGN to USD) uses an estimated rate of 1,550 NGN to 1 USD, reflecting 2025 economic conditions. Actual prices may vary due to inflation or menu changes.
• Sources: Information is drawn from Tripadvisor, ROADBOOK, and Eater, ensuring a reliable overview of Lagos’s dining scene.
• Dining Tips: Reservations are recommended for fine-dining spots like Tarragon and The Ona, especially for special occasions. Street food venues like University of Suya may have long queues, so plan accordingly.

This list captures the diversity of Lagos’s culinary landscape, from affordable street food to upscale dining, offering something for every palate and budget. Enjoy exploring these top restaurants in Nigeria’s vibrant metropolis!