All cosmopolitan cities around the world are known for their food and the Lagos culinary scene proves to be no different. With restaurants opening up by the dozen which means choice for food and culinary experiences are no longer limited, and Lagosians will most definitely never run out of options. As BusinessDay Culinary Delights’ continues to showcase fine dining options around town, in no particular order here is a compilation of my top 5 restaurants in Lagos so far.
Circa Non-Pareil
Circa Non-Pareill, as the name, suggests there is no restaurant quite like it. Derived from the french word pareil. Circa Non-Pareil has become the go-to place for people of all ages who enjoy fine dining yet still want to have a good time. If your budget and palette allow, I highly suggest you order any of their steak cuts. Chef Hadibazan who is the head chef and his team always cook up the most delicious food. It’s fresh, it’s beautiful to look at and carefully made. Circa Non-Pareil is a luxury space, you will notice that upon entry from the valet, to the uniform of the staff and the array of luxury automobiles parked inside. They will soon be opening up a Polo Luxury store, so you can eat delicious food and shop for your favorite luxury items too. If 24k gold plated steak is your taste, make sure to order it. Be ready to spend N90,000 on it.
Vanilla Moon
Vanilla Moon has recently become one trendiest restaurants in Lagos. They opened their doors in July of 2019 and have had an influx of customers and great reviews. I can say I have been there about 5 times. Vanilla Moon is located in a leafy by-lane of Victoria Island, Lagos on 2 Saka Jojo Street. The menu is curated with an array of European dishes raging from a tapas menu that can take you to any outdoor Spanish market, fresh-house made pasta, steak, sharing boards with Charcuterie, Sliders & Fondue. There is also the ruffle Mac & Cheese, Vanilla Moon Lobster Thermidor, and Twinkle Twinkle Tiramisu. Must try: Migas which is a surprisingly unlikely combination of eggs, chirosso, gapes, and bread. It’s absolutely delicious. The service is always stellar and the drinks are very tasty. The restaurant is perfect for brunch lunch, dinner, drinks with friends. Your average meal for 2 here will cost you about N 30,000.
The Harvest
The Harvest is easily one of my favorite go-to places. It feels like home and I enjoy the ambiance there. My favorite meal here is the chicken parmigiana which is pasta with breaded chicken with cheese and Pomodoro sauce. Located on Admiralty Way in Lekki, The Harvest is a becoming a multipurpose space, as they just opened another section called the Heineken Tiki Bar which is an artistic section which is also a lounge, bar, and club. This is a much-needed addition and an even bigger attraction for those looking to have a good time. The Harvest also is giving back to its customers in a big way. As a way to show appreciation to their customers, the Harvest is giving away 1 million Naira worth of food or cash till the end of October. All you have to do is go in have a meal and fill in a customer form to be considered for the monthly draw!
La Taverna
La Taverna is a Mediterranean and South American restaurant located in Victoria Island. The food is reminiscent of homemade cooking yet plated to perfection. The menu is a creation of Chef Duhalde’s love for food and making people happy. A lot of the recipes at la La Taverna are from his country of origin Chile. The restaurant has both indoor and outdoor seating area and is popular amongst both local and expatriate communities and often organizes weekly themed nights. The restaurant’s popular pizza meal deal is on every Wednesday and Sunday. On Thursdays, it’s ladies night at La Taverna. The ambiance is calm yet exciting. The service is good, the servers are efficient and friendly and the food came out in no time.
Z Kitchen
The whole ambiance of this restaurant is elegant, from the smell of the gently lit scented candles, the warmth of the lights and gentle background music. Z Kitchen feels modern, welcoming and warm. The attention to detail in Z Kitchen is impressive, more than the food, it’s the Z experience. Simple, minimalist design yet very chic. It is the only restaurant in Lagos with a visible meat aging chamber. Z Kitchen is a place where you can go for a special celebratory dinner party, it’s also perfect for a romantic date, dinner, and drinks with friends and so much more. My favorite meals on the menu are the garlic prawns and steak frites.
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