Signature dishes of Nigeria in Lekki
Ten dishes you should eat at least once, and the specific Lekki restaurants that do each one well.
Plate of jollof rice with grilled chicken and plantain
Jollof and rice dishes
Jollof rice is the flagship: smoky, tomato-based, contested with Ghana. Yellow Chilli's version in Ikoyi ($8 as a side) is a benchmark. Ofada rice with ayamase sauce, a green-pepper stew, is the local specialty; try it at Ile Iyan in Lekki Phase 1, about $10. Fried rice with liver and prawns at any Nigerian party spot goes for $9.
Soups and swallows
Egusi soup (melon seed, spinach, meat), okra soup, and pepper soup are the big three. Eat them with pounded yam, eba (cassava) or amala. Iya Basira on Admiralty does the traditional buka version for $8 a plate. For upscale, Terra Kulture in Victoria Island plates them beautifully at $18. Pepper soup with catfish is a hangover cure at $12 anywhere.
Suya, small chops and street food
Suya is grilled spiced beef, the national street snack. Glover Court Suya's Lekki branch on Admiralty is the reference at $4 a stick. Small chops (puff-puff, samosa, spring roll, chicken) come in trays for $8. Boli (roasted plantain with peanut sauce) is $2 on the street. Akara (bean cake) with pap for breakfast at any buka, $2.
Seafood
Grilled tilapia and croaker are the go-to fish. Ocean Basket on Admiralty and Cafe Vergnano do them well at $18 to $25. Point-and-kill catfish at Bature Brewery is $20 and comes with cold craft beer.
Frequently asked questions
What people ask before they set off on this one.
Jollof rice is the closest thing. Egusi soup and pounded yam is the traditional heartland dish.
Yellow Chilli in Ikoyi, RSVP for a fancy version, Iya Basira on Admiralty for the buka original.
Yes, most dishes have scotch bonnet heat. Ask for less pepper if you’re sensitive.
Yes but you’ll work for it. Ofada rice without meat, moin moin (bean pudding), and every restaurant has salads and pasta.
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