As far as I was concerned (emphasis on was, folks 👀), there are things Nigerians were simply not meant to get involved in. This unspoken list covers everything from sports, like cricket or rugby, to food choices like keto diets or veganism. That’s why when I met my first-ever group of Naija-born-and-bred, Lagos-based vegans, I stared at them about as much as I would have at green-skinned Marsians.

You people need to understand that it was a lot to take in! When I finally got over my surprise, I decided to channel some of my amebo energy into doing a little sniffing around some of Lagos’ best-known vegan/vegetarian (still not sure what the difference is? Read this) food spots.

Here’s a list of some great joints, in no particular order, and what I found out about them.

1. Veggie Victory

My first surprise with Ikoyi’s Veggie Victory was finding out that it’s been around since 2013. I don’t like to admit it, but my obliviousness to the Lagos vegan circle for nearly a decade was probably my fault. Anyway, I’m redeeming all that time by spreading the word now.

Veggie Victory balances taste with healthy choices that are sustainable for the average Nigerian, so their menu is entirely plant-based. They offer vegan meals like tofu, yam chips and vegan shawarmas, but the part of their menu that really takes the cake is the plant-based variations of traditional Nigerian meals. Think: Eba or amala with egusi or efo riro filled with meaty chunks that are actually made from plant-based seitan. Unconventional, yes, but isn’t that the beauty of the art that is food?

Nosa and Folly had Veggie Victory on their Whole30 New Year food cleanse list, but it was a pretty short-lived phase. Zero blame, because I know too well that healthy eating is difficult, abeg.

2. Thrive

Lekki’s Thrive was the next big thing to arrive in the Lagos vegan circle after Veggie Victory. Thrive is huge on healthy eating, so their meals have no table salt, refined sugar, flour, hydrogenated oil, or potentially toxic seasonings. The restaurant manoeuvres these healthy choices by serving veggie smoothies, alkaline shots, continental vegan meals, and more common traditional ones like mushroom suya.

Again, Nosa and Folly paid Thrive a visit, and even they had to admit that it was “excellent for what it is and tries to achieve”, so this is definitely a place to try out. One downside to Thrive’s exclusivity, though, is that the menu is much less accessible to a non-vegan visitor than Veggie Factory, in my opinion. It’s a great experience if you’re already used to vegan dishes, but otherwise, it could come off as pretty strange.

Thrive is Lagos' First Vegan Restaurant

3. Michele’s Vegan Kitchen

Michele’s Vegan Kitchen is an order-only restaurant and catering service. Like other vegan restaurants, Michele’s promotes healthy lifestyle options by serving originally plant-based meals, as well as vegan variations of animal products.

What this service does differently is that it goes all the way with fully vegan three-course meals — plant-based appetisers, main courses, cakes, sandwiches, pastries, fries, salads, wraps and even fresh drinks. Michele’s claims to believe there’s a vegan option for just about any meal, and the kitchen is here to make it available.

Despite the downsides of lacking a physical restaurant, I believe Michele’s menu has general tasty options even non-vegans can enjoy, whether you’re transitioning or firming on the meat-loving side. If you have a non-regular diet, you can ask the kitchen to work around your needs and get a custom-made meal. If you ask me, that’s losing a bit and winning a pretty good amount!

Bottom line, here’s what I learnt: Lagos has always had a thriving vegan community, and restaurants are evolving to cater exclusively to that niche. Lots of previously non-vegan restaurants are now getting with the program and providing vegan options for diners. My list of non-Nigerian things may have been all in my head, after all.

Miracle Kati is a medical student, writer and small-town activist. She loves food adventures and daring to try everything edible from anywhere. I mean — what’s the worst that could happen?