Decoding Restaurant Categories: The 10 Types to Know in Lagos
There are several different types of restaurants in the world, and knowing the type you’re going to in advance prepares you for what may lie ahead. Restaurants are classified based on factors like the food preparation style, menu style, types of seating and service, and of course, pricing.
It's no secret that Lagos restaurants love to stretch the truth when it comes to categorizing themselves. Honestly, I don't know whether to laugh or cry at some of the labels these establishments try to pull off. To help you navigate the city's colorful dining scene, we've put together a guide to the 10 types of restaurants you'll come across in Lagos (or at least what they claim to be).
1. Fine Dining
Ah, fine dining, the holy grail of Lagos restaurant experiences. You know, where the staff are trained to treat you like royalty and the food looks like it's been crafted by angels. In reality, though, Lagos "fine dining" is often just a fancier version of a casual dining spot, with a few extra zeros slapped onto the price tag.
Expect to dress up for these joints, and don't be shocked by a dress code that rivals a royal wedding invitation.
Gaby, Victoria Island
Some examples:
Gaby, Victoria Island (check out our latest review)
SLoW, Victoria Island (an all-time fave)
2. Casual Dining
Casual dining spots are perfect for when you want a decent meal without mortgaging your house. These are the places where most Lagos "fancy" restaurants actually belong. Expect a chilled atmosphere, decent menu, and the opportunity to show off your best non-red-carpet outfits.
Some examples:
Kaanubaru, Gbagada
Afefeyeye, Ikeja
SEE, Lekki
HSE Gourmet, Lekki (one of our two-time Restaurant of the Year winners)
3. Fast-Casual
Fast-casual restaurants are like the middle child of the dining world. They're not quite fast food, but they're also not quite casual dining. They offer fresher and more expansive menus than fast food joints, but don't expect the luxury of a full-blown casual dining spot.
Some examples:
Seven Eagles Spur
Bukka Hut
Mega Chicken
4. Fast Food
Enter the world of "regular degular" fast food restaurants. These are the places where you go when you want a quick and cheap meal, without any expectation of ambiance or service. Fast food spots in Lagos are often as chaotic as the city itself, so buckle up for a wild ride.
Some examples:
Current national treasure, Chicken Republic
The Place
Burger King
Pause Cafe, Victoria Island
5. Cafés
Cafés are supposed to be cosy spots where you can grab a coffee, a snack, and maybe even get some work done. Many cafés capitalise on this by providing perks like free Wi-Fi and charging points.
In Lagos, though, cafés have taken on a life of their own, morphing into hybrid spaces that serve everything from cocktails to full-blown meals. Can't blame them for trying to make some extra cash, right?
Notwithstanding, there are quite a number of traditional cafés in Lagos we’ve spotlighted over the years, both on the Island and the Mainland.
Some examples:
Deli’s, Victoria Island
Art Cafe, Victoria Island
Hot Crust Cafe, Ogudu
6. Family-Style
Family-style restaurants are very similar to casual dining restaurants, but the main difference is that meals are usually served in large portions, so the table can easily share a meal. They are ideal for families or groups of friends and often feature kids’ menus with child-friendly options. Plus, the space and seating at family-style restaurants are clearly designed with large groups in mind.
Asian restaurants tend to be family-style, since the food is generally designed for sharing.
Some examples:
Hua Han Garden, Ikeja GRA
Eric Kayser, Victoria Island
7. Bistro
Once upon a time in France, bistros were these cute little spots with limited table service and affordable, homestyle meals. The chalkboard menu was a staple, as was the warm, cozy atmosphere. But like all good things, bistros had to evolve (read: get gentrified).
Lagos bistros got a taste of that American flavor, and now they're somewhere between fast food joints and fine dining establishments—just fancy enough to make you feel like you're treating yourself, but not so fancy that you have to take out a loan to pay the bill. Paying homage to their French origin, bistros usually serve French cuisine, but they could also serve locally inspired cuisine.
Some examples:
Danfo Bistro, Ikoyi
Orchid Bistro, Ikeja
Smalliez Diner, Victoria Island
8. Diner
Diners are like time capsules of the American dream—where greasy burgers, milkshakes, and a friendly server who knows your name are just a few steps away. In Lagos, they're not too different from fast-casual spots, but with longer hours (no, we still don't have 24-hour service, but we can dream, right?).
And while diners are supposed to be cheap, Lagos has its own ideas about pricing. But hey, at least you'll get your fill of all-American classics!
P.S. — I had a blast at Smalliez, as you can see in this review, but let's be real, consistency is a foreign concept to Lagos restaurants. Sigh 😭
Some examples:
Jay’s Diner, Ikoyi
Smalliez Diner, Victoria Island
9. Ghost Kitchens
Technically, this isn’t a restaurant but they’re still worth mentioning, given their popularity in Lagos. It’s a delivery-only “restaurant”, which works perfectly when you’re not trying to go enter 1-hour traffic to get a burger. Also, food delivery culture has skyrocketed since the pandemic and the arrival of food delivery apps, so ghost kitchens are thriving.
Ghost kitchen owners may be working out of their home kitchens or even rent a commercial space from which deliveries are sent. On a trip to Dubai, I learnt about some food businesses that shared commercial ghost kitchens (it was a whole epiphany because I was wondering why so many of the restaurants I ordered from on Zomato had exactly the same packaging). This is currently what Food Court is and to some degree, you can argue the different Instagram vendors are Ghost Kitchens.
10. Buka
Now, would this list even be complete if we didn’t bring it home by highlighting bukas? Back in 2020, Oxford Dictionary made it official, recognising the words “buka” and “bukateria” as Nigerian English words — not that we needed them to validate us, but still 👍🏾.
According to Oxford Dictionary, a buka is “an inexpensive casual restaurant, typically serving food that is prepared in advance”; according to us, a buka is the legit best place to balance and enjoy local meals at super affordable rates, while discarding any form of home training. Your ambience will likely be set by the ruckus of kitchen staff shouting and dishing and a few flies hovering around. Plus, legend has it that the ruder your server is, the more the food will slap — particularly amala.
The usually unsanitary conditions the food is made in may not be the best for sensitive stomachs, but it’s definitely a worthwhile switch-up every now and then. Some bukas have “tushed” up a bit by providing neater, more modern spaces but the general idea still remains the same.
Some examples:
Yakoyo Abula Joint, Lekki
Olaiya Food Canteen, Surulere
Iyan Aladuke Buka, Yaba
There are also a bunch of other restaurant types like pizzerias, dessert shops, cafeterias, buffets and food stands (which usually make fast food) and pop-ups.
