To really get a feel of the cuisine Lagos has to offer, a day won’t suffice but when you’re short on time and keen to experience what the city gems, what do you do? Oyinda has a number of thoughts — an essential guide, even — of where you absolutely need to have a great breakfast, street food, dessert and more.

This is perfect for full-fledged Lagosians, as well, who just want to switch it up, pursuing a gastronomical adventure. Sure, you most likely won’t cover it all — because let’s face it, between the traffic and the average cost of a cocktail, there’s only so much you can take — but we’ve put together this list to help streamline your dining experience across both sides of the Bridge.

9AM: Breakfast at Eric Kayser

where: 9 Osborne Road, Ikoyi | 864a Bishop Aboyade Cole Street, Victoria Island

Damage: N2500-N10000

Start your day off with your pick of Eric Kayser’s baked goodies — croissants, pains au chocolat, cinnamon buns and other diet-destroying pastries. While you’re at it, you should have a cup of coffee, tea or hot chocolate. If you’re not opposed to a drink-dessert at 9am, their affogato is also a delicious treat.

If you’re a heavy breakfast person and thinking: Are you kidding? to the idea of just pastries and coffee for breakfast, opt for something more filling from Eric Kayser’s decent breakfast menu.

1PM: Lunch at Afefeyeye

where: 41 Ogundana Street, Allen Avenue, Ikeja

Damage: N3000-N15000

After a trip to our own ‘little Paris’ for breakfast, you might be looking for something to snap you back to your very much Nigerian reality and Afefeyeye is just the place. This spot is an actual Mainland gem, so I never fail to recommend it to friends, and not one person has come back disappointed. At this point, Afefeyeye might have to start running me some referral rewards or something.

Here, you’ll get the chance to indulge in traditional Nigerian cuisine — everything from Boli and Amala, to Nkwobi and quality Jollof. They dabble in ‘intercontinental’ cuisine, with offerings like pasta and waffle sandwiches, but their local meals are really where it’s at. And don’t get me started on their palm wine.

 2.30PM: A Quick Sweet Treat at The Puff Shack

where: Sedona Mall, 33 Adebayo Doherty, Lekki Phase I

Damage: >N3000

A note for non-Nigerians: Puff puff is one of our biggest street food gems — a sugary dough fried in oil for maximum deliciousness. You’ll find it in most areas of Lagos, being made fresh in the morning or evening, ready for hungry commuters to pick up and enjoy on-the-go.

The Puff Shack has taken this staple sweet treat to another level, by giving it a gourmet twist. For N3000 or under, you can get a box of 12 puff puff in 4 variations — Classic (plain), Cin City (cinnamon sugar), Oh-Reo (Oreo) and Cuffed (Biscoff sauce and biscuits). There’s also the Power Puff combo box option, which is a medley of all four flavours.

5PM: Suya at Norma

WHERE: 6 Kafi Street, Alausa, Ikeja

Damage: >N600

While on the Mainland, you should definitely pop by Norma for some good suya in a proper chill spot. In truth, you may be better off having streetside beef suya, but Norma’s signature (not-so 👀) Jumbo Shrimp suya and chicken wings are totally worth the visit. They make quite a number of other fun stuff with suya that you could try out too — like the Suya Cheese Melt.

7PM: Dinner at Gaby Lagos

where: 6A Agoro Odiyan Street, Victoria Island

Damage: N5000–N30000

For dinner, head back to the Island and treat yourself to an elegant dining experience at Gaby Lagos. With your starter now basically out of the way, thanks to Norma, you can dive right into the main course, which Gaby has an excellent selection of. Their drink and dessert menus are also some of my favourite in Lagos, but I’d chill on sweet afters if I were you; that’s enough sugar for one day.

9PM: Drinks at SLOW

where: 2 Musa Yar'Adua Street, Victoria Island

Damage: N7000-N10000

This is, unarguably, one of the best restaurants in Lagos to have a well-thought-out, flavourful range of meals; but the bar is something really special too. The bar is situated at the centre of the floor, demonstrating to diners that the drinks are just as important as the food, and the proof of this is in your first sip.

SLoW’s cosy atmosphere makes it a great spot for after-work drinks, a catch-up with a friend you haven’t seen in ages, a first date or even a solo one.

11pm: LATE-NIGHT shawarma from farmcity

where: 15 Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase I

damage: N2500

The humble shawarma might have its roots in Turkish culture, but in Lagos, we have perfected the Nigerian shawarma — a medley of flatbread, meat of various kinds and levels of processing, vegetables and sandwich sauce. It would be criminal to pass through Lagos without clumsily stuffing a shawarma down your throat — and one of the best places to do that is at Farmcity.

There’s a dine-in option, but grabbing one and heading to wherever’s home (trashy Netflix series in tow) is highly recommended. It’s extra delicious after hours.

Happy eating!