Valentine’s Day in Lagos: Where to Eat
NOSA: Valentine's Day is almost here, friends. There's probably only one question on everyone's minds.
FOLLY: Where should you eat?
NOSA: I was going to go with "Will I roast?", but that works too.
FOLLY: Well, as usual, we're here to help.
NOSA: ...with food recommendations, not where to find bae.
FOLLY: If you still email to ask where to take your "beloved", I will reply with a link to this post because I don't have any other "more special recommendations".
Kindly, bookmark it now.
For The Food
Casper & Gambini's
Budget: N15,000 - 25,000
FOLLY: I’ve only been Casper & Gambini's once so there’s not a lot riding on this recommendation. I really feel the need to put that out there.
NOSA: I've been here twice so you can take my word for it. C&G is the new "IT" spot in Lagos for good reason.
FOLLY: After Orchid Bistro, this is the second most laid-back restaurant on this list; we’re obviously not counting Hans & René as a restaurant, please. I had a great time here and if feedback from readers means anything at all, I imagine you would too.
NOSA: The menu is pretty extensive and I really liked it on both of my visits.
1089 Agoro Odiyan St., Victoria Island, Lagos
For The Ambience
Nok by Alara
Budget: N20,000 - N30,000
FOLLY: Definitely for the romance
NOSA: The decor. The lights. Yeah, defs for romance.
FOLLY: The restaurant already feels intimate on a regular day, it may be the dim lighting or the glass window that allows you to see the night sky, but there’s just something about Nok that’s quiet and romantic.
NOSA: I'll tell you this for free: don't come to Nok if you're trying to stuff yourself with food. Big error on your part. If you're an adventurous diner however, Nok will be absolutely perfect. The menu is African fare that you're familiar with, but with a fine dining twist.
FOLLY: Their cocktails are also delicious.
12 Akin Olugbade Street, Victoria Island, Lagos
For The View
Sky Lounge
Budget: N25,000 - N35,000
FOLLY: The only reason Sky Lounge made this list is because sometimes you can’t win it all.
NOSA: Nope, you can't.
FOLLY: Nosa has said something on this blog before about a direct relationship between higher altitudes in Lagos and average food, he is right. The food at Sky Lounge isn’t fantastic but it’s passable because, and only because, the backdrop is beautiful.
NOSA: If you're going to be corny and propose on Valentine's Day, you might as well do it here.
1415 Adetokunbo Ademola St. Victoria Island, Lagos
For The Wallet
Hans & René
Budget: N2,000 - N5,000
NOSA: Gelato dates are the move for 2016. Major 🔑
FOLLY: If I had to choose somewhere on this list to go to for Valentine’s Day, it’d be a tie between Nok and Hans & René. Nok really just makes it because I’m still fascinated by the building’s architecture and the restaurant’s menu, so it’s another chance to visit again.
NOSA: A Hans & René date takes out all the stuffiness of a traditional dinner date and adds a bucket fun.
FOLLY: I like the idea of a casual Hans & René date because I can (and will) have 3 desserts, each one representing a course in a 3-course meal.
The Palms (Lekki), Ikeja City Mall (Ikeja), Radisson Blu (Victoria Island)
For The Mainland
Orchid Bistro
Budget: N10,000 - N15,000
FOLLY: Without a doubt, Orchid Bistro is my favourite restaurant on the mainland.
NOSA: It's really not competing with a lot, tbh
FOLLY: What I particularly like about this café is the consistency. Certainly, it won’t blow your mind but it’s good food every time. The cherry on the cake for me – pun intended duh – is their dessert selection. I particularly like their Apple Crumble and Red Cherry Cheesecake.
NOSA: Orchid Bistro is the only restaurant I've found in Lagos that has a BLT sandwich on the menu. It's a quality BLT to boot.
Green Village, 58A Isaac John St., GRA, Ikeja
BONUS
For The Singles
The Lunch Club
NOSA: We aren't done with planning, but following conversations on Twitter, we've decided to have a Valentine's Day Lunch Club. Why singles? Well, no one in a relationship wants to spend Valentine's Day with a group of strangers. Well, unless you're in a long distance relationship. In that case, you might as well be single.
Jokes aside, this should be a lot of fun.
FOLLY: If you're actually interested in coming for this, please subscribe to our Lunch Club mailer in the sidebar.