Table of Contents
Introduction
How does one truly eat and experience Lagos, Nigeria? Here is a quick Lagos travel guide on how I would eat and experience Lagos travel. A country that everyone you meet has something to say about. Whether it’s good or bad someone always will let you know.
I love the country for its vibrant, chaotic, soulful people LOL. And if you let it, it will completely steal your heart through its food. That’s if you like spice, salt and lots of juicy flavours of course. From roadside suya in Lagos to Sunday yam and egg in a family home, Nigerian cuisine isn’t just about taste. It’s an experience. A culture. Form of identity’s. connection, and community. This guide will help you experience Lagos if you only have a short time.
I love going to Nigeria, because for me it gives me a closely to my identity that I haven’t always been able to connect with as much as I would like to. Growing up in the UK, with parents from two distinctively different ethnic groups ment that I didn’t get the level of connection that I would have loved. So going back to Nigeria gives me that. It also allows me to see people that look like me which has always given me a sense of belonging and peace.
In this guide, I’ll take you through everything I ate, discovered, and felt more deeper while travelling through Lagos, Nigeria. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or returning to your roots, let this be your culinary compass.
Related post: Abeokuta Day Trip Itinerary: History, Culture & Food
Nigeria – Lagos
It had been a while since I travelled to Nigeria, Lagos (almost five years, way too long, I blame the COVID-19 pandemic for this). Nigeria is known to be the most populous Black nation on Earth. Lagos is a bustling city in Nigeria that offers a variety of things to do and see, and it is where my heritage is. My mother is Delta Igbo, and my father is Yoruba. I am a mixed ethnic group (let us shy away from tribal wars, please), and I love them dearly. Nigeria also has people with the most vibrant and friendly energy expressed through diverse creative expressions.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has directed the redesigning and issuing of new N200, N500 and N1’000 Naira notes. There are some discrepancies around when the new notes will be used, so it’s worth checking before your travels.
Travelling from Lagos to London Heathrow
If you are looking for the cheapest flight from London to Lagos, then best place to start is with Skyscanner. I booked a single flight with AirFrance/KLM, which cost me around £430. There was a quick stop in Paris for only an hour, which was not bad at all and there was WiFi on the plane, which was good.
When I travelled to Lagos last year, I needed to show my COVID-19 certificates and Yellow Fever. This was done before boarding my flights online. I flew with Air France/KLM. I enjoyed the airline as it had free Wi-Fi, and the food was decent. I arrived in Lagos around 10 pm and picked up a taxi from the airport where I stayed with family for five days.
Entry Requirements and Visas For Lagos Travel
Almost everyone needs a visa for Nigeria. If you are considering travelling to Nigeria from the UK, check the ‘Entry Requirements’ section for Nigeria’s current entry restrictions and requirements.
5-Day Lagos Travel Guide
Lagos has so much to do! Many people go in December when most diasporas visit the city. However, Lagos is buzzing throughout the year. I tend to avoid December, because I mainly come to see my family and convince my family that I can explore by myself LOL! Here is what I did, and you should if you ever visit Lagos:
- Got my hair braided: If you need to get your hair done by a thehaircaretaker – tell her I sent you! I got myself some cute French curl braids.
- Explore Lekki Conservation Centre: This nature reserve is home to various animals, including monkeys, turtles, and birds. You can walk along a canopy walkway for a bird’s-eye forest view. If you could be better with heights, there may be better things to do, and please wear comfortable shoes.
- Visit the Nike Art Gallery: This gallery showcases the works of Nigerian artists and artisans and offers visitors the chance to purchase unique souvenirs.
- Relax on the beaches: Lagos is home to some beautiful beaches, including Tarkwa Bay Beach and Landmark Beach (the newest one). I have been to both and enjoyed both very much. N.B., you have to pay for Landmark Beach.
- Shop at the markets: Lagos has many bustling markets, including Balogun Market. It would be best to go with a local to avoid getting lost.
Other things to do in Lagos
- Visit the Freedom Park, Lagos
- Explore the nightlife
- A train from Lagos to Ibadan
I got around Lagos using Uber and Bolt, which was straightforward, provided you have internet. If you need to purchase a SIM card, you will need an NIN number. I don’t have that now, so I used Airlo, an e-sim card that can be used worldwide. Click here for here to purchase.
What to eat in Lagos
Nigeria, Lagos, is rich in food. There are many options rich in flavour, spice and juices, and the restaurants are genuinely impressive. Your taste buds will be spoiled for choice. In Lagos, I enjoyed my favourite Abula, a Yoruba stew made from yam flour, served with soups and pepper sauce – Ewedu soup, Gbegiri soup and pepper sauce. Try Suya spicy meat grilled over an open flame, served with onions and fresh tomatoes, and remember to have some Chapman, a Nigerian cocktail with Fanta, Sprite and Grenadine and Angostura bitters.
We have made both Nigerian Suya and Chapman in the past on a Cooking Travel Talks Live, which you can learn and watch to make here.
Foodie Travel Tip:
Don’t just Google “best restaurants.” You can look for a cultural and food restaurant by asking locals. If you want more tips download my Taste the World eBook for 59 pages of insider tips.
You can also enjoy the following:
- Jollof rice, a prevalent dish in West Africa, is cooked with tomatoes, onions and spices
- Pounded yam with egusi pounded yam is a starchy vegetable mashed until it becomes smooth and stretchy, and egusi soup is a thick and flavorful soup made with ground melon seeds, vegetables and spices.
- Puff-Puff is a popular fried snack made from deep-fried dough until crispy.
- Efo Riro is a delicious soup made from various vegetables, including spinach, peppers, onions, and tomatoes. It is often served with pounded yam or rice.
These are just a few suggestions, but of course, you should know that Lagos has plenty of other delicious dishes to try, so be sure to explore and experiment with the local cuisine. I promise you that you won’t regret it.
The must-include restaurants in Lagos:
- Ofada Boy
- Bukkahut
- Circa Lagos – my favourite restaurant in Lagos.
Where to stay in Lagos
Fortunately, I have family living in Lagos, so I have always had somewhere to stay when visiting. Still, if you are ever looking for a hotel, I suggest Lagos Continental Hotel or Eko Hotel Suites. Many hotels can be booked via Booking.com, and there are lots of Airbnb in Lagos, which you can also book via Airbnb.
More Travel Tools & Resources for Lagos Travel
- My Instagram and TikTok have quick snap videos on the specifics of Lagos travel and DM me if you have any questions about your trip.
- Before travelling anywhere, including London to Lagos I recommend visiting the Foreign Advice Page for U.K. travellers. Check if you need visas here.
- Book with Viator or Get Your Guide if you want specific Lagos travel related tours. Please read the reviews before booking!
- Get travel insurance. I recommend that anyone travelling should have travel insurance, which you can get via SafetyWing here.
- I used Airlo, an e-SIM card, for data. You can purchase it here and use the code ADEBOL5279 for a discount.
Conclusions From London to Lagos
Every time I visit and experience Lagos, Nigeria, I leave full. That can be from connecting deeper to my roots, to feeling energised from the real spicy food.
I also leave with so much culture, from the stories, laughter, spicy memories, and a reminder of how rich the Nigerian culture truly is. If you’re planning your own trip to Nigeria, don’t just search for where to eat. Ask why people eat what they do. Listen to the aunties in the market. Try something you’ve never heard of. And remember, Nigerian food isn’t just spicy. It’s bold. And loud. Just like the people.
Have you been to Nigeria? What did you eat? I’d love to hear your favourite dishes in the comments below. Want to discover more food across West Africa? I hope you enjoyed the Lagos travel guide. Check out my West African Guide – A Travel Guide for Nigeria, The Gambia and Senegal.
Have you been to experience Lagos? Would you like to go?
Let me know in the comments.
Speak soon,
Adebola MBV x
