Oniru is well placed in Lagos’ dining landscape, within reach of the beach, the business district of Victoria Island, and the nightlife of Lekki Phase 1. The best restaurants in the area, from serious Nigerian cooking to slick Pan-Asian dining, are all a short drive apart (traffic permitting).
Shiro Lagos is one of the most recognizable restaurant settings in the city. The restaurant is at Landmark Center on Water Corporation Drive, with dramatic, multi-level space dishing up Pan-Asian food. Its menu features sushi, dim sum, noodles, grills and other dishes inspired by Japanese, Thai, Chinese and Korean cuisines. This is a great option for a special celebration, especially if the ambiance is as important as the food. Advance booking is recommended, especially at weekends.
For a real West African experience, go the elegant route with NOK by Alara. It is a restaurant within the Alara design and retail hub on Akin Adesola Street, Victoria Island. Its menu reimagines the ingredients and cooking traditions of West Africa in a contemporary format, with presentation and service to match the setting. NOK is perfect for diners looking for a more considered and slower meal, not a casual stop.
For a more laid-back but still highly polished experience, there’s R.S.V.P. Lagos, on Eletu Ogabi Street. The menu takes guests on a journey through modern international comfort food, grills, small plates and cocktails. The restaurant is very busy for lunch, weekend dining and social evenings. It’s good for groups because the menu is broad without being unfocused.
Circa Lagos, located off Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, offers all-day dining with a modern twist on Nigerian and international dishes. The modern bright setting makes it ideal for business lunches, casual meetings and early suppers. The kitchen is broad rather than narrow, which is useful when a table cannot agree on one cuisine.
Oniru’s restaurant scene is all about planning. The traffic along the coast can make a short trip seem long, and popular spots can fill up fast on Friday and Saturday nights. Menus, opening times and access arrangements, particularly around the Landmark district, can change so it’s wise to check directly before you go.