There are many cities around the world where you can find a wide range of cuisines to satisfy an adventurous eater. Forget the typical listicles on popular food websites—Lagos is one of them. From Italian to Mexican and even Chilean cuisine, Lagos has it all.
Among the culinary gems in Lagos, Asian cuisine shines quite brightly. There are diverse food experiences you can indulge in, and this isn’t limited to just eating. Viewing live teppanyaki cooking or experiencing Korean BBQ and hot pots are a huge part of the many aspects to Asian food.
With these Asian restaurants in Lagos, you can take your taste buds on a delicious adventure through cities like Bombay and Kyoto by experiencing their food.
Pan-Asian restaurants in Lagos
Some Asian restaurants offer specific cuisines like Chinese, Japanese, Indian, and more, but some offer more than one of these cuisines. Here are some of the best restaurants in Lagos to get an all-in-one Asian delight.
Shiro restaurant & bar
Shiro Restaurant & Bar is one of the few restaurants in Lagos that offers a truly diverse and authentic Pan-Asian experience. By this, we mean not just one or two cuisines, but a full menu of Asian delights. With years of consistent quality and service, Shiro has earned a reputation as a go-to Asian restaurant in Lagos.
Shiro’s menu boasts a variety of Japanese, Korean, and Thai dishes, as well as Chinese options. It also features a bar and lounge, and a unique teppanyaki experience that is a major highlight of the restaurant. Shiro is definitely a must-visit destination for anyone seeking a Pan-Asian dining experience.
Spice Route
Spice Route stands as a testament to the rich culinary heritage of South and Southeast Asia. This restaurant has a stunning interior that sets the scene for a nice dinner with a date or friends.
Spice Route’s menu is diverse, primarily showcasing the culinary treasures of India and China . This blend, coupled with its unique ambiance, makes Spice Route a standout choice for anyone seeking a Pan-Asian dining experience in Lagos.
343 Degrees North
Located in the heart of Victoria Island, Lagos, 343 Degrees North is where South Asian food embraces Nigerian culture in Lagos. This restaurant offers a delightful fusion of flavours, making it a notable addition to the Lagos culinary scene.
It has garnered praise for its diverse menu, which heavily features Indian cuisine, but also a few Chinese meals and other intercontinental dishes like pasta and even Nigerian dishes. 343 Degrees North has a central location, diverse menu and amazing food—three things that make it one of our favourite restaurants on this list.
Cilantro
Cilantro, a Pan-Asian restaurant, has two locations in Lagos—Victoria Island and Ikeja. This restaurant offers a delicious fusion of flavours for patrons looking to savour the flavours of Asia.
While Indian cuisine takes the centre stage here, Cilantro caters to broader cravings with a selection of Chinese meals and even intercontinental favourites like pasta, pizza, burgers and more. That’s why Cilantro is the best choice if you want to explore diverse culinary landscapes in one sitting, just like we said in this On The Menu episode.
Gypsy’s Restaurant & Bar
Gypsy’s Restaurant & Bar is a hidden gem that offers a fusion of Chinese and Indian cuisine. One of the major pros of this restaurant is its affordability and generous portions, making it a great choice for groups of friends. Located in Ilupeju, an area buzzing with Indian settlers, Gypsy’s draws inspiration from its surroundings. This restaurant offers a taste of authenticity, as evidenced by its loyal local following.
We’ll be honest. The ambiance isn’t the star attraction here. However, with delicious staple Asian dishes like Chicken Tikka Masala, Daal Makhani and Dim Sum, Gypsy’s is an excellent budget-friendly option offering a blend of traditional and contemporary Asian flavours in Lagos.
Ki Lagos
Ki Lagos, located in Victoria Island, Lagos, offers a unique and upscale dining experience, seamlessly blending Chinese, Japanese, and Thai cuisine in a sophisticated atmosphere. The restaurant’s interior is designed beautifully, and its outdoor dining space is equally as Instagram-worthy.
While Ki Lagos is known for its delicious Asian food, it also has a reputation for its unlimited cocktails deal. This restaurant’s commitment to traditional Asian cuisine and its upscale atmosphere will give you a memorable dining experience in Lagos.
Chinese restaurants in Lagos
Apart from Pan-Asian restaurants, these make up the highest number of Asian restaurants in Lagos. Chinese cuisine is one of the most commonly found cuisines in major cities all over the world, so of course Lagos isn’t left out of the fun.
Marcopolo Oriental Cuisine
Marcopolo Oriental Cuisine is a Chinese restaurant located in Lekki, Lagos, that’s popular for being the sister restaurant to Kingfisher Lagos. The restaurant’s menu features a variety of dishes, including dim sum, noodles, and many delicious sauces with unique protein choices like shark, that are sure to satisfy any craving for Asian cuisine. Its waterfront location adds to the ambiance, providing a serene atmosphere for guests to enjoy their meals.
Zen Garden
Zen Garden brings back fond memories of family outings and birthday dinners many years ago. Nestled in Ikeja, it offers a unique and elevated level of Chinese dining, and was a very popular upscale Chinese restaurant in the early 2010s.
Transporting you to the grandeur of traditional China, the restaurant’s ornate decor and menu brimming with fresh and authentic dishes make it a good choice. The premise also features a few VIP rooms, a conference room, and a banquet hall on the upper level, which can comfortably accommodate over 100 guests for private events.
Prime Chinese Restaurant
Before it’s delicious Chinese meals, Prime Chinese restaurant is more famously known as a hotspot for late night dinners after a night of clubbing in Lagos. Open 24/7, Prime Chinese restaurant is decorated with beautifully lit trees, welcoming diners to a unique ambiance.
Inside, their extensive menu offers a wide variety of dishes, including classics like special fried rice and spring rolls guaranteed to knock you out of any alcohol-induced haze after a great night out.
Jade Palace
Jade Palace is located right in the middle of Victoria Island, and offers an authentic taste of Chinese cuisine. A Lagos mainstay for many years, it has earned a loyal following for its flavourful menu bursting with options.
Echoing the charm of Zen Garden, Jade Palace has a cosy, traditional Chinese-inspired interior that provides a comfortable and inviting setting. Exceptional services and their famed lightning-fast service elevate the experience here. They’re a 10/10 restaurant in our books, and a very befitting location for anything from a fancy night out to a casual lunch.
Woks and Koi
Woks & Koi is a restaurant in Lekki Phase 1 that offers an affordable taste of Chinese cuisine. It is a small and cosy restaurant, with a seating capacity that ensures an intimate dining experience. Their menu features all the staple Chinese dishes you’re craving, from delicate dim sum to satisfying noodles. Woks & Koi is your go-to for delicious and budget-friendly Chinese meals.
Flaky’s Kitchen
Flaky’s Kitchen is a local favourite popular amongst Lekki Phase 1 residents. This hidden gem delivers an affordable and diverse menu, catering to both dine-in and takeout cravings.
While the cosy seating arrangement might be limited, the delicious food more than makes up for it. The restaurant’s menu features a variety of Chinese dishes, even featuring adventurous options like shark and squid. We definitely recommend Flaky’s Kitchen for a casual lunch with friends or even ordering takeout to the comfort of your home.
Chai Tang
Chai Tang is an upscale Chinese restaurant located in Twin Waters Lagos—a hub that is home to a few other restaurants and the Rufus & Bee arcade. We particularly love Chai Tang because of its amazing view of the Atlantic ocean. This view instantly relaxes diners, creating a sophisticated setting perfect for both dinner dates or business lunches.
Beyond the scenery, Chai Tang’s menu is full of many Chinese delicacies and an even more diverse selection of drinks and cocktails. Basically, this restaurant is an ideal choice for an upscale Chinese restaurant.
Chinatown Restaurant
Lagos veterans know the allure of Chinatown Restaurant, an OG Chinese restaurant located in Mega Plaza, Victoria Island. This conveniently located haven boasts of authentic Chinese dishes on its menu, making it a fantastic and familiar stop for a taste of tradition.
Japanese restaurants in Lagos
Japanese cuisine extends far beyond sushi. With staple Japanese meals like Miso, Ramen, Unagi and flavours ranging from sweet to spicy and umami flavours, these Japanese restaurants are a must-try for any adventurous eater in Lagos.
Izanagi
Located within the Blowfish Hotel in Victoria Island, Izanagi elevates Japanese cuisine to a new level. Its sophisticated atmosphere, characterised by its chic decor, sets the stage for a delightful overall experience.
Izanagi’s menu features a variety of authentic Japanese dishes like sushi, sashimi, tempura, providing a delightful fusion of flavours in an upscale atmosphere.
Bonzai Restaurant
More than just delicious, Bonzai Restaurant holds a historic title: the first ever Japanese restaurant in Nigeria and West Africa. Offering the best of Japanese cuisine on a budget, it invites diners to experience a memorable culinary adventure every time you visit.
The beautiful setting of the restaurant provides the perfect backdrop for savouring their delicious Japanese dishes like crowd favourites, Seafood Yaki Udon and the teppanyaki station at the restaurant.
Korean restaurants in Lagos
Fun fact: a K-drama streaming website—KimoiTV, is the 6th most visited mass media website in Nigeria. Therefore, it’s no surprise that Korean restaurants aren’t left out of the bounty of Asian restaurants in Lagos.
Hua Huan
Hua Huan is a Korean restaurant with two Lagos locations—Ikeja and Victoria Island. Specialising in Korean cuisine, Hua Han offers a diverse menu of authentic Korean dishes, taking patrons through the flavours of Korea.
At Hua Huan, you can also unleash your inner chef with interactive experiences like Korean BBQ and hot pots, allowing you to grill or simmer your meal yourself. You can also complement your Korean meals with drinks like Soju. This way, you get to have the full Korean experience at Hua Huan.
Indian restaurants in Lagos
When it comes to similar cultures, many people believe that Nigerians and Indians are alike in some ways. This is probably why we have about 60,000 Indians who have lived in Nigeria at some point over the last decade or two. With so many Indians in Nigeria, it’s a no-brainer that there are some pretty good Indian restaurants here that made it to this list.
Sherlaton Indian Restaurant
Sherlaton Indian Restaurant is an affordable Indian restaurant located in Victoria Island that offers unique and authentic Indian food. Their expansive menu boasts an array of fragrant curries, succulent tandoori dishes, and melt-in-your-mouth biryanis that everyone (Indian or not) won’t be able to resist.
Pondicheri
Pondicheri is our last hidden gem on this list. Nestled in the heart of Ilupeju, Pondicheri is a beloved Indian restaurant with tasty food and stellar service. Its popularity, particularly among the Indian community, tells us that they are definitely doing something right.
Offering a range of affordable dishes, Pondicheri fosters a welcoming, family friendly atmosphere with delightful Indian influences woven into its decor. Another thing to note is, this is a strictly halal restaurant, as they do not serve beef or pork.
Thai restaurants in Lagos
Saving the best for last, Thai cuisine is a vibrant symphony of flavours, a dance between sweet, sour, salty, spicy, and bitter. It leverages fresh ingredients like lemongrass, galangal, chilies, and lime, adding a colourful appearance and taste to your palate on every bite.
As you can probably already tell, Thai cuisine is our favourite of all the Asian cuisines, so we’re thrilled to be ending this list with these top-notch Thai restaurants.
Thai Thai
Tucked away in the heart of Victoria Island, Lagos, Thai Thai offers a delectable fusion of traditional and contemporary Thai dishes in a cosy speakeasy setting. Despite its small size, the restaurant’s minimalist decor cleverly creates a relaxed and inviting atmosphere.
Their menu is designed to suit most palates, featuring both classic Thai favourites like pad thai bao buns too. The food at Thai Thai is super delicious, just like we reviewed in On The Menu, and thankfully, they deliver. Lastly, keep in mind that seating at Thai Thai is limited, so we advise making a reservation before visiting.
Orchid House
Orchid House Thai Restaurant’s story stems from a passion for food and hospitality, aiming to create a warm space for friends and family to enjoy delicious Thai cuisine. The establishment’s founder, Tukie, has channelled her love for cooking into the heart of the restaurant, ensuring an authentic Thai experience in every dish.
With three locations spread across Lagos—Ikeja, Victoria Island and Apapa— Orchid House is providing delicious Thai cuisine to a wider audience. Each of these locations create a welcoming and family friendly experience, inviting anyone to enjoy the best of the Thai food.
This list is just a starting point. Everyone knows Lagos has a diverse and ever-growing culinary scene, and therefore offers endless possibilities for exploring flavours. There are a lot more Asian restaurants to explore all around Lagos, and with Vendease, you can start your very own restaurant. Get started now on vendease.com!
