If you are planning an event in Lagos, maybe a birthday, wedding proposal, or even a company association, and you don’t want the usual indoor environment, then a waterfront restaurant would be your best bet.

However, with the new restaurants in Lagos opening every week, it can be challenging to select one for your next event. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. This article covers the top 10 waterfront restaurants in Lagos, as well as their features and things to consider before making your decision.

1. Lagoon Restaurant

Location: 1C Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, Victoria Island, Lagos

Popularly known for their seafood options, Lagoon Restaurant is that place where you can get a nice meal that tastes good but then it becomes a hangout and reasonably elegant dinner.

Aside from the primary seafood menu, it’s a great spot for international meals, including Indian, Lebanese, Chinese, and continental dishes.

Pros

• It offers multiple food options (Indian, Lebanese, and Chinese)
• The restaurant includes a direct seaside view
• Very aesthetic ambience.

Cons

• The food can be inconsistent in terms of quality.
• Customer service is sometimes slow.

2. Salmas Lagos

Location: 20-24 Ozumba Mbadiwe, Lagos, Nigeria

Salma’s Lagos is a Lebanese restaurant known for serving Middle Eastern dishes in a calm setting that feels a little removed from Lagos’ usual business. It combines simple decor with warm lighting and steady background music, creating a space that’s comfortable without being too formal.

Most of the food on the menu are traditional Lebanese meals like hummus, falafel, grilled meats, and mezze platters, all made to order. So, if you’re open to exploring new flavors or you want that high-end dining feel, Salma’s is definitely the best place for you to be.

Pros

• The food is actually Lebanese
• There is more consistency in food quality
• Staff are attentive and professional
• It’s an easy location to access

Cons

• The prices are more on the high side
• Portions are relatively small in size

3. Samudra Lagos

Location: SOL by Box Mall, Oniru, Lagos, Nigeria

Samudra Lagos is an ocean-themed Indian restaurant in Oniru, which is more into the beach/tropical vibe than others. To get the full seaside feel, you can choose to dine in cabanas or the rooftop seating area.

While the menu is mostly Indian, Samudra serves more familiar meals like burgers and fries, pasta, and salads. They’re also very well known for their drinks, especially the cocktails they serve.

Pros

• Great food presentation
• Good quality of food and drinks
• Calm beachfront ambience, great for relaxation

Cons

• Service can be inconsistent
• Some dishes aren’t as good as you might expect

4. Cowries Creek Restaurant

Location: Yacht hotel, Admiralty Road, Lekki phase 1

Cowries Creek Restaurant is a waterside restaurant inside The Yacht Luxury Hotel in Lekki, which stands out as a great option for fine dining. While the food is the main attraction, most customers say that the view of the creek is what really sold them.

The menu has both international and seafood dishes and they also offer buffet and self-serve options. Cowries Creek is also great for planning birthday surprises, proposals, or even anniversary dinners. The staff is attentive enough to play along, especially if it’s a surprise.

Pros

• It has both indoor and outdoor seating
• The menu is very diverse, with several international dishes
• Staff are very attentive and professional

Cons

• Prices can be quite high
• There are restrictions on certain types of clothing

5. Sailor’s lounge

Location: Plot 1, Block 12, Admiralty Road, Lekki, Lagos

Sailor’s Lounge is one of the most popular waterfront hangout spots in Lagos that offers live music with the food. It’s great for casual dining, hangouts, and intimate events, but this doesn’t dull their menu in any way. The food options lean toward seafood and grilled dishes, paired with great cocktails and wine.

It’s mostly known for its floating bar, the first of its kind in Nigeria, which really looks and feels like a dining area floating on water.

Pros

• High-quality food and presentation
• Very calm ambience
• They offer live entertainment

Cons

• Weekends can get crowded
• Food here can be expensive

6. The Angler Restaurant

Location: B20 Wole Olateju Crescent, Lekki Phase One.

As one of the top fine dining restaurants in Lagos, The Angler Restaurant is a go-to for anybody looking for high-class meals and a sense of calm while they eat. The setup includes both indoor and outdoor seating, where you get a clear view of the water and enjoy sunsets (if you’re into the romance we see in books).

Their menu features fresh seafood, intercontinental dishes, local options like suya, salads, the usual pastas, and signature cocktails. The chefs attest that they pay a lot of attention to getting quality ingredients and ensuring creative presentation.

Pros

• Very calm atmosphere
• Great customer service
• Access to a very open view of the sea

Cons

• Part of the waterfront can have floating debris
• Food menu items can be inconsistent

7. The Bay Lounge

Location: Admiralty Road, Lekki Phase 1

Bay Lounge Lagos combines music (live bands, DJs), a very social vibe, and an amazing view of the lagoon, especially during sunset. Of course, their food is also very welcoming, and the menu features local Nigerian dishes (like peppered gizzard, snail, and traditional soups) with continental options and seafood. 

This restaurant is great if you want a fun dinner with drinks and music outdoors by the water. At night, it also works well for hangouts, date nights, or casual group nights out. But if you prefer something quiet or very formal, you may want to go earlier in the day.

Pros

• Attractive seaside views
• The menu includes local Nigerian dishes
• Perfect for simple get-togethers

Cons

• Services can be slow
• Sometimes, the food quality isn’t high compared to the price

8. Farfallino Lagos

Location: 25 Ozumba Mbadiwe St, VI

If you couldn’t tell by the name, Farfallino is an Italian restaurant in the lobby of the Black Diamond Hotel. This restaurant is what the average Laotian would think of when they say they want an ambient location that’s very cozy but still elegant.

As you would expect, the menu focuses on Italian food. However, they offer familiar options like pasta, pizzas, and some seafood-inspired dishes. It’s most suitable for casual dinners, date nights, business lunches, or small special occasions.

Pros

• Friendly, attentive service
• Unique dishes are served here
• Great ambience and decor

Cons

• Portions can be small for the price
• The flavors don’t always match up to how good the food looks

9. Elysium Beach House

Location: Ikaare Private Island

Elysium Beach House was actually built as an exclusive beach house on the island, but they also offer great food options on the side, and the area comes with a great view of the ocean.

While Elysium’s menu doesn’t have a lot of food options, they still value quality in their services. So, if you’re on the beach and you don’t mind spending a little more on quality food and a great view of the ocean, this would be a great fit for you.

Pros

• High-quality food
• Good customer service
• Instagram-worthy locations for pictures

Cons

• The menu isn’t very diverse
• Portions can be small for the price
• It can be difficult to locate, especially if you’re new to the area

10. Kingfisher Africa

Location: 1 Wole Olateju St, off Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase 1

Kingfisher Africa is a premium waterfront restaurant in Lagos that also doubles as a lounge. It has an open-air terrace that gives you a clear view of the lagoon, an outdoor seating area, a swimming pool, and options for both indoor and outdoor dining. 

Their menu is seafood-focused, with a lot of customers hyping up their signature grilled fish, but if you prefer non-seafood, you also have the options of steaks, pastas, combo platters, and a few intercontinental dishes. 

Pros

• They offer live entertainment
• They’re very popular for their ambience
• It’s perfect for date night, event hangouts, or dinners

Cons

• It can feel too relaxed for fine dining
• It can get busy, making it take much longer for staff to attend to you.

What you should consider when choosing a waterfront restaurant in Lagos

The views and ambience are one thing, but any Lagos outsider should know that before you select a waterfront restaurant, there are a few things you have to consider first. The following are some of these factors:

• The distance of the location from your house (or your guests’ houses)
• The main reason why you want to go to the restaurant. Whether it’s for the food or to get IG pictures
• Speaking of pictures, the picture policy. Most restaurants don’t put out this information, so you’d have to reach out to them to get clarity.
• Whether or not the restaurant requires reservations
• The type of outing you’re planning

While it’s okay to choose a waterfront restaurant on your own for casual events, if you’re planning a corporate get-together or a special event, you might need extra help from experts. choplYfe can help you select the perfect location. So don’t be shy; reach out to us to find the perfect location for you.