Whenever anyone asks me about casual dining spots in Lagos, Above Lifestyle is one of the first spots that comes to mind. With how difficult it is to find a Lagos restaurant that actually delivers on food, ambience, and customer service, this spot should be one of those gems people gatekeep.

At this point, you’re probably still a bit skeptical, and I totally understand. You don’t want to be let down by yet another restaurant.

So, in this article, I’ll be reviewing the Above Lifestyle restaurant and giving my honest opinion about their food, presentation, and hospitality. This way, you can decide for yourself if it’s somewhere you want to visit. If that sounds good, then keep reading.

ABOVE LIFESTYLE SPACE AND AMBIENCE – 8/10

One thing I noticed with Above Lifestyle’s space is how much they try to mix African elements with a natural yet modern ambience. One of the first things you see in the restaurant is a couple of abstract Afrocentric paintings that contribute to the overall feel.

The space is really cozy and very well planned, not to mention great for pictures. They have four different ambiences that give off different vibes but still remain cohesive. One section is a modern and earthy bar; the second is a modern rooftop lounge from where you get a nice view of the city. The third section is a club, and the last section is an Afrocentric garden-themed restaurant.

The best part about Above Lifestyle’s space is that they give you unrestricted access to the different sections of the restaurant. There’s no such thing as a picture policy, and with how they divided each section to give off a different vibe, it’s clear that a lot of thought went into planning how this place would look, and we’re here for it.

ABOVE LIFESTYLE HOSPITALITY AND CUSTOMER SERVICE – 10/10

Considering how patient the staff was with us as we explored all the sections of the Above Lifestyle space, their hospitality is definitely a ten out of ten.

The food took less than 30 minutes to arrive, and the drinks were served almost as soon as we ordered them, so that’s a green flag. To show how freshly prepared they were, the meals were served hot, as they should be, of course.

ABOVE LIFESTYLE FOOD—9/10

If you’re one of those people who think Mainland restaurants can’t be fine-dining spots, Above Lifestyle will shock you.

Their menu was very diverse, yet intentional, and I know this because we practically ordered everything there, and there was not a single miss. We ordered their chicken tenders, peppered gizzard, Above jollof with grilled turkey, prawn linguine pasta, prawn tempura, and chicken lollipops.

You know how people always say you should order safe food like jollof rice when you’re trying a new place? Well, Above Lifestyle should be crossed off that list because they delivered on every front.

The drinks were also amazing. We got cocktails, and each of them was strong, unlike those watered-down versions typical restaurants serve.

HOW MUCH DID WE SPEND?

I won’t lie, I was really surprised when they brought the bill and it wasn’t up to 100K because I was sure we’d gotten everything on their menu. Plus, I was expecting a VAT of like 15%, but they also surprised us on that front. Let me give you a full breakdown of how much we spent:

• Chicken tenders – 12,000
• Peppered gizzard – 10,000
• Above jollof with grilled turkey – 13,500
• Prawn linguine pasta – 18,000
• Prawn tempura – 15,000
• Chicken lollipop – 15,000

In total, we spent N83,500 on food for 5, but we ordered some of the most expensive things on the menu. They actually have meals that start at 8,000 naira, so if you’re on a budget, you have plenty of options.

THEIR OTHER ACTIVITIES

To show you just how dedicated they are to ensuring you have a good time, Above Lifestyle hosts activities throughout the week. So fine dining is just a side attraction at this point. Here’s their weekly itinerary: 

• Monday – Throwback (7am)
• Tuesday – Karaoke (7pm), We Own Tuesdays (10pm)
• Wednesday – Games / Buzzy Wednesday
• Thursday – Comedy/Xtrovert Thursday (10pm)
• Friday – Drip Friday (10pm)
• Saturday – Rhythm and Vibes (10pm)
• Sunday – Sunday Buffet (1pm), Sunday Rooftop Party (10pm)

P.S: Some of these events come with discounts on food and drinks, so that’s even more room to save.

OUR TOTAL VERDICT—9/10

Overall, I had a great experience at the Above Lifestyle restaurant, and I think it’s worth the money (even though the money in question is still affordable). And the staff are so nice, it’s almost like they’re wired that way, which is great. The ambience? Chef’s kiss. Trust me to take as many pictures as I possibly could.

Anyways, if you haven’t yet, you can check them out on IG or even send them a DM to ask about the activities they host and any other policies you’d like to know about. You can also stay tuned on choplYfe website for more restaurant reviews.