Lagos Like a Local: The Ultimate Culture & Food Guide for First-Time Visitors

 E kaabo si Èkó!

Lagos is not just a city — it’s an energy. It’s the sound of Afrobeats in traffic. The aroma of suya at midnight. The collision of tradition and tech. And once you get past the chaos, you’ll find a heartbeat that is loud, warm, and absolutely unforgettable.

Whether you’re visiting for a few days or planning to move here, this Lagos City Guide will help you blend in, eat well, and experience it like a local — not a tourist.

🌆 First, Get to Know the City Layout

Lagos is divided into two main zones:

• The Island – where you’ll find the expats, nightlife, and upscale lifestyle (Victoria Island, Lekki, Ikoyi).

• The Mainland – where most locals live, work, and hustle (Yaba, Surulere, Ikeja, Ojuelegba).

Knowing how to navigate both gives you the full picture of Lagos life.

🍽️ Where to Eat Like a True Lagosian

Here’s a blend of bukas, trendy spots, and must-try dishes that locals actually eat:

🥘 Must-Try Dishes:

• Amala & Gbegiri + Ewedu – Try this at Iya Meta Amala Spot in Surulere or White House in Yaba

• Efo Riro with Pounded Yam – Best served home-style at Owanbe Restaurant in Lekki

• Boli & Groundnut (Grilled Plantain) – Grab it from roadside vendors in Maryland or Mushin

• Jollof Rice + Peppered Turkey – Stop by The Place Restaurant (they're everywhere!)

• Small Chops (Puff Puff, Gizdodo, Samosa) – Get the best at weddings or order from Smallchops.ng

🍴 Trendy Eateries:

• RSVP Lagos – Upscale dining with a rooftop poolside lounge

• Terra Kulture Restaurant – Great for food with a cultural twist

• The House Café (Victoria Island) – Cozy brunch spot for remote workers

• Ofada Boy (Ikeja) – Rustic, afro-urban restaurant with the real Ofada rice experience

• Nok by Alara – Elegant African fusion and visual vibes for Instagram

🖼️ Dive into Culture: Where Locals Go to Experience Art, Music, & Soul

• Nike Art Gallery (Lekki) – 5 floors of African art, sculpture, and textiles

• Terra Kulture (VI) – Theatre, books, art exhibits, and jollof rice in one place

• Freedom Park (Broad Street) – Former prison turned art & music space. Perfect for live music nights.

• Bogobiri House (Ikoyi) – A boutique hotel that doubles as a creative hub with art, live poetry, and palm wine

• New Afrika Shrine (Ikeja) – Fela’s legacy lives here. Go for Afrobeat, politics, and vibes on a Sunday night.

🎭 Live Like a Lagosian – What Locals Actually Do

• Go to the beach – Not Elegushi. Go to Tarkwa Bay, Ilashe, or Landmark Beach

• Eat suya at midnight – Especially from Glover Court Suya Spot (Ikoyi)

• Complain about traffic but go out anyway

• Jump okadas and keke napeps when Uber fails

• Attend an Owambe – Even if you weren’t invited. Wear Aso-Ebi and find jollof.

• Watch a Nollywood premiere at Filmhouse IMAX or Genesis Cinema

🧳 Travel Tips from Locals

• Always negotiate — prices aren’t final unless it’s a mall

• Power bank is essential — NEPA can surprise you anywhere

• Install Bolt, Uber, and LagRide — but always confirm your driver

• Carry cash AND bank app — POS or bank networks can crash

• Ask for directions from women or older people — they're more likely to help honestly

🌱 Lagos & Sustainable Tourism

While Lagos is still developing its sustainability scene, you can travel more consciously by:

• Supporting locally owned businesses (market women, food vendors, artisans)

• Choosing eco-conscious stays like Lekki Urban Forest Reserve or Ecostay Lagos

• Reducing plastic use — carry a reusable bottle or tote

• Booking local tour guides who promote culture, not just convenience

🧠 Final Thought

Lagos is wild, beautiful, loud, loving, unpredictable, and unforgettable. It doesn’t cater to tourists — it challenges you to experience it honestly. Once you do, it becomes a story you’ll always tell.

So take a deep breath, wear comfortable shoes, and let the city pull you into its rhythm.

Welcome to Èkó. Live it like a local.