Encanto is a Mexican restaurant located in Victoria Island, Lagos. The restaurant opened in November 2024 and quickly became a popular spot for locals in late December.

I had dinner with my friend, Teemat, at Encanto in January 2025, and we had a great time. Here’s a recap of our experience.

AMBIENCE

The restaurant is situated behind an old hotel, so from the outside, you might be curious about what’s happening inside. However, as you walk around to the back, you’re greeted by a bright and colorful space that makes you feel as though you’ve been transported to Mexico. The walls and furniture are a lively mix of pink, orange, blue, red, green and yellow. There’s an indoor seating area that offers a calmer atmosphere with a bar, TVs and paintings, while the outdoor seating option is more vibrant, featuring lush greenery, a bar, a pool and a bigger TV for sports.

MENU

The food menu has 10 sections, each featuring at least two options. It exclusively offers Mexican cuisine, showcasing a blend of popular and lesser-known dishes. The restaurant also has two distinct drink menus: one for cocktails and another for other beverages. The cocktail menu includes a variety of margaritas, classic cocktails, and alcohol-free options. In contrast, the beverage menu features a selection of tequila, wine, cognac, whiskey, and a range of hot and cold drinks.

WHAT WE ORDERED

While waiting for Teemat, who was running late, I ordered a Mango Margarita and Guacamole Encantado to start. The Margarita was fantastic—OMG! I was already enjoying myself when Teemat arrived, looking pretty and apologetic.

Teemat ordered a Zobo Margarita and Taco De Carne Asada to start. Her orders were served promptly, and we decided to share the tacos because why not? The tacos came in corn tortillas, but Teemat didn’t find them very appealing, even after I helped her add some sauce. They weren’t as flavourful as other tacos I’ve had, but I still enjoyed them.

After a while, we ordered the chicken fajitas, which I liked much more than the tacos. By then, we had been at the restaurant for hours, chatting and catching up, and it didn’t feel like it. We ordered another round of margaritas, and Teemat opted for the mango flavour this time since she didn’t care for the Zobo one much. She also ordered shisha. Once we finished eating, we watched a football match with the rest of the customers and continued talking the night away.

SERVICE DELIVERY & CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE 

From my arrival to my departure, I had a wonderful experience. The restaurant was cosy, and the staff were friendly, charming, and attentive. The manager checked on our experience twice, and our waitress provided us with sombreros (Mexican hats) in the colours we requested for pictures and videos. She was patient and even asked us to confirm we liked them. There is ample parking available both outside and inside the restaurant. We had a great time and plan to return with a group. Count me in for anywhere that has affordable cocktails!

DAMAGE

Guacamole Encantado ~ 12,000
Taco De Carne Asada ~ 22,000
Chicken Fajitas ~ 25,000
Mango Margarita x3 ~ 22,500
Zobo Margarita ~ 7,500
Shisha ~ 15,000
Take away ~ 1,000
Our total bill was NGN123,375 which included 5% consumption tax, 5% service charge and 7.5% VAT.

RATING

Food – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Service – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ambience – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Overall Experience 9/10 

Encanto is a perfect spot for brunch, lunch and dinner with friends or family. 

P.S. This is not a sponsored post. All opinions I expressed are mine.

Mariam Shittu