Places in Lagos| Abeke Rooftop Restaurant

Abeke Rooftop Restaurant is located in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, and specializes in Nigerian fusion cuisine, with an emphasis on authentic Yoruba dishes. The restaurant began operations in September 2024, but I only recently visited with my friend Simi for iftar (the break of the Ramadan fast) in March 2025. Here’s a summary of our experience at Abeke.

AMBIENCE

The restaurant has an ancient and traditional theme, evident in the wall finishes, decor, and furniture. The rattan-woven chairs, table mats, light fittings, mirrors and ceiling design contribute to this aesthetic. The colour palette consists of beige, grey, and brown, complemented by greenery that adds vibrancy to the space. The tables have games as centre pieces, adding a unique touch for their guests. It almost feels as if you’ve been transported to a local restaurant, or bukka, in a village in the southwestern part of Nigeria.

The food menu features five categories, each with at least three options. The selections are limited and familiar, making it easy to make a quick decision. The drink menu includes cocktails, mocktails, pitchers, wine, beer, liquor, and champagne. It is straightforward and concise, just like the food menu.

WHAT WE ORDERED

For drinks, we both chose the Zobo Delight along with water. For our food, we started with Asun, which we shared. I ordered the Ofada rice meal for my main course, while Simi opted for the grilled croaker fish meal but substituted her rice for yam chips.

Our mocktails were served promptly, and the Asun came not long after. Considering that we had fasted that day, we informed our waiter, who assured us the wait time would not be too long. The Ofada rice and sauce were served about thirty minutes after we placed our order, and Simi’s meal arrived approximately ten minutes after mine.

Ofada rice and ofada sauce with a side of plantain and boiled egg

Grilled croaker fish with yam chips and plantain

Unfortunately, my meal was just slightly above average. I expected more from the sauce, as I’ve had this dish many times at home and at parties. Since it’s a staple Yoruba meal, I thought it would taste special when served at their restaurant, but it didn’t. The sauce lacked richness, and there wasn’t much meat.

Simi couldn’t eat most of her fish but enjoyed the yam chips and asked for it to be packed. When I asked her how her food was, she said it was okay but definitely not worth the 20,000 Naira price tag.

SERVICE DELIVERY AND CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE

As we made our way up the stairs, I noticed they were dirty, as if they hadn’t been cleaned in a while. If you’re going to have floor lights on the staircase, the least you can do is ensure that the stairs are kept clean. Although the restaurant wasn’t busy—only one other table was occupied—the wait time for our food was lengthy.

On a positive note, I appreciated the decor, the fresh air on the rooftop, and the homely atmosphere of the restaurant. Our waiter was charming and attentive. However, I would rate the customer service as average due to how the floor manager handled our issue with a declined but charged card payment.

The restaurant is situated in a building that has housed various other restaurants in the past. There is another restaurant on the lower floor of Abeke called Soho, which I haven’t explored yet. Parking is limited, but there were people outside offering to park cars for a fee.

We took some photos before we left, and here’s one for you below.

DAMAGE

Asun ~ 8,000
Bottled Water x2 ~ 2,400
Zobo Delight x2 ~ 15,000
Ofada rice & sauce ~ 15,000
Grilled Croaker Fish & sides ~ 20,000
Our total bank account damage was NGN69,158, which included a 2% service charge and a 12.5% (7.5% VAT and 5% consumption tax) Tax charge.