Places in Lagos| Boca

Boca is a restaurant and lounge located in Eko Atlantic, Victoria Island, Lagos. During the Christmas holidays, it kept appearing on my timeline, so I made a note to check it out. In January 2025, I visited Boca for Sunday lunch with my brother, sister-in-law, niece, and nephew—my babies.

Please note that the restaurant had not officially announced its opening yet, but they were serving customers through a soft opening menu. As a result, some of what I report below may have changed.

AMBIENCE

The restaurant is situated on the ground floor of an apartment building, similar to other establishments in Victoria Island. As you walk in, it feels bright and lively, adorned in shades of brown and beige that characterise the furniture and decor. I particularly admire the mushroom light fixtures; they are simple yet distinctive, transforming the entire space. The seating arrangement is extensive, offering both booths and single seating options, as well as high stools at the bar. Additionally, there is an outdoor seating area by the poolside, which creates a truly dreamy atmosphere.

The food menu features nine categories, each with a minimum of four options. It offers a wide variety, including small plate selections, sandwiches, burgers, and main meals. The drink menu is equally comprehensive, featuring a range of options, including cocktails and mocktails, spirits and hard liquor, as well as soft drinks and both hot and cold café beverages.

WHAT WE ORDERED

For drinks, Luki started with an iced latte while I opted for my usual soda water with lime juice. We ordered pineapple juice for the kids, and Dee requested a Coke along with a large bottle of water. Later, Luki also asked for soda water with lime juice. For food, we decided to share three starters: Dynamite Shrimp, Salmon and Shrimp Ceviche, and Chicken Wings. I chose Pesto Pasta with chicken slices for my main course, while we opted for Margherita pizza for the kids. Luki ordered Grilled Sea Bass with vegetables, and Dee went for the SA Tenderloin Steak with French fries.

The starters were served promptly after our drinks, and we dove right in. The chicken wings were nicely sauced and tender, and the shrimp dynamite was quite tasty. However, I didn’t enjoy the ceviche much; it was too cold for my liking. Luki insisted that’s just how it’s served and that it’s supposed to taste that way.

As for the main courses, the pasta was decent, but I wouldn’t say it was the best chicken pesto pasta I’ve had. Luki enjoyed his sea bass with no complaints, while Dee thought her steak was mediocre and tasted like boiled meat.

Dynamite Shrimp, Salmon and Shrimp Ceviche, and Chicken Wings

Grilled Seabass – Luki didn’t wait for me to take a photo first.

SERVICE DELIVERY AND CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE

We didn’t make a reservation, and the restaurant was quite busy. The staff at the entrance initially tried to turn us away, but my brother was persistent. Eventually, we were able to get a table. Although they were busy, the wait times were reasonable, and our waitress was always nearby, ready to assist us. They were accommodating towards my babies, who made quite a mess while eating. However, I don’t understand why we were charged for the shot glass of lemon juice that accompanied our Soda Water.

DAMAGE

Bottled Water ~ 2,000
Soda Water x2 ~ 8,000
Coca-Cola ~ 4,000
Iced Latte ~ 5,000
Fresh Pineapple Juice x2 ~ 14,000
Lemon Juice x2 ~ 2,000
Dynamite Shrimp ~ 21,000
Salmon & Shrimp Ceviche – 30,000
Buffalo Chicken Wings ~ 19,000
Grilled Sea Bass ~ 79,000
SA Tenderloin ~ 50,000
Pesto Pasta ~ 29,000
Chicken slices ~ 6,000
Our total bank account damage was NGN286,000