Places in Lagos | Koyo – MARIAM SHITTU

KOYO Lagos is a sleek continental restaurant located in Victoria Island, Lagos. The restaurant began operations in May and it’s one of those newer spots that everyone still wants to see, hang out at and eat at. I stopped by Koyo this September with my friend, LL, for a late lunch/early dinner vibe.

Here’s what went down at Koyo.

AMBIENCE

The restaurant occupies a large space in the heart of Victoria Island. As you walk in, you’ll spot the signature Koyo logo on the wall, with the outdoor seating area to your left and the indoor dining area inside a grey building.

The outdoor space is vibrant and roomy, with enough seating for about 40 or more people. It’s a mix of grey, beige and warm brown wood tones. Minimalist, but still beautiful to look at.

The indoor dining area has a more serious setup that leans towards proper fine dining, compared with the more relaxed feel of the outdoor space. The colours are warmer here, with a mix of grey, brown, orange and beige tones that still keep the space calm.

There’s a bar indoors and another outdoor bar, with greenery and minimalist décor bringing everything together. The whole space is well put together without feeling like it’s trying too hard.

WHAT WE ORDERED

For starters, we ordered the Pulled Beef Tacos and Shish Kebab with Roasted Vegetables.

For mains, I went with the Lamb Shank Salad because I thought it was an interesting combination, while LL ordered the Seared Seabass with Smashed Potatoes since the Catch of the Day wasn’t available.

For drinks, I had two. I ordered the Emerys Sunshine and drank it before and during the meal, and because we stayed back after eating, I tried the signature Koyo Affair, which was really nice.

LL had two cocktails as well. He started with the signature Night Life, which he liked, and ended with a Long Island that he said was the strongest he’d ever had and couldn’t finish.

Of course, we also had water.

Pulled Beef Tacos & Shish Kebab with Roasted Vegetables

The starters arrived together.

The first thing we noticed was that the tacos were fully loaded and definitely not mini-sized. OMG, they were so juicy and tasty. The beef was well cooked and well seasoned, and the combination of peppers and other flavours hit the right spot.

The kebab was also good. The meat pieces were big and juicy, while the vegetables were well seasoned and nicely roasted.

We both agreed at this point that even if our mains didn’t hit, we were already satisfied with the starters. Interestingly, the only other guests who came in after us also ordered the same starters, and it didn’t look like it was their first time there. We knew we’d made the right choices.

Seared Seabass, Thai beef rice & Smashed Potatoes

Lamb Shank Salad

I’ve eaten lamb shank a couple of times, but never in a salad. I’m used to having it with mash, so I was quite excited to try this combination. It looked interesting when it arrived, but if I’m being honest, it was a little underwhelming.

After really enjoying the starters, I expected more from the main. The salad itself was nice, and the quinoa was actually tasty, but the meat was quite dry.

I wanted to like this more than I did.

Seared s & Smashed Potatoes

LL’s meal arrived shortly after mine, and he dug into his rice first. The Thai beef rice was really good and had an interesting flavour. He enjoyed both the rice and the potatoes, but thought the fish was a little salty. I’ll take his word for it because I didn’t taste the fish.

SERVICE & CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE

The restaurant had a calming vibe when I walked in. The staff were smiling and pleasant, and our waiter was readily available whenever we needed him.

While I was taking photos of the indoor seating area, I was told guests weren’t allowed to take photos while standing inside because it could disturb other guests. Photos were only allowed while seated. I looked around and we were literally the only guests in the restaurant at the time. The explanation didn’t make much sense to me, but anyway, as the calm person that I am, I went back to my seat.

We visited Koyo around 5pm in the middle of the week, on a workday, so we didn’t make a reservation. I’d advise making one if you intend to visit at night, especially given how popular the restaurant has become.

One thing I will commend Koyo for is the portion sizes. The prices are definitely on the higher side, but the portions actually make sense for what you’re paying. I’ve been to restaurants where the meals are expensive and then arrive looking like a sample portion. 😂 That wasn’t the case here, and I really hope they keep it up.

Parking is limited and outside, directly in front and beside the restaurant, but there’s additional parking on the surrounding streets and nearby areas.

DAMAGE: WHAT IT COST US

Water – ₦2,500
Emerys Sunshine – ₦12,500
Koyo Affair – ₦18,000
Night Life – ₦21,500
Long Island – ₦18,000
Pulled Beef Tacos – ₦25,000
Shish Kebab & Vegetables – ₦28,000
Lamb Shank Salad – ₦60,000
Seared Seabass – ₦55,000

TOTAL: ₦282,587.50 (inclusive of VAT, tax and service charge)

RATING

Food: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Service: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ambience: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Overall Experience: 8/10

FINAL THOUGHTS

Koyo is an ideal place for a date night, pre-game, after-work chill, or lunch or dinner with friends and family.

I particularly like the contrast between the indoor and outdoor spaces because you can choose where to sit depending on your mood and the kind of experience you’re looking for.

For me, the food was good, the service was good and the atmosphere was chill.

Would I go back? Yes, I would.

I’d go back for the kebab at night and sit outside this time. And maybe I’ll try another cocktail.

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

Mariam Shittu

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