Influenced by an array of tribal traditions and culinary diversity, Nigerian fare fuses together a variety of recipes rooted in a rich culture. Also drawing inspiration from its colonial legacy, the dining scene of its capital city, Abuja, blends together typical African flavours with various European cuisines. This cultural and culinary mix is best experienced in these top ten restaurants in Abuja.
Salamander Café
Established
in 2007, Salamander Café is a favourite spot for the expatriate
community in Abuja, but its cool vibe attracts native crowds as well.
Located in the district of Wuse II, both the café’s shadowy outside
terrace and its indoor space provide a homely feel whether you find
yourself at a table or nestled in one of the soft-cushioned sofas.
Featuring its own little bookshop, at Salamander guests can browse
through bookshelves and attend one of the regular poetry readings. The
menu offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner options, including a variety of
rich international and local dishes.
Salamander, 5 Bujumbura St, Abuja, Nigeria, +234 702 785 0932
Wakkis
When dining at Wakkis,
you can watch your food being prepared by a busy team at work behind
the open kitchen. Housed in hut-like niche made of bricks, wooden poles
and straw, the kitchen’s core lies in its open charcoal pit, visible
from many corners of the spacious building. Opened in 2000 and
originally located in the Central Business District of Abuja, Wakkis is
now located in Wuse II and focuses on bringing the flavours of Indian
cuisine to the Nigerian capital. Spanning different cuisines from the
Indian continent, the menu is particularly strong on classics like murgh
malai and tandoori chicken.
Wakkis, 171 Aminu Kano Crescent, Abuja, Nigeria, +234 9 780 2929
BluCabana
Situated within a high-end complex that includes a beauty lounge, swimming pool and gym, BluCabana
offers both indoor and outdoor seating, the latter along the edges of
the pool’s waters. In a relaxing atmosphere, the elegant wooden flooring
of the outside terrace and the comfortable feel of the indoor hall
invite guests to relax and enjoy a rich and varied fare. Including
international appetisers and mains with a strong Lebanese
influence, the menu spans different world cuisines to include pastas,
salads, sandwiches, pizzas, and succulent dishes from the barbecue which
include beef, chicken, and fish suya, a Nigerian favourite, consisting
of grilled skewered meat coated with spices.
BluCabana Club & Beauty Lounge, Mabushi, Abuja, Nigeria, +234 705 151 1511
Bukka at the Hilton
Housed within the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in central Abuja, Bukka’s
ample and airy dining hall is flooded with natural light coming in
through the large windows. Finely decorated, its light flooring and dark
wooden furnishing convey a refined feel in which to enjoy the flavours
of the traditional cuisine of the country. The menu offers local dishes
based on the classic ingredients typical of Nigerian cooking like oha
soup, based on the vegetable from which it takes its name, yam porridge,
plantains, and goat meat, while at the buffet, guests can also choose
from a large choice of continental favourites.
British Council Rooftop Café
Located in the Maitama district, the British Council
in Abuja features its own Rooftop Café. The rich fare and the panorama
one can glimpse when sitting at its tables made it a popular destination
for both expatriates and locals. Nestled on top of a building, the café
enjoys a privileged location, allowing guests to take in the panorama
of the Nigerian capital city. A varied menu of African and continental
dishes offering daily specials is available for lunch and dinner, and
many also choose to pick the café’s widely appreciated takeaway pizzas
and shawarmas.
British Council Rooftop Café, Maitama, Abuja, Nigeria, +234 1 4603090
The Charcoal
The Charcoal Grill and Restaurant
is situated in Aminu Kano Crescent, in the area of Wuse II. Decorated
in a contemporary style, this large restaurant consists of an indoor
hall, and an outdoor covered terrace. Renowned especially for its
chicken dishes, as its name suggests, the Charcoal’s strength resides in
its grilled specialties, which fuse together continental and local
fare. The selection of burgers, grilled seafood, alongside the infused
tilapia, number among favourites dishes from the grill. Also open for
breakfast, the Charcoal offers numerous other local delicacies like
grilled plantains, known as bole.
The Charcoal, Penthouse (KFC Building), 112 Aminu Kano Crescent, Abuja, Nigeria, +234 811 
Vanilla
Vanilla’s
cuisine fuses together notes from a variety of different cuisines
around the world. Starters of peanut chicken kebab and spring rolls can
be found on the menu alongside international mains like the coconut
chicken curry and Jamaica jerk chicken. Pork chops in apple gravy and
curried goat go hand-in-hand with dishes from the African tradition such
as the ofada rice, with tomato and pepper sauce, locust bean seeds and
beef, and jollof rice, a Nigerian dish prepared with tomato sauce,
coleslaw, and plantain, to go with either chicken or prawns. Decorated
in tones of yellow, cream and brown, diners at Vanilla can enjoy hopping
from one continent to another while lingering in a refined and softly
lit atmosphere.
Vanilla, 11 Usuma Close, Maitama, Abuja, Nigeria, +234 810 454 5070
Jevinik
Jevinik
in Abuja prides itself on being part of a group of restaurants with ten
branches spread across Nigeria’s major cities, which specialise in
fusing together the best of African
specialties in their cuisines. The variety of traditional tribal
recipes is immediately visible on the restaurant’s menu, which combines
the richness of the different local cooking styles with continental
options as well. Set in an ample dining hall where the decor is rustic
and the style essential, Jevinik provides its guests with a light and
warmly hued ambience to feast upon a rich meal.
Jevinik Restaurant, Bangui St, Abuja, Nigeria, +234 704 378 3394
Dunes Continental
Located
in the Maitama district, the Dunes Centre encompasses a selection of
stylish quality shops, boutiques, pastry shops, cafés and restaurants.
Among these, Dunes Continental
stands out as an elegant eatery and one of the favourites restaurants
in Abuja. Decorated with elegant tables and chairs in the tones of brown
and cream, Dunes is warmed by soft lights reflecting on the wooden
decor. Featuring strong Middle Eastern
accents, the menu draws together a fusion of flavours from across the
world, and dishes like fattoush, kibbeh, and sujuk appear on the side of
crispy tempura prawns and wings Provençal.
Chez Victor
Chef
Victor is the mastermind behind the creative fusion of French and
African fare presented at his eponymous restaurant. After a career spent
between his native Togo and Burkina Faso first and then in Europe, the chef established himself in Abuja and opened Chez Victor
in 2005. In a warmly red-hued, dimly lit, and classy ambience, chef
Victor welcomes his guests and prepares elaborate dishes delivered in
ornate presentations. On the menu, the names of French dishes like the
entrecôte royale, or the filet de bar à la sauce Duglaire, blend with
those of the traditional African soups and meat dishes, like the chicken
pepper soup or the poulet (chicken) Yassa, marinated in wine and
spices.
Chez Victor Restaurant, 7 Ganges St, Abuja, Nigeria, +234 803 629 0279
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