Abuja is marketed as an upscale city of nicely paved roads, political mayhem, and skyscrapers, so don’t allow that to trick you into thinking that good food comes with a price. There are food gems that are scattered throughout the capital that make delicious food, offer some serious vibes, but also keep it wallet-friendly.
7 Affordable Restaurants in Abuja
1. Uncle T’s
2. BluCabana Restaurant & Cafe
3. City View Restaurant & Grill
4. Chikenza Park & Restaurant
5. Nkoyo
6. Crossover Restaurant
7. Food Central
Affordable Restaurants in Abuja
If you’re continuously complaining about the fact that Abuja is too expensive whenever your taste buds crave food you cannot get from a bukka or joint, then this list is your salvation. These seven affordable restaurants in Abuja are worth trying if you’re looking for budget-friendly food, like pizza with toppings, jollof that you can’t wait to dig into, and grilled chicken seasoned to spicy perfection.
1. Uncle T’s
Let’s start with Uncle T’s, the one some will call cliche(not exactly true).
If restaurants could cuddle people, this would be a long and warm hugging bear with legs. Uncle T’s restaurants focus not only on being a restaurant, but curating the experience of a comforting and warm restaurant space where the food can heal more than hunger. Their slogan, “Satisfy Your Soul,” is their mission, not just a marketing slogan.
What do they serve? If you’ve ever experienced real Italian pizza with self-made dough, raw tomato sauce, stretchy melted cheese, and beef pepperoni that deserves a warning label, if indulgent to provide. The majestic margherita is pure simplicity where happiness can live, capped with fresh basil, which is grown in-house already. Are you feeling fancy? You can eat their spicy seafood pasta or their signature spaghetti bolognese, which they finish with parmesan cheese, enough to think you were you were at a pizza chain.
Even their fusion menu na confam comfort food, Uncle T’s is also available for catering, private events, and home services- like your living room should also be a 5-star restaurant vibe.
Budget: ₦20,000+ per person (food and services are worth every dime and more, but the juiciest part is, there are meals that you can also enjoy at lower prices than this). Although it offers culinary luxury, it’s also decent in pricing, which adds to its uniqueness.
Location: 51 Alex Ekwueme Way, Opposite Jabi Lake, Jabi, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory.
2. BluCabana Restaurant & Cafe
Looking for a restaurant where you can eat, drink, lie by the pool, and perhaps get a quick workout in so that you can earn your next plate? BluCabana has it all. BluCabana is nestled in Mabushi and is a relaxed, global-style restaurant that works for families, couples, or solo foodies.
Start with the Goat Meat Pepper Soup, a spicy Nigerian fire starter, which they nail. Or take it globally with Cheesy Loaded Nachos with a side of guacamole. From painstakingly traditional Mexican and Italian food to Turkish coffee and mocktails that slap, BluCabana is like having a culinary passport while dining.
Now let’s talk about the vibes, a calm scenery, speedy service, and a poolside view that echoes nothing but soft life. BluCabana might scream opulence and elegance, but it also has that sweet spot for classy and comfortable at a reasonable price.
Budget: From ₦5,500+ per person
Location: 1322 Shehu Yar’adua Way, Mabushi, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory.
3. City View Restaurant & Grill
When a restaurant has been feeding the entire city for over 2 decades, it says a lot about their service. City View Restaurant & Grill is the original of affordable eats in Abuja. What started as a stationary grill over 22 years ago has become a beacon of Middle Eastern and international eating, while still keeping prices tremendously low.
At City View Restaurant & Grill, you are not simply a customer; you are a guest, and they do their best to make you feel just that. With Mediterranean-themed decor and chefs who know how to cook, City View serves delicious meals that taste like your grandma’s food, but in a gourmet version.
Whether you pop in for a casual lunch or it’s an event with a private room for a small group, the staff are committed to service excellence. And do not forget to check out their grilled something, because if flavor had a face, it would be burnt off their grill.
Budget: ₦20,000+ per person (explore this and other meals below this price, it’s your pick, hun)
Location: 7 Cape Town, Wuse, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory.
4. Chikenza Park and Restaurant
Chikenza Park is where chill meets chicken. It’s a hybrid garden and restaurant, near everything you want it to be, but with chicken on a pedestal. If you are vibing and hungry for spicy grilled wings, you need to come here right away.
Whether you’re hanging with your buddies, fitting in a romantic rendezvous, or forcing your whole family out of the house on a sunny Saturday afternoon, Chikenza has indoor lounges and outdoor gardens that make eating lunch feel like a real special picnic.
Let’s fast-forward to the food. Thick burgers, grilled chicken, fully packed sandwiches, plus our very own classics like jollof and suya, name it, Chikenza is always ready to satisfy every craving. From 12 pm to 9 pm on Saturdays, they offer a buffet— anticipate overflowing flavor in garden-style dining.
Their cocktails are a little bonus, they are strong enough for you to forget there is anything called Lagos traffic. Plus, their service is top-tier.
Budget: ₦13,000(Buffet and you can also enjoy other meals less than this)
Location: 12 Sakono Street, Wuse, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory.
5. Nkoyo
Nkoyo is like your cool aunt who can cook and give you a master class on what it means to be African. It’s in Ceddi Plaza, and as soon as you enter, it immediately feels like a rustic/elegant African place, with simple yet beautiful decor and art from the continent, with in-house live music on a piano softly entertaining the room.
Nkoyo is full of promise with its menu, taking you to Africa, the Caribbean, and beyond, encompassing African delicacies, Indian spices, and classic continental cuisine. Whether it’s the butter chicken practically melting on your tongue or their especially tasty egusi soup with poundo yam, you can tell the food was made with heart.
More, Nkoyo won’t leave you hungry. I have eaten at Nkoyo several times, and they don’t mess around with half-portion servings. The food comes hot, delicious, and plentiful; you’re likely to leave happy and full. You can eat in peace and enjoy that date night here without worrying about pleasing your partner with your life savings or your transport fare back home.
Budget: ₦10,000 for 2 persons (approximately)
Location: Ceddi Plaza, 264 Tafawa Balewa Road, Central Area, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory.
6. Crossover Restaurant
While variety may be the spice of life, at Crossover Restaurant, variety is the entire stew. With options for everything from a full Nigerian breakfast to pasta, Chinese seafood, milkshake freaks, grilled meats, and cakes, you have everything under one roof.
It is like a food festival! You can be sipping fresh juice in one moment, and then staring at a plate of suya or shawarma with a puzzled face one second later because there is just too much goodness. Oh, and I haven’t even mentioned they serve national dishes, have kids’ menus, a bakery, and special dishes for Valentine’s Day! The ambience? Super chill. Soft lighting, casual decor, and service that doesn’t keep you waiting.
It is especially good for brunch lovers and buffet lovers alike. You get options, flavour, variety, quality, and quantity, without even getting side-eyed from your wallet!
Budget: From ₦20,000+ per person (best part is, you can still find options way below this price on the menu)
Location: 3 Cairo Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory.
7. Food Central
Sometimes, you need a good meal, with no frills, that is just satisfying at times. Food Central is that one friend you know who is reliable for good food. The menu is filled with Nigerian staples from coconut rice, fried rice, jollof rice, to vegetable soup, egusi, Afang, okro, and as much swallow as your belly can fit. It couldn’t be further from pretentious, and you don’t need an extravagant name to serve great food!
Whether you’re a pounded yam, wheat, eba, or semovita (aka semo), accompanied with confirm native soups, your taste buds are safe at Food Central. Here, the traditional African soups are nice and thick, well-seasoned, and served with protein from a list of options. If you want to take away, grab a shawarma, beef burger, sausage roll, cheese burger, or just about anything fresh that really can satisfy.
The atmosphere is casual, the service is fast, and the prices, well, unbelievable.
It’s a great option for a fast lunch, for student budgets, or for anyone who simply wants good food to enjoy in peace.
Budget: ₦4,000- ₦6,000
Location: 135 Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent, Wuse, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (situated inside Vintage Hub)
Conclusion.
And while Abuja is (falsely) characterized as a haven for the rich, we hope it is clear that great food doesn’t need to come with a side of financial heartbreak. Whether you are raving a Saturday buffet, nibbling a slice of pepperoni pizza, or having a bowl of spicy egusi, these spots offer up delicious food for your taste buds and not to drain your pocket.
So the next time you feel hunger pains in your stomach and your budget is crying the blues, just turn back to this list of affordable restaurants in Abuja! You deserve delicious, not drama. And please don’t forget to tip your waitpersons!
Enjoyed the ride? Let’s know your top pick in the comments below.
