Abeokuta is seriously underrated when it comes to eating out.
Honestly, and I’m not even exaggerating here. I’ve been wandering around these streets for a while now, and the food scene has just exploded. Like, we’re not just talking about your regular mama put spots anymore, though those are still fire, don’t get me wrong. But now? We’ve got places that could honestly give Lagos restaurants a run for their money. Maybe even Abuja.
These places actually care about the whole experience now, not only about the food anymore. The vibes, the lighting, how long you wait for your order, whether the music’s too loud… all of that matters now. I’ve walked into some of these spots thinking I’d grab a quick bite and ended up staying for hours because everything just felt right.
5 Best Restaurants In Abeokuta
1. Thrills Restaurant & Bar
2. Tamberma Abeokuta
3. South Kitchen & Lounge
4. Royal Mandarin Chinese Restaurant and Lounge
5. The Mayfair Executive
Best Restaurants In Abeokuta
Hence, whether you’re visiting or you’re local like me and just tired of the same old spots, here are five places that’ll have you questioning why you ever settled for less.
1. Thrills Restaurant & Bar
Okay, Thrills… where do I even start? This place gets it. Thrills is not trying so hard to be fancy, but it’s definitely not basic either. Good music, moderate lighting, and staff who genuinely seem so glad to see you.
Let’s get to the real reason we’re here, though, which is the food. Their gizdodo is a ‘chef’s kiss’, seriously, it’s this perfect mix of gizzard and plantain that just hits different. I don’t know what they put in that spicy blend, but it wakes up taste buds you didn’t even know you had. The spring rolls and samosas are pretty solid too, though honestly, I always end up ordering the peppered snails because why not live a little?
Now, the main dishes; this is where Thrills really shines. They’ve got this jollof paella thing (I know, I know, sounds weird but hear me out) that’s basically Nigerian jollof meets Spanish paella and somehow it works. And their Ofada rice with Ayamase sauce, I’m getting hungry just thinking about it. Their Ofada rice with Ayamase sauce gets me hungry just thinking about it. Their seafood rice tastes like vacation in a bowl. Not even being dramatic.
Oh, and there’s a lounge area where you can watch football and sip cocktails– perfect for those nights when you can’t decide if you want dinner or drinks.
Location: No. 48, Ibara Housing Estate Road, GRA, Abeokuta, Ogun
Budget: ₦20,000+ per person
2. Best Restaurants: Tamberma Abeokuta
Walking into Tamberma feels like stepping into someone’s really well-designed Instagram story. But in a good way. Not in a try-hard way where everything’s pretty but the food sucks. The lighting is perfect, the interior makes so much sense– it somehow manages to feel both trendy and chill at the same time.
The menu is all over the place, in the best possible way. Chinese stir fry? They’ve got it. Indian naan? Yep. Nigerian pepper soup? Obviously. Caribbean cocktails? Why not? It’s like they sat down and said ‘Let’s just make everything good’ and somehow pulled it off.
Their cheese naan is addictive; like, I’ve gone back just for that bread. The calamari’s pretty great too, though I have to warn you about those Caribbean Long Island cocktails… they’re dangerous, in the best way. You’ll have one thinking it’s all tropical and fruity, and then suddenly you’re very, very relaxed.
What I love about Tamberma, though, is that they’ve turned eating out into this whole thing. Live music, a swimming pool (yes, really), a DJ booth, and enough space that you can either be social or find a quiet corner to hide in. Additionally, there is wheelchair access, a kids’ menu, and private dining.
Location: No 10, Oba Osile Rd, Ibara, Abeokuta, Ogun
Budget: ₦20,000+ per person
3. South Kitchen & Lounge
If you love seafood, and I mean really love it, this is your place. South Kitchen knows what it’s doing with fish, prawns, all of it. They’ve got this Southern charm meets Nigerian soul thing going on that shouldn’t work but absolutely does.
The atmosphere hits just right, too. Upscale enough that you feel like you’re treating yourself, but homely enough that you’re not stressed about which fork to use (though honestly, half the time you’ll be eating with your hands anyway because that’s how we do).
Their boli and fish are exactly what you want them to be. The Ofada with Ayamase? That’s a nod. But their Edika-Ikong and fisherman soup are where they show off. And this South-South Fried Rice they do, I don’t even know what makes it different from regular fried rice, but it’s better. Much better.
The bartenders know their stuff, too. Their Long Island and strawberry daiquiri aren’t just pretty drinks, they’re good. And the lounge area is perfect for those nights when you want to sit and talk and drink and not worry about time.
Location: Suite B001, Providence centre, M.K.O. Abiola wy, Abeokuta, Ogun State
Budget: ₦20,000+ per person
4. Royal Mandarin Chinese Restaurant and Lounge
This got me a bit skeptical at first. Chinese food in Abeokuta? But Royal Mandarin… they’re not playing around. This isn’t some half-hearted attempt at Asian food; they know what they’re doing. Their sweet and sour chicken is proper sweet and sour chicken. The shrimp fried rice tastes like shrimp fried rice should taste. And when they say Szechuan spicy, they mean it (learned that the hard way). But they’ve also got Nigerian dishes that hold their own, which shows they’re not just trying to be something they’re not.
The portions are generous, like, actually generous. And the service is really good. The servers help you figure out what to order, and they’ll tell you upfront if there’s going to be a wait. Which might be a long queue, because this place gets busy. For good reason.
It’s especially good if you’re going with family or a group because they’ve got big tables and the vibe is pretty relaxed. Plus kids’ menu, bar, live music sometimes… It’s one of those places that works for different occasions.
Location: 2, General Gusau cres, Legislative quarters, Ibara housing estate, Abeokuta, Ogun
Budget: ₦10,000+ per person
5. The Mayfair Executive
Mayfair is… a lot, in the best way. It’s not just a restaurant; it’s like someone decided to put everything you might want to do in one building. Eat dinner, then go bowling. Hit the gym, then grab a mojito.
But the food, which is why we’re here, is so good. They do everything from American breakfast to Asian noodles to vegetarian pizza to Nigerian staples, and somehow none of it feels like an afterthought. Their coconut rice and grilled fish combo is beautiful. The braised whole fish is… well, it’s a whole fish and it’s braised and it’s delicious. And their seafood pasta tastes like the sea in a good way.
Everything’s presented nicely done, like, Instagram-worthy, but not in that way where you’re scared to eat it. And the environment is just… clean. Professional. The kind of place where you feel like a responsible adult even if you’re not.
The extras are pretty wild, though. Video games, arcade, Jacuzzi, conference rooms… It’s like a hotel without the hotel. It’s members-only, which is a bit much, but people say it’s worth it if you like having options and privacy.
Location: 4, General Gusau cres, GRA, Ibara, Abeokuta, Ogun
Budget: ₦20,000+ per person
Conclusion
Whether you want grilled seafood, proper spicy local food, actual Chinese food, or some fusion thing you can’t get anywhere else, there’s probably a table waiting for you. And that’s pretty cool for a city that most people still think of as just rocks and history.
Next time someone’s going on about Lagos food or Abuja restaurants, maybe throw Abeokuta into the conversation. See what happens. These places deserve recognition.
