I’ve been to many top-class restaurants in Lagos, but Bogobiri blew me off my coast…sailed me atop blissful waters of satiating ambiance and invigorating aroma of dainty delicacies… with interiors and exterior set in a stylish medley of artistic yet bohemian ingredients…it was as though I dined in a restaurant-museum.

The soaring sun gently slid behind a pillow of clouds as we approached Bogobiri Restaurant. Our bellies bounced with ecstasy in anticipation of a timely lunch which awaited us.

At No. 7, Maitama-Sule Street in Ikoyi, the fence and walls of the restaurant greeted us with an alluring collage of painted and unpainted snail shells, sculptures of metal strips and boards of a dismantled Dánfó bus (body of a Lagos public bus), all set in a background of brick and granite stone pillars. Within its premises sit well stocked art and craft shops which sell local products and souvenirs sourced from various corners of the country.

The restaurant is made up of two buildings, each housing a restaurant and a set of guest rooms. The stunning assemblage of artistic and rustic ornamental effects bedecks the furnishing and interiors of the restaurants and can be seen in its eye-catching chairs, cushioned benches, sofas, tables and stools- all with heavy sculptures of African reliefs and patterns and made from inventive mix of raw timber, straw, jute, rocks and leather materials sourced from within the country. There are also bars and corners for jazz bands within the restaurants.

A peek into the all-air conditioned guest rooms left me extremely dazzled. The rooms are impressive extensions of the creativity expressed in other parts of the restaurant, but with a greater touch of panache and sophistication. The supreme suite features a hypnotizing mattress and duvet set in a strong frame of polished bamboo and sculptured timber, a bed-side bench of wood and firmly sewn leather cushion, two heavily sculpted sitting chairs and a circular table of glass fixed on a wooden pillar and held in place by turns of jute rope, bathroom and toilet of transparent sliding glass doors and wall finishing of snail shells, warm lighting and many more. Other suites are also bedecked with remarkable artistic interior finishing and furnishings.

We were treated to a lunch of steaming hot and spicy Jollof rice with colourful garnishing, fried chicken, fried fish, fried plantain and the original Bogobiri pepper sauce. After the meal, while relaxing at the bar with a bottle of cold water, framed portraits and stage photos of the ace high-life musician, Fatai Rolling-Dollars fed my eyes and tugged at my memories. "I love this place!" I thought to myself. The treat was more like that which a traditional king enjoys in his lofty palace.

We left Bogobiri with a deep feeling of relish, our bellies being exceedingly satiated from the bounties of the enthralling Bogobiri Restaurant. Bogobiri is by far the most Africanized restaurant and hotel in ‘Gidi city. Everything within its complex promotes indigenous products and arts. You’ll either Love it or Hate it.

Thinking of giving your spouse, family, friends or business associates a nice treat or hangout… Bogobiri is an option you don’t want to miss.

You can contact Bogobiri at www.bogobiri.com

- …the fence and walls of the restaurant greeted us with an alluring collage of painted and unpainted snail shells, sculptures of metal strips and boards of a dismantled Dánfó bus…

- …all set in a background of brick and granite stone pillars…

– “Within its premises sit well stocked art and craft shops which sell local products and souvenirs sourced from various corners of the country…”

-  “The stunning assemblage of artistic and rustic ornamental effects bedecks the furnishing and interiors of the restaurants and can be seen in its eye-catching chairs, cushioned benches, sofas, tables…”

- “… There are also bars and corners for jazz bands within the restaurants.”

- Climbing upstairs to the guest rooms.

- Magnificent Oil paintings wall the lobby…

- “The supreme suite features a hypnotizing mattress and duvet set in a strong frame of polished bamboo and sculptured timber, a bed-side bench of wood and firmly sewn leather cushion…”

- “…bathroom and toilet of transparent sliding glass doors and wall finishing of snail shells, warm lighting…”

- “Other suites are also bedecked with remarkable artistic interior finishing and furnishings.”

– “We were treated to a lunch of steaming hot and spicy Jollof rice with colourful garnishing, fried chicken, fried fish, fried plantain and the original Bogobiri pepper sauce.”

– “…while relaxing at the bar with a bottle of cold water, framed portraits and stage photos of the ace high-life musician, Fatai Rolling-Dollars fed my eyes and tugged at my memories. "I love this place!" I thought to myself.”

Bogobriri, Bogobriri, Bogobriri, Bogobriri, Bogobriri, Bogobriri, Bogobriri, Bogobriri, Bogobriri, Bogobriri, Bogobriri, Bogobriri, Bogobriri, Bogobriri, Bogobriri, Bogobriri, Bogobriri,

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