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15 Must-Visit Aesthetic Cafés in Lagos: A Coffee Lover’s Design Guide
After countless weekends navigating the legendary Lagos traffic, I have traded my Abuja explorer hat for a Lagos coffee connoisseur cap. The café scene in Lagos has exploded into a vibrant mix of Scandinavian minimalism, bohemian gardens, and industrial chic.
These are not just places to get caffeine; they are design experiences. Here is my curated, battle tested list of the 15 most aesthetic cafés in Lagos for early this year.
Because we blend local expertise with real visitor insights. Whether you are searching for the best Instagrammable café in Lekki or a quiet workspace in Ikoyi, this guide has you covered.
Jump directly to details: Bao Bao House | Boutique Café | Cone Café | Oeuvre Bistro | Cafecito | Arami Café | Pomelo Pastries | Inside Out Café | Milk and Honey | Lily & The Berry | Gather Café | Bakendales | Chiaro Café | Flower Shop Café | Dulce
Key Takeaways for Your Lagos Café Crawl
- Best for serious work and Wi-Fi: Gather Café in Ikoyi and Cone Café in Lekki. Best for romantic dates: Bao Bao House and Lily & The Berry.
- Budget for coffee: Expect to pay between 3,000 NGN to 7,000 NGN for a specialty drink. Pastries range from 2,500 NGN to 5,000 NGN.
- Peak hours: Avoid weekends between 2 PM and 6 PM if you hate crowds. Weekday mornings (8 AM to 11 AM) are golden for photos.
- Parking is a premium. Most Lekki and Ikoyi cafés have valet. For Victoria Island locations, use ride hailing services like Uber or Bolt.
- Pro tip: Follow each café on Instagram. They frequently announce pop ups, live DJ sets, and exclusive menu drops. Use TripAdvisor to verify recent visitor reviews before heading out.
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Lekki Phase 1: The Trendsetters
1. Bao Bao House – Lekki Phase 1: Asian Fusion Aesthetics
Walking into Bao Bao House feels like stepping into a Taipei night market met a Miami rooftop bar. The pastel pinks, lush greenery, and geometric light fixtures create a surreal backdrop.
On my last trip, I stumbled upon this spot at dusk, and the way the neon signs reflected off the marble tables changed how I see Lagos nightlife. Their signature Ube latte is a visual masterpiece, topped with dried flowers.
Our team’s honest take: “A member of the WakaAbuja team visited on a Sunday afternoon and waited 20 minutes for a table. It is worth it. Order the bao buns and ask for the hidden upstairs seating area.”
Current prices as of early this year: Small plates from 4,500 NGN. Coffee from 3,500 NGN. Check their official Instagram for daily hours, as they vary for private events.
Why Go
- Unbeatable photo lighting
- Innovative Asian Lagos fusion menu
- Vibrant energy perfect for groups
Watch Out For
- Limited seating on weekends
- Valet parking only
- Drinks can be pricey compared to local spots
Pro Tip: Visit on a weekday between 12 PM and 2 PM for the best natural lighting. According to TripAdvisor reviews, the crispy honey chicken is a non negotiable order.
2. Cone Café – Lekki Phase 1: The Minimalist Workspace
Cone Café is the opposite of Bao Bao. It is white walls, concrete floors, and intentional silence. I spent an entire Thursday here editing videos. The Wi-Fi is robust, and every seat has a power outlet hidden under the booth.
Their cold brew is served in science beaker style glasses. If you are looking for a quiet, distraction free zone to close deals or write, this is your sanctuary.
Costs: Mid range. Sandwiches from 5,000 NGN. Book their private meeting room via Agoda if you need a corporate setup. Check their social media pages for weekend pastry specials.
3. Pomelo Pastries Café – Lekki Phase 1: The French Patisserie
Pomelo is a love letter to French baking. The glass display case is filled with cruffins, madeleines, and fruit tarts that look too perfect to eat. The color palette is soft peach and cream with rattan chairs.
I sat by the window watching the Lekki rain pour down while eating a pistachio financier. It was pure bliss. Per local bakers, they import their butter from Normandy.
4. Chiaro Café – Lekki Phase 1: Italian Elegance
Chiaro means “clear” in Italian, and the space lives up to its name. Floor to ceiling windows, white marble counters, and baristas in linen aprons. They serve a mean affogato (vanilla gelato drowned in hot espresso).
The crowd here is a mix of luxury shoppers and remote workers. For accommodation near this area, check Booking.com for short stay apartments.
Victoria Island and Ikoyi: Luxury and Chill
5. Boutique Café – Victoria Island: The OG Classic
Boutique Café has been holding it down for years. It is not trying to be trendy; it just is. The indoor outdoor flow, the massive chess board, the smell of fresh ciabatta.
I ran into a Nollywood actor here once. It is that kind of place. Relaxed, mature, and consistent. Their iced caramel macchiato is the best on the island according to long time regulars.
6. Flower Shop Café – Victoria Island: Botanical Beauty
Imagine drinking hibiscus tea inside a glass greenhouse surrounded by rare orchids and monsteras. That is Flower Shop Café. It is attached to an actual flower boutique.
You can order your latte and buy a bouquet of peonies on your way out. The vibe is very soft girl aesthetic. Important: They close earlier than most cafés around 8 PM. Check their official Instagram for seasonal opening hours.
7. Inside Out Café – Ikoyi: The Art Gallery
Inside Out functions as a café and a rotating art gallery. Every three months, a new local artist takes over the walls. I bought a small print from a University of Lagos graduate here.
The food is health focused: smoothie bowls, avocado toasts, and gluten free pastries. Use GetYourGuide to find art tours that include this stop.
8. Lily & The Berry – Ikoyi: Pink Paradise
Lily & The Berry is aggressively aesthetic. The entire café is millennial pink with neon cursive signs that say “Good Vibes Only.” It is a favorite for birthday brunches and engagement shoots.
The berry french toast is a tower of brioche, cream, and fresh strawberries. Expect to pay a premium, but the portion sizes are generous.
9. Gather Café – Ikoyi: The Nomad Hub
Gather is designed for the digital nomad. It has phone booths for calls, a podcast recording studio in the back, and some of the fastest fiber optic internet in Lagos.
I saw a man run a Zoom meeting with 50 participants with zero lag. Membership options are available if you are staying long term. For temporary stays, check Vrbo for nearby serviced apartments.
10. Bakendales – Ikoyi: The Dessert Lab
Bakendales is famous for their cronuts (a croissant doughnut hybrid) filled with custard. The queue starts forming at 8 AM on Saturdays.
The interior is very New York loft: exposed brick, leather couches, and moody lighting. If you have a sweet tooth, this is your Mecca. Per TripAdvisor reviews, the red velvet cheesecake slice can easily feed two people.
11. Dulce – Ikoyi: The Hidden Speakeasy
Dulce is hard to find. It is tucked behind a bookshop on the second floor with no visible signage. That is the charm. You feel like an insider finding it. The seating is plush velvet, and the music is lo-fi hip hop. Their Spanish latte is a cult favorite.
Mainland Hidden Gems: Ikeja, Ogudu, and Surulere
12. Cafecito – Ikeja: Cuban Vibes
Cafecito brings a slice of Havana to Ikeja. The colors are bold (mustard yellow, teal, and terracotta). They play Latin jazz, and the pastelitos (sweet pastries) are authentic.
I went here before catching a flight at nearby Murtala Muhammed Airport. It is only a 15 minute drive. A great place to kill time. Always confirm their closing time via their official page, as mainland hours can differ from island hours.
13. Oeuvre Bistro – Ogudu: The Local Favorite
Ogudu does not have many aesthetic spots, but Oeuvre Bistro is a diamond in the rough. It is smaller, more intimate, and very affordable. I had a full English breakfast for 4,000 NGN.
The walls are adorned with black and white photography of old Lagos. It feels very authentic, less curated. Use Expedia to find hotels nearby if you are transiting through the mainland.
14. Arami Café – Surulere: The Rooftop Escape
Surulere is dense and loud, but Arami Café offers a rooftop escape. It is only three stories up, but it feels above the chaos. They serve shisha and strong Moroccan tea.
The aesthetic is boho chic with macrame plant hangers. It is open late, making it a good spot for night owls on the mainland.
15. Milk and Honey Lagos – Lekki: The Brunch Royalty
Returning to Lekki for the finale, Milk and Honey is the queen of brunch. The waiting list on Sundays is legendary (sometimes 2 hours). But the food is consistently excellent.
Their honey butter chicken and waffles are a religious experience. The café is large, with a dedicated kids play area and a boutique shop selling candles and cashmere throws. Book ahead via their reservation link on Instagram to skip the line.
Where are these aesthetic cafés located? View the map
Note: This map centers on the Lagos metropolis. Use Google Maps directions for real time traffic, which can be heavy between Lekki and Ikeja. Always add an extra 45 minutes to your commute.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lagos Cafés
Which Lagos café has the fastest WiFi for remote work?
Gather Café in Ikoyi and Cone Café in Lekki Phase 1 are the top performers. Both offer speeds exceeding 100 Mbps based on our team’s speed tests. Always ask for the WiFi password at the counter; it rotates daily for security.
Are these cafés safe for solo female travelers?
Yes, generally. The cafés listed in Lekki, Ikoyi, and Victoria Island have security guards and well lit parking. However, as with any major city, stay aware of your surroundings. A member of the WakaAbuja team frequently visits Inside Out Café alone and reports feeling very safe.
What is the dress code for these aesthetic cafés?
Lagos cafés are generally casual chic. For places like Bao Bao House and Lily & The Berry, you will see people dressed for photos (smart casual). For Cone or Gather, jeans and a t shirt are fine. There is no strict dress code, but flip flops might get side eye at the high end spots.
Do I need to pay with cash or card?
Almost all Lagos cafés accept cards and transfers. However, it is wise to carry 5,000 NGN to 10,000 NGN in cash in case the POS machine network is down (which can happen). Cafés in Lekki are more likely to have reliable card readers.
Plan Your Lagos Trip: Resources We Trust
To ensure you get the best rates for flights, hotels, and experiences, the WakaAbuja team recommends these platforms. Prices and availability change rapidly, so click through for the most current data.