Best 10 Indian Restaurants in Lagos

  • by Restaurants in Lagos

Best 10 Indian Restaurants in Lagos

Lagos is truly a fascinating destination. This unique Nigerian city is regarded as a gastronomical spot in the country, mainly because of the variety of its offering. Yet, many locals are in love with its Indian cuisine, which truly honors the country’s different culinary traditions. If you like your food with spice and the many flavors from India, then take a look at this list of the best Indian restaurants in Lagos. You will find information on their locations, websites, social media links, the types of cuisine as well as a short description. Let’s jump into it!

 

 

Best Indian Restaurants in Lagos

 

 

1. Pondicheri

PondicheriThis is a new establishment in Ikeja that offers North Indian and Chinese food. They have excellent vegetarian alternatives and delicious cuisine. The service is prompt, and the personnel is polite and helpful.

 

 

 

2. Zaika Ilupeju Indian & Chinese Restaurant

Zaika Ilupeju Indian & Chinese_RestaurantIn this unique restaurant, the owner goes out of his way to personally cater to each client. With Consistent flavor and generous portions, their service is good. Plus, they offer a home delivery service. Prices are reasonable, and the selection is extensive. A good location for intimate meetings.

 

 

 

3. Rangla Punjab

Rangla PunjabOne of the greatest restaurants in Lagos in terms of Indian cuisine, ambiance, and service. Sarson ka saag and Makki ki roti are two of the place’s specialties. Pepe Naan, the latest addition, is another must. It has now become a go-to spot for real Indian cuisine.

 

 

 

4. Gurunar’s Viceroy Restaurant

Gurunar's Viceroy_RestaurantViceroy Restaurant’s Indian & Continental cuisine brings a flavor of India to Lagos. Dine in, order for takeaway or home delivery to try any of their authentic Indian dishes. 

 

 

 

5. Gypsy’s Restaurant & Bar

Gypsy’s Restaurant & BarGypsy’s is a reasonably priced restaurant for all things Asian. Their meals are generous, with a menu with a lot of choices. The waitresses are really friendly and will walk you through each dish on the menu and provide recommendations. And the atmosphere is fantastic for you to take some pics for your Instagram.

 

 

 

6. Sherlaton Restaurant

Sherlaton RestaurantThis Victoria Island restaurant is a hidden gem. It is well-known for its Indian food, as well as Chinese, Nigerian, and continental cuisine. You will not be disappointed by their excellent cooking, clean premises, and polite staff.

 

 

 

7. Taj Restaurant

Taj RestaurantOver the years, the Taj Mahal has served some truly wonderful dishes. Everything in their appetizers, especially their chilled chicken, is popular among the guests. They are competitively priced and offer excellent value for money given the portion sizes. The food and service are both superb. The ambiance is also very pleasant. 

 

 

 

8. AAA Indian Restaurant and Bar

AAA Indian Restaurant and BarThis is an excellent alternative for those who want Indian food at an excellent price. The flavor is pleasant, especially the chili chicken and the tandoori chicken with butter. Every dish has a unique flavor, which explains its loyal consumers in the place.

 

 

 

9. Smridu Nigeria Ltd

Smridu Nigeria LtdThe place is a great opportunity for vegetarian Indian cuisine. With delicious meals and excellent service, you can taste the best of India in a great setting. 

 



10. Cilantro Lagos

Cilantro_LagosA fine dining experience in Nigeria based on Indian cuisine. It is a spacious venue with a patio serving steak, pizza, and curry main courses, as well as wine and other alcoholic beverages.

 

 

 

Closing Thoughts on the Best Indian Restaurants in Lagos

 

As you can see, this Nigerian city brims with life, especially for its gastronomical scene. Among the many options, restaurants with Indian cooking are on the rise. You cannot go wrong when choosing an Indian restaurant in Lagos. These 10 spots know their cooking and pride themselves on adding India’s unique tastes to every dish they make. Don’t miss out on trying all of them and find your favorite too! Locals, visitors, and Indian ex-pats living in Lagos choose them for a reason, so come to dine in the best Indian Restaurants in Lagos and find out why they are so popular!

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions on the Best Indian Restaurants in Lagos

 

What is Indian cuisine known for?

The flavors, spices, and fragrances of Indian food are renowned in many parts of the world. Its particularity lies in the use of a plethora of spices and herbs, including turmeric, cumin, coriander, ginger, garlic, and garam masala, giving its dishes a unique flavor and scent.

 

Additionally, Indian cuisine is composed of a wide variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, like curries, biryanis, tandoori-style dishes, dosas, samosas, and chaats. Even though the flavors of the cuisine may appear the same, they may vary depending on the region, ingredients, and cooking methods used.

 

 

India is a country with diverse cuisine and flavors, and there are countless popular Indian dishes. Some of the most popular Indian dishes are:

 

1. Butter Chicken

Murgh Makhani, more commonly known as Butter Chicken, is a renowned cuisine from North India that features chicken pieces that have been marinated in a combination of seasonings, lemon juice, and yogurt, and then cooked in a tomato-based sauce comprising of cream, butter, cumin, coriander, garam masala, and turmeric. 

 

The sauce is simmered until it attains a thick and savory taste, following which the already-cooked chicken is placed in the sauce and left to steep to absorb the flavors. The dish is served with accompaniments like rice, naan, and other Indian breads and is well-known for its fabulous taste and aroma. This dish is not only a hit in India, but also in Indian restaurants all around the globe.

 

2. Biryani

Biryani is a very well-known Indian rice-based dish that is said to have originated in the Indian subcontinent. It is normally cooked with basmati rice, seasonings, and meat (like chicken, lamb, or beef), but there are also vegetarian renditions of the meal that substitute vegetables or paneer (cottage cheese) in lieu of meat.

 

The way of preparing biryani can differ depending on the region and the method that is being practiced. Generally, the meat is marinated in a combination of yogurt and spices before being cooked with the rice. The rice is usually seasoned with spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves, plus saffron, which gives it an obvious yellow color and scent.

 

3. Tandoori Chicken

A renowned Indian meal, Tandoori chicken, hails from the Punjab region of India. It is usually prepared by immersing chicken in a combination of yogurt and different spices, such as cumin, coriander, turmeric, cayenne pepper, and garam masala. After that, the chicken is baked in a tandoor, a traditional clay oven that is heated with charcoal or wood. 

 

The outcome is a tender and delicious chicken that is succulent on the inside and crunchy on the outside. The spices in the marinade give the chicken a brilliant red shade, and the yogurt helps to soften the meat while also bringing a sour flavor. Tandoori chicken is normally eaten with naan bread, rice, or other Indian side dishes, and it is a widely-asked-for item on menus in Indian restaurants around the globe.

 

4. Masala Dosa

A crispy crepe made from fermented rice and lentil batter, filled with spiced potatoes. The filling for the Masala Dosa typically consists of a spicy mixture of potatoes, onions, and spices, such as cumin, mustard seeds, and turmeric. The filling is placed on one side of the dosa, and then the dosa is folded over to enclose the filling.

 

Masala Dosa is usually served with a side of sambar, which is a lentil-based vegetable stew, and coconut chutney, which is a condiment made from grated coconut, chilies, and other spices.

 

5. Chole Bhature

Chole Bhature is a popular North Indian dish that consists of two parts – chole and bhature. Chole is a spicy and tangy chickpea curry that is made with a blend of spices, including cumin, coriander, turmeric, and garam masala. The chickpeas are cooked in a tomato-based gravy that is flavored with ginger, garlic, and chili peppers.

 

Bhature, on the other hand, is a deep-fried bread made from flour, yogurt, and a few other ingredients. The dough for bhature is usually left to rest for a few hours to allow it to rise before being rolled out and deep-fried until it puffs up and turns golden brown.

 

6. Palak Paneer

Palak paneer is a popular vegetarian dish from India that is made with spinach and paneer, a type of Indian cheese. The dish originated in the northern regions of India and is now popular all over the country and beyond.

 

To make palak paneer, spinach leaves are blanched, pureed, and then cooked with spices such as cumin, coriander, garam masala, and turmeric. Cubes of paneer cheese are added to the spinach mixture and cooked until the cheese is soft and the flavors are well combined. Cream or yogurt is often added to give the dish a creamy texture and to balance out the spices.

 

7. Samosas

Samosas are a beloved snack and appetizer in Indian cuisine. They come in the form of small triangle pastries that are stuffed with different savory components, like potatoes spiced with various seasonings, peas, onions, and sometimes meat or lentils. 

 

The filling is frequently flavored with a mixture of spices, including cumin, coriander, and garam masala, and encased in a dough made of flour, salt, and water. The samosas are then fried until they attain the desired crunchy and golden-brown texture.

 

8. Vada Pav

Vada Pav is a traditional vegetarian fast-food snack which was initially created in the western Indian state of Maharashtra. The snack entails a fried, spiced potato patty (vada) situated between two slices of bread (pav). Boiled potatoes are mashed and mixed with spices like turmeric, cumin, mustard seeds, chili powder, and coriander leaves to make the fritter, which is then formed into a ball and deep-fried for a crunchy texture.

 

The pav used for Vada Pav is a soft, white bun, similar to a hamburger bun. It is usually split open, and a combination of zesty green chutney and sweet tamarind chutney spread on it. The fried vada is put inside the pav, and the sandwich is served hot.

 

9. Rogan Josh

A Kashmiri lamb curry made with a spicy tomato-based sauce. To make rogan josh, the meat is marinated in a mixture of yogurt and spices such as Kashmiri chili powder, cumin, coriander, ginger, and garlic. The meat is then browned in oil, and simmered in a rich tomato-based sauce with more spices such as cardamom, cinnamon, and bay leaves. The dish is cooked until the meat is tender and the flavors have melded together.

 

10. Lassi

Lassi is a popular traditional yogurt-based drink that originated in India. It is a refreshing beverage that is typically made by blending together yogurt, water, and various flavorings, such as sugar, fruit pulp, rose water, or spices like cardamom or saffron.

 

There are many different types of lassi, each with its unique flavor and texture. Some popular varieties of lassi include sweet lassi, which is flavored with sugar or fruit pulp, and salty lassi, which is made with yogurt, water, and salt. Mango lassi, made with mango pulp and yogurt, is also a popular variant.

 

 

What is unique about Indian food?

Indian food is unique in several ways, including its wide range of flavors, spices, and ingredients, as well as its regional diversity and cultural significance. Here are some specific characteristics of Indian food that make it unique:

 

Spices and Herbs

Indian cuisine is known for its bold flavors and extensive use of spices and herbs such as cumin, turmeric, coriander, ginger, garlic, and cardamom.

 

Regional Diversity

India is a vast country with diverse cultures, languages, and cuisines. Each region has its own unique style of cooking and ingredients, resulting in a rich tapestry of flavors and dishes.

 

Vegetarianism

 Indian cuisine is also known for its extensive vegetarian dishes, owing to cultural and religious influences such as Hinduism and Jainism.

 

Cooking Techniques

Indian cuisine involves a wide range of cooking techniques, including grilling, baking, frying, and steaming, and the use of clay ovens called tandoors.

 

Street Food Culture

India’s street food culture is also a significant aspect of its culinary scene, with a wide range of delicious and affordable snacks and dishes available on the go.

 

 

What are the must-try Indian dishes?

1. Must-Try Indian Appetizers

Indian cuisine offers a wide variety of appetizers, which are often referred to as “starters” or “snacks”. Here are some popular Indian appetizers:

  • Pakoras: Deep-fried fritters made with vegetables, such as onion, potato, or spinach, and chickpea flour.
  • Aloo Tikk: Crispy potato patties that are seasoned with spices and herbs.
  • Chaat: A savory snack made with crispy fried dough, chickpeas, potatoes, yogurt, and chutneys.
  • Dahi Bhalla: A snack made with lentil fritters, yogurt, and chutneys.
  • Paneer Tikka: A skewered and grilled cubes of marinated paneer cheese, often served with onions and peppers.
  • Chicken Tikka: Grilled or roasted marinated chicken pieces, often served with onions and peppers.
  • Papadum: Crispy lentil or rice flour wafers that are often served with chutneys.

 

2. Must-try Indian Main Course

Indian cuisine has a wide variety of main course dishes that are popular and unique to different regions of the country. Here are some popular Indian main course dishes:

  • Dal Makhani: A creamy lentil-based dish made with black lentils, kidney beans, tomatoes, and cream.
  • Malai Kofta: A vegetarian dish made with vegetable balls in a creamy tomato-based gravy.
  • Chicken Tikka Masala: A popular dish made with marinated chicken cooked in a creamy tomato-based gravy with spices and served with rice or naan
  • Fish Curry: A curry made with fish and spices, typically cooked in a tomato-based gravy and served with rice.

 

3. Must-Try Indian Desserts

Indian cuisine has a wide variety of desserts that are enjoyed across the country. Some popular Indian desserts include:

  • Gulab Jamun: A sweet and sticky dessert made with a dough made from milk solids, deep-fried and soaked in sugar syrup.
  • Rasgulla: A spongy dessert made by boiling small balls of chenna (cottage cheese) in a sugar syrup.
  • Barfi: A dense, fudge-like dessert made with condensed milk and flavored with nuts, spices, and/or fruit pulp.
  • Kulfi: A rich and creamy frozen dessert made with milk, sugar, and flavors such as saffron, cardamom, or pistachios.
  • Kheer: A creamy rice pudding made with milk, sugar, and flavored with cardamom, saffron, or rosewater.
  • Jalebi: A crispy and sweet dessert made by deep-frying a wheat flour batter into pretzel-like shapes and then soaking them in a sugar syrup.
  • Payasam/Kheer: A sweet dessert made with vermicelli or rice, cooked in milk, and flavored with nuts, raisins, and saffron.
  • Halwa: A sweet pudding-like dessert made with semolina, wheat flour, or carrots, and flavored with nuts, cardamom, and saffron.
Picture of Kelly Liman

Kelly Liman

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