The top 3
1) RSVP on Karimu Kotun (technically VI, but every Lekki resident treats it as home) — the à la carte menu wins over the buffets because the eggs actually arrive hot. Around ₦18,000-25,000 a head with a drink. 2) Sky Restaurant on Admiralty Way — best jollof-and-eggs combo in Lekki, and the plantain is properly ripe rather than half-hard. 3) Cactus Restaurant, Phase 1 — the terrace, the pastries and the Sunday families, in that order.
Brunch in Lagos is really lunch that starts at 11.30am, and RSVP understands that better than anywhere else. Sky Restaurant deserves the number two spot for consistency — I’ve eaten there six times and the food quality has not slipped once, which in Lagos is remarkable. Cactus is the one you take visiting family to, because they don’t rush you and the menu is broad enough that everyone finds something.
4 to 6
4) The Vintage Restaurant at Landmark — the setting does the work; the food is fine. 5) Talindo Steak House for brunch (yes, brunch) — their weekend eggs benedict on beef is a proper meal. 6) Slow, an Italian-leaning café on Providence Street, for pastries, coffee and a shorter menu done well. Around ₦10,000 for coffee and something baked.
Skip any of the hotel-buffet brunches that charge ₦30,000-plus per head. The food sits under lamps, the queues are long, and the value simply isn’t there compared to ordering à la carte at RSVP for the same money. Also skip anywhere marketing bottomless mimosas — the pours get smaller as the morning progresses. And book. All six of these fill up on Sundays by 11am.
Good to know
Do these places do vegetarian options?+
RSVP, Cactus and Slow all have solid vegetarian menus. Sky has options but leans meat-heavy. Talindo is a steakhouse — go for the eggs, not the greens.
Best for a group of 8?+
Cactus. The terrace has larger tables and the kitchen handles size well. Call ahead on Saturday to hold the space.