This Lagos-Inspired Michelin-Starred Restaurant is Now One of the 50 Best Restaurants in the World

Jul 29

It’s always a good day when something that’s even remotely associated with Nigeria makes the news for a praiseworthy reason — and it’s particularly special (to us) when it’s food news 🥳

Ikoyi, a critically-acclaimed, London-based contemporary restaurant, was named one of the best places to eat on the globe, by The World’s Best 50 Restaurants™. Every year, its panel of 1,080 culinary experts hunt down restaurants that are doing what they do really well, and this year, Ikoyi got its moment in the sun.

Jeremy Chan and Iré Hassan-Odukale | Tomas Jivanda

Launched in 2017 by its owners, Ire Hassan-Odukale and Jeremy Chan, the pair set out to create a menu that, although has its roots in African, Asian and European culture and history, is not trying to imitate any of those cuisines. “We are a restaurant with an identity, and we want to put our print on things so that they are unique to us and tell our story,” Jeremy said in this interview. “Ikoyi offers a combination of extremely technical, precise cooking and rustic deliciousness.”

Plating Ikoy’s signature mushroom suya | Tomas Jivanda

Ikoyi, a name they chose because it’s where Ire grew up, reportedly serves up everything from smoked Jollof rice, and plantain-smoked kelp and blackberry, to turbot and caramelised chicken wings, and morel fondue with sorghum crêpe.

“I think we felt we had to claim it was West African in order to fill a gap in the market in London, and ultimately because my heritage is West African, but we are so much more than that,” Ire said here. “We have also evolved so much over the last four years that it just wouldn’t be entirely true to who we are if we just stuck to one region of food.”

Other restaurants that made the list are A Casa do Porco (Sao Paulo), Nobelhart & Schmutzig (Berlin), The Chairman (Hong Kong), Atomix (New York City) and at #1, Geranium (Copenhagen).

See the full list of winners.

GET BOTTOMLESS BRUNCH TICKETS