Food Festivals in Lagos: Where Taste, Tradition, and Party Meet
Lagos is not just Nigeria’s commercial capital — it’s the heartbeat of culture, flavor, and celebration. Every year, food lovers from across the country and the diaspora converge on this vibrant city for a taste of its rich and diverse culinary heritage. From spicy suya skewers to gourmet jollof rice, Lagos food festivals offer more than just meals — they deliver an experience. Eyes Of Lagos reports,
Whether you’re a foodie tourist or a local with adventurous taste buds, here are the top food events in Lagos where taste, tradition, and party collide.
1. GTBank Food and Drink Festival
Held annually at the GT Centre in Oniru, Victoria Island, the GTBank Food and Drink Festival is one of West Africa’s biggest culinary exhibitions. It brings together top chefs, bakers, sommeliers, and food entrepreneurs for a weekend of eating, drinking, and learning.
Highlights:
-
Live cooking demos by celebrity chefs (including foreign guests)
-
Dozens of food stalls serving global cuisines
-
Food masterclasses and networking opportunities for foodpreneurs
-
Family-friendly games and entertainment
📍 Location: GT Centre, Oniru
🗓️ Best time to attend: April/May (Check GTBank platforms for yearly dates)
2. Lagos Street Food Festival
If you want to sample Nigeria’s vibrant street eats in one place, the Lagos Street Food Festival is your ticket. It celebrates the authentic flavors of Lagos: grilled boli (plantain), agege bread and beans, fish pepper soup, shawarma, puff-puff, and more.
With DJs spinning Afrobeat hits, graffiti art zones, and local fashion stalls, the festival fuses food with urban youth culture.
📍 Location: Muri Okunola Park, Victoria Island
🗓️ Best time to attend: October/November
3. Eko Spice & Food Festival
Dubbed the “spiciest event in Lagos,” the Eko Spice & Food Festival champions local ingredients and traditional Nigerian dishes with a twist. From the bold flavors of Banga soup to sizzling Isi-Ewu and ofada rice, this festival is a flavorful education in indigenous cuisine.
Expect cooking challenges, spice-sampling zones, and heritage cooking sessions led by traditional chefs.
📍 Location: Landmark Event Centre, Oniru
🗓️ Best time to attend: August/September
4. Pop-Up Food Markets (Weekend Eats)
Beyond major festivals, Lagosians enjoy weekend pop-up food markets like:
-
The Kika Table – an upscale food and wine experience with a rotating menu.
-
Eat.Drink.Lagos Pop-Ups – created by the famed blog Eat.Drink.Lagos, these events bring Lagos’s trendiest chefs and underground food vendors into the spotlight.
-
OfadaBoy Food Carnival – where traditional dishes like Ofada rice and Ayamase sauce take center stage.
Follow these events via Instagram or Eventbrite to stay updated on pop-up schedules and locations.
5. Markets with Local Bites
For a raw and authentic foodie adventure, local markets in Lagos like Oyingbo Market, Mile 12, and Ajah Fish Market offer an unmatched sensory overload. While they may not be branded festivals, these markets serve delicious, freshly prepared meals right on the spot — at unbelievably affordable prices.
Why Lagos Food Festivals Matter
Lagos food festivals are more than indulgence; they are cultural showcases, economic opportunities, and platforms for culinary innovation. They connect generations, revive forgotten recipes, and give a platform to both street vendors and high-end chefs.