Danfo Bistro

First, let me establish that Danfo Bistro is a place to visit if you are a lover of creative designs.

Apart from the striking yellow of Danfo (a typical transport bus in Lagos), the ambience of this restaurant typifies a relatable Lagos lifestyle.

The Discovery of Danfo Bistro

I remember searching for “African arts in Lagos” and landed on a blog. The article gave a list of cool places to find arts in Lagos and Danfo Bistro was on the list. What got my attention was this picture of a Danfo that was cut into a bar stand with stools.

From then on, I knew I had to visit. A restaurant that effortlessly combines hospitality with art and culture is my type of escapism.

The Visit to Danfo Bistro

It was a calm Sunday. My photographer friend, Victor, and I went to the Island to curate content on Graffitis in Lagos. After some time, we both agreed we needed to fill our bellies.

That was when I remembered Danfo Bistro. We took a 5-minutes Uber from Falomo to 2, Alexander Road, Ikoyi – The location.

The Danfo Bistro Impression

Victor and I didn’t entirely know what to expect, but one unarguable thing is that a great deal of planning went into Danfo Bistro.

The ambience was cool (thanks to the air conditioners) and welcoming. R&B serenaded our ears in the background, and I could almost not feel my feet as I walked in. The waitresses are smart and neatly dressed.

There are different sitting sections with distinct dining and furniture designs.

Some were glass, and others, cushion sofas.

There is also an ‘IKOYI’ artwork that was a backdrop for one of the nicely set furniture.

The bar stand stools stood out in their vibrant African prints.

Also noteworthy, are the miniature Keke (tricycle) and Danfo carved from wood sitting on the nicely polished, wooden windows.

The bulbs are not your regular. They are wrapped in Nigerian car registration plates.

The Food

After scanning the barcode on our table, we saw the menu list. I ordered for Skewers (Chicken Suya with Agege Bread slice). Victor ordered for Grilled plantain (Boli) with groundnuts and a bottle of Coca Cola.

In the meantime, while we waited for the order, our assigned waitress came with a serving of cashew nuts, groundnuts, and plantain chips. Our order was ready in about 30 minutes.

Our meals were well presented. The drinks came chilled served with ice cubes in glass tumblers. I must say my Skewers were as delicious as they looked. The chicken suya blended smoothly with the tomato slices in my mouth. I wondered if the pepper would taste like the standard suya pepper. And yes, it did, I was not disappointed.

Victor says his grilled plantain was just like the Boli you would get on a typical Lagos street. So there was nothing entirely spectacular about it.

The Drink

My order did not come with a drink, so I had to order separately. However, the cost was five times my known cost. This is my little criticism.

Conclusion

It was a pleasant experience. The waiters were professional and smart. The food is quality. The music good and the ambience, relaxing.

Total Spent:

We spent almost N3500. This was because we didn’t order high-priced meals or alcohol. However, the menu is quite affordable.

Rating: 8 out of 10

Have you been to Danfo Bistro? If yes, what was the experience like?

Danfo Bistro is at 2 Alexander Rd, Ikoyi, Lagos. They open Monday – Sunday from 8 am to 11 pm. Friday and Saturday (8 am to 12 am).