Come for the Ofada, Stay for the Experience at Ofada Boy
Ofada Boy is located at 1 Mba St, Surulere, Lagos. It is a traditional afrocentric restaurant. As the name suggests, Ofada Boy specializes in native food, and from what we saw, the restaurant honor and celebrate African culture and cuisine by serving traditional Nigerian dishes in a warm, vibrant setting reflective of our roots.
The Food and Menu
The menu is comfortingly uncomplicated, revolving around staples like ofada rice, jollof, egusi soup, pounded yam and fresh fish. Standouts include the signature Ofada Boy Rice – slow cooked in earthenware pots with that prized smoky flavor from fresh palm fronds. It arrives covered in the traditional reddish-hued ofada stew made from bell peppers, assorted meats, locust beans and fresh herbs. The egusi soup strikes the perfect balance between rich and spicy, soaked up nicely by soft mounds of pounded yam or eba. Seasonal dishes also make appearances daily – okro soup, ogbono soup and pepper soup among them.
With most dishes well under 6,500Naira, the prices are notably affordable for the high quality ingredients and preparation. The food transports you to Mama Funmi’s family kitchen with each comforting, homemade bite. Sections of the menu also cater to vegetarians and flexitarians nicely with options like jollof rice and yam pottage. Drink offerings range from Chapman, zobo and sobo to beer and palm wine for those looking to imbibe.
The Ambiance
The traditional wood and bamboo interior decor immediately transports you to the countryside. Think faded teal painted walls, dark wood carved stools, clay pots lining the counters, straw pendant lighting, low hanging raffia panels, and rich patterned fabrics draped across tables and chairs. Coupled with the constant sound of live cultural music and drums, you’ll feel immersed in rural village life right there in Ofada Boy.
Asides the setting, The Ofada Boy is also very spacious that it can accommodate 50 people without anybody intruding your privacy.
The Staffs
The cozy communal setting and warm hospitality from the staff enhance the whole cultural dining experience. With its clean and simple ambiance, prompt and earnest service plus hearty Nigerian specialties, Ofada Boy offers a wonderful taste of authentic local cuisine at reasonable costs for both mainland residents and visitors.
We also noticed how the staff’s are well dressed in various native attires. The Fila(cap) Abeti Aja and Danshiki.
Downside Review: Potential Drawback of Open Rooftop Design
While Ofada Boy’s outdoor lounge area allows diners to feel immersed in the natural environment, the open rooftop design may present some challenges during Lagos’ frequent rainfall. Without an overhang or covering, patrons in this section can find their dining experience unexpectedly disrupted by wet weather. This could deter some customers from opting to sit in the outdoor area due to the risk of rain and may inconvenience those already seated with limited shelter.
Additionally, heavy rainfall can damage some of the decorative elements in the lounge, causing wear and tear over time. The striking traditional decor including wood carvings, woven roof panels, patterned textiles and clay serveware risks getting soaked by the elements. This not only rapidly deteriorates these carefully crafted pieces, but leaves the lounge looking untidy with rain puddles and weathered furnishings.
While the open-air design carries the intention of connecting guests to the countryside village vibe, it may periodically expose them to the realities of unsheltered settings during Lagos’ rainy periods. Ofada Boy may want to investigate affordable overlay options to allow the lounge area to maintain its breezy ambiance while still providing diners refuge from sudden storms. Incorporating rain protection could minimize disruptions to the dining experience and preserve the decor that is core to Ofada Boy’s one-of-a-kind atmosphere.
Overall we rate the restaurant.
Ambiance: 9.5/10
Food: 9.5/10
Staffs: 8/10
Customer Service: 8/10
Let’s all know if you would be visiting the restaurant anytime soon and if you have checked the place out, let us know in the comment.
