Lálábà The village — Restaurant in Ikeja

⭐ 1 Star – Deeply Disappointed I had the worst experience ever at Lababa The Village, and I’m still shocked considering it came highly recommended by @opeyemifamakin. It was Father’s Day, and I wanted my elderly parents to enjoy authentic Nigerian cuisine—“home away from home,” they said. I took my 80-year-old dad straight from church, expecting a pleasant afternoon. Unfortunately, it was anything but. First, there was no indoor seating, so we were left to sit outside in the heat. It took 45 minutes of repeated requests before a fan was brought out. Our waitress, Ronke, was rude and visibly irritated, saying she had too many customers to attend to us. My sister had to go inside multiple times just to get her attention. Still trying to stay positive, we ordered palm wine and a few drinks—big mistake. The palm wine was extremely acidic, and honestly undrinkable. We even noticed other customers leaving without paying, clearly frustrated. That should’ve been a warning sign, but we stayed, hoping for better. Eventually, we moved inside and placed our food order, with Ronke estimating a 45-minute wait. We ended up waiting over 2 hours. When we finally followed up, she casually told us pounded yam was finished and she had no idea when the food would be ready. No update, no apology. Just “I was busy.” We asked to see a manager—no one came. By this time, my dad was exhausted and upset. After nearly four hours, we left without eating. A staff member eventually came to ask what the issue was, but by then, the damage had already been done. This was supposed to be a special day. Instead, it turned into a frustrating and disappointing experience. The lack of professionalism, empathy, and basic service was shocking. I truly regret...

I drank cold PALMWINE!!!!!!!!!

Lol

So From the moment I stepped into Lalaba the village, I was enveloped in the warm embrace of local culture and cuisine. The aroma of freshly prepared local dishes wafted through the air, tantalizing my senses and setting the stage for an unforgettable dining experience.

The menu boasted a delightful array of traditional dishes, each bursting with flavor and expertly crafted using locally sourced ingredients. Every bite was a journey through the rich tapestry of local culinary heritage, leaving me craving for more.

What truly sets this place apart is its unique offering of local games, adding an extra layer of enjoyment to the dining experience. From traditional board games to lively outdoor activities, there was something for everyone to enjoy while savoring their meal.

But beyond the delicious food and entertaining games, it was the hospitality of the staff that truly stole my heart. Their genuine warmth and eagerness to ensure a memorable experience left a lasting impression, making me feel like a cherished guest in their home.

Overall, Lalaba the village exceeded all expectations, delivering not just a meal, but a true celebration of local culture and hospitality. I can't wait to return and create more cherished memories in this...

This place is so cozy! They serve a wide variety of African dishes, including Yoruba, Igbo, and Hausa cuisines. The staff were really friendly. I felt at ease right away, like I had been there before.

I had Ofada rice with palm wine and a bottle of water. The Ofada rice came with plantain and a beautiful ofada sauce and the sauce had one egg, one piece of shaki, and one piece of liver. Their palm wine was easily the highlight of my visit, honestly, the best I’ve ever tasted. It had the perfect blend of flavors.

The music was just right, not too loud or too low and they had a lot of games like Ayo, Ludo, Jenga, and pool. It’s a very family-friendly place. I especially loved that the waiters were dressed in traditional attire like Iro and Buba. They looked great and added to the cultural vibe.

I do have a small reservation about the restroom. It was clean and smelled nice, but it wasn’t very aesthetic. The female toilet, in particular, didn’t have a seat, which was disappointing.

That said, I loved my experience overall and I’m definitely planning to visit again to try...