Makoko fish market — Restaurant in Lagos State

At Makoko market, parking is by the side of the road. Car parking costs N200-N300. The market is lined with interlocking blocks/cobbled stones, so yes, it is 'wheel chair accessible' but I won't want to bring a wheel chair user here unless absolutely necessary. Seafoods of all varieties abound. Be it fresh Shrimps, crabs, lobsters, calamari, fish of different varieties i.e. Barracuda, Red snapper, White Snapper, Black Snapper, Croaker, Mullet, Tilapia, Cat fish, Sting ray, Flounder, Titus, Mackerel, Shiny nose etc. One major issue here is that one has to price haggle. Fish are not weighed but are sold in lots/batches. So one needs to really know how to price haggle otherwise you could end up being ripped off. Best way to compare would be to check the prices in the supermarkets first before venturing out here. Trust me, u'd be glad u did. But if u don't have time to do so then whatever price is mentioned, slash it by half and go under it and stick to your guns. As much as possible, try and make sure it's fresh fish you're buying. Heck, smell it or touch it if u must, but take permission first. All in i I spend about N14,000 on different varieties of fish which can last me about 3 weeks of fish dishes daily. So, yes it is worth it, provided you know how to price haggle otherwise you could end up with fish the cost of a whale. Also note, fish are cleaned and scaled in a different section of the market. Mind u, u could get ripped off here too. As a rule I won't pay more than N500-N1000 for scaling N14,000 worth of fish. I tend to scale them at home with a car pressure washer. It cleans the fish well without damaging the fish but be prepared to shower thereafter. If you're tired of the usual fish available in stores like, Mackerel, Croaker etc, then you should give Makoko fish...

My awe at the variety of sea food available here only increased, with my latest visit.

Periwinkles, shrimps, crabs, crayfish, snails, fish... I was wide-eyed at the size of some of those fish!

The market is cramped, and expectedly, smelly. There's hardly room to stand, on a busy day. You won't like it, if you can't bear the smell of fish. On a rainy day, it's extra messy.

I suggest you go in the morning, to get the best deals.

There's parking space by the roadside, outside the market, but you need to pay a minimum of N100 to the "boys" in the area. Don't expect to get a receipt...

Be observant if you buy anything that needs to be cut into pieces, smoked or dried. The sellers have a penchant for pilfering.

I recommend this market for the wide variety of sea food it offers. You should...

If sea foods decided to have a Headquarters? That will be the Makoko fish market.

Makoko is a neighbourhood across the 3rd Mainland Bridge located on the coast of mainland Lagos.

A third of the community is built on stilts along the lagoon and the rest is on the land. This led to the destruction of several stilts on the Iwaya/Makoko waterfront and many families were rendered homeless.

Makoko fish market is your No 1 stop spot for all fish or sea food related workings... best part? They are affordable and allows for negotiations or what we Call “pricing” 😉!

Also a good avenue for those looking to start up the fish and sea food business.. wholesale or retail.

Looking to set up a sea food retail business? Here’s...