Casa do Prego — Restaurant in Lagos

Casa Do Prego, in the heart of Lagos, masquerades as a refuge for the weary traveler—a place where the evening should linger softly, like the taste of a well-made cocktail, where one might find solace after a day spent baking under the relentless August sun. But what one finds instead is a cloying reminder of how far reality strays from expectation.

The host, embodying a kind of bristling disdain that is almost impressive in its transparency, greeted us with an incredulous remark, “Of course we don’t have a table, it’s 9pm in August.” There was no pretense of hospitality here, no effort to conceal his irritation at our audacity for arriving without a reservation. Perhaps this was meant to communicate some unspoken rule of Portuguese summer dining, or perhaps it was simply his own bad manners laid bare.

Resigned, we returned the next evening, a reservation dutifully in hand, only to find that the table promised did little to improve the experience. The food, much like the host, was forgettable, a mere collection of ingredients that lacked any soul. The Banoffee, supposedly their pièce de résistance, failed to rise above its mundane origins, leaving one with the distinct impression that what is often touted as the pinnacle of sweetness is in fact a triumph of mediocrity.

In the end, Casa Do Prego stands as a cautionary tale: a reminder that beneath the surface of what is advertised lies the disappointing truth. One should not be fooled by the allure of the place, the soft whispers of its reputation carried on the wind through cobblestone streets. For in the end, it is nothing more than a mirage, a reflection of what we wish it could be, rather than what it...

For my honeymoon, I foolishly made a reservation on a Saturday night for a fancy restaurant whose name includes 'Artistas' only to find that, while it hit a couple of good marks, it was mostly a performative experience of what somebody imagined a classy restaurant should be like without the animating spirit of someone who has an actual point of view about food.

What I should have done was gone to Casa do Prego every night I was in Lagos. We happened to sit close to the bar and could see into the kitchen. People moving quickly but never rushing, everyone knowing their job. The waiter figured out what we were looking for in a few seconds and promptly vetoed two things we'd ordered (!) -- a gamble that paid off because he steered us well and left room to try other things we really wanted.

Everybody at Casa do Prego we ran into, from the bartender who accidentally spilled some beer on the floor to the waiter who forgot one or two things we'd asked for but rescued the situation easily ... they all knew why they were there and what they were doing. They know what kind of establishment this is and they're all on the same mission. Maybe it isn't for everyone, but I would have gone here every night I was in Lagos if I'd learned about it before my last night.

This a a place that doesn't need this review, or any other review, because they're doing what they think is the best thing and I'm sure they hope you like it, but if you don't, Lagos has no shortage of alternatives. But we liked it and I expect most people would, too.

Highlights: Sandwiches (Prego & the pork tenderloin one) and the pica pau, and...

I made reservations for party of 11 at Casa do Prego and was able to get in for dinner service. The restaurant was on the second floor of a building. The entrance was leading up to stairs and once you’ve reached the dining area, you’re greeted by the host and servers who were cheerful and friendly, they make you feel like you’re family. We were seated right away and the servers provided us really good recommendations based on our preferences with allergy restrictions, it’s really hard to find good food, but they were able to cater to our needs. The food and drinks came out and we were just so impressed. We had piri-piri shrimp, beef and bread . The sauce was amazing. Highly recommend the shrimp piri-piri for the spice lovers. We also had the tuna entree and that was just melt in you mouth good! We live in Alberta where beef is something we’re always proud of, but the beef in Casa do Prego has made me question my own belief of beef in Alberta being the best in the world lol! It was so good. Overall, I would highly recommend Casa do Prego to anyone and everyone I know. It’s so amazing there and they treat you like gold. Which is so important when you’re trying something new . I would go there...