If you’ve ever sat at a restaurant in Lagos and felt like your bill was somehow flexing higher than the prices on the menu, congrats, you’ve met the tax squad: VAT, Consumption Tax, and Service Charge.
Since 2009, Lagos State has charged a 5% consumption tax on meals at restaurants, hotels, bars, and basically anywhere you’re having too much fun. On top of that, since February 2020, the Federal Government has also added a 7.5% Value Added Tax (VAT) on all goods and services.
This means you have to pay a total 12.5% tax on every spoonful of Jollof you order at a Lagos restaurant. Some restaurants might not display these charges, and no, it’s not because they don’t feel like taxing you — they’ve just folded the cost into their pricing.
Tax isn’t the only thing driving up your bill. Some restaurants also slap on a service charge, ranging from a chill 5% to an audacious 20%.
We looked at 10 Lagos restaurants to see just how much extra you’re paying on top of your actual food. Let’s just say the bill for your small “starter meal” isn’t so small when the tax shows up.
1. Zen Garden – 20% extra charges for a Chinese dining experience
You may think that ₦17k egg fried rice on the menu is just ₦17k. You might even convince yourself it’s worth the price because the plating is cute, the waiter is extra nice, and they handed you a steaming hot towel to soothe your hands before feasting. In reality, you’re enjoying premium service because your wallet is about to get hit with premium charges.
These are the extra fees you should expect:
- Service Charge: 10%
- VAT: 5%
- Consumption Tax: 5%
- Total extra fee: 20%
- Location: Ikeja GRA.
- Price per person: ₦20,000+ (you still need to do the tax maths before your bill humbles you).
Zen Garden takes you on a culinary journey and a math test. If the menu says ₦30k, just know that with 20% tax and service charge, you’re paying ₦36,000. That’s ₦6k extra to enjoy the restaurant’s ambience and the sizzling Chinese experience.
You can try their vermicelli noodles with Chinese pickles soup, but just be ready for those triple-decker charges.
2. Cilantro – A smooth 17.5% extra for a taste of Indian cuisine
Cilantro is the restaurant that’ll remind you that you live in a capitalist society. First, you make a reservation and book a table at least 24 hours before. Then, you pay a 5% service charge, 7.5% VAT, and 5% consumption tax. It’s not too bad if you’re in the mood to splurge.
- Service Charge: 5%
- VAT: 7.5%
- Consumption Tax: 5%
- Total extra fee: 17.5%
- Location: Ikeja GRA.
- Price per person: ₦20,000+
You’re basically paying for the ambience, the vibe, and your waiter’s smile. But don’t say we didn’t warn you: they charge for the experience.
3. Afefeyeye – The “I’m Not That Taxed” Option
For when you want the food without the financial gymnastics, Afefeyeye keeps it simple with a 7% total tax.
- Total tax: 7%
- Location: Ikeja.
- Price per person: With ₦20,000, you can have a decent meal — the portions are great.
They keep it cultural and neat, with no surprise service charge or double-threat tax combo lurking. You can try their Eko Lawa starter, Abula Special, Babami Penne Pasta or Babami Seafood Carrot Rice. And if you’re in the mood to go big, the Faaji Kelele platter is also an option — all without worrying about ballooning extra charges.
4. Sycamore by One Basket – Only 12.5% extra
Sycamore keeps it simple with the standard Lagos restaurant charges: 5% consumption tax and 7.5% VAT. There’s no extra service charge, and you’re not paying just to sit down and eat.
- Consumption Tax: 5%
- VAT: 7.5%
- Location: Magodo Phase 2.
- Price per person: You can enjoy unlimited cocktails from ₦10,500, and on Wednesdays, unlimited wings go for ₦12,500.
When you’re here, the only thing you’re focusing on is whether the food’s worth it — not whether some extra charges are secretly ganging up on you.
5. The Orchid Bistro – Up to 20% extra charges, depending on your squad
The Orchid Bistro said, “What’s fine dining without a little extra service charge drama?” You pay a 15% service charge for a table of one to four and 20% for a table of five or more.
- VAT: 7.5%
- Consumption Tax: 5%
- Service Charge: 15% (table of 1–4), 20% (table of 5+).
- Location: Ikeja.
- Price per person: ₦20,000+
Basically, the more friends you have, the more you pay. Friendship is expensive.
6. Hua Han – 22.5% extra for the full Seoul experience
Hua Han really lures you in with the whole Korean grill drama — the kind where someone grills your meat while you sip soju and pretend you’re in a K-drama. But the real drama? It’s in the bill. With 10% service charge, 7.5% VAT, and 5% consumption tax, your total extra charge is a jaw-dropping 22.5%. That’s nearly a quarter of your bill vanishing into the tax abyss.
- Total Tax: 12.5%
- Service charge: 10%
- Location: Ikeja.
- Price per person: Minimum spend is ₦35,000 per person.
Just know: when you order that bulgogi, you’re also paying for the full Seoul experience — plus tax. You’ll probably forget the service charge once the Korean BBQ hits your taste buds, but your account balance won’t.
7. Encanto – A classic 17.5% combo
Encanto’s tax game is like that one friend who knows how to have fun but still makes it home before 10 p.m. Not too much, not too little. With a 5% service charge, 7.5% VAT, and 5% consumption tax, you’re looking at a 17.5% add-on to your bill. It’s not bad for a fine dining experience.
- Service Charge: 5%
- VAT: 7.5%
- Consumption Tax: 5%
- Total Tax: 17.5%
- Price per person: Their buffet runs from 12:45 p.m. to 4 p.m. every Sunday and currently costs ₦45,000 per person.
- Location: Victoria Island.
If you’re splitting the bill with friends, prepare for calculator drama.
8. Ile Iyan – Taxes for your swallow
Ile Iyan keeps things semi-transparent: you’ll definitely pay 12.5% in taxes (7.5% VAT + 5% consumption tax), and a service charge might be added “for your convenience.”
Heads up, it’s not a tip for your waiter, so don’t skip the gratitude if the service was actually good.
- VAT: 7.5%
- Consumption Tax: 5%
- Service Charge: This may be added to your bill.
- Total extra fees: 12.5% + possible service charge.
- Location: Lekki.
- Price per person: Budget ₦20k – ₦30k for the full yoruba culture experience.
Even pounded yam is not exempt from the Lagos tax hustle.
9. Sketch Cafe & Restaurant – The “no surprises here” spot
This review highlights that Sketch has no sneaky extra charges. What you see on the menu is what you pay. Your total bill is exactly that — your total bill. Simple.
But word: It’s probably factored into the price somewhere.
- Total Tax: 12.5% (standard tax)
- Service Charge: Not specified.
- Location: Victoria Island.
- Price per person: Expect to pay up to ₦30,000 for a meal.
For a place that looks like a comic book, the prices feel very real.
10. Yellow Chilli – 12.5% extra for the seafood feast
Yellow Chilli is pretty open about taxes: you’ll be paying 7.5% VAT and 5% consumption tax, for a total of 12.5%. They don’t specify any service charge, though, so keep an eye on your bill!
- VAT: 7.5%
- Consumption Tax: 5%
- Total Tax: 12.5%
- Location: Ikeja GRA.
- Price per person: Budget ₦20k-₦30k per head.
But hey, it’s worth it for their famous seafood platter. You may go for their eba and seafood okra, but best believe the taxes are coming too.
Bottom Line
When you’re dining out in Lagos, it’s not just about the prices on the menu; it’s what’s on the final bill. These extra charges can turn a ₦20,000 brunch into a ₦25,000 event real quick. So the next time your date orders that extra cocktail, just know the government might be sipping, too.
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