Searching for an authentic restaurant serving the rich culinary traditions of Cross River and Akwa Ibom states in Lagos can be a delightful journey if you know where to look.
The challenge often lies not just in finding a restaurant that claims to serve these regional delicacies, but in discovering one where the authenticity is guaranteed by its owners or chefs hailing from these vibrant parts of Nigeria.
Located on 1 Ashabi Cole Street, in the heart of Agidingbi in Ikeja, Calabar Food Master’s Kitchen stands out as a beacon of authenticity.
We decided to try this spot out, to see if the taste of their meals promises a dining experience that transports you to the heart of Cross River and Akwa Ibom.
- Menu variety – 8/10
- Food Quality – 9/10
- Service – 9/10
- Ambience – 8/10
- Value for money – 8/10
- Hygiene standards – 8/10
- Accessibility – 9/10
- Consistency – 8/10
- Innovation – 5/10
- Sustainability – 6/10
- Waiting time – 9/10
- Online presence – 4/10
- Special features – 4/10
If you agree or disagree with our ratings and would like to provide your own review, head over to our review form, leave your review for all 13 criteria and an Ikeja Record editor will be in touch. To maintain the integrity of our evaluation system, we do not accept or publish reviews from persons directly associated with the restaurants they are reviewing, including (but not limited to) owners, investors, and staff.
Menu Variety
The menu at Calabar Food Master’s Kitchen primarily features traditional Calabar soups served with various swallows such as Eba, Pounded yam, Fufu, plantain flour, and wheat meal.
The soups offered include Afang, Itama, Oha, White soup, Okro soup, Ogbono soup, Egusi, Edikanhikong, Fisherman soup, Pepper soup, and Bitter leaf soup.
They also offer rice dishes such as jollof rice, white rice with stew, fried rice, coconut rice, and native rice.
Additionally, their menu includes grilled options like peppered snails, roasted fish, spring rolls, samosa, peppered or barbecue chicken, gizzard, and beef.
For drinks, they serve soft drinks, non-alcoholic wines, fruit juice, beers, and alcoholic wines.
Food Quality
For our order, we tried their Afang soup with pounded yam. The soup contained crayfish, periwinkles, dried fish, stock fish, and two pieces of goat meat. The freshness of the vegetables in the soup was evident in its taste.
The pounded yam was fluffy, smooth, and tender, indicating it was freshly pounded from yam, not using artificial poundo flour.
The meal was presented simply and neatly on a tray with cutlery and napkins.
Service
We noticed that the staff at Calabar Food Master’s Kitchen were welcoming and friendly, not only to us but also to other diners in the restaurant.
Upon seating us, a staff member warmly greeted us and directed our attention to the menu already on the table, mentioning there had been slight price adjustments.
After placing our order, they promptly informed us of the updated prices and ensured our meals were served promptly, without unnecessary delays.
Ambience
The atmosphere at this restaurant is lively and inviting, ideal for casual dining.
It’s a cosy space with simple plastic chairs and well-arranged tables to maximise the small area. A TV on the wall provided entertainment while diners enjoyed their meals.
Additionally, there’s an air conditioning unit and a fan to keep the dining area comfortable. They also provide a hand-washing tap with a mirror nearby for diners’ convenience before and after their meals.
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Value for Money
The food and service quality at Calabar Food restaurant justifies its pricing, thanks to the rich, flavourful dishes prepared with fresh ingredients.
The friendly, efficient, and professional service greatly enhanced our dining experience, making us feel valued and well-attended to.
The portion of Afang soup was generous compared to the small size of the pounded yam serving. Those with hearty appetites might consider ordering an extra portion of pounded yam to feel fully satisfied.
Hygiene Standards
Upon entering the restaurant, we immediately noticed the impeccable cleanliness of the environment.
The floors were well-swept and spotless. The dining area carried a pleasant aroma of floral air freshener mingled with the rich scents of their soups from the kitchen.
Throughout our visit, we observed diligent cleaning of the dining area, with tables promptly cleared and sanitised after each guest.
However, we couldn’t assess the cleanliness of the kitchen since it was not visible from the dining room. Similarly, we were unable to verify the condition of the restrooms, including their cleanliness and availability of necessary supplies, as we did not visit them during our stay.
Location
Calabar Food Master’s Kitchen is conveniently located at 1 Ashabi Cole Street, opposite Daily Times Newspaper, Agidingbi, Ikeja, in a prime and central area.
The restaurant provides ample parking space. However, customers with mobility difficulties may find entry challenging due to a two-step pavement at the entrance.
Once inside, accommodations can be easily arranged by removing one or two chairs to ensure comfort.
Consistency
According to staff members who spoke to us during our visit, Calabar Food Master’s Kitchen has been in business for over 30 years. This may suggest that they have perfected the art of delivering quality meals consistently.Our dishes were prepared with care, maintaining the authentic and rich flavours of Calabar soup, indicating the use of fresh ingredients and adherence to traditional recipes.
Although it was our first visit, the apparent attention to details reassures us that future visits will likely meet the same high standards of food and service.
Innovation
At Calabar Food Master’s Kitchen, the menu, presentation, and dining experience focus on traditional approaches with sparse creativity or innovation.
The menu features well-known Calabar dishes, offering minimal variation or modern twists.
The presentation is straightforward and functional, lacking artistic flair to enhance the visual appeal of the meals. Dishes are served simply on trays and plates.
The overall dining experience, while pleasant, is casual and conventional. The décor and atmosphere are standard, with no special events or themed nights to add excitement or variety.
For those seeking a reliable, traditional Calabar dining experience, this restaurant delivers. However, diners looking for something new and creative may find it lacking.
Sustainability
The practices related to sourcing ingredients, waste management, and environmental impact at this restaurant may vary.
There is an emphasis on using locally sourced ingredients, which supports local farmers and markets and ensures the freshness and authenticity of the dishes.
For takeaway orders, they use reusable plastics, which are more environmentally friendly than single-use plastics.
While the restaurant prioritises fresh, local ingredients, its overall practices regarding environmental sustainability, including waste management and eco-friendly packaging, may still be evolving.
Waiting Time
The time to be seated and served at Calabar Food Master’s Kitchen varies depending on the time of day.
During peak hours, there might be a wait. However, on the day we visited, it was slow, with only two other diners present. We were promptly attended to.
Drinks arrived almost immediately since they were pre-chilled. The Afang soup and pounded yam took about six minutes to be served.
Online Presence and Ease of Reservations
Calabar Food Master’s Kitchen has no dedicated website or active social media presence. Instead, customers typically place orders exclusively through their WhatsApp lines. While this method offers direct communication and convenience, it limits the restaurant’s online visibility and engagement with potential customers who rely on digital platforms for information and reviews.
Without a website or social media presence, diners may find it challenging to access detailed menus, see visuals of dishes, or learn about meal promotions, potentially impacting their overall dining experience and ability to connect with the restaurant beyond direct interactions.
However, Calabar Food Master’s Kitchen is available on Chowdeck.
Special Features
Calabar Food Master’s Kitchen has no unique selling points such as live music, scenic views, or themed dining experiences.
The focus is solely on providing traditional Calabar cuisine in a straightforward dining environment. The restaurant aims to deliver authentic dishes without additional frills or special events, focusing instead on the quality and authenticity of the food itself. Without these unique features, the dining experience is centred around enjoying the flavours of Calabar in a simple and unembellished setting.