Bistros have a rich history rooted in 19th-century Paris, where small, casual eateries served hearty, home-cooked meals to locals looking for affordable and delicious food. These establishments, known for their warm atmosphere, simple yet flavourful dishes, and vibrant social scene, became a staple of everyday life in France, eventually spreading their influence worldwide.
In Lagos, this bistro culture has found a unique expression at Danfo Bistro and Dives, a vibrant spot that blends the essence of informal dining with the energetic spirit of the bustling city of Lagos. A “danfo” bus is a popular form of public transportation in Lagos, Nigeria, and these buses, typically the Volkswagen Transporter (T2 and T3 models) painted in yellow with black lines, are a common sight.
True to its name, Danfo Bistro’s aesthetics incorporate the iconic Lagos transportation culture into its design, ambiance, and overall experience. From its interior design, featuring a live danfo bus as a kitchen, to decor elements and menu presentation, it evokes a sense of nostalgia and familiarity for Lagosians, making the dining experience both unique and connected to the everyday life of the city.
This bistro has two branches, one on the Island at 2 Alexander Road, Ikoyi, and the other on the mainland in Ikeja City Mall. They also have another branch in Victoria Island, but this one is called Danfo Secret Garden, replicating a garden-style restaurant.
We decided to check out the bistro branch in Ikeja City Mall to see if their meals truly represent Lagos.
- Menu variety – 8/10
- Food Quality – 7/10
- Value for money – 5/10
- Service – 5/10
- Ambience – 7/10
- Hygiene standards – 8/10
- Location – 9/10
- Consistency – 6/10
- Innovation – 6/10
- Sustainability – 7/10
- Waiting time – 6/10
- Online presence – 7/10
- Special features – 6/10
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Menu Variety
Danfo Bistro’s menu offers a diverse range of dishes inspired by local Nigerian street food and international flavours, catering to a wide array of dietary needs and preferences. Their appetisers include Suya Onion Rings, Yam Con Carne, Greek Akara, Suyamusik, Chicken Tenders, Danfo Yamarita, and Suya Chicken Tenders. They also offer various suya options, such as grilled chicken with suya spices, Suya Sandwich, and Suya Tacos. Skewer options include proteins like beef, gizzard, snail, prawn, and chicken paired with plantains.
Their Ewa Agoyin section has Danfo Ewa Falafel, Ewa Scotch Egg, and Ewa Agoyin Sandwich, which combine traditional Nigerian flavours with creative fusions, catering to vegetarian preferences. For pasta and noodles, you will find Nigerian-style Bolognese and Naija-style noodles in different flavours.
Their sandwiches and burgers include varieties like Shawarma, Akara Sandwich, Burrito, and several burgers with different fillings. Sides such as fries, Agege bread, salads, coleslaw, suya, yam fries, salsa, and plantain fries provide a variety of options to complement the main dishes. They also cater to different dietary needs with dishes like Greek Akara, Danfo Ewa Falafel, and salads, while salads and grilled dishes offer lighter options suitable for those on a weightloss journey..
Food Quality
We ordered their Ewa Agoyin Sandwich, which came with a small-sized Agege bread already cut in half, a bowl of agoyin beans, and fried plantains. The beans tasted nice, but the agoyin chilli sauce didn’t taste like the original agoyin sauce from local restaurants, as it had a noticeable crayfish flavour.
Their jollof rice was the best! It had the rich party jollof rice flavour and taste. The chicken burger was also delicious, with crisp chicken, melted cheese, and caramelised onions. Their coleslaw was rich and creamy, and the vegetables had a fresh, crunchy taste. The presentation of all the dishes we ordered was aesthetically appealing, with meals served in ceramic wares and newspaper-design paper placed on the wooden trays.
Value for Money
At Danfo Bistro, the prices were relatively steep, with burgers priced around N13,000, mocktails at N6,500, and Ewa Agoyin beans at N7,000.
Despite the burger’s appealing taste and juicy patty, its N13,000 price tag felt a bit excessive. The burger was good but not outstanding, and the overall experience didn’t justify the high cost.
The Ewa Agoyin beans came with a generous portion, but the accompanying bread was too small. For N7,000, we expected a full-sized medium bread but received only a half-sized piece, which was insufficient for finishing the beans.
Service often expected to match high prices, fell short. While the staff were polite, they were rather aloof and lacked warmth.
On the other hand, the N3,800 jollof rice, though small in portion, was reasonably priced.
The coleslaw served was ample, and the mocktails were enjoyable. We tried the virgin colada and virgin daiquiri, which cost N6,400 and N6,500, respectively, and found them to be well-crafted and refreshing.
Service
The service at Danfo Bistro in Ikeja City Mall was somewhat lacking despite the high prices. The staff were polite but notably aloof, which affected the overall dining experience. Their friendliness fell short of expectations, as they were more reserved than warm.
In terms of efficiency, the service was acceptable but did not stand out as exceptional. The staff handled orders and queries without delay.
Overall, while the service was competent, it did not fully align with the high price point, leaving room for improvement in creating a more welcoming and warm atmosphere.
Ambience
The Danfo Bistro in ICM was quite small but featured a distinctive interior design that immersed diners in the city’s transportation culture. The restaurant’s centrepiece was a live danfo bus repurposed as a kitchen, adding a bold and authentic touch to the space.
The seating consisted of wooden chairs and tables adorned with colourful Ankara fabrics, contributing to a vibrant and comfortable atmosphere.
The walls were decorated with lively inscriptions such as “Gbeje don happen,” “Anything for the boys,” “No food for lazy man,” and “IKEJA danfo,” which enhanced the local flavour of the decor. Miniature wooden danfo buses were also used as decorative accents, adding to the thematic experience.
The restaurant’s ambiance was further enriched by the presence of shekere instruments and vibrant artworks on the walls. Local fans were mounted on the walls, and enamel cups were creatively used as holders for spoons and cutlery on the tables.
Overall, the interior design reflected Lagos’ street culture, combining cultural elements with a playful and inviting atmosphere.
Hygiene Standards
Danfo Bistro’s cleanliness is generally well-maintained. The dining area was kept tidy, with tables and floors regularly cleaned to ensure a pleasant dining environment. The standout live danfo bus, repurposed as a visible kitchen space, was mainly used for preparing drinks, and this section was consistently clean and organised, offering diners a glimpse into the vibrant and themed design without compromising hygiene.
However, the main kitchen, where most of the food preparation took place, was out of sight, leaving its cleanliness to assumption rather than direct observation. While the visible areas were well-maintained, the lack of access to the primary kitchen space made it difficult to fully assess its standards.
One drawback is the absence of restrooms within the restaurant itself, requiring diners to use the mall’s facilities, which could detract from the overall convenience and completeness of the dining experience.
Location
This Danfo Bistro branch is conveniently located in Ikeja City Mall, making it easily accessible to diners. The mall’s central location in Ikeja provides good accessibility via major roads and is a popular spot for both locals and visitors.
Being located within Ikeja City Mall meant that Danfo Bistro benefited from the mall’s amenities, including security, shopping, and entertainment options.
The restaurant’s location within this bustling hub added to its appeal, making it a great choice for a meal after shopping, movies, or other activities. The setting provided a lively, urban atmosphere, although the mall environment could get quite busy, particularly on weekends and holidays.
The restaurant was easy to access within the mall, with clear pathways and entrances that accommodated all guests, including those with mobility needs. The mall itself is well-designed to be accessible, featuring elevators, ramps, and ample walkways.
Parking is generally convenient, as the mall offered a large parking area with plenty of spaces. However, during peak hours, finding a spot could take some time due to the mall’s popularity. There are provisions for both regular and disabled parking, enhancing the convenience for all types of visitors.
Consistency
Judging by the vibrant atmosphere and the steady stream of diners observed during our visit, Danfo Bistro appeared to have maintained a consistent level of appeal since its opening in 2019.
While direct experience could vary, the steady crowd and consistent online buzz around the bistro implied that it had been able to sustain a strong standard over time, appealing to both new and returning patrons alike.
Innovation
Danfo Bistro stood out for its creative menu offerings, presentation, and unique dining experiences, blending Nigerian street food with a modern, upscale twist.
The bistro took classic Nigerian street food dishes and elevated them with unique twists and international influences. They offered inventive versions of local favourites like ewa falafel, which were deep-fried ewa agoyin balls served with tahini sauce. Other featured meals included suya tacos, Naija-style noodles, akara, and asun sandwiches.
The presentation at Danfo Bistro was artistic and thoughtful, often served in ways that highlighted the fusion of traditional and modern, with meals served on newspaper clippings.
Danfo Bistro’s creativity lay in its ability to transform everyday Nigerian street food into an elevated culinary adventure, offering diners a familiar yet refreshing experience.
Sustainability
While specific sourcing practices weren’t explicitly stated, the freshness and vibrant flavours of the meals at Danfo Bistro suggested a strong commitment to quality ingredients.
The bistro prioritised environmentally friendly practices in their packaging, using reusable plastic plates for takeaways, which provided convenience and helped reduce single-use waste.
These plates were packaged in paper bags, showcasing their dedication to eco-conscious choices and aligning with broader efforts to reduce plastic waste.
Waiting Time
During our visit, we observed that the wait time to be seated was relatively quick, with guests being directed to choose any available seat.
However, the time taken for our meals to arrive was noticeably longer. After placing our order, it took approximately 35 to 40 minutes before the dishes were served.
While the initial seating process was efficient, guests needed to be prepared for a potential wait when it came to meal service, especially during peak hours.
Online Presence and Ease of Reservations
Reservations at Danfo Bistro are not necessary, as the restaurant accommodates walk-in diners, allowing guests the freedom to visit spontaneously without the need to book ahead.
Danfo Bistro is highly active on social media platforms like Instagram. Their online presence is vibrant and engaging, reflecting the restaurant’s energetic vibe. They regularly post high-quality images of their dishes, promotions, and behind-the-scenes content, helping to build a connection with their audience and keeping the brand relevant and accessible, particularly to younger, digitally savvy customers.
Special Features
Danfo Bistro’s unique selling points lay in its themed dining experience that captured the essence of Lagos street culture in a refined and contemporary setting. Especially for tourists who would like to experience the Lagos feel.
Although the restaurant didn’t have live music, scenic views, or a notable chef’s reputation, it offered a unique menu of Nigerian street food classics reimagined with modern twists.