The Colossus Lagos: Is it the best buffet dining spot in Ikeja?

Buffet dining is fast becoming a fad in Lagos because of its culinary variety and indulgences.  

What makes this dining experience particularly attractive is the idea of paying a fixed price and eating to your heart’s content, especially in a city like Lagos where restaurant food costs are outrageous.

We decided to try The Colossus Lagos, one of the trending buffet spots in Ikeja, to find out if their spread of dishes and ambience make them a top choice.

• Menu variety – 8/10
• Food Quality – 9/10
• Service – 9/10
• Ambience – 8/10
• Value for money – 8/10
• Hygiene standards – 8/10
• Location – 9/10
• Consistency – 8/10
• Innovation – 7/10
• Sustainability – 7/10
• Waiting time – 8/10
• Online presence – 8/10
• Special features – 6/10

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 spread of dishes at The Colossus Lagos was a visual delight, with enticing aromas that immediately captivate the senses as you walk into the dining area. Their meals are mainly traditional Nigerian dishes, with a few continental options.

Their offerings include various Nigerian rice dishes like jollof rice, fried rice, oriental rice, Mexican rice, smoky fish rice, and coconut rice.

The menu also features local Nigerian soups like Edikaikong soup, black soup, seafood okro, and uziza soup, accompanied by different swallow dishes such as eba, amala, pounded yam, wheat, and semovita.

We also found foreign dishes such as Chinese macaroni, lasagna, and French onion rice.

For snacking, they offered mini burgers, small chops, chicken fingers, fruit salad, and BBQ chicken wings. For dessert and pastries, they had scones, muffins, marble and chocolate cake slices, and ice cream.

Food Quality

Since it was a buffet, we tried to sample 80 percent of the meals. For starters, we had their chicken pepper soup and fruit salad. 

The chicken pepper soup was delicious with a bit of a spicy kick, while the fruit bowl had ripe and juicy slices of pineapple, grapes, watermelon, and pawpaw.

We also tasted their fresh zobo juice, which had little or no added sugar.Their ukodo dish, which is boiled yam in pepper soup, was quite spicy and included chunks of goat meat. The mini chicken burgers were a bit dry but still tasty. The small chops, including fried yams and plantains, were delicious.

In the protein section, we tried grilled chicken wings, grilled fish, chicken fingers, and spicy chicken wings, all of which were tasty and tender. We also sampled their lasagna, along with a mixture of fried rice and smoky fish rice.

For dessert, we enjoyed vanilla ice cream with chocolate drizzle, chocolate muffins, and marble cake slices. The cake slices were particularly delightful because of their fluffiness.

All the meals on the platter tasted fresh, as if they had been prepared moments before being served. The presentation of the dishes was both appetising and visually appealing.

The buffet stations were well-organised and continuously refreshed, ensuring everything looked as good as it tasted. The fruit platter display, pastries station, and salad bowls were beautifully arranged. All the meals were neatly arranged and well-plated, making the food even more enticing.

Service

The staff at Colossus Lagos were friendly, efficient, and attentive. We were promptly directed to our seats after reservation confirmation, and a waiter was assigned to our table.

Our waiter ensured that our plates were cleared promptly after we finished eating and attended to our inquiries and needs.

Their top-notch service and professionalism made the dining experience seamless and enjoyable.

Ambience

The interior of the restaurant is modern and stylish, with seating arrangements for both couples and groups, making it easy to accommodate guests.

The dining area is divided into three sections: the first is well-lit, with clear windows showcasing the terrace and building vicinity; the second is closer to the buffet station; and the third, near the bar, has dim lighting.

A soft oldies R&B playlist added to the lively atmosphere, complemented by the sounds of cutlery on plates and the chatter and laughter from different tables.

Value for Money

Buffet dining at The Colossus Lagos costs N20,000 per person. Given the variety and quality of the food, this price is reasonable, especially for those with a hearty appetite who want to enjoy a wide range of high-quality Nigerian dishes in a sociable setting.

The reasonable pricing, combined with excellent service and high food standards, make this spot a standout choice for a great buffet experience in Lagos.

Hygiene Standards

Cleanliness was top-notch, from the buffet station and dining area to the restrooms, which were well-maintained and spotless.

The staff were diligent in cleaning up the buffet station to prevent messes from spills while people served themselves. They also consistently swept and mopped the floors in the dining area to keep the space tidy.

Location

The buffet at The Colossus Lagos is hosted by the hotel of the same name, located in a central part of Ikeja along Opebi Link Road. 

It is near major roads, highways, and the Sheraton Hotel, making it easily reachable by car, taxi, or public transport.

The Colossus Lagos offers ample parking space for guests, with a secure and well-lit parking area. Accessible entrances with ramps and automatic doors ensure easy entry for guests using wheelchairs or other mobility aids.

Consistency

Although The Colossus Lagos was established three years ago, positive reviews on their Instagram page highlight their consistent high standards in buffet dining. 

This reliability has earned them a loyal customer base, even with recent price increases. The cost rose from N16,875 to N20,000 at the beginning of July.

Innovation

The creativity in their menu offerings and presentation is average, featuring mostly traditional Nigerian cuisine with only a few international dishes. 

However, the variety of their snack board, small chops section, and pastries is superb.

Sustainability

As first-time visitors, we were curious about their sustainability practices, ingredient sourcing, waste management, and environmental impact.

Although we couldn’t obtain specific details about their ingredient sourcing, the freshness and quality of the dishes suggest they prioritise locally-produced ingredients.

This assumption is based on the rich flavours and vibrant appearance of the food. 

The efficient service and careful replenishment of the buffet station suggest a potential focus on minimising waste. The staff managed the buffet well, ensuring that dishes were fresh and not overstocked, which may reflect thoughtful waste reduction efforts. 

It’s important to note that The Colossus Lagos does not use reusable plastics or special materials for takeaway packaging, as it is a dine-in-only buffet experience. Guests are not allowed to take leftovers home.

Waiting Time

If you have a reservation, you will be assigned a seat in less than two minutes upon arrival.

For walk-in diners, it takes about 15-20 minutes to be seated and have a waiter assigned to your table.

Since it is a buffet, you can visit the buffet station as many times as you like. The only items served by the waiter are soft drinks, bottled water, and a cup of ice cream at the end of your meal.

Online Presence and Ease of Reservations

The Colossus Lagos’ website is well-designed, user-friendly, and visually appealing but primarily focuses on hotel offerings and accommodation.

For reservations, the process is somewhat cumbersome. You need to call to express interest, after which you receive an instant WhatsApp message with payment details and a request for guest information. 

Confirmation messages are sent promptly after payment is verified. The system would be more efficient with a direct online reservation link.

The restaurant maintains an active presence on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, with regular updates on brunch specials and photos of the accommodation.

Special Features

While The Colossus Lagos excels in food and service, it does not highlight unique selling points such as live music, scenic views, or themed buffet dining experiences.