Ikoyi

Amir Reifer★★★★★★★★★★5.0a week ago

Ikoyi is one of the most original and memorable dining experiences I have had anywhere in the world. This is not a restaurant that relies on luxury ingredients or theatrical presentation to impress. Instead, it is driven by creativity, technical excellence, and an extraordinary understanding of flavour. Every course feels surprising in the best possible way. The combinations are bold, often unexpected, and yet remarkably balanced. There is a level of confidence and clarity throughout the menu that is incredibly rare. What impressed me most was that despite all the innovation, the food never loses its sense of pleasure. It remains delicious above all else. The service is polished without feeling formal, and the entire experience feels thoughtful from beginning to end. A truly world-class restaurant that deserves every accolade it receives.

A. A.★★★★★★★★★★5.03 months ago

Lunch at Ikoyi was an exceptional culinary experience. The menu showcased remarkable precision and creativity, with refined flavors and beautifully balanced compositions throughout the courses. The wine selection was excellent and thoughtfully curated to complement the cuisine. Service was polished, attentive, and genuinely welcoming, contributing to a relaxed yet refined atmosphere. The interior design is modern, elegant, and perfectly aligned with the restaurant’s contemporary identity. A highly impressive lunch that reflects true culinary excellence — we look forward to returning.

Syifa Aulia★★★★★★★★★★4.05 months ago

Went to IKOYI this year in April for dinner and it was honestly a whole experience — think proper fine dining, the kind that’s clearly built for people who treat food like an adventure. First of all, the courses were a lot (more than 11), so you’re in for a long ride. And yes… it’s crazy expensive. Like, your wallet will feel it. But the service is top notch, which makes sense because they’re a Michelin-star restaurant — everything feels intentional, polished, and super controlled. Flavor-wise: you really need an adventurous palate. The spices are strong, layered, and sometimes surprising. If you’re a newbie (like me), there are moments where you’ll be like, “Wait… what am I tasting?” Not in a bad way — more like it’s complex and unfamiliar, so you might need a second to “get it.” Also, because they’re doing fine dining at a very high level, they’re serious about pacing. The timing between courses is thoughtful, but it can feel slow and long, especially if you’re expecting faster service. This is not a “quick dinner” place — it’s a sit-down, let-us-take-you-on-a-journey kind of night. My take? If you’re a true foodie (or if you’re super duper rich 🤣), at least once in your life, you should try it. It’s pricey, it’s intense, it’s slow — but it’s also genuinely above average and memorable in a way that regular fancy dinners aren’t.

Andy★★★★★★★★★★5.04 months ago

Ikoyi has such a distinguished reputation it can only really disappoint. I'm pleased to say it didn't. Ours was a menu of delicious little taste bombs with one slightly more substantial dish featuring their smoked 'jollof' (don't get excited Ghanians, it's not real jollof but it is delicious anyway). As hoped, the food was the star of the show and each course really did impress with the flavours, textures and presentation. I found the desserts weren't as good as the starters and mains but that's probably more to do with my palate preferences than anything else. From reviews I'd read I was expecting an African themed menu which isn't really the case, it's more of a fusion menu with inspiration from all over (including the golden continent). The restaurant itself is a wonderfully designed space with exceptional ambience, it had atmosphere and moody charm without too much buzz or pretentiousness which is hard to achieve. The staff were also great; professional, warm and attentive without being over the top. It is madly expensive but if fine dining is your thing, it's money well spent.

Adrienne Lin★★★★★★★★★★5.07 months ago

It was my first time in London, and in my rushed planning, I made time for one fine dining experience. London’s vast food scene felt intimidating as a first-timer, but one name kept surfacing: Ikoyi. It defies easy classification, perhaps because there’s nothing else like it. I managed to snag a week-of lunch reservation and opted for the condensed lunch tasting menu (though the full version is also offered midday). The progression of dishes grew steadily on me, and by the end, I was especially captivated with the desserts, where the interplay of heat and sweetness sang. The meal began with a rich gola pepper chicken broth. I skipped alcohol and chose a Da Hong Pao oolong, floral and earthy, which paired beautifully. I found the tempura-style turbot with bright crab salad to be a textural delight, and the aged beef rib with their signature smoked jollof rice and lobster custard met expectations. Pepper appeared in many forms and shown most for me in the dessert: jasmine sorbet warmed with chili oil, peppercorn mousse over brown butter ice cream and ginger cake, and sweet melon offset with unexpected numbing spice. Service was warm and conversational, though timing between courses was noticeably slow. When I mentioned my plans to explore cocktail bars, a manager returned with a handwritten list of some favorites. I also loved the design of the space, it was sculptural yet comforting, reflecting the same balance of discipline and warmth that defined the food. Overall I enjoyed my experience, and though I wouldn’t say I necessarily craved any dish afterward, the menu stretched my palate in ways few meals do. Ikoyi was inventive and quietly bold. Next time, I will opt for the full tasting menu.