Culinary stars shine at 2025 Awari Restaurant Week Awards

By Juliet Ebirim

The Lagos culinary community gathered on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, as Rococo Restaurant, Victoria Island hosted the Awari Restaurant Week Awards, an annual celebration of outstanding culinary talent in Lagos and Abuja. The evening brought together chefs, restaurateurs and food lovers to recognise excellence in service, menu innovation and customer engagement.
Now in its 11th edition, Restaurant Week has grown significantly from its early days as a small guide known as ‘Lost in Lagos’ to its current identity as Awari, a platform dedicated to elevating the region’s food culture. Awari founder, Tannaz Bahnam described the awards as a tribute to the creativity and commitment that continue to shape the city’s vibrant restaurant scene.
Eighty-two restaurants participated in this year’s three-week programme, with several establishments receiving special recognition for their performance. Mr. Panther earned both the Best in Service Award and the People’s Choice Award, while Z Kitchen was recognised for offering the Best ARW Menu and Lalas Bistro was named Top Performing Restaurant of the year.
Beyond the accolades, the evening highlighted the growing influence of food tourism and the importance of supporting local dining businesses. According to Bahnam, the event reflects a broader effort to celebrate the region’s culinary innovators and foster community through shared food experiences.
With new restaurants emerging and established kitchens pushing creative boundaries, the 2025 edition of Awari Restaurant Week showcased the continued evolution of dining culture across both cities.

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