Panu Lagos (Lekki Phase 1)

 9 Otunba Adedoyin Ogungbe Cres, Lekki Phase I| Instagram | Phone

If you’ve been looking for a new restaurant in Lagos that’s doing something completely different, then PANU Lagos deserves a spot on your list.

I recently got invited for an exclusive preview ahead of their official opening, and after spending an afternoon eating my way through the menu, sipping signature lattes and exploring the space, I can confidently say that PANU feels like a breath of fresh air in the Lagos dining scene.

Created by The Smith Sisters, Taiwo and Kehinde Smith, PANU is Nigeria’s first New York and Italian-inspired Panuzzo lifestyle deli café, blending café culture, food, lifestyle, community and experiences in one thoughtfully designed space.

First Impressions: A Café Designed for More Than Just Food

The moment I walked into PANU, I immediately noticed how different it felt from many restaurants in Lagos.

The interiors are warm, contemporary and minimal with subtle rustic touches. The stainless steel menus instantly caught my attention (such a cool design detail), while the overall atmosphere feels relaxed, cozy and elevated.

It’s the kind of place where you can comfortably:

• Work remotely
• Meet friends
• Have business meetings
• Create content
• Enjoy breakfast or lunch
• Spend a few hours simply relaxing

The best way to describe it is “New York meets Lagos.”

What makes the concept even more interesting is that PANU transforms into The Blank Space at night – a flexible event venue designed for intimate dinners, workshops, launches, pop-ups, birthdays and curated experiences.

The entire space was intentionally designed to adapt depending on the experience, creating something much more immersive than a traditional restaurant.

WATCH THE REEL HERE

What We Ate at PANU Lagos

Now let’s get into the food because that’s why we’re really here.

Dubai Chocolate Latte

This was one of the standout drinks of the day.

The Dubai Chocolate Latte comes topped with a rich pistachio foam and finished with Dubai chocolate and knafeh around the rim. It was indulgent, decadent and honestly felt sinful to drink.

If you’re someone who enjoys dessert-inspired coffee drinks, this should be one of the first things you order.

Salted Caramel Latte

As someone who loves caramel-flavoured drinks, this was easily one of my favourites.

Rich, smooth, balanced and premium tasting from the coffee right down to the milk. It wasn’t overly sweet and delivered exactly what I hoped it would.

Panu Sticky Wings

We started our food journey with the Panu Sticky Wings.

These were packed with flavour, beautifully glazed and incredibly moreish. Definitely a great starter to share.

Prime Steak Panuzzo Sandwich

This was my favourite dish of the entire experience.

The Prime Steak Panuzzo Sandwich is served on warm sourdough bread alongside house-made crisps and PANU’s signature dip.

And let’s talk about that dip.

Because wow.

The steak was cooked medium as requested, allowing the quality of the beef to shine through. It was tender, juicy, flavourful and melted in my mouth.

The cross-section alone was enough to make me want another one immediately.

Classic Benedict

PANU offers both a classic and salmon version of their Eggs Benedict.

We opted for medium eggs and the dish came finished with a chipotle hollandaise sauce that absolutely delivered. The slight smokiness from the sauce paired beautifully with the richness of the eggs.

Panu Smashed Burger

By this point we were already full, but we couldn’t resist trying the burger.

Made with a smashed beef patty, aged cheddar, arugula, house burger sauce and slow-cooked bacon jam, this burger was rich, juicy and incredibly satisfying.

Another menu item I’d happily return for.

Strawberry Matcha & Mango Cream Matcha

Of course, we had to explore the matcha menu. Both drinks were delicious, refreshing and well-balanced. The Strawberry Matcha offered a fruity contrast while the Mango Cream Matcha delivered a tropical sweetness that worked surprisingly well.

Matcha lovers will definitely appreciate the variety available here. However, the Lagos ‘Matcha Police’ might not agree because when I posted my Matcha Taste test review, a few comments commented on the colour not passing their Matcha test etc, but as someone who just likes to drink something nice and not like sorrow, this was alright for me. So, if you like your Matcha strong, you may not like this much.

What Makes PANU Different?

The Lagos restaurant scene continues to evolve, but what PANU has done is create a concept that extends beyond food.

This isn’t simply a restaurant. It’s a café, a workspace, a meeting point, a lifestyle destination, an event venue and a community space.

That versatility is what makes PANU stand out. Whether you’re stopping by for breakfast, grabbing coffee with friends, working remotely for a few hours or attending an evening event at The Blank Space, the concept has been designed to adapt around the experience.

PANU Lagos Details

Final Verdict

PANU feels intentional. From the design of the space to the menu, drinks programme and overall experience, everything has been carefully thought through.

My personal highlights were the Prime Steak Panuzzo Sandwich, Salted Caramel Latte, Dubai Chocolate Latte and that unforgettable signature dip.

If you’re looking for a new restaurant in Lekki, a new café in Lagos, or simply somewhere different to experience, PANU is definitely worth checking out.

Foodie in Lagos Rating: 8.8/10

Foodie in Lagos was invited for an exclusive preview before the official opening 

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