Mary Edoro’s Style Guide to Abuja – Where to Eat, Shop and Visit

As an ever inquisitive fashion girl, travelling has easily become one of my many ways to de-stress, refresh and get inspired.

That’s why when a friend suggested we take a trip to Nigeria’s capital, I said Yasss! The four-day Easter break was the perfect time to jet off to Abuja – not much jetting off though – flight delays were trending that weekend. However, it wasn’t my first time there so I already had my short holiday planned out.

Whether you’re hoping to check out the city’s thriving art scene, find the perfect brunch spot, or partake in the most fun activities, take this stylish guide with me and be sure to bookmark this for your next trip to The Buj!

First Stop

Ceddi Plaza on Tafawa Balewa Way is usually where I go to first. I like to pick up gifts for my nieces and get junk food. It’s a boisterous mall that has almost everything; cinema, jewellery store, supermarket, etc.

The Best

Park – Millenium Park is bigger and more scenic than the other parks. The perfect place for a cute family picnic.

Place to People Watch – Jabi Lake Mall which is fairly new, as such has a lot of people trooping in and out. There is also a good number of cool sit-out spots and a lovely lake view to enjoy.

Market – Wuse Market has it all. Do you need fabrics? New shoes? or even a quick tailor-made outfit? You can get it all there. Plus, if you’re lucky and spot a henna lady passing by, you can get a pretty design drawn on your hands for as low as N1000.

My Favourite

Café – I only discovered Saffron Café on this trip and I immediately fell in love with the ambience. Of course, if you follow me on Instagram you’d know about my coffee addiction and I got my fix here for sure.

Dessert Shop – Chloe’s Cupcake Haven will always be a favourite for me. Why? Their menu is filled with all sorts of treats to satisfy any sweet tooth. From waffles and cakes to ice cream and milkshakes, they have it all.

Resturant – I’ve been to Nkoyo twice and each time was an experience. It’s easily one of the best places to get a yummy plate of Jollof – and as a sucker for aesthetics, the outdoor-indoor experience keeps me coming back. I’ll admit, although pricey, Transcorp Hilton hotel hosts a super Sunday brunch!

Art Gallery – Thought Pyramid Art Centre is where I go for my art fix when in the Buj. The gorgeous space houses a buoyant collection of valuable works from experienced and growing artists.
Notable Mention: The Arts and Crafts market beside Silverbird in the Central Business District has really interesting paintings and sculptures. It’s worth a visit.

Where To Shop

Abuja women love their custom-made luxury pieces; full-length dresses and bulky abayas made with the finest fabrics.  Although there aren’t a lot of designated high fashion boutiques in Abuja, there are some places with impressive selections of covetable pieces worth checking out. Here are my top picks of Abuja based brands and boutiques;

Aisha Abu-Bakr
BelleKay Woman
Fashion Café 
Shop and Play
Grey Velvet, Abuja

Abuja’s Best-Kept Secret

Ozidu House is one of the hidden gems of the city. Located in one of the quiet neighbourhoods in Maitama, the conceptual boutique hotel has only a few rooms – just like a home duplex with the individual rooms available for bookings as well as the whole space, cool yeah?

I particularly love the interior decor and the theme of the hotel. They also have a talented in-house chef. The best part is, the space is so hidden it’s rarely ever crowded!

Can’t Leave Abuja Without

Kilishi! Area 10 market is the hub of Kilishi; a spicy Hausa version of jerky. There are so many stands but you have to be careful to get a “dealer” with the freshest supply!

Ever been to Abuja? Where are your favourite places to visit?