Ikoyi is a vibrant & modern, bar, restaurant and lounge located in the heart of Downtown Newark. Ikoyi provides an elevated dining experience, bringing the best of West African culture & cuisine to New Jersey.
Ikoyi has a lovely aesthetic and the attention to detail is undeniable. During the day, it’s the perfect spot to enjoy a lunchtime meal or brunch. By evening, Ikoyi becomes a lounge, serving late dinner and providing the perfect, cozy ambiance.
We have a full bar, serving all alcoholic beverages. Reservations are recommended and walk-ins are welcome. We look forward to serving you at Ikoyi!
Gaylord Geter
The food was really good and the atmosphere was excellent. Casey(the cook) needs to be highly acknowledge for his food the food was amazing. The waitress Zar was very pleased to have and very sweet. I highly recommend this restaurant. We drove a hour and 30 mins to try it and I will definitely be back!
… moreHarmony Homes
Visited Ikoyi with friends for a birthday and really enjoyed the experience. It’s an upscale African restaurant and lounge with a great vibe that still feels welcoming and comfortable for everyone. The atmosphere is stylish and perfect for pictures (very Insta-worthy), the DJ adds to the lounge feel, and the food is flavorful and well made. Drinks were strong and enjoyable. Service can be a bit slow at times, but the staff is very kind, friendly, and accommodating, which makes up for it. Overall, a great spot for good food, drinks, and vibes.
… moreLatifat Raimi
We recently hosted a 25-guest birthday celebration at **Ikoyi Restaurant**, and the experience was absolutely top-notch from start to finish. The food catering was exceptional—every dish was flavorful, beautifully presented, and thoroughly enjoyed by all our guests. The customer service was outstanding, and the servers and waitresses were attentive, professional, and warm throughout the event.
A special thank you to Ms. Aisha, Jojo, Tiffany, and the entire team for going above and beyond to make our occasion truly memorable. The manager ensured everything ran smoothly, and the music added the perfect touch to the celebration.
About 25% of our guests traveled from a neighboring state, and they were equally impressed. The celebrant was elated, and everyone had a wonderful time.
Thank you, Ikoyi Restaurant staff, for delivering such an unforgettable experience!
… moreAndrea Okonkwo
The food was great and the service was okay, but the pricing structure makes me unlikely to return.
There was an automatic gratuity added to our bill (which brought our total to around $250 for three people), plus an additional $8 fee just for using a card. On top of that, we were still prompted to tip.
I understand the economy is tough, but adding $40+ in mandatory charges and then asking for more is excessive. Experiences like this confirm why I’m selective about where I spend my money. Will not be returning
… moreSteph
Food was great!! Service was ok. Definitely a place you dine at earlier in the day, or early evening if you want to avoid the nightlife crowd. Only thing I didn’t like was not being given a receipt, because I didn’t see an automatic gratuity was added to the bill for a table of two, before I added an additional tip. Still remembering the smokey jollof till this day though!
Parking is tough in the area so if you can, take an Uber
… moreAsattah Kennedy
Ikoyi made me feel at home. Great food and music with a beautiful ambiance is the perfect combination for a wonderful friday evening! The cherry on top was the top tier service! My server Tati was so helpful and caring. She too great care of us. I will be returning for sure.
… moreDee Gee
I gave 4 stars for the food but the service was mid at best. After waiting nearly 15 minutes for someone to come back over to our table, we had to go over to the server and ask for utensils because not everyone wants to eat with their hands, you know. Parking is another issue. There is a parking lot around the corner from what I understand, but I parked on the same street where the restaurant is located and risked getting a ticket and towed. While waiting at the bar for my friends to arrive, I ordered a $20 margarita (separately from my food) which already had a gratuity included on the bill for one single drink.
… moreTy A
Came here on a Saturday night and didn’t know what to expect but ended up leaving impressed. I was here for a birthday celebration and we were a group of 20. We rented out the private room that they have in the back and everything was excellent. They did a great job making sure that everyone in our party was attended to throughout our entire time there. They were extremely accommodating and even swapped out some food and drink orders for some of the guest who didn’t like their initial orders. I along with several others in the party enjoyed the food a lot. They have a great jollof rice that’s perfect for a variety of palettes since it’s not too spicy. The music is on the louder side, but that’s to be expected in this type of environment. The DJ who played when we were there was amazing. Overall, I had a great time and will be coming back.
… moreChristy Bretoux
I had a great experience at Ikoyi Restaurant! The vibe was fun and lively, with great music that made the atmosphere even better. Our server, Zar, was amazing attentive and friendly, making sure we had everything we needed. Overall, it was a fantastic place to enjoy good food and good company. Highly recommend
… moreDominick Carter
I recently visited a modern, upscale West African-inspired restaurant, bar and lounge on a Saturday and had a great overall experience with a few minor issues. The ambiance was vibrant and cozy, with lively Afrobeat music and a smooth transition to classic hip hop/R&B by the DJ, along with live performance from a guy on a saxophone, creating a fun and energetic atmosphere. The food was flavorful if you a person who like spicy, with bold, distinctive flavors. My sister had the rasta pasta and said it was good but the chicken was super dry. She also had me try the Miss Montana frozen style that I personally like. My other sister had jollof rice and was pretty satisfied. The minor issues was the utensils were not clean, just make sure you request another fork and knife with a cup of hot water to disinfect yourself. I ended up eating the Efo Riro (Vegetable Soup) with my hands so when it came down to me going to the restroom to wash my hands, the water pressure was low and lukewarm. Despite these small setbacks, the vibe, music, and food made for a fantastic night out with the family and I would highly recommend it for anyone looking for a great combination of ambiance, entertainment, and tasty food.
Sidenote: They serve Hookah! ($45 cash and $50 card). Major shout outs to security and all the staff there! Most of them very welcoming and friendly.
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