With branches in both Lekki Phase 1 and Victoria Island, Marco Polo is one of an growing number of Chinese restaurants originally introduced by Hong Kong Chinese 20 years ago. In more recent years they have been joined by an influx of mainland Chinese as the business opportunities here have opened up.
Marco Polo is one of the smarter Chinese restaurants, with both branches set in detached two-storey premises in convenient locations. Both are modern, clean, air conditioned and well decorated with rich red walls complemented by imported Chinese lantern style lighting. Chinese seals and other ephemera line the walls whilst traditional painted wooden screens divide up the dining space into comfortable spaces.
The menu is amongst the most comprehensive of any of the Chinese restaurants in Lagos, with some 200 dishes. Good use is also made of local resources; dishes that normally use utilising catfish and crab are recreated using local substitutions. Having waded through the 200 dishes on the menu, I opted for pork and bok choy noodles, sensibly opting for a medium. It arrived five minutes later and was still far too much for one person, however the pork was tender, the bok choy al dente, and the broth steaming and savoury.
Diners are predominantly businessmen, both Nigerian and westerners, mainly suited and booted discussing business deals over food. Staff are well dressed in black tuxedoes and extremely attentive. Expect to pay N4000 a head.
Expert Review
With branches in both Lekki Phase 1 and Victoria Island, Marco Polo is one of an growing number of Chinese...
With branches in both Lekki Phase 1 and Victoria Island, Marco Polo is one of an growing number of Chinese restaurants originally introduced by Hong Kong Chinese 20 years ago. In more recent years they have been joined by an influx of mainland Chinese as the business opportunities here have opened up.
Marco Polo is one of the smarter Chinese restaurants, with both branches set in detached two-storey premises in convenient locations. Both are modern, clean, air conditioned and well decorated with rich red walls complemented by imported Chinese lantern style lighting. Chinese seals and other ephemera line the walls whilst traditional painted wooden screens divide up the dining space into comfortable spaces.
The menu is amongst the most comprehensive of any of the Chinese restaurants in Lagos, with some 200 dishes. Good use is also made of local resources; dishes that normally use utilising catfish and crab are recreated using local substitutions. Having waded through the 200 dishes on the menu, I opted for pork and bok choy noodles, sensibly opting for a medium. It arrived five minutes later and was still far too much for one person, however the pork was tender, the bok choy al dente, and the broth steaming and savoury.
Diners are predominantly businessmen, both Nigerian and westerners, mainly suited and booted discussing business deals over food. Staff are well dressed in black tuxedoes and extremely attentive. Expect to pay N4000 a head.