Lagosians Love Their Seafood And For Good Reason
Whether it’s a steaming plate of Fisherman Soup in Lekki, grilled croaker with pepper sauce on a beach in Tarkwa Bay, or a Sunday afternoon seafood okra in Surulere, seafood is deeply woven into the fabric of Lagos living.
From the homes of island executives to the buka pots in Ajegunle, fresh seafood has a way of elevating every mealbold in flavor, rich in culture, and wrapped in nostalgia.
But here’s the real question: where can you get the freshest, most affordable seafood in Lagos without getting scammed or overspending?
This guide uncovers the best markets, vendors, and seafood stores in Lagos. Whether you’re buying for home cooking, your restaurant, or a weekend grill party, these spots will serve you fresh, reliable, and often surprisingly affordable catches.
Why Fresh Seafood is a Big Deal in Lagos
In a coastal city like Lagos, fresh seafood isn’t just food, it’s tradition.
Ask any Yoruba grandma, Itsekiri fisherman, or Calabar chef. The quality of your seafood determines the heart of your meal. From catfish pepper soup to afang with periwinkle, the right catch makes all the difference.
But the demand has created a thriving industry complete with early-morning bidding wars at the dock, street hawkers calling out for “live crab!”, and Instagram vendors packaging lobster like luxury gifts.
The city is full of options. The trick is knowing where to go, when to go, and who to trust.
1. Oyingbo Market – The Mainland’s Underrated Gem
Location: Oyingbo, Ebute Metta
Vibe: No-frills hustle, early-morning madness
Best For: Fresh catfish, tilapia, croaker, snails, and smoked fish
Pro Tip: Go before 7 AM for first catch picks
Oyingbo is not for the faint-hearted, but it is a seafood lover’s goldmine. You’ll find trays of live fish flapping around, snails crawling across baskets, and plenty of vendors ready to clean, cut, and prep your order while you wait.
If you’re the type who doesn’t mind a bit of bargaining and banter, Oyingbo rewards you with some of the most affordable seafood in Lagos.
Use Case: A chef running a small restaurant in Yaba swears by Oyingbo for his morning stock. He buys in bulk, negotiates hard, and always leaves with a cooler full of variety.
2. Epe Fish Market – The OG Destination for Lagos Fishermen
Location: Epe Town (outskirts of Lagos)
Vibe: Community-driven, raw, and real
Best For: Live catfish, oysters, eel, prawns, clams, and baracuda
Pro Tip: Go with a local or trusted guide; it’s a fisherman’s world
Ask any serious seafood lover where they get the freshest catch, and they’ll probably whisper: “Epe.”
This market is more than a place; it’s a morning ritual. You’ll see fishermen arriving in wooden canoes with their night’s catch, women smoking fish over burning charcoal, and local restaurants buying in bulk before sunrise.
You can buy your fish live, haggle with the sellers, or even hire someone to grill it on-site before you head back into town.
Spottr POV: Bring a cooler with ice, especially if you’re coming from the Island. It’s a drive, but it’s worth every kilometre.
3. Lekki Phase 1/Ikate Roadside Fish Vendors – Island Convenience
Location: Along Admiralty Way and Ikate Elegushi
Vibe: Quick grab, urban hustle
Best For: Catfish, croaker, tilapia, calamari, prawns
Pro Tip: Inspect before you pay; ask when the stock came in
Not everyone has time to journey to Epe or brave the chaos of Oyingbo. Luckily, Lekki has its mini sea bazaar.
Dozens of roadside fish sellers set up shop early morning. Some are plugged into local fishermen, others restock from cold rooms. Prices are slightly higher than the markets, but you pay for convenience and proximity.
Bonus: Some of these vendors offer live grilling, cleaning, and even seasoning while you wait.
4. Ajah Market – For Bulk Buyers and Street-Level Freshness
Location: Ajah, after the Jubilee Bridge
Vibe: Busy, chaotic, energetic
Best For: Catfish, crab, mackerel, periwinkle
Pro Tip: Shop early on Wednesdays or Saturdays for the best variety
Ajah Market is a beast of a place. It combines local fish stalls, cold room sellers, and shellfish hawkers, making it ideal for families or caterers shopping in volume.
You can also find imported seafood like squid, lobster, and baby octopus. And if you’re running a grill spot or seafood restaurant, it’s a go-to location for stocking up without middlemen.
Use Case: A Lekki-based caterer buys her entire seafood menu stock in Ajah every Friday morning—live crab, jumbo prawns, and all.
5. Fish Lounge Stores and Instagram Vendors
Top Vendors to Check Out:
- @fishlounge.ng – Live catfish, home delivery, and grill prep
- @seafood.cravings – Exotic shellfish, combo platters, and promo deals
- @thefishladyng – Premium seafood trays, live snails, periwinkle
- @premiumseafoodng – Large prawns, grilled seafood platters, Abuja & Lagos delivery
In 2025, Instagram seafood vendors have changed the game. Now you can order cleaned, seasoned, and even grilled seafood without stepping out of your house.
What makes them appealing is the packaging, freshness guarantees, and convenience. Prices are steeper, but perfect for last-minute events, surprise date nights, or lazy Sundays.
6. Cold Room Hubs: The Plug for Frozen Imports
Locations: Ijora, Apapa, Ikorodu Road
Vibe: Industrial, bulk-buy
Best For: Jumbo prawns, imported salmon, king crab, filleted white fish
Pro Tip: Buy in quantity to get better deals
If you’re less about “live” and more about “stored well”, then cold rooms are your friend. Restaurants and grill houses swear by these industrial hubs for steady supply and volume pricing.
Perfect for:
- Stocking your restaurant
- Event catering
- Export-style seafood options
Seafood Trends in Lagos You Should Know
1. Grilled Fish Culture
It’s everywhere from Lekki street corners to VIP lounges in Ikeja. Fish is now grilled with custom spice rubs, served with yam chips, plantain, or agbalumo pepper sauce.
2. Seafood Trays for Celebrations
Birthday? Baby shower? Lagosians now send seafood trays loaded with prawns, crab, squid, and more as luxury gifts. Instagram vendors specialize in this.
3. Frozen to Fresh Movement
There’s growing awareness around chemical-preserved frozen fish. More consumers now ask:
“Is it a fresh or a cold room?”
Real-Life Example: Mama Kemi’s Weekend Run
Mama Kemi runs a small buka in Ilupeju. Every Friday by 6 AM, she’s in Oyingbo buying live catfish and smoked mackerel for her soup pots. She budgets ₦40,000 weekly, feeds over 100 customers, and she swears by bargaining early and building trust with her go-to fish sellers.
Tips for Buying Fresh Seafood in Lagos
- Check the Eyes: They should be clear, not cloudy
- Smell It: Fresh fish has a light sea smell, not strong ammonia
- Touch It: Flesh should bounce back when pressed
- Buy with Ice: Carry a cooler if you’re traveling far
- Negotiate: Prices aren’t fixed in most markets
Where NOT to Buy
Avoid unregistered road hawkers or “unknown origin” seafood on highways.
Pro tip: If it smells wrong, don’t buy it.
See the Difference
In Lagos, your pot only slaps as much as your seafood quality allows.
Whether you’re heading to Epe for early morning catfish, ordering premium trays on Instagram, or chatting your way to discounts in Ajah, one thing is sure: fresh seafood is a Lagos treasure, if you know where to look.
So go on, gather your spice mix, prep your okra, light the grill. Your next delicious memory starts with the right seafood plug.
Whether it’s a steaming plate of Fisherman Soup in Lekki, grilled croaker with pepper sauce on a beach in Tarkwa Bay, or a Sunday afternoon seafood okra in Surulere, seafood is deeply woven into the fabric of Lagos living.
From the homes of island executives to the buka pots in Ajegunle, fresh seafood has a way of elevating every mealbold in flavor, rich in culture, and wrapped in nostalgia.
But here’s the real question: where can you get the freshest, most affordable seafood in Lagos without getting scammed or overspending?
This guide uncovers the best markets, vendors, and seafood stores in Lagos. Whether you’re buying for home cooking, your restaurant, or a weekend grill party, these spots will serve you fresh, reliable, and often surprisingly affordable catches.
Why Fresh Seafood is a Big Deal in Lagos
In a coastal city like Lagos, fresh seafood isn’t just food, it’s tradition.
Ask any Yoruba grandma, Itsekiri fisherman, or Calabar chef. The quality of your seafood determines the heart of your meal. From catfish pepper soup to afang with periwinkle, the right catch makes all the difference.
But the demand has created a thriving industry complete with early-morning bidding wars at the dock, street hawkers calling out for “live crab!”, and Instagram vendors packaging lobster like luxury gifts.
The city is full of options. The trick is knowing where to go, when to go, and who to trust.
1. Oyingbo Market – The Mainland’s Underrated Gem
Location: Oyingbo, Ebute Metta
Vibe: No-frills hustle, early-morning madness
Best For: Fresh catfish, tilapia, croaker, snails, and smoked fish
Pro Tip: Go before 7 AM for first catch picks
Oyingbo is not for the faint-hearted, but it is a seafood lover’s goldmine. You’ll find trays of live fish flapping around, snails crawling across baskets, and plenty of vendors ready to clean, cut, and prep your order while you wait.
If you’re the type who doesn’t mind a bit of bargaining and banter, Oyingbo rewards you with some of the most affordable seafood in Lagos.
Use Case: A chef running a small restaurant in Yaba swears by Oyingbo for his morning stock. He buys in bulk, negotiates hard, and always leaves with a cooler full of variety.
2. Epe Fish Market – The OG Destination for Lagos Fishermen
Location: Epe Town (outskirts of Lagos)
Vibe: Community-driven, raw, and real
Best For: Live catfish, oysters, eel, prawns, clams, and baracuda
Pro Tip: Go with a local or trusted guide; it’s a fisherman’s world
Ask any serious seafood lover where they get the freshest catch, and they’ll probably whisper: “Epe.”
This market is more than a place; it’s a morning ritual. You’ll see fishermen arriving in wooden canoes with their night’s catch, women smoking fish over burning charcoal, and local restaurants buying in bulk before sunrise.
You can buy your fish live, haggle with the sellers, or even hire someone to grill it on-site before you head back into town.
Spottr POV: Bring a cooler with ice, especially if you’re coming from the Island. It’s a drive, but it’s worth every kilometre.
3. Lekki Phase 1/Ikate Roadside Fish Vendors – Island Convenience
Location: Along Admiralty Way and Ikate Elegushi
Vibe: Quick grab, urban hustle
Best For: Catfish, croaker, tilapia, calamari, prawns
Pro Tip: Inspect before you pay; ask when the stock came in
Not everyone has time to journey to Epe or brave the chaos of Oyingbo. Luckily, Lekki has its mini sea bazaar.
Dozens of roadside fish sellers set up shop early morning. Some are plugged into local fishermen, others restock from cold rooms. Prices are slightly higher than the markets, but you pay for convenience and proximity.
Bonus: Some of these vendors offer live grilling, cleaning, and even seasoning while you wait.
4. Ajah Market – For Bulk Buyers and Street-Level Freshness
Location: Ajah, after the Jubilee Bridge
Vibe: Busy, chaotic, energetic
Best For: Catfish, crab, mackerel, periwinkle
Pro Tip: Shop early on Wednesdays or Saturdays for the best variety
Ajah Market is a beast of a place. It combines local fish stalls, cold room sellers, and shellfish hawkers, making it ideal for families or caterers shopping in volume.
You can also find imported seafood like squid, lobster, and baby octopus. And if you’re running a grill spot or seafood restaurant, it’s a go-to location for stocking up without middlemen.
Use Case: A Lekki-based caterer buys her entire seafood menu stock in Ajah every Friday morning live crab, jumbo prawns, and all.
5. Fish Lounge Stores and Instagram Vendors
Top Vendors to Check Out:
- @fishlounge.ng – Live catfish, home delivery, and grill prep
- @seafood.cravings – Exotic shellfish, combo platters, and promo deals
- @thefishladyng – Premium seafood trays, live snails, periwinkle
- @premiumseafoodng – Large prawns, grilled seafood platters, Abuja & Lagos delivery
In 2025, Instagram seafood vendors have changed the game. Now you can order cleaned, seasoned, and even grilled seafood without stepping out of your house.
What makes them appealing is the packaging, freshness guarantees, and convenience. Prices are steeper, but perfect for last-minute events, surprise date nights, or lazy Sundays.
6. Cold Room Hubs: The Plug for Frozen Imports
Locations: Ijora, Apapa, Ikorodu Road
Vibe: Industrial, bulk-buy
Best For: Jumbo prawns, imported salmon, king crab, filleted white fish
Pro Tip: Buy in quantity to get better deals
If you’re less about “live” and more about “stored well”, then cold rooms are your friend. Restaurants and grill houses swear by these industrial hubs for steady supply and volume pricing.
Perfect for:
- Stocking your restaurant
- Event catering
- Export-style seafood options
Seafood Trends in Lagos You Should Know
1. Grilled Fish Culture
It’s everywhere from Lekki street corners to VIP lounges in Ikeja. Fish is now grilled with custom spice rubs, served with yam chips, plantain, or agbalumo pepper sauce.
2. Seafood Trays for Celebrations
Birthday? Baby shower? Lagosians now send seafood trays loaded with prawns, crab, squid, and more as luxury gifts. Instagram vendors specialize in this.
3. Frozen to Fresh Movement
There’s growing awareness around chemical-preserved frozen fish. More consumers now ask:
“Is it a fresh or a cold room?”
Real-Life Example: Mama Kemi’s Weekend Run
Mama Kemi runs a small buka in Ilupeju. Every Friday by 6 AM, she’s in Oyingbo buying live catfish and smoked mackerel for her soup pots. She budgets ₦40,000 weekly, feeds over 100 customers, and she swears by bargaining early and building trust with her go-to fish sellers.
Tips for Buying Fresh Seafood in Lagos
- Check the Eyes: They should be clear, not cloudy
- Smell It: Fresh fish has a light sea smell, not strong ammonia
- Touch It: Flesh should bounce back when pressed
- Buy with Ice: Carry a cooler if you’re traveling far
- Negotiate: Prices aren’t fixed in most markets
Where NOT to Buy
Avoid unregistered road hawkers or “unknown origin” seafood on highways.
Pro tip: If it smells wrong, don’t buy it.
See the Difference
In Lagos, your pot only slaps as much as your seafood quality allows.
Whether you’re heading to Epe for early morning catfish, ordering premium trays on Instagram, or chatting your way to discounts in Ajah, one thing is sure: fresh seafood is a Lagos treasure, if you know where to look.
So go on, gather your spice mix, prep your okra, light the grill. Your next delicious memory starts with the right seafood plug.
