Victoria Island is the Brooklyn of Lagos.
Victoria Island named the Brooklyn of Lagos
August 4, 2026 - Brooklyn Of (brooklynof.com), a travel publication that names the coolest neighborhood in more than 150 cities worldwide, has named Victoria Island the Brooklyn of Lagos.
The "Brooklyn of" a city is a metaphor, of course: shorthand for the coolest neighborhood in town, the one where independent culture, serious coffee, and creative energy define the character. Not the old town, not where the hop-on-hop-off bus goes. Every big enough city has one, and the site names exactly one per city. In many cities the pick is close to consensus, the name locals would give without hesitating. In others it picks a side. Lagos's verdict went to Victoria Island ahead of Yaba, Lekki and Ikoyi, which take the runner-up positions.
"We named Victoria Island the Brooklyn of Lagos. It is where the city's creative and commercial energy collide, between the lagoon and the Atlantic, and where Lagos does its most interesting work after dark. The pace is punishing, which we counted in its favor. Lagosians are welcome to tell us we are wrong," says Per, creator of Brooklyn Of.
The verdict comes with a guide to Victoria Island's independent hotels, cafes, restaurants, bars and shops: no big chains, nothing sponsored, and placements are not for sale. Selections draw on research and local tastemakers in each city, and readers who disagree are invited to make their case.
The full Lagos verdict: brooklynof.com/lagos
Press contact: Per, creator of Brooklyn Of, hello [at] brooklynof.com
Press kit and images: brooklynof.com/press/lagos
Runner-up neighborhoods: Yaba, Lekki, Ikoyi
Free for editorial use in coverage of brooklynof.com. Credit: brooklynof.com.
hello [at] brooklynof.com · Per is available for interviews, quotes, and written commentary on this and every city in the index.