African Dining at Mint Lane Cafe

If you haven’t been to Mint Lane Café lately, there are some delightful surprises in store.

Nigerian Dinner

If you fancy a spicy evening meal of freshly cooked Nigerian food — great news!

African Meal Palace is now open at Mint Lane Café four nights a week, bringing the vibrant flavours of West Africa to Lincoln. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and the food is simply fantastic.

Behind the dishes is Kemisola Obafemi, a Lincoln resident who brings her love of cooking and community together in a unique and heartfelt way.

Kemi, who moved to Lincoln with her husband and children in 2022, is passionate about colourful, nourishing food that tells a story.

“It all starts with a desire to share,” Kemi says with a big smile.

“It began with inviting friends and neighbours over for dinner. I don’t know how to cook small portions!” she laughs. “So they said — why not share this amazing food with everyone?”

Now supporting her family’s food venture, Kemi helps prepare a wide variety of traditional dishes that might be new to British palates — such as catfish pepper soup, yam porridge, Ofada rice (a traditional Nigerian rice), pounded yam with egusi soup, ogbono soup, bitter leaf soup, and dishes made with fermented locust beans.

Some of the meals pack a fiery punch, but there are also milder options like jollof rice for those less familiar with spicy cuisine.

Many of the ingredients are sourced locally through AdeLincoln on the High Street, while others are brought in directly from Africa to ensure authenticity and the perfect taste.

African Meal Palace is open at Mint Lane Café on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, from 4pm to 8pm — and everyone is welcome to experience this rich culinary culture.

“The food is nice,” says Kemi. “And I just love seeing people enjoy it!”

African Meal Palace is open at Mint Lane Cafe on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 4-8pm – all welcome! Main courses are £8-12.

Thank you to the Lincoln Independent for publishing this article, July 2025