THE owner of a Nigerian restaurant in Basingstoke town centre has said he is 'incredibly thrilled' after scooping two food awards in one weekend.

Afrizi, located in Festival Place, has been awarded the Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice Award 2024 for being amongst the top 10 per cent of listings on the online platform.

The establishment has also been handed the Good Food Award Blue Ribbon which celebrates restaurants with the highest customer ratings and votes.

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(Image: Festival Place)

The independent restaurant was opened by Carlee Osundina and her husband Ezekiel in 2022, in a former hair salon.

The menu, which includes a range of dishes including Jollof rice, stew, Swallows, plantain fries and pies, is inspired by Ezekiel's Nigerian background.

Also on the menu is a range of desserts including cinnamon plantain and puff-puffs, which are a type of doughnut, as well as coconut, guava and milk-based smoothies.

Ezekiel told the Gazette: “We’re incredibly thrilled to win these amazing awards and the fact that they are based on the reviews we receive is incredibly important to us.

“We are so grateful to all the guests who take the time to go online and leave a great review of their experience with us.

"Our hard-working team is dedicated to bringing the very best service to both loyal returning customers and those discovering us for the first time.”

Centre director at Festival Place, Vicky Hickson, said: "It’s great to see one of our fantastic independents being recognised like this.

"Afrizi is so popular with our customers, and we couldn’t be more delighted that they continue to go from strength to strength."