Abeokuta's food is uncomplicated Yoruba cooking: pounded yam, amala (a dark dough of yam flour), egusi soup, jollof rice, suya (charcoal-grilled skewered beef heavily spiced with yaji), and the famous Yoruba pepper soup with goat or fish. The best places are the busy "buka" canteens around the central markets, where a generous plate costs N₦1,000–2,000.
Mama Suya kitchens scattered around the city are good for evening grilling — meat smoking over coals, served on newspaper with sliced onion and chilli powder. The few sit-down restaurants in the hotels do international standard fare for those who want a break from the local cuisine. Bottled water and Star or Gulder beer are the standard drinks; the small chapman cocktail is also widely available.