Dept. of Culture

Born from chef Ayo Balogun’s IYA EBA pop-up series at Council Cafe, this space is designed around conversation in an intimate setting. Balogun leads the evening, sharing personal stories that explain the culture behind the dishes. The room is centered as much on sound as taste, featuring a selection of Nigerian vinyl played through a crisp, tuned speaker system that makes the room feel like a private home. Some diners note a high price point for the portion sizes, but the focus is on a shared, narrative-driven experience rather than conventional fine dining.