Hans and René: The Story of a Pioneering Ice Cream Shop in Lagos

Hans and René is a boutique gelateria, cafe and bakery. What began life as a cupcake bakery in 2015, over the course of the last decade, it has grown into one of Nigeria’s most celebrated gelato spots, with multiple locations across Lagos and Abuja.

Why Gelato?

Initially, it was a simple realisation. Founder, Mrs. Tayo Bolodeoku was inspired by local weather conditions: it’s warm most of the year, the perfect weather for ice cream. With her business and accounting background, she embarked on a journey to gather the knowledge she would need to run her business – from Caprigiani Gelato University in Italy, to Le Cordon Bleu in London. She has never stopped learning and still today, she is taking courses to gain more knowledge about her craft. The Hans and René gelato base was perfected in Italy and is unlike anything you would find locally.

Running a business in Nigeria is a rollercoaster: The constantly changing economic conditions, utilities and infrastructure are a lot to reckon with. To run a gelateria that requires the highest food safety standards and constant electricity is no mean feat. Since 2015, Hans and René has set a standard: for consistency in celebrating indigenous Nigerian ingredients and seasonal fruit. 

I can still remember when Hans and René opened its first store, the pure joy and representation I felt when I saw my favourite fruit of all time – agbalumo (African star apple) used in a sorbet. But a hallmark of the Hans and René range is that all flavors are deep and rich. None more so than the zobo sorbet: you can taste each ingredient in a way that’s enjoyable without being overpowering – the burn of the ginger at the back of your throat, the light essence of the lemongrass, the tartness of the hibiscus, and the spices that make Nigerian zobo what it is. Other house specialities like, peanut Dune-ciatella (based on local chocolate brand, Dune chocolates) and boli and epa (a local snack favourite which combines sweet roasted plantains and moreish groundnuts) are equally notable. The attention to detail and indulgence extends to the wider range of desserts: tiramisu, cheesecake, granola, pies, chocolates, drinks and other snacks.

Managing creativity with consistency

It’s all in the attitude. In the words of the founder: “It’s not always going to work, but we’re going to find a solution to every problem. So every problem is surmountable. It’s about being creative and looking for a solution to the problem.” 

Mrs. Bolodeoku herself is creative, with a constant stream of new ideas. She’s also a perfectionist, always tweaking the recipe until it meets her standards; only then can she approve it for her team to reproduce. With her busy schedule, she plans ahead for each season so they can produce desserts or new ice cream flavours to celebrate different holidays and landmarks. Each can take weeks, months and even years to get right. She has to always remain one step ahead.

The business has grown in capacity and structure, with an intentional rebrand that happened in 2020. Since then, everything has a meaning and a purpose – from the yellow colour in their logo which represents the bright Nigerian sun, to the way you are welcomed in and ushered out of their outlets.

More than an ice cream shop

But it has become more than business: Hans and René is an organisation with impact. Recently it partnered with Teach For Nigeria to provide educational resources for children in need. Leveraging their platform to raise awareness and to encourage fundraising towards keeping underprivileged children in school for a year.

As you walk out the door, you would hear a member of the team say, intentionally, “see you tomorrow, same time, same place.” You try your very best to keep to that next appointment.

MoyosoreOluwa Odunfa-Akinbo is a chef and writer based in Lagos Nigeria. She curates Nigerian fine dining experiences with her team at the Àtijẹ Experience.

Read more of MoyosoreOluwa’s writing on Something Curated here.

All photography by MoyosoreOluwa Odunfa-Akinbo. Header photograph: Staff member Faith Aderinola Adejuwon outside Hans and René, Ikoyi.