🔗 Share this article

Tempting kebabs, fragrant biryani, and whipped, cloud-like desserts.

The historic city in northern India of Lucknow has long been a haven for gastronomes, with residents and tourists equally praising its superb cuisine.

A Global Honor

In a recent announcement, UNESCO designated it as a Creative City of Gastronomy – placing it on a prestigious roster of international urban centers and igniting hopes that it will highlight Lucknow's sublime food. With this designation, it joins a international community of more than four hundred metropolises across more than 100 countries focused on promoting "innovation as a driver of sustainable urban development".

The honor "demonstrates its deep-rooted food heritage and vibrant gastronomic culture," as noted by a spokesperson from Unesco's regional bureau for South Asia.

Lucknow is merely the second Indian city – following Hyderabad, which was chosen in 2019 – to secure a position in this coveted list of seventy urban centers worldwide.

A Metropolis Shaped by Cuisine

The recognition for this venerable city is little surprise to its residents or passionate food lovers. Many echo the view that it is "an honor long overdue".

With the UNESCO recognition, this beloved, bustling, and vibrant city – the administrative center of India's most populous state – is finally in the limelight for what has perennially defined its heart: an unparalleled passion for food.

"'The day's menu, how should it be prepared' is a ongoing conversation from waking up until going to bed in most homes," explains a local cultural expert. "And you are truly evaluated by the standard of food that comes out of your kitchen."

An Imperial Food Tradition

The Nawabi City – as it's widely known after its historic wealthy Muslim rulers – is renowned for its succulent kebabs and a singular take on biryani that were conceived, perfected, and elevated to extraordinary levels in their opulent kitchens.

These imperial kitchens were centers of gastronomic creativity, blending Iranian and local Indian styles to create what became known as the cuisine of Awadh.

It was in that period that Lucknow's most famous kebabs were fashioned. Legend has it that the mutton galouti was invented to cater to an ageing nawab who had lost his teeth. His cooks minced the meat with raw papaya, saffron, and spices and made it so silky that it needed no chewing.

But perhaps the biggest contribution of the chefs of Awadh was the slow-cook Dum pukht technique, where food is prepared on a low, leisurely heat, with the pot's lid tightly closed with dough.

Beyond Kebabs and Biryani

Apart from the well-known kebabs and biryani, the cooks also created a vast array of dishes that included kormas (creamy curries), sheermal (saffron-infused flatbread), and shahi tukda (a decadent bread pudding).

However, Lucknow is not only about kebabs and biryani – the region is additionally a haven for vegetarians.

The local Baniya community's cuisine not only celebrates local ingredients but also provides the city its exquisitely crafted Indian desserts, sweets, and distinctive street food, like chaat – tangy fried snacks.

Hidden Gems and Legacy Eateries

Almost on every corner, there are small establishments and stalls – hidden gems that are extremely loved by the locals.

In the heart of the city of Hazratganj, large gatherings start milling around from 5 am at a famous tea stall to get a steaming cup of spiced tea with milk, presented in clay glasses, along with incredibly soft buns slathered with hand-churned white butter.

In the morning, one can visit a unpretentious joint located in the historic quarter of Aminabad. Almost 150 years after it was founded, the place is still in great demand for its hot kachoris (fried bread stuffed with lentils) and jalebis (crispy, syrup-soaked sweets).

Safeguarding a Culinary Heritage

The city also presents unique treats of the season, such as makkhan malai, a cloud-like dessert found in the winter. The process of making it is precise and demanding. The vendor hand-churns the milk and then sets it out at night, allowing the nighttime moisture to give it its amazing airy feel.

On crisp mornings, street vendors are often seen in historic neighborhoods like Aminabad and Chowk. Many however say that their younger generation are reluctant to learn the skill.

A well-known culinary expert from Lucknow has frequently stated that the city's immense food legacy positions it right on top of the Indian street food experience. The significant impact from the UNESCO recognition, it is believed, will be realized only if Lucknow can now build recognition about its hidden eateries.

Every dish in Lucknow has a narrative – shaped by family-run food businesses, from humble street carts to busy restaurants, and secret family recipes.

The global recognition, it is hoped, will motivate more people around the world to discover these tales and visit the city to delight in the food wonders of Lucknow.