🔗 Share this article

Mouth-watering kebabs, scented biryani, and fluffy, ethereal desserts.

The historic city in northern India of Lucknow has consistently been a haven for gastronomes, with inhabitants and tourists alike praising its superb cuisine.

A Global Honor

Recently, Unesco honored it as a City of Gastronomy within its Creative Cities Network – placing it on a prestigious list of international urban centers and kindling hopes that it will showcase Lucknow's sublime food. With this designation, it joins a global network of more than four hundred metropolises across over 100 countries dedicated to promoting "innovation as a driver of sustainable urban development".

The accolade "demonstrates its centuries-old culinary traditions and dynamic culinary scene," as noted by a spokesperson from UNESCO's regional bureau for South Asia.

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

A City Defined by Food

The honor for this venerable city is no surprise to its locals or avid food lovers. Many share the sentiment that it is "better late than never".

With the UNESCO recognition, this adored, bustling, and eclectic city – the administrative center of India's largest state – is finally in the global gaze for what has always shaped its essence: an unparalleled devotion for food.

"'What's for dinner, how will it be cooked' is a ongoing conversation from waking up until night in most homes," notes a local cultural expert. "And you are often assessed by the quality of food that comes out of your kitchen."

An Imperial Food Tradition

The Nawabi City – as it's widely known after its 18th and 19th Century affluent Muslim rulers – is famed for its melt-in-the-mouth kebabs and a singular take on biryani that were created, perfected, and elevated to sublime levels in their royal kitchens.

These imperial kitchens were hubs of food experimentation, fusing Persian and native Indian styles to create what became known as the food of Awadh.

It was in that period that Lucknow's most famous kebabs were fashioned. As the tale is told that the mutton galouti was created to feed an ageing nawab who had lost his teeth. His cooks ground the meat with papaya, kesar, and spices and made it so silky that it required no chewing.

But perhaps the greatest contribution of the cooks of Awadh was the slow-cooking Dum pukht technique, where food is prepared on a low, slow heat, with the container's cover tightly sealed with dough.

More Than Just Famous Dishes

Apart from the obvious kebabs and biryani, the cooks also built up a repertoire of dishes that included kormas (rich curries), sheermal (saffron-infused flatbread), and shahi tukda (a rich bread pudding).

However, Lucknow is not only about kebabs and biryani – the region is additionally a vegetarian's paradise.

The local traditionally vegetarian community's cuisine doesn't just highlights seasonal produce but also provides the city its exquisitely crafted Indian desserts, sweets, and unique street food, like chaat – spicy fried snacks.

Iconic Stalls and Historic Shops

Almost on countless corners, there are small establishments and kiosks – little-known gems that are immensely loved by the locals.

In the central district of Hazratganj, throngs of people start assembling from early morning at a famous tea stall to get a steaming cup of milky masala chai, presented in earthenware cups, along with fluffy buns covered in freshly churned white butter.

For breakfast, one can make their way to a unpretentious joint operating in the old city area of Aminabad. Nearly 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).

Preserving Tradition for the Future

The city also offers unique seasonal delights, such as makkhan malai, a frothy dessert available in the winter. The technique of making it is intricate and complicated. The cook hand-churns the milk and then exposes it at night, allowing the nighttime moisture to give it its incredible frothy texture.

On chilly mornings, street vendors are often seen in old city areas like Aminabad and Chowk. Many but note that their children are unwilling to learn the art.

A well-known culinary expert from Lucknow has often said that the city's profound food legacy places it right on top of the Indian street food experience. The true benefit from the UNESCO recognition, however, will be realized only if Lucknow can now build recognition about its hidden eateries.

Every dish in Lucknow comes with a history – crafted by generational food businesses, from modest street carts to bustling restaurants, and closely held family recipes.

The worldwide honor, it is believed, will inspire more people globally to explore these stories and experience the city to savour the gastronomic treasures of Lucknow.