🔗 Share this article

Delectable kebabs, aromatic biryani, and fluffy, ethereal desserts.

The northern Indian city of Lucknow has long been a food lovers' paradise, with locals and travelers alike swearing by its superb cuisine.

A Global Honor

In a recent announcement, Unesco designated it as a Creative City of Gastronomy – placing it on a select roster of international urban centers and kindling hopes that it will spotlight Lucknow's exceptional food. With this designation, it enters a international community of over 400 metropolises across over 100 countries dedicated to promoting "innovation as a catalyst of development that sustains urban life".

The accolade "is a testament to its deep-rooted gastronomic legacy and dynamic culinary scene," according to a official from Unesco's Regional Office for South Asia.

Lucknow is only the second Indian city – following Hyderabad, which was picked in 2019 – to find a place in this coveted list of 70 cities worldwide.

An Urban Center with a Culinary Soul

The accolade for this historic city arrives as little surprise to its residents or dedicated food lovers. Many share the view that it is "an honor long overdue".

With the UNESCO designation, this adored, chaotic, and vibrant city – the administrative center of India's most populous state – is finally in the spotlight for what has perennially characterized its soul: an unparalleled love for food.

"'What will be cooked, the method of preparation' is a constant dialogue from morning until going to bed in most homes," notes a local cultural expert. "And you are truly evaluated by the excellence of food that emerges from your kitchen."

An Imperial Food Tradition

The City of Nawabs – as it's popularly called after its 18th and 19th Century affluent Muslim rulers – is renowned for its tender kebabs and a singular take on biryani that were invented, evolved, and taken to exquisite levels in their opulent kitchens.

These royal kitchens were hubs of culinary innovations, merging Persian and local Indian styles to create what became known as the culinary tradition of Awadh.

It was during this time that Lucknow's most famous kebabs were created. The story goes that the galouti kebab was devised to cater to an ageing nawab who had no longer had his teeth. His chefs ground the meat with papaya, saffron, and a blend of spices and made it so fine that it required no chewing.

But perhaps the greatest contribution of the chefs of Awadh was the slow-cook Dum pukht technique, where food is prepared on a low, slow heat, with the pot's lid securely sealed with a flour paste.

More Than Just Famous Dishes

In addition to the obvious kebabs and biryani, the culinary masters also created a vast array of dishes that included kormas (rich curries), sheermal (saffron-infused flatbread), and shahi tukda (a decadent bread pudding).

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

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

Iconic Stalls and Historic Shops

Almost on many street corners, there are small establishments and stalls – lesser-known gems that are extremely favored by the locals.

In the heart of the city of Hazratganj, throngs of people start assembling from the crack of dawn at a renowned tea stall to get a steaming cup of milky masala chai, presented in clay glasses, along with incredibly soft buns covered in hand-churned white butter.

To start the day, one can head to a unpretentious joint situated in the historic quarter of Aminabad. Almost 150 years after it was set up, the place is still highly popular for its hot kachoris (fried bread stuffed with lentils) and jalebis (crispy, syrup-soaked sweets).

Ensuring Legacy Continues

The city also presents unique seasonal delights, such as makkhan malai, a frothy dessert available in the winter. The method of making it is precise and complicated. The cook whisks the milk and then exposes it at night, allowing the dew to give it its unique airy feel.

On crisp mornings, street vendors line up in historic neighborhoods like Aminabad and Chowk. Some however say that their children do not want to master the art.

A well-known culinary expert from Lucknow has often said that the city's rich food legacy positions it right on top of the Indian street food experience. The significant impact from the UNESCO recognition, it is believed, will materialize only if Lucknow can now build recognition about its lesser-known eateries.

Every dish in Lucknow tells a story – shaped by family-run food businesses, from modest street carts to lively restaurants, and closely held family recipes.

The worldwide honor, it is believed, will encourage more people around the world to explore these narratives and travel to the city to delight in the culinary delights of Lucknow.