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Tempting kebabs, fragrant biryani, and whipped, ethereal desserts.

The historic city in northern India of Lucknow has consistently been a food lovers' paradise, with locals and visitors equally praising its remarkable cuisine.

Worldwide Recognition

Recently, UNESCO designated it as a UNESCO Creative City for Gastronomy – placing it on a prestigious group of international urban centers and sparking hopes that it will highlight Lucknow's peerless food. With this designation, it becomes part of a international community of cities urban centers across over 100 countries focused on promoting "creativity as a driver of development that sustains urban life".

The honor "is a testament to its centuries-old food heritage and dynamic food ecosystem," as noted by a representative from Unesco's Regional Office for South Asia.

Lucknow is just the second Indian city – after Hyderabad, which was selected in 2019 – to secure a position in this highly sought-after list of seventy urban centers worldwide.

An Urban Center with a Culinary Soul

The accolade for this venerable city is little surprise to its locals or avid food lovers. Many share the view that it is "a recognition that was delayed".

With the UNESCO designation, this adored, bustling, and diverse city – the capital of India's biggest state – is at last in the global gaze for what has always shaped its essence: an unparalleled devotion for food.

"'What will be cooked, how should it be prepared' is a constant conversation from waking up until night in most homes," notes a local cultural expert. "And you are truly evaluated by the excellence of food that emerges from your kitchen."

A Royal Culinary Legacy

The City of Nawabs – as it's popularly called after its historic opulent Muslim rulers – is noted for its succulent kebabs and a distinctive take on biryani that were invented, evolved, and raised to sublime levels in their royal kitchens.

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

It was in this era that Lucknow's renowned kebabs were developed. Legend has it that the galouti kebab was invented to feed an elderly nawab who had no longer had his teeth. His chefs processed the meat with papaya, saffron, and a blend of spices and made it so fine that it required no chewing.

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

Beyond Kebabs and Biryani

Besides the famous kebabs and biryani, the culinary masters also created a repertoire of dishes that included kormas (rich curries), sheermal (saffron-infused flatbread), and shahi tukda (a sweet bread pudding).

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

The local Baniya community's cuisine not only highlights fresh harvests but also gives the city its highly curated Indian desserts, sweets, and distinctive street food, like chaat – spicy fried snacks.

Hidden Gems and Legacy Eateries

Virtually on every corner, there are small establishments and carts – hidden gems that are wildly favored by the locals.

In the heart of the city of Hazratganj, huge crowds start gathering from early morning at a renowned tea stall to get a steaming cup of spiced tea with milk, offered in earthenware cups, along with pillowy soft buns slathered with hand-churned white butter.

In the morning, one can make their way to a simple joint located in the old city area of Aminabad. Almost 150 years after it was founded, the place is still highly popular for its freshly fried kachoris (fried bread stuffed with lentils) and jalebis (crispy, syrup-soaked sweets).

Safeguarding a Culinary Heritage

The city also offers unique seasonal delights, such as makkhan malai, a cloud-like dessert savored in the winter. The technique of making it is intricate and demanding. The artisan whisks the milk and then sets it out at night, allowing the dew to give it its incredible airy feel.

On crisp mornings, street vendors are often seen in old city areas like Aminabad and Chowk. A number of however say that their younger generation do not want to take up the craft.

A celebrity chef from Lucknow has often said that the city's rich food legacy places it at the very pinnacle of the Indian street food experience. The real value from the UNESCO recognition, however, will be realized only if Lucknow can now generate interest about its lesser-known eateries.

Every dish in Lucknow tells a story – shaped by multi-generational food businesses, from modest street carts to busy restaurants, and guarded family recipes.

The international acclaim, it is believed, will encourage more people globally to discover these narratives and visit the city to taste the culinary delights of Lucknow.