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

The northern Indian city of Lucknow has forever been a food lovers' paradise, with inhabitants and visitors alike swearing by its superb cuisine.

Worldwide Recognition

In a recent announcement, The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization designated it as a UNESCO Creative City for Gastronomy – placing it on a exclusive list of world cities and sparking hopes that it will spotlight Lucknow's peerless food. With this status, it enters a worldwide network of more than four hundred metropolises across over 100 countries dedicated to promoting "innovation as a key factor of development that sustains urban life".

The accolade "demonstrates its deep-rooted food heritage and vibrant culinary scene," as noted by a official from Unesco's regional bureau for South Asia.

Lucknow is just the second Indian city – after Hyderabad, which was picked in 2019 – to secure a position in this coveted list of 70 cities worldwide.

A City Defined by Food

The honor for this venerable city is hardly a shock to its residents or avid food lovers. Many share the opinion that it is "a recognition that was delayed".

With the UNESCO designation, this cherished, bustling, and diverse city – the capital of India's biggest state – is at last in the limelight for what has always characterized its soul: an profound love for food.

"'What's for dinner, the method of preparation' is a constant dialogue from waking up until night in many homes," explains a local cultural expert. "And you are truly judged by the standard of food that emerges from your kitchen."

A Heritage of Nawabi Cuisine

The City of Nawabs – as it's widely known after its historic wealthy Muslim rulers – is famed for its melt-in-the-mouth kebabs and a distinctive take on biryani that were conceived, perfected, and taken to exquisite levels in their imperial kitchens.

These imperial kitchens were centers of gastronomic creativity, blending Persian and native Indian styles to create what became known as the culinary tradition of Awadh.

It was in this era that Lucknow's most famous kebabs were fashioned. Legend has it that the mutton galouti was devised to feed an ageing nawab who had lost his teeth. His culinary artists ground the meat with 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 cooked on a gentle, leisurely heat, with the container's cover tightly sealed with a flour paste.

More Than Just Famous Dishes

Besides the obvious kebabs and biryani, the cooks also created 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 also a haven for vegetarians.

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

Iconic Stalls and Historic Shops

Nearly on many street corners, there are tiny kiosks and stalls – hidden gems that are extremely loved by the locals.

In the city center of Hazratganj, large gatherings start milling around from 5 am at a renowned tea stall to get a steaming cup of milky masala chai, served in clay glasses, along with incredibly soft buns slathered with hand-churned white butter.

For breakfast, one can make their way to a simple joint operating in the historic quarter of Aminabad. Nearly 150 years after it was established, the place is still in great demand for its hot kachoris (fried bread stuffed with lentils) and jalebis (crispy, syrup-soaked sweets).

Ensuring Legacy Continues

The city also offers unique seasonal delights, such as makkhan malai, a cloud-like dessert found in the winter. The method of making it is precise and complicated. The cook beats the milk and then exposes it at night, allowing the dew to give it its unique airy feel.

On cold mornings, street vendors line up in old city areas like Aminabad and Chowk. Many though express concern that their younger generation are unwilling to master the skill.

A well-known culinary expert from Lucknow has frequently stated that the city's immense food legacy places it among the best of the Indian street food experience. The significant impact from the UNESCO recognition, however, will materialize only if Lucknow can now create awareness about its lesser-known eateries.

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

The international acclaim, it is believed, will motivate more people worldwide to learn these tales and experience the city to taste the food wonders of Lucknow.