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

The historic city in northern India of Lucknow has long been a food lovers' paradise, with residents and visitors equally swearing by its exquisite cuisine.

Worldwide Recognition

Last month, Unesco recognised it as a City of Gastronomy within its Creative Cities Network – including it in a exclusive list of international urban centers and kindling hopes that it will showcase Lucknow's peerless food. With this title, it joins a worldwide network of over 400 metropolises across over 100 countries committed to promoting "creativity as a driver of sustainable urban development".

The honor "demonstrates its profound gastronomic legacy and vibrant gastronomic culture," as stated by a official from Unesco's Regional Office for South Asia.

Lucknow is only the second Indian city – after Hyderabad, which was selected in 2019 – to find a place in this prestigious list of 70 cities internationally.

A Metropolis Shaped by Cuisine

The recognition for this time-honored city comes as hardly a shock to its locals or dedicated food lovers. Many share the opinion that it is "a recognition that was delayed".

With the UNESCO designation, this cherished, chaotic, and diverse city – the administrative center of India's biggest state – is at last in the global gaze for what has consistently characterized its essence: an immense passion for food.

"'The day's menu, how will it be cooked' is a continued discussion from morning 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."

A Heritage of Nawabi Cuisine

The City of Nawabs – as it's popularly called after its historic wealthy Muslim rulers – is noted for its succulent kebabs and a unique take on biryani that were invented, perfected, and elevated to extraordinary levels in their royal kitchens.

These royal kitchens were epicenters of gastronomic creativity, merging Persian and native Indian styles to create what became known as the cuisine of Awadh.

It was during this time that Lucknow's iconic kebabs were developed. The story goes that the mutton galouti was devised to cater to an elderly nawab who had lost his teeth. His chefs ground the meat with raw papaya, saffron, and spices and made it so soft that it needed no chewing.

But arguably the biggest contribution of the cooks of Awadh was the slow-cook Dum pukht technique, where food is cooked on a gentle, slow heat, with the pot's lid tightly closed with a flour paste.

A Diverse Culinary Landscape

Besides the well-known kebabs and biryani, the cooks also built up a collection 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 also a vegetarian's paradise.

The local traditionally vegetarian community's cuisine not only celebrates local ingredients but also provides the city its highly curated Indian desserts, sweets, and unique street food, like chaat – spicy fried snacks.

Iconic Stalls and Historic Shops

Virtually on countless corners, there are small establishments and kiosks – little-known delights that are immensely popular with the locals.

In the city center of Hazratganj, throngs of people start gathering from the crack of dawn at a legendary tea stall to get a piping hot cup of spiced tea with milk, offered in clay glasses, along with pillowy soft buns slathered with freshly churned white butter.

In the morning, one can make their way to a simple joint situated in the old city area 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).

Preserving Tradition for the Future

The city also presents unique seasonal delights, such as makkhan malai, a cloud-like dessert found in the winter. The process of making it is intricate and complicated. The artisan whisks the milk and then leaves it out at night, allowing the nighttime moisture to give it its amazing light consistency.

On chilly mornings, street vendors line up in historic neighborhoods like Aminabad and Chowk. Many though express concern that their younger generation are reluctant to learn the art.

A renowned chef from Lucknow has noted that the city's profound food legacy positions it at the very pinnacle of the Indian street food experience. The significant impact from the UNESCO recognition, it is believed, will be realized only if Lucknow can now create awareness about its lesser-known eateries.

Every dish in Lucknow comes with a history – shaped by family-run food businesses, from modest street carts to bustling restaurants, and secret family recipes.

The worldwide honor, it is hoped, will inspire more people worldwide to learn these tales and experience the city to savour the gastronomic treasures of Lucknow.