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Mouth-watering kebabs, scented biryani, and airy, cloud-like desserts.

The historic city in northern India of Lucknow has long been a food lovers' paradise, with residents and travelers alike praising its remarkable cuisine.

An International Accolade

Recently, Unesco designated it as a Creative City of Gastronomy – placing it on a exclusive roster of international urban centers and sparking hopes that it will highlight Lucknow's peerless food. With this title, it enters a global network of over 400 metropolises across over 100 countries committed to promoting "creativity as a driver of city development that is sustainable".

The accolade "is a testament to its deep-rooted culinary traditions and vibrant food ecosystem," as stated by a representative from Unesco's regional bureau for South Asia.

Lucknow is just the second Indian city – following Hyderabad, which was picked in 2019 – to find a place in this highly sought-after list of seventy urban centers internationally.

A City Defined by Food

The accolade for this venerable city arrives as hardly a shock to its residents or avid food lovers. Many share the sentiment that it is "an honor long overdue".

With the UNESCO accolade, this beloved, chaotic, and vibrant city – the administrative center of India's largest state – is now in the global gaze for what has consistently characterized its heart: an immense passion for food.

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

A Heritage of Nawabi Cuisine

The City of the Nawabs – as it's popularly called after its historic affluent Muslim rulers – is noted for its tender kebabs and a distinctive take on biryani that were created, perfected, and elevated to exquisite levels in their royal kitchens.

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

It was during this time that Lucknow's most famous kebabs were fashioned. Legend has it that the galouti kebab was created to feed an elderly nawab who had no longer had his teeth. His cooks ground the meat with raw papaya, kesar, and spices and made it so silky that it needed no chewing.

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

Beyond Kebabs and Biryani

In addition to the well-known kebabs and biryani, the cooks also created a collection of dishes that included kormas (creamy curries), sheermal (saffron-infused flatbread), and shahi tukda (a sweet bread pudding).

However, Lucknow is far more than kebabs and biryani – the region is also a haven for vegetarians.

The local Baniya community's cuisine doesn't just celebrates seasonal produce but also provides the city its highly curated Indian desserts, sweets, and distinctive street food, like chaat – zesty fried snacks.

Iconic Stalls and Historic Shops

Nearly on every corner, there are tiny kiosks and carts – little-known delights that are wildly favored by the locals.

In the central district of Hazratganj, large gatherings start milling around from 5 am at a famous tea stall to get a piping hot cup of spiced tea with milk, presented in clay glasses, along with pillowy soft buns slathered with freshly churned white butter.

For breakfast, one can head to a unpretentious joint operating in the historic quarter of Aminabad. Nearly 150 years after it was founded, the place is still in great demand for its freshly fried 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 cloud-like dessert savored in the winter. The technique of making it is intricate and complicated. The vendor beats the milk and then sets it out at night, allowing the nighttime moisture to give it its incredible frothy texture.

On crisp mornings, street vendors can be seen in old city areas like Aminabad and Chowk. A number of but express concern that their younger generation do not want to master the art.

A well-known culinary expert from Lucknow has frequently stated that the city's rich food legacy positions it among the best of the Indian street food experience. The real value from the UNESCO recognition, however, will be realized only if Lucknow can now create awareness about its lesser-known eateries.

Every dish in Lucknow comes with a history – influenced by multi-generational food businesses, from modest street carts to busy restaurants, and secret family recipes.

The worldwide honor, it is hoped, will inspire more people globally to discover these tales and visit the city to delight in the culinary delights of Lucknow.