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Delectable kebabs, aromatic biryani, and whipped, cloud-like desserts.

The historic city in northern India of Lucknow has long been a haven for gastronomes, with inhabitants and tourists equally celebrating its exquisite cuisine.

Worldwide Recognition

Recently, UNESCO recognised 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 becomes part of a international community of over 400 cities across more than 100 countries committed to promoting "innovation as a driver of development that sustains urban life".

The recognition "stands as proof of its centuries-old food heritage and dynamic gastronomic culture," as stated by a official from UNESCO's regional bureau for South Asia.

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

A City Defined by Food

The recognition for this time-honored city arrives as little surprise to its residents or passionate food lovers. Many echo the view that it is "better late than never".

With the UNESCO accolade, this cherished, lively, and diverse city – the capital of India's most populous state – is now in the global gaze for what has consistently defined its essence: an immense passion for food.

"'What will be cooked, how will it be cooked' is a ongoing conversation from waking up until night in many homes," explains a local cultural expert. "And you are often evaluated by the excellence of food that emerges from your kitchen."

A Royal Culinary Legacy

The City of Nawabs – as it's widely known after its historic opulent Muslim rulers – is famed for its tender kebabs and a singular take on biryani that were invented, perfected, and elevated to exquisite levels in their imperial kitchens.

These imperial kitchens were centers of culinary innovations, merging Iranian and native Indian styles to create what became known as the cuisine of Awadh.

It was during this time that Lucknow's most famous kebabs were created. Legend has it that the mutton galouti was devised to cater to an elderly nawab who had no longer had his teeth. His chefs minced the meat with raw papaya, kesar, and spices and made it so soft that it needed no chewing.

But perhaps the greatest contribution of the chefs of Awadh was the slow-cooking Dum pukht technique, where food is cooked on a low, slow heat, with the pot's lid securely closed with dough.

A Diverse Culinary Landscape

Apart from the obvious kebabs and biryani, the culinary masters also built up a vast array of dishes that included kormas (rich curries), sheermal (saffron-infused flatbread), and shahi tukda (a sweet 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 doesn't just celebrates seasonal produce but also offers the city its meticulously prepared Indian desserts, sweets, and distinctive street food, like chaat – tangy fried snacks.

Hidden Gems and Legacy Eateries

Virtually on many street corners, there are small establishments and carts – little-known delights that are extremely favored by the locals.

In the city center of Hazratganj, throngs of people start gathering from 5 am at a legendary tea stall to get a steaming cup of spiced tea with milk, presented in kulhads, along with pillowy soft buns lathered with hand-churned white butter.

To start the day, 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 special treats of the season, such as makkhan malai, a airy dessert savored in the winter. The process of making it is intricate and involved. The cook hand-churns the milk and then leaves it out at night, allowing the nighttime moisture to give it its incredible light consistency.

On chilly mornings, street vendors line up in old city areas like Aminabad and Chowk. Many however say that their younger generation are reluctant to take up the art.

A well-known culinary expert from Lucknow has noted that the city's rich food legacy puts it among the best of the Indian street food experience. The real value from the UNESCO recognition, however, will occur only if Lucknow can now generate interest about its lesser-known eateries.

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

The worldwide honor, it is anticipated, will motivate more people around the world to explore these stories and travel to the city to delight in the gastronomic treasures of Lucknow.