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

The northern Indian city of Lucknow has consistently been a haven for gastronomes, with inhabitants and travelers equally celebrating its exquisite cuisine.

A Global Honor

Last month, Unesco recognised it as a City of Gastronomy within its Creative Cities Network – adding it to a exclusive roster of global cities and sparking hopes that it will highlight Lucknow's exceptional food. With this designation, it becomes part of a international community of more than four hundred cities across over 100 countries committed to promoting "creativity as a key factor of development that sustains urban life".

The honor "stands as proof of its profound culinary traditions and vibrant food ecosystem," according to a official from UNESCO's regional bureau for South Asia.

Lucknow is just the second Indian city – after Hyderabad, which was chosen in 2019 – to find a place in this highly sought-after list of 70 cities around the world.

An Urban Center with a Culinary Soul

The accolade for this historic city comes as no surprise to its inhabitants or dedicated food lovers. Many share the opinion that it is "an honor long overdue".

With the UNESCO designation, this beloved, chaotic, and eclectic city – the administrative center of India's biggest state – is now in the global gaze for what has perennially shaped its essence: an unparalleled passion for food.

"'The day's menu, the method of preparation' is a continued discussion from morning until going to bed in most homes," notes a local cultural expert. "And you are truly evaluated by the quality of food that emerges from your kitchen."

A Heritage of Nawabi Cuisine

The Nawabi City – as it's often referred to after its historic opulent Muslim rulers – is renowned for its succulent kebabs and a unique take on biryani that were created, perfected, and elevated to exquisite levels in their imperial kitchens.

These imperial kitchens were hubs of culinary innovations, fusing 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 fashioned. As the tale is told that the galouti kebab was invented to feed an ageing nawab who had lost his teeth. His culinary artists processed the meat with raw papaya, saffron, and spices and made it so fine that it required no chewing.

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

More Than Just Famous Dishes

In addition to the famous kebabs and biryani, the culinary masters also built up a repertoire of dishes that included kormas (creamy curries), sheermal (saffron-infused flatbread), and shahi tukda (a rich bread pudding).

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

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

Hidden Gems and Legacy Eateries

Nearly on every corner, there are tiny kiosks and carts – little-known delights that are extremely popular with the locals.

In the central district of Hazratganj, huge crowds start assembling from the crack of dawn at a renowned tea stall to get a piping hot cup of milky masala chai, offered in kulhads, along with fluffy buns slathered with freshly churned white butter.

To start the day, one can make their way to a unpretentious joint operating in the historic quarter of Aminabad. Nearly 150 years after it was set up, the place is still much sought-after 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 savored in the winter. The process of making it is intricate and involved. The artisan whisks the milk and then sets it out at night, allowing the nighttime moisture to give it its incredible airy feel.

On crisp mornings, street vendors line up in old city areas like Aminabad and Chowk. Some though note that their younger generation do not want to master the art.

A celebrity chef from Lucknow has often said 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, however, will materialize only if Lucknow can now create awareness about its hidden eateries.

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

The international acclaim, it is believed, will motivate more people globally to explore these narratives and travel to the city to taste the gastronomic treasures of Lucknow.