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

The northern Indian city of Lucknow has long been a haven for gastronomes, with locals and tourists alike praising its remarkable cuisine.

A Global Honor

Recently, Unesco honored it as a City of Gastronomy within its Creative Cities Network – adding it to a select roster of world cities and kindling hopes that it will spotlight Lucknow's peerless food. With this status, it enters a worldwide network of more than four hundred cities across more than 100 countries focused on promoting "creativity as a driver of city development that is sustainable".

The accolade "stands as proof of its deep-rooted culinary traditions and dynamic culinary scene," according to a spokesperson from Unesco's Regional Office for South Asia.

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

A Metropolis Shaped by Cuisine

The accolade for this time-honored city comes as no surprise to its inhabitants or avid food lovers. Many echo the sentiment that it is "better late than never".

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

"'What's for dinner, how should it be prepared' is a constant conversation from waking up until going to bed in many homes," notes a local cultural expert. "And you are truly judged by the excellence of food that comes out of your kitchen."

A Royal Culinary Legacy

The Nawabi City – as it's widely known after its 18th and 19th Century opulent Muslim rulers – is noted for its tender kebabs and a unique take on biryani that were invented, perfected, and raised to extraordinary levels in their royal kitchens.

These imperial kitchens were hubs of gastronomic creativity, fusing Iranian and indigenous Indian styles to create what became known as the culinary tradition of Awadh.

It was in that period that Lucknow's renowned kebabs were created. The story goes that the mutton galouti was invented to feed an elderly nawab who had lost his teeth. His culinary artists minced the meat with papaya, kesar, and spices and made it so silky that it required 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 gentle, slow heat, with the pot's lid tightly sealed with a flour paste.

More Than Just Famous Dishes

In addition to the famous kebabs and biryani, the culinary masters also developed a collection of dishes that included kormas (creamy 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 vegetarian's paradise.

The local Baniya community's cuisine not only highlights fresh harvests but also offers the city its exquisitely crafted Indian desserts, sweets, and distinctive street food, like chaat – zesty fried snacks.

Iconic Stalls and Historic Shops

Almost on countless corners, there are small establishments and stalls – lesser-known treasures that are extremely favored by the locals.

In the central district of Hazratganj, huge crowds start assembling from the crack of dawn at a legendary tea stall to get a steaming cup of milky masala chai, presented in kulhads, along with fluffy buns covered in freshly churned white butter.

For breakfast, one can head to a simple joint operating 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).

Safeguarding a Culinary Heritage

The city also presents special treats of the season, such as makkhan malai, a airy dessert available in the winter. The method of making it is scientific and demanding. The cook hand-churns the milk and then exposes it at night, allowing the dew to give it its amazing light consistency.

On crisp mornings, street vendors can be seen in historic neighborhoods like Aminabad and Chowk. A number of however express concern that their children do not want to master the skill.

A celebrity chef from Lucknow has noted that the city's profound food legacy puts it among the best of the Indian street food experience. The real value from the UNESCO recognition, it is believed, will be realized only if Lucknow can now build recognition about its lesser-known eateries.

Every dish in Lucknow has a narrative – crafted by multi-generational food businesses, from modest street carts to lively restaurants, and closely held family recipes.

The global recognition, it is hoped, will encourage more people globally to explore these stories and visit the city to savour the food wonders of Lucknow.