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Delectable kebabs, fragrant biryani, and airy, cloud-like desserts.

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

Worldwide Recognition

Last month, UNESCO recognised it as a City of Gastronomy within its Creative Cities Network – adding it to a prestigious group of global cities and sparking hopes that it will spotlight Lucknow's sublime food. With this title, it enters a worldwide network of over 400 metropolises across over 100 countries dedicated to promoting "creativity as a key factor of sustainable urban development".

The recognition "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 merely the second Indian city – following Hyderabad, which was picked in 2019 – to earn a spot in this coveted list of 70 cities around the world.

A Metropolis Shaped by Cuisine

The honor for this time-honored city comes as hardly a shock to its inhabitants or dedicated food lovers. Many echo the opinion 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 finally in the limelight for what has consistently defined its soul: an immense love for food.

"'What will be cooked, how will it be cooked' is a ongoing conversation from waking up until night in many homes," notes a local cultural expert. "And you are truly judged by the standard of food that is produced in your kitchen."

A Royal Culinary Legacy

The City of Nawabs – as it's often referred to after its 18th and 19th Century affluent Muslim rulers – is famed for its melt-in-the-mouth kebabs and a singular take on biryani that were created, refined, and elevated to sublime levels in their imperial kitchens.

These imperial kitchens were epicenters of gastronomic creativity, blending Iranian and native Indian styles to create what became known as the cuisine of Awadh.

It was in that period that Lucknow's most famous kebabs were fashioned. The story goes that the mutton galouti was invented to feed an ageing nawab who had no longer had his teeth. His chefs processed the meat with papaya, kesar, and spices and made it so soft that it required no chewing.

But perhaps the biggest contribution of the chefs of Awadh was the slow-cook Dum pukht technique, where food is prepared on a gentle, slow heat, with the pot's lid tightly sealed with a flour paste.

Beyond Kebabs and Biryani

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

However, Lucknow is not only about kebabs and biryani – the region is also a haven for vegetarians.

The local Baniya community's cuisine not only showcases local ingredients but also offers the city its highly curated Indian desserts, sweets, and unique street food, like chaat – zesty fried snacks.

Hidden Gems and Legacy Eateries

Virtually on every corner, there are small establishments and stalls – little-known gems that are immensely popular with the locals.

In the central district of Hazratganj, huge crowds start assembling from 5 am at a renowned tea stall to get a steaming cup of milky masala chai, offered in kulhads, along with fluffy buns lathered with hand-churned white butter.

For breakfast, one can make their way to a simple joint situated in the old city area of Aminabad. Nearly 150 years after it was set up, the place is still highly popular for its hot kachoris (fried bread stuffed with lentils) and jalebis (crispy, syrup-soaked sweets).

Preserving Tradition for the Future

The city also boasts unique treats of the season, such as makkhan malai, a airy dessert found in the winter. The method of making it is intricate and complicated. The cook whisks the milk and then sets it out at night, allowing the nighttime moisture to give it its incredible frothy texture.

On cold mornings, street vendors are often seen in old city areas like Aminabad and Chowk. Many but express concern that their younger generation do not want to learn the craft.

A well-known culinary expert from Lucknow has noted that the city's rich food legacy places it at the very pinnacle of the Indian street food experience. The significant impact from the UNESCO recognition, it is believed, will materialize only if Lucknow can now build recognition about its lesser-known eateries.

Every dish in Lucknow tells a story – influenced by multi-generational food businesses, from humble street carts to lively restaurants, and secret family recipes.

The global recognition, it is anticipated, will encourage more people worldwide to explore these tales and travel to the city to savour the food wonders of Lucknow.