From Nawabi Kitchens to Global Fame: Lucknow Joins UNESCO’s Creative Cities of Gastronomy

Lucknow, the city of Nawabs, has earned a distinguished spot on the global culinary map. Lucknow is famous for its centuries-old Awadhi cuisine—an art of slow cooking perfected in royal kitchens and kept alive in bustling bazaars even today. On October 31, 2025, during the 43rd Session of the UNESCO General Conference in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, the city was officially designated as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. 

With this milestone, Lucknow becomes India’s second city to receive this title after Hyderabad (recognized in 2019). It now joins 408 cities across more than 100 countries that are part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN)—a community of cities recognized for their creative industries, including gastronomy, crafts, film, design, and literature.

Lucknow’s recognition as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy is a testament to its deep-rooted culinary traditions and vibrant food ecosystem. This designation honors the city’s rich cultural legacy while opening new avenues for international collaboration,” said Tim Curtis, Director and Representative, UNESCO Regional Office for South Asia.

Inside the Royal Kitchens: The Flavours That Shaped Lucknow

For over two millennia, the Awadh region has been a melting pot of diverse cultures. Food of Lucknow, refined in the royal kitchens of the Nawabs, reflects a delicate harmony between Hindu and Persian influences, known as the Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb.
Under royal patronage, master chefs — or rakabdars — perfected slow-cooking methods like dum pukht, creating iconic dishes such as kebabs, kormas, biryanis, sheermal, and shahi tukda.

While the Nawabi courts set the tone for culinary sophistication, Lucknow’s bustling markets—Chowk, Hazratganj, and Aminabad—carried this legacy forward. Generations of street vendors turned royal recipes into comfort food accessible to everyone.

The UNESCO recognition celebrates not just these royal traditions, but also the city’s modern-day custodians of cuisine—from home chefs and food museums to new-age restaurants that blend innovation with nostalgia.

How Lucknow’s Timeless Recipes Won UNESCO’s Global Recognition

Lucknow’s journey to global recognition began earlier this year. The Uttar Pradesh Directorate of Tourism submitted the city’s nomination dossier to the Ministry of Culture on January 31, 2025, which was selected as India’s official entry by March 3. The final confirmation came from UNESCO in October.

The dossier, prepared by heritage architect Abha Narain Lambah, chronicled Lucknow’s culinary evolution through oral histories, recipes, and stories of ustads and families who’ve preserved the city’s food heritage. It highlighted how Lucknow’s cuisine embodies unity, resilience, and creativity—qualities central to UNESCO’s criteria.

Cities seeking the “Creative City of Gastronomy” title must showcase a deep-rooted food culture, sustainable practices, indigenous ingredients, and thriving culinary institutions. UNESCO also evaluates how these cities educate communities about food sustainability, nutrition, and biodiversity—areas where Lucknow’s growing network of chefs, culinary schools, and museums shines.

What UNESCO Recognition Means for Travelers and Locals Alike

The UNESCO title isn’t just an honor—it’s a gateway to global collaboration and tourism.
According to Principal Secretary (Tourism and Culture) Amrit Abhijat, “Every plate served in Lucknow tells a story — of royal kitchens, street vendors, and cultural unity. This honour will strengthen global outreach and support food-based livelihoods.”

In 2024, Lucknow recorded 8.27 million tourists, and in just the first half of 2025, the number had already crossed 7 million, driven largely by its food culture. With UNESCO’s seal, this figure is expected to rise even further, positioning Lucknow as India’s culinary capital.

From Kebabs to Kulfi: The 8 Flavours That Tell Lucknow’s Story

In Lucknow, food isn’t just eaten — it’s experienced. From smoky kebabs sizzling over charcoal to sweet clouds of Malai Makhan, every dish tells a tale of royal kitchens and timeless technique. Here are eight that define the city’s soul.

• Tunday Kababi – Iconic melt-in-the-mouth kebabs made with a secret blend of over 100 spices.
• Tokri Chaat – Crispy potato basket stuffed with yogurt, chutneys, and tangy spices — a true street favorite.
• Lucknawi Biryani – Fragrant, mildly spiced biryani infused with saffron and kewra — subtle yet rich.
• Seekh Kebab – Smoky, juicy minced meat grilled to perfection — a timeless Nawabi classic.
• Sheermal – Soft, saffron-scented sweet bread that pairs beautifully with kebabs and kormas.
• Galouti Kebab – Silky, spiced kebabs crafted for a toothless Nawab — pure indulgence.
• Malai Makhan – Airy winter delicacy of whipped milk, saffron, and sugar — light as a cloud.
• Kulfi Falooda – Chilled dessert of nutty kulfi and rose-soaked falooda — the sweetest ending.

Best Food Spots in Lucknow

From sizzling kebabs in narrow lanes to royal feasts at restaurants, Lucknow’s food scene is a journey through history and flavor. Here’s where to go for the city’s most authentic bites.

Street food hotspots : 

• Aminabad: Taste iconic Galouti Kebabs, Kulfi Falooda, and Sheermal amid the market’s old-world chaos.
• Chowk: Historic lanes serving Tokri Chaat, Nihari Kulcha, and traditional sweets like Rewri and Peda. Come hungry, leave spellbound.
• Hazratganj: A colonial-era boulevard with modern cafés and legendary chaat stalls. Don’t miss the Aloo Tikki and Basket Chaat.
• Akbari Gate: Near Bara Imambara, this hub is all about sizzling Seekh Kebabs, Kachoris, and Sheermal hot off the tandoor.

Best Restaurants & Sit-Down Meals

For those who prefer to savor Lucknow’s flavors in a more relaxed setting, these classic spots are a must.

• The Mughals’ Dastarkhwan
  Perfect for a traditional meal. Try Lagan ka Murgh, Bhuna Gosht, Dal Makhani, and Ulte Tave ka Paratha.
• M/S Cafe Plus Tea Stall
  Old-school charm. Order the Bun-Maska with giant Samosas and finish with a hot glass of chai.
• Idris Hotel
  Famous for Idris ki Biryani — fragrant, mildly spiced, and best taken away.
• Raheem Hotel
  Legendary for Nalli Nihari and Kulcha. Locals swear by it for breakfast or late-night bites.

Places to Visit in Lucknow Beyond the Plate

Beyond the food, Lucknow offers a rich heritage of architecture, culture, and street life. Combine your gastronomic tour with visits to key locations such as:

• Bada Imambara: A grand 18th-century monument commissioned by Nawab Asaf-ud-Daulah; its kitchens intertwine with the food story of the city (dum pukht technique originated here).
• Chota Imambara: Often called the “Palace of Lights”, noted for its exquisite architecture and illumination.
• Rumi Darwaza: A striking gateway in Lucknow, modelled on Mughal/Turkish styles, its construction linked to historical food-for-work drives during famine.
• Gomti Riverfront: The scenic riverside promenade in the Gomti Nagar area, great for evening walks and to unwind after your food explorations.
  

Local Markets

• Chowk Market – Famous for chikankari embroidery, perfumed ittar, and traditional jewelry.
• Aminabad – The go-to spot for budget shopping and iconic street eats.
• Hazratganj – A colonial-era shopping district filled with boutiques, bookstores, and old cafés.
• Nakhas Market – A treasure trove for antique lovers and collectors.
• Hathi Park: A family-friendly green escape with elephant statues, swings, and picnic spaces—perfect for a laid-back winter afternoon.

Lucknow’s inclusion in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network is more than a recognition—it’s a revival. It honours not only royal recipes but also the everyday artistry of street vendors, home cooks, and new-age chefs who continue to shape the city’s identity.

This milestone ensures that the flavours of Awadh—rich, nuanced, and soulful—will now find a larger audience across the world. For travelers, it’s an invitation to taste history, culture, and innovation in one city, where every bite tells a story of time, tradition, and togetherness.

In the heart of India, Lucknow stands today not just as the City of Nawabs, but as a City of Global Gastronomy—one where heritage isn’t just preserved but deliciously plated for the world to experience.

So, next time when you explore Lucknow, ask yourself: when was the last time a city’s food gave you a sense of place, history, and welcome? Here, at Lucknow, that moment is waiting. Tafreeh, taste, and tradition — all in one plate.

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