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Mouth-watering kebabs, fragrant biryani, and airy, ethereal desserts.

The northern Indian city of Lucknow has forever been a dream destination for epicures, with residents and travelers alike celebrating its exquisite cuisine.

A Global Honor

Recently, Unesco honored it as a City of Gastronomy within its Creative Cities Network – adding it to a select group of global cities and kindling hopes that it will spotlight Lucknow's sublime food. With this title, it becomes part of a international community of over 400 metropolises across over 100 countries focused on promoting "innovation as a catalyst of development that sustains urban life".

The honor "stands as proof of its deep-rooted culinary traditions and lively culinary scene," as stated by a representative from Unesco's Regional Office for South Asia.

Lucknow is just the second Indian city – following Hyderabad, which was selected in 2019 – to find a place in this coveted list of 70 cities worldwide.

A Metropolis Shaped by Cuisine

The honor for this historic city is hardly a shock to its inhabitants or dedicated food lovers. Many agree with the view that it is "a recognition that was delayed".

With the UNESCO recognition, this cherished, chaotic, and diverse city – the capital of India's largest state – is finally in the limelight for what has always shaped its soul: an profound passion for food.

"'The day's menu, how will it be cooked' is a ongoing dialogue from waking up until night in most homes," explains a local cultural expert. "And you are often evaluated by the quality of food that emerges from your kitchen."

An Imperial Food Tradition

The Nawabi City – as it's often referred to after its historic opulent Muslim rulers – is famed for its succulent kebabs and a unique take on biryani that were conceived, evolved, and taken to sublime levels in their opulent kitchens.

These royal kitchens were epicenters of food experimentation, merging Iranian and local Indian styles to create what became known as the cuisine of Awadh.

It was in that period that Lucknow's iconic kebabs were developed. As the tale is told that the galouti kebab was created to cater to an ageing nawab who had no longer had his teeth. His chefs minced the meat with raw papaya, saffron, and spices and made it so soft that it needed no chewing.

But arguably the most significant contribution of the chefs of Awadh was the slow-cook Dum pukht technique, where food is cooked on a gentle, leisurely heat, with the pot's lid securely closed with a flour paste.

More Than Just Famous Dishes

In addition to the famous kebabs and biryani, the cooks 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 just about kebabs and biryani – the region is also a vegetarian's paradise.

The local Baniya community's cuisine not only celebrates seasonal produce 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

Almost on countless corners, there are small establishments and carts – lesser-known treasures that are immensely popular with the locals.

In the city center of Hazratganj, huge crowds start milling around from early morning at a renowned tea stall to get a piping hot cup of milky masala chai, served in kulhads, along with incredibly soft buns lathered with freshly churned white butter.

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

Preserving Tradition for the Future

The city also presents unique treats of the season, such as makkhan malai, a cloud-like dessert savored in the winter. The technique of making it is scientific and complicated. The vendor hand-churns the milk and then sets it out at night, allowing the dew to give it its unique frothy texture.

On chilly mornings, street vendors line up in historic neighborhoods like Aminabad and Chowk. Some however say that their younger generation are reluctant to take up the art.

A celebrity chef from Lucknow has often said that the city's immense food legacy places it right on top of the Indian street food experience. The real value from the UNESCO recognition, however, will materialize only if Lucknow can now generate interest about its under-the-radar eateries.

Every dish in Lucknow has a narrative – influenced by family-run food businesses, from humble street carts to bustling restaurants, and secret family recipes.

The worldwide honor, it is believed, will encourage more people globally to explore these tales and experience the city to delight in the gastronomic treasures of Lucknow.