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

The historic city in northern India of Lucknow has long been a food lovers' paradise, with residents and tourists equally swearing by its superb cuisine.

A Global Honor

Recently, Unesco designated it as a UNESCO Creative City for Gastronomy – placing it on a select list of global cities and igniting hopes that it will showcase Lucknow's peerless food. With this status, it joins a global network of cities cities across over 100 countries committed to promoting "creativity as a catalyst of sustainable urban development".

The honor "stands as proof of its centuries-old culinary traditions and lively gastronomic culture," according to a official from Unesco's Regional Office for South Asia.

Lucknow is only the second Indian city – after Hyderabad, which was chosen in 2019 – to earn a spot in this coveted list of 70 global destinations around the world.

An Urban Center with a Culinary Soul

The accolade for this time-honored city arrives as no surprise to its residents or dedicated food lovers. Many agree with the view that it is "better late than never".

With the UNESCO designation, this adored, lively, and eclectic city – the capital of India's largest state – is finally in the global gaze for what has always defined its heart: an unparalleled love for food.

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

An Imperial Food Tradition

The Nawabi City – as it's widely known after its 18th and 19th Century wealthy Muslim rulers – is famed for its succulent kebabs and a distinctive take on biryani that were conceived, refined, and elevated to exquisite levels in their royal kitchens.

These kitchens of the nobility were centers of gastronomic creativity, fusing Iranian and local Indian styles to create what became known as the culinary tradition of Awadh.

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

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

More Than Just Famous Dishes

Besides 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 sweet bread pudding).

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

The local Baniya community's cuisine doesn't just showcases seasonal produce but also offers the city its exquisitely crafted Indian desserts, sweets, and unique street food, like chaat – tangy fried snacks.

Iconic Stalls and Historic Shops

Virtually on countless corners, there are tiny kiosks and kiosks – hidden gems that are immensely loved by the locals.

In the central district of Hazratganj, throngs of people start milling around from the crack of dawn at a legendary tea stall to get a steaming cup of spiced tea with milk, served in kulhads, along with incredibly soft buns covered in freshly churned white butter.

For breakfast, one can make their way to a simple joint situated in the old city area of Aminabad. Almost 150 years after it was set up, 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 unique seasonal delights, such as makkhan malai, a frothy dessert savored in the winter. The method of making it is intricate and demanding. The vendor beats the milk and then exposes it at night, allowing the nighttime moisture to give it its incredible light consistency.

On cold mornings, street vendors line up in old city areas like Aminabad and Chowk. Some but note that their younger generation do not want to take up the skill.

A celebrity chef from Lucknow has often said that the city's profound 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 occur only if Lucknow can now create awareness about its lesser-known eateries.

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

The global recognition, it is anticipated, will motivate more people around the world to explore these stories and travel to the city to taste the culinary delights of Lucknow.