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Tempting kebabs, scented biryani, and airy, ethereal desserts.

The metropolis in India's north of Lucknow has consistently been a haven for gastronomes, with residents and visitors alike swearing by its exquisite cuisine.

A Global Honor

Recently, Unesco designated it as a City of Gastronomy within its Creative Cities Network – placing it on a exclusive list of global cities and sparking hopes that it will spotlight Lucknow's sublime food. With this status, it enters a worldwide network of cities urban centers across more than 100 countries focused on promoting "artistic expression as a catalyst of development that sustains urban life".

The recognition "demonstrates its deep-rooted gastronomic legacy and lively food ecosystem," according to a official from UNESCO's regional bureau for South Asia.

Lucknow is just the second Indian city – after Hyderabad, which was selected in 2019 – to secure a position in this highly sought-after list of seventy urban centers around the world.

A City Defined by Food

The accolade for this venerable city comes as no surprise to its inhabitants or dedicated food lovers. Many agree with the opinion that it is "better late than never".

With the UNESCO designation, this adored, chaotic, and eclectic city – the capital of India's most populous state – is now in the limelight for what has perennially characterized its soul: an profound devotion for food.

"'The day's menu, the method of preparation' is a constant dialogue from morning until night in many homes," explains a local cultural expert. "And you are actually assessed by the standard of food that comes out of your kitchen."

A Royal Culinary Legacy

The City of Nawabs – as it's popularly called after its 18th and 19th Century opulent Muslim rulers – is renowned for its tender kebabs and a distinctive take on biryani that were invented, refined, and taken to sublime levels in their opulent kitchens.

These kitchens of the nobility were hubs of gastronomic creativity, fusing Persian and indigenous Indian styles to create what became known as the food of Awadh.

It was in that period that Lucknow's iconic kebabs were fashioned. 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 culinary artists ground the meat with papaya, saffron, and a blend of spices and made it so soft that it required no chewing.

But arguably the greatest contribution of the cooks of Awadh was the slow-cook Dum pukht technique, where food is cooked on a low, slow heat, with the container's cover securely closed with dough.

More Than Just Famous Dishes

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

However, Lucknow is far more than kebabs and biryani – the region is also a vegetarian's paradise.

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.

Hidden Gems and Legacy Eateries

Almost on many street corners, there are tiny kiosks and stalls – hidden gems that are immensely favored by the locals.

In the heart of the city of Hazratganj, throngs of people start milling around from the crack of dawn at a famous tea stall to get a steaming cup of spiced tea with milk, offered in clay glasses, along with pillowy soft buns slathered with freshly churned white butter.

For breakfast, one can head to a simple joint situated in the old city area of Aminabad. Almost 150 years after it was established, the place is still in great demand 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 remarkable treats of the season, such as makkhan malai, a frothy dessert savored in the winter. The method of making it is precise and involved. The artisan hand-churns the milk and then leaves it out at night, allowing the nighttime moisture to give it its amazing frothy texture.

On cold mornings, street vendors can be seen in historic neighborhoods like Aminabad and Chowk. Some though express concern that their children do not want to learn the craft.

A renowned 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 significant impact from the UNESCO recognition, however, will be realized only if Lucknow can now create awareness about its lesser-known eateries.

Every dish in Lucknow comes with a history – influenced by family-run food businesses, from humble street carts to bustling restaurants, and closely held family recipes.

The international acclaim, it is believed, will inspire more people worldwide to learn these tales and experience the city to delight in the food wonders of Lucknow.