Lucknow, the city known for its aromatic gravies and melt-in-your-mouth kebabs, has earned a special place on the global culinary map. UNESCO has officially included Lucknow in its Creative Cities Network (CCN) under the ‘Gastronomy’ category, a distinction that celebrates its timeless Awadhi cuisine and creative culinary traditions.
Announcing the designation, UNESCO paid tribute to Lucknow's historic Awadhi cuisine as well as its flair for culinary creativity. The city is renowned for many distinct dishes, including its succulent kebabs and distinctive take on biryani.
With this recognition, Lucknow becomes one of 408 cities across more than 100 countries that have been acknowledged for their contributions to creative industries such as crafts and folk art, design, film, gastronomy, literature, media arts, and music.
UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay announced on Friday October 31 the inclusion of 58 new cities in the network, which now comprises 408 cities across more than 100 countries. These cities are recognised for using creativity as a foundation for sustainable urban development. The announcement came on World Cities Day, with Lucknow joining Hyderabad, which was designated in 2019, as the only two Indian cities in the gastronomy category.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his delight over the recognition, saying, “Lucknow is synonymous with a vibrant culture, at the core of which is a great culinary culture. I am glad that UNESCO has recognised this aspect of Lucknow and I call upon people from around the world to visit Lucknow and discover its uniqueness.” Union Minister of Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat also hailed the recognition, noting it “enhances Lucknow’s global stature, positioning it as a premier destination for food and culture.”
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath congratulated the residents if the state on "historic achievement" and credited the recognition to PM Modi.
He posted on X, "Under the successful guidance of the esteemed Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji, India's traditions, culture, and values are continuously gaining new recognition and prestige on the global stage. Heartfelt congratulations to the residents of the state on this historic achievement!"
Uttar Pradesh’s Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh said the nomination was forwarded to UNESCO earlier this year after an evaluation by the Union Ministry of Culture. “Under the visionary guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Uttar Pradesh has become a source of pride for the nation. Lucknow's inclusion is a tribute to its rich culinary heritage and cultural vibrancy,” he said.
Principal Secretary of Tourism and Culture Amrit Abhijat highlighted that the designation would lend Lucknow’s culinary legacy “a new international identity,” adding that the city welcomed 8.27 million tourists in 2024, with over 7 million already visiting in the first half of 2025. Special Secretary Isha Priya said the city now stands among global hubs that use food as “a bridge for cultural exchange and sustainable development.”
Locals and food entrepreneurs share the same enthusiasm. “We don't just love having good food, we take great pride in serving it too,” said Mohd Usman, owner of the famed Tunday Kababi. “Nothing satisfies a true Lucknowite more than seeing someone relishing the city's signature dishes.”
Mohd Usman, owner of the iconic tundey kebab shop in the city's Khyaliganj area, says, "We don't just love having good food, we take great pride in serving it too. Nothing satisfies a true Lucknowite more than seeing someone relishing the city's signature dishes." His kebab shop is a haven for food lovers.
But then Lucknow isn't just about his melt-in-your-mouth kebabs. There is a huge platter -- both for vegetarians and non-veg lovers -- to choose from, and that is again just a fragment of Lucknow's food story.
If the ever-inviting, rather demure, creamy malai gilori is an all-time favourite, the literally mouth-watering paani puri or paani ke batashe, as they are commonly called in Lucknow, are not much behind on popularity charts.
Paired with the tangy aloo chat and matar, they make an awesome three-some for foodies.
You can have your pick from flaky sheermaal or white buttery kulchas, pair it with niharis, tuck into aromatic, slow-cooked biryani or daal-gosht, and enjoy the smoky patthar ke kebabs along with a rather full platter that includes dum aloo and dahi ke kebab as well.
The city's culinary landscape also comprises crispy khasta-aloo-matar combo that is usually hard to miss during weekends, and the sweet treats like thandai and shahi tukdas never fail to impress either.
The appeal of Lucknow's culinary delights is heightened further due to the secret recipes that have lived on for generations.
Food creator Hina Khan explained that “Lucknow cuisine evolved in the kitchens of the Awadh region, influenced in a big way by Mughal emperors,” noting its signature slow-cooking or ‘dum’ techniques. Restaurateur Deepti Pandey added, “The cuisine, when paired with our famed culture and customs, makes for a terrific trio.”
Storyteller Himanshu Bajpai summed up the city’s pride: “The new global title will definitely give instant happiness to us, but the bigger takeaway is that the Lakhnavi food... will further cement its place among food connoisseurs.”
From galawati kebabs and nihari to kulcha, biryani, and makhan malai, Lucknow’s flavours -- now endorsed by UNESCO -- reflect centuries of culinary artistry, making the city not just a paradise for food lovers but a global symbol of culture and creativity.
This year, architecture has been introduced as a new creative field within the network, as per the press release.
With inputs from agencies
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