Lucknow’s Timeless Awadhi Cuisine Wins UNESCO’s Creative City Of Gastronomy Honour

Lucknow’s Timeless Awadhi Cuisine Wins UNESCO’s Creative City Of Gastronomy Honour

For centuries, Lucknow has lived and breathed its food. From the slow-cooked aromas wafting out of royal kitchens to the hustle of kebab vendors at Aminabad, the city's culinary rhythm has shaped its identity. Now, that living tradition has earned global acclaim. On World Cities Day 2025, UNESCO officially named Lucknow a Creative City of Gastronomy, recognising its deep-rooted food heritage, craft-based kitchens, and the way cuisine continues to bridge communities in the heart of Uttar Pradesh.

The announcement was made during the 43rd UNESCO General Conference in Samarkand, Uzbekistan – placing Lucknow among 70 global gastronomic destinations alongside cities like Hyderabad, Quanzhou, and Zaragoza. For India, it's another proud moment where flavour meets diplomacy.

Lucknow's culinary legacy dates back to the 18th century, when the Nawabs of Awadh transformed dining into an art form. Dum-style biryanis, melt-in-the-mouth galouti kebabs, silky nihari, and desserts like makhan malai became expressions of refinement and generosity. Yet, what makes Lucknow's cuisine truly unique is its inclusivity – an evolving Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb that welcomes every palate, every person.

The UNESCO recognition celebrates this harmony. As Principal Secretary (Tourism & Culture), Amrit Abhijat explained, “Every plate served in Lucknow tells a story of its royal kitchens, its street vendors, and its cultural unity." This designation, he added, will help promote food-based entrepreneurship, strengthen sustainable tourism, and create livelihoods that honour the city's traditions.

The recognition didn't happen overnight. The Directorate of Tourism, Uttar Pradesh, led a year-long campaign to document Lucknow's living food culture. Spearheaded by heritage architect Abha Narain Lambah, the research delved into heirloom recipes, local kitchens, and oral histories from generations of chefs and ustads. The dossier submitted to UNESCO captured how food here isn't merely consumed — it's celebrated, shared, and passed on like a story.

According to Special Secretary Eesha Priya, the nomination reflected months of coordination between the state and central governments. “It was a collective effort to bring global attention to Lucknow's living culinary heritage," she said.

For Uttar Pradesh, this recognition represents more than a culinary victory. It is a cultural and economic milestone that will further drive food tourism, local employment, and international collaboration. As Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh noted, it aligns perfectly with India's vision of cultural growth and sustainable development under PM Narendra Modi and CM Yogi Adityanath.

Lucknow's food has always told the story of its people. It is rich in flavour, layered in history, and served with heart. With its new UNESCO status, the City of Nawabs is ready to share that story with the world.

Source: News18
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