Lucknow is UNESCO ‘City of Gastronomy’ Now

Lucknow Designated UNESCO ‘City of Gastronomy’: Lucknow has brought pride to India by being officially recognised as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy in 2025. This honour celebrates the city’s legendary Awadhi cuisine, which has evolved over centuries and reflects its unique cultural blend of tradition, taste, and artistry.

The announcement was made during UNESCO’s 43rd General Conference held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, marking Lucknow’s entry into the global map of cities that promote creativity as a driver of sustainable development.

How Lucknow Earned the UNESCO Recognition

The journey towards this recognition began when the Directorate of Tourism, Government of Uttar Pradesh, prepared a detailed proposal highlighting Lucknow’s rich culinary heritage, cultural identity, and culinary excellence.

The dossier was submitted to the Ministry of Culture on 31 January 2025.
India officially nominated Lucknow for the “City of Gastronomy” title on 3 March 2025.
The proposal highlighted the city’s heritage, community-based food traditions, and potential for global culinary tourism.

This recognition is not just an honour for Lucknow but also a reflection of India’s growing emphasis on cultural diplomacy and soft power through food.

The Flavours and Culture of Awadh

Lucknow’s food culture is inseparable from its Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb — the spirit of harmony between Hindu and Muslim traditions that defines the Awadhi way of life.

Signature Dishes of Lucknow

The city’s iconic dishes are known for their refined flavours, slow-cooking techniques, and royal origins. Some of the popular delicacies include:

Galouti Kebab – a melt-in-mouth dish once made for the toothless Nawabs.
Nihari-Kulcha – a traditional morning meal combining slow-cooked meat with soft bread.
Puri-Kachori and Tokri Chaat – street food delights that show the city’s local creativity.
Malai Gilori and Makhan Malai – sweet dishes that symbolize festive charm and cultural warmth.

These recipes not only represent royal kitchens but also the city’s street-side culinary craftsmanship, loved across generations.

Impact and Importance of the UNESCO Tag

This recognition is expected to bring multiple long-term benefits for Lucknow:

Boost to Tourism: The city will attract global culinary tourists interested in heritage food experiences.
Support to Local Communities: Traditional chefs, artisans, and small food enterprises will gain new opportunities.
Preservation of Heritage: The title encourages documentation and continuation of old recipes and techniques.
Global Collaboration: It will open doors for international food festivals, chef exchanges, and research projects on sustainable gastronomy.

Overall, this recognition strengthens India’s position as a nation of diverse culinary traditions and helps Lucknow showcase its timeless art of hospitality.

India’s Creative Cities under UNESCO

With Lucknow’s addition, India now has nine cities in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN), each representing a different form of creativity and cultural excellence.

City	Category	Year of Designation
Jaipur	Crafts and Folk Art	2015
Varanasi	Music	2015
Chennai	Music	2017
Mumbai	Film	2019
Hyderabad	Gastronomy	2019
Srinagar	Crafts and Folk Art	2021
Gwalior	Music	2023
Kozhikode	Literature	2023
Lucknow	Gastronomy	2025

About UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN)

Launched in 2004, the UNESCO Creative Cities Network aims to promote cooperation among cities that use culture, creativity, and innovation as key elements for urban development.

The network now includes over 350 cities worldwide.
It covers seven creative fields — Music, Film, Literature, Design, Gastronomy, Crafts and Folk Art, and Media Arts.
The initiative encourages exchange of ideas, skill development, and sustainable cultural growth.