The city of Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh has been officially designated by UNESCO as part of its Creative Cities Network under the “Gastronomy” category, the organisation announced at the 43rd General Conference
in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
This recognition highlights Lucknow’s rich culinary heritage, especially its famed Awadhi cuisine, slow-cooked kebabs, biryanis, and desserts, evidencing the city’s status as a global food destination.
In securing this title, Lucknow becomes only the second Indian city to join the Gastronomy list after Hyderabad, which was recognised in 2019.
The announcement was shared on X by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who also serves as the Member of Parliament from Lucknow.
Delighted to know that Lucknow has been designated as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. This global recognition is a tribute to the city’s centuries-old culinary excellence, its unique blend of tehzeeb, tradition & taste that continues to enrich India’s cultural identity.… https://t.co/9JdQwnhbnu
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) November 1, 2025
The nomination process was led by the Uttar Pradesh Tourism and Culture Department, which worked with heritage consultants and local culinary experts to prepare a dossier showcasing Lucknow’s food traditions, chef communities, historic royal kitchens and the vibrant street-food culture.
Officials believe the UNESCO tag will boost sustainable food tourism, support small food businesses, enhance global visibility for the city’s cuisine, and strengthen cultural-economic links through gastronomy.
With this recognition, every plate served in Lucknow — from the classic galouti kebab and Awadhi biryani to street treats like tokri chaat and desserts such as malai gilori — becomes part of a story of heritage, craftsmanship, and culinary identity on a global stage.
The honour arrives at a symbolic moment as Lucknow also marks its 250th anniversary as the capital of the historic Awadh region, further solidifying its place as a cultural and gastronomic powerhouse.
