Lucknow Joins UNESCO Creative Cities Network as ‘City of Gastronomy’

On the occasion of World Cities Day, Lucknow has been officially designated as a UNESCO ‘Creative City of Gastronomy’ during the 43rd Session of the UNESCO General Conference in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. This global recognition celebrates the city’s centuries-old Awadhi cuisine, living food traditions, and inclusive cultural heritage, positioning Uttar Pradesh among the world’s premier gastronomic destinations.

Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh stated that this achievement highlights Lucknow’s culinary legacy while strengthening Uttar Pradesh’s role in India’s growth story. “Under the visionary guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Uttar Pradesh is bringing laurels to India,” he said, emphasizing how culinary tourism has been attracting visitors for generations.

Principal Secretary (Tourism & Culture) Amrit Abhijat noted that Lucknow’s food culture has been instrumental in drawing tourists, with the city recording over 7 million visitors in the first half of 2025 alone. “Every plate served in Lucknow tells a story of its royal kitchens, street vendors, and cultural unity. This status will strengthen our global outreach and promote sustainable tourism,” he added.

The nomination process began early this year, with the Directorate of Tourism, Uttar Pradesh submitting Lucknow’s dossier to the Ministry of Culture on January 31, 2025. After being selected as India’s official entry on March 3, 2025, UNESCO formally announced Lucknow’s inclusion among the 70 Creative Cities of Gastronomy worldwide, joining cities like Hyderabad, Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, and Kelowna.

The detailed nomination dossier was prepared under the research leadership of heritage architect Abha Narain Lambah, documenting recipes, cooking traditions, and oral histories from chefs, ustads, and local families. The research highlighted how Lucknow’s food culture transcends religious and class boundaries, blending flavours from Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb into a living culinary tradition.

Iconic dishes such as Galouti Kebab, Awadhi Biryani, tokri chaat, and Malai Gilori were celebrated not merely as recipes but as cultural narratives reflecting Lucknow’s harmony of refinement and warmth. This UNESCO recognition marks a new era for Uttar Pradesh, opening avenues for international collaboration, food-based tourism, and sustainable growth while honoring a city where food is heritage and every flavor tells a story.