Lucknow, the historic capital of Uttar Pradesh and renowned for its legendary Awadhi cuisine, has earned the distinguished title of “Creative City of Gastronomy” under the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN). The designation was announced on October 31, 2025, during the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
This honour places Lucknow alongside only a select number of global cities recognised for their culinary excellence and cultural food heritage. The city’s nomination emphasised its living tradition of Awadhi cooking, slow-cooked kebabs, aromatic biryanis, street-food snacks like tokri chaat, and desserts such as makhan malai and malai gilori. These aren’t just dishes; they’re part of a culinary ecosystem passed through generations.
Officials highlight that the recognition is expected to drive food-led tourism, empower home-grown food entrepreneurs, and underscore sustainable practices in the hospitality and food ecosystem. For example, the Uttar Pradesh government noted that while 8.27 million visitors arrived in Lucknow in 2024, over 7 million had already visited in the first half of 2025 alone.
Lucknow’s induction as a UNESCO “City of Gastronomy” is more than a tag; it reflects a shift in how food, heritage, and hospitality are interconnected.
