Lucknow has been designated a Creative City of Gastronomy by UNESCO, highlighting the culinary traditions of the city and its contribution to sustainable urban development.

Lucknow, the capital of the state of Uttar Pradesh in India, has recently been designated a Creative City of Gastronomy by UNESCO, joining a global network of over 400 cities. This distinction highlights the importance of culinary culture in sustainable urban development. Lucknow thus becomes the second Indian city recognized, after Hyderabad, which received this title in 2019.

UNESCO has highlighted the deeply rooted culinary traditions of the city and the diversity of its food ecosystem, which includes restaurants, markets, and street vendors. Renowned for Awadhi cuisine, Lucknow is known for dishes such as tender kebabs and slow-cooked biryani. The city also has a strong vegetarian tradition, with recipes passed down from generation to generation. The UNESCO recognition is seen as an opportunity to increase the international visibility of the city and to preserve culinary traditions, in a context where young people are increasingly choosing fewer careers in local gastronomy.