The UNESCO declared the city of Lucknow as the ‘Creative City of Gastronomy’ in its 43rd session of the general conference held on Friday in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Becoming the second Indian city following Hyderabad and the tenth Indian city to join the Creative Cities Network of the specialised agency, Lucknow was bestowed with the titular milestone to highlight its gastronomic traditions. The cuisine of the Nawabs—more commonly known as Awadhi cuisine, was celebrated for its commitment to refinement, artistry and cultural depth which reflect in its famed kebab and korma dishes as well as the dum pukht style of cooking, famously associated with royal patronage.
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Lucknow joins a global network of 408 cities worldwide—across seven creative fields which include gastronomy, literature, music, film, design, media arts and crafts, strengthening the country’s domain and celebrated culinary heritage. One of the criteria to earn the title associated with haute cuisine involves cities demonstrating a strong relationship between their food traditions and cultural identity—which includes sustainable food production, preserving traditional markets, culinary education as well as innovation in the field. The status is reassessed by UNESCO every four years to ensure that the parameters are adhered to while also encouraging sustainable growth and evolution.
In a statement issued by the UP government, it said that ‘the moment marks a milestone for the State, positioning it among the world’s top gastronomic destinations and showcasing how food heritage can become a symbol of cultural diplomacy and sustainable tourism.’ PM Modi also expressed his happiness and pride by taking to social media and encouraging people from across the globe to pay a visit to the city and discover its characteristic specialties. “Lucknow is synonymous with a vibrant culture, at the core of which is a great culinary culture. I am glad that UNESCO has recognised this aspect of Lucknow,” he wrote on X.“Culinary tourism has been attracting visitors to Uttar Pradesh for generations. The State has immense potential to lead in this sector in the coming years. This global recognition shows how tourism is contributing to the vision of a Viksit Uttar Pradesh. Under the visionary guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Uttar Pradesh is bringing laurels to India,” a statement issued by Tourism and Culture Minister, Jaiveer Singh said.
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The accolade also means that global outreach for the state and promotion of food-based entrepreneurship can be boosted significantly, while encouraging sustainable tourism. Lucknow recorded nearly 82,74,154 tourists (domestic and foreign) in 2024, while the first half of 2025 witnessed the arrival of over 70,20,492 visitors, as a testament of how food and culture have driven growth in tourism. The enshrinement of the city not only includes modern and heritage dining establishments but also traditional eateries located on Chowk and Hazratganj—showcasing a blend of how old-school meets contemporary. The nomination, which was submitted by the state’s Directorate of Tourism to the Ministry of Culture on January 31 this year, was then selected by the Government of India’s official entry on March 3, 2025. Plans are also underway to boost training and market access for local vendors as well as sustainable practices that protect culinary traditions and the livelihoods that depend on them.