Places Included
- Salman Sheermal Wale
- Ali Hussain Sheermal
- Raheem's
- Mubeen's
- Mir Bakawal
The aroma of the sweet, saffron-scented bread spreads like wildfire across the city once Ramadan begins. Lucknow, which is considered to be the birthplace of sheermal, is home to a plethora of shops and restaurants serving the sweet flatbread during the holy month. In the few days that are left until Eid, it would be a sin to not make acquaintance with this festive treat. Sheermal, for those untouched by the phenomenon, is a milk-based flatbread that is scented with saffron and cardamom which lends it a mildly sweet taste. It is dry and crumbly in texture and fluffy and sweet at the same time. In fact, it is also popular in places like Hyderabad and Kashmir along with Pakistan and Bangladesh.
Though it is said that the origins of this delicacy lie in Persia, once you set foot in Lucknow you’ll be told otherwise. The popular legend goes that the King of Awadh commanded a special kind of bread to be made and in the quest to please the King, cooks and chefs from all over Awadh worked towards the task. On the final day, when the breads were lined up in front of him, he took a bite of a yellow bread made by Mahmood, the owner of a small shop. The King declared his love for the dish and since then, most sheermal makers in Lucknow break a piece of the bread before serving as an ode to the Nawab.
As interesting is the tale of the bread, so is it’s taste. And there’s no better place to savour it than in its homeland. Take a train or a flight to Lucknow via any metro city and you’ll be there in time for Ramadan feasts and fresh sheermal, right off the tandoor.
Best Places For Sheermal In Lucknow
Here are some of the best places where you can dig into sheermal and make the most of this Eid.
1. Salman Sheermal Wale
This is one of the most legendary places to try sheermal if you’re having it for the first time. Stop by this small eatery inside Sheermal Wali Gali for biryani, kebabs and of course, the soft and sweet sheermal.
Where: 299/14, Chawal Wali Gali, Old Nakkas, Chowk, Lucknow
Timings: 10 am-11 pm
Cost For Two: ₹200
Cuisines Offered: Mughlai, Biryani, North Indian
Source: Salman Shirmal Wale/Instagram
2. Ali Hussain Sheermal
Want to try the authentic flavour of sheermal? Ali Hussain Sheermal has been making it since 1830, being the oldest of the lot with the seventh generation running the legacy shop now. Their rich and ghee-loaded sheermal is made on order and is quite reasonable.
Where: Chawalwali Gali, Near Nakkhas Police Chowki, Old, Nakkhas, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226003
Timings: 8 am-11 pm
Cost For Two: ₹150
Cuisines Offered: Allahabadi Sheermal
Source: Jahan-e-Awadh/Facebook
With an air of a casual diner, Raheem’s is often referred to as Raheem’s Nihari so there’s no doubt about how good their gosht and nalli nihari will be. However, you can’t have nihari alone right? So you’ve got to try the decadent sheermal too.
Where: Near Akbari Gate, Chowk, Lucknow
Timings: 8:30 am-12 am
Cost For Two: ₹300
Cuisines Offered: Mughlai
Source: Lucknow Ki Vibes/Instagram
4. Mubeen’s
From kulcha nihari to sheermal, Mubeen’s a one-stop shop for your non-vegetarian cravings. Lucknow’s oldest non-veg eateries, this place has never compromised on taste and quality.
Where: 1st Floor, Hotel Akbari Gate, Abdul Aziz Road Chowk, Lucknow
Timings: 8 am-1 am
Cost For Two: ₹300
Cuisines Offered: Mughlai
Source: Shaan-e-lko/Instagram
5. Mir Bakawal
With royal interiors and a beautiful ambience, Mir Bakawal is the place to be when you want to dine in style. They have fresh and frozen sheermals that can be packed for home as well as some great biryani options.
Where: 11, Shahnajaf Road, Hazratganj, Lucknow
Timings: 10:30 am-10:30 pm
Cost For Two: ₹600
Cuisines Offered: Mughlai, Biryani
