World Kebab Day 2026: India's Most Iconic Kebab Streets Every Foodie Should Visit

Every year on July 10, World Kebab Day is celebrated in honour of the world's most loved and iconic grilled dishes. At present, kebabs have grown far beyond their Middle Eastern roots, mixing local spices, age-old cooking methods, and regional ingredients to make Indian flavours that are unique. From the melt-in-the-mouth galouti kebabs of Lucknow to the smoky seekh kebabs of Old Delhi and the famous Pathar Ka Gosht from Hyderabad, every city has its own story to tell through this special dish. 

Many of these recipes have been passed down through generations, keeping royal, Mughlai, and regional influences unchanged. Whether served on busy street corners or in the eateries, kebabs stay an integral part of India's food culture that is loved widely by all. This World Kebab Day, take a culinary trip through some of the most iconic kebab streets of the country, where every bite has its own history to reveal.

While the smoky seekh kebabs are the greatest crowd-puller, missing out on tender shammi kebabs, boti kebabs, and the spicy fried kaleji is a big no. You can see here many vendors grilling the kebabs over charcoal, which gives them a distinctive smoky aroma that cannot be duplicated anywhere else. Pair them with roomali roti, mint chutney, and sliced onions to get a classic Old Delhi feast experience.

Where To Visit & What To Try

• Qureshi Kebab Corner: Known for buffalo seekh kebabs and shammi kebabs
• Lalu Kebab Shop: Known for spicy seekh kebabs and fried kaleji
• Kallu Nihari (if you want to extend beyond kebabs): Popular for pairing kebabs with nihari
• Karim's (nearby, not in the lane but iconic): Mutton seekh kebabs and burra

(Image credit: Freepik)

Tunday Kababi Lane, Chowk, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh

Lucknow's Chowk area needs no introduction as it is synonymous with Tunday Kababi, an eatery that has been serving its legendary galouti kebabs since the early 20th century. Believing the local folklore, the kebab was made for an old Nawab who had lost his teeth but still desired to relish richly spiced meat. Now, you know why the kebabs are melt-in-your-mouth here, and you don't even have to take a bite of them.

Prepared using finely minced meat and a closely guarded mix of spices, kebabs here are best enjoyed with ulte tawe ka paratha. While strolling here, you can also try the soft and delicate kakori kebab and shami kebab, two Awadhi classics that represent Lucknow's royal culinary legacy.

Where To Visit & What To Try

• Tunday Kababi (Original Chowk Outlet): Try galouti kebab with ulte tawe ka paratha
• Mubeen's: Try their Kakori kebabs, boti kebabs
• Naushijaan: Must try shami kebabs, mutton korma
• Raheem's Kulcha Nihari: Nihari with kulcha, shami kebabs

Mohammed Ali Road, Mumbai, Maharashtra

Few places grab the charm of food culture quite like Mohammed Ali Road. It has an altogether different vibe, particularly after sunset. Although it evolves into a culinary hotspot during the time of Ramadan, the area also lures kebab lovers throughout the year. You can find everything here from juicy seekh kebabs and smoky chicken tikka to decadent bheja kebabs, boti kebabs, and mutton rolls, all that grilled fresh over glowing charcoal. 

The street is loved for its lively atmosphere, where the fragrance of spices fills the air, and the grillers never seem to stop sizzling. After enjoying a lovely affair with kebabs, end your meal with the most famous malpua with rabri or a chilled falooda here, making it an exclusive food experience.

Where To Visit & What To Try

• Haji Tikka: Chicken tikka, seekh kebabs, mutton boti kebabs
• Noor Mohammadi Hotel: Chicken Sanju Baba, seekh kebabs
• Chinese N Grill: Mutton seekh kebabs, grilled chicken
• Suleman Usman Mithaiwala: Malpua with rabri, phirni (perfect after kebabs)

Also read: Craving Seekh Kababs? 6 Tips To Make Healthy Kebabs At Home

Charminar Food Street, Hyderabad, Telangana

When in Hyderabad, do not just go searching for the biryani. The bustling streets surrounding Charminar are renowned for more than just that. They are also home to some of the finest kebabs, deeply embedded in the Nizami legacy of the city. A must-try here is the iconic Pathar Ka Gosht, where the perfectly marinated meat is traditionally cooked on a heated granite stone, making a smoky outer crust while keeping the inside meat juicy and succulent. 

Alongside it, you can also try sumptuous seekh kebabs, creamy chicken malai kebabs, and the soft boti kebabs, each filled with aromatic spices. For the best experience, visit in the evening when the food street comes alive with locals and tourists, and pair your kebabs with freshly baked naan for an authentic Hyderabadi feast that will remain with you even after the last bite.

Where To Visit & What To Try

• Hotel Shadab: Pathar Ka Gosht, seekh kebabs, mutton biryani
• Pista House: Chicken malai kebab, mutton seekh kebab
• Hotel Nayab: Boti kebabs, grilled chicken, Irani chai
• Shah Ghouse: Pathar Ka Gosht, mutton kebabs, Hyderabadi biryani

(Image credit: Wikimedia Commons)

Aminabad, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh

While Chowk is well-known for its Galouti Kebabs, Aminabad presents a broader glimpse into the recognised Awadhi food culture. The busy market is home to many old eateries that have been making seekh kebabs, shami kebabs, boti kebabs, and richly flavoured pasanda for years. What sets Aminabad apart is the focus on slow cooking and the perfect spice blends that enhance the natural flavour of the meat rather than overpower it. 

Many eateries have been run by the same families for generations, maintaining recipes that are inspired by the royal kitchens of Awadh. Pair your kebabs here with sheermal or warqi paratha to get an authentic Awadhi meal experience that showcases the city's royal culinary legacy.

Where To Visit & What To Try

• Mubeen's: Seekh kebabs, kakori kebabs
• Dastarkhwan: Shami kebabs, galouti kebabs, mutton stew
• Sakhawat Restaurant: Boti kebabs, pasanda, sheermal
• Wahid Biryani: Mutton seekh kebabs, Awadhi biryani