Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, was once a prominent nawab capital and is today one of India’s most historically significant and multicultural cities. This dynamic city is recognized for its vast choice of flavour some street delicacies and other culinary delights that draw foodies from all over the country, in addition to its golden history and rich cultural legacy.
A culinary excursion to Lucknow is something that food enthusiasts wait for, with a mind-blowing range of lip-smacking treats accessible in every part of the city. After all, enjoying the famed Mughlai & Awadhi cuisines amid the city’s old-world ambiance is a one-of-a-kind experience. So, keep reading to learn about the must-try Lucknow culinary items.
Here are the top 10 street foods and places to eat in Lucknow:
1. Biryani
Biryani is a must-try in this city, known for its Nawabi culture and cuisine. Biryani is another popular dish on our list of the most incredible food in Lucknow. Slow-cooked rice with spices, veggies, and bits of meat is famous for its scent and flavours, and the first mouthful will blow your mind.
There are various alternatives for you to try here, ranging from mutton to chicken to veg biryani. Veg Handi Dum biryani, Mutton Biryani, and Awadhi Biryani are all must-tries.
Best in Town:
- Wahid Biryani
- Idris Biryani, Raza Bazar
2. Chole Bhature
This classic Punjabi dish is also popular in Lucknow. Chole is made with chickpeas, garlic, onion, tomatoes, and a variety of Indian spices, whereas bhatures are made from all-purpose semolina, flour, and plain yoghurt. This fantastic combo is served at many street food establishments across the city with chopped onions, lemon slices, and pickles.
Although you may have had this delightful delicacy in other Indian cities, we can certainly declare that none compares to Lucknowi-style chole bhature in terms of taste and flavour. Chole may be somewhat spicy, so have a lassi drink if available.
Best in Town:
- Sardar ke chhole Bhature, Lalbagh
- Shri Lassi and Sons, Chowk
3. Kebabs
In Lucknow, kebabs have been around for ages and are undoubtedly the best street food there is. If you visit this city, you must try these lip-smacking kebabs. These kebabs have crispy outer layers and soft inner fillings and are cooked until they disappear into your mouth.
They are best accompanied by rumaali roti. Vegetarian options are also available. You must try Galouti Kebabs, Tundey Kebabs, and Veg Shami Kebabs.
Best in Town:
- Sakhawat Restaurant, Qaisar Bagh, Lucknow
- Tunday Kababi, Aminabad, and Chowk, Lucknow
4. Kulcha Nihari
Non-vegetarians must try this wonderfully delicious and lip-smacking combination before leaving Lucknow. Nihari is a rich yet pleasantly flavored mutton gravy, while kulchas is a dense leavened bread.
They create a greater love story than Romeo and Juliet. Raheem Hotel, located just next to the Chowk branch of Tunday Kababi, serves the greatest Nihari Kulcha in town. Locals call it Raheem ki Nihari, a tradition for every meat eater to come here during important events like Ramzan.
Best in Town:
- Raheem Nihari Kulcha, Chowk
- Mubeen Nihari Kulcha, Chowk
5. Sheermal
The fluffy, sweet, and aromatic sheermal is a one-of-a-kind soft bread or naan discovered in Lucknow’s famed food markets. Sheermal, a famous Mughlai dish, is said to have evolved in Persia & found its way to Afghanistan, Pakistan, and then India through the Silk Road.
Today, this sweet naan is a famous element of the Awadhi & Mughlai foods of Lucknow and is eaten with spicy meals, such as kebabs, biryani, and kormas. If you’re sick of the same old naans and rotis around town, this sweet tandoori naan made with cardamom-flavored milk and saffron is a great alternative.
Best in Town:
- Salmaan Sheermal Wale, Chowk
- Raheem’s Sheermal, Chowk
6. Parantha Veg Kabab
Aside from the non-vegetarian alternatives, Lucknow offers several excellent vegetarian options, such as veg Kebab Paratha. This meal is one of the most incredible meals in Lucknow. It can be consumed for breakfast or with a cup of tea.
Soft rumali roti loaded with crispy kebabs bursting with flavour will stay with you for a long time. Kebab Paratha and Veg Kebab Roll plates are two varieties you may try here.
Best in Town:
- Kapoorthala
- Chhapan Bhog
Read Also: Top 10 Shopping Destinations in Lucknow
7. Malai Paan (Sweet)
Nearly every Lucknow specialty has a backstory, including Malai Paan and Bilai ki Gilori. According to local legend, this sweet food originated due to a paan ban imposed by the nawabs of Lucknow. The royal kitchen cooks created Malai Paan, which resembles paan but is made with malai and milk.
Preparing a sweet dish is a complex process. After being filled with dried fruits and mishri, the malai should be cut into thin paper sheets and wrapped into the shape of a paan (crystal sugar). And no one makes it better than Hazratganj’s well-known Ram Asrey sweet store. They have been in the business since 1805 and therefore are Lucknow’s most famous mithai walas.
Best in Town: Ram Asrey Sweet Shop, Hazratganj
8. Dahi Tikki
It’s the ideal location for all of your events. The service, food, and atmosphere are all superb. Everything is well worth the money spent. They not only offer non-veg but are also the preferred destination for vegans.
Dahi Tikki, Seekh Kabab, Dahi Ke kabab, Tandoori murgh, Spicy Pineapple, Paneer Tikka, Mushrooms, and Spicy Potato; all dishes are available here. Their pastries are on another level, and the flavours will leave you speechless. Six new kinds of kulfi with various toppings have just been added.
Best in Town: Barbeque Nation
Read Also: Lucknow’s 10 Most Famous Restaurants
9. Rabri, Imarti
Imarti Rabri is one of the must-try Lucknow dishes, especially when you got a sweet craving. It is a wonderful blend of crunchy imartis with creamy and delicious rabri. This classic sweet dish is widely accessible in sweet shops across the city and is an integral element of nawabi cuisine.
The circular imartis are created with a mixture of split black lentils (urad dal), cornflour, and threads of saffron, then deep-fried in ghee and soaked in a syrup of sugar with cardamom powder. When the imartis are finished, they are topped with powdered or chopped almonds & rose petals & served hot with cooled rabri on top.
Best in Town:
- Ram Asrey Sweets, Hazratganj
- Neelkanth Sweets (Outlets available across the city)
- Moti Mahal Restaurant, Lalbagh
10. Makhan, Malai
Malai Makhan, another Lucknow specialty, is typically served during winter. This dish is best characterized as cream butter since it is created with unsalted butter hung in buckets overnight and then whipped to achieve that creamy airy feel.
It is then drizzled with khoya, making it appealing. Winter in Lucknow isn’t complete without Malai Makhan, which is unquestionably the most incredible dish in the city.
Best in Town:
- Chhapan Bhog
- Ram Asrey Sweets, Hazratganj
Also, read: 10 Weekend Getaways From Lucknow
11. Basket Chat
Basket Chaat is a traditional Indian meal. Every Indian state manages to give it its unique spin. Some states enjoy it hot, while others want it tangy. Some people prefer it with curd, while others wish it mashed. Basket chaat is among Lucknow’s most popular chaats.
The basket chaat is made of a potato shelling loaded to the brim with crushed Tikkis, sour and spicy chutneys or sauces, and a plethora of veggies, most often peas. The recipe is inexpensive, tasty, and full simultaneously at the same time.
Best in Town:
- Shukla Chaat House, Hazratganj
- Fast food joints, Gomti Nagar
- Royal Cafe, Hazratganj
Conclusion
If you enjoy trying new cuisines, plan a trip to Lucknow soon to sample some of the greatest Awadhi and Mughlai specialties described above. Most of Lucknow’s street snacks and other dishes are bursting with flavour and feast for the taste senses. So be ready for an incredible adventure.
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