On the occasion of World Cities Day, Lucknow has officially been declared a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy during the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference held at Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The global recognition celebrates the city’s centuries-old Awadhi cuisine, living food traditions and inclusive cultural heritage.
This moment also marks a significant milestone for Uttar Pradesh, positioning it among the world’s top gastronomic destinations and showcasing how food heritage can become a symbol of cultural diplomacy and sustainable tourism. Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh said that the recognition not only highlights Lucknow’s culinary legacy but also strengthens Uttar Pradesh’s role in India’s growth story.
He added that culinary tourism has been attracting tourists to Uttar Pradesh for generations and that the State has immense potential to lead 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 the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Uttar Pradesh is bringing laurels to India,” he said.
The designation is also seen as a reflection of the growing appeal of Lucknow among domestic and international travellers. Principal Secretary (Tourism & Culture) Amrit Abhijat said that the city’s food culture has played a key role in drawing visitors to the State, and this global acknowledgement will further amplify its reach.
“Every plate served in Lucknow tells a story of its royal kitchens, its street vendors, and its cultural unity. The Creative City status will strengthen our global outreach, promote food-based entrepreneurship, and encourage more sustainable tourism,” he said. In 2024, Lucknow recorded nearly 8,274,154 tourists (domestic and foreign), while in the first half of 2025 alone, over 7,020,492 visitors arrived, showing how food and culture continue to drive tourism growth, he added.
The process behind the recognition was as detailed as the flavours that define Lucknow’s cuisine. The Directorate of Tourism, Uttar Pradesh, prepared the nomination dossier highlighting the city’s unique food ecosystem, community engagement, and living culinary traditions.
Special Secretary (UP Tourism) Eesha Priya said that this was a carefully planned effort that began early in the year. UNESCO, in its 43rd session in Samarkand on October 31 made Lucknow officially the Creative City of Gastronomy, she said.
From tunday kebab to tokri chaat, Lucknow wins global gastronomy tag. After months of detailed assessment, Lucknow earned its place among the 70 Creative Cities of Gastronomy worldwide, joining the likes of Hyderabad, Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah (Saudi Arabia), Kelowna (Canada), Quanzhou (China), and Zaragoza (Spain).
The city’s timeless dishes like the Galouti Kebab, Awadhi Biryani, tokri chaat, puri-kachori and desserts such as Malai Gilori, Makhan Malai and Motichoor Laddu have been celebrated not just as recipes but as cultural narratives. They reflect Lucknow’s harmony of refinement and warmth, a blend of artistry and community that continues to define its identity.
This milestone marks a new era for Uttar Pradesh, opening avenues for international collaboration, food-based tourism, local employment, and sustainable growth.