Lucknow 'The Food Capital of India' or Hindustan ki Zaika Rajdhani Humara Lucknow

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The city of Lucknow has always been a popular tourist destination, mostly due to its history, heritage, chikan(suits) ,chicken(read non-veg food) and tehzeeb(etiquettes). The local, indigenous food has always been the perfect host in welcoming tourists from India and abroad.The Avadhi cuisine has always been savored and cherished by folks of all walks and classes. The people of this semi-urban city believe in preservation-from culture to it’s food. This very genetic trait of preservation infused in the people here has helped Lucknow in preserving its cuisine, as the formulators of this exceptional, unique savory passed on the traditional delights from generations into our present system, unlike cuisines from other regions where some traditional recipes became extinct over time.Lucknow is perhaps the only city which gives you a myriad of savouries for anytime of the day. The mornings are made resplendent by Nihaari kulcha at Mubeen or at Rahim,Chowk and by Chai-samosa at Sharma,Lalbagh. An afternoon thirst quencher would be Lassi at Sri Lassi,Chowk. An evening snacky treat with a cheeseburgerat Exer,near Cantt followed by sumptuous aloo tikki or Gol-gappas at Jain Chaat,Lalbagh are just perfect fillers .As light fades,take a stroll around Gomtinagar and wonder the sprawling well-lit lawns, gardens and stone structures. Head off straight to the Mecca of Food-Chowk in old Lucknow to set your stomachs ringing by getting a taste of Dum Biryani at Idriys or at Lallan. Walk a mile to Tundey Kebabs near Akbari gate and experience a taste of its trademark Galavati kebabs. It’s perhaps the only place on the planet where inspite of the stomach getting explodingly full ,the heart yearns for even more for the soft,crisp, succulent kebabs. And how can the evening be complete without having a sweet paan at State bank,Hazratganj.All of this, only to retire for the day and begin the next day’s food-pedition to feast on Chicken burgers at Marksmen, Curry recipes at Alamgir in Aminabad, Bandd ghosht(mutton) at Lalbagh,kakori kebabs at Naushijaan followed by Kulfi at Prakash ,Aminabad. As one walks through the older bits of this historical city, one will find that the ambience and the manner in which the food is served is equally historic. All this takes us back to the golden era when specialty food was served with utmost love and humble etiquettes.The recipes of the traditional Avadhi cuisine along with the other local food not only tease and please your taste buds but also are responsible for an audio,visual and exclamatory delight. Experience the food culture once, and you’ll be left craving among the many other desires you will develop after tasting this inimitable,unique cuisine.This city surely is the ‘Food Capital of India’ or in the local language- Zaika-e-Rajdhani.

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