Tantalizing the taste buds with Awadhi Cuisine
Shruti Rai
Lucknow: Lucknow, the land of Nawabs, is known as much for its architectural brilliance as for its culinary heritage. The food here has a distinct identity and it celebrates the culinary culture of the city in every way possible. Rich in taste and flavor, Lucknawi food is nothing short of absolute magic! From aromatic biryanis to tempting kebabs of Tunday, from irresistible nehari–kulchas to delicious kormas, the list of Lucknawi gastronomic wonders is endless. Even the paan you find on the streets of Lucknow is a delight in itself!
The go-to place for a steaming cup of tea and a snack of Bun-maska or Samosa is ‘Sharma jiki Chai’ in Hazratgunj. Served in earthen cups, this beverage is so addictive that it has earned the local name of “opium tea”! Those looking to beat the heat during summers opt for Thandai at ‘Pandit Raja’s’ shop which is the oldest shop of Lucknow serving this beverage. Situated at Kamla Nehru Marg, Chowk, it specially mixes cashews, almonds, saffron, pistachios and cardamom with chilled milk to refresh both the body and the mind.
The main course includes the timeless favorite Biryani. ‘Idriski Biryani’ at the Chowk market or ‘Awadhi-Biryani’ at Wahid’s Biryani are the local staples and for good reason.
Cafés and Restaurants serving delicious wonders.
One of the most interesting trends that have been set in Lucknow in recent years, is the expansion of food aggregators to tier-II and Tier-III cities. Along with that, a lot of big brands from Delhi/ Mumbai are opening their outlets in Lucknow.
From Mexican to Spanish and from English to Asian, the city has ample dining options where one can easily feast upon his or her favorite cuisine which was not a trend a couple of years back. So, this Christmas and New Year season, step-in to the top restaurants and cafes in the city like Oudhyana, Falak Nama, Azrak, Royal Café, Wahid Biryani, Tunday Kebabs, Dastarkhwan, Urban Terrace, Vintage Machine, Barbeque Nation, L-14 Lucknow, Café Godown, The Hazelnut Factory, Cappucino Blast, Café Repertwahr, Macaron Patiserrie, Capoor & Sons, Free Spirit, The Garden Bakery, Home Sweet Home, and many more with your family, mates and pals to make the holiday season merrier.
