Beyond Kebabs And Kulfi, 5 Famous

Lucknow Foods

You Might Not Know

Kulcha-Nihari

Nihari is a slow-cooked mutton stew, known for tender meat that falls off at the bone with the gentlese of touch. It’s often cooked overnight in a spiced curry and served with soft, flaky kulchas. While nihari is available in Delhi and Hyderabad as well, along with a few other states, Lucknow’s kulcha-nihari, especially the one at Raheem’s, stands out. Raheem’s has been around since 1890, and serves ghilaf kulcha – a two-layered bread that’s crispy on the outside, but tender inside. It’s seriously good food! 

Things to remember: 

• Taste and texture: Greasy, spicy curry with tender meat; soft, flaky kulchas.
• Best place to eat: Raheem's Kulcha-Nahari
• Average price: ₹200–400

Khasta Aloo Kachori

Lucknow’s famous foods don’t just include non-vegetarian fare. In fact, the one vegetarian dish from Lucknow that makes it to almost every food lover’s list is the khasta aloo kachori. Kachori is deep-fried, puffed bread with a crunchy exterior. The khasta refers to the texture – it has to be perfectly flak and crispy. It’s served with a potato curry that has a slight tang and a medley of spices. It’s the kind of food you wait in lines for. And the lines are bound to be there because the most famous joints start attracting tourists long before the oil begins to heat. 

Things to remember: 

• Taste and texture: Crunchy kachori; soft, spicy potato curry with slight tang
• Best place to eat: Bajpayee Kachori Bhandar
• Average price: ₹40-₹50 (approx)

Basket Chaat

The royal influence of Lucknow’s history is evident in its culinary traditions. While nihari, kebabs, and biryani preserve the flavour, basket chaat goes a step further in imbuing the royal touch even in presentation! Here’s a street food that marries the quick, flavour-packed simplicity of fast food on busy streets with a presentation sophisticated enough for a high-end cafe. The chaat includes a basket of grated, deep-fried potatoes, overflowing with a mix of sauces (curds and chutneys) and vegetables (like peas or sprouts), and topped with crunchy sev. 

Things to remember: 

• Taste and texture: Crunchy basket, creamy sauces, and a savoury, balanced taste
• Best place to eat: Shukla Chaat House, Royal Cafe
• Average price: ₹200-₹260

Tip: The basket chaat is a novelty experience, but Lucknow, in general, has a robust chaat scene. Shukla chaat house, in particular, is one of the more famous eateries in Lucknow, having been around for almost 5 decades. You can try their aloo tikki chaat, the golgappe (called pani ke batashe), or the delectable matar ki chaat, that’s deceptively simple in appearance but offers layers of flavour.

Malai Paan 

It’s not all spicy mains and savoury sides on the list of Lucknow’s famous foods. You’ve also got a dessert that’s delicate, rich, and exclusive to the city. Malai paan is made from thin, delicate layers of malai folded into a paan-like shape. Stuffed with dry fruits, mishri (sugar candy), and often flavoured with rose or kewra water, it’s a luxurious, creamy dessert. 

Things to remember: 

• Taste and texture: Crunchy basket, creamy sauces, and a savoury, balanced taste
• Best place to eat: Ram Asrey (credited as the inventor of the dish)
• Average price: ₹30–₹50 (can go up to ₹100 per piece)

Biryani

Lucknowi biryani, also known as Awadhi biryani, is lighter and more aromatic compared to its spicier counterparts, especially the Hyderabadi biryani. Cooked using the dum method, where meat and rice are slow-cooked together in a sealed pot, the dish is infused with subtle spices, saffron, and fragrant kewra water. The signature mark of a good Awadhi biryani is that each grain of rice is separate and flavourful. 

Things to remember: 

• Taste and texture: Light, fragrant, mildly spiced rice with tender, juicy meat
• Best place to eat: Idrees Biryani, Wahid Biryani
• Average price: ₹200–₹300 per person at popular local eateries, ₹400–₹800 per person at premium outlets and restaurant chains

Not Just The City Of Kebabs

No one is asking you to skip the kebabs or kulfis when you visit Lucknow. But make some space on your plate for other dishes. After all, every dish carries a touch of royal history, a piece of culinary innovation, and the collective love of a city that lives to eat!