Lucknow’s rich culinary heritage has been recognized globally by UNESCO by including it in the list of Creative Cities under the ‘Culinary’ category. This recognition highlights the city’s Awadhi cuisine and unique food culture, which will boost global tourism to Lucknow and strengthen the local economy. It also recognizes the role of culture in sustainable urban development.

Lucknow, the City of Nawabs, known for its Awadhi cuisine, architectural wonders, and poetic past, has added another feather to its cap. On World Cities Day (Friday), during the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Assembly in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, the capital of Uttar Pradesh was officially declared a UNESCO ‘Creative Culinary City’, joining the list of 70 global culinary hubs.

Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh welcomed the move, saying that culinary tourism has long attracted tourists to the state and this status will help the state further develop this sector. He said, “Culinary tourism has been attracting tourists to Uttar Pradesh for generations, and the state has immense potential to lead in this sector in the coming years.”

The State Tourism Directorate submitted Lucknow’s nomination to the Ministry of Culture on January 31, 2025, and the Government of India selected the city as the country’s official entry on March 3, 2025. Officials said that the UNESCO announcement on October 31 formally confirms the city’s entry into the Creative Cities Network.

Principal Secretary, Tourism and Culture, Amrit Abhijat, said that Lucknow’s food culture, from royal kitchens to street vendors, has long attracted tourists, and the UNESCO tag will further expand this reach. He cited recent tourist arrivals to underline the sector’s momentum: “In 2024, Lucknow received approximately 8,274,154 tourists (domestic and foreign), while in the first half of 2025 alone, it received over 7,020,492, demonstrating how food and culture are driving tourism growth.”

Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), has named 58 cities as new members of UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network. The list now includes 408 cities from over 100 countries. Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, has been recognized in the “Culinary Arts” category.

India’s Permanent Delegation to UNESCO said in a social media post on Friday, “A proud moment for India.” Lucknow’s rich culinary heritage is now recognized on a global stage!” The delegation said, “On the occasion of World Cities Day 2025 (October 30), Lucknow has been designated a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. Lucknow, along with 58 new cities, has been included in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN). The UCCN now includes 408 cities from over 100 countries.”

Lucknow is renowned for its rich and traditional cuisine, ranging from chaat to Awadhi dishes and delicious sweets. This award, announced on World Cities Day, recognizes cities for their “commitment to promoting creativity as a driver of sustainable urban development.”

Ajol said, “UNESCO Creative Cities demonstrate that culture and creative industries can be strong drivers of development. By welcoming 58 new cities, we are strengthening a network where creativity supports local initiatives, attracts investment, and fosters social cohesion.” Established in 2004, the UCCN aims to promote collaboration between cities that leverage culture and creativity to foster inclusive and sustainable development. It supports initiatives that create jobs, foster cultural vibrancy, and strengthen social cohesion.

UNESCO said the newly designated creative cities include Kisumu (Kenya) and New Orleans (USA) for music, Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) for design, Matosinhos (Portugal) and Cuenca (Ecuador) for gastronomy, Giza (Egypt) for film,

Rovaniemi (Finland) for architecture, Malang (Indonesia) for media arts, and Aberystwyth (UK) for literature, which exemplify how local creativity fosters a distinctive cultural expertise and generates economic dynamism alongside social cohesion. The ‘creative cities’ will gather in Essaouira (Morocco) for the network’s annual conference in 2026. Essaouira was featured on the list of creative cities for music in 2019.