Khayiye Aur muskaraiye aap Lucknow mein hai…Literally meaning, Eat and Smile coz you are in Lucknow!!
Lucknow city is mainly ruled by the Mughal influences which show in their eating habits and culture. When you hear these words Shammi, Galawati, Kakori, Tunday, then know for sure that you are in the city of Kababs, Lucknow.
Let’s take A Foodie’s guide to Lucknow, a city that is all set to win your hearts with its tantalizing food. The meals mostly weighing heavier on the non-vegetarian is a delight for meat lovers. Apart from the Mughal architecture and Tehzeeb, the city of Nawabs is also famous for its kebabs and well-cooked meat. However, it is not as disappointing for vegetarians as they have many options as well. From chaat items, Mithais, Chai, to Biscuits, Mughali paneer, and Veg Kababs, they have it all here
If you plan to visit Lucknow anytime soon here is my pick of places where you should head to. Hazratganj lane is one of my favorites places as it has many things to offer. Right from shopping exclusive and designer Lucknowi Kurtis to bridal wears and western casuals to Ittar and Jewelry. People come here often as this lane has a few famous eateries where you will find long queues.
Royal Cafe
One of the most famous places in Lucknow is the Royal Cafe that serves delicious and lip-smacking chaat and also has dine-in options.
Basket Chaat at Royal Cafe is one of the most famous dishes that is relished here. This Basket Chaat is a very popular and most running item here. At any point in time, you will see people ordering it and eating.
Basket Chaat is made with an aloo/potato basket and served with aloo tikkis, loads of yogurt along a generous amount of chutneys that will leave your heart asking for more. The portion size is huge and I bet a single person can rarely polish this off. So it is recommended to share it with your loved one. . I highly recommend you try this at Royal Cafe.
We also tried the mutter chaat which was tasty and had a very peculiar taste. Something that is not easily found in other parts of India.
Tunday Kababi
Dastarkhwan
The waft of an aroma coming out from the open kitchen of Dastarkhwan will make you drool. They serve absolutely lip-smacking and delicious veg and non-veg food. We had ordered Paneer Butter Masala, Galouti Kababs, Chicken Kali Mirch, Rumali Roti, and Paratha. The food was very good and the taste was very authentic. Relished every bite of it. The service was also very quick.
Dastarkhwan has three branches, but we had visited the original one near Hazratganj, Vishal Mega Mart. They have seating arrangements in the open air, simple basic tables, and chairs, nothing fancy. It is also a pocket-friendly place and your visit to Lucknow is incomplete without eating at Dastarkhwan.
Moti Mahal
Moti Mahal is located in HazratGang and is such a buzzing place where you will find the majority of the people hanging out. This is well known for its Chaats, Sweets, Kesar Milk, Makhan Malai, mithais, and Bengali Sweets. The gorgeous display of their sweets was so neatly arranged that it will surely catch your eye. All the items that are available here really stand out in terms of taste.
What I recommend:
Kaali Gajar Ka Halwa is peculiar and unique and only available during winters here.
Imarti with Jalebi is again a very famous sweet here and they make it fresh and serve it with rabri. The sweetness is just perfect and not overpowering. This is also their fast-selling item and you find many people ordering this even at wee hours.
Moreover, their samosas, aloo Tikki chaat, golgappa are also very popular, however, we did not taste it.
Well, one thing that you can not miss having here is Kesar Milk. Frothy Kesar milk, loaded with malai and topped with dry fruits tastes absolutely ambrosial. Must-have milk here especially in winter chills.
Sharma Ji ki Chai
If you are a tea-holic, then this place is a must-visit. This is the most buzzing place and people often visit this place early morning to have their breakfast. However, this place is always crowded throughout the day as well. The place is old and small, there are round tables kept around, however no sitting available here. People usually stand here, have tea, grab some breakfast, gossip, and leave.
Sharma Ji KI Chai is very well known for its:
Tea, mainly served in kulhad. This Tea was the best I have had in Lucknow.
Gol Samosa, Samosas that are shaped in a round form and tastes so delicious.
Bun Makhan, Soft round bun bread with a load of white Makhan, (white butter) that simply melts in your mouth and goes so well with Tea.
There are few other snacks like Mathris, bun samosa, bun malai that people like about this place. This is also a pocket-friendly place and definitely worth visiting. Agar aap Lucknow mein hain aur Sharma Ji Ki Chai nahee pee, toh kya kiya. Meaning, if you are in Lucknow and have not tasted Sharma Ji Ki Chai what have you done.
Ram Asrey
This is yet another place where you can have early morning breakfast. It is basically a sweet and farsan shop and also serves hot snacks. Jalebis here is very good, delicious, thin, crispy, and not too sweet. In fact, one of the best jalebis I have eaten here.
Prakash Ki Kulfi
This is one of the iconic places to have Kulfi in Lucknow. Prakash ki Kulfi has many outlets all over the city of Lucknow. We happened to have this at the markets of Aminabad. If you get tired while shopping at Amindad, I suggest you treat yourself with Prakash Ki Kulfi. The kulfi is creamy and served with white and orange colored falooda sev and rabdi. It is heavy and delectable. 2 people can easily share this kulfi as it’s heavy and full of calories.
Makhan Malai / Malaiyo
This is a winter delicacy that is available only in few Cities of Uttar Pradesh. Totally relished Malaiyo in Lucknow at Chowk Area. It was so creamy with dry fruits and silver foil.
What is Malaiyo
Malaiyo or Makhan Malai is a winter delicacy, foaming, frothy saffron-flavored cream that is prepared from raw milk and dew drops. Well, this is a very well-secret recipe in the entire Uttar Pradesh that is available only during winters. I also tasted this in Varanasi and it was definitely so good and foamy.
Chanakya Kulfi
The Kulfi here is very creamy with pieces of khoya and it’s loaded with dry fruits. Surely a recommended one for all kulfi lovers and a treat in summer.
Shukla Ki Chat
This is yet another place that is famous for its chat items. Aloo Tikki here is very popular and the taste is peculiar and delicious. It is loaded with curd, sweet and spicy chutney. Having a stop here for its aloo tikki is recommended.
Also, read other blogs here,
Tunday Kababi at Aminabad Lucknow
