Lucknow, the city of Nawabs, known for nazakat (elegance), nafasat (grace) and tehzeeb (etiquette), has a vibrant culinary history that is unbeatable. The dastarkhwan of the nawabs of Lucknow has an influence on Mughlai as well as Awadhi cuisine. The gateway to Chowk, Lucknow’s Akbari gate, is not only a focal point for the architectural wonders built by Mughal emperor Jalaluddin Akbar, but it also serves as the epicenter food Mughlai cuisine and is bustling with foodies during the month of Ramadan. The roads around the door are undeniably decked up and the diners circling the entryway are packed with individuals from across the city. The top 20 delicacies around the famous Akbari Gate, a hub for foodies, are:
1.Tunday Kababi
Kebabs and the city of Lucknow have a long-standing love affair. Tunday Kababi, the worldwide famous Kebab joint known for its mouth-melting Galawati Kebab, was established in 1905 by Haji Murad Ali. Old Luckow’s congested passageways of Akbari Gate are home to Tunday Kababi’s oldest shop. There are rumors that the Kebabs are still cooked here according to a carefully held family secret recipe. One hundred sixty different spices are used in the family’s secret recipe to make the softest, most delectable Kebabs.
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2.Raheem’s
Founded in 1890 by Haji Abdur Raheem Sahab, it is one of the oldest and busiest spots for lovers of Nihari and Kulcha. The word ‘Nihari’ comes from the Arabic word “Nahaar,” which means “the morning”. Originally it was a popular high-energy breakfast dish among the working class. However, later it rose to prominence and became the main dish of the dastarkhwan of the Mughal-era Nawabs. Apart from savoring succulent Nihari with Kulche, you can also try Sheermal and Kakori Kebab here. The food joint has seen five generations of both the owners and the cooks, who can claim to be serving at Raheem’s for generations.
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3.Mubeens
Established in 1974, The Mubeen Restaurant is one of the oldest restaurants in Akbari Gate. It all started 300 years ago in Lucknow itself, then Mr. Mohd Mubeen moved to Bhopal for a few years, but as we say, you may take a Lucknowite out of Lucknow, but you can never take Lucknow out of him, so he can’t stay away from it. Therefore, they came back to Lucknow and finally started Mubeens in 1973. It quickly became Lucknow’s most renowned eatery, delivering delicious Mughlai cuisine for centuries. The Nihari Khaas with Ghilafi Kulcha, Pasanda, and Sheermal will surely tickle your tastebuds.
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4.Idrees
Awadhi biryani is made by cooking the rice and meat separately, then layering them and cooking them again over “dum” to blend the flavors. Idrees is one of the most famous biryani shops in Lucknow, established in 1968 by Mohammad Idrees. The secret recipe was passed down to Mohammad Idris by his father who was an expert biryani cook. The founder, Mohammad Idris, inherited the special recipe from his father who was an expert biryani cook. It takes around three hours to prepare a single deigh of Mutton Biryani and around 16 to 18 deighs are sold every day.
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5.Lalla Biryani
Another well-known restaurant in Chowk is Lalla Biryani, which is renowned for its aromatic mutton biryani. It was established in 1988 and at that time it cost only Rs. 2.5 per plate. Lallaji, the owner of this tiny shop, serves perfectly cooked and flavorful Biryani. It is so popular that every foodie in Lucknow can tell you the address of this biryani joint. The average cost is Rs. 250 for one.
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6.Wahid Chicken Biryani
Wahid Biryani was established in 1955 and it is one of the most prominent Biryani shops in Lucknow. The cost is around Rs. 310 for two people. The Biryani served here is prepared with a combination of 55 spices and a perfect amount of Kewra and Kesar. They also specialize in Mughlai Kebab Paratha, Reshmi Chicken Tikka, Zafrani Kheer, and a lot more Mughlai dishes.
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7.Ali Hussain Sheermal
The oldest of the bunch, Ali Hussain Sheermal, was founded in 1830 as Mohammad’s Jaanashin and the seventh generation is currently in charge of the heritage store. They sell nearly 1,000 sheermals. This famous and oldest shop in Sheermal is in “Sheermal Wali Gali” near Akbari Gate. Apart from Sheermal, they also specialize in Bakarkhani, Gau Zabaan, and Naan in various flavors. The Sheermal here ranges from Rs. 15 to Rs. 60 based on the variety of materials used in the making.
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8.Salmaan Sheermal Wale, Chowk
Sheermal or Shirmal, a famous Mughlai dish, is a saffron-flavored traditional flatbread that is a fluffy, mildly sweet, and aromatic savory breakfast. It is one of the most celebrated breads of Lucknow, eaten with Kebabs and Korma. Salman Sheermal Wale is one of the most legendary shops in Lucknow for having Sheermals located in Chowk.
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9.Mashi Biryani World
Mashi Biryani World is a recent restaurant established in 2014 by Mudassar Rizvi, popularly known as Mashi, who learned the recipe for Biryani from his father, a specialist in Hyderabadi Biryani. It is the first restaurant to launch the authentic Hyderabadi Dum Biryani, Awadhi Biryani, and Bamboo Biryani Kolkata Biryani in Lucknow. Today, Mashi Biryani is one of the most famous biryani food chains in Uttar Pradesh.
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10.Azhar Bhai Ka Paan
Azhar Bhai ka Paan, also known as the pride of Lucknow, is the most popular destination for Lucknowites after having Tunday, Raheem, or Mubeens. Here you can see some of the most interesting names of Paans, like Wajid Ali Shah ki Gilauri, Begum Pasand Paan, Palang Tod Paan, and can have even more interesting conversations with Azhar Bhai, who started working in this shop when he was only 12 years old who proudly claims his shop to be the best shop for having paan in the city.
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11.Ram Asrey Sweetshop
Ram Asrey Sweet Shop is a 200-year-old sweet shop established in 1805. It serves a wide variety of authentic and rare sweet delicacies ranging from Malai ki Gilori to different types of Halwas like Kali Gajar halwa, Zuazi halwa, and Habshi halwa. This shop has the honor of serving its dessert to the last Nawab of Awadh (Lucknow), Nawab Wajid Ali Shah.
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12.Al Madina Kashmiri Chai
Lucknow is popular for Awadhi and Mughlai delicacies. Still, one surprising thing that is popular at Akbari Gate is Noon chai, also calledKashmiri Tea,Pink Tea, and Gulabi Chai, which is a traditional tea beverage originating in Kashmir. But Lucknow has its version of Gulabi Chai. Al Madina Kashmiri Chai is a popular spot for having vicious rich Kashmiri Chai and fan or puff pastry. During Ramadan, it is quite popular among the locals as they sell over 500 teas in a single night.
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13.Haji’s Saheb’s Sweet Shop
Haji Saheb’s Sweet Shop was established about 50 years ago by Haji Ghaffur. This sweet shop is famous for its authenticity and reasonable price. Khoye ke laddu, Khoye wale Samose, and barfi are some popular sweets.
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14.Lucknow Grillz
Located in Akbari Gate, opposite Ek Minara Masjid, this food joint is famous for serving tandoori delicacies. The menu ranges from Tandoori Chicken, Chicken Tikka to Turkish Seekh kebabs, which are popular among the locals. It opens till late at night, so you can munch on these tikkas and kebabs to satiate your late-night hunger pangs.
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15.Shaban Chicken Tikka Corner
Shaban Chicken Tikka Corner is another food joint located at Akbari Gate, the nexus of Mughalai and Awadhi Cuisine that serves Chicken Tikka, Chicken Barra, Afghani Chicken, Seekh kabab, and a lot more Mughlai delicacies. They are known for selling the best Chicken Tikka and Chicken Barra in Lucknow. The average cost is around Rs. 350 for two people.
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16.Ache Bhai Ki Kulche Nihari
The Akbari Gate of Lucknow is a paradise for people who love Nihari and Kulche. Another shop that serves delicious Nihari is Ache Bhai ki Nihari. This place sells only Nihari and Kulcha. The average cost is around Rs. 200 for two people.
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17.Faheem Muradabadi Chicken Biryani Center
Faheem Muradabadi Chicken Biryani is located in Chowk and is known for selling Chicken Muradabadi Biryani. The price range is affordable as the average cost is Rs. 200 for two people.
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18.Zam Zam Biryani
This restaurant offers Delhi Chicken Fry and Muradabadi Chicken Biryani. Muradabadi Biryani is named after Moradabad which is a city in Uttar Pradesh but it is said to have originated in Lucknow. It is also known as Yakkhni Pulao, which is yogurt saffron-based mutton broth tied into a bouquet garni. The price range is affordable as the average cost is Rs. 300 for two people.
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19.Hotel Lazeez Al Darbar
Hotel Lazeez Al Darbar is at Nakkhas Road, Chowk. This place serves a wide variety of Mughlai food, like Mutton Stew, Mutton Korma, Chicken Korma, Mutton Kebab rolls, Chicken Shami Kebab rolls, and much more. It costs around Rs. 400 for two people.
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20.Kabab Chini
Kabab Chini which is located in Chowk, Old Lucknow, is named after a significant spice of Mughlai and Awadhi cuisine. It offers both vegetarian and non-vegetarian Awadhi options of Awadhi delicacies. The average cost is around Rs. 300 for two. This place serves Chicken Malai Tikka, Chicken Barra, Chicken BBQ, Chicken and Mutton Biryani, and Raan Alishan BBQ.
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