Lucknow's rich and varied culinary legacy has earned it a spot on the UNESCO "creative cities" list. 58 cities have been added to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization's (UNESCO) Creative Cities Network, which currently consists of 408 cities in more than 100 countries, according to UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay.
Uttar Pradesh's capital, Lucknow, has received recognition in the "Gastronomy" category. "A moment of pride for India. The great culinary legacy of Lucknow is now acknowledged internationally. On Friday, the Indian Permanent Delegation to UNESCO posted on social media.
"Lucknow joined 58 other cities in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) on October 30, 2025, World Cities Day, by being named a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. According to the UCCN, which currently operates in 408 cities in more than 100 countries, "creativity and culture are key drivers of sustainable urban development."
From the well known street dish "chaat" to Awadhi cuisine and mouthwatering sweets, Lucknow is known for its rich and traditional gourmet cuisine.The award, which was made public on World Cities Day, recognises cities for their "commitment to championing creativity as a driver of sustainable urban development" and their demonstrated ability to create thriving, resilient communities.
"Culture and the creative industries can be tangible catalysts for development, as UNESCO Creative Cities show. We are bolstering a network where creativity fosters social cohesion, draws investment, and supports local efforts by embracing 58 new cities," Azoulay stated.
The UCCN was founded in 2004 with the goal of promoting collaboration between cities that use creativity and culture to advance inclusive and sustainable growth. It backs programs that improve social cohesiveness, create jobs, and boost cultural life.
UCCN enables members to motivate one another and improve the economic, social, and environmental effects of their cultural policies. It also promotes collaboration between cities, the exchange of experiences, and the pooling of solutions.
According to UNESCO, the newly named creative cities Kisumu (Kenya) and New Orleans (US) 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 showcase how local creativity fosters a unique cultural expertise rooted in the region and fostering social cohesion and economic dynamism.
Essaouira, Morocco, which was designated as a Creative City for Music in 2019, will host the Network's 2026 Annual Conference.
