Lucknow famous

There is life beyond Tunday’s in the beautiful heritage town on the banks of river Gomti. We take you kebab hopping in the bylanes of Lucknow to discover some amazing stuff. A gourmet dream come true!

Ask anyone what is Lucknow famous for and they’ll answer in two words kebabs and nawabs! Formerly and famously known as Awadh, Lucknow is famous for its Avadhi cuisine ranging from Lucknowi biryani replete with melt-in-the-mouth soft pieces of mutton and a rich aromatic flavour, to the world famous Galauti Kebabs made so popular by Tunday Kebabi, that it is on every non-vegetarian lover’s to-do list!

But being a Lucknowite and a huge foodie, I feel it is my absolute obligation to expose all kebab lovers to life beyond Tunday’s in Lucknow.

Do remember Avadhi cooking favours mutton, with chicken being a new age addition, so when in Lucknow choose goat meat for really traditional and amazing flavours. Let’s go hunting for mouth watering  Lucknow kebabs.

 Shammi Kebab at Sakhawat

This one is gem that wows everyone who stumble upon it. Open only in the evening from 5 pm to 10 pm, tucked away in a lane leading to Lucknow gymkhana, this restaurant is the best place to head to for some lip-smacking kebabs. They do many kinds but we will hand-pick the shammi here. While Galauti is too fine a mince, like a paste, the shammi has texture and is full of aromatic spices.

Majlisi Kebab at Naushijaan

Yummy, melt-in-the mouth kebabs which are not really in the shape of kebabs. It’s like a paste of minced meat deliciously flavoured and tossed with spices before serving. Served in a semi-dry paste form in a sort of kulhar, this has a texture somewhat similar to haleem, though a lot meatier than that.

Burra Kebab at Daal Mein Kaala

Gently roasted in a tandoor, the spiced mutton pieces on bones are served straight out of the smouldering coals, infused with their smoking aroma. The outer surface is dry and crisp; blackened in patches. Delicious!

Afghani Chicken at Daal Mein Kaala

It’s more like tandoori chicken but grilled in a simple marinade of yoghurt and spices instead of tandoori masala. Char grilled pieces of chicken, soft and juicy make it a chicken lover’s delight.

Mutton Pasanda at Mubeen Akbari Gate

Made from thin layers of mutton after marinating with papaya, it is barbequed on a coal fire grill. The mutton pasanda is served with Mubeen’s signature chaat masala, which gives an earthy twang to the dish, they need no accompaniment other than some sliced onions in lemon juice.

Boti Kebab at Hotel Charminar, Lal Bagh

Simple, Avadhi style mutton Boti which is not for the faint hearted. Spicy and not-so-fancy which will set fire to your taste buds. People follow different styles of cooking boti kebabs. At some places, it is grilled on tandoor while others cook tender pieces of mutton in a spicy thick masala.

…AND WHILE YOU ARE IN LUCKNOW, A MUST DO:

The Mughal’s Dastarkhwan

This place needs a special mention. It’s a restaurant which is more than 25 years old and is every Lucknowite’s favourite. It serves everything from kebabs to curries to biryani.

It has a long list of kebabs ranging from galauti (which some claim to be better than Tunday’s) to seekh, from boti kebab to tandoori tikkas. This place is a heavenly delight for all the non-vegetarian lovers. The good part is that it also serves good vegetarian food and you can visit this place with friends and family even if all  are not meat lovers!