Welcome to Lucknow, where the traffic honks in Urdu and the food is so good, it should be classified as an emotional support system. This city doesn’t just serve meals… it writes love letters in ghee and garnish.
Now, if you’re one of those efficient travelers who likes to hit the highlights without scanning endless lists, congratulations. We’ve done the greasy, spicy, delightful groundwork for you. Presenting the three absolute must-visit eateries in Lucknow, iconic, legendary, and utterly delicious.
1. Tunday Kababi – Where Kebabs Surrender to Your Tongue
📍 Aminabad (the OG), Chowk, LuLu Mall ((satellite branches)
💸 Backpackers: ₹50–₹150 | Families: ₹400 for four
If you Google “eateries in Lucknow,” Tunday Kababi appears faster than your delivery guy when you’re starving. And for good reason. The perennial crowd and queue only speak about its legacy and fame.
Their Galawati Kebab (literal translation: “melt-in-mouth kebab of destiny”) is the stuff of legend. Made with over 100 spices and a texture so soft you’ll question the existence of your teeth, these kebabs were originally made for a toothless nawab who couldn’t chew but refused to stop eating meat. Now that’s royalty with priorities.
You’ll be sharing table space with strangers, likely elbowing someone for the last bite, and wondering if it’s acceptable to order a second plate just for yourself. (It is.) What’s the fun without experiencing the rush in the eateries of Lucknow?
Kebab + Kids? Surprisingly, yes!
We asked for a mild version for our three-year-old. She tried one, declared it “spicy meat cake,” and then stole ours too. We haven’t recovered emotionally.
Must-try:
- Galawati Kebab + Roomali Roti
- Mutton Biryani (a sneaky stunner)
- Shami Kebab if you want a firm bite
Ambience alert:
It’s no-frills, chaotic, and full of flavor. If you’re looking for mood lighting and Instagrammable marble walls — this ain’t it. But if you want history and heaven in your mouth, you’ve arrived.
2. Royal Cafe – Chaat Royalty, Mango Majesty
📍 Hazratganj (center of all snack-based universe)
💸 Solo travelers: ₹250 | Families: ₹600+ | Luxury comfort travelers: AC seating available
Step into Royal Cafe, where Lucknow’s most famous snack, Basket Chaat, isn’t just food, it’s edible architecture. Available at almost all the eateries in Lucknow, Basket Chaat is not just a legacy, but an icon at Royal Cafe.
A crispy potato shell (yes, the basket is fried potato), layered with boiled chana, dahi, tangy chutneys, crunchy sev, spices, pomegranate, and magic. It’s crispy, creamy, tangy, spicy, and sweet… basically, every flavor note playing in perfect harmony like a Bollywood climax scene.
But wait… the real summer sleeper hit? The Mango Shake.
The Mango Shake That Deserves a Crown
Served in a tall chilled glass, thick enough to double as dessert, topped with sliced mango, dry fruits, and occasionally a cherry that’s just there for drama. It’s rich, refreshing, and full of real Dussehri mangoes, no flavor syrup fakery here. You may go to different eateries in Lucknow but return here just for the shake and chaats.
We had it in June, and for a brief, sacred moment, the AC stopped mattering. The heat stopped mattering. The child stopped whining. That’s not a shake… that’s therapy.
Main Course Mania
While it’s less known for its naans and proteins, Royal Cafe did not disappoint – we ordered some humble naan and shahi paneer and it was a blast from the past, comforting, nostalgic, and aromatic!
Must-try:
- Basket Chaat (obviously)
- Pani Puri Shots
- Mango Shake (seasonal, but worth planning your trip around)
- Cold Coffee for non-mango types
- Flaky naans and paneer/chicken/mutton
Ambience alert:
The non-ac section is lively and loud, but where there is AC, it is slightly upscale, and perfect for sitting back after a shopping spree or historical walking tour meltdown.
3. Dastarkhwan – Your Royal Invitation to an Awadhi Feast
📍 Hazratganj & Lalbagh
💸 Couples: ₹600–₹800 | Families: ₹800–₹1200 (and you’ll take home leftovers)
Dastarkhwan means “royal spread,” and that’s exactly what you get. If Tunday is your street-food king and Royal Cafe your chaat queen, then Dastarkhwan is the Nawab who invites you to dine like royalty. And you’d be a fool to decline.
Everything here is slow-cooked, lovingly spiced, and portioned like they knew you skipped lunch. While most eateries in Lucknow are known for their ‘mehmaan-nawazi’, this iconic spot hits the spot! It was noisy and chaotic but still so warm and welcoming!
You’ll find:
- Kakori Kebabs so smooth they need a spoon.
- Mutton Rogan Josh that demands naan accompaniment.
- Chicken Masala that wins over both spice-lovers and cautious kids.
- And Sheermal, the sweet saffron flatbread that you’ll dream about days later.
Family Feasting FTW
This was the place we finally sat down, ordered everything the menu would allow, and just let the food do the talking. It was at the fag-end of our trip, and Father’s Day, so we had to order the OGs – Biryani, Tandoori Chicken, and one final plate of Galawati Kebabs. Unpopular opinion: we loved the kebab here more than in TK! However, all the eateries in Lucknow have one thing in common… a vibe and aroma that make your heart skip a beat!
Little A was absolutely wiped out and slept peacefully, which gave us a peaceful dinner after a moment or two of guilt and “aww she’s so tired…”. But we quickly recovered and drowned in the iconic dishes, which linger in our souls till this date.
Must-try:
- Biryani
- Kakori Kebabs
- Chicken Masala
- Sheermal if you have room left (you won’t)
Ambience alert:
It walks the line between heritage and modern. Great for families, dates, solo foodies, and groups. Plus, they’re happy to adjust spice levels… just ask!
Quick Guide: Feeding Kids While Traveling in Lucknow
Because even in kebab paradise, kids have moods. Here’s what worked for us:
- Ask for less spicy versions. Most places oblige gladly.
- Dry snacks = saviors. When your kid refuses to eat anything “new,” always have a familiar backup.
- Hydrate. Mango shake counts, right? But water first.
- Let them explore flavors… one bite at a time. You might discover your kid is a kebab connoisseur in the making.
The eateries in Lucknow are more than happy to suit to your taste, and only make you fall in love with them, one bite at a time!
Need more family food hacks on the road?
Head over to our blog: Bite-Sized Adventures: 14 New Food Gadgets for Infants and Toddlers on the Go
The Last Bite: Come Hungry. Leave Lucky.
If you only eat at three places in Lucknow, let them be these.
If you only eat three meals a day here… you’re doing it wrong.
From the legendary Galawati kebabs of Tunday, to Royal Cafe’s chaat symphony and mango shake masterpiece, and the regal Awadhi feast at Dastarkhwan, every bite tells a story, every spice whispers tradition, and every plate promises you’ll be back. Truly, it will be a forever fond memory for us to dive into the traditional food, and the burst of flavors for the unsuspecting tastebuds in these eateries of Lucknow.
So loosen those belts, bring wet wipes (mango shake is sticky business), and eat like the nawabs intended: with joy, abandon, and no regrets. Happy Traveling!
