Lucknow, the land of Nawabs, is known as much for its architectural brilliance as for its culinary heritage. The food here has a distinct identity and it celebrates the culinary culture of the city in every way possible. Rich in taste and flavor, Lucknowi food is nothing short of absolute magic! From aromatic biryanis to tempting kebabs, from irresistible nehari–kulchas to delicious kormas, the list of Lucknowi gastronomic wonders is endless. Even the paan you find on the streets of Lucknow is a delight in itself!
The city owes its legendary food to its traditional recipes, elaborate cooking techniques, and the perfect blend of spices. All these come together to make Lucknow a foodie’s paradise. Helping the cause of foodies are several top restaurants in the city that rustle up gourmet storms in their kitchens and serve pure delights on plates. To guide you in your culinary journey of exploring the city’s best food stops, we have curated a list of the top restaurants in Lucknow, where you can relish it’s the authentic flavors.
Top Fine Dining Restaurants in Lucknow
Looking for a place to throw a birthday party for your special someone? Planning to spend your first salary on some gastronomic delights? Don’t just go to any restaurant; choose, instead, a fine dining restaurant in the city. Here’s a list of some of the top fine dining restaurants in Lucknow.
1. Oudhyana, Lucknow
Oudhyana | Among the Best Restaurants in Lucknow
Keeping alive the legacy of the city’s rich culinary tradition is Oudhyana, undoubtedly one of the best restaurants in Lucknow for enjoying a royal dining experience. At Oudhyana, the ambiance is a grand affair while the staff is extremely gracious. Bringing alive the authentic flavors of Awadh, the restaurant serves Lucknowi and Mughlai cuisines and takes you back to the Mughal era through its delectable dishes. Their elaborate menu includes a number of heritage dishes that are almost forgotten today. The kakori and melt-in-your-mouth galawat kebabs are a specialty of this place. Besides luxury dining, the place is also an excellent choice for a couple of cocktails or a glass of wine as you dine.
- Location: Vivanta by Taj, Gomti Nagar, Lucknow
- Timings: 12:30 pm to 02:45 pm and 07:30 pm to 11:30 pm; every day
- Must-try Items: Nihari, Galawat Kebab, Kakori Kebab, Shahi Tukda
- Cost for two: ₹ 2500 (approx.)
2. Falak Numa, Lucknow
Falak Numa | Among the Best Restaurants in Lucknow
An exclusive rooftop restaurant, Falak Numa easily counts itself among the finest dining spots in the city of Lucknow. It is located at the Clarks Avadh Hotel and offers spectacular views of the city’s skyline. A grand combination of Nawabi ambiance and Awadhi delicacies make a visit to this restaurant a one-of-its-kind experience. Every dish at this place is a statement in authentic taste and intensity. Live Ghazal music and a well-appointed bar serving mocktails and cocktails add to the experience of dining at this place.
- Location: Clarks Awadh, MG Marg, Hazratganj, Lucknow
- Timings: 01:00 pm to 03:00 pm and 08:00 pm to 11:30 pm; every day
- Must-try Items: Handi Dum Biryani, Handi Murg Lazeez, Subz Galawat
- Cost for two: ₹ 1600 (approx.)
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3. Azrak, Lucknow
Azrak | Among the Best Restaurants in Lucknow
To begin with, Azrak is an embodiment of luxury, heritage, and royalty. This fine-dining restaurant at Lebua Lucknow mesmerizes you with its stunning ambiance. As far as food goes, the treat at Azrak includes royal cuisines from no less than three former princely states in India, namely Awadh, Rajasthan, and Hyderabad. The thaalis and rice varieties served here are crowd pullers while the breakfast spread is just enough to fill your engine for the day. Give a sweet ending to your dining experience with a finely prepared dessert like Firni, Malpua with Rabri, and Sewain ka Muzafar. Apart from these, the restaurant also serves Pan-Asian cuisine. No wonder, diners at this place are often left spoilt for choice.
- Location: Lebua Hotel, Mall Avenue, Lucknow
- Timings: 06:30 am to 12:00 am; every day
- Must-try Items: Bruschettas, Manchow Soup, Murg Soweta, Zaafrani Murg
- Cost for two: ₹ 1600 (approx.)
Top Iconic and Budget Restaurants in Lucknow
How about some quick bites? Or some bursting flavors that take you back to the erstwhile glories of Awadhi and Mughlai delicacies? The below listed iconic and budget-friendly restaurants are where you will be served a slice of Lucknow’ culinary heritage, in its full glory.
4. Tunday Kababi, Lucknow
Tunday Kababi | Among the Best Budget Restaurants in Lucknow
Fancy dining at an eatery that boasts of a history of over a hundred years? We know where you should be heading to – Tunday Kabai. As you must have already guessed from the name, the place is best known for its delicious, juicy Tunde Ke Kabab (also called buffalo meat galouti kabab). Believe it or not, this Awadhi dish is said to incorporate – hold your breath – 160 spices! Besides this, the restaurant also serves you other meaty delights from Lucknowi and Mughlai cuisines, such as mutton boti kabab, mutton and chicken biryanis, tikkas, and others. The ultra-soft parathas you find here are totally drool-worthy, to say the least. No matter what you choose to eat at Tunday Kababi, the royal flavors from this modest yet iconic eatery will haunt you forever!
- Location: Chowk and Aminabad, Lucknow
- Timings: 10 AM to 12 AM (Chowk); 12:30 pm to 11:30 pm (Aminabad)
- Must-try Items: Chicken Biryani, Mutton Biryani, Tunday Ke Kabab, Kabab Paratha, Mutton Korma, Kheer, Firni
- Cost for two: ₹ 300 (approx.)
5. Wahid Biryani, Lucknow
Wahid Biryani | Among the Best Budget Restaurants in Lucknow
It’s considered a cardinal sin to leave a city without tasting its most popular dish. And this means you cannot leave Lucknow without having a plate or more of its awesome, flavorsome biryani. In the city of Lucknow, the word biryani has a synonym – Wahid! Started in the year 1955, this simple chain of outlets has come a long way to become the city’s pride and a name every Lucknowite swears by. From biryanis, kababs, and tikkas to rice, rotis, and parathas, the place will serve you some of the best and authentic flavors from the Mughlai cuisine. If that plate of steaming, aromatic biryani doesn’t make you fall in love with food over and over again, what else will?
- Location: Aminabad, Lucknow
- Timings: 11:00 am to 12:30 am; every day
- Must-try Items: Chicken Biryani, Mutton Biryani, Seekh Kabab, Kheer
- Cost for two: ₹ 300 (approx.)
6. Dastarkhwan, Lucknow
Dastarkhwan | Among the Best Budget Restaurants in Lucknow
Another name popular among the people of Lucknow is Dastarkhwan. The Persian word Dastarkhwan, when translated, means a ceremonial and well laid-out dining spread. Though the spread served here might not be extensive in terms of numbers, it dishes out an authentic Awadhi fare in style and with ultimate perfection. The crowd puller here is its famous Mughlai parathas which you can devour with delicious kababs and chicken masala. If you still have some space left in your stomach, you can also go for aromatic biryanis, lip-smacking galawat kabab or a plate of mutton rogan josh or boti kabab.
- Location: Qaiserbagh, Lucknow
- Timings: 01:00 pm to 10:30 pm; every day
- Must-try Items: Paratha, Chicken Biryani, Murgh Kalimirch, Galauti Kabab, Chicken Korma, Butter Chicken, Chicken Masala
- Cost for two: ₹ 600 (approx.)
Top Casual Dining Restaurants in Lucknow
When you want to binge on food after a tough day at the office or indulge in guilt-free eating during weekends, your best option is a casual diner. And the city of Lucknow has plenty of them. Listed below are some of the top casual dining restaurants in Lucknow.
7. Urban Terrace, Lucknow
Urban Terrace | Among the Top Casual Dining Restaurants in Lucknow
When it comes to casual dining restaurants in Lucknow, Urban Terrace is a much-acknowledged name. Located on the rooftop of Hotel Lineage, the restaurant welcomes visitors to an exclusive dining experience in an open-air setting. Panoramic views of the city, elegant ambiance, graceful hospitality, and delicious food, all come together to ensure a magical experience for diners visiting this place. Apart from having your fill from the wide range of dishes spanning Mughlai, Chinese, Italian, and Continental cuisines, you can even treat yourself to your favorite drinks from the restaurant’s bar.
- Location: Hotel Lineage, Viraj Khand, Gomti Nagar, Lucknow
- Timings: 01:00 pm to 11:00 pm; every day
- Must-try Items: Lal Maans, Mutton Biryani, Greek Salad, Cocktails, Paneer Lababdar
- Cost for two: ₹ 1100 (approx.)
8. The Urban Dhaba, Lucknow
The Urban Dhaba | Among the Top Casual Dining Restaurants in Lucknow
One of the relatively new restaurants in Lucknow, the Urban Dhaba boasts of being the first truck-themed restaurant in the city. The quirky décor and ambiance of the restaurant make for a super-cool place where foodies can hang out and have their fill. But it is the food that takes the cake at this place. While you can enjoy delicious North Indian dhaba-style food, you can also explore Continental, Chinese, and Mughlai cuisines based on your preferences. The Bahubali Thali of this restaurant is one of its main drawcards, so give it a try while you visit the place.
- Location: Vivek Khand, Gomti Nagar, Lucknow
- Timings: 11:00 am to 11:00 pm; every day
- Must-try Items: Bahubai Thali, Dahi Kebab, Dal Makhani, Dhaba Paneer, Stuffed Capsicum, Butter Nan, Pindi Chana
- Cost for two: ₹ 850 (approx.)
9. Spice Caves, Lucknow
Spice Caves | Among the Top Casual Dining Restaurants in Lucknow
Any guesses what the theme of this restaurant is? The key is in the very name of it, folks. Yes, caves! With its cave-like interiors and a cool ambiance, the restaurant stands as an amalgamation of theme, privacy, and of course, delectable food. Whether you are a vegetarian or a non-vegetarian, the food here is sure to leave an everlasting impression on you. Right from the starters to the main course and desserts, foodies can have a field day exploring the food at this place. What’s more, if you are looking for a special place to impress the love of your life, you can simply book the machaan area at this restaurant. The romantic setting of the machaan area makes it one of the best restaurants in Lucknow for couples.
- Location: Patrakar Puram, Gomti Nagar, Lucknow
- Timings: 11:00 am to 11:00 pm; every day
- Must-try Items: Awadhi Murg Biryani, Murg Lababdar, Dahi Ke Kebab, Chocolate Brownie, Mojito
- Cost for two: ₹ 1200 (approx.)
10. Vintage Machine, Lucknow
Vintage Machine | Among the Top Casual Dining Restaurants in Lucknow
Staying true to its name, Vintage Machine welcomes diners to a vintage décor. Worn wooden furniture, dated heavy spotlights, rustic racks, and bare filament bulbs create an ambiance of a retro British pub right in the heart of Lucknow. But when it comes to food, the Vintage Machine can give even the swanky restaurants a run for their money. While the restaurant serves a number of cuisines, the emphasis is on Italian delicacies. The fine combination of retro décor and hearty food makes this place a must-visit for casual dining in Lucknow.
- Location: Patrakar Puram, Gomti Nagar, Lucknow
- Timings: 11:00 am to 11:00 pm; every day
- Must-try Items: Lasagne, Pasta Alfredo, Exotic Pizza, Spaghetti, Pancake, Hot Chocolate
- Cost for two: ₹ 1000 (approx.)
Top Buffet Restaurants in Lucknow
Buffet is another name for never-ending bliss, and in the city of Lucknow, bliss is never too hard to find. When you want to eat and indulge like there is no tomorrow, head to one of these top buffet restaurants in Lucknow.
11. Barbeque Nation, Lucknow
Barbeque Nation | Among the Top Buffet Restaurants in Lucknow
When food is on your mind, there can be no better place than Barbeque Nation in Lucknow to enjoy a buffet spread without burning a big hole in your pocket. The restaurant entices visitors with its live grill, which is the key attraction here. With unlimited veg and non-veg starters and a lavish buffet covering a wide range of main course dishes along with a number of salads and desserts, Barbeque Nation is one place where you can simply unleash the foodie in you and come out happy and contented. Click here for shopping malls
- Location: Riverside Mall, Vipin Khand, Gomti Nagar, Lucknow
- Timings: 11:30 am to 12 Midnights; every day
- Must-try Items: Mutton Seekh Kebab, Prawns, Mutton Curry, Kulfi, Gulab Jamun
- Cost for two: ₹ 1600 (approx.)
12. L-14, Lucknow
L-14 | Among the Top Buffet Restaurants in Lucknow
This place promises to serve the most exotic cuisines on a platter and lives up to that promise every bit. L-14 at Renaissance Lucknow Hotel is an all-day restaurant that is ever-ready to serve visitors with ample hospitality and grace. Being situated on the 14th floor, the restaurant offers an excellent view of the surroundings. The range of cuisines served at this place includes Continental, Asian, Thai, Chinese, North Indian, and South Indian. No matter what your heart desires, you can always depend on this place to satiate your cravings through its buffet offerings. It’s recommended that you book your tables before heading out to this fine diner for a gastronomic treat.
- Location: Renaissance Hotel, Vipin Khand, Gomti Nagar, Lucknow
- Timings:
- Regular – 06:30 am to 11:00 pm; every day
- Buffet Timings –
- 06:30 am to 10:30 am (Breakfast)
- 12:00 pm to 03:00 pm (Lunch)
- 07:00 pm to 11:00 pm (Dinner)
- 12:30 pm to 03:30 pm (Brunch)
- Must-try Items: Falafel Wrap, Chicken Satay, Lamb Burger, Warm Chocolate Fudge with Marshmallow
- Cost for two: ₹ 1500 (approx.)
13. Pirates of Grill, Lucknow
Pirates of Grill | Among the Top Buffet Restaurants in Lucknow
The menu at Pirates of Grill in Lucknow challenges you to order till your tummy surrenders and we are not exaggerating! That itself sets the mood for the dining experience at this restaurant. Treasures from this grill are many and varied. The menu spans across Continental, Mughlai, and North Indian cuisines. The great ambiance of the restaurant adds to the experience of enjoying a buffet at this place. With enticing starters, delightful main courses, and tempting desserts, the restaurant sure stands as one of the best places in Lucknow to enjoy a buffet spread!
- Location: Cyber Heights, Vibhuti Khand, Gomti Nagar, Lucknow
- Timings: 12:00 pm to 04:00 pm and 06:30 pm to 10:30 pm; every day
- Must-try Items: Brazilian Churrasco Pineapple, Prawns, Dahi Ke Golgappe, Tandoori Chicken, Apple Crumble Pie, Kheer
- Cost for two: ₹ 2000 (approx.)
Top Cafes in Lucknow
Whether you want to have a late breakfast or a filling brunch in the weekends or work for a few hours sitting in a quiet corner, your best bet is a café. Here’s a rundown of some of the best cafés in the city of Lucknow, where great food meets affordability.
14. Café Godown, Lucknow
Café Godown | Among the Top Cafes in Lucknow
Café Godown is strategically located in a basement to remain true to its name. An inviting ambiance with walls decked with chalk graffiti welcomes visitors to this café. The laid-back ambiance of the place is complemented through a host of savory delights that are sure to blow your mind away. Do not leave the place without exploring some of their famous offerings like the Green Apple Mojito and the Chicken Takatak.
- Location: Inderlok Colony, Kapoorthala, Aliganj, Lucknow
- Timings: 11:00 am to 11:00 pm; every day
- Must-try Items: Mutton Pizza, Honey Chilli Potatoes, Chicken Takatak, Hakka Noodles, Green Apple Mojito
- Cost for two: ₹ 500 (approx.)
