The 5 best places to eat at Hazratganj in Lucknow

Muskuraiye, Aap Lucknow me hain. Welcome to the city of Nawabs. With a strong influence of Mughal and Awadhi cultures, Lucknow is by far one of the most popular destinations for food and shopping enthusiasts. Also known as the city of tehzeeb, the hospitality, humbleness and the culture of this city is well and truly unmatched. Janab ye Lucknow hai, yahan par adab se boliye pehle aap. And when we speak of shopping and food, the one place that is engraved in each and every Lucknowite's heart is non-another than Hazratganj. The Victorian style architectures and the very eye catching black boards with white writings on every shop is an ambience to live for. With a dedicated metro station, this place has now become far more accessible compared to earlier times.

Here are out top five recommendations for your food walk at Lucknow's pride, Hazratganj.

1. Sharma ji ki Chai

We Indians love our tea, don't we? So what better to start your journey with a flavorful cup of tea. Located just less than half a kilometer from Hazratganj metro station in Lalbagh area, this popular tea shop which dates back to several decades is well and truly a crowd attraction. It is perhaps the most popular tea outlet not just in Hazratganj, but entire Lucknow. The footfall is extremely high and there might be a certain wait time but the wait is absolutely worth it. Their bun maska, which is a bun smeared with butter along with the aromatic tea served in eco-friendly kulhads, there absolutely cannot be a better start to your day. In addition to tea, this place is also renowned for its round samosas, a favourite Indian delicacy. Freshly prepared samosas are served here with tamarind chutney that wonderfully balances the hot contents.

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/nUn7ktxCNwH9sLje8

2. Shukla chat house

They say when in Rome, be a Roman. When it come to Lucknow, the one street food that city is know for is its wide range of chaats and if you are in this city, you absolutely cannot miss this ensemble of flavors in a single bowl stimulating each and every section of your taste buds. Ask anyone in Hazratganj for the best chaat outlet and they will redirect you to Shukla Chaat House. After all, a 50 year legacy is no joke. With pocket friendly prices and large portions, this outlet is a goto spot for locals. There is something for every palate, from the traditional aloo tikki chaat to the tangy and spicy papdi chaat. The chole tikki chaat, however, is the star of the show. It is made of crispy potato patties called tikkis that are then topped with hot chickpeas, yoghurt, and a variety of chutneys. Samosa chaat, aalu chaat and dahi bhalla are some of the other delicacies and are a must try.

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/XF31mjWkCvf5PKJh7

3. Bajpai kachori bhandar

Lucknow is famous for its legacy food outlets, outlets that have been run by generations of the family tree. And one such outlet which dates back to about 5 decades and maintains the highest standard of taste is Bajpai Kachori Bhandar, Don't get fooled by its humble look, when it comes to authentic street style food, this outlet is well and truly a beast and that too with just a handful of menu items with their USP being kachori sabzi and chole bhature. The kachoris are made up of flour deep fried until crisp with fluffiness on the inside and are served with a side of spicy yet flavorful chole packed with a unique blend of masala (chickpeas) topped with onions and fried chilli. And all this at just a humble price of 30/-. You can also savor on your traditional chole bhature which are equally popular. The long queue in front of their outlet during peak business hours is truly a testament to their legacy.

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/AdNYAqLKFZ2rFokv5

4. Bombay bhel and sandwiches

Don't get surprised if you see a lot of street food carts tagged "bombay" in hazratganj. One such cart known as bombay bhel and sandwiches has been serving lip-smacking bhel and toasts. Located near Cathedral school, this humble cart serves delicious quick bites such as Bhel Puri, Sev batata puri, dahi puri, masala cheese toast, grill toast and so on. The most sought after items are masala cheese toast and bhel puri. The toasts are prepared with fresh veggies and served with coriander green chutney alonwith a generous portion of cheese and their own homemade masala. So, if you are on a shopping spree in the streets of hazratganj or are a competitive exam aspirant staying in hazratganj and looking for a quick bite, this cart can surely be your goto destination.

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/ra75D1oUsZxCgqyi8

5. Honerable mentions

It would be impossible to discuss the food walk without mentioning the modest street sellers. They not only offer delectable quick snacks, but customer service is also their main priority. These tiny food stalls are, in all sincerity, Hazratganj's pride. The ever-popular pani-puri with various paani tastes including imli, ginger, pudina, lemon shikanji, and others, momos, sandwiches, and chana zor garam with lemon (must try) are a few other of the most well-known street food items you can get. There are numerous merchants selling the same thing. Because there is not even the slightest compromise in taste from cart to cart, we are unable to recommend any particular vendor. So, along with famous legacy eateries, we request you to try out the local delicacies offered by these vendors and trust me, your taste buds are in for a surprise.

We hope to continue be a part of your food exploration journey. Stay tuned for more...