Traditional food alleys in Lucknow’s Aminabad, Akbari Gate, Chota Imambara, and Hazratganj have long been a big draw for foodies. Later, dedicated food zones like Chatori Gali near the 1090 crossing and the Hussainabad Food Zone near the Clock Tower also received a great response.
The state capital’s recent addition, the Food Valley on the Gomti Riverfront, emerged shortly after UNESCO designated Lucknow as a Gastronomy City.
Developed by the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) and handed over to an agency on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, this alley on the elevated road along the river has been given a thumbs-up by foodies. It has quickly become a hub for dining with family and friends. Originally conceptualized as a Chatori Gali, it has been redeveloped and redefined as the Food Valley.
“The idea was to bring together a mix of iconic food options, standalone chefs, lesser-known joints, and start-ups to give customers variety. From Neelkanth, Chung Fa, Naushejahan, and Red Dragon to many first-timers, the pool of sellers is amazing. We have something for everyone—from kulcha-nihari to milk, Dubai sweets, and Korean food—all on one street. The focus is on hygiene, fair pricing, security, and cleanliness,” says Harshit Dhawan from MGV and Hachlet Ventures Pvt Ltd, that is running the joint venture.
The venue currently has 700 covers, with plans to expand.
Medical professional Mayank Kant, who was dining with his mother, says, “We parked our vehicle just on the other side of the road in the parking lot. I got my favourite pasandas, my mother had Rajasthani kachuri, and we finished with amazing smoothies.”
Ranjeet Singh, who runs Nainital Momos, adds, “The system is very good—prepaid self-service. Thereafter, customers can either sit or take a stroll and enjoy their choice of food.”
Cool in summer
We have roped in a company with a track record of reducing temperatures by 10-11 degrees with their mechanism in Gurgaon, Manesar, and Jaipur. If we can achieve a 5-7 degree drop in temperature here, it will be a big relief for people,” says Dhawan.
More in store
LDA chief engineer Manvendra Kumar Singh says that, given the “fantastic response” from people, they are planning to develop similar, smaller formats at spots like Janeshwar Misra Park, Atal Prerna Sthal, and others.
“Chatori Gali, Food Valley, and Hussainabad Food Plaza (currently shut down due to administrative action) are doing well. Each has its own clientele, and people have started to see them as an option for mix-and-match dining,” says Singh.
He adds, “We are already working on putting a food stall format on a PPP model at Gate Number 6 of Janeshwar Mishra Park. Rashtriya Prerna Sthal can also have one food hub, as there aren’t many options nearby. We are identifying more such spots where dedicated and authorised food zones can be created with ample parking space.”
