China Bazar, the lane next to the UP Press Club is dotted with local eateries that dish out some of Lucknow’s most famous non-veg food. But with so many eateries, and some of them with such elaborate menus, what do you order at which shop? Now Lucknow is coming to your rescue. We took a food walk through the crowded lane to discover the best dishes to order from the restaurants here. Let’s start from first shop starting from UP Press Club:
ZEESHAN BIRYANI CORNER
As the name suggests, its best known for its biryani. At the corner shop, you will get both Chicken and Mutton Biryani here, but we will vouch for the mutton one. The Mutton Biryani comes for Rs.260 (full plate) and Rs.130 for a half plate.
Also try: Their succulent Boti Kebab (Rs. 260 for a plate)
Timings: 1 pm to 11 pm
OPEN AIR RESTAURANT
Our next stop was Open Air Restaurant, right opposite Zeeshan. Just by the look of the shop you’ll know what they specialise in – tandoori dishes.
Their tandoori items range between Rs.250 and Rs.280 for a half plate.
Also try: The Chicken Masala here
Timings: 11 am to 11 pm
DASTARKHWAN
One of the most well-known eateries in this lane, and in Lucknow, if there’s only one thing you can have here, let it be their Chicken Masala (Rs.580 for a full plate, Rs. 300 for half plate) that’s cooked in spices on a tawa, and served piping hot with a Rumali Roti. Alternately, you can have it with an ulte tawa ka paratha as well. You can also order a Quarter Plate Chicken Masala for Rs.150, and it would be sufficient for a single person or two.
Also try: Their Shami Kebabs
Timings: 1 pm to 11 pm
FAMOUS FISH FRY
Next pit stop for fish! At the Famous Fish Fry shop, opposite Dastarkhwan. It’s one of the smallest and oldest outlets on this street and has been here for at least 50 years! Their Boneless Fish Fry (Rs.175 for 250gms) is absolutely try-worthy. Deep fried and their garnished with a chatpata masala, it’s crisp on the outside and tender inside.
Also try: The Fried Fish with Bone
Timings: 5.30 pm to 10.30 pm
MASHI BIRYANI WORLD
Right next door is Mashi, which specialises in biryani. Apart from Mughlai biryani, they have Hyderabadi, Egg and Veg Biryani too. But it’s the spicy Hyderabadi Biryani that’s most in demand here. This biryani is served with a portion of mildly flavoured rice.
Though some people say it’s not quite what a Hyderabadi Biryani should taste like, it’s still a hot-selling dish, and if you’re bored of the Lakhnawi biryani, try this one for Rs.100 a plate.
Timings: 1 pm to 11 pm
NAUSHIJAAN
At the fag end of the lane, you will find Naushijaan, which has one of the largest indoor seating spaces in this area, apart from Dastarkhwan. While Naushijaan has an elaborate menu to show, but it’s their Kakori (Rs.200 for a plate) and Pasanda kebabs (Rs.300 for a plate) that continue to wow foodies!
That, and the Masjlisi kebab (Rs.210 a plate), which doesn’t come in a seekh or a tikki shape, but is a gooey texture, and is served in an earthen sakora.
Timings: 1 pm to 10.30 pm
