It goes without saying that food is the crown jewel of Lucknow’s culture—the aan baan shaan as we like to say it! And when it comes to the city’s modern F&B landscape, many businesses have been shaped by the same traditional values of innovation and rich flavours. What’s even more remarkable, is that some of Lucknow’s popular eateries and rapidly expanding food chains have been built by the entrepreneurial women of the city.

While the culinary world celebrates excellence with accolades like Michelin Stars, these women and their achievements are an award in themselves. On this International Women’s Day, we reached out to the visionary women behind some of Lucknow’s top F&B brands, to hear their thoughts on the occasion. Here’s to celebrating their remarkable journeys and the impact they’ve made on the city’s culinary landscape.

Mr. Brown Bakery, a beloved and renowned brand in Lucknow for over a decade, has become a household name in the city. Its founding director, Mrs. Tanushree Gupta, exemplifies how women, with their determination, talent, and vision, can create revolutionary businesses that set new benchmarks in society. Today, Mr. Brown has multiple outlets across Lucknow, including Indira Nagar, Sadar Bazaar, Gomti Nagar, Hazratganj, and Vishwavidyalaya.

Reflecting on the pivotal role of women in society and business, she shares, "I firmly believe that women are the true trendsetters, shaping both communities and families. With this belief, I founded Mr. Brown Bakery to introduce groundbreaking culinary trends in Lucknow, establishing it as one of the city's leading bakery chains known for quality and innovation. That same vision continues to inspire me, whether through Danbro by Mr. Brown or now Aahar in Delhi, each brand is about setting new benchmarks and redefining the culinary experience."

One of Lucknow’s most cherished and iconic cafes, Cappuccino Blast in Mall Avenue, holds a special place in the city's heart. As the first cafe to offer a vibrant, youthful space, it has been a beloved hangout spot for 25 incredible years, serving up flavours and memories to generations.

For many of us, Cappi feels like home! It has introduced more than two generations of Lucknowites to Continental and cafe-style dishes, often for the very first time. And behind this legacy stands a visionary woman, far ahead of her time, Mrs. Puja Rahul Nemani. Imagine conceptualising something so modern and ambitious back then, bringing global flavours to Lucknow when 'cafe culture' was still unheard of. Truly inspiring!

Women in the city are embracing modern trends by establishing renowned cloud kitchen brands, and Cake O' Clock is a shining example. Known for its freshest and most innovative range of baked goods and artisanal cakes, the brand is the brainchild of Shriya Mahendru—a passionate entrepreneur, patisserie and cake artist. With her exceptional skill and creativity, she crafts each dessert with love, warmth, flavour and innovation.

Reflecting on her journey, Shriya shares, "I started Cake O’ Clock in 2014, and the love my work received has made this journey incredible. I’ve cherished every moment, even when working from my home kitchen, where handling big orders was often challenging. But my passion for baking kept me going. With the immense love and support we received, we expanded into a larger space in 2022. At Cake O’ Clock, we love experimenting with flavours to bring something new to our clients, and I look forward to creating something unique every time."

Mouth Wide Shut, a premium bakeshop shop on Jopling Road, is just as intriguing as its name. Known for its seasonal delights like mango tarts and an exclusive range of rich, flavourful cheesecakes and tiramisu, MWS has become a beloved spot for dessert lovers. Beyond its signature treats, the brand offers fully customisable creative cakes, personalised gift hampers and an array of sweet treats.

Founded by Praneet Kaur Chawla, a skilled patisserie, MWS has quickly become a local favourite. Despite its growing popularity, Praneet remains deeply involved, personally crafting desserts and cakes for customers while continuously introducing new and innovative creations.

"Mouth Wide Shut was born from two things, I deeply desired financial independence and a creative outlet. I wanted to build something of my own, where passion met freedom and what better way than through desserts, where art meets flavour! From day one, my goal wasn’t just to make cakes but to craft experiences. Our signature Tiramisu, for instance, isn’t just a dessert—it’s a blend of tradition, innovation and indulgence. Lucknow has a rich food culture, and I saw an opportunity to introduce something new while honouring its love for great food. As Mouth Wide Shut grows, it stands as proof that passion and independence can go hand in hand, inspiring others to chase their dreams."

If a fizzy, fruity bottle of kombucha is your kind of refreshment, (or even if you've never tried one) you might be surprised to know that Lucknow has its very own homegrown brand specialising in this unique beverage. Nims Kombucha is a relatively new name in the city’s F&B scene, but an absolutely innovative one.

Founded by Renu Nim, the brand was born from her vision to introduce something fresh and health-focused to Lucknow. What started as a humble home-based beverage brand has now grown into a dedicated outlet in Gomti Nagar, thanks to the support of her community, partner brands and loyal patrons.

Reflecting on her journey, Renu shares, "The first time I tried kombucha in Goa, it was a completely new experience for me. When I returned to Lucknow, I realised how rare it was—only a few cafes had it on their menus. I saw an opportunity to bring something refreshing, gut-friendly, and innovative to the city. As a woman entrepreneur, I wanted to create a space where health and taste go hand in hand. Today, through our outlet and our partner eateries, Nims Kombucha continues to bring this goodness to more people."

Another beloved name in Lucknow’s cafe scene, The Cherry Tree Cafe, has created a warm and memorable space for locals. With an irresistible menu featuring everything from cafe-style bites and continental dishes to Italian specialties, slurp-worthy cold coffees, and indulgent desserts, it’s a go-to spot for food lovers across the city.

Dotted around Lucknow with multiple outlets, The Cherry Tree Cafe is known not just for its consistently great food but also for its inviting ambiance at every location. Behind this success is co-founder Niyati Tajpuria, whose exceptional management and vision have helped the cafe earn immense love and recognition in the city.

And it's not just modern women entrepreneurs who are driving change and innovation in Lucknow’s food industry. Women from all walks of life have long played a vital role in shaping its rich culinary heritage. The world-renowned Awadhi cuisine, deeply rooted in the city’s history, owes much to the women who worked behind the scenes.

While the bawarchi khanas were traditionally dominated by male chefs during the era of the Nawabs, the secret spice blends, the very soul of Awadhi food, were often prepared, preserved and perfected by women in their homes. Many of these homes today have evolved into thriving homegrown businesses, continuing to infuse Lucknow's cuisine with the same authentic flavours.