Royal Cafe in Hazratganj (and the older branch in Aminabad) is the standard address for basket chaat — a Lucknow speciality in which a deep-fried potato basket is filled with chickpea curry, tamarind chutney, mint, yoghurt, and pomegranate seeds, and eaten with a spoon before the basket goes soggy. It is generous, sweet-sour-spicy, and worth a stop on any walk through the central commercial streets.
Beyond the basket, the menu covers the rest of the Lucknow chaat repertoire — dahi puri, aloo tikki, palak patta chaat (crispy fried spinach leaves under yoghurt) — plus a serviceable range of north Indian curries. Family-friendly and far cleaner than the equivalent street stalls. Cash and card both accepted.