Sifar

I recently visited this restaurant and overall had a pleasant experience. The food was very nice, well-prepared, and full of flavor. However, I was a bit disappointed with the mojito, as it contained mint leaves that seemed old or slightly rotten, which affected the freshness of the drink. Apart from that, the service and ambiance were good. With a little more attention to ingredient quality, especially in beverages, this place can easily offer a perfect dining experience.

Sifar on KP Road, Anantnag, is a good fine dining spot with a beautiful ambience and lawn seating. The place feels lively with music, a big screen, and cozy sections for groups. Food quality is good, prices a bit on the higher side, and the staff are cooperative, well-mannered, and welcoming. Overall, a happening place worth visiting.

On our way to Pahelgam, we had our lunch at Sifar. The moment we stepped in, we were welcomed by the amazing ambience. We ordered pizza, fried rice and chicken Manchurian. The quantity seemed a bit less considering the price. The rice was not fine like basmati and chicken pieces in rice were also less. Taste was good. Staff behaviour commendable.

I walked into Sifar with high expectations, having heard so much about it. Unfortunately, the reality was almost the complete opposite of what I had imagined. The place has a steel (teen) roof with no insulation, making it uncomfortably warm, and the air-conditioners didn't seem to work. Instead, there was a large water-throwing fan placed at the end of the dining area, which, while probably meant to provide relief, gave off a very unhygienic impression right from the start. We began our meal with Mutton Kebabs and Shawarma, both of which were genuinely enjoyable. The kebabs were flavourful and tender, while the Shawarma was well-made and satisfying. At that point, I was still hopeful about the rest of the meal. Unfortunately, the main course turned out to be a complete letdown. The much-hyped Butter Chicken - supposedly their chef's signature dish - was a disaster. While the chicken itself appeared fresh, the gravy was bland, uninspired, and nowhere close to the rich, balanced flavour that defines this dish. They did offer to fix it, which I appreciate, but by then my appetite was gone. Having tasted Butter Chicken at iconic places like Moti Mahal and countless restaurants across Delhi and Kashmir, I can confidently say this was, by far, the most disappointing version I've had. For a restaurant with such a reputation, this was shocking. We ended up paying a bill of around 2,700 - and in all honesty, what I regret most is not the money, but the wasted opportunity. The one saving grace was the staff: polite, attentive, and genuinely kind. The managers were equally courteous, which is why it's even more surprising that the kitchen didn't live up to the same standard. If the chef truly has won awards for Butter Chicken as claimed, then I can only assume our dish was prepared by an inexperienced hand that day. Sifar clearly has potential - the appetisers were proof of that - but for now, the gap between its hype and its reality is far too wide.

Service and Ambience is great. This is the Cafe where Leo movie shooting happened. Many people are confused with the one in Pahalgam which is 40km away. The shawarma here is good. But the biriyani taste was average.