Linz Cafe Srinagar — Restaurant in Jammu and Kashmir

It pains me to say this, but Linz no longer lives up to its once-strong reputation. I’ve visited it more times than I can count, hoping each time that it might surprise me, that the food or service would redeem itself, but I’ve almost always walked away disappointed. There was a time when Linz genuinely stood out. Their Kashmiri Pulao used to be something people proudly recommended, fragrant, rich, and deeply satisfying. Today, though, it’s been reduced to what feels like simple ghee rice with a few slices of meat from a Wazwan dishes thrown onto it. The soul of the dish is missing.

The Mutton Biryani, too, has become underwhelming. It feels like a few token pieces of meat are tossed into a large bowl of rice, with little thought to balance or flavour. And the service, unfortunately, hasn’t fared much better. While not outright rude, the waitstaff increasingly come across as inattentive or unprofessional. There’s also an awkward trend where bills are not gracefully accepted unless accompanied by a tip, regardless of whether the service warrants it.

It’s disheartening because Linz had the potential, and once upon a time, the consistency to be a favourite. But with so many better and more vibrant options opening up nearby, places that care about both quality and experience, Linz is struggling to keep up. It’s not too late for them to turn things around, but it will take more than nostalgia to attract today’s Kashmiri diners who expect value, taste, and...

Dear Linz Management,

I am writing to bring to your attention an unpleasant experience I had at your Poloview branch today during lunch with my fiancée.

After waiting around 10 minutes for a table due to a full house, we were finally seated. Unfortunately, we were not attended to promptly, and I had to call a waiter myself. We ordered the Kashmiri Pulav, a dish I had heard was a specialty of your restaurant. However, when it arrived, it was not warm — likely due to the rush of customers, which understandably can affect service, but still reflects poorly on food quality.

After our meal, we requested the bill, which came to ₹650. We paid in cash. To our surprise, the waiter explicitly asked for a tip and, when we gave ₹50, he responded rudely, questioning why we even came to the restaurant if we were going to tip that amount. His tone was aggressive, and it felt like the situation could have escalated further.

Tips are a gesture of appreciation, not an obligation. This behavior not only reflects poorly on the staff but also damages the reputation and customer trust in your restaurant.

While we found the quantity of food decent, the quality, warmth, and — most importantly — the service fell well below expectations. I strongly urge your team to take note of this issue and train staff appropriately to maintain respectful and professional customer...

The Linz Cafe. So, my sister was the one who introduced me to this place. It’s an older cafe with such good food quality—it used to cater to Centaur Hotel! But what makes it special for me is that it’s become our go-to spot every time we're around Polo View. We always order the Linz Pulao, and let me tell you, it never disappoints. It just hits the spot perfectly every single time.

Aside from the Pulao, I’ve tried their Kabab Kanti, which was fantastic. And their chutney? Absolutely next level. Seriously, I need that recipe! For takeaways, I’ve had their Ristas, Kababs, and Gustavs, and honestly, their Kababs are unmatched. They’re so filling that half of one is enough to satisfy. The prices are affordable too, making it a great spot for families and friends.

This place holds a special place in my heart because I took my grandmother there before she passed away. It’s more than just a cafe to me—it's filled with memories. For anyone who gets the chance, I can’t recommend enough that you visit and try their special Pulao. Whether dining in or taking it to go, it just hits differently every...