Vijay's ‘Leo’ cafe is real! This Kashmir cafe has become a tourist hotspot for Thalapathy fans

A small cafe on the road to Pahalgam has found an unlikely new identity after appearing in Vijay’s 2023 action thriller ‘Leo’. Sifar Cafe in Anantnag, Kashmir, is now drawing visitors from Tamil Nadu and other parts of south India who want to see the locations where the actor filmed some of the movie’s memorable scenes.

The cafe has become more than just a stop for food. Fans arrive looking to recreate moments from the film, pose at the same spots as Vijay and order dishes and drinks associated with his character.

Sifar is located along the Khanabal-Pahalgam Road near Mattan, around 40 km from Pahalgam and about 60 km from Srinagar. The cafe was used as a filming location for ‘Leo’, in which Vijay plays Parthiban, a cafe owner whose peaceful life is disrupted by his connection to a violent past.

The location appears in several scenes, including moments involving Vijay’s character and Trisha Krishnan. The cafe was also used for sequences featuring Sanjay Dutt, who played Antony Das in the film.

Since the film’s release, Sifar has become a familiar name among Vijay fans planning trips to Kashmir.

“Since the film released, tourists from Tamil Nadu and other southern states landing in Kashmir ask for Sifar first. They order the exact same hot chocolate and trout fish that Vijay had in the movie, recreate his scenes, and take photos with our banners and menus,” cafe manager Sabzar Ahmed Lone told.

For many visitors, simply having lunch at Sifar is not enough. They want the full ‘Leo’ experience.

Some recreate Vijay’s entry into the cafe, while others pose at the exact spots where his character is seen on screen. The cafe has also leaned into its connection with the movie, displaying banners, photographs and themed material for visitors.

A recent report noted that the establishment has even retained the famous coffee connection from the film, with staff regularly telling visitors about what Vijay ordered and where he sat during the shoot.

For Chennai-based tourist Vishwa, visiting Sifar became one of the highlights of his Kashmir trip.

“I have been a fan of Vijay sir since childhood. Standing at the exact spots where he shot and having lunch here was thrilling. The cafe has become a bridge between Kashmir and south India. It does not even need marketing anymore as everyone in the south knows about it and comes searching for it,” he said.

The ‘Leo’ team spent weeks filming in Kashmir in 2023. At the time, the cafe staff knew they were hosting a major film production, but they did not fully understand how much Vijay’s presence would eventually mean to his fans.

Lone recalled that the actor was friendly during the shoot and would greet the cafe staff whenever he passed them.

“He was extremely humble and would greet us every time he walked past. It was only after the release that we realised the level of his fan following. His visit has turned out to be a huge blessing for us,” he said.

Other staff members have similarly recalled serving Vijay during the shoot. A May 2026 report said portions of the cafe sequence were filmed there for around 25 days, with Vijay also ordering trout during his time at the location.

Sifar’s appearance in Leo has effectively become its biggest marketing tool. Local drivers and tour operators now include the cafe in Kashmir itineraries, particularly for visitors travelling from Tamil Nadu.

The cafe has also embraced its connection to the movie, with Vijay-related displays and ‘Leo’ references becoming part of the visitor experience.

What was once simply a roadside cafe has therefore taken on a second life as a film tourism destination. For Vijay fans travelling to Kashmir, Sifar is no longer just a place to stop for lunch. It is a chance to step briefly into the world of ‘Leo’.

Agency inputs