Srinagar, July 23 -- The cafe scene in Kashmir is booming. With aesthetic interiors and Instagram-worthy corners, these hangouts have shaped urban culture and stir up economic dreams.

But behind the aroma of fresh brews and polished tabletops, a deeper question brews: is this growth sustainable, or are we chasing a bubble?

In the past few years, the valley has seen an explosion of new cafes. Srinagar alone has over 200 cafes operating as of May 2025, a dramatic leap from fewer than 30 a decade ago.

The pace of this growth has been startling.

Many of these ventures are started by young aspirants, professionals returning home, or those keen to cash in on what looks like the trend of the moment.

The logic seems straightforward: "If othe...