Madistan

Paige Wynn

5.03 months ago

Great food and very friendly! The space is bright, ans full of peraonality. They had some lovely maps of Pakistan Cities that I wanted to check out more. I was in a rush and was served in 10 minutes but I wish I had the time to sit and enjoy the space.

Tommy Souravong

5.03 months ago

There’s not much that pleases me more than being able to check out a restaurant where I have an amazing meal AND get to talk with the owner to learn about them and their story, like I did at this restaurant, Madistan! I ordered the Punjabi samosa, beef samosa, mango lassi, gulab jamun, gyro, and falafel! I love how crunchy and fresh both samosas are. The mint chutney’s both flavorful and a bit spicy. The fillings for both, potato for the Punjabi and minced beef for the beef, are seasoned so nicely. The gyro’s awesome in every way, with juicy and flavorful meat, pita that’s just right in terms of taste and texture, tzatziki sauce that’s chill, and tomatoes and onions that are fresh. The falafel has a nice crunch and flavorful filling, and comes with a nice sauce (not too able to describe how it tastes, but I enjoyed it)! The mango lassi tastes fresh and flavorful and was served chilled! The gulab jamun’s easily the least impressive of everything I ordered, as it looks and tastes like the kind of I see at grocery stores (with some cheese taste, but nothing that stands out, and a syrup that doesn’t have much taste). It was a nice experience from the moment I walked in, as the interior was super clean and decorated nicely with pictures (with descriptions) of the menu and different Pakistan-related stuff. The uncle up front, who’s also the owner, told me to take my time when I first came up to order. Their restaurant’s set up in a way you can see your meal being prepared, which is always an appreciated layer of transparency. After my meal, I got a chance to speak with the uncle/owner! I thought he was speaking either Hindi/Urdu or Punjabi, as I couldn’t help but overhear and understand some of what he was saying to his wife, who was primarily working in the kitchen, or on the phone, and it turns out he was speaking Hindi/Urdu. I always passed by this restaurant when I was a law school student at UW-Madison from 2020 to 2022, but never had a chance to check it out the

Neen F

3.04 months ago

Ordered biriyani but the rice were too hard (not boiled properly, rice should be soft) so biryani was a 4/10. We also got samosas 6/10 and fries 8/10. We went on a weekend and there was an event going on at UWM so it was very busy and the parking lots were full even the street parking was hard to find. However, on any regular day there is a public parking lot 5 minute from the restaurant. On a positive note, the ambiance is nice. It’s great to see the owners take pride in their Pakistani roots!

Raven R.

5.011 months ago

The best Biryani I've ever had! Not to mention incredible (and completely from scratch) chutney. The atmosphere is cozy and the owner is incredibly welcoming. The food was very filling. I eat a lot and I was stuffed after about 2/3rds of my meal. For anyone looking for some incredible food made by wonderful people I'd highly recommend you check it out. I know I intend to come back as soon as possible. Also, try the Halwa.

muhammad fazil

4.0a year ago

Good halal restaurant in Madison downtown near capitol! The chicken biryani was perfectly spiced and aromatic, with tender chicken and flavorful rice. The halwa puri was a standout—light, fluffy puris paired with rich, sweet halwa for a delightful treat. Their karak chai was robust and perfectly brewed, while the mango lassi was refreshingly sweet with natural mango flavor. Great food, warm ambiance, and excellent service make this a must-visit spot!