Melissa Taing
The food was hot, fresh, and flavorful and the staff was friendly and helpful. The garlic Naan and fried fish were especially crispy and the mango chicken was sweet but not overpowering so. It was a great balance of spices
… moreN8 C
very very good, superbly marinated chicken, great naan. immediately the butter chicken has strong cinnamon notes, yet the spices are very balanced. my only gripe is that the “medium” was not hot at all! so i will have to get “hot” next time to see if it is enough !
… moreAntriksh Sharma
Best Chicken Biryani in Madison – 10/10
Generous Serving of Dahi Puri – 9 count
Great chicken thali! The service is great and people remember your orders. This restaurant is on its way to becoming the top Indian restaurant in town.
… moreRyan Herrington
Amazing food with amazing service. Butter chicken, chicken curry, and pita were insane. Also highly recommend the mango ice cream dessert. The service is also great, very nice waiters and waitresses that make you feel at home.
… moreJenet Naw
The owner Mitra served my food and was great to talk to! Food came out fast and was flavorful and filling. The variety of daal and two curry dishes from the Chicken Grab was great. Need to stop by again to try out other dishes on the menu!
… morePrasad Packirisamy
A new Indian restaurant has just opened on State Street next to Michelangelo’s Coffee House, and it’s already a must try. While many places claim to serve authentic Indian food but fall short, Ashirwad delivers in every bite. From the first sip of their freshly brewed chai—customized to your taste—to the perfectly crisp samosas served with flavorful pudina and meetha chutneys, the experience instantly transports you back to India.
I returned to try their Chicken Biryani—a dish I’m usually quite particular about—and they absolutely nailed it. While a boneless version is available, the real delight is in the tender meat falling off the bone. The burst of caramelized onions is delightful, but just wait until the saffron notes hit your palate—pure magic. Unlike many places that dilute flavors to cater to local preferences, Ashirwad stays unapologetically true to its roots. But they do check for the spice levels for those who prefer the milder side!
They’re currently in a soft launch phase, offering a limited menu that’s expected to expand by the end of the July to include dosas and other South Indian specialties. Prices might seem moderately on the higher side (a dollar or two more than the usual), but the quality and authenticity make it worthwhile. Considering that the main launch is around the corner, the space is still getting set up for full service. Looking forward to visiting once again when they are fully open!
If the local community shows them enough love, Ashirwad could very well become one of the most popular spots on State Street!
… moreKu A
We had the chicken Rogan Josh and the lamb kebab (today’s special). Both dishes were fine, but not quite what we were hoping for. I expected the Rogan Josh to be less creamy and less tomato-forward. For the price, we’ve enjoyed other places a bit more.
… moreD N
The food was fantastic, but the service was very slow. I came in for the first time on a Saturday for lunch, and even though the restaurant was empty when we arrived, it took a long time for anyone to acknowledge us. The staff was kind but not attentive, and it seemed like they might have been short staffed. Other guests who came in looked unsure about how to order, and one group even left after waiting fifteen to twenty minutes without being greeted. A simple heads up about delays would have helped.
The food, though, was excellent. We had the Nepali thali, which came with lentils, potatoes, achar, papad, a curry of choice, and all the key Nepali side dishes that make the meal feel complete. We also ordered garlic naan, the spicy chili naan, steamed chicken momo with a great dipping sauce, and a chicken tikka masala to share. For dessert we had kheer and gulab jamun, along with masala chai and mango lassi. Everything tasted fresh and full of flavor. The prices are on the higher side, and there was an extra fee on the bill that seemed like a processing or administrative fee, so that’s something to note. Still, the quality of the food made it feel worth it.
Overall, I’d return for the food, but not when I’m on a tight schedule.
… moreKris Rasmussen
My group of four had an absolutely delicious dinner last night before a concert at the Overture Center, barely a block away. (When the Overture crowds catch on to this option, Ashirwad will be crowded before every show! Go now!) We shared steamed chicken momos, lamb Rogan josh, Butter chicken and chicken khorma, with garlic and plain naan. All were superb, and really stood out as having different seasonings than other restaurants serving these dishes. The butter chicken was the best I’ve ever had (and I’ve had this many times). Everyone working there was attentive and made us feel very welcome. We all agreed that this was a great find, especially when reservations before going to Overture can be hard to get. We will all be back, and often!
… moreVera Serebryanaya
The food smelled so delicious I forgot to take a picture before we ate it all. The portions are also quite large so we had to take some home . Staff was very friendly, service was quick, and the free soup was very yummy!
… more