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Warm, relaxed restaurant & bar featuring Ethiopian fare, wine & cocktails, plus a garden patio.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 1210 Williamson St, Madison, WI 53703
Phone: (608) 286-1448
Website: http://www.buraka-madison.com/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Order: Order online
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Related Web Results
BURAKA – Madison’s Ethiopian Restaurant on Willy Street
Buraka 1210 Williamson Street Madison, WI 53703. Ph#: 608-286-1448. Visit us by: MADISON. Our Dock is around the corner: S. Few & WilliamsonS. Few & Williamson
Buraka Restaurant | Madison WI – Facebook
Stop by for our infamous Friday fish fry . We also have many other great meals and a full bar. Open 4-9pm weekdays & 2-9 on weekends.
Buraka on the verge of closing, the last thing its owner wants – Reddit
Go to madisonwi · r/madisonwi. A banner for the subreddit. r/madisonwi. Join. The subreddit for the best place in the world: Madison, WI. 142K …
Reviews
Somni Moten
The waiter was funny and engaging and amazing. The food was very authentic and you can tell the injera was properly fermented. If you like spice ask for the green sauce, it’s amazing, just use a little though (big kick).
I’m upset with myself for not trying that mango passion fruit cheesecake. I will definitely be back for that!
Update: I went back for the cheesecake and it was phenomenal.
… moreI’m upset with myself for not trying that mango passion fruit cheesecake. I will definitely be back for that!
Update: I went back for the cheesecake and it was phenomenal.
Jane Halloran
Honestly the star of my whole meal was the lentil samosas. The flavor was so on point and the dough was amazing. The sauce too!! I wish I could say the same about my main, which was the vegetarian peanut stew and injera. The injera was great, but the stew needed some acid (lime?) and salt. It was on the bland side but I still ate it all. The cake was fine but I probably wouldn’t go out of my way to order it again. I would come back for all the appetizers though!
… moreLarissa
I don’t think I have ever written a review so quickly after experiencing a new restaurant.
Today, September 28, 2025; my partner and I decided to try out Buraka after shopping at Cycle Gear—which I highly recommend for motorcyclists. We both have consumed Ethiopian food during our time in Seattle, but never in Madison, WI. My partner ordered a Combination Dinner with Begwot, Dorowot and Injera; and I ordered a Combination Dinner with Alicha, Misirwot, and Injera. Both meals came with a cold, bland, and flavorless lentil salad. If you’re curious on learning more about our regret, please continue reading.
Flavor and Texture
Begwot (1) – Wasn’t bland, didn’t have a distinct flavor, but the meat wasn’t chewy. Decent amount of lamb.
Dorowot (2) – There were probably two pieces of chicken for the total dish, which was three tablespoons of Dorowot. Wasn’t spicy at all, maybe a hint of spice.
Alicha (3) – “A rich stew” is what I would use to describe chili. There was no sauce and the potatoes were barely cooked. The flavor was extremely mild. I was given one baby potato for the entire three and-a-half tablespoons worth of this dish.
Misirwot (4)- The Misirwot is advertised as a “Vegetarian dish .” However, upon opening the to-go box, it looked and smelled like sloppy joes. My partner, who eats meat, said it tastes like ground beef. The dish’s description says: “[L]entils, split peas and potatoes in a spicy tomato sauce.” I gave this dish to him to eat, as I do not eat meat. This was extremely disappointing, as I hope this was a simple mistake and not intentional false advertisement. There was no spice.
Injera – The edges were drier than the ends of my hair in the heart of a Wisconsin winter. Dry, brittle, and probably bland. The moving inward, the Injera was moist but had a bitter taste to it as well.
Overall
$46.42 for essentially two meals and two wimpy lentil salads. The portions were a joke for a combo meal; and this coming from a petite person. I would never return, as this is not authentic nor genuine cuisine. Please, if you crave Ethopian food and/or want to try it, trying making a dish from scratch. I promise you can cook a better meal on the first try with one hand tied behind your back, than what they serve here.
… moreToday, September 28, 2025; my partner and I decided to try out Buraka after shopping at Cycle Gear—which I highly recommend for motorcyclists. We both have consumed Ethiopian food during our time in Seattle, but never in Madison, WI. My partner ordered a Combination Dinner with Begwot, Dorowot and Injera; and I ordered a Combination Dinner with Alicha, Misirwot, and Injera. Both meals came with a cold, bland, and flavorless lentil salad. If you’re curious on learning more about our regret, please continue reading.
Flavor and Texture
Begwot (1) – Wasn’t bland, didn’t have a distinct flavor, but the meat wasn’t chewy. Decent amount of lamb.
Dorowot (2) – There were probably two pieces of chicken for the total dish, which was three tablespoons of Dorowot. Wasn’t spicy at all, maybe a hint of spice.
Alicha (3) – “A rich stew” is what I would use to describe chili. There was no sauce and the potatoes were barely cooked. The flavor was extremely mild. I was given one baby potato for the entire three and-a-half tablespoons worth of this dish.
Misirwot (4)- The Misirwot is advertised as a “Vegetarian dish .” However, upon opening the to-go box, it looked and smelled like sloppy joes. My partner, who eats meat, said it tastes like ground beef. The dish’s description says: “[L]entils, split peas and potatoes in a spicy tomato sauce.” I gave this dish to him to eat, as I do not eat meat. This was extremely disappointing, as I hope this was a simple mistake and not intentional false advertisement. There was no spice.
Injera – The edges were drier than the ends of my hair in the heart of a Wisconsin winter. Dry, brittle, and probably bland. The moving inward, the Injera was moist but had a bitter taste to it as well.
Overall
$46.42 for essentially two meals and two wimpy lentil salads. The portions were a joke for a combo meal; and this coming from a petite person. I would never return, as this is not authentic nor genuine cuisine. Please, if you crave Ethopian food and/or want to try it, trying making a dish from scratch. I promise you can cook a better meal on the first try with one hand tied behind your back, than what they serve here.
Charles Barrett
Came in with high expectations of atleast a decent meal. Got a serving size for “3 people” the came out to $80+ but was extremely disappointed and dissatisfied with the leftover scraps I was given. Barely fulfilling for one person
Dry meat with poor taste. I have never seen or ate east african food with such disregard for the culture and flavor. Please spare yourself and choose a different location.
… moreDry meat with poor taste. I have never seen or ate east african food with such disregard for the culture and flavor. Please spare yourself and choose a different location.
Daerielle Balika
Incredible food- I meant to take a picture of our platter but we gobbled it up too fast! Fish and chips were a great choice for my six year old. Plus we got to sit in a delightful outdoor sanctuary. What a gem in Madison!
… moreJustin Brown
Food was really good!! Just what we were looking for… Hot great tasting food to warm us up. Got in around 4 pm, food came out pretty fast!! Very nice service never eaten here before but Server explained everythand answered all my questions. I Have to watch out for certain foods. Cause I am allergic, some foods.
… moreAmrithakiran Ck
Food was fine, cannot judge its authentic or not but felt little more tanginess in the curry chicken with injeri. Different style of seating arrangement and less parking. Samosa was Gud but batter for cauliflower was bad. Negroni deink was fine. Kindoff expensive for the quality and quantity of food.
… morePaul Bemowski
Ordered for delivery. One main dish wasn’t there – so i drove back over (after paying $18 for delivery, thanks EatStreet – great deal). Guy apologized – didn’t really look too deeply at the mistake – and set about making the missing part of the order – which he then gave me.
The order delivered was in a tied bag – pretty sure the restaurant messed it up. Not the delivery people.
What about the $18 dollar delivery, and my time. “I’m very sorry.” Really? I’m sorry too. But I had to drive back to deal with your mess up – and all you can say is sorry?
All that, and my first time there. The food was Meh at best. As others have said, small portions. What I got was ok. but really just barely ok.
I wanted to like this place. I did not.
… moreThe order delivered was in a tied bag – pretty sure the restaurant messed it up. Not the delivery people.
What about the $18 dollar delivery, and my time. “I’m very sorry.” Really? I’m sorry too. But I had to drive back to deal with your mess up – and all you can say is sorry?
All that, and my first time there. The food was Meh at best. As others have said, small portions. What I got was ok. but really just barely ok.
I wanted to like this place. I did not.
Judy Cusack
Love love love Buraka! I made a reservation here to celebrate graduating law school. I went with three others and we ordered a bunch of different things, family style. Everything was amazing. We had some really well seasoned and flavorful curry as well as some lentils and a lot of beef. Man was the beef really really good. I 100% need to come back here. I highly suggest coming here, especially if you have never had Ethiopian food before.
… moreNeal Silbert
Low key clean restaurant with tasty Ethiopian food in Madison’s Willy St. neighborhood. Menu has a few cross-African dishes including a few uncommon ones like the duck tenders – which I’ve never seen before. Consensus was they were tasty and the sauce and just a little delicious heat.
Initially we were a bit put off by the delay in being seated – actually no one greeted us when we entered the restaurant but eventually we found someone to seat us.
Our waiter was pleasant and helpful. Appetizers came very fast. The Lentil samosas were quite tasty with a flakey and delicate dough.
For this new to Ethiopian food, many dishes are served on a thin sourdough pancake called Injera which is made from Ted grains. It is quite tasty.
We ordered our family style with all food served on a giant folded Injera pancake. Pro-tip the pancake under the food soaps up the sauces and is the most delicious! Pro-tip 2 – if you are running out of pancake, your waiter can bring more. Pro-tip 3 tear off a piece of pancake and scoop up the food. Many of the foods will be thick stews easy to scoop up with Injera.
We enjoyed The lamb tibs, the Kenyan coconut curry chicken and the Doro wat. Frankly everything was well prepared and tasted delicious. Sauces and flavors are strong and savory – except for the lentils which were pretty mild and a bit plain.
Of note is the Injera – it is really well made – quite delicious with just the right amount of sour. Not too heavy or thick. Since Injera is the foundation of a good Ethiopian meal it has to be good. Buraka’s is great!
Our Tiramisu expert found it to be a tasty dessert.
… moreInitially we were a bit put off by the delay in being seated – actually no one greeted us when we entered the restaurant but eventually we found someone to seat us.
Our waiter was pleasant and helpful. Appetizers came very fast. The Lentil samosas were quite tasty with a flakey and delicate dough.
For this new to Ethiopian food, many dishes are served on a thin sourdough pancake called Injera which is made from Ted grains. It is quite tasty.
We ordered our family style with all food served on a giant folded Injera pancake. Pro-tip the pancake under the food soaps up the sauces and is the most delicious! Pro-tip 2 – if you are running out of pancake, your waiter can bring more. Pro-tip 3 tear off a piece of pancake and scoop up the food. Many of the foods will be thick stews easy to scoop up with Injera.
We enjoyed The lamb tibs, the Kenyan coconut curry chicken and the Doro wat. Frankly everything was well prepared and tasted delicious. Sauces and flavors are strong and savory – except for the lentils which were pretty mild and a bit plain.
Of note is the Injera – it is really well made – quite delicious with just the right amount of sour. Not too heavy or thick. Since Injera is the foundation of a good Ethiopian meal it has to be good. Buraka’s is great!
Our Tiramisu expert found it to be a tasty dessert.