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Buraka Restaurant
Categories: Restaurants African Restaurants Ethiopian Restaurants Vegan African, Ethiopian, Vegan [Edit]
543 State StMadison, WI 53703
(608) 255-3646
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 11 am - 10 pm
Fri-Sat 11 am - 11 pm
Sun 11 am - 9 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Garage
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
- Dogs Allowed:
- No
45 reviews for Buraka Restaurant
Review Highlights
-
"This is my favorite food cart on library mall." In 4 reviews -
"Buraka stews are incredibly delicious." In 10 reviews -
"Especially the coconut curry." In 3 reviews
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45 reviews in English
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Review from Bill K.
Los Gatos, CA
4/27/2012
Delicious vegan meals with an incredible variety. very reasonably priced
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Review from Elizabeth C.
Indianapolis, IN
5/2/2012
So Buraka. Meh.
First of all, this is definitely not a vegan restaurant. They have three vegan items; one is a soup, which is a comparable spread to many establishments. They are notably missing some of the standard dishes vegans will crave, and their alecha, mysteriously, is vegetarian but not vegan.
I ordered the misirwat, forgoing the soup and the third thing I can't remember. The injera is standard, passable, but the misirwat was not at all what I expect when ordering that dish. It was not spicy, it was not dense, it was not pureed, it had potatoes in it (wth?) and it was *very* tomatoey and salty--- sort of like it was bathed in tomato soup. Also, despite having specified vegan, I was given a dish with a big scoop of (sour cream? soft cheese? I'm not sure, but it definitely was some dairy thing).
I appreciate that they kind of tried, but I won't be doing this again. -
Review from Kate S.
Neenah, WI
5/6/2012
I really love that they have multiple vegan options. Relatively reasonably priced for lunch or at their food cart (For a veggie dish, about $4-5 for a half portion or $6-7 for a full portion). Most of the time I make myself very standard salads for lunch, but sometimes I just CRAVE ethnic food that I can't replicate. This is where the Buraka food cart comes in. Hearty, quick, and pretty tasty. I will be honest, though: I can't particularly attest to the authenticity.
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Review from Missy K.
Madison, WI
2/19/2012
I love Buraka, I had the vegetarian peanut stew and it was awesome. It's small and cozy and the people are friendly. I recommend it. :)
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Review from Quinn H.
Verona, WI
8/19/2011
Went here for a quick business lunch.
I had Ethiopian years ago. Lived in DC for a few years but unfortunately never got to try the wonderful Ethiopian there, given a lot of Ethiopians in the area... when I go back I"m definitely going to try to hit it up, if its anything like Buraka.
Had the coconut chicken curry and dorowat. Pretty cheap, like $9 for a combo. Decent food. Not too hot or spicy. Service was passable though if you're in a hurry I wouldn't eat outside for lunch (since they have to come up from the basement). Wasn't as spicy or as flavorful as I had hoped, but it was a solid lunch, and I'll be back.
The bread isn't as bad as I had read here on yelp. A little tangy. Fluffy. Nice to use with the meat/stews. My friend I was with recommended getting the dishes with the rice and getting a side of the bread, that way you have both worlds. -
Review from Chris S.
Chicago, IL
3/1/2011
Headline: uninviting, great Dorowat, first-Ethiopian-success
My colleague and I were just in Madison for the day so we decided to stop into Buraka for a late lunch. It's a little uninviting at first since it's located in the basement of the building, but once you get downstairs it's fairly open and friendly.
This was my first time having Ethiopian food so I went for the house special, the Dorowat, which my colleague described as the "Pad Thai of Ethiopian food." I really enjoyed the dish; the flavors weren't as unfamiliar as I expected they might be. Also, the waitress made me think that it was going to be spicy, but it was rather mild, still to my liking--the spicy sauce that comes out on the side is really hot though! The Injera bread was pretty good too, but next time I'll try the rice.
All-in-all, I enjoyed my experience and I'll give Ethiopian food another go soon! -
Review from S M.
Madison, WI
8/11/2010
Buraka is decent, but I think I would leave it at just that. They're good at what they do, without ever trying to go above and beyond any expectations. After all, when you're basically the only restaurant within 50 miles that's selling any form of African food, the bar isn't set very high. If you come here because you're craving Ethiopian food, you'll be satisfied. If you come here expecting something new and different, you'll leave wishing you tried something else. There's so many other places in Madison that do ethnic food so much better than this.
Basically every entree here consists of meat and/or vegetables cooked in a simple sauce, served over injera bread. It doesn't matter much which one you pick. The spices they put in lack any boldness, leaving you with simple, uninspired sauces that do the job but don't wow you in any way. The same can be said of the rest of the ingredients in the dish. Without any variation by way of spices and flavors, most of the dishes end up tasting pretty much the same.
You'll receive several helpings of injera bread, which you won't find anywhere else. It tastes pretty unique - slightly bitter, and very soft and fluffy. You can roll it up like a tortilla or use it for dipping in your food. Problem is, without anything to combine it with, this bread is rather helpless on its own. The sauces you'll receive to dip it in serve as a crutch to compensate for how bland it is.
The service and the atmosphere were average, much like everything else in the restaurant. The waiter was tough to find at times but he was friendly and the wait wasn't too long. All in all, Buraka did not disappoint, but it did not impress me either. Something about it felt very inauthentic. You'd be much better off skipping this very average dining experience and trying something else. -
Review from Gabriel U.
Allston, MA
3/11/2011
Okay, so here's the disclaimer: I'm not super familiar with Ethiopian food.
That said, is Ethiopian food supposed to be this bland? And what is the deal with the spongey bread thing that I'm supposed to use to make a semi-spicy soupy burrito? Kinda gross, if you ask me.
I gave up on the bread quickly and the rest of the meal wasn't much better, as it just sort of tasted like old Indian food with fewer spices and more carrots.
The restaurant is surprisingly comfortable, though, and a lot roomier than expected. So there, you earned yourself a second star.
And if you like Gluten-free beer, they have it. My buddy ordered one by accident (which, unless you have Celiac disease, is the only reason I assume someone would order it) -
Review from E B.
San Diego, CA
5/29/2011
I'm a fan of this restaurant. It's a cute place with good food. It's down some stairs and has very nice ambiance for a semi-nice/semi-casual dinner or lunch. They have rice or injara curry dishes and lentil stuff. All very good. I like the peanut stew.
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Review from Laura M.
11/7/2008
This is a great place to dine for East African food. The service was very attentive and the food was great (we tried various items on the menu). I almost missed the entrance and went to the Middle Eastern restaurant next door. You have to go down some stairs to get to the restaurant (so don't think you are in the wrong place).
I will definitely come back to Buraka whenever I'm in the area. It's worth the trip if you are visiting Madison. -
Review from Marissa B.
Chicago, IL
1/27/2010
No menu is posted outside (wish there was), but we took the plunge and headed downstairs to check it out. The menu was fun to peruse, and I was pleased because there were several vegetarian options to choose from. Entrees were served on either rice or ethiopian bread and were moderately sized and served with a side salad. Several African beers were offered, which were fun to try. Our waitress was not overly friendly, but attentive enough to be fine with me. The main room seems to offer a bit more ambiance than the back room, which felt a little lacking in that department. I'm not sure if it was the overhead lighting or the chairs, which felt a little rec room-like.
BOTTOM LINE: Fair prices and several veg-friendly options. I was glad we tried it and it was enjoyable enough for me to recommend. -
Review from Abhijit G.
Philadelphia, PA
7/12/2008
I would give this one a 3.5 or a 3.75....It's a neat little setting in the basement, below Husnu's, I think....nice art on the walls. Their house salad, I have to say, was the most boring thing ever....lettuce leaves drizzled in some olive oil. period.
Some of their entrees are good. I like the peanut chicken stew....i think few of their entrees can be repetitive....different meats but similar sauce/preparation....I would have liked to see some creativity in there!....
The injera (bread) is a bit too sour for my taste and it overpowers the flavor of your stew...go with the rice.
The 2 hot sauces are really good, though....ask for them.
All in all, good comfort food on a cold winter evening.....but didn't bow me away...
Btw, they have a cart in Henry mall during lunchtime and have several of the same entrees that they have for dinner....so I'd just try those out to see you're into their food. -
Review from Christine L.
Madison, WI
2/16/2010
I've never been wowed by any dish I've ever had at Buraka. Sure, they sound exciting. Why wouldn't Ethiopian food sound exciting? I've walked away feeling pretty meh everytime I've been there though. Their food is just okay. Most of it seems to kind of just taste like spiced red beans and rice to me, and none of the spices particularly exciting. I don't like their Injera bread either. The sourness doesn't appeal to me.
It might be that I just don't particularly like Ethiopian food, but I've definitely had better in Berkeley, Ca. Better injera too. -
Review from Joanna F.
Madison, WI
1/4/2010
I've got to be honest - I wasn't bowled over. The best thing we had were the fried plantains and spicy dipping sauce. Everything else was somewhat bland or badly spiced. We'll be heading to Africana next.
Our waitress was lovely and helpful and the atmosphere was spare but nice. -
Review from Ashley H.
Madison, WI
8/22/2009
This is my favorite food cart on library mall.
In addition to the food cart, I have eaten at the restaurant a few times. Dishes are intended to be eaten "family style" although they don't have to be. And yes, it's true, that the majority of dishes are stews. My favorite and their top ordered item is the chicken dorowat with injera--stewed chicken and carrots in a tomato-y sauce with cold lentil salad on the side and injera (ethiopian flatbread). yum! -
Review from Doctress Julia B.
Madison, WI
6/18/2011 1 photo
I've never been in here before- from the outside it looked super bright and obnoxious, but no! It's in a nice, cozy basement. The wooden bar and decor were super mellow and the place was dimly lit. I had a few different Ethiopian beers (there are four different bottles of it on the menu), the plantains and the coconut curry chicken. We chose the spongy bread instead of rice, and it was a good decision. That bread was soft and subtly flavored- perfect for wiping up sauce. Everything was very tasty. Now that I know it's there and not lit with flourescents, I will have to go back and try all of the other dishes.
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Review from John R.
Los Angeles, CA
7/13/2009
If people didn't rave about Buraka so much (I was taken here immediately when I first moved to Madison - like twice), I think I would have liked it better. You basically have a choice of a number of stews - vegetarian or meat - served on an african bread, which is really like a sour pancake. It's good, it's just didn't live up to the hype for me. It also seemed a bit pricey, but I guess they've cornered the market on african food in Madison, so they can get away with it.
Bland-ish, and it makes me feel left out to be around a bunch of people obviously enjoying what is an especially good meal. Sort of a bummer. -
Review from Heather T.
Champaign, IL
6/19/2008
This has been my favorite Madison restaurant ever since I walked in 7 years ago. Their menu hasn't changed in all that time, and I don't mind at all. Their salad dressing is magical in its deliciousness. All of their entrees are simple, hearty comfort food--serious meat and potatoes kind of fare! I took one of the pickiest eaters I've ever met there (she was scared of the place), and she walked away proclaiming it to be "delicious." Try the Coconut Curry Chicken or the Lamb Tibs--they're the shit. I would also recommend a refreshing "Gin & Ting."
I love the fact that it's a teeny hole in the wall (or hole in the basement, rather). It makes me feel happy and smooshy inside just to be there, but it's particularly nice in the fierce cold of a Wisconsin winter. :) -
Review from Josh C.
San Francisco, CA
8/7/2008
I went here after a recommendation from a friend and I was not let down. I have never eaten any Ethiopian food before, but it was pretty good.
The atmosphere was very nice. It was quiet, not too busy (but also not dead), a little dim and we got a somewhat secluded table. It was very nice for a date.
The food was pretty good. I wasn't too impressed, it seemed a little bland, but then again, I did pick the most basic "meat and potatoes" dish. My girlfriend had some sort of yellow curry. She liked it. I think I tried it and it was pretty good, but I am not a huge fan of curry.
The drink selection looked pretty large. They had a full bar. Looks like a fun place to share some meals with some people and have a couple of drinks.
The decor was pretty nice, bathrooms clean. Overall it was a good place and I will probably check it out again sometime. Maybe I will be a little more bold with my food choice this time. -
Review from Krystal P.
Orange, CA
1/19/2011
Sorry I thought it was "ok" I have had authentic Ethiopian food .. you don't get the full experience .. Although the food was ok, I felt it seasoned well enough, the injera was ok, I wish they brought out the big dishes like authentic restaurants ... Also the entrance is kinda funny, its right next to Kabul's make sure you don't walk into the wrong restaurant. The restaurant was nice and clean, and well decorated, and it had a bar ... thats always a plus
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Review from Carolyn B.
Chicago, IL
11/29/2006
I have absolutely no idea what authentic African cuisine tastes like, but I have a pretty good idea what skillfully prepared fresh flavorful food tastes like, and Buraka definitely is that. Their menu has a wide selection of stews and other items. There is lots of vegetarian options but they also serve beef, lamb, and chicken. One can choose to have your dish with either rice or injera. Go for the injera it's a soft bubbly tortilla-like bread that you can wrap your food in or eat on the side. (The taste and texture is so good.) They have items with a variety of spiciness. In general, Buraka is amazing. Buraka also has a cart on Library Mall, it is a fantastic deal.
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Review from Roz K.
Milwaukee, WI
6/26/2009
I don't know if it's real Ethiopian or not, but I find it pleasant enough to go back on occasion. It's an interesting little restaurant down in a dark basement and they make a good chai (very balanced spicy flavor, not too sweet). Their menu options are few, but the food is alright -- The injera bread is probably one of the most unique options there, though some of the stews feel like a repeat of Husnu's and Kabul on State St. and their chicken can be a bit on the dry side. Prices are reasonable during lunchtime as they have half-portion menu options then, but dinner can be quite pricey.
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Review from Kedar D.
1/3/2009
This restaurant has a few dishes which are vegan or can be made vegan. It has an emphasis on comfort-food type dishes, such as lentil stews with injera (a fluffy type of bread, similar to a soft South Indian dosa). I would go here if you're looking for something totally different from the usual South and East Asian vegan options in Madison.
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Review from Jon J.
Jefferson, OR
9/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great college restaurant. Sat outside on State St for a great atmosphere and good, tasty food. Never had African food before but will certainly try again when I come across another place serving it. Definitely give this place a try!
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Review from Kate Z.
Madison, WI
11/30/2006
This is by far my long-standing favorite for food at the Memorial Library carts.
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Review from inggrid l.
CA
3/12/2007
I love his chicken alicha! I tried some alicha in Rosalind's, one of the restaurants in LA's Little Ethiopia row, but they're so different than Buraka's. I remember Buraka's alicha is red in color and has tomato taste. The one I ate in Rosalind's actually has more spices (and less red in color) than Buraka's. I don't know which version is more authentic, but I don't care. I still love Buraka's chicken alicha + green (spicy) chilli sauce + yogurt + rice! Yum!
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Review from William B.
Mt Vernon, WA
8/8/2009
I had fond memories of this place from when I visited it 5 years ago, so I was really excited to go back recently. I've had a lot more experience with ethiopian food since then, and I found this place to be perplexingly untraditional this time. It's hard to pinpoint what bothered me, I think maybe they are just trying to accommodate the midwestern palate, but I couldn't help but be a bit disappointed. The food is certainly good, but I would say that if you are trying ethiopian for the first time, reserve judgement until you've had it at a really authentic place.
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Review from Ruthie Y.
Madison, WI
4/21/2009
As you descend the steps to Buraka's underground location, be prepared for a truly other-worldy experience. This is a small, dimly-lit restaurant serves up some serious Ethiopian cuisine. You have to be adventurous to enjoy dining here, some of the dishes and flavors are very different than what you would find in most other Madison establishments. All of it is quality, no doubt, and very intriguing. There was one server on staff the night I went, but she did a great job of keeping up, and was very informed about the menu. You could hear her chatting to the Hispanic kitchen staff in Spanish whenever she walked by the kitchen window. Definitely an interesting combination of cultures. It took me a few minutes to realize I was in Madison after I left Buraka's dark, pungent semblance.
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Review from Sarah F.
Madison, WI
5/7/2008
Yummy food and a nice dining area make this place a winner. There were four vegetarian main courses to choose from. One thing that was curious was that they had no appetizers on the menu.
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Review from Zenide R.
Washington, DC
9/8/2008
Every single thing to eat at Buraka is delicious - with the exception of the little salad that they give before every meal. Tibs, Baris, any of the spicy bits . . . so good. And the lentil salad at lunch time is divine! I don't live in Madison anymore, but if I did, I would still be eating at Buraka weekly - and hitting up the lunch cart!
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Review from Richard T.
Loves Park, IL
11/21/2010
Probably more like 3 1/2 stars. The decor was best described as eclectic mediocrity. The food was good. Especially the coconut curry. Also, try the tostones but go easy on the sauce. Its a little hot for my wimpy self. Good selection of both domestic microbrews and some African imports. Oddly enough, I thought the mint chocolate cheesecake stole the show. I would definitely go again.
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Review from Nic B.
Madison, WI
9/27/2009
I'd never envisioned Ethiopian as a fast food, but the food cart on Library Mall proves it can be done, and done well. I like the dorowat, and usually get it with rice. Actually I don't think I've had their injera yet, but will make an effort to do so soon as everything I've eaten so far has been superb.
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Review from Timmy T.
Fountain Valley, CA
7/4/2010
One of the two or three best places to eat vegetarian in Madison. I eat from their Library Mall cart all the time--always generous portions, always good. The lentils dish is delicious; make sure you get sour cream on the side.
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Review from Ben F.
Valley City, ND
5/6/2008
Wow. This food is simply great. I've usually eaten at their lunchtime food cart, and sometimes at the restaurant on State Street as well. The menu items they have taste consistently great; I like some of the items more than others, but I've never had a bad meal. Some of the dishes are a bit spicy (which I like), so you may want to ask in advance if you prefer something less spicy. This is one of the places I really miss.
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Review from Jason H.
Chicago, IL
8/9/2009
I'll be honest, I have never been blown away by ethiopian food; it's usually messy and difficult and not amazingly super tasty; except at Buraka, where it is amazingly super tasty, and neither messy nor difficult.
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Review from Jessica S.
Madison, WI
12/7/2009
I ate there this past summer and it was alright. We were looking for a new place to try and decided on this because they had outdoor seating. We went inside to let them know we were outside and it appeared that only one woman was bartending and waitressing. She said she'd be right out and it took 10 minutes before we saw her. We ordered drinks and it took another 15 minutes before we saw those. Granted a big party was in the midst of leaving while we were waiting, but they probably should have had one more waitress. We had heard great things about the food and while my boyfriend liked it, I found it sort of bland. It wasn't bad, it just wasn't great. Not sure I'd go back right away.
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Review from Jim L.
Elk Grove Village, IL
12/23/2009
Well, really 2-1/2 stars. I'm an adventurer and I'll try any ethnic dish at least once. But this place just doesn't move me at all.
It feels like a diner in a basement - which it is. But an East African diner with very intriguing artwork on the walls which helped pass the time in those uncomfortable chairs. Mine wobbled a bit too.
If these stews are Ethiopian, so be it. Not at all like the
Ethiopian food I've had in D.C. I was sold on the "newness" of East African food! Of course Ethiopia is in east Africa too.....
So we had a small variety of stews that I assume came out of big pots. Some were tasty, others not. My friend enjoyed his, but he recommended this place. When I finished, the hot one had me burping for some time after....as did the relatively high price- to- value relationship I'd just experienced. -
Review from Jessica I.
Chicago, IL
6/15/2011
The food was good and I would go back.
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Review from Justin W.
Rhinelander, WI
5/7/2008
How in the hell did I never eat at this place until just a couple weeks ago? Great East African food and the lunches are cheap! Definitely only for those who love spice and adventure (but if you aren't one of those people then you should probably just stay home every night and cook something flavorless and be miserable away from the rest of us). I had enjoyed similar styled food before, but had never had it with the injera, which is really the star here. Imagine spicy stews wrapped in a sourdough crepe and you'll get the idea of what this place offers. This is my comfort food no matter what the weather. Oh, and the service is pretty good too. They explain everything very well so novices need not be intimidated in trying something a little out of the ordinary.
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Review from Rayid G.
Chicago, IL
7/7/2008
I trusted the madison yelpers to help me find good restaurants and madison and buraka was among the very top there. Unfortunately, the food wasn't anything special. It wasn't bad in any way, just a little bland and not inspiring. I've had better east african food in most african restaurants in chicago.
