Best Indian Restaurants in Madison (2026)

TL;DR

• 🍛 Madison has a robust Indian dining scene anchored by longtime spots and newer arrivals.
• 📍 Options span downtown, Monroe Street, Willy Street, and the western suburbs — geography matters here.
• 🕐 Hours and days vary significantly between spots; always verify before you drive.
• 🌶️ Sultan and Taj Indian Cuisine and Bar offer distinct South Asian experiences worth comparing.
• 🧅 For reliable everyday Indian food, Maharani Indian Restaurant and Taste Of India are community favorites.

Why Madison’s Indian Food Scene Is Worth Your Attention

Madison, Wisconsin might not be the first city that comes to mind for Indian food, but the city’s substantial South Asian student and professional community — centered around the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus — has supported a genuine range of Indian and South Asian restaurants over the years. These are not tourist traps or diluted approximations; many are places the local Indian diaspora actually frequents.

This guide covers restaurants drawn from real listings in the Desi.Net directory — places that are open and operating in Madison in 2026. Hours listed below are from available records; always confirm directly before visiting, as restaurant schedules can change.

Downtown and Near-Campus Picks

Taj Indian Cuisine and Bar at 444 South Park Street is one of the most accessible options for anyone near downtown or the university area. Hours run Tuesday through Sunday from 11:00am to 9:00pm (closed Monday). Reach them at +1-608-284-7958. The menu covers North Indian staples that travel well across regional preferences — curries, biryanis, tandoor items — paired with a full bar.

Maharani Indian Restaurant at 16 West Mifflin Street occupies the State Street and Capitol Square corridor, one of Madison’s most walkable stretches. Reach them at +1-608-442-4242. Maharani has established itself as a dependable everyday option for Indian food in Madison, drawing both the student population and working professionals from nearby offices.

Taste Of India on 2623 Monroe Street has a slightly different neighborhood character — Monroe Street is a walkable, independent-business corridor away from the campus bustle. Their phone number is +1-608-218-9200. It’s the kind of spot where you’re likely to encounter regulars who’ve been coming for years.

Neighborhood and Suburban Finds

Sultan at 1054 Williamson Street focuses on Punjabi and South Asian cuisine. Hours are Friday and Saturday only, 5:00pm to 9:00pm. Phone +1-608-285-5062. The Williamson Street location puts Sultan in one of Madison’s most eclectic neighborhoods, and Willy Street locals tend to be fiercely loyal to their spots. The limited weekend dinner window means you need to plan specifically around it rather than stumble in mid-week — but that focus gives the experience a certain occasion quality.

Dhaba out at 8333 Greenway Boulevard on the west side serves lunch hours Tuesday through Sunday, 11:00am to 2:30pm. Phone +16082038822. The name evokes the roadside eateries of North India, and the restaurant leans into that casual, hearty register. A solid pick for a weekday lunch if you’re in the Greenway corridor.

Stoughton Curry House at 971 North Page Street is open Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 11:00am to 9:00pm (Tuesday closed based on available data). It covers most of the weekly schedule and consistently draws customers looking for curry-house classics.

Beyond the Usual: More Indian Options Around Madison

For those willing to explore further afield:

• Spice Empire operates at 8501 Old Sauk Road on the far west side. Specific hours were not available at time of publication — check directly before visiting.
• Royal India is at 2020 Allen Boulevard.
• Swagat Indian Cuisine is at 642 West Washington Avenue, a central location convenient for many Madison neighborhoods.
• Taste of Nepal at 2701 University Avenue rounds out the South Asian landscape with Nepali cuisine alongside Indian dishes — a good option for something beyond the standard Indian restaurant format.

Insider Tip: Dhaba and Sultan sit at opposite ends of the availability spectrum — Dhaba does lunch Tuesday through Sunday but not dinner, Sultan does weekend dinner only. Combining a Dhaba lunch on a weekday with a Sultan dinner on Friday or Saturday gives you two genuinely different experiences of Madison’s South Asian food culture without much extra planning.

What to Order: A Quick Flavor Map

Madison’s Indian restaurants collectively cover most of the major North Indian repertoire. Butter chicken, dal makhani, paneer dishes, biryanis, and tandoor preparations are widely available across the city. Sultan’s Punjabi focus means richer, more assertive flavors. Taj Indian Cuisine and Bar and Maharani Indian Restaurant both tend toward broader menus suited for groups with mixed spice preferences. Stoughton Curry House and Taste Of India occupy a comfortable middle ground.

For diners with more specific regional preferences — Gujarati, South Indian, Bengali — Madison’s scene is less specialized in those areas. You may need to supplement with home cooking or community event meals for those cuisines.

FAQ

What are the best Indian restaurants near UW-Madison campus?

Taj Indian Cuisine and Bar (444 South Park Street) and Maharani Indian Restaurant (16 West Mifflin Street) are both close to the university area and maintain broad hours most days of the week.

Which Madison Indian restaurants are open for lunch on weekdays?

Dhaba (Tuesday-Sunday, 11:00am-2:30pm), Stoughton Curry House (most days, 11:00am-9:00pm), and Taj Indian Cuisine and Bar (Tuesday-Sunday, 11:00am-9:00pm) all cover weekday lunch.

Is Sultan only open on weekends?

Based on available information, Sultan’s listed hours are Friday and Saturday, 5:00pm to 9:00pm. Call +1-608-285-5062 to confirm current hours before visiting.

Does Madison have any South Asian restaurants beyond Indian cuisine?

Yes — Taste of Nepal at 2701 University Avenue serves Nepali food alongside Indian dishes.

Are there vegetarian options at Madison’s Indian restaurants?

Indian restaurants in Madison generally offer substantial vegetarian menus. Vegetarian and vegan dishes are central to Indian culinary traditions, and most spots here reflect that.

How far is Stoughton Curry House from central Madison?

Stoughton Curry House is listed at 971 North Page Street. Check a map for current routing from your location, as the address sits at some distance from the Capitol Square area.

Bottom Line

Madison’s Indian dining scene is real, varied, and shaped by a genuine South Asian community rather than tourist demand. For a quick weekday lunch, Dhaba is the move. For a central downtown sit-down, Maharani Indian Restaurant or Taj Indian Cuisine and Bar are reliable choices. For a relaxed weekend dinner in a neighborhood setting, Sultan on Williamson Street earns its reputation. Stoughton Curry House and Taste Of India fill out the picture with their own loyal followings. Check hours before you go — Madison’s Indian restaurants keep specific schedules — and you’ll find a meal that holds its own against any larger city.