I was in town and looking for a place for lunch close to my meeting location, this popped up so I thought , why not? I'm so glad I did. [[HIGHLIGHT]]It's a charming small restaurant, with 14 tables (mostly 4 seaters, I think). The seats along the outside wall are a continuous bench with beautiful pillows.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The host was very attentive and took my order quickly. I had falafel served on a bed of hummus with pickles neatled in the hummus and drizzled with molasses, with a pita. It was some of the best falafel I've had in a while. I'd never had hummus with pickles and molasses, but it was a surprisingly tasty combination. I also had the hot tea, which was a delicious citrusy, gingery concoction sweetened with honey. There are a lot of kebab options that sounded tempting as well - will have to try those another time! read more

Silk Road - Falafel plate with hummus drizzled with molasses. Yum! - Halal Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Pros: [[HIGHLIGHT]]The interior is cute and cozy. Tradition vibes.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The roasted lamb was amazing. The main reason I am giving this place a 4 out of 5. Also it's halal so that's a win! Cons: Don't get the soup there wasn't much in it and didn't really have any flavor probably a 2 out of 5. The service was so so but that is probably expected with 4 people running the kitchen and tables so getting food out was a little slow. read more

Silk Road - Khomshurbo - Halal Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

See all

5 stars for the food alone. Wonderful food. Wow. Such flavor. The Roasted Lamb falls right off the bone. Even the cinnamon/ kardoman infused rice with nuts was delicious. The roasted peach bruschetta was wonderful. Enough for 2 people read more

Silk Road - Roasted Lamb - Halal Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

See all

Delicious. We just moved to the area and were looking for restaurants to try. This place popped out. I tried the falafel plate and absolute yum. Definitely recommend if you're up for something unique. read more

See all

This was such a wonderful experience. We stopped here on a whim and was not disappointed. The falafel is AMAZING!! Everything we ate was delicious. The employees were so nice and accommodating. read more

This restaurant is considered central Asian food, which broadly serves food from Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Iran. They serve the most flavorful and delicious food. We ordered Tajik pilaf which was the star of the meal. We also ordered lamb skewers and lamb and eggplant. All had wonderful flavors, but the Tajik Pilaf was outstanding. I can't wait to return! [[HIGHLIGHT]]It is interestingly decorated with books, pillows, and clothing about this area.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The service was so personable and attentive. read more

[[HIGHLIGHT]]Truly a hidden gem in madison. They recently renovated and it is now such a cozy, warm and inviting dining experience.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] this is definitely the place to share small plates. it was surprisingly slow on a saturday night at 8:30 (just my friends and i and 2 other parties) so service was quick - tea: warm with lemon undertones (i do prefer med cafe's algerian tea imo) - peach bruschetta: this was mildly disappointing only bc the bread was a bit soggy otherwise had a lot of potential - chicken hummus: absolute FAV of all the dishes, the chicken was actually cooked and seasoned well. pita was warm and hummus was PERFECT - meat mantu: the wrapping was thin and soft, the insides sort of crumbled as you cut into it but overall very good - lamb kebab: think i would try something else instead of this next time, would have preferred the lamb to be more tender - kunefe: seemingly made fresh to order, this was incredible. A MUST GET read more

See all

I can't sing the praises of this restaurant enough. [[HIGHLIGHT]]It was probably one of our top three meals of the trip and the star of the show was the customer service and the overall atmosphere of the space.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]They did such a great job at making it feel like you were in their home country (Tajikistan).[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] It took everything in me not to buy one of the gorgeous embroidered robes they were selling in the entryway. We ordered an appetizer sampler, lentil soup, traditional Tajikistan tea, and some baba ghanoush topped with toasted walnuts. All were spectacular. It was the perfect meal for a snowy day in Madison. I hope this business gets all the recognition and patronage it deserves. [[HIGHLIGHT]]I could see it being very charming and romantic in the evening hours with the warm lighting.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

When we travel, we always search for unique restaurants. Silk Road restaurant for the bill. They offer a unique assortment of beverages. I tried the beer barbican, a fruit flavored carbonated malt beverage. Others in my dining party tried Russian Lemonade Polinka, which was carbonated and offered in pear, tarragon or plum Flavors. My family tried 4 different dishes: 1) Tajik pilaf featuring lamb, carrots and rice. It was savory and delicious. 2) lamb kebabs, served with a roasted red pepper, roasted tomato and rice, it was yummy! 3) Patlijan Kebab - eggplant rolled up around ground beef 4) tavuk kebab - chicken kebab, Turkish style. The meat was very tender and flavorful, and paired well with tzatziki sauce. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The atmosphere was calm, comfy and cozy.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The service was excellent. Our waiter explained things to us about our menu questions, and was attentive and helpful. I definitely recommend. [[HIGHLIGHT]](Women's restroom door needs attention to make sure it closes properly[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]. read more

[[HIGHLIGHT]]Silk Road is finally back open and has been beautifully renovated, complete with new traditional decor and a fresh menu.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] It's an authentic Central Asian Halal restaurant where you can try delicious dishes from Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Turkey. I stopped by and enjoyed some amazing appetizers, flavorful kebabs, refreshing drinks, and the most delightful baklava. Owner is will tell you the most amazing stories of his hometown and how he gathered all the beautiful art that is on display! read more

See all

[[HIGHLIGHT]]Tasty food, an innovative menu, and a quiet relaxing ambience.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] So rare to find these days. We'll go back!

[[HIGHLIGHT]]Restaurant was quaint and cozy.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]There is a patio for warmer months which also looks intimate.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]A variety of vibrant pillows line the bench which expands the perimeter of the inside dining area.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Service was quick and friendly. The food was amazing!! We tried the "appetizer platter" and each item was delicious albeit not the best hummus I've had. The soup had the most amazing broth. The salad with grilled peaches, blueberries, blackberries, and feta was also very tasty - the tang and sweetness were perfect for each other read more

See all

This place was phenomenal. We went did not even know what restaurant this was just that we were hungry and it was a place near where we were. The guy in the front of house was so kind , funny and pleasant. He was patient as we looked over the menu. Then we landed on the combo for 2 people. We did have 3. But was enough food and nothing was left. I really wanted the dessert but was too full. We will be adding this to our places to go list. And the person we were with will to. Thsi is a definite hidden gem. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The place was very nicely decorated and the atmosphere was welcoming.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Go try this local place and support a small business My one suggestion is the menu says it's chicken breast and we got chicken wings. The menu lies. But they wings were fantastic just a not accurate menu read more

See all

On June 19, 2026 my husband surprised me with a gathering at Silk Road for my birthday with a party of 20; (I ate there once before and loved it). The experience was outstanding! [[HIGHLIGHT]]A table was reserved with comfortable couch seating on one side and chairs on the other.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We ordered about 10 appetizers, which were all served at the same time and completely devoured. Every single entree was brought out at the same time, piping hot. The chicken kebabs were moist, tender, and flavorful. Several people ordered the grilled peach salad and loved it. My entree, Tajik Pilaf, was unique, flavorful, and the lamb was deliciously tender. The cook explained that it's slow-cooked for hours, which explains the rendering and tenderness of the lamb. EVERYONE enjoyed their meals. Lastly, the service was OUTSTANDING! One waiter was working that night and he managed our table with timeliness and grace while also serving several other tables. Silk Road is one of my all-time favorite restaurants. read more

Had a delicious meal at silk Road. The service was great. The food was great! Very much enjoyed the entire experience would highly recommend. read more

One of the best restaurants in Madison. Unassuming building, exceptional food. Recently redone interior. All the grilled meats are delicious. The lamb is spectacular. Well seasoned, perfectly charred. The beef kebab is also great. The chicken Tavuk kebab is probably my favorite. The vegetables are excellent. Everything is excellent. Remarkably friendly people, too. The owner walks around periodically and asks customers how they like the food. You walk up to order, but the people are still friendly and attentive. They clearly work hard to make people feel at home. Silk Road is the only Central Asian place in Madison I am aware of, and they do an amazing job. Everything is perfectly seasoned. I have been going since shortly after they opened, and can't recommend them enough! If you are in Madison and haven't tried the Silk Road, make sure you do! read more

I took a chance on this restaurant as I had had my fill of cheesehead cuisine. Being from California I frequent Middle Eastern restaurants regularly. I am going to sound like a snob but I expected nothing being that this place is in Madison. The food was on point. I ordered the Peach Bruschetta with buratta, basil, and honey, and the Malike Hummus with Chicken Shawarma and pickles. Both were well seasoned, fresh, and very clean dishes. My only regret is that I discovered this place on my last day there otherwise I would have been planing my meals around this place. I hope Madison supports this place because they deserve to make it. read more

Decided to give Silk Road a try this weekend. They were sold out of the special Tajik pilaf, but lots of other options to try. We chose to order some hummus as an appetizer, which came with freshly grilled pita strips for dipping. The hummus was delicious and very fresh! Our server was kind and brought extra pita bread for our generous plate of hummus. We also got the grilled peach bruschetta, which was phenomenal. The grilled peach, honey, and mint flavors all complimented each other so well! Probably my favorite appetizer in recent times. My entree was the falafel plate, which came with pita triangles and falafel arranged on a spread of hummus and molasses with freshly cut veggies (tomato and cucumber). My husband got the lamb kabob, which came with rice and veggies. We both marveled at how fresh and delicious our food was. He let me try a piece or two of the lamb and it was perfectly grilled!! [[HIGHLIGHT]]The restaurant is a former Taco Bell, but has been converted and has decorations that point toward the Mediterranean flavors they serve. Tables and chairs are simple, but the food is the real star![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]they even have semi covered patio for outdoor seating[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]. We thoroughly enjoyed our food and will be back! read more

Silk Road - Grilled peach bruschetta- to die for! - Halal Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

See all

The owner took our order and brought our food to us. He was so kind and had a wonderful sense of humor. The good was amazing! We got chicken and hummus plus falafel app and they were sooo good! For dinner we had the dumplings and the lamb kabobs. Yum!!!! We will be back!!!!! read more

A newer Central Asian restaurant. I think it used to be a Mexican restaurant? Anyway, don't let the neighborhood turn you off. This was the best falafel in Madison! Service was extremely attentive and kind when we were there. The peach appetizer was also a highlight! Plenty of clearly marked and plentiful vegetarian options. read more

See all

The food was outstanding! We started with the humus which was silky, and fresh, and delicious exactly how it should be. Served with pita wedges. We shared the Adana kebab, and Mercimek Corba which is a lentil soup. Everything came out hot and fresh and we can't wait to come back and try new dishes. read more

Silk Road - Humus - Halal Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

See all

A great Central Asian restaurant in the old Taco Bell building on Park street. Really delicious food that is perfectly spiced and interesting without being too hot. If intimidated by the food description you can always go with the old standby of lamb chicken or beef kebabs which are excellent. More than enough to take some home for the next day. This restaurant is a gem that I hope people will support because it is so good and relatively inexpensive. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The only downfall of my opinion is there is no alcohol served and when we were there the dining area was very cold.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I would suggest taking a warm sweater or jacket if eating there just to be safe. They had a hummus platter there that was very good and they do some interesting things with pickles in a marinade I guess that's very interesting. I had something that looked like a burrito that was a handheld sandwich that had a mixture of things in it that was very good. I don't remember what it was called but there's three or four sandwiches listed on the menu. You could always get a takeout takeout order with a few of these items to see what you think and then go back and eat inside. I hope more people try this place and keep them in business! read more

Waited 25 minutes for food they said would take 20. Then they came out and said it would be another 20. So asked for a refund and left. Pictures look good though. Too bad I'll never actually try it read more

Our group of six tried Silk Road for dinner last Tuesday evening. I made reservations online. It was easy to make reservations, and they confirmed both via email and text. When we arrived, our table was waiting front and center. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The restaurant was clean, open, and the seats were comfortable.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] There were a few other tables populated, and I saw a couple of people come in and pick up their orders. One of my dining companions mentioned that he thought the building used to be a Taco Johns. Not sure if that is true, but it was easy to get to and park. Our server was friendly and prompt. He made recommendations when asked and did check in to see how we were doing. We started with the hummus which was served with warmed sliced pita. It was delicious and I definitely would recommend it. One of our friends claimed he didn't like chickpeas, but he enjoyed the hummus. When we ran out of pita, our server brought more. Another friend tried the lentil soup (Mercimek Corbasi) and said it was very tasty. For entrees our group ordered the Grilled Salmon, Beef kebab, Lamb Kebab, and Kabuli Palov. The lamb was amazing. Our server brought a steak knife, but I was able to cut it with my fork, it was so tender, juicy, and flavorful. On the other hand, our friends were not fans of the beef kebab and indicated it was too chewy. The rice was light and fluffy. I really liked the rice in the Kabuli Palov. It was seasoned and delicious. The kebabs were served with grilled peppers and tomatoes as well as a seasoned (tomato?) sauce I really enjoyed. The friend who ordered the salmon thought it was perfectly cooked. I did try the Ayran which was a salty yogurt beverage. However, I think that must be an acquired taste and would not get that again. Overall, we had a great experience and would happily return. read more

I dined in on a Saturday evening. The place was not that busy. The complimentary dates was a good way to start dinner. Harbal tea was an excellent hot beverage, good enough to share between 2 or 3 or even 4 people. Adana kabab and meat mantu were my dinner items and both were good. Mecimek soup had good flavors. read more

See all

Four of us went for dinner on a Sunday. [[HIGHLIGHT]]We immediately felt the warm cozy vibe and were impressed by the decor and ambiance.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Our server was polite and very attentive throughout the evening. We split the mezze platter, corbasi soup and the truffle fries to start. All were delicious and enjoyed tremendously. For entrees we tried the ribeye kabob, grilled salmon, mantu, and roast lamb dish. Let's just say we were wowed by the flavors and execution of the dishes. 10/10 experience and we will definitely be back. So glad we finally tried! read more

A truly great restaurant. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Lovely food, lovely people, lovely atmosphere.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Everything is good.

Fantastic food, server was so diligent and [[HIGHLIGHT]]all the diners around us were so friendly[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]. We will definitely go back again read more

[[HIGHLIGHT]]It feels so desolate even just when I walk by seems very eerie almost.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]I guess the food is yummy but I'm not very much feeling the Indian vibe I was hoping to get.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Where are the musicians![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] read more

We very much enjoyed our dinner here. We had the pilaf and two kinds of kebab and shared everything. We liked the Tajik pilaf and the Adana kebab especially; the rolled eggplant kebab was a bit chewy. Service was lovely and the food was very tasty. We'll be back. read more

Anybody remember the Old Taco Bell (and McGhees lol) on Park Street? Well now it is Home to Silk Road. I've been meaning to do this review since April so here it is. I first read about this restaurant in Capitol Times or Madison Times, and I was happy about trying them out. Going in, you could still tell this was the Old Taco Bell but with a beautiful Orange paintjob with a homely charm to it. The TVs displayed wonderful music from the Middle East with scenery. Tables were numbered and modestly decorated. Very respectable ambiance and it was nice and clean. For guests dining in, You have the option to order Hot Tea in which they will bring out cute little Tea Pots and fancy Cups and Chinaware to your Table which I thought was more than Exceptional. The staff were nice and very helpful with explaining the menu. I was in the mood for Kebabs so I got Lamb & Tavuk (Chicken.) I was craving some extra spice however I was told their Cuisine isn't heavy on Spicy dishes however they just added more smoked paprika on the meats. Both the Lamb and Tavuk (Chicken) were Tender Flame Grilled Juicy Thick Mouth Watering Pieces that had a wonderful flavor, although not as Spicy as I would have prefered but still delicious! Both plates came with Pita Bread, Salad with Balsamic Vinegar, Chickpeas, Rice, and Veggies. The Lamb however came with a Tomato based Sauce that was a wonderful accompaniment and the Tavuk (Chicken) came with White Zesty Cream Sauce that is like a mix of a Ranch and Tzatziki Sauce that was super good! For $36 Bucks, These Two Plates were well Worth it. The food stretched Me for 2 Days and left Me well satisfied. Check them Out! read more

See all

Central Asian food is a rarity in Madison, so we were delighted to discover Silk Road on South Park Street. Silk Road is located in the old Taco Bell building, but they redecorated it very nicely, making the small dining room feel both spacious and cozy. Service was fast and friendly, and the food is all halal. We started with the Tajik Elixir Tea (with orange, lemon, lime, ginger, mint, and honey), which was easily one of the best teas I've ever had. The Beet Harmony Salad is shredded beets and green apples with orange slices, toasted walnuts and feta cheese - very fresh and delicious! The mantu are meat-filled dumplings served with sides of yogurt sauce and tangy tomato sauce - highly recommended! The Adana Kebab is a ground beef kebab served with rice, grilled vegetables, and - very dramatically - a little dish of flaming salt. We rounded our meal out with kunefe. It's a little different from the kunefe you may be used to in that they serve it with a big scoop of ice cream on top. All in all, it was a great meal, and you could easily taste the quality of the food. read more

See all

This place is amazing! If you're in the Madison area, I would recommend checking it out. My mom and I are always looking for new kinds of food to try. I was not sure how I would feel about their rice (it has raisins in it) but it was incredible! I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. Their tea is excellent (coming from a tea snob.) You get your very own pot of tea, which is great, but I recommend taking out the steeper in the middle of the pot after a while, instead of letting the tea continue to steep for the entire meal. The atmosphere is very simple, but nice. Our waiter/host was very friendly and helpful. He explained some of the things on the menu that we were less familiar with. I have gone back a few times when I'm up in that area. I can't wait to go back soon! read more

See all

Food is flavorful and delicious. Highly recommend the mantu! Service is wonderful. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The restaurant space is a little small but can accommodate large groups if needed.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Highly recommend giving this unique, small business with amazing flavors a visit. read more

Silk Road - Mantu - Halal Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

A small joint with pretty decent eats but a limited menu, primarily consisting of kebabs. Some grilled veggies and salad options but not plentiful for vegetarians out there. I went with a vegetarian friend and she did like the taste of the grilled peach salad. Not sure that I would frequent but definitely worth a try! read more

I usually never change my opinion about a restaurant, but Silk Road has done it. Yesterday, I only went in to order-out desserts. One each of the two desserts. When I got home I ate both and was very disappointed. The Baklava tasted off and gave both my partner and I food poisoning. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Something needs to change here and it isn't the decor.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] I've barely rested and have since thrown the desserts in the trash after only having two bites of each. Edit: I was not even given the ice cream that is meant to come with the Kunefe read more

I had the lamb dish and the taste was excellent. I truly enjoyed it. I also had the dessert with the ice cream and that was good. Not crazy good just passable. The server was excellent, really friendly and accommodating. You could tell he had the heart of hospitality. The thing that was tough where the flies. I killed two flies at my table while I was waiting for my food and it kind of grossed me out a little bit and took some enjoyment out of the food. But overall The food was delicious and it was a good trip. read more

This place is fantastic! I'm not joking, there's a lot of places you can order delivery from in Madison area, some of them are not great. This place the food is fresh and really really good. I ordered here a decent amount of the time, it's becoming my go to spot. It always arrives quickly, always fresh and hot, never underseasoned. And their menu is creative. Delicious restaurant, good prices. Let's keep them in business!! read more

Absolutely amazing food! Came in with a group for dinner on a Sunday and were seated right away. I had the vegetarian mantu (5 pcs) and peach bruschetta. Though I was skeptical at first, I really enjoyed both of the dishes! The peach bruschetta was sweet and tangy, and the mantu was fresh and savory. The prices are a bit on the higher end, but I'd say it was worth it. Amazing food, service, and atmosphere! read more

Silk Road - VG Mantu 5pcs - Halal Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

See all

Great establishment. Let me be honest, anytime we do carryout or delivery the quality just goes down. It's consistent all the time. Do better for the carryout and delivery. read more

Silk Road - Halal Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin