Food is AMAZING. We loved all of our dishes, especially the chicken nihari and garlic naan. Service is fantastic and very quick.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Wahab Syed
This is the most unique Pakistani restaurant I have been to, Tapas style! Aloo aur phal ki chaat was phenomenal, the mix of tamarind and berry is a great combination. Matka ghosht, a lamb dish, was excellent as well. The naan here is not served as an accompaniment, which is great because you can enjoy their unique take. The Shahi Tukray dessert was decadent, I recommend sharing.I'm a child of pakistani immigrants so I know all the names, but don't worry as the menu describes the dishes well and staff are well versed on the details. Don't be afraid to try!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Juliet Huynh
My partner and I came here for our Valentine's date and for the special Valentine's menu. The great thing was that we actually got to try other items from the main menu in addition to the Valentine's menu. Overall, the food was good and flavorful. We were really surprised by the balance of flavors and creative flavor combinations. It definitely felt like a more fusion style restaurant, which we did not mind at all. That particular night we went in, there was an offering of a rose fruit juice/tea situation that included chia seeds. I really love seeing chia seeds in my beverages, so this was a perk for me.Other items to note: The staff is small, so they didn't get to us very quickly, but seeing as we were having a date night, we did not mind at all. I'm throwing that in there just in case someone wants a quick meal. The staff makes everything up by being so kind and helpful.I would definitely come back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kevin Leuaxay
It was my first time here and I really enjoyed the food and atmosphere. Small and nice inside, staff is knowledgeable and very helpful. Definitely be in the mood to share, I think that’s the best way to try everything! I hear they change their menu often so I will be coming back!
Rebecca Wilson
We loved the unique drinks, amazing food, and relaxed contemporary atmosphere. And the Naan is outstanding!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Timothy Gavin
We had reservations for Valentine's day/our 23rd anniversary. Got there and all the tables were vacant. 10 minutes later the place was packed. We strive for good ethnic foods wherever we dine. We weren't disappointed. The food was tremendous. Great Flavors of the Indian Subcontinents. Adequate portions (Nobody needs a HUGE portion when there's variety like that). Staff was caring and attentive. Price was good. maps and geographic atmosphere was interesting without being overwhelming. Overall a 10/10 dining experience, and we're not easily impressed.Vegetarian options: I'm not a vegetarian, but I DO appreciate vegetarian foods and really like that I could conceivably dine here with my vegetarian friends without feeling limited.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Banana Bread with Cardamom and Spiced Icing, Paratha, Shahi Tukray
Kelsey H
We finally tried this place and it was great! Worryingly quiet at 5:30 PM on a Friday but you’re missing out, because cocktails are half off from 4-6 and all of them were excellent (and we didn’t get to try all the ones we wanted!) It did start to fill up later in the evening. Garlic naan was huge and absolutely fantastic. For two people with pretty big appetites we got two of the smaller items (timatar chaat, chukandar chaat) and two of the larger ones (aalu bukhara makta biryani, murgh achari), and with those and two naans we have a decent amount of leftovers. We did also get a dessert (meetha poora). Everything we got was great, basically no misses - my husband and I had different rankings of favorites but both liked all of it. Not the cheapest night out but not out of spec for a nice Friday night, to me. We will definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Stephanie Endres
This restaurant has the best naan in Madison, it is tastefully decorated, and the service was amazing. I love their mission of paying employees a living wage, so I will continue to bring friends and family in the future.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Beet Salad, Chicken Biryani
Natasha S.
Don't go to the house of spicy delight and complain about the kick. I love spice so the whole meal was a delicious flavor bomb. We tried the fabulous timatar and curry gnocchi. Both were superb. I wish I saved more naan for the meal but we scarfed it up early on.
Anma Ingeana
We had the most fabulous meal at Sultan recently. We love Indian and Middle Eastern food. Sultan delivers on a unique dining experience with small shareable plates of exquisitely delicious uniquely flavored foods. The distinctive Punjabi background with a combination of a variety of other cuisines. We started out with the watercress soup which we were a warned was spicy. It was indeed spicy but balanced it had a lovely soft poached egg that added creaminess to the heat multiple layers of other spices made it deeply satisfying. We split the bowl between four of us which was good because some of us couldn't handle the spiciness and could only take a few spoonfuls and some of us slurped up the rest but all of us enjoyed it thoroughly. The tandoori scallops are not to be missed the caramelized onion and seared scallops with the tandoori flavors were absolutely satisfying. We had several other dishes and every one of them were wonderfully complex with layers of flavor, there was not a single mediocre dish in the whole meal. We enjoyed some delicious cocktails before dinner with a unique take on the old fashioned called a Desi old fashioned, absolutely fabulous. Our server Erika was delightful and efficient she did a wonderful description of the food which helped us make selections although my guess is everything on the menu is fabulously delicious. We did have the fresh baked naan that they make in a oven on site which was remarkable! The evening was topped off with a dessert that was a bread pudding that was caramelized on the bottom and had an exquisite sauce on it, with I believe raisins and almonds it was rich and satisfying. Chef Sultan came out and checked on us to make sure we were enjoying our meal, we were! It was a wonderful experience. My only complaint and it's a problem in all older buildings is that in Wisconsin Winters it's very difficult to deal with the blast of cold air as people enter and leave the restaurant. I highly recommend draping your coat over your knees for the meal. I hope Sultan has great success and that you will try it soon absolutely beyond expectations a fabulous fabulous meal!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Watercress Soup, Banana Bread with Cardamom and Spiced Icing, Shahi Tukray
This has become my new favorite restaurant in Madison. So I was confused when I came to leave a review and saw a bunch of 1-star reviews. It looks like most of those reviews are from when they first opened so perhaps there was some growing pains initially. I’m also not Pakistani so can’t speak for how authentic it is.I’m going to start with the desert because you can’t leave without having the bread pudding. It’s one of the best deserts I’ve ever had and my friend and I still talk about it long after we last ate there. The garlic naan is also incredible and my favorite dish on the menu so far has been the beef nihari.One more thing to note - the prices do seem a bit high but this is a no-tipping restaurant so when you factor that into the price it is a bit more reasonable.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Christina Dorrance
Super flavorful tapas and excellent service, looking forward to returning to try more things! The curried gnocchi and garlic nann were especially delicious.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Michael McCollum
A JEWEL. A sparkling SAPPHIRE. Flavors of depth and complexity. Exotic spices that are not found elsewhere in Madison.Sultan is a rare culinary experience that elevates an already high bar that has been building in the Willy Street neighborhood for some time.Small plates. The best naan I’ve had in my life paired perfectly with curried gnocchi. Dishes with notes of saffron, cardamom, bright cucumber, fresh seafood, equals some of the best cuisine I’ve ever had. The cardamom banana bread was unbelievably good.The kind of meal where my mouth is still savoring the flavors even hours later.BTW they have cocktails that keep up with the quality and complexity of the cuisine - which is to say some of the best cocktails you’ll taste anywhere in Madison.Oh yeah, and they pay their staff a living wage - no tipping because the gratuity is built into the price.Run, don’t walk. Don’t miss this place. Best of Madison is coming here. Looking for James Beard quality . . . look this way.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Watercress Soup, Banana Bread with Cardamom and Spiced Icing, Chicken Biryani, Curry Gnocchi
Mark Nessel (MarkN)
The food was excellent, particularly the naan. That said, I'm not sure it's worth the pricing, even taking into account that the restaurant is no tip, so the entrees are priced to accommodate that. Nothing I ordered, or can remember seeing on the menu (other than the naan) was under $24, and most of it was higher. Our bill for three entrees, one cocktail, and two naan, was $113. The quality of the food in slightly higher quantities might justify that pricing. In hindsight, the meal was overpriced for what we got.My biggest issue was the service. I support living wages for service industry staff, and I'm glad to see Madison has it's first no-tipping restaurant. Unfortunately, our server was an effective argument for the notion that tipping based on performance is the way to go.Despite the place.being 1/3rd full at best she managed to look disapproving when we walked in without a reservation. It took a long time for her to bring menus and water, and eventually we had to walk up and interrupt her scrolling on her phone behind the bar to ask for another order of naan because it was clear she was t going to move or look up any time soon.They were also out of several items a little less than halfway through dinner service.Overall, good food, but with the prices and service quality it's unlikely we'll go back anytime soon.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 3
Abbey Wolff
Absolutely delicious food and drinks with exceptional service! Will definitely be back ?
Food is AMAZING. We loved all of our dishes, especially the chicken nihari and garlic naan. Service is fantastic and very quick.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This is the most unique Pakistani restaurant I have been to, Tapas style! Aloo aur phal ki chaat was phenomenal, the mix of tamarind and berry is a great combination. Matka ghosht, a lamb dish, was excellent as well. The naan here is not served as an accompaniment, which is great because you can enjoy their unique take. The Shahi Tukray dessert was decadent, I recommend sharing.I'm a child of pakistani immigrants so I know all the names, but don't worry as the menu describes the dishes well and staff are well versed on the details. Don't be afraid to try!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My partner and I came here for our Valentine's date and for the special Valentine's menu. The great thing was that we actually got to try other items from the main menu in addition to the Valentine's menu. Overall, the food was good and flavorful. We were really surprised by the balance of flavors and creative flavor combinations. It definitely felt like a more fusion style restaurant, which we did not mind at all. That particular night we went in, there was an offering of a rose fruit juice/tea situation that included chia seeds. I really love seeing chia seeds in my beverages, so this was a perk for me.Other items to note: The staff is small, so they didn't get to us very quickly, but seeing as we were having a date night, we did not mind at all. I'm throwing that in there just in case someone wants a quick meal. The staff makes everything up by being so kind and helpful.I would definitely come back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
It was my first time here and I really enjoyed the food and atmosphere. Small and nice inside, staff is knowledgeable and very helpful. Definitely be in the mood to share, I think that’s the best way to try everything! I hear they change their menu often so I will be coming back!
We loved the unique drinks, amazing food, and relaxed contemporary atmosphere. And the Naan is outstanding!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We had reservations for Valentine's day/our 23rd anniversary. Got there and all the tables were vacant. 10 minutes later the place was packed. We strive for good ethnic foods wherever we dine. We weren't disappointed. The food was tremendous. Great Flavors of the Indian Subcontinents. Adequate portions (Nobody needs a HUGE portion when there's variety like that). Staff was caring and attentive. Price was good. maps and geographic atmosphere was interesting without being overwhelming. Overall a 10/10 dining experience, and we're not easily impressed.Vegetarian options: I'm not a vegetarian, but I DO appreciate vegetarian foods and really like that I could conceivably dine here with my vegetarian friends without feeling limited.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Banana Bread with Cardamom and Spiced Icing, Paratha, Shahi Tukray
We finally tried this place and it was great! Worryingly quiet at 5:30 PM on a Friday but you’re missing out, because cocktails are half off from 4-6 and all of them were excellent (and we didn’t get to try all the ones we wanted!) It did start to fill up later in the evening. Garlic naan was huge and absolutely fantastic. For two people with pretty big appetites we got two of the smaller items (timatar chaat, chukandar chaat) and two of the larger ones (aalu bukhara makta biryani, murgh achari), and with those and two naans we have a decent amount of leftovers. We did also get a dessert (meetha poora). Everything we got was great, basically no misses - my husband and I had different rankings of favorites but both liked all of it. Not the cheapest night out but not out of spec for a nice Friday night, to me. We will definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This restaurant has the best naan in Madison, it is tastefully decorated, and the service was amazing. I love their mission of paying employees a living wage, so I will continue to bring friends and family in the future.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Beet Salad, Chicken Biryani
Don't go to the house of spicy delight and complain about the kick. I love spice so the whole meal was a delicious flavor bomb. We tried the fabulous timatar and curry gnocchi. Both were superb. I wish I saved more naan for the meal but we scarfed it up early on.
We had the most fabulous meal at Sultan recently. We love Indian and Middle Eastern food. Sultan delivers on a unique dining experience with small shareable plates of exquisitely delicious uniquely flavored foods. The distinctive Punjabi background with a combination of a variety of other cuisines. We started out with the watercress soup which we were a warned was spicy. It was indeed spicy but balanced it had a lovely soft poached egg that added creaminess to the heat multiple layers of other spices made it deeply satisfying. We split the bowl between four of us which was good because some of us couldn't handle the spiciness and could only take a few spoonfuls and some of us slurped up the rest but all of us enjoyed it thoroughly. The tandoori scallops are not to be missed the caramelized onion and seared scallops with the tandoori flavors were absolutely satisfying. We had several other dishes and every one of them were wonderfully complex with layers of flavor, there was not a single mediocre dish in the whole meal. We enjoyed some delicious cocktails before dinner with a unique take on the old fashioned called a Desi old fashioned, absolutely fabulous. Our server Erika was delightful and efficient she did a wonderful description of the food which helped us make selections although my guess is everything on the menu is fabulously delicious. We did have the fresh baked naan that they make in a oven on site which was remarkable! The evening was topped off with a dessert that was a bread pudding that was caramelized on the bottom and had an exquisite sauce on it, with I believe raisins and almonds it was rich and satisfying. Chef Sultan came out and checked on us to make sure we were enjoying our meal, we were! It was a wonderful experience. My only complaint and it's a problem in all older buildings is that in Wisconsin Winters it's very difficult to deal with the blast of cold air as people enter and leave the restaurant. I highly recommend draping your coat over your knees for the meal. I hope Sultan has great success and that you will try it soon absolutely beyond expectations a fabulous fabulous meal!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Watercress Soup, Banana Bread with Cardamom and Spiced Icing, Shahi Tukray
Restaurantji Recommends
This has become my new favorite restaurant in Madison. So I was confused when I came to leave a review and saw a bunch of 1-star reviews. It looks like most of those reviews are from when they first opened so perhaps there was some growing pains initially. I’m also not Pakistani so can’t speak for how authentic it is.I’m going to start with the desert because you can’t leave without having the bread pudding. It’s one of the best deserts I’ve ever had and my friend and I still talk about it long after we last ate there. The garlic naan is also incredible and my favorite dish on the menu so far has been the beef nihari.One more thing to note - the prices do seem a bit high but this is a no-tipping restaurant so when you factor that into the price it is a bit more reasonable.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Super flavorful tapas and excellent service, looking forward to returning to try more things! The curried gnocchi and garlic nann were especially delicious.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
A JEWEL. A sparkling SAPPHIRE. Flavors of depth and complexity. Exotic spices that are not found elsewhere in Madison.Sultan is a rare culinary experience that elevates an already high bar that has been building in the Willy Street neighborhood for some time.Small plates. The best naan I’ve had in my life paired perfectly with curried gnocchi. Dishes with notes of saffron, cardamom, bright cucumber, fresh seafood, equals some of the best cuisine I’ve ever had. The cardamom banana bread was unbelievably good.The kind of meal where my mouth is still savoring the flavors even hours later.BTW they have cocktails that keep up with the quality and complexity of the cuisine - which is to say some of the best cocktails you’ll taste anywhere in Madison.Oh yeah, and they pay their staff a living wage - no tipping because the gratuity is built into the price.Run, don’t walk. Don’t miss this place. Best of Madison is coming here. Looking for James Beard quality . . . look this way.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Watercress Soup, Banana Bread with Cardamom and Spiced Icing, Chicken Biryani, Curry Gnocchi
The food was excellent, particularly the naan. That said, I'm not sure it's worth the pricing, even taking into account that the restaurant is no tip, so the entrees are priced to accommodate that. Nothing I ordered, or can remember seeing on the menu (other than the naan) was under $24, and most of it was higher. Our bill for three entrees, one cocktail, and two naan, was $113. The quality of the food in slightly higher quantities might justify that pricing. In hindsight, the meal was overpriced for what we got.My biggest issue was the service. I support living wages for service industry staff, and I'm glad to see Madison has it's first no-tipping restaurant. Unfortunately, our server was an effective argument for the notion that tipping based on performance is the way to go.Despite the place.being 1/3rd full at best she managed to look disapproving when we walked in without a reservation. It took a long time for her to bring menus and water, and eventually we had to walk up and interrupt her scrolling on her phone behind the bar to ask for another order of naan because it was clear she was t going to move or look up any time soon.They were also out of several items a little less than halfway through dinner service.Overall, good food, but with the prices and service quality it's unlikely we'll go back anytime soon.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 3
Absolutely delicious food and drinks with exceptional service! Will definitely be back ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5