🇪🇹 Buraka may close if business doesn’t improve

🇪🇹 Buraka Might Close in Face of Declining Business

• The owner of Buraka, which has served Ethiopian cuisine to Madison for over 30 years, says the Williamson Street restaurant will be forced to close if business doesn’t pick up soon.
• Buraka began as a food cart in 1992, expanding to brick-and-mortar locations on Butler Street and then State Street before moving into the former Jolly Bob’s location in 2016. Owner Markos Regassa told the Wisconsin State Journal that the restaurant’s customer base helped it survive the COVID-19 lockdown, but business in 2025 has been dismal.
• Regassa’s landlord has hung a for-lease sign on the property, but Regassa said he will keep Buraka going if business improves. [ 🔒WSJ, Buraka]

💸 Property Owners Feel Madison School Tax Hike

• As Madison homeowners get their property tax bills this month, a new report says that the Madison school district’s property tax hike accounts for 17% of the total K-12 tax levy increase statewide this year.
• For the owner of an average house in Madison, estimated at $481,300, the schools’ share of the tax bill is going up 16%, or $684. Madison voters approved a pair of referenda for increased school funding in November 2024.
• Statewide, K-12 property tax levies grew 7.8%, the largest increase since 1993, according to a report by the Wisconsin Policy Forum. The report cites referendum support like in Madison, flat state aid support, and new limits on per-pupil spending as the driving force behind the surge. [Cap Times, 🎧 City Cast Madison, Wisconsin Policy Forum]

🗳️ Two UW Sophomores Jump Into District 8 Race

• Ellen Zhang and Robert “Bobby” Gronert are two UW-Madison sophomores who have announced their candidacy for the District 8 seat on the Madison City Council.
• Ald. MGR Govindarajan, who was a junior when he was elected in 2023, announced he would not seek re-election as he pursues his professional career. He said the district, which covers much of the university campus, should be represented by a student.
• Zhang’s campaign will focus on affordable housing, expanded transit access, and protections for marginalized students. Gronert said his campaign’s priorities also include publicly-financed affordable housing, as well as harm reduction, and creating ICE-free zones in Madison. [News 3, Daily Cardinal]

What a year it’s been on the Madison dining scene! It seemed like every day an exciting new restaurant opened, and a beloved old favorite said goodbye.

On the City Cast Madison podcast today, host Bianca Martin talks with Cap Times food and culture editor Lindsay Christians about the good, the bad, and the tasty in Madison food.

Speaking of new restaurants, here’s a bunch of new places that either opened their doors this month or announced plans to open in the near future. If I missed anywhere you think I should know about, drop me a line at [email protected].

Taj Indian Cuisine & Bar (Park Street)

A longtime Park Street favorite that was displaced by development reopened up the street in the former Borough Beer Company spot. The location shift comes with a shift in focus, as the restaurant offers an extensive craft cocktail menu in addition to North Indian cuisine.

Osteria Novella (University Avenue)

Former Bar Corallini executive chef Giovanni Novella opened his new restaurant in the former Novanta location on University Avenue. Its seafood-forward menu is inspired by Novella’s childhood on Italy’s Amalfi Coast.

NOB Bar & Grill (Sun Prairie)

This new restaurant and sports bar opened on Bristol Street in Sun Prairie, offering “a taste of the East Coast with a twist of Sun Prairie niceness.” The menu is limited at launch, but includes burgers, smoked sausage, and chicken wings.

Colectivo Coffee (Willy Street)

The Milwaukee-based coffee shop chain opened its fourth Madison location on Dec. 3 on Williamson Street.

Friends Applaud Tavern (Bay Creek)

Expect an “Irish bar with French sensibilities” in this spot, set to open this spring in the Bay Creek spot that formerly housed Black Rose Blending. The owners haven’t committed to a specific style of food because they still need to build a kitchen in the location.

Bri’s Fresh Bakes (Sun Prairie)

What’s a cruffin? Find out as this micro-bakery plans to open its first storefront next spring on Main Street in Sun Prairie, baking sourdough loaves, cinnamon rolls, and croissant-muffin hybrids (those are the cruffins).

One of the neat things about being a City Cast Madison Neighbor is that you get to make Neighborhood Shoutouts. Know of a business, a nonprofit, a person, or some other cool thing that connects you a little more closely to Madison? Neighbors let us know, and we sing its praises on both the newsletter and the City Cast Madison podcast!

📣 Sarah C. had two Shoutouts, which we love! Send us as many as you want! First off, she wants to honor Sherman Avenue United Methodist Church, which she says is “inclusive, kind, and works towards social justice. It's the heart of the north side!”

She also wanted to shout out Table Wine on Atwood Avenue, which “has delicious options, personalized recommendations, and great classes. We love being part of the wine club!”

📣 Sue J. is singing the praises of Just Dane! "Just Dane supports people impacted by the criminal justice system through practical programs like Just Bakery, my holiday pie source.”

And we also wanted to welcome our newest City Cast Madison Neighbor, Caroline F.! Thanks for your support Caroline! If you want to join Caroline and our other Neighbors and send your own shoutout, become a member today!