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    Madina Restaurant

    4.2 (32 reviews)
    Closed • 11:00 am - 8:00 pm

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    MADINA RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Dogs allowed
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Madina Restaurant

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    Chicken yassa + couscous
    Sam R.

    We had lunch at Madina this weekend as a part of our quest to have food from every country, something that's taken us to all sorts of interesting establishments across Indianapolis and across the country. Never before had I seen a Guinean restaurant...we've had Ghanaian, but other than that our West African experiences have been limited. The overall verdict with Madina is that it's one of those places you go only for the food and not for the experience. Might be good for takeout, heard they also do catering. The place was dead when we were there, looked closed when we drove up to it. Except for one guy who came up and got takeout, we were the only customers in the restaurant the whole time, and it was verrrrrrry quiet. Like awkward quiet...no music, no other customers chatting, just silence. They have a front room with a couple tables by the register and a buffet (which they apparently don't use anymore) and a much larger back room with a bunch of tables. For whatever reason, we were seated in the back room in the middle of the empty room instead of just in the front, but we were glad they turned the lights on for us because it was kinda dark when we went in..LOL. Waitress explained to us what dishes they had available at the moment, but we didn't really catch everything she was saying. My mom and I both went for the chicken yassa. Didn't look like the same chicken I saw in the Yelp photos but nonetheless was very tasty. Feels like it has been marinating and stewing for quite awhile, seasoned with onions, peppers, olives, and bay leaves. I had couscous as my side and it is a HUGE plate, way more than you need, so expect to take home leftovers. They'd do well to add a little oil or parsley or at least something to the couscous to add flavor, but if that's not the traditional way I get it. Not complaining because I love couscous. My mom got rice and it the portion size for it was almost ridiculously large, but once again not complaining, makes for more meals later. My dad had a lamb kebab. Probably not as traditional Guinean food, but we really wanted to try the plantains and that seemed like the best shot at getting them. The kebab was pretty good, but don't expect it to be anything crazy, it's just straight up lamb, no sauce or anything--they did bring some sort of green hot sauce to the table, and it was SUPER spicy, like too much to handle for my mom and I. The plantains were very well-cooked, just sweet enough, the right consistency, etc. Definitely recommend. A second waitress came who was a bit more conversational, answered some questions, asked us how we found out about them and told us how they'd been doing and all that. Although it wasn't perfect, the food here was good, especially the chicken yassa, so I really hope they do well here. It's kind of off the beaten path, in a random strip mall on the westside that I can't see many people just stumbling across. Nice people and good food should hopefully bring them enough customers that they stay in business.

    Thieboudienne

    The food is amazing. And portions are beyond reasonable. I've had african food from all over Indiana and no where tops here. Not to mention they're most affordable too. I love the atmosphere too. All around great restaurant!

    Such good food and look at those plantains
    Danielle C.

    I think this was my first experience with African food and it was awesome. There is a rice that is similar to Couscous but is lighter and fluffier and a "healthier " version of traditional white rice that was amazing under the different sauces they served. I loved the peanut sauce and the okra sauce and the chicken was cooked perfectly. I started talking and my husband put some on my plate and I couldn't believe how tender and juicy it was. The owners Maw and Barry are very sweet people and took very good care of us while we were there. I would definitely check out the ginger beer that they make in house. (My husband loves ginger beer and I think I just found his new favorite one.) We will definately be back

    Elizabeth G.

    The Madina is a west African restaurant owned and operated by a Guinean family. The food is delicious. We had three in our party, so I asked the lovely server to bring us three different dishes. One beef, one fish and one chicken. All three were amazing, the chicken dish had a savory sauce with onion, chicken chunks and sweet potatoes served on rice. The beef dish were kabobs, the beef was seasoned perfectly and tender served with a salad and finally the fish. A whole fried fish cooked perfectly served with fried onions and cracked wheat. We came for lunch around 12:45. At this time of day the menu is limited. We were told to come for dinner around 7:00pm for the full menu. Which we will! I forgot the ginger beer. They make ginger beer. Amazing ginger beer. Heavy with ginger, heat and flavor. The Madina has only been open for 6 months. Everything is cooked to order, nothing sits in a steam table, so be mindful and patient, it is slo food cooked with love, meant to be lingered over and truly enjoyed.

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    Deproof African Restaurant & Bar - Chicken Egusi with pounded yam.

    Deproof African Restaurant & Bar

    3.3(4 reviews)
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    The portions are simply too small for the cost charged, $20+. I ordered chicken egusi. My sister…read moreordered fish. They gave me a lunch portion, two small pieces of chicken in a small to-go bowl. It was so stingy looking! My sister's came in a dinner plate, one whole fish with fried plantains and egusi. She had enough food for two. What??? It started some sibling rivalry. Now I'm mad and still hungry. The flavor was good, but the portions are too small to return. Fix this issue, and this place could succeed. Otherwise, I will have to take my business to Ecko.

    I had been craving African food randomly. I hadn't had it since college. I love love loveeee trying…read moreother ethnic foods. I decided to go with this place. I was working and ordered it from a food delivery app. I got the Egusi and added pounded yam. It didn't let me choose the meat but when I received it I figured it was goat. When the food arrived, I was pretty surprised at how small of a portion it was. It came in a Tupperware with just enough to cover the bottom plus a tad more. In the soup were two small pieces of meat. Ehhh. Disappointed but oh well. I tried it and the flavor was AMAZING yet spicy. But not just plain of spicy. It was packed with FLAVOR! I loved it and ate it how they do with my hands with a finger full of the pounded yam. I may try other menu items in the future. Hopefully I get more bang for the buck lol

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    Madina Restaurant - african - Updated September 2026

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