AMBAR Restaurant, Chicago
5.0 ★ average from 5 reviews
Small plates menu of traditional Balkan dishes, plus regional spirits, offered in rustic-chic digs.
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Recent reviews
- ★★★★★Issabelle Frial
If you’re like me and you’re the type of person who wants to try everything on a menu, then look no further, because Ambar is the place to do just that. One of my girlfriends and I came for the all you can eat and all you can drink mimosa brunch deal and it is 10000% worth it. The portions are the perfect size so you don’t get full off 3 items and you’re actually able to try everything. When I say we ordered everything off the brunch menu, I’m not joking. Our favorites had to be the shakshouka, meat and cheese pies, strawberry waffle, and the fried chicken slider. The restaurant was packed and the decor was full of florals, perfect for spring and summer. I also want to give a huge shoutout to our server Marco, who was such a rockstar and kept our mimosa glasses full and had great recommendations on what we should order. Thank you for a delicious brunch! I can’t wait to come back and enjoy cocktails on the patio and try their dinner menu!
- ★★★★★Valeriia Levchenko
We had an absolutely amazing experience. The food was outstanding — incredibly вкусно, diverse, and honestly surprisingly high-level for the U.S. It truly felt like a real European dining experience, and my husband and I were genuinely impressed. Every dish was top quality, and the cocktails and desserts were just as exceptional. A special thank you to our waiter Marco — he made our evening unforgettable. Attentive, professional, and truly excellent at what he does. We will definitely be coming back!
- ★★★★★Zaghum Khawaja
We had an incredible experience at Ambar! The food was absolutely delicious, each dish was bursting with flavor and beautifully presented. A big shoutout to the entire team for their outstanding service. Everyone was attentive, friendly, and truly made our morning even more enjoyable. The non-alcoholic drinks were just as impressive and perfectly crafted. I highly recommend Ambar for brunch. The vibrant atmosphere was fun, energetic, and filled with a great crowd. It’s definitely a place I’ll be returning to!
- ★★★★★Cricket Y
I visited Ambar Restaurant Chicago and overall had a very pleasant experience. The atmosphere was cozy, the service was excellent, and our server was incredibly kind and attentive. We ordered the Unlimited Ambar Experience, which is a great way to try many dishes in smaller portions. While waiting for the food, we started with Turkish coffee, and the first bites — Kajmak with homemade bread, sirnica, and meat pie — were fantastic. I have to say, this was the best kajmak I’ve had since moving to the U.S. The rest of the dishes came out quickly. The beef soup was flavorful, although a bit heavy on the black pepper. The ćevapi had great taste but could’ve used an extra minute or two on the grill, as they were slightly undercooked in the middle. They were also served with a spicy feta spread, which is creative but not the traditional pairing. The meat pie was a bit dry. We also tried the Krempita for dessert. As a baker with a refined palate for desserts, I tend to notice these details, and while it was pleasant, our server shared that it is not house-made and comes from a local store. I was a bit disappointed, as I expected a homemade dessert to better reflect the restaurant’s otherwise strong and authentic culinary concept. Overall, I enjoyed my visit, and the quality ingredients and concept stand out. My only suggestion is to keep traditional dishes closer to their original form — Balkan food shines the most when it stays authentic. Still, I would definitely come back and try more dishes!
- ★★★★★Riley Phoebus
My wife and I celebrated Valentine’s Day here with the unlimited dinner and drinks specials. We were able to try over 2 dozen dishes and wish we had bigger stomachs!! What a beautiful way to experience the Balkan cuisine. We were blown away by the quality of the food and attention to detail. I recommend the intricate house sangria and tender beef goulash - non-negotiables for us!! Service was great and we felt very well cared for. Also felt safe as a lesbian couple. We will definitely be back with friends and family!