Absolutely love this place. I think I'm going to become a regular here. The food is delicious and there's lots of variety. The service is impeccable and despite a relatively full dining area, our server was extremely attentive. I highly recommend Ambar. read more

I came across this amazing place as I was walking home. Amazing food, great price. Recommend solo and certainly with a group. read more

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We had talked up this place to our friend after the last time we were here. Tonight was not the same as our first experience. The food was as good as the last time. This time, however, our waiter basically ignored us and focused on the table of girls behind us. We never got our kebob, we never got our pork cabbage, and the worst part is they don't have the plum sherbet anymore. He seemed very inpatient with us and it really affected our experience. So much so that our friend was upset about it. We also were greeted by the same woman at the door as last time...and we were not happy to see her again. This place has fallen out of our favor. read more

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Not many Balkan places around, and I can't say that I've ever tried food cooked by someone who knows what it should taste like. Ambar, with a Serbian head chef, was a big surprise! They mostly do "all you can eat" meals, but these are more like tapas than tired Las Vegas casino buffets. Every dish was perfectly cooked and an experience in new flavors. Highlights included a veal soup, wild mushroom stew (bright flavors with strong mushroom umami), urnebes (a dip of mild peppers, other vegetables, garlic, and feta), Balkan salad, a stuffed pepper (with unexpected flavors and texture and a light spiced cream sauce), and sarma (stuffed cabbage with pork belly). Just as delightful were a old fashioned, made Balkan style with the addition of rakia (a fruit brandy) and plum syrup, and several deserts. I had house-made sorbets including one of mango pureé, a second with intense lemon flavor, and a third flavored with rakia and berries. They seem to be doing very well after only 3 weeks in business, and I can see why. The service was outstanding-- credit goes to Justin D and his Serbian assistant at the bar the night I was there!) and the decor was comfy but modern. They really do provide an experience that's hard to find outside of the Balkans! I'll be back soon. read more

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River North just got hotter with the opening of Ambar Balkan -- the brand-new spot serving unlimited Balkan tapas with a modern twist! From crispy roast lamb and juicy beef kabobs to velvety carrot ginger soup and grilled halloumi, every plate is a masterpiece. The vibe? Cozy, vibrant, and full of soul. The service? Absolutely next level -- huge shoutout to the amazing manager Stefan, our talented and handsome chef Nikola, cocktail wizard Mladen, and the super attentive team Mihajlo, Stefan, and Uroš! @ambar_restaurantchicago 700 N Clark St (Huron & Clark) across Godfrey Instagram @ambar_restaurantchicago You have to experience all you can eat Balkan tapas: Lunch Mon-Fri: $28 Brunch: $36 Dinner: $54 (A la carte menu is available too!) Pro tip: Come with a crew--you'll want to try everything! Already planning our next visit... #ambarrestaurantchicago #ambarchicago #AmbarBalkan #RiverNorthEats #ChicagoFoodScene #BalkanFood #TapasStyle #UnlimitedDining #FoodieChicago #SerbianFood #CroatianFood #BalkanVibes #ChicagoRestaurants #NewRestaurantAlert #Foodstagram #ChicagoBrunch #ModernBalkan #HalloumiLove #FoodieAdventures #EatChicago #StefanRocks #ChefNikola #BalkanTapas #SerbianInChicago read more

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Amazing unlimited lunch spot - totally worth it, especially at lunch prices! Things we tried & verdicts: * Pita bread with sauces - Great start. Every dip is different and worth trying; sets the tone for the whole meal. * Vitamin salad - Light, fresh, and perfect if you're trying to balance out all the indulgence. * Roasted tomato soup - Loved this. Right amount of spice and tang, comforting without being heavy. * Chicken skewers - One of the standouts. Juicy, well-seasoned, and cooked just right. A must-order. * Mac 'n' cheese with bacon - Absolute must try. The charred top and crunchy bacon bits take it to another level. * Fried chicken - Crispy and tasty, solid option, though not in our personal "top 3." * Crispy cheese sliders - Fun and indulgent, good flavor, but again more of a "nice to have" than a must. * Mushroom pilav - Pleasant surprise. Looks simple but tastes like a creamy mushroom risotto - definitely better than it looks. * Balkan kebab - Another must try. Tender, juicy, and perfectly spiced. * Waffles (strawberry & caramel apple) - Fantastic finish. The caramel apple waffle tasted like apple pie on a waffle, and the strawberry one was fresh and delicious. * $15 unlimited cocktails & mimosas - Great value. Loved trying different mimosas from the menu alongside the food. Ambience & service: The ambience feels like an upscale restaurant but still relaxed and comfortable. Service was quick, attentive, and very friendly throughout - plates cleared on time, refills and skewers kept coming without us having to flag anyone down. Conclusion: Overall, this is an excellent unlimited food concept spot, and going for lunch is a smart move since it's cheaper than dinner for basically the same experience. Great variety, several true standout dishes, fun cocktails, and a polished atmosphere. We'll definitely be back and highly recommend i read more

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Went many times and will visit this place many more times again. Amazing Balkan cuisine food, served in small portions if you pick the full menu option. Servers are friendly and quick. They offer indoor and outdoor seats. read more

AMBAR Restaurant, Chicago - Orange wine - Desserts Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

5:5 RECOMMEND! My friend and I prefer small dishes so the "tapas" style was perfect. When we were getting our plates we found ourselves wishing for smaller portions to try more! The Pita is 100/10 and the quality of ingredients is phenomenal. Wish we had one back home. read more

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Really cool experience, especially if you want to try a new food cuisine without committing to one large meal. The service was incredible and they truly made the bottomless mimosas bottomless. Would highly recommend doing the tasting experience. read more

AMBAR Restaurant, Chicago - Desserts Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The moment you walk in you receive a warm welcome. The service was fantastic and the waitress made sure to explain everything to us since it was our first time there. The ambiance was amazing and I love the concept of being able to try so many different things. The food was very good and we will definitely be returning to try the dinner menu soon! read more

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The food here is off the charts good! We had the goulash, the Brussel sprouts, the bean dip and the lamb shoulder which was the absolute star. Gorgeous decor and a large space. Service could have been friendlier and more attentive but still was the best meal we had in Chicago this trip. read more

AMBAR Restaurant, Chicago - First time trying Rakia, not too sweet and strong! Pear was my favorite - Desserts Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I am a big fan of the DC locations, and the Chicago location lived up to my expectations! The good is great, and no one can complain about an all-you-can eat menu. I have taken multiple people to Ambar locations, and each of them could find something that they enjoyed on the menu - no matter how picky the eater. The waitstaff were attentive, but they were a little slow at times. I think this was because certain large tables were ordering A LOT at one time, so I can't knock any stars off for this. After all, when 10 people each order 5 dishes, it is going to take time for the waiter to put in the order. The ambiance is great, and the place was certainly clean. Looking forward to coming back! read more

The food was good but wasn't outstanding. The vegetables were a bit too charred and thus bitter (asparagus, carrots). Brussels sprouts were better; they boil or blanch it before grilling. Trout was a bit dry, and the potatoes that companies the trout dish had a very bitter flavor. The lamb medallions had a bit of an spice but was mostly just lemon juice. The veal soup was very watery, with more teeny cubes of vegetable and maybe 3 cubes of veal; I suppose the intention is the taste of the meat? The salmon was good, moist and not overcooked. Brownie skillet was good but the brownie was more gooey fudge than brownie. We arrived late so some items were out. The bread was good. I felt the beginning sauces sort of tasted the same. Zucchini fritters were the best item on the menu. Service was good and acceptable. The waiters and busboys were friendly and I felt welcomed. They were very kind to us despite the timing. Would definitely go back for this buffet experience that accommodated spending timing chatting with your party. read more

Amazing brunch selections. My favourites were the mushroom risotto, steak and meat buns! read more

AMBAR Restaurant, Chicago - Desserts Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Sunday ,March 01 I cane for brunch/lunch.My first order was meat pita. 1. It came cold and it was very mushy.Meat pie should be warm and crispy. 2. i ordered mushroom pilaf.Taste not good.Again it came cold and taste was not good. 3.i order pork slider.Again came cold.The little bun should be roasted.Mine wasn't.Bun was not fresh so overall taste was not good. First three orders i had few bites and left. 4.My last order was Chevaps.They have been really good. Overall I am disappointed .For $37 I was expected better food. Sorry.Branka read more

The space was absolutely stunning, with such a warm and inviting ambiance. This was our very first time trying Balkan cuisine, and the experience exceeded all expectations. Our server, Matijias, was wonderfully kind, attentive, and knowledgeable--he answered all our questions and guided us through the menu with such care. Every dish we tried was outstanding, full of flavor and beautifully prepared. Be sure to come hungry, because you'll want to taste as much as possible. We can't wait to return, especially with a big group of friends to share the experience! read more

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Only basing this review on the Happy Hour deal that I popped in for- but it was a 5/5 experience! The ambience of the space is lovely, with nice decor and dim lighting. The bar seats were comfortable and spacious, and the entire staff was kind- especially the bartenders! They showed us hospitality Balkan style, and we couldn't have had a better time. We ordered the kiwi smash and that was a delicious, light drink. We also had small pours of Serbian liquor (bartenders rec)- so it was a fun experience. The pepper croquettes were also delicious! I can't wait to come back again to bring more friends and try out more of the menu. read more

A really good place to visit with friends and family. The ambience is warm and welcoming and the people are really friendly and kind . read more

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Ambar is such a beautiful and stylish restaurant. I love how they've taken traditional Balkan food and mixed it with a cool, modern vibe that appeals to both Serbians and Americans. The all-you-can-eat small plates are awesome because you get to try everything, but the portions are small enough that you don't feel stuffed. Our server was so sweet and went out of her way to bring us kajmak even though it wasn't on the menu. The food was excellent, the drinks were delicious and well-priced, and the whole atmosphere was just spot on. Definitely recommend! read more

We came for dinner on a Friday night and were able to be seated immediately. The space is large and decorated very elegantly. We really like the unlimited dinner concept, as it almost feels like dining at an all inclusive resort where you have a set price and you don't have to worry about the cost while you're ordering. We had about 6 dishes, which was plenty for 2 people. We especially liked the corn ribs and the almond chicken. Service was also attentive and made good recommendations on the drinks, some of which are Balkan liqueurs that i was curious to try. Overall great experience and looking forward to coming back! read more

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First time going today for AYCE brunch and honestly am very disappointed. Food took way too long to come out (around 10-15 min after each order with the meat and Benedict dishes taking up to 25 min which is hard to believe given each dish is small). There were a few dishes that were delicious but most were either over or under seasoned. However, the most disappointing part of our dining experience here was the awful service. Our waiter, Nicola, was the WORST waiter I've had in a long time. He was extremely rude, often rolling his eyes or sighing loudly when our group wanted to order one of each item in a section. He also told us in an annoyed tone that we couldn't order 20 dishes at a time... but we were a group of 10 and the dishes are tapa style so how are we supposed to order enough food for everyone for each round? In addition, after we would order, he would turn around and walk away without saying anything! I was shocked the first time he did these things and thought maybe he just had to run to another table... but he kept being rude the entire whole meal. For as nice as a restaurant as Ambar is, service like this is just unacceptable. I DISDAINED paying the 22% mandatory tip for large groups that was automatically added onto our bill. Would NOT recommend coming here. read more

great concept... the decor was half diner with aztec patterned booths and half bohemian. definitely wouldn't consider it fine dining but more of an elevated cafe feel. focus on the DIPS - they are so good - specifically the beet tzatzki and the olivier. the ajvar is good but it honestly tastes like the jar i get from tj's (...maybe this is a testament to tj's quality? :)) white bean hummus was good but prefer regular hummus. the shakshuka was pretty bland and didn't come with toasts -- make sure you when you ask for a pita refill that you specify if you want more than one otherwise you will get...one :) i would also pass on the white flatbread - it was almost too salty. we got the balkan salad which although nothing special, was a good accompaniment. the mushroom pilav was good but beware: filling - if you want to save room try more. my cousin enjoyed the beef skewers - you can choose to order 2-4 pieces. the "granola" was a good way to satisfy my sweet tooth but should be renamed as blueberry yogurt with a granola sprinkle! the waffles are served by the triangle - making it a great way to try them all! our server said that she was used to tables ordering more (haha) so we didn't do our best - guess we'll need to go back. overall $37 for a brunch downtown is a great deal! $15 for all you can drink mimosas -- i only had one so didn't take advantage of this as we were on our way to a show and i didn't want to fall asleep! the mango mimosa was very good. read more

We were in a large group divided into two groups, and our half of the group could not get any service. We were initially recommended to get a large meat platter but the order was never placed until much later, and we were specifically asked not to order seafood. Then we were served multiple pies and salads that we never ordered and ignored for 45 minutes. An hour into the meal and we still could not order any additional food items beyond the initial meat platter and random food items we never ordered. After flagging down two bus boys and a manager, more than an hours into our meal and filled up on salads, we were finally allowed to order seafoods and additional food items, but many of the foods we ordered were subsequently delivered to the wrong table in our group. When we tried to order individual meat and seafoods, we were repeated told that we will be getting a platter with all the items due to our group size, but the platter didn't contain items we wanted. We love red meats, but the meat platter contained mostly grilled chicken, and the seafood platter did not include any mussels. Then, after complaining again, almost 95 minutes into our meal, we were finally getting additional food items. At the end of the meal and receiving poor service, a mandatory 22% tip was added to our bill for being in a large group. Most food items were delicious, but the servings were small. Also, when the same steak dish was ordered a second or third time, the meat became chewy, fibrous, and tough (tasted like a very different cut). Recommend getting a snack before going so you don't get too hungry waiting for foods. read more

Always delicious food and radical hospitality. We did bottomless brunch- the drinks and the small plates kept continually coming! read more

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We came on a weekday afternoon for lunch and there was plenty of seating. The ambiance is nice and I loved the open kitchen concept. It was $27.99/person for all you can eat (tapas style) and kids under 7 are free. We tried the following dishes: -Spreads/pita bread -Grilled halloumi cheese: black and white sesame seeds, drizzled with sweet honey -Cheese pie: " Sirnica" traditional savory dish made with a cheese mixture spread over layers of phyllo dough, served on an ajvar emulsion and yogurt -Sujuk flatbread: Sujuk beef sausage, mozzarella cheese, tomato sauce, and oregano -Beef short rib goulash: beef short ribs braised in red wine reduction, served with orzo pasta -Roasted lamb: slow-roasted lamb shoulder served with oven roasted carrots, onion and potatoes -Pork belly stuffed cabbage: "Sarma" traditional Balkan sour cabbage leaves filled with a savory mixture of pork belly, rice and root vegetables -Pork shoulder: roasted pork with savory whipped potatoes and crunchy cabbage slaw -Cauliflower: fried cauliflower coated in a crunchy pine nut crumble, and served on top of spinach tahini pesto -Crispy corn ribs: fried corn pieces tossed in a Balkan chimichurri on a bed of whipped cheese -Brussels sprouts: savory bacon crumbles, served on a bed of garlic lemon yogurt -Eggplant moussaka: roasted eggplant, wild mushroom ragu and long pepper béchamel and topped with a blend of feta and Parmesan cheese -Baklan kebab: Ćevapi" traditional house ground beef kebab served on a spicy feta spread The dishes were hit or miss. My favorites were the grilled halloumi cheese, beef short rib goulash, cauliflower, and eggplant moussaka. The meat dishes were flavorful but not cooked well. The crispy corn ribs were good but difficult to eat since the cob was still present. The Balkan kebab was decent but was on the blander side. The pork shoulder and lamb were both chewy/tough and pretty oily. The brussels sprouts were overcooked and mushy. The Sujuk flatbread was pretty much like a pepperoni pizza and the edges were burnt. I was glad that kids under 7 are free since my toddler really only ate one pita bread, corn, and some of the flatbread but took a bite of everything else and didn't care to finish it. Service was okay. The waitress came by periodically to see if we wanted to put in more dishes. One of the servers gave us another table's dishes and when we told him we didn't order the dishes he argued with us and said they were ours until he double checked the ticket. read more

We came to AMBAR for a family meal and had an incredible overall experience. Our server Marco and all of the staff did an amazing job taking care of us. We got the all inclusive meal and ate like royalty because Marco guided us towards some amazing dishes our whole table devoured. The standouts were the almond chicken, pork shoulder, lamb, pork cabbage, Atlantic salmon, cheese and meat pies, croquettes, halumi, salad, brownie, and doughnuts. The ambiance was also super fun and upscale. Next time we're in town we'll definitely visit again. Don't sleep and miss out on this amazing restaurant! read more

Honestly I will say this the best value for your money. Unlimited food and they are not joking on that part. Foods pretty delicious and the wood fire stuff comes out pretty fast. Drinks come out rather slow. We had a weird comment said by one of the servers. One of my friends was very excited to try this place and he said that out loud. Then the server said "oh are you really excited?" Kinda sarcastically Probably ment nothing but, just a little odd. Other than that this place is pretty good, I could see it get to a point were reservation would be hard to get. read more

Great for brunch!!! All food items on the menu had so much flavor and more unique than any other brunch spot I've had. They have been open less than a week so there were some things they were out of. The team was so friendly, tables cleared quickly, and our bottomless flutes were always being refilled. Great value and we will be back! Also good playlist read more

Christmas Day at Ambar!! Delicious, festive, and welcoming. Great music and vibe. So pretty. Service a little rushed/disconnected but they were so busy -- the best: white flatbread, shrimp and grits (a little soupy) au gratin potatoes, salmon benedict, steak with chimichurri, veal soup! Shakshuka was a little too sweet. Pitas hot and fresh. Really lovely holiday meal. read more

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came here with a group of 8 and had the best first experience! this was mainly due to the service Marko provided, the ambiance, and the amazing AYCE deal which allows you to try anything and everything on the menu! overall it was a 10/10 experience! read more

AMBAR Restaurant, Chicago - AYCE dessert - Desserts Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The food was great! Ambiance was amazing as well. Great music, fast service. Would recommend to anyone wanting to try something new!

Went for unlimited brunch -- food and drinks. The plates come out like tapas, they're smaller portions so it's smart to order like 4 of one plate at a time. The food was incredible. Can't get over how good it was. The drinks? Amazing. Between your traditional brunch drinks and modern brunch cocktails, they hit the spot. Recommend literally all of it. I cannot get over how great that brunch menu was. read more

AMBAR Restaurant, Chicago - Desserts Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Ahh! This used to be Etta. Remember that? This is the fourth location in the states and the first location here. I had Carrot Ginger Soup, Fried Zucchini, some cocktails and some of the dessert. The staff and service is ambarrific! read more

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What a fun place! You have to get the all can eat deal to taste all the delicious Balkan food!!!Our server was amazing and helped educate us to what Balkan food is and her suggestions were perfect! We can't wait to take friends! read more

This is a follow up to my previous review where I complimented the exceptional cuisine but critiqued the less than perfect service. We returned a few days later to try things again, this time having the weekend brunch ~ a completely different menu. I've never really been a brunch person, but the variety was extensive and the dishes were extremely good. The Smoked Salmon Benedict was perfect and the flatbread was hot and tasty. All the dishes were as good if not better than the dinner menu.......which itself was great. And lo and behold......service was friendly and prompt. Many staff members came over to assure everything was running smoothly.......and Stefan the waiter was always at hand to help. I'm not sure what they did to tighten things up......but whatever it is, it worked! Kudos to the GM and everyone at Ambar. I truly believe you now have a winning formula for a tough River North clientele. We'll be back soon! read more

Just got back from Ambar tonight with my family, and let me just say this place does not disappoint. It was fabulous!! I wasn't that hungry, but my family wanted to do the prefixed menu and the entire table has to do it. I was outnumbered, So of course I did it and wow was it worth it!! The dishes, flavors, and the variety were unbelievable and our server, Mataia was so knowledgeable and explained everything to us. Everyone there is so nice and professional. We are already talking about going back next week. Definitely a restaurant you want to add to your list! read more

Loved Ambar! Delicious food, great variety, and such a nice all-you-can-eat option. Can't wait to go back! read more

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Everything is great. Best meal price in town. Food comes out quick, very flavorful and delicious. Cocktails are great too. Been back a few times already. Nice river north spot read more

The food is out of this world! The staff is very friendly and helpful. The restaurant look nice.

It's been a long time since I have left a Yelp review, but Ambar absolutely deserves it after the phenomenal dinner experience I had last night! Came in with a group of 18 for a bachelorette party. Had 0 expectations or knew anything about this restaurant as it's fairly new to River North but was excited since I'm a foodie and I've never actually had Balkan food before. First impression the restaurant itself is beautiful, reminds me of a modern European vibe, ambiance was warm and sexy. We were sat immediately and the host started us off with a bottle of champagne on the house. Amazing. Our server, Matthew (I sure hope I have the name right) was incredible from start to finish. He was warm, extremely attentive, detailed in explaining everything and was especially keen to ensure that those with food allergies/dietary restrictions were taken care of. There was not a moment where we were waiting too long for drinks or weren't asked about our next course, he was truly everything which honestly exceptional customer service is hard to come by these days. He made the experience so special and memorable for our party. Ok so the food - amazing. We had a pre-chosen menu and got to try all of the main things from the menu family style. The dips to start which were great, Brussel sprouts, salmon, kabobs, medallions, salad - everything was wonderful and went so well together. The standout for me was the cauliflower though - WOW. I could eat an entire plate of that alone. The idea was that it's unlimited with each of the items so the food just kept on coming and we were not upset about it. There isn't one thing that I would say wasn't great in terms of the food and cocktails too. All around I was so pleasantly surprised by this place and so happy that I got to experience it. Do yourself a favor and visit Ambar. I'm definitely planning on coming back to try out their brunch next. read more