Our company division recently hosted a team offsite in the DMV area, and to encourage us to meet new colleagues, we were placed into small groups of 10-12 people where a local colleague selected a restaurant for the group. I chose Ambar for my group, and I'm very pleased with our selection. Food Most of our group had dietary restrictions. Several of us were gluten free, and one person was both nut and seafood free. Ambar did an excellent job curating a menu that worked for everyone without making anyone feel like an afterthought. We opted for the Chef's Table experience, which included a spread tasting with veggie sticks and a variety of dishes that were clearly labeled and thoughtfully prepared: * Bean hummus - GF / DF / NF * Ajvar - GF / DF / NF * Balkan salad - GF / DF / NF (one prepared without feta cheese) * Baby carrots - GF / DF / NF (one prepared without tofu sauce) * Roasted peppers - GF / DF / NF * Cauliflower - GF / DF / NF * Baked beans - GF / DF / NF * Roasted lamb - GF / DF / NF * Stuffed pork belly "Sarma" - GF / DF / NF * Brussels sprouts - GF / DF / NF (one prepared without yogurt and bacon) * Seafood platter Everything was flavorful, well-seasoned, and beautifully presented. The meal was so delicious that I didn't even manage to get photos of everything, which rarely happens for me. Just know we dined very well and left completely satisfied. Service The staff was wonderful from start to finish. From the event team member who served as our account manager, to the chef, to the servers and wait staff, everyone was attentive and accommodating. They handled our dietary needs with care and professionalism and made sure our group felt taken care of throughout the evening. Pricing We paid a set fee that we were able to negotiate, and the final rate wasn't too bad for a group experience like this. Just keep in mind that there is an admin fee, a 20% gratuity, and taxes added on top, so be sure to factor that into your planning if you're booking a group event. Overall, I'd absolutely recommend Ambar for group dining, especially if you have guests with dietary restrictions. They made coordination easy, delivered great food, and created a memorable dining experience for our team. read more

AMBAR Restaurant, Capitol Hill - Modern European Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Food? Fantastic Service? Impeccable (Sierra, you rock!!) Atmosphere? Chill; a perfect lazy-Sunday brunch vibes (music at the perfect volume for talking, tables not too close together, Spanish-style decor) HIGHLY recommend!!! read more

Waitress was so snippy Came in for lunch late. Waited for dinner. I had to call for service. Starving- we were treat to water only twice during the whole service. I got polite rudeness. I tipped 18 percent but I am forestalling future visits for a very very long while. The drunken mussels were very tasty. read more

Always a great experience here! It seems like it doesn't matter what you order (we went for the bottomless brunch) and the food will be good. Service was great as the server came back at just the right times to ask if we wanted to put more orders in. We sat outside and enjoyed the weather on a nice spring day! read more

AMBAR Restaurant, Capitol Hill - Modern European Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Valentine's day, we didn't have a reservation, but we were seated outside. There was a little heater in there, made it comfortable. Service was a little slow, but we ordered so many things at one time so we didn't have to keep waiting. Food was alright. Enjoyed my company. Street parking read more

See all

Brunch at Ambar is unforgettable! The endless tapas styled plates is the way to go as it offers a way to sample the entire menu without overstuffing yourself. And they offer lunch and dinner in the unlimited forms as well, so you not just constricted to the brunch times for the endless options for 2 hours at a time. The venue is spacious with seating available upstairs and downstairs. They even offered mocktails that were not listed on the menu as the server was willing to be very accommodating to our group. The meats were tender, the waffles were soft, the flatbreads were perfectly size, the meat pie was airy, and the donuts were soft. Everything about the experience was immaculate! I would return time and time again. read more

See all

Ambar can be quite cost-effective if you plan it right and come hungry. Some dishes are worthwhile, like the lamb lasagna and slow roasted lamb. Others didn't quite hit the mark for me, but that's the nature of exploring a big menu. The ambiance is pleasant and the service is efficient, though it could feel a touch more personal. I'd say try it once, you'll know if it's for you. read more

See all

After hearing all of the hype, we came here for the $36.99 weekend brunch buffet. The place was packed as expected, so much so that we ended up with bar seating despite having reservations. The restaurant itself has a casual vibe with a touch of upscale. The first round of food, chosen by the waiter, included all the highlights to start with. They were the showstoppers! We especially loved the sampler spread, Balkan kebab, and cheese pie. For the second round, we ordered on our own, but the dishes were just average. The steak was a bit chewy, and the shrimp and grits had only one shrimp and very little flavor. Where the brunch really fell short was dessert. The waffle tasted like it came straight from the freezer and was disappointingly soggy. Overall, the meal started strong but lost momentum. Great for a visit to try Balkan cuisine! read more

See all

Fun spot and great service with so much space! We were able to get in on a Friday night with no reservation. There are 3 floors, with a different vibe on each floor. No elevator, but there's still an accessible entrance with a ramp. There's an all you can eat experience for $50 - really good deal. We used inKind to pay, so got a deal with that too - use my referral and you will too: HO75U4TN We ended up doing the a la cart menu but I'd go back to try the unlimited another time! read more

See all

Ambar! This Capitol Hill location never disappoints whether it's brunch or dinner, I always leave with a full belly and a fantastic experience. The service is consistently great, and this time I sat at the bar where I had plenty of space for all the delicious dishes I ordered. My favorite dishes to date are the lamb lasagna and the sausage both incredibly flavorful and so well-prepared. Ambar continues to be one of my go-to spots in DC, and I always look forward to my next visit. read more

See all

We. Had a terrific lunch. There is a large selection of small plates in an all you can it setting. Between us we ordered about 8 things. Cauliflower, chicken stroganoff, beet salad, Balkan Kebob and the breads and spreads were particularly good. Carlos Daniel V provided excellent service and suggestions. Inside dining area is very pleasant. We will definitely return. read more

AMBAR Restaurant, Capitol Hill - Lots of selection - Modern European Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Best happy hour. We had fantastic service and delicious food on their small plates happy hour menu. Yum- loved the fried chicken and cauliflower. The price of the wine is fantastic. This is definitely a favorite place. read more

What a yummy dinner! We stopped by on our visit to D.C. as my sister had tried this spot before and raved about it. Well, she was totally right! The hype is real. The restaurant has ample indoor and outdoor seating. The indoor area has nice mood lighting and a relaxed atmosphere perfect for any sort of occasion. Our server greeted us promptly and was able to get us an a la carte menu. We decided on the beef short rib goulash, a spread of the different dips, and cheese pie. The dips came first - my favorites were the ajvar and beet tzatziki, though I thoroughly enjoyed them all. The cheese pie was flaky and savory - I can see why it's a favorite! Lastly, the beef short rib was soft and succulent, pairing very well with the vegetables. All the flavors were so unique and interesting - it was my first time trying Balkan food! I have to say I can't wait to try more after such a lovely experience at Ambar. I would certainly come back on my next visit to D.C., though I'll be sure to save enough room for the all you can eat experience! read more

See all

Really loved the AYCE lunch here on a Friday. We were seated inside quickly and there were still plenty of seats there and outside. Our server stopped by and got us water and a refill bottle. We ordered a few apps and veg for our first round but plates just came out as it was ready. Fun experience and you didn't know what you'd get next. Quite a deal at $33/person for AYCE lunch!! Definitely recommend! read more

See all

Had a wonderful evening. Food was varied and delicious, service was very attentive and restaurant was pleasant and comfortable. Come hungry, and enjoy. read more

I love you! Ambar is one of my all time favorite brunch spots in DC. I've been frequenting this establishment for years and recommend to everyone to give it a try. The ambiance, beautiful! They always have upbeat vibes that help you to have a good time. I have never in over a decade of going here had an issue with the service. The all you can eat brunch is tapas style for about $40 per person (unlimited drinks are more). You can order anything on the menu as many times as you want and they even take dietary restrictions into consideration. Everything I've had is so good. My favorites are the steak, Sujuk flatbread, shrimp and grits, mini doughnuts, yogurt granola, and the strawberry waffle. At a MINIMUM, I order these items every time. Plz, plz never take these off the menu! Whenever my girls and I need a reliable brunch spot, Ambar it is haha. When people come to visit from out of town and want an authentic DC experience, Ambar is on my list of must do activities. Keep up the great work!!! read more

AMBAR Restaurant, Capitol Hill - Balkan mini donuts- top S'mores waffle- bottom left Fruit granola- bottom right - Modern European Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

See all

First off, great night for outdoor seating which they have. Our first time here and what an incredible experience! The food was absolutely fantastic and highly recommend the Experience. The drinks were great too. But probably the best part was Masha. She was a delight and made our whole experience really special! Can't wait to come back again! read more

Fantastic restaurant. Excellent food, great drinks, perfect vibe and commendable service. Absolutely A+

Amazing dining experience! Best bang for your buck. My date and had about 15 different small plates from the menu. The fried chicken, croquettes, peppers and baklava were INCREDIBLE. We tried a Rakia flight curated by our amazing server Mackenzie. Such a great dining experience for a first date or a girls night out. Was too busy stuffing my face to get any pictures, but the food, service and ambiance was top tier! read more

Came here for a bday! Made a reservation for brunch and was seated with our group very quickly, which was a great start. The food is unlimited, but I do think the quality could be a bit better. Some dishes felt a little underwhelming, like they'd been sitting out too long or weren't crafted with much care. A few things came out cold or a bit tough, and at this price point, I expected a higher standard. For example, some of the brunch plates were super simple (which is fine), but a few strips of bacon or a piece of meat that might not have been particularly tender or flavorful. Nothing was bad, but nothing really wowed me either. That said, it's still a super cute spot. There are a bunch of pretty seating areas, aesthetic plates/cups, and overall great vibes. I def get why people come here in groups, it's fun and cute, which works really well for birthdays or special occasions. Plus, the unlimited mimosas are always nice. Also cute how they bring out a complimentary birthday plate with your name on it though. Nice touch. read more

See all

A culinary experience, to be sure. Tremendous variety, a bit pricey, but you get what you pay for. The service is excellent. People will be coming to your table to clear off dishes and bring you new ones with great regularity. This is a high-end restaurant with a casual feel. I recommend that you take the menu slowly and methodically, as it is and all you can eat format. Each time you come back will be better and better because you will know what you do and do not like. read more

See all

Honestly, I go here so often and I'm never disappointed. Just recently I finally experienced the brunch and that was a fun experience as well. I didn't fill up on waffles the way that I thought I would, but some of them were very tasty. I must say the mocktail menu did leave something to be desired. I got the all you can drink virgin flight and only liked one of the drinks. Ambar is such a cool concept as in all you can eat tapas restaurant. The menu is good and because the food comes out so fast you can really get through a lot in the timeslot. Even though I've never been forced out of the restaurant. There is an awkward time where they close I believe between 3:30 and 5, like most every restaurant at that time on Barracks Row. read more

I have been here twice now - once for dinner and once for brunch. Dinner was great overall. I love spots that have bottomless small plates as an option. Our server first brought out some spreads and pickled items and a couple types of bread. This was great because we were hungry, so we were able to start snacking while we waited for the items that we ordered. The spreads were really good, with the standout for us being (surprisingly) the beet tzatziki. We also loved everything else we got. My favorite was the pork belly stuffed cabbage - it was savory and rich and so much better than I expected. The lamb medallions were also really good, cooked to perfection and yogurt and pomegranate toppings really paired incredibly well with them. We did get a couple drinks with dinner, and I particularly enjoyed the spiked mango lemonade. It had a good sweet/sour balance, and i couldn't taste the alcohol but I could feel it. For dessert, we both ordered the baklava with ice cream, which was a divine combination. Our server was amazing and super attentive, and he explained things thoroughly since neither my friend or I had been before. Brunch was the Sunday after Valentine's Day, and it was (as expected) very busy. We did have to wait 15-20 minutes, and the waiting area in front of the host stand is very small, so it felt like we were constantly in the way (it was snowing or we would have waited outside). We got seated and, similar to dinner, they started us with a few core items, which were pretty much the same as the dinner ones. We all did a version of the bottomless drinks, but they allowed us to get mixed levels (there are 2 bottomless options of differing prices) instead of us all having to do the same one, which I didnt expect. They were very quick on drink refills. My favorite was an alcoholic version of the garden spritz - it was light and refreshing. The food was not so quick, but it was super busy. The shrimp and grits was very good and we all enjoyed it despite a couple of us being pretty picky about this dish usually. We also loved the Mac and cheese - it was creamy and flavorful. The chicken sliders were good enough for us to order a couple times. The only disappointing item was the shakshuka, which had very little flavor. There seemed to be some confusion because they brought us some things we didn't order and then didn't bring us things we did order. I was also a bit surprised that, given the size of our party, they didnt bring us 2 orders of each. Most orders were for 2-3 people and some were harder to split than others. When I have been to similar places, they change the amount they bring out based on party size, so I would have preferred that since it took a while to get a second order of anything. We also put the tab on one card to make things easier, but I clicked the button to have a receipt sent and entered my email, but I never got it. I know my email was entered correctly because I immediately got promotional emails about my visit after. Not having the receipt made it difficult for everyone to know what was owed because we did get some different drink packages and then it wasn't clear how much tip was. Our server was really personable and was clearly running around, as were all of the employees, so I am not sure how much of our experience was because of the holiday or if this is how brunch tends to be in general there. It was still a good time and we definitely enjoyed the food, but it was just a bit clunky and confusing overall. I definitely want to go back and see if the experience is different on a non-holiday weekend. read more

Wow! Can't say enough good things about this place- from the service to the ambiance to the food, everything was 100/100. The dishes were flavorful and all had their own unique flavors. My top 3 would be the white flatbread, drunken mussels, and trout. There was also a lamb lasagna that was really good, I think my boyfriend ordered that twice. Highly recommend checking this out at least once if you're visiting DC or just live here. There's several locations but this one seemed a bit more intimate. read more

See all

I wish I would've taken more photos because this restaurant is great! I didn't take more because our table started devouring everything. We had a table of 12 -- because we had so many people we were given plates recommended by the chef. Such great Balkan foods: KAJMAK rich and creamy traditional Balkan skim milk spread AJVAR roasted pepper, garlic, and eggplant spread WHITE BEAN HUMMUS cannellini beans BEET TZATZIKI refreshing beet yogurt dip with garlic and dill URNEBES feta cheese pureed with chili flakes and a roasted pepper jam My personal favorite were the CHICKEN SKEWERS - chicken breast marinated in a Mediterranean bell pepper sauce and served with a mix of pickled onions and fresno peppers read more

See all

Make sure you make a reservation! This place is busy on the weekends. Service is good, it's a little stuffy inside but ambiance is upscale/casual. Cabbage pork belly: the cabbage taste a bit like sauerkraut. It's flavorful and the pork belly inside is moist. Mussels: really good! In a white creamy sauce Balkan kebab: probably my fav dish. Has a smokiness to it. Beet salad: fresh and light. Beef short rib: like a stew, saucy and good. Can't remember other items I tried but overall, it was a good experience and everything tasted great. read more

See all

This is definitely a place I will bring every visitor to in the future. I was in Latvia earlier this year and I liked this food better! The unlimited small dish concept is wonderful and well executed. We also did the unlimited drinks and they were on top of it--definitely didn't get the sense it was a run the clock situation. Our server was friendly, the vibes inside were great, and just yeah, this place is not to be missed. 95% of the dishes were home runs. Can't wait to go back. read more

See all

Delicious chicken skewers delivered from Ambar. These travel well and are good the next day. I've been for dine in multiple times and the food is consistently good and atmosphere is nice. read more

AMBAR Restaurant, Capitol Hill - Chicken Skewers - Modern European Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Good food, good drinks... Valentine was a great waiter! I would recommend brunch at this place to anyone who likes a little bit of everything. Much more room than inside than I thought. read more

I can't believe this is my first time writing this review when I have been coming here for years. Ironically, I have only come for brunch but really need to get here for happy hour and dinner. Very few places in DC still have a bottomless food and drink option for brunch but Ambar does! And the drinks included mimosas, blood marys and cocktails. They have a wide range of Balkan cuisine to choose from and select drinks. Its a great mix of small plate items with a Balkan twist. I usually sit at the bar and chop it up with the bartenders. All of them have been amazing! They are on top of all your food and drink orders and the items are served pretty quickly. They have a variety of seating options ranging from indoor to outdoor. Advance reservations are highly recommended because they do get full quickly! read more

See all

$27.99 for unlimited small plates, pay a little more and you can include dessert, and yes they have unlimited drinks la for a feee as well. Overall...let's start there, I would go back and plan to go back soon. The service was good, not great but good enough to get the job done. The food was coming consistently to the point I feel like we may have ate the tables food next to us...not our fault. But seriously the food was good, the small plate fried chicken. Is the one dish I wouldn't recommend, and the brussel sprouts were below average. But everything else I tried in the variety of choices was delicious. This is a nice looking place, and parking isn't too hard in this area it's also a hop skip and a jump from the Eastern Market metro. Pro Tip: if you do lunch start early 11am or 11:30am, there are less people in at that time. read more

See all

Tapas style dishes, the food was very good overall, I liked their salmon and lamb in particular. The service we received was surprisingly poor though. Our table was missing several sets of silverware. The waitress had an angry and aggressive tone, rushed us to order, was spent most of the time chatting with other staff members rather than checking on us. For the price point, the service was quite disappointing and I probably wouldn't come back for that reason. read more

AMBAR Restaurant, Capitol Hill - Modern European Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I reserved a table for a party of 16 for my birthday brunch. The process was super easy and simple thanks to Ms. Jovanovic! The restaurant looks small from the outside but has lots of seating both outside and with two levels inside. We arrived a little early and they were unable to accommodate us until a little after our start time. Our table was upstairs in a semi private area room with beautiful decor and high ceilings. We were right next to the bathrooms which were spacious and clean. The food was AMAZING. The chefs selection was great, my party and I thoroughly enjoyed trying different foods. Every plate that was brought out was something different and tasty. For $34.99 you really can't beat it. After an hour we got to order whatever we wanted, we loved the vitamin salad, cheese pie, and chicken sliders. The steak was also delicious! For $14.99 we got bottomless mimosas as well, the mimosas were strong and tasted great! Jacob was our server, although it seemed like he didn't want to be there (I hate working too I feel ya) he kept the food coming and our drinks full! I appreciated his swiftness for the duration of our brunch. The only thing I didn't enjoy was the added taxes and fees for booking a larger table. There was an automatic 22% tip added, as well as state tax, plus a 3.5% industry tax. The fees added on over $600 to the total bill. Overall Ambar had the best brunch I've ever been to and I can't wait to bring my family here for a brunch once the weather is warmer! If I could give them more than 5 stars I would! Thank you Ambar!! read more

See all

This was my first Ambar brunch, and Easter presented a special menu. WOW! The 4 of us tried over 2/3 of all the menu items. My faves: strawberry waffle, crispy chicken slider, cheese slider, Balkan mini donuts. It would take forever to write everything, but I'll focus on one - the cheese slider. Whoever invented it should win a Nobel prize. Fried cheese in a sandwich?! My goodness. You gotta try it. Great food and service. read more

See all

For this to be my first time out of all the places that I have been in this city, I'm actually leaving full and impressed. This is a staple amongst people throughout the city, but never took it up upon myself what a wonderful experience. It was a random brunch with a friend and it was just what we needed. Our server was on point along with the food, being delicious. read more

Okay, so fun! Bottomless brunch means something a little bit different in Miami - so I was excited to experience bottomless food and with such a fun menu! We didn't have a reservation on a Sunday morning - but they were able to fit us in, with the understanding we'd need to give the table up by a certain time - which was totally fine for us! Items I'm still dreaming about: cheese pie (but seriously, we ordered more than one!), mac and cheese, mushroom flatbread, smores waffle It was a busy Sunday, and some of our items came out incredibly speedy - while others took a good 45 minutes. However, we never had an empty table and I loved being able to try a bit of everything. The sizes of the dishes were perfect to ensure you didn't get too full too quickly, but actually got to sample a variety of dishes. read more

See all

The food was very good! I really enjoyed their "Unlimited Dinner Amber Experience" for $54.99, which even included dessert. It was a great way to sample a variety of dishes--I tried 10 and genuinely liked 7 of them. With such a wide selection, you're bound to find something you love. I'd highly recommend coming hungry and going for the unlimited dinner option! read more

See all

Ambar DC was an absolute delight! Masha was a fantastic server--friendly, attentive, and checked on us often without ever feeling intrusive. We went for the Unlimited Dining Experience with dessert and drinks, and it was so worth it. The Lamb Lasagna easily stole the show we loved it so much we ordered it more than once. The Lamb Medallions were a close second. The salads were also standout dishes the Vitamin Salad was fresh and bright, and the asparagus was perfectly glazed, not soggy at all. I had the Mango Lemonade (refreshing and just the right amount of sweet), and my friend really enjoyed the Smoked Sausage. Portions are on the smaller side, so don't hesitate to order a hit dish for each person in your group you'll want to taste everything anyway. Highly recommend for anyone looking for great food, good vibes, and even better service. read more

See all

Great service and location is perfect for outdoor people watching. Parking is relatively easy so I tried the buffet. They had a lot of filling food, and I tried most of it, but not enough to justify getting the buffet because although the food was good, I only really liked a couple of things. They offered a good drink price for bottomless mimosas but I wasn't drinking. Next time I'm in DC and feel like day drinking, I'll see about returning read more

AMBAR Restaurant, Capitol Hill - I had like 3-4 of each. Everything else was okay, but these were the only things I'd try again - Modern European Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

See all

1/12/2025- Ambar is my sister's spot, so I decided to join her for Sunday brunch. We had a 10:30am rezzie & were seated immediately. Unfortunately, we were seated in an undesirable area upstairs, to the immediate right in the elevated section. My seat was front & center of said section, in a walkway, inches away from the steps... There were available tables behind us in that section, booths, and countless empty tables upstairs & downstairs. After we bought my concerns to our server, she obtained authorization, then moved us. Once the seating issue was resolved, I enjoyed the Balkan experience, cool vibes, & catching up. We both ordered the unlimited Ambar brunch experience & classic bottomless mimosas. We tried several items on the menu including shrimp & grits, grilled hanger steak, tomato soup, meat pie, fried chicken, potato hash, smoked sausage, caramel apple waffles, Balkan mini donuts, and scrambled eggs. I couldn't try the meat and pork dishes due to dietary restrictions but everything I had was tasty. The unlimited brunch for $36.99 is a great value, which is hard to find on Capitol Hill. I will definitely return to try more menu offerings. read more

See all