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Ambar

Ambar

Eastern European Restaurant$$$$
Capitol Hill, Washington
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8.4/10
298
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  • Stars
  • Tips
    Danielle D.
    "You must do the Balkan Experience, well worth the price, every dish is..."(3 Tips)
    Alexis L.
    "The drunken mussels are amazing!"(3 Tips)
    Byron W.
    "my birthday for bottomless drinks"(3 Tips)
    Stuart W.
    "The Balkan experience $35, buys you unlimited delicious plates of..."(2 Tips)
Tips and Reviews icon74 Tips and reviews
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  • happy hour
  • good for dates
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  • Behrad Eatsheart icon on user image
    Behrad EatsApril 14, 2014
    The Balkan Burger here is fantastic, the patty is almost like kabob, with onions are mixed in with the meat. It hast cucumber-yogurt and a roasted pepper cheese spread. A unique and delicious burger!
  • Cicely L.heart icon on user image
    Cicely LMay 14, 2016
    Our table purchased the $49 each unlimited special and we were not disappointed! The cocktails and all sorts of tapas were awesome and the service was so friendly and informative. It was wonderful!
  • Behrad Eatsheart icon on user image
    Behrad EatsApril 14, 2014
    Like other Sandoval restaurants, it features the $35 unlimited brunch, but here they serve full size portions and items like the Olivier Salad with Prosciutto and Balkan Burger are simply delicious!
  • Leemor Y.heart icon on user image
    Leemor YuravlivkerOctober 6, 2019
    Great food, great service. Highlights were cheese spread, sesame salmon, mushroom crepes, Brussels sprouts and for dessert: apple pie and forestgnocchi” 👍
  • Chris H.
    Chris HigginbothamMay 22, 2016
    The mojitos, the pork, the salmon, the Brussels sprouts.... all are to die for. Great food, drinks and service from Bisan. Came for a friend's birthday and it was the perfect experience.
  • Briana B.heart icon on user image
    Briana BaileyFebruary 26, 2017
    Love this restaurant! Great service and great food. LOVE the breads they make! Goes so nicely with all of the spreads and cheeses. Balkan cheese, lamb&veal sausage, Brussel sprouts, Balkan salad, etc!
  • Daniel M.
    Daniel MJanuary 14
    Brunch does not disappoint! The cheese pie, meat pie, and the cinnamon sweet truffle sourdough stole the show. Great meal with great service.
  • Rob Z.heart icon on user image
    Rob ZajdelAugust 13, 2019
    Came for restaurant and did the unlimited deal. All I can say is I’ll be back to try everything I didn’t eat because we got full. Try the orange chocolate gnocchi dessert even if you can’t eat more!
  • Behrad Eatsheart icon on user image
    Behrad EatsFebruary 15, 2016
    Order the delicious and creamy Drunken Mussels – Dagnje: rakija, garlic, capers, lemon, somun, & cream.
  • Adriana
    AdrianaOctober 3, 2016
    We had the red quinoa salad,the drunken mussels, and the ambar burguer. For dessert, the forest gnocchi (to share). Everything was excellent!
  • Dee E.heart icon on user image
    Dee EvansNovember 22, 2015
    The Balkan panini and Balkan burger were amazing. The traditional mimosa was a little strong, but the ambar mimosa was sensational. Balkan food is the bomb, always and forever. Very underrated
  • Allicat22 W.heart icon on user image
    Allicat22 WAugust 25, 2017
    Lovely dinner, introduced the kids to a huge variety of new foods, we really like the tapas! It's a bit loud if any kids or adults are sensitive to noise, but the food was awesome!
  • Terese W.heart icon on user image
    Terese WatersJuly 2, 2023
    It was a real treat to have such a tasty variety. We came in out of the rain seeking shelter and what we discovered was a revelation in every bite!
  • Washington Post
    Washington PostMarch 10, 2013
    A tribute to the former Yugoslavia and a style of cooking influenced by Greece, Turkey, Austria and Hungary. A bread basket ($6) introduces diners to recurring accents in the Serbian repertoire. Read more
  • Washington Post
    Washington PostOctober 16, 2013
    The rustic, two-floor room is no mere novelty act. Influenced by Greece, Turkey, Austria and Hungary, the robust food is good anytime, fall and winter best of all.
  • Byron W.heart icon on user image
    Byron WilkesDecember 18, 2015
    Love this place!! Went on my birthday for bottomless drinks and small plates and had one of the best birthdays yet. Great service too!
  • Daycation DC
    Daycation DCOctober 12, 2017
    Go for the bottomless brunch on Saturdays and Sundays! Don't miss the cinnamon sourdoughs and mini waffles! Read more
  • Danielle D.heart icon on user image
    Danielle DaSilvaJune 11, 2018
    You must do the Balkan Experience, well worth the price, every dish is amazing. Don't leave without a shot of rakija.
  • Metztli I.heart icon on user image
    Metztli IbanezAugust 13, 2017
    The potatoes and the mussels were fantastic! There is a happy hour from 4 to 7 many things at 5 boxes!
  • Mona L.
    Mona LisaOctober 25, 2014
    Great food and service. Brussels sprouts on yogurt with bacon was especially amazing. As was the Kajmak bar spreads. Amaze-balls
  • MK M.heart icon on user image
    MK McKenzieMay 2, 2017
    Gotta do the Balkan Experience - $50 unlimited drinks and small plates. Steak frites and salmon were my favorites.
  • Jimmy J.heart icon on user image
    Jimmy JohnsonJuly 24, 2016
    All dishes are served similar to tapas. Balkan Salad. Balkan Kabab and the Hummus are a few of my favorites ☆☆☆☆☆
  • Bitches Who Brunch
    Bitches Who BrunchJanuary 10, 2014
    The Bitches Say: B+. All-in-all, Ambar is a mixed bag. An A+ for decor and ambiance, a C for service, and a B for cuisine. Making its final grade a B+.
  • Jonathan K.
    Jonathan KeamApril 6, 2014
    Great food, great service, great ambiance. The gnocci forest dessert was sooo good. Don't miss this spot!
  • Jenniferheart icon on user image
    JenniferDecember 20, 2018
    Skip the main dining room at sit at the bar upstairs. Order the sour cabbage, it’s fantastic
  • Stuart W.heart icon on user image
    Stuart WrightJuly 21, 2017
    The Balkan experience $35, buys you unlimited delicious plates of everything!
  • Chelsea S.
    Chelsea StephensAugust 31, 2014
    unlimited brunch is fantastic!! the cinnamon sweet sourdough fritters with Nutella...to die for!!
  • Eric B.heart icon on user image
    Eric BreeseJuly 31, 2016
    Do all you can eat / bottomless. Meat dishes are good, but be sure to try all spreads.
  • Bridget G.heart icon on user image
    Bridget GaelMay 25, 2018
    Great margaritas & service is awesome, loved the outdoor patio ambiance too
  • Liz C.heart icon on user image
    Liz Caselli-MechaelDecember 3, 2017
    Been here 5+ times
    The Balkan Experience is amazing- defer to your waiter and have them bring you all their favorites
  • Venu
    VenuAugust 30, 2014
    Best cheap hh in cap hill. Largest selection of rakia in dc. My Serbian friends approve.
  • Alexis L.
    Alexis LongFebruary 28, 2014
    The drunken mussels are amazing! Some of the best mussels I've had in DC.
  • Shannon C.heart icon on user image
    Shannon CrabillOctober 9, 2013
    Great for brunch. The mimosas were amazing and you have to try the fried apples.
  • Aleksandra A.heart icon on user image
    Aleksandra ArcipowskaJanuary 9, 2018
    Love this place! Great atmosphere, super friendly service!
  • Angie H.heart icon on user image
    Angie HarmonAugust 12, 2014
    Bottomless small plates AND drinks. Balkan kebab is amazing. Balkan beer is mediocre.
  • Chuq Y.
    Chuq YangFebruary 3, 2017
    All you can eat/drink brunch is the best deal in the city.
  • Serena M.
    Serena MayMarch 6, 2013
    $4 happy hour cocktails and tapas (get the leek croquettes!)
  • Corey C.
    Corey ClarkeApril 6, 2013
    Try the Ђевапи (chevapi). It is delicious!
  • Grace N.heart icon on user image
    Grace NgSeptember 5, 2016
    The food here is ok, don't understand the hype behind it. Waited an hour for a table, they do not take reservations but the staff gave us free desserts to apologize for the wait.
  • Aisha
    AishaJune 1, 2013
    They have a great wine list. Ask your waiter for recommendations.
  • Jessica Z.heart icon on user image
    Jessica ZhangJuly 31, 2016
    food and drinks are great with a lively atmosphere
  • Djordje R.heart icon on user image
    Djordje RakicMarch 17, 2014
    It was ok. Portions are small (specially compared to the traditional). However it features authentic tastes and great quality of food. Overall a bit overpriced.
  • Rosie H.
    Rosie HendersonAugust 19, 2013
    Absolutely love the rooftop here. Perfect mix of peaceful and party.
  • Brianna M.
    Brianna MulliganMay 29, 2013
    Every Saturday and Sunday from 10 to 4, unlimited small plates and cocktails for $35
  • Tricia K.heart icon on user image
    Tricia KellyNovember 8, 2014
    Zucchini!!! <3 it was soooo good. Amazing service as always.
  • Ryan K.
    Ryan KearneyFebruary 10, 2013
    The food is good enough (except the overcooked pork tenderloin) to take the bad taste of generic lounge music out of your mouth.
  • Aashima R.heart icon on user image
    Aashima RattiJune 26, 2018
    Try the lemonade and the hummus!
  • Fallon L.heart icon on user image
    Fallon LeybaJuly 2, 2021
    my first tapas experience. amazing. got very drunk.
  • Gajtana S.heart icon on user image
    Gajtana SimonovskaNovember 6, 2016
    Authentic Balkan (Serbian) food.
  • Ken O.
    Ken O'June 10, 2013
    The desserts are out of this world!
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