AMBAR Restaurant, Chicago
Faith F · 177 Google reviewsAMBAR Restaurant, Chicago — high-caliber mediterranean in River North. The atmosphere is half the draw here. The cocktail program is serious. Lillian L: "The best thing was the steak tartare: super fresh with a great texture"
What 2,618 diners keep saying
What 2,618 diners keep saying
verbatim, from Google
“Everything was delicious. We did “The ambar experience” totally worth it!”
“I mean, everything was so ridiculously good. We kept joking that we could just have a table of the potato wedges and be happy. The service was quick and good. Only complaint would be that the restaurant was a bit hot. Otherwise, amazing experience from beginning to end.”
“Amazing dinner at Ambar! Unique flavors, fun small shareable plates, and great upbeat ambiance. Will definitely plan to come back with friends. Marko was very helpful recommending dishes we wouldn’t normally choose but loved.”
“Took my team for a celebratory dinner and had an incredible time. Music and ambiance was on point. Food was tasty. Loved all the different options. Service was great and the drinks were flowing. Overall a fantastic experience.”
“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!”
“Good service here. Serbian restaurant options for all items you could want for $30”
“Good place! We decided to go with the $55 per person unlimited option, and the concept is actually very interesting. You can order anything from the menu in unlimited quantities, served in smaller portions — which makes it perfect for trying a lot of different dishes. We visited on a Sunday evening. It was quite busy, but the food came out fairly quickly. I really enjoyed the spreads, the tartare was excellent, and the shrimp and mussels were very good. The lamb flatbread and the mini burger were also great. And the bread — AMAZING. The bakery selection is truly top-level. The branzino and the NY steak were a bit 50/50 for me. For some reason, they completely cover the dishes with a spicy sauce, which overpowers the natural flavor of the fish and the meat. We were served by Matija — he was great, attentive, and patiently answered all of our questions 🫶🏼”
“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!”
“The food was excellent: flavorful, well-prepared, and perfect for sharing. You can really taste the blend of Mediterranean and Eastern European influences in the spices, slow-cooked dishes, and chargrilled specialties. Despite how busy the night was, the service remained attentive and smooth, which made the experience even more enjoyable. A great spot for a special occasion with consistently tasty Balkan dishes and a warm atmosphere.”
“Super cool concept—for $55 you get unlimited food. It’s small plates, so even with two people you can get a great variety, but definitely want to come back with a bigger group so we can try out everything else on the menu! Meats were the standout—the roast lamb was crispy and tender at the same time. The short rib ganoush was unreal. I also loooved the halloumi and the Balkan salad. Our server Nikola was awesome, and steered us in the right direction for all our choices!!”
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