AMBAR Restaurant, Chicago

“First time at Ambar and it was great.”

First time at Ambar and it was great. I studied the menu carefully and decided on the weekday lunch experience - great choice. It started with a variety of hummus and dips served with fresh pita. Everything was flavorful and well done. The $10 premium add-on is absolutely worth it. It includes steak tartare, New York strip, shrimp, and other upgraded dishes that really elevate the experience. The best thing was the steak tartare: super fresh with a great texture. Other highlights: - New York strip with chimichurri: well cooked and satisfying - Branzino: tender inside with perfectly crispy skin - Beef kebab: great quality meat with a perfect lean-to-fat balance, though slightly on the salty side - Corn ribs: not actually ribs (I misunderstood 😅), but still tasty. Overall, a very solid lunch and great value for what you get.

Lillian L

Feb 2026

“An amazing meal in Chicago.”

An amazing meal in Chicago! We had such a great time sampling new foods, we would absolutely recommend to anyone coming into Chicago.

Shelby S

Feb 2026

“I loved the place.”

I loved the place. Only $30 for unlimited dishes, just order several since they’re tapa style!

Violeta Rodriguez

Feb 2026

“First of all, Bo was a superb server.”

First of all, Bo was a superb server. From Beginning to end. Brunch was great. All dishes were Great! My favorite were between the sliders or the shrimp n grits, and my girlfriend liked the white flatbread. I’ll be coming back and requesting Bo be my sever!

Cesar Garcia

Jan 2026

“Our server Bo had extensive knowledge of the food and wine and was attentive without being overly so.”

Our server Bo had extensive knowledge of the food and wine and was attentive without being overly so. First visit, definitely not the last. Highly recommended.

Glenn Murtagh

Jan 2026

“Delicious! We had so much fun tasting all the amazing dishes on the menu! The unlimited menu is...”

Delicious! We had so much fun tasting all the amazing dishes on the menu! The unlimited menu is well worth it and so is the drink package 👌🏼 The unlimited menu is truly unlimited but they do bring out small/tasting portions of each dish but you are able to order as many as you want. It’s a great way to try lots of dishes and see what you like! We loved the traditional Ćevapi, the salmon, steak, and the shrimp. The pita was so warm and fluffy and paired well with all the fun unique dips! The cocktails were delicious too!

Clare Stetson

Jan 2026

“Hands down best dining experience ever.”

Hands down best dining experience ever. In any city I’ve ever been to. Great food. Great service. Great wait time too. Malak is an amazing waitress. She’ll definitely take care of you!

Christopher Morton (Chris)

Jan 2026

“Amazing brunch experience.”

Amazing brunch experience! There was a very kind and friendly female server at the bar. I forgot to ask for her name but just wanna give her a big shout out for the friendly service she provided! Overall food was amazing, served in small plates. Easy for sharing. Pita bread was super fresh, came out hot and delicious. Christmas decorations were absolutely stunning and pretty. Got popular very soon for brunch on a Sunday and servers DO need to check in more. It took us a while to order food every time just because how busy it got. We also upgraded to premium unlimited drinking menu which was more like meh. All drinks were premade. Nothing special. My favorite was the kiwi smash. Street parking was easy to find.

Sy W

Jan 2026

“Loved everything.”

Loved everything! Just did a La carte instead of $55 AYCE and it was enough food for everyone and came to about ~$40pp. Portions are pretty small even for a La carte.

Ami Brannan

Jan 2026

“From the moment you walk in, the energy hits ..”

From the moment you walk in, the energy hits ... warm, vibrant... The space feels intimate yet buzzing, perfect for date night or a celebratory dinner with friends. The food? Unreal. Every dish is packed with bold Balkan flavors, beautifully plated, and meant to be shared (which makes it dangerously easy to keep ordering). The small plates let you try everything without commitment, and honestly… I didn’t want the night to end. Service was attentive without being overbearing, and the pacing of the meal felt thoughtful and intentional. It’s one of those places where you can tell care goes into every detail If you’re looking for a restaurant that feels special but still fun, elevated but not stuffy . . Ambar is it. Easily one of my favorite dining experiences in Chicago.

Zoe Christenson

Dec 2025

“Really tasty food.”

Really tasty food. 5 stars for the concept of unlimited tapas style! I loved the beef goulash, flatbread, cevapi, cauliflower, and branzino. I did not like the croquette or beet salad. I desperately wanted to eat Krempita here on my birthday but they were sadly out.

Hira S

Dec 2025

“10/10 experience.”

10/10 experience. nothing but great and amazing things to say about this restaurant. service was just phenomenal. the way everyone flows and works together is awesome. the food was just spectacular. the unlimited deals for food and drinks was 100% worth it. if i ever come back to chicago i will definitely be back and will always recommend people here. had a great experience with marco, amazing server and very sweet and patient. no complaints.

cadence layden

Dec 2025