08-04-2025
Test Drive: Ambar's unlimited Balkan food
A new Balkan spot in River North is set to reshape your conception of all-you-can-eat dining.
Driving the news: Last week, the stylish, upscale Ambar opened its first U.S location outside the Washington, D.C. area at 700 N. Clark St.
How it works: Diners pay $27.99 at lunch and $56.99 at dinner for unlimited small plates of more than 40 Mediterranean-style vegetables, dips, salads, grilled meats and seafood, along with hearty stews and flatbreads.
You can add a beer or glass of wine for $7.
On the plate: Our favorite bites included the mixed mezze platter with freshly baked bread, almond fried chicken on apple slaw, lamb flatbread, braised pork shoulder, roasted trout and piquillo pepper.
Two of us were stuffed after 11 small plates.
Inside scoop: Our Axios D.C. pal Anna Spiegel tells us that even though Ambar opened in 2013 "and the novelty has worn off a bit," it's still popular, "especially with the bottomless crowd."
And by bottomless, she means all you can eat. Get your mind out of the gutter.
The bottom line: Between the lovely, comfortable decor, attentive service and delicious food, I can see Ambar becoming a local fave with the city's large Balkan community and beyond.
