AMBAR Restaurant, Shaw

Reviews

• TC

  Tracy Chan

  2 days ago
  5.0
  A good experience for a large group of friends! We had Rebecca as a server and she was extremely friendly and attentive. Really appreciate the good service and attention. Food is okay, you come for the small plate experience. But service is exceptional. Thank you Rebecca!
• CC

  Chloe

  Jan 4, 2026
  4.0
  AMBAR was excellent. I’m a big fan of restaurants that do things differently—places that introduce you to dishes or flavor combinations you’d never think to make at home, yet somehow they just work. AMBAR is exactly that kind of restaurant, and it’s genuinely inspiring from a cooking perspective. The all-you-can-eat tapas concept was fantastic. Portion sizes were perfect for tasting a little bit of everything, and each dish felt thoughtfully crafted with unique, bold flavors. You can really tell that a lot of care and intention goes into the food here. Some standout dishes: • The lamb lasagna was great—and this is coming from someone who normally isn’t a fan of lamb. • The fried chicken with apple wasabi slaw absolutely blew me away. I didn’t even know that combination existed, let alone worked, but it was incredible. The chicken was juicy, and the slaw was fresh, sharp, and perfectly balanced. • The cauliflower was surprisingly one of my favorite dishes. I love vegetables, but I’ve never raved about one before—this was truly outstanding. • The stuffed cabbage was really good, and the fries were delicious as well. One small note: they automatically bring out large pieces of pita and cornbread without asking, which felt a bit sneaky since it definitely fills you up quickly. Not a dealbreaker, but worth knowing if you want to save room for the tapas. While the experience was amazing, it did feel expensive. The all-you-can-eat option is $49.99 per person without dessert, and dessert costs extra per person. We skipped dessert, and it was still a pricey meal after tip. To really make it worth it, you should come hungry and try as many dishes as possible. That said, this is absolutely a place I would return to. It’s creative, memorable, and one of those restaurants that leaves you thinking about the food long after you’ve left. Highly recommend if you enjoy trying new flavors and cuisines and appreciate thoughtfully executed dishes.
• CR

  Camilo Rozo

  Jan 2, 2026
  5.0
  This was a really nice experience, from the moment you walk in the environment is friendly and classy, the food is fantastic, there’s not a single menu item I did not enjoy. Every vegetable is tasteful and the whole thing is well crafted. Amazing service by Maria as well
• TP

  TIFFANY PHILLIPS

  Dec 27, 2025
  5.0
  We’ve visited several Ambar locations, but this one has officially become our #1! Our server, Rebeca P., was absolutely fantastic. She gave us the best tips on what to order, and every recommendation was spot on. She also made sure our drinks were always topped off and that we had everything we needed. It was a perfect experience from start to finish. We’ll definitely be back to see her!
• RD

  Russ Dean

  Dec 16, 2025
  5.0
  Ask to sit upstairs. Much better ambiance there with the Cherry Blossoms. We love Ambar and enjoy this location, it feels less cramped than Cap Hill, but doesn't offer lunch during the week which is a steal for $33. Dinner with unlimited drinks for the $72 special is a best value in DC for the experience IMO. Pay with InKind app to get 20% money back or bonus coupons. Absolutely appreciate the loyalty program and it's savings. Can't beat it. Our service has always been great and most dishes are delivered hot and quality stays consistent. Pro Tip... Order that KIWI SMASH! Sweet, but delicious! And don't leave without a plate of drunken muscles, or 5.