AMBAR Restaurant, Chicago

Reviews

• JT

  Jeananne Takala

  Feb 22, 2026
  4.0
  This was an amazing experience. The food was amazing. Our waiter could have explained the unlimited options a little clearer. Not everything is included that is on the menu and we were under the impression that it was. We had ordered water and drinks assuming they were included in the unlimited option. The waiter never told us otherwise- especially after we told him everyone wanted the unlimited options. By the time we received the bill- for a party of 6- was almost 800 dollars. It is also very loud and dark in there- I had to take my phone out and use the flashlight to read it. If you are going to have these types of menus, please be clearer as far as what is included so other patrons do not have the shock we did. It ruined a beautiful night at such a beautiful place with such beautiful food.
• CY

  Cricket Y

  Feb 19, 2026
  5.0
  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!
• SS

  s

  Feb 16, 2026
  1.0
  NEVER HAVE I HAD SUCH A TERRIBLE DINING EXPERIENCE! We were off to a terrible start the second we sat down. The waiter did not introduce himself, did not properly greet us, and while pouring water he spilled half of it all over the table and said "oops" with zero apology. He disappeared without saying anything and came back five minutes later to wipe it up like nothing happened. We ordered two veal soups. After our entrees came out before our appetizers, we had to ask another one of the waitstaff what happened to the soups. Only then were we told they were out of stock, and our waiter came to ask us "how's everything" while STILL not telling us that we would not be getting our soup. That is something we should've been told immediately, not after waiting. Instead, our waiter kept pushing us to get tomato soup instead or something else while we politely declined. He came back five minutes later and asked if we wanted tomato soup AGAIN. We said no. Our order was an ABSOLUTE JOKE. Four tiny three-inch pieces of cevapi for twenty dollars with nothing on the side. Who is getting full off that and why is this labeled as an entree? The portion size is completely ridiculous and unclear. Half of our mussels also had no meat in them. They were also missing the flambée they were supposed to come with. When we brought it up, the waiter did not even understand what we were saying and responded that he “doesn’t know why it’s not coming.” It is supposed to be part of the meal, and that is an unacceptable answer. Halfway through our dinner we realized that our waiter had not brought out our drinks and had to remind him. The busboy repeatedly reached across our table and over our food, without asking, multiple times, trying to take plates we weren't finished with. At one point we had to grab our flatbread and move it to another plate because he was trying to take it while we were still eating. This is the worst waitstaff I have ever experienced. So unprofessional and disrespectful, and the portion sizes are completely misleading compared to the online photos. A great way to ruin someone's birthday!!!
• ZM

  Zlata Masya

  Feb 16, 2026
  5.0
  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 🫶🏼
• HH

  Heidy

  Feb 15, 2026
  4.0
  DELICIOUS FOOD! Rating it a 4 star because I’ve been here a few times now, and wanted to give constructive criticism for the restaurant to improve on how the order of food comes out, especially on special event days of celebration when they up charge the per person rate. The style of food here is unlimited eating and small portions. Yesterday, was Valentine’s Day and my soup with salads and most of my vegetables came out last :(. I couldn’t enjoy them due to being full from the meats and carbs I had ate already. There’s also no boxes to go because it’s unlimited eating. The restaurant was super busy, but better preparations could’ve been made to make sure the order in which food comes out to tables makes sense. Could’ve been a 5 star rating but within hospitality, service is priority. And last night could’ve been more organized for how busy they knew they’d be.