Ambar - Arlington

Name: Ambar - Arlington
Address: 2901 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA, United States, 22201
Telephone: (703) 875-9663
Price range: $31 to $50
Rating: 4.6

4.6

3340 Reviews

$31 to $50

Tapas / Small Plates

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Ambar is the first modern, international Balkan cuisine restaurant in DC. Inside three locations in Belgrade, Arlington and Washington DC, Ambar blends tradition and heritage with creativity and modern design. The result is an unforgettable visitor experience that reaches all the senses with delicious food, unbelievable drinks and an atmosphere that blends comfort and high style. From rich food, fine furniture, interior design and the widest choice of the finest Balkan rakias, to our first class service – every detail is meticulously woven into an unique experience that will leave you breathless. Welcome to the best of the Balkans.

Make a reservation

Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Dec 4, 2022

7:00 PM

Booked 124 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Takeout

(703) 875-9663

Other options

Private dining

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Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Cuisines
Tapas / Small Plates, Balkan style, Eastern European
Hours of operation
Brunch Sat, Sun 9:30 am–3:30 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 11:00 am–3:30 pm Dinner Mon–Thu 3:30 pm–10:30 pm Fri 4:00 pm–11:00 pm Sat 4:30 pm–11:00 pm Sun 4:30 pm–10:00 pm
Phone number
(703) 875-9663
Website
http://www.ambarrestaurant.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Dress code
Business Casual
Executive chef
Dejan Pilovic
Catering
Please check the menu and options online<br />https://www.ambarrestaurant.com/catering-clarendon/
Private party facilities
Ambar is a perfect place for all types of private and corporate events. With our exceptional food and well trained staff, Ambar is the place of choice when it comes to your celebration. From small family gatherings to huge corporate events, we host your friends and business partners with equal care.
Private party contact
Jovana Zdravkovic: (571) 992-7023

Location
2901 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201
Neighborhood
Arlington
Cross street
N Fillmore St and N Garfield St
Parking details
2h free parking on a limited lot behind the restaurant on Filmore St.Street parking
Public transit
Clarendon Metro station - Orange and Silver lines
Additional
Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Featured in

Popular dishes

Veal Soup$6.00
bone broth / root vegetables & crème fraiche
Tomato Soup$6.00
house-made pesto / roasted tomatoes
Balkan Salad$7.00
tomatoes / onions / cucumbers / peppers / sherry vinaigrette / balkan cheese
Kale Caesar$8.00
baby kale / house-made caesar dressing / garlic croutons
Field Greens$8.00
young harvested seasonal local greens / tofu-pomegranate dressing / caramelized red onions / crunchy bacon

Vegetables

Grilled Vegetables$8.00
herb marinated local seasonal vegetables, warm hummus
Brussel Sprouts$7.00
crispy bacon / lemon-garlic yogurt
Baked Beans$7.00
cannellini beans / smoked roasted peppers / caramelized onion
Hand-Cut Fries$6.00
house-made smoked aioli / chef's spice blend
Cauliflower$7.00
parsley-tahini spread / pine nut crumble
Asparagus$8.00
thyme veloute / roasted squash / fried quail egg

Baked

Cheese Pie$7.00
crispy phyllo dough / aged cheese / roasted pepper cream / yogurt
White Flatbread$8.00
sheep's milk cheese / mozzarella / baby arugula / topped with truffle oil
Sudzuk Flatbread$9.00
house-made tomato sauce / smoked beef sausage / kajmak / oregano

Slow Cooked

Sarma 'Pork Belly Stuffed Cabbage'$8.00
oven-baked for eight hours with root vegetables / rice / smoked peppers
Beef Short Rib Goulash$10.00
Wells Family Farm beef braised for five hours in red wine reduction, served with trofie pasta
Slow Roasted Lamb$12.00
Marcho Farms lamb shoulder roasted for six-hours served with braised potatoes, onions & carrots
Stuffed Pepper$9.00
local harvest bell peppers stuffed with house-ground Wells Family Farm beef and raisin rice, served with creamy dill sauce

Chef Delicacies

Lamb Lasagna$10.00
Marcho Farms lamb / eggplant / tomato / béchamel & dill
Braised Steak & Frites$10.00
hanger steak / house fries & kajmak sauce
Fried Chicken$8.00
24-hour marinated chicken breast / panko-almond crusted / apple-wasabi slaw
Pepper Croquette$8.00
piquillo peppers / kajmak / aged sheep cheese; served with cranberry chutney
Steak Tartar$11.00
pine nut pesto butter / chili aioli / crispy

From 'Charcoal' Grill

Cevapi 'Balkan Kebab'$11.00
house-made Wells Family Farm beef sausages, served with rosted pepper & feta cheese emulsion
Pork Neck$9.00
miso-mustard tarragon sauce / peanut & bacon crumble / potato gratin
Chicken Skewers$8.00
24-hour brined and marinated overnight in spicy ajvar / pickled vegetables / kajmak sauce
Meatballs$11.00
house ground Wells Family Farm beef / bacon / gouda cheese / chili flakes / tomato sauce
Smoked Sausage$10.00
house-smoked pork sausage / Ambar mustard / cabbage slaw

Seafood

Salmon$10.00
sesame crusted and seared atlantic salmon, served with eggplant jam
Drunken Mussels$8.00
steamed with capers, lemon & house-made rakija garlic cream sauce
Grilled Shrimp$9.00
shrimp marinated with house made rub, served with corn puree
Fish of the Day$10.00
fillet of locally sourced fish, crispy skin, served with fingerling potato salad and lemon-chilli sauce

Cold Press Juices

$4.50

Appleberry Lush
apple / carrot / strawberry
Beets & Treats
beet / apple / carrot / orange / lemon
Green Cheer
cucumber / spinach / lemon / apple / orange

Coffee

Espresso$3.25
Drip Coffee$2.95
Macchiato$4.95
Cappuccino$4.95
Turkish Coffee$5.00
with a Turkish delight

Signature Cocktails

Summer Breeze
gin / grapefruit juice / honey syrup
Cosmo Flip
vodka / grapes / cranberry juice

Beer

Bud Light
Goose Island IPA

Hand-Crafted Non Alcoholic

$4.50

Rosemary Lemonade
Arnold Palmer
Berry Hibiscus Soda
Ginger Green Tea Soda

What 3,340 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6

4.6 based on recent ratings

4.6Food
4.5Service
4.6Ambience
4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Virginia - DC Suburbs
Most Booked

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OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
1 review
vip
5.0
1 review
Dined today
overall5food5service5ambience5
We left our hot sauce, can you please keep the hot sauce, we would like to pick it up tomorrow. Thank you.
w
wolfytoo
Washington DC
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined 4 days ago
overall3food4service2ambience3
staff very impersonal. didn't seem to give a darn about us and our needs.
AS
AlixS
Washington DC
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined 7 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience4
Really amazing food with safe practices for celiacs.
D
Debs
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined 7 days ago
overall4food4service4ambience4
We went there with an open mind and we were pleasantly surprised! Will certainly go back.
BP
BobP
Washington DC
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on November 26, 2022
overall4food3service3ambience4
It was frustrating to get seated this time, and I have been many times. Had the reservation, requested a booth in the reservation and it seemed to overwhelm the hostess when I reminded her of the request. And then people were waiting to be seated for several minutes, but there were numerous open booths and tables. People were kept waiting for no reason at all. The food seemed off this time as well- normally excellent. Today very average -
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 26, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
Great food and excellent service. Good value for $$’s
D
Deepti
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on November 26, 2022
overall4food4service3ambience5
Table wasn’t ready at time reserved for even though it just opened. We had to wait an additional 10minutes to be seated with no one there
MJ
MJC2
Baltimore
9 reviews
vip
5.0
9 reviews
Dined on November 25, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience3
Great variety of delicious meals, and a fun way to share food as a table.
AG
AnnaG
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on November 25, 2022
overall4food4service4ambience4
Wonderful food, attentive service. we had a great experience.
DI
DavidInDC
Washington DC
27 reviews
vip
5.0
27 reviews
Dined on November 20, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great food & service as usual - we’ll be back!
DF
DinerFromAshburn
Washington DC
16 reviews
vip
5.0
16 reviews
Dined on November 20, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
The Sunday brunch Food and service was excellent. Highly recommend this place for the wide variety of small plates on the menu. The main dining area was bright, cheerful and vibrant. Unfortunately that’s not where we were seated. We were first group to be seated in the empty basement which was dark a little too quiet at first. We do plan to return and hope to be seated upstairs in the sunlit dining area next time.
HS
HeatherS
Houston
8 reviews
vip
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on November 20, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Food was excellent and staff were attentive
t
tonyg
Washington DC
3 reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Dined on November 20, 2022
overall4food4service4ambience3
The evening was good. It started off with the waitress asking us if we wanted some cocktails from their menu. They were perfect. Timing was excellent. Then we got to the meal which was delicious. We were very hungry, so we ordered the unlimited dinner. Similar to Tapas but Balkan. I hadn’t been in several years, and noticed the menu was greatly reduced. We still had a GREAT meal.
LV
LoveVeganFood
Philadelphia
33 reviews
vip
2.0
33 reviews
Dined on November 20, 2022
overall2food2service2ambience3
Food was sparse and mediocre. Service was unfriendly. Not going back.
J
Javi
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 19, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
I got there on the minute and was brought down to my table. I really enjoyed the food there, everything was expedited given the nature of the cuisine and experience. I will certainly be back.
w
wilderprospect
Washington DC
29 reviews
4.0
29 reviews
Dined on November 13, 2022
overall4food5service4ambience3
Delicious food, good service, very loud but still able to hear the company at the table.
g
george
Washington DC
16 reviews
4.0
16 reviews
Dined on November 12, 2022
overall4food5service5ambience3
Great food and service. Our waiter was exceptional; we didn't even select anything from the menu, he picked all the plates for us and they were all very tasty and with a good mix of meat and non-meat dishes.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 12, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Had an amazing experience at Ambar. Service was fast, food was amazing, and the staff was incredibly friendly and ready to accommodate my friend’s celiac dietary restrictions. They have a whole gluten free/allergy menu, too! Will definitely be coming back. $42 for all you can eat brunch + drinks for only 25¢ extra? Unbeatable!
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on November 12, 2022
overall2food2service5ambience5
Food was subpar and not Eastern European at all.
h
hope
Washington DC
3 reviews
4.0
3 reviews
Dined on November 11, 2022
overall4food3service4ambience3
Second visit to Ambar, for dinner this time, still a lovely experience and we enjoyed trying all of the dishes. There are some definite superstars: the pepper croquettes, grilled shrimp, 6 hour lamb, roasted cauliflower, and brussel sprouts, and a few dishes that could use some tweaking: the goulash, lamb lasagna, and asparagus. Overall a lovely evening!
Y
Yari
Washington DC
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on November 6, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
This was my second time coming to Ambar and it still exceeded my expectations. The food is always tasty and it's always a good time.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
7 reviews
4.0
7 reviews
Dined on November 6, 2022
overall4food4service5ambience4
Our waiter is very attentive and really nice. The food was pretty good. Will definitely come back!
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
2 reviews
2.0
2 reviews
Dined on November 5, 2022
overall2food3service2ambience3
My biggest issue is that making a reservation means nothing here. Not only did we have to wait for another 15 mins after checking in with the host but I requested a high table, and instead we were placed downstairs at a low table in the dark. Had the “brunch experience”. Cool concept. Food was good. Some things on the lukewarm side. But the brunch apertivo was prob my favorite!
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 5, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
It was my birthday and my boyfriend’s first time going to a brunch. Everyone loved it. The food was so good and came out very quickly. The drinks were also delicious!!
OT
OpenTable Diner
Tampa
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on November 5, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
This was our first time at Ambar and the food/drinks were great!
PL
PhillipL
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on November 2, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience4
Good food, great staff. Arlington, VA location. Glad we ate at a table outside along the sidewalk. The street noise was less than the volume inside and we were able to have a good conversation.
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on October 30, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great food from the grill and steak tartar is my favorite
DF
DogFaceSoldier
Tampa
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on October 30, 2022
overall5food4service5ambience5
Really great brunch and atmosphere downstairs. Food is good but several dished that should be warm, come out cold
M
Murphy
Washington DC
19 reviews
vip
5.0
19 reviews
Dined on October 29, 2022
overall5food5service4ambience4
Fun place to sample a variety of dishes !!
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on October 29, 2022
overall4food4service5ambience5
Overall great experience. The service was top notch.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
1 review
vip
5.0
1 review
Dined on October 29, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Will was a great server!
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on October 29, 2022
overall3food5service2ambience4
The most frustrating part was that the price of brunch when we reserved the table was ~$30 per person and without any communication, it jumped to $55+ after taxes n fees when we went. also the waitress was kind of sassy when we tried to order stuff. the food itself was delicious and the atmosphere was good.
D
Dragomir
Richmond
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on October 29, 2022
overall3food3service4ambience4
Some of the dishes are not really Serbian original dishes. There are much more good Serbian/Balkan dishes that can served for brunch. Rice in the Mushroom Risotto was not all the way cooked and dish was watery instead of creamy. This is not really Serbian / Balkan dish. Drinks offered during brunch are not Serbian drinks. Rakija should be served during brunch. Kajmak and hot peppers are missing on the menu. Overall good experience but not at all outstanding.
KB
KathyB
Washington DC
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on October 28, 2022
overall4food5service4ambience5
Everything we ordered was delicious - stuffed cabbage, ghoulash, shrimp, meat pie, baked beans. Wait staff was attentive and prompt but not intrusive. My only criticism was that we were given menus that had no indication that it was possible to order à la carte rather than purchasing the $50 per person price fixe known as the Ambar Adventure. When we asked about à la cart we were told it was possible but we had to specifically request a menu that reflected the a la carte prices. Ordering à la carte provided plenty of food at a significantly lower price than the Ambar Adventure.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on October 27, 2022
overall2food2service3ambience3
Overpriced and designed to squeeze $$ out of you…
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on October 27, 2022
overall3food5service4ambience4
Friends from out of town
S
Spunkyasian
Washington DC
12 reviews
5.0
12 reviews
Dined on October 23, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Our service was exceptional and the food was delicious and there’s lots of variety in the food selection. Our server was friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. Wonderful experience to enjoy many small plates that was nicely paced. Service was all around awesome! I’ll definitely heading back here in the future.
a
ariel
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on October 23, 2022
overall2food2service3ambience4
the portions are very small. and it's very expensive
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
42 reviews
vip
5.0
42 reviews
Dined on October 23, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Went to the brunch (10:45am). Service was great! We four hit 90% of the food and drinks on the brunch menu. EVERYTHING was scrumptious and was served expeditiously. I never knew Balkan food was so diverse and good tasting. We had a high top table and saw the entire room, plants, service, smiling faces - it was vibrant, positive, and a quality meal, that was worth every penny.
AC
ACE1970
Philadelphia
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on October 23, 2022
overall5food5service5ambience5
Great buffet. Make sure that you bring your appetite! Price was a little high, but we were able to sample everything on their menu.

Safety precautions

Cleaning & sanitizing
- Surfaces sanitized between seatings
- Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
- Sealed or wrapped utensils used
- Common areas deep-cleaned daily
- Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers
- Contactless payment available
Physical distancing
- Limited number of seated diners
- Distancing maintained in common areas
- Extra space between tables

Protective equipment
- Waitstaff wear masks
- Diners must wear masks unless eating or drinking
Screening
- Sick staff prohibited in the workplace

FAQs

Ambar - Arlington does offer delivery in partnership with Postmates and Uber Eats. Ambar - Arlington also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (703) 875-9663.

Ambar - Arlington is rated 4.6 stars by 3340 OpenTable diners.