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Ambar Capitol Hill, Washington, DC
Award-winning

Ambar Capitol Hill

4.8
4.8
5081 Reviews
$30 and under
Balkan style
523 8th Street SE, Washington, DC 20003

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 72 times today

About this restaurant

  • Charming
  • Good for special occasions
  • Good for groups

Welcome to Ambar, the gem of Capitol Hill, where you are invited to explore the dynamic flavors of Balkan cuisine. What distinguishes us, is our well-curated, exclusive 'Dining Without Limits' experience, which brings you the soul of Balkan dining traditions. Our extensive menu boasts a variety of shareable small plates, perfectly paired with a vast selection of premium Balkan wines.

Whether joining us for a leisurely lunch, celebratory weekend brunch, or an evening of indulgence, our unlimited dining menu promises to deliver an unparalleled culinary journey. We excel in serving individual guests, as well as larger groups, and private events.

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Balkan style, Modern European, Eastern European
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch Sat, Sun 10:00 am–3:30 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 12:00 pm–3:30 pm Dinner Mon–Thu 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri 4:00 pm–11:00 pm Sat 5:00 pm–11:00 pm Sun 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (202) 813-3039
  • Website
    http://www.ambarrestaurant.com/
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Nenad Petrovic
  • Private party facilities
    Ambar is a modern Balkan tapas-style restaurant. With a desire to introduce Washington, D.C. to cutting edge Balkan cuisine, proprietor Ivan Iricanin has created a dining space that will delight and indulge the senses.
  • Private party contact
    Tamara Jovanovic: (202) 813-3039
  • Delivery & takeout
    Order direct
  • Location
    523 8th Street SE, Washington, DC 20003
  • Award-winning
    1. MICHELIN Plate 2022
  • Neighborhood
    Capitol Hill
  • Cross street
    E Street
  • Parking details
    Public metered parking via parking station is available along 8th Street, SE from E Street to our north to I street to our south. 2 hour residential parking located nearby in the surrounding neighborhood at E Street, G Street, 7th Street, and 9th StreetOrange, Blue and Silver Lines exiting at the Eastern Market metro station are next to Ambar.
  • Public transit
    We are metro accessible via the Orange, Blue and Silver Lines exiting at the Eastern Market metro station. Walk east to 8th Street and then proceed south 1 and a half blocks to our location at 523 8th Street (west side of the block).
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cafe, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

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Private dining

Menu

Ambar Capitol Hill's menu was last updated on 9/8/2023.

View menu on restaurant's website

What 5,081 people are saying

Ambar Capitol Hill reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.8
4.8 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.6Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • District of Columbia

    Best Value

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Ambar Capitol Hill delivers a "unique and delightful" Balkan-inspired dining experience. Visitors rave about the "unlimited small plates," offering a chance to try a variety of "delicious and flavorful" dishes. Known for "exceptional service," Ambar provides a "lively" atmosphere perfect for brunches, special occasions, or casual outings. A must-visit in DC!

5,081 Reviews

  1. Emily

    Washington DC1 review

    5.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We have a wonderful time every time we visit Ambar. The food and drinks are delicious. The service is incredible - quick, attentive, and friendly. We came for brunch for my 7 year old's birthday and they really made her feel special.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Danielle VIP

    Baltimore4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Top-notch experience all around! You cannot beat this restaurant's quality and value for tapas. Very pleased.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Michele

    Washington DC1 review

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Everything is wonderful! You can't go wrong with anything you order.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Skip

    Washington DC2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 27, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had brunch. The day was beautiful. We were in the streetery. The food was very good. Very good value.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Ron

    Louisville10 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 26, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    The concept of unlimited small plates for a fixed price worked wonderfully for us. There was such a variety of interesting and distinctive Balkan dishes that we wanted to try, so this dining concept was just right. The service was attentive and friendly, dishes arrived in a perfectly choreographed and timed parade of culinary delight. Particularly delicious were the roasted beet salad and spread, the lamb lasagne and six-hour baked lamb. There was a relatively inexpensive Sarajevo white wine that complemented the dishes with style and grace. I am pleased to be able to recommend this restaurant with utmost enthusiasm.

    Is this helpful?

  6. Jaclyn

    Atlanta6 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 20, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Unlimited brunch is definitely worth it! Great quality and many options.

    Is this helpful?

  7. Sydney

    Cincinnati3 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on April 20, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We’ve been here multiple times and it was our brunch staple. They’ve recently increased prices, which are still reasonable, however multiple things we ordered never came, came out cold, or came very late.
    Ambar Capitol HillResponded on April 24, 2025
    Hey Sydney, Thank you for your loyalty to Ambar Capitol Hill and for taking the time to share your feedback. We're sorry to hear that your recent experience wasn't up to our usual standards, especially with the delayed or cold food. We understand how frustrating this can be and we appreciate your patience. We're always looking for ways to improve and your feedback is invaluable to us. We hope to have the opportunity to serve you again and provide you with the quality and service you've come to expect from us. Best regards, Ambar Capitol Hill

    Is this helpful?

  8. Erin

    San Diego2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 20, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Loved the time at Ambar! Our server, Matthew, provided outstanding service!

    Is this helpful?

  9. Tammy

    Washington DC8 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 20, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Always fabulous at Ambar. Food and service are exceptional every time we are there.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Scott

    Phoenix10 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 20, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Such a fun Easter brunch! We sat at the bar, our bar tender was great, the whole experience was something new and different. The food was delicious and we had the bar tender just pick and order for us. The restaurant has a great, light, lively, vibe. We highly recommend the whole experience, you won't be sorry!

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Ambar Capitol Hill offers delivery in partnership with Postmates and Uber Eats. Ambar Capitol Hill also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (202) 813-3039.

Ambar Capitol Hill is rated 4.8 stars by 5081 OpenTable diners.

Ambar Capitol Hill does offer gift cards which you can purchase here.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Washington, D.C. Area
  4. District of Columbia
  5. Capitol Hill

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 72 times today
Google Map for Ambar Capitol Hill

523 8th Street SE, Washington, DC 20003

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Award-winning
    1. MICHELIN Plate 2022
  • Cross street
    E Street
  • Neighborhood
    Capitol Hill
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch Sat, Sun 10:00 am–3:30 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 12:00 pm–3:30 pm Dinner Mon–Thu 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri 4:00 pm–11:00 pm Sat 5:00 pm–11:00 pm Sun 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Balkan style, Modern European, Eastern European
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Public metered parking via parking station is available along 8th Street, SE from E Street to our north to I street to our south. 2 hour residential parking located nearby in the surrounding neighborhood at E Street, G Street, 7th Street, and 9th StreetOrange, Blue and Silver Lines exiting at the Eastern Market metro station are next to Ambar.
  • Public transit
    We are metro accessible via the Orange, Blue and Silver Lines exiting at the Eastern Market metro station. Walk east to 8th Street and then proceed south 1 and a half blocks to our location at 523 8th Street (west side of the block).
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Nenad Petrovic
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cafe, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Delivery & takeout
    Order direct
  • Website
    http://www.ambarrestaurant.com/
  • Phone number
    (202) 813-3039
  • Private party facilities
    Ambar is a modern Balkan tapas-style restaurant. With a desire to introduce Washington, D.C. to cutting edge Balkan cuisine, proprietor Ivan Iricanin has created a dining space that will delight and indulge the senses.
  • Private party contact
    Tamara Jovanovic: (202) 813-3039

Featured in

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