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Ambar Capitol Hill

Name: Ambar Capitol Hill
Address: 523 8th Street SE, Washington, DC, United States, 20003
Telephone: (202) 813-3039
Price range: $31 to $50
Rating: 4.8

4.8

4228 Reviews

$31 to $50

Balkan style

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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.

2h time limit wont apply for brunch reservations made after 1:30pm due to service

**For parties of 6 Ambar Capital Hill requests a credit card number to secure the reservation. All credit card information will be processed securely. No-shows or cancellations less than 24 hours in advance may be subject to a charge of $27 per person**

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Party Size

2 people

DateTime

Feb 7, 2023

7:00 PM

Booked 98 times today

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Private dining

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Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
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 4:30 pm–11:00 pm Sun 4:30 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: (855) 993-1691

Location
523 8th Street SE, Washington, DC 20003
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).<br />
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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Popular dishes

Veal Soup
bone broth / root vegetables & crème fraiche
Tomato Soup
house-made pesto / roasted tomatoes
Balkan Salad
tomatoes / onions / cucumbers / peppers / sherry vinaigrette / balkan cheese
Kale Caesar
baby kale / house-made caesar dressing / garlic croutons
Field Greens
seasonal greens / roasted butternut squash / roasted red pepper / caramelized onion / crispy bacon / honey-pomegranate dressing

Baked

Cheese Pie
crispy phyllo dough / aged cheese / roasted pepper cream / yogurt
White Flatbread
sheep's cheese / mozzarella / drizzled with truffle oil
Sudzuk Flatbread
house-made tomato sauce / smoked beef sausage / kajmak / oregano

Vegetables

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

Slow Cooked

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

Chef Delicacies

Lamb Lasagna
Marcho Farms lamb / eggplant / tomato / béchamel & dill
Braised Steak & Frites
hanger steak / house fries & urnebes
Fried Chicken
24-hour marinated chicken breast / panko-almond crusted / apple-wasabi slaw
Steak Tartar
pine nut pesto butter / chili aioli / crispy capers / house-tosted bread
Pepper Croquette
herb-panko coated marinated piquillo pepper / stuffed with kajmak and aged sheep cheese / cranberry chutney

From 'Charcoal' Grill

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

Seafood

Salmon
sesame crusted and seared atlantic salmon served with eggplant jam, harissa and baby arugula
Drunken Mussels
steamed with capers, lemon & house-made rakija garlic cream sauce
Grilled Shrimp
shrimp marinated with house made rub served with corn puree
Rainbow Trout
crispy skin, served with fingerling potato salad and lemon-chilli sauce

Happy Hour Cocktails

Mojito$6.00
Light & Refreshing. Rum / mint / lime / simple syrup / house sour mix
Berry Daisy$6.00
Light & Refreshing. Vodka / mixed berry cordial / house sour mix
Ambar Old Fashioned$6.00
Strong & Boozy. Plum rakia / bourbon / cane syrup / bitters
Mango Lemonade$6.00
Sour & Tangy. Vodka / mango puree / house sour mix
Margarita$6.00
Sour & Tangy. Tequila / lime / agave nectar / house sour mix

Happy Hour Wine

Ambar Sparkling, Moldova$5.00
Ambar Sauvignon Blanc, Moldova$5.00
Ambar Rose, Moldova$5.00
Ambar Cabernet Sauvignon, Moldova$5.00

Happy Hour Beer

Yuengling, Pennsylvania$5.00
Lav, Serbia$6.00
Hard Apple Cider, Austria$5.00

What 4,228 people are saying

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

4.8Food
4.7Service
4.6Ambience
4.6Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

District of Columbia
Best Value

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A
Aleks
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 2 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Exceptional and a unique place to dine in DC. Balkan food is extraordinary, and the staff of Ambar is very eager to guide you through the process of enjoying in tastes and smells of their food
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined 3 days ago
overall4food5service5ambience4
Food and service was 5 star - it was a little bit loud sitting at the bottom. We think it was from one table though. We would come back again! Živeli!
P
Paige
Baltimore
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 3 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
Really good food, a pretty good deal for how much you get!
CC
CatC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 5 days ago
overall5food5service5ambience5
An absolute favorite spot in D.C! Excellent food and drinks at a really great price. I have been here several times and I swear it gets better each time!
A
Andrew
New York Area
8 reviews
vip
4.0
8 reviews
Dined on January 29, 2023
overall4food4service4ambience3
Good brunch experience. Automatic ‘large party’ tip included for a party of two because ‘we were using a gift card’. I’ll shrug that detail off in terms of the overall rating, but that’s a shady practice.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
8 reviews
vip
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on January 29, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Always a great experience and great service. Forever love this place.
Ambar Capitol HillResponded 7 days agoHello, Thank you so much for taking the time to rate your visit of our location and we're glad you had a great time with us. We're looking forward seeing you and your friends again. Feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions Nemanja Stojanovic Restaurant and Guest relations manager Ambar Capitol Hill
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on January 28, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Ambar never disappoints. Food was so good and service was excellent. I especially enjoyed the crispy chicken sliders and tomato soup. Will be coming back again soon!
Ambar Capitol HillResponded 7 days agoHello, Thank you so much for taking the time to rate and share your experience of your visit and we're glad you had a great time. We're looking forward seeing you and your friends again. Feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions, Nemanja Stojanovic Restaurant and guest relations manager Ambar Capitol Hill
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on January 28, 2023
overall4food4service4ambience5
This was my second time at Ambar, and my first brunch experience. The food was good. I enjoy tapas style very much. Sometimes the orders get mixed up or food comes out a little later because they’re always packed, but it’s a minor inconvenience. I will be back.
Ambar Capitol HillResponded 7 days agoHello, Thank you for taking the time to rate your visit of our location and we're glad you had a great time on your second visit. We're looking forward seeing you and your friends again. Feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions. Nemanja Stojanovic Restaurant and Guest relations manager Ambar Capitol Hill
f
foodogmew
Washington DC
2 reviews
vip
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on January 28, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Delicious food and impeccable service.
Ambar Capitol HillResponded 7 days agoHello, Thank you for taking the time to rate your visit of our location and we're glad you had a great time. We're looking forward seeing you and your friends again. Feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions Nemanja Stojanovic Restaurant and Guest relations manager Ambar Capitol Hill
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on January 27, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Took my partner out for a congratulations dinner and got the all you can eat option. Best choice, the experience was amazing!
Ambar Capitol HillResponded 7 days agoHello, Thank you for taking the time to rate your visit of our location and we're glad you had a great time. We're looking forward seeing you and your friends again. Feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions Nemanja Stojanovic Restaurant and Guest relations manager Ambar Capitol Hill
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on January 27, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
It’s not fair to give a review because we’ve been coming here since 2015. Everything has only gotten better! The staff, the owners, the food, the portions, the drinks… all of it has been consistent if not better!! Call me weird but I love to see it crowded. Makes me happy that people love it as much as me and my family do!!
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on January 22, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Such an awesome experience, the food is excellent, make sure to go with a very empty stomach.
NK
NickiaK
Washington DC
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on January 22, 2023
overall5food5service4ambience4
Sunday Funday Brunch! Hadn’t been to Ambar in a while but so glad to have gone! A little hectic with check In and seating….seeing that it was prime time for brunch and folks were having a great time, not really wanting to leave. And let me say, that I couldn’t blame them. Once we sat at the bar and ordered food and drinks, the marathon of brunch began! We thoroughly enjoyed everything, especially the veal soup!!!! Definitely would come back!
Ambar Capitol HillResponded 4 days agoHello Nickia, Thank you for taking the time to rate and share a little bit about your experience of our location with everyone. We're glad you had an amazing time with us and we're looking forward seeing you and your friends again. Feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions. Nemanja Stojanovic Restaurant and guest relations manager Ambar Capitol Hill
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on January 22, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Our first visit at Ambar Capital Hill coincided with RAMW Winter Restaurant Week. We booked an early Sunday Brunch reservation. The atmosphere was warm and inviting — we were promptly seated upstairs and greeted by our server. Peyton was very friendly and attentive. This was our first experience with Balkan cuisine — each of us selected 2 items from the menu at a time. Some of our favorites were Balkan salad, spreads and bread, cheese pie, Balkano sliders, cevapi, lamb sausage and sweet truffle sourdough. We enjoyed both savory and sweet selections — unlimited brunch was delicious and enjoyed by all! We will dine here again to try their lunch/dinner menu when we return to the DC area. Thank you Ambar for a memorable dining experience!
MM
MollisMan
Washington DC
44 reviews
vip
5.0
44 reviews
Dined on January 21, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
What a wonderful first experience at Ambar. We sat upstairs in the back room - much quieter than the restaurant as a whole. Our meal selection for the three of us covered most of their categories and no small plate was disappointing. Lamb lasagna, lamb sausage, beef carpaccio, stuffed cabbage, pickled veggies-just a few of the dishes we loved. Service was wonderful with Urof. We will be back. Thank you Serbia.
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on January 21, 2023
overall3food4service5ambience3
It was great food! But I would most likely won’t be coming back to this location for a date night. Unfortunately my wife has a very strict anti-inflammatory diet due to food allergies. Ambiance wise, it was very noisy. Definitely a spot for young 20s crowd. Felt a lot like a place where people go for the drinking, which is surprising by the great food quality. Only down side was the dessert, really felt pre-made storage for a long while, dessert. My wife didn’t eat much, unfortunately, and she couldn’t opt out of the all you can eat. So it definitely was a waste of money, due to that. I was expecting for more dietary accommodations, but I was wrong.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
9 reviews
vip
5.0
9 reviews
Dined on January 21, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
I truly love Ambar and it is absolutely my favorite brunch spot. I’ve always wanted to try their dinner menu, so I decided to go last night. The food was amazing! Which was no surprise. Now the service was beyond perfect. Roberto was super awesome! He was very nice, welcoming, friendly, he provided great service and treated us as if we were his best friends. Please ask for Roberto anytime you eat at Ambar.
SB
SaraB
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on January 20, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
I love this place. There’s a ton of variety, all the food is excellent quality and service is consistently good as well.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on January 19, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience3
Outstanding food and service. Every dish we ordered from the unlimited dinner menu was delicious, except for maybe the desserts that were a bit underwhelming, especially the soggy baklava.
NV
NikolaV
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on January 19, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Me and my girlfriend enjoyed dinner very much, food was excellent and service was awesome 👌
MP
MonniquerP
Washington DC
2 reviews
2.0
2 reviews
Dined on January 19, 2023
overall2food2service5ambience4
Majority of our dishes came out Luke warm or cold.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on January 18, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
Absolutely fantastic, will definitely come back
KS
KeiraS
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on January 18, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience4
This was our first time here and we came for Winter DC Restaurant Week and got the Ambar experience for only $25 a person! The food was AMAZING.
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on January 17, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Food and service was truly incredible - will definitely be back
NK
NicoleK
Washington DC
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on January 16, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
My husband and I went for the all-you-can-eat dinner. I’d heard great things about the brunch, but hadn’t been able to get a reservation. Dinner was great! Our favorites were the cheese pie, mezze platter and charcuterie, lamb lasagna, chicken skewers, and the cevapi “Balkan kebab”. Service was amazing. We were never waiting on our waiter to order more food. Very fun and unique experience!
RO
ROBERTOG
New York Area
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on January 15, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Terrific experience. The food we selected was outstanding. Wish we could have tried everything.. Next time…. Great value for the food and beverage package. Even though they state there is a 2 our time limit. It’s plenty of time and we did not feel rushed at all!!
OT
OpenTable Diner
Orlando
16 reviews
vip
4.0
16 reviews
Dined on January 14, 2023
overall4food5service5ambience4
All you can eat and drink program is really great. Service was a little hap hazard at times but overall solid. Food quality was delicious. We were seated downstairs toward the back of the restaurant (apparently near the kitchen based on staff coming and going). Noise level was a little high in this area and we had to speak loudly to be heard - Across the small table. Overall a great experience
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on January 14, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Had a lovely dinner with my cousin.
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on January 14, 2023
overall4food4service4ambience4
All you can eat brunch is outstanding. Tapas style so you don’t get really full off of one thing. Mini burgers were great. Bread and spreads were decent. Not as good as a traditional middle eastern place.
AB
AbbyB
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on January 14, 2023
overall4food4service5ambience4
Super yummy! Only problems were that the potato hash seemed like something I could make at home. The salmon eggs Benedict was also really watery, as if they didn’t drain the water from the poached egg when they scooped it out of the pot.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on January 14, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Love it here! I always have great food and a great time!
KT
KTDC
Washington DC
14 reviews
vip
5.0
14 reviews
Dined on January 13, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
So good! Do the tasting menu, for sure and try everything you can! The food was so delicious and a refreshingly different experience from everything else in DC. Cocktails are inventive and tasty and the atmosphere is on point.
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
2.0
1 review
Dined on January 10, 2023
overall2food4service2ambience4
Had a date night and everything was going super smooth until an hour and a half into the dinner when we were rushed out . I guess there was some occasion the staff was having at the end of the night , but my expectation is that our experience should not be minimized . Food was excellent , drinks were good , the service could have been a lot better .
OT
OpenTable Diner
Washington DC
9 reviews
vip
5.0
9 reviews
Dined on January 8, 2023
overall5food5service3ambience5
The food is always delicious.
DC
DCRunner
Washington DC
14 reviews
vip
4.0
14 reviews
Dined on January 8, 2023
overall4food5service5ambience4
Food is delish - the all you can eat experience is wonderful. Only downside to this visit was being seated near the front door. We sat inside under a heat lamp, but it was still chilly. Some of us wore coats during meal. We were unable to move to a table away from the door -this was the only negative - if making a reservation would suggest asking for a spot away from door. Otherwise it is a great spot - especially for groups (no need to break up a bill - it is the same cost per person!)
SB
ShannonB
Charleston
26 reviews
vip
5.0
26 reviews
Dined on January 8, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
First time in DC and this was such a great and unique restaurant….a dining experience! We did the tasting menu and our server/bartender was amazing and hilarious! He handled the ordering for us and the food was delicious and just kept on coming! The ambience was so energetic and we will definitely dine here again when we return.
OT
OpenTable Diner
Austin
1 review
vip
5.0
1 review
Dined on January 7, 2023
overall5food5service5ambience5
Now normally all you can eat and drink is reserved for resorts and cruises, but here you get fantastic prompt service in a beautiful cozy, yet spacious, warm and wood soaked location. The second floor is for the real deal folks. Shouts out to Roberto for keeping the Sangria coming and suggesting the 6-hour lamb. The music is 90’s dance, the food is timeless perfection and this is an experience not for the faint of heart, but for those with an appetite for life!
L
Leki
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on January 7, 2023
overall5food4service5ambience5
As somone from the Balkans, I really enjoyed the almost authentic Balkan cuisine and drinks. We picked a la carte menu and the service was great but somewhat fast-paced. Appetizers and entrees arrived at the same time, which made us rush through the slow-cooked dishes. This cuisine definitely needs more time to be fully enjoyed.
SH
SHorrnrr
Serbia
2 reviews
3.0
2 reviews
Dined on January 7, 2023
overall3food2service5ambience3
We love going to Ambar for dinner, but for brunch, the food was pretty unspectacular especially for the cost
OT
OpenTable Diner
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on January 7, 2023
overall5food5service4ambience4
I typically go to Ambar for brunch but really enjoyed their dinner offering . This was my first time eating on the 3rd floor which was a little tighter than the booths of the first or second floor but still sufficient space and positive experience.

Safety precautions

Cleaning & sanitizing
- Surfaces sanitized between seatings
- Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
- 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

Screening
- Sick staff prohibited in the workplace

FAQs

You can order delivery directly from Ambar Capitol Hill using the Order Online button. Ambar Capitol Hill also 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 4228 OpenTable diners.

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