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Ambar Capitol Hill, Washington, DC
Award-winning

Ambar Capitol Hill

4.8
4.8
4978 Reviews
$30 and under
Balkan style

Make a reservation

2 people
7:30 PM
Booked 88 times today
  • Good for groups
  • Neighborhood gem
  • Charming
Ambar Capitol Hill Thanksgiving Update!
Dine-in will be closed, but you can enjoy Thanksgiving at home with our special takeout—available for pickup from 12-5 pm. Pre-order by 4 pm on November 26th. And don’t miss our Black Friday Brunch! Ambar Clarendon is accepting reservations for Thanksgiving Day!

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.

Order delivery or takeout

Private dining

Private dining

Book your next event with us

View details

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
  • 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).<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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Gift card

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Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 4,978 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
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.7Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • District of Columbia

    Best Value

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Ambar Capitol Hill offers a "phenomenal" Balkan dining experience with an "amazing variety" of small plates and attentive service. Guests rave about the "world-famous Balkan hospitality," making it perfect for special occasions. The restaurant's unlimited dining options are a standout, although it can get a bit loud. Overall, it's "worth every penny."

4,978 Reviews

  1. Sanam

    Washington DC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I think that out of all three Ambars in the DC Metro area, the food is the best here at the Capitol Hill location. It’s very tasty and savory.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Monica

    Washington DC

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great service and very good food! Also reasonably priced. Will return again and again!

    Is this helpful?

  3. Shanisha

    Washington DC

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on November 17, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Made an easy enough reservation online, the day before. Only had bar seating left, which was actually listed with reserved plaques when we arrived Restaurant is about a block away from eastern market metro. Street parking. $36+ unlimited tapas style plates. You can order as many plates as you want. They are kind of sample size, but very filling. Two drink options. Unlimited regular mimosas (various flavors) for $12 -OR- the same regular unlimited mimosas AND cocktails and other non alcoholic drinks I literally had the full menu of regular mimosas lol. My friend had a lemongrass or something cocktail the entire time, and loved them! We were seated at the bar and Courtney was our bartender. He was Amazing! The receipt comes out a little wonky, like it isn't exactly itemized, but it does come up to the price total as listed on the menu. We were told , its done that way to capture the cost of the drinks ..... This is not really a "turn up" spot. A mixed crowd, everyone had a good time tho! I don't recall if music was playing, but I was so busy catching up with my good friend. Such a lovely time!

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  4. Valery

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 17, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Good variable options. It was delicious and a good value for the cost

    Is this helpful?

  5. Elizabeth

    London

    18 reviews

    4.0

    18 reviews

    Dined on November 16, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Excellent food and service; lively but not too noisy atmosphere. Good for conversation.

    Is this helpful?

  6. OpenTable Diner

    New Orleans

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on November 11, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food was excellent and very full of flavor. Appetizer croquettes and moussaka were delicious. The fried chicken was different in the best way and served with a cucumber raita. The beef kebob was a nice size serving over purple cabbage. The lamb medallions were good, but there were only two small pieces. The baklava and chocolate cake were tasty while the raspberry cake was underwhelming. Our server was very friendly. We would visit again when hungry enough to justify the all you can eat.

    Is this helpful?

  7. Ellen

    Washington DC

    35 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    35 reviews

    Dined on November 10, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    This was our first visit to Ambar and what a wonderful surprise. The food was well-prepared, beautifully served and absolutely delicious. The service was great - attentive but not intrusive. We just wished there was less noise.

    Is this helpful?

  8. FastRide

    Washington DC

    97 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    97 reviews

    Dined on November 10, 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 2
    Went for Sunday brunch and no one was impressed. Food and service were basic.

    Is this helpful?

  9. Priya

    Washington DC

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 9, 2024

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    It was very noisy, although we had reserved for outdoor, they made us sit indoors with 3 groups, which was loud as it can be. I couldn’t hear my spouse sitting across the table. We ended up eating without any conversation and got out as quickly as we could.

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  10. ChrystalC

    San Diego

    14 reviews

    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on November 8, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great spot for delicious food! We tried so much and it was all tasty. Especially loved the kabob and cheese pie. Highly recommend!

    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 4978 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.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:30 PM
Booked 88 times today

Order delivery or takeout

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
  • 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

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