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Welcome to Ambar

At Ambar, located in Arlington, VA, experience a journey through Balkan cuisine in a modern European setting. With a focus on freshness and flavor, enjoy a variety of options including pescatarian, vegan, and vegetarian dishes. The ambiance is inviting, blending traditional touches with contemporary elegance. The staff is attentive, making you feel like part of the family. Highlights include the all-you-can-eat option, featuring flavorful and beautifully presented dishes. Whether dining in or enjoying takeout, the rich and diverse menu at Ambar offers a delightful culinary experience worth savoring.

LOCATIONS
  • Ambar
    2901 Wilson Blvd Arlington, VA 22201
    2901 Wilson Blvd Arlington, VA 22201 Hotline: (703) 875-9663

Welcome to the world of modern European cuisine at Ambar, located in Arlington, VA. This trendy restaurant offers a plethora of options for diners, from takeout to outdoor seating and even delivery. With a focus on providing a diverse menu, Ambar caters to various dietary needs with pescatarian, vegan, and vegetarian options.

One of the standout features of Ambar is their attention to detail in creating a unique dining experience. From their carefully crafted Mediterranean bowls to their build-your-own options, each dish is prepared with precision and care. The Chef's choice dishes like the Lamb Medallion Bowl and Chicken Mezze Salad showcase the flavors of the Balkans in a fresh and innovative way.

Customer reviews rave about the ambiance of Ambar, with one reviewer describing it as dining in a garden adorned with greenery and florals. The warmth and inviting atmosphere coupled with attentive staff create a memorable dining journey reminiscent of the Balkans.

For those looking for a feast, Ambar offers a family dinner for two with a mixed grill that includes a variety of bread, dips, and dessert. The value and quality of this meal make it a standout option for takeout or dining in.

Whether you're a seasoned fan of Balkan cuisine or trying it for the first time, Ambar offers an array of flavors and dishes that will delight your taste buds. With a focus on quality, service, and innovative menu options, Ambar is a top choice for those looking to experience a culinary adventure in Arlington.

START YOUR REVIEW OF Ambar
Ameena A.
Ameena A.

Goodness - overall, I love Ambar!!! I will say that my partner and I did not have a great experience here on New Years (we signed up for their specialty event, and found the service and quality to be subpar). However, in general, we enjoy coming here! Food: obviously plentiful when you get the all-you-can-eat option, flavorful, and beautifully presented. Sometimes we find this location to be a tiny bit saltier than the other locations (we've noticed it a few times - nothing too crazy). Service: usually good - sometimes the servers are very busy, understandably so. Ambiance: this location has one of the best ambiances compared to the other locations! Very photo worthy and cute with a flowery aesthetic.

Britney B.
Britney B.

Without a doubt, one of the best all-you-can-eat dinners I have experienced in the area. Ambar boasts a stunning interior adorned with greenery and florals, creating an ambiance that feels like dining in a garden. Although I was not familiar with Balkan cuisine, I was eager to explore what Ambar had to offer. I chose to celebrate my graduation here with my family, and our expectations were certainly exceeded. The plates are served tapas style, and I found myself reordering several because they were so delicious. Notable highlights included the Pan Seared Trout and the assorted Spread platter served with fresh pita and cornbread. My experience at Ambar was exceptional, thanks to the hospitable, efficient, and attentive service. I will undoubtedly be returning!

Michael B.
Michael B.

Stepping into Ambar Clarendon feels like embarking on a culinary journey through the heart of the Balkans. The ambiance is warm and inviting, a perfect mix of modern chic and traditional touches that make you feel both at home and transported to a faraway land. And the staff? They're like family--if your family were incredibly friendly, attentive, and always knew when you needed a refill. Now, let's talk about the star of the show: the food. For just $49.99, you get two hours of unlimited small plates that never seem to stop coming. Trust me, this is not a drill. It's an endless parade of flavors that will have you in a blissful food coma before you know it. The only challenge is pacing yourself because even the most seasoned food warriors find themselves tapping out early. Starting with the spreads, the Kajmak is a rich, creamy delight that feels like a hug for your taste buds. The Ajvar, a roasted pepper, garlic, and eggplant spread, is pure magic. Then there's the White Bean Hummus, silky smooth with a surprising zing from pickled jalapeño. And let's not forget the Beet Tzatziki, a refreshing blend of beets, yogurt, garlic, and dill that's perfect for summer. The Urnebes, a spicy feta cheese puree with chili flakes and roasted pepper jam, is a must-try. The Unlimited Dinner option, known as the Ambar Experience, is your ticket to taste everything without limit. From the Lamb Lasagna, with its layers of tender lamb ragu, eggplant, creamy béchamel, and cheese, to the Pepper & Cheese Croquettes, crispy on the outside and cheesy on the inside, served with a tangy cranberry chutney--every dish is crafted to perfection. The Fried Chicken, marinated in buttermilk and coated in a breadcrumb and almond crust, is served on a bed of apple wasabi--fancy finger-lickin' goodness! The Forest Mushroom Crepe is an earthy and elegant dish, with delicate crepes filled with forest mushrooms and leek mousse, topped with thyme velouté and Gouda. And oh, the Halloumi--with its nutty crunch of black and white sesame seeds drizzled with sweet honey--is a match made in heaven. Vegetarians will rejoice with dishes like the Beet Salad, featuring roasted beets, pomegranate reduction, arugula, candied pecans, and goat cheese. The Cauliflower, flash-fried with a crunchy pine nut crumble and served on vibrant spinach tahini pesto, is a creamy, nutty wonder. The Mushroom Pilaf, with Arborio rice and a rich mushroom ragu, is comfort food at its finest. And we can't forget the Cheese Pie and Meat Pie--traditional, savory, and utterly satisfying. These pies are made with layers of phyllo dough and filled with deliciousness, served with a side of ajvar emulsion and yogurt. Ambar Clarendon isn't just a restaurant; it's a celebration of Balkan cuisine that leaves you full, happy, and already planning your next visit. Whether you're a foodie on the hunt for your next flavor adventure or someone looking for a hearty, satisfying meal, Ambar is the place to be. So loosen your belt, bring your appetite, and get ready to indulge in a feast that's as endless as it is delicious.

Daira R.
Daira R.

Great great experience when I came in with my family to celebrate my husband's graduation. Why 5 stars? Great food and great service to start. But then also - how they handle food allergies! I have EXTENSIVE food allergies, to include a soy allergy. The staff took such amazing care of me. Soy allergies are really hard to navigate and they did a great job. Camilla and Marina were so nice in talking through the dishes and communicating with the kitchen and bringing me things I could eat. Often, the allergy meals I get at restaurants are meh - I get it, I'm allergic to everything. The food I was brought here was so flavorful - I definitely did not feel like I was missing out! I cannot wait to return!

Ren H.
Ren H.

My first Balkan dining experience and it was awesome! Great decor, great vibes and great food. My friend and I had a reservation for outdoor dining as I had my dog with me. We chose the unlimited brunch experience with added Bellinis. We ordered several of their dishes - Fried Chicken sliders, Smoked Salmon Benedict, Balkan Salad, Kale Caesar Salad, Balkan Kebab, Mushroom Pilav, Potato Hash, and Shrimp Omelette. My favorites were the fried chicken sliders, potato hash, and shrimp omelette. So much flavor in the dishes and so good. Looking forward to my next visit!

Latoya J.
Latoya J.

I have visited Ambar approximately five times, including twice at this particular location. Each visit consistently leaves me impressed and satisfied with both the quality of the cuisine and the exemplary service. The food is exquisite, and the tapas portions are thoughtfully designed, allowing patrons to savor a variety of dishes from the menu. While I always intend to take more photographs, the allure of the arriving dishes makes it challenging to remember to capture the moment. For those seeking a brunch or dinner destination that consistently delivers, boasts beautiful decor, and offers an all-you-can-eat (AYCE) experience, Ambar is an excellent choice. I eagerly anticipate my next visit.

Alice J.
Alice J.

Ambar offers a delicious "family dinner" for two: the mixed grill; it's great value too as takeout. We ordered on UberEats for self pick up. Our food was ready reasonably fast and well packaged. This meal is a whole set including two different kinds of bread and one dip. It also comes with dessert! Practically a feast!

Samina M.
Samina M.

Ambar Clarendon was a fun experience with a wide variety of food and drinks! When at this location, I tried all of the items I've usually overlooked - from soups to meat pies and pilafs. I especially loved the Veal and Tomato Soups. So flavorful, rich, and paired well with the bread heavy dishes. I was not a fan of the vegetable pie - a bit too dull for my tastebuds. The pilaf was a bit soupy, but was a nice pairing in between bites of meat pie. The drinks were tasty, but left me with a great headache a few hours later. Just like any Ambar location, I recommend pacing yourself on the bottomless mimosas while you eat to avoid getting dehydrated! Overall, friendly wait staff and a beautifully decorated interior. Loved the cherry blossoms and close proximity to the metro stop. While it does get busy on the weekends, be sure to make a reservation and indicate if you want to sit upstairs, downstairs, or at the bar. Great place for groups!

Nessa R.
Nessa R.

Let's start from the top! Parking-you'll find plenty of paid parking near the restaurant. Expect to pay 8$ per hour and yes they use park mobile. Make a reservation, this place stays packed. Brunch menu is now 43$ per person and you get a tapas style serving. I personally recommend just ordering what you like on the menu. The waitress sent over items that our table didn't care for. I wasn't a fan of the traditional foods but score they had American breakfast items. Overall, decent prices for brunch! Would definitely come again! Just a note: if you're not a huge eater this is probably too much food.

Pooja P.
Pooja P.

Absolutely loved my first Balkan food experience at Ambar. My friend from Arlington, VA brought me here for their All You Can Eat 2 hr limit for $49.99 experience. We got extremely lucky to just walk in and getting a table for dinner right before Valentines Day without a reservation. The ambiance is quite festive, colorful, and pretty huge with good amount of seating. It's Tapas style unlimited food. So go hungry!!! The menu was huge with so many vegetarian, meat and sea food options. We ordered almost 3/4th of the menu. Some of my favorites were mezze ajvar with roasted pepper and eggplant, beet tzatziki, veal soup, Brussels sprouts, fried chicken, pepper croquettes, cauliflower in parsley tahini sauce, chicken skewers, drunken mussels. Everything tasted OUTSTANDING apart from sudzuk flat bread, wasn't a big fan of that. It was a bit overdone and cheese was falling off. Next time, I'd prolly skip the bread options since it fills you up quickly. If you're more than one person dining in, you can order à la carte menu but it does not end up being any cheaper than AYCE option and since it's a tapas style menu, you don't overeat as compared to one might, in buffet style. The service was top notch, fast and quick. Can't wait to visit again when I'm in the area. I absolutely recommend this place!