When Ivan Iričanin came to Washington, D.C. from his native Serbia in 2005, he was shocked at the lack of Balkan restaurants in the area. “I would like to eat my food, and it was not available,” he recalls. So he opened Ambar to showcase the cuisine of his corner of southeastern Europe and to provide a positive connotation for the Balkans instead of the “wars, bombing, and revolution” that he always found people thought of in connection with the area.

Signature dishes at Ambar, including smoked sausage, sujuk flatbread and sarma (pork belly-stuffed cabbage leaves).
A new Balkan eatery is headed to River North—and it’s bringing Michelin-
recognized fare and its signature “unlimited” dining experience to locals.

The popular D.C.-based mini-chain has opened its first Chicago location, featuring its signature unlimited experiences.

Chicago’s River North neighborhood just got a bold new addition to its culinary scene. Ambar, the highly anticipated Balkan-inspired restaurant from Street Guys Hospitality, officially opened its doors this week, April 1.

We are excited to announce that Ambar Restaurant has consistently won the OpenTable Diners’ Choice Award since 2017, a recognition that reaffirms our commitment to excellence. This achievement only strengthens our determination to continue bringing you the best traditional Balkan dishes, crafted with authentic flavors, fresh ingredients, and a passion for hospitality.

Ambar, the Michelin-recognized restaurant from Street Guys Hospitality, is set to arrive in River North this spring, bringing fresh interpretations of classic Balkan dishes to the local dining scene.

A new hospitality group is entering Chicago in 2025 and bringing the taste and flavors of the Balkans with them.

Ambar Clarendon is celebrating Halloween with a costume contest, speciality cocktails and Top 40 tunes on Thursday, Oct. 26. Ambar Clarendon is inviting all of Arington’s ghouls and goblins to help celebrate Halloween on Thursday, Oct. 31.

Celebrate Halloween at Ambar Clarendon with a spooky costume party, ghostly decorations, and specialty cocktails.  On October 31, 9:00 PM – 1:00 AM

Ambar has an unlimited lunch of small plates for $25 or lunch plus dessert for $29.99. The restaurant has a number of Balkan cuisine options from kebabs to slow-cooked pork belly stuffed cabbage.