Restaurant Review: Unlimited Brunch, Lunch and Dinner? River North’s Ambar excels in Balkan delights
River North’s Ambar is based on an intriguing premise in this day and age…How much house-made Balkan food can you, your friends and family consume in two hours?
“Dining Without Limits”
The answer comes in the experience of sampling and sharing small plates of rich and hearty cuisine from Southeast Europe that blends Mediterranean, Ottoman, and Central European culinary traditions.
As their website notes, Ambar is inspired by the Balkan tradition of “Voz” (Train), ‘Dining Without Limits’ lets you savor over 40 dishes and reorder favorites as much as you like.
You can enjoy grilled meats, seafood, slow-cooked fare, baked flatbreads, spreads, and pies, paired with premium wines and traditional rakia at an additional price.
Since 2025, the Michelin Bib Gourmand (i.e., good food at reasonable prices) restaurant has served, in their own words, “Next-level Balkan flavors, endless plates, and unbeatable value — all for one flat price.”
Ivan Iričanin, founder and CEO of the restaurant’s parent company, told Eater.com why he opened in Chicago after opening a successful restaurant in Washington DC.
“One of the largest Balkan populations outside of a Balkan is in Chicago,” Iričanin responded, of the city’s sizable community, represented largely by people of Bosnian, Serbian, and Albanian descent.
He told SheBuysTravel.com about the all-you-can-eat concept.
“Our concept isn’t about sheer volume like some ‘all-you-can-eat’ places; it’s about variety and discovery,” he said. “It allows guests to explore the entire spectrum of Balkan cuisine – from spreads and cheeses to salads, and grilled meats – without having to choose just one or two things. It encourages sharing, trying new dishes without risk, and truly immersing yourself in a culinary journey through the Balkans.”
The Journey through Small Plates
Start with Beet Tzatziki, a vibrant blend of roasted beets, Greek yogurt, garlic, and herbs. Or Urnebes, feta cheese pureed with chili flakes and red pepper jam, and Ajvar, which is roasted red pepper with garlic and onion. They’re all served with fresh, warm pita bread, as well as marinated olives with pickled vegetables.
Next, try their Vitamin Salad with root vegetables, honey-lemon dressing, and toasted sunflower seeds. Or, a hearty Veal Soup, made from a generational recipe, with creme fraiche on the side.
No Mediterranean menu is complete without a savory pie. Try their Cheese Pie, made traditional with feta and goat cheese in a phyllo crust, and served with Ajvar and Greek yogurt. Or, their Meat Pie, with beef in a phyllo crust, served with a lemon-garlic yogurt sauce.
Entrees include such Mediterranean-inspired favorites as Stuffed Cabbage, with pork belly and jasmine rice, served with mashed potatoes. Roasted Lamb is served with roast potatoes and carrots and garlic lemon yogurt sauce on the side. Slow Cooked Pork Shoulder is a confit pork shoulder served with Balkan-style rice and cabbage slaw. Fried Chicken Sliders are unique, served as three almond-crusted fried chicken sliders with pickled onions and apple wasabi coleslaw, accompanied by fries. Roasted Lamb is tender and served with roast potatoes and carrots, with garlic lemon yogurt sauce served on the side.
Many of the items from their lunch and dinner menu also make an appearance on their Brunch menu, along with such classics as a Fruit Granola with blueberry yogurt, mint, seasonal fruit and honey, and Shashuka, which is poached eggs with bell peppers and tomato sauce.
How Much to ‘Dine Without Limits?’
✅ Brunch $37.00 – Unlimited small plates (Unlimited drinks starting at $15.00)
✅ Lunch $30.00 – Unlimited small plates
✅ Dinner $55.00 – Unlimited small plates
Ambar is located at 700 N. Clark Street. They are open for lunch Monday–Friday from 12pm–3:30pm; for dinner, from Sunday–Thursday from 4pm–10pm, and Friday-Saturday from 4pm–11pm. Brunch hours are Saturday and Sunday 10am–3:30pm. Reservations are highly recommended, and can be made by clicking here.
Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago
