Skip to content
  • X

Subscribe

Magazine | Newsletters
  • Food & Drink
  • News
  • Culture
  • Style
  • Home
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Things to Do
  • Travel
  • Best of NoVA
  • Best Restaurants
  • Top High Schools
  • In This Issue
  • Home
    • Food & Drink
    • Reviews
  • 50 Best Restaurants 2018: Ambar
ambar
  • Food & Drink
  • Reviews

50 Best Restaurants 2018: Ambar

A Balkan restaurant in Arlington

By Rina Rapuano August 31, 2018 at 9:09 am

ambar
Photo by Rey Lopez

All-you-can-eat generally isn’t a phrase that conjures up anything close to classy, but this light-filled, modern spot in Arlington decked in gleaming white subway tiles and grass-colored banquettes is an exception to that rule. The menu is every bit as surprising as the decor, offering up refined versions of comforting Serbian small plates, such as short rib goulash and sour cabbage stuffed with pork belly and served over mashed potatoes. Other worthy orders include an elegant bowl of drunken mussels bathing in a garlic-lemon sauce spiked with rakija and juicy grilled shrimp over corn puree. The beauty of unlimited small plates? Favorites can just be ordered again and again. Morning breakfast sandwich and omelet cravings can also be satiated here, and a swanky subterranean cocktail bar called Baba lurks downstairs.


Ambar
Balkan | $
2901 Wilson Blvd, 22201, Arlington

Trending in NoVA

5 Hidden Gems to Visit in Northern Virginia

The Barns at Wolf Trap Reveals Lineup for First 2026-2027 Shows

Shop Under the Stars at One Loudoun’s Moonlight Market 

Arlington Dance Instructor Found Dead in Potomac River

16 New Northern Virginia Restaurants to Add to Your Dining Rotation

things to do newsletter

Our Top Stories In Your Inbox

Our newsletters delivered weekly.

Subscribe

Feeds

RSS Feed Follow in Feedly

You May Also Like

Port City Brewing Co.

These NoVA Breweries Won in the Virginia Craft Beer Cup

MacMillan Whiskey Room

Happy Hour Deals Await at These 6 Spots in Fairfax and Falls Church

5 Can’t-Miss Happy Hours Spots in Alexandria and Springfield

  • X

Company

  • About Us
  • Advertising
  • Writer’s Guidelines
  • Internships
  • Terms of Use

Magazine

  • Magazine
  • Subscription
  • Newsletter
  • Back Issues

Talk to Us

  • Contact Us
  • Submit an Event
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram

Shopping

  • Subscription
  • Back Issues
  • Plaques
  • Realtor Client Gift Subscriptions

On Newsstands Now

great happy hours, august 2026 cover

Copyright © 2026 Northern Virginia Magazine

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Hey AI.