Ambar Clarendon: DC’s Most Unique Brunch 

By Aylon Berger

A few weekends ago, I ventured out to Clarendon, VA to check out Ambar, one of the DMV’s most talked about restaurants. Ambar, which consistently receives top marks on TripAdvisor (rated #2 out of 1,000 restaurants in the Arlington area) has even been included in the Michelin Guide of DC. My goal? To see whether Ambar lives up to the hype. It definitely does. 

Upon our arrival, we were struck by Ambar’s lively atmosphere. The restaurant includes a scenic, floor to ceiling photograph of Old Belgrade (which the staff informed us was an homage to the original Ambar location in Belgrade, Serbia.) Ambar also has an open kitchen and hopping bar. 

But the highlight of Ambar truly was it’s unforgettable food. We went for the $34 Balkan Brunch Experience. If you’re looking to celebrate over brunch, we can’t recommend this enough! For the fixed price, you get an all you can eat selection of mezze, soups, salads, sandwiches, egg

dishes, pastry and sweets. You truly get a tasting tour of the Balkans. 

The hospitable staff are constantly traveling in and out of the kitchen brining plates upon plates of incredible Balkan food.

Some of our favorites included the Mezze Platter, with homemade bread, and a delightful assortment of cold cuts and traditional pickled vegetables; the Cheese Pie with fresh spinach and yogurt sauce; the Salmon Benedict, with the freshest smoked salmon we’ve tasted in DC; and the Cinnamon Sweet Sourdough dessert topped off with homemade jam and Nutella.  

If you are looking for a totally unique DC brunch experience, you’ve gotta hit up Ambar in Clarendon. The 15 minute drive is well worth it, and we can’t wait to return!

2901 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201