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. Ambar, the Washington, D.C.-based culinary concept from Street Guys Hospitality, will open at 700 N. Clark St. on Tuesday, April 1, taking up residence in the former Etta space.
Described as “blending tradition with modernity” by CEO and founder of Street Guys Hospitality, Ivan Iričanin, the restaurant spotlights the hospitality group’s signature Dining Without Limits experience, featuring 30 signature dishes offered for one set price. These include slow-cooked courses from Northern Serbia, grilled meats from Southern Serbia and fresh seafood from Montenegro and Croatia.
“Ambar was created to bring people together in a festive setting where great food, warm hospitality and meaningful connections take center stage,” Iričanin says. “Our unlimited tasting menu is a one-of-a-kind experience designed to turn every meal into a celebration.”
Assorted shareable courses such as drunken mussels, beet salad and roasted baby carrots
Iričanin opened the first Ambar location in 2013 with a mission to illuminate the diversity and time-honored traditions surrounding Balkan cuisine. The opening marks the restaurant’s Chicago debut and its first venture outside of D.C., which currently houses three locations.
“There was a void in representation, and at the time, the perception of the Balkans was shaped by the negative narratives in the news following the wars. My inspiration was to change that—to shift the focus to the incredible hospitality, vibrant culture and bold flavors that define the region,” Iričanin says.
Chicago boasts one of the largest Balkan populations in the United States, making the restaurant’s latest expansion a natural progression, Iričanin says. “Chicago is one of the culinary capitals of the U.S. and a true food lover’s city. People here embrace dining out as a way to connect with friends and family.”
Starters, chef signatures and veggie-centered dishes accompanied by traditional condiments
Drawing inspiration from the Balkan custom of communal dining, the menu spotlights reimagined, shareable takes on authentic recipes like slow-roasted lamb, pork belly sarma and vegetarian moussaka with mushroom ragù.
Starters range from beet tzatziki to white bean hummus and Kajmak (a rich and creamy Balkan skim milk spread), while classic Balkan salad, beet salad and veal soup set the stage for from-the-hearth lamb medallions and kabobs. The spot also dishes out a selection of mushroom, lamb and sujuk flatbreads, cooked to perfection in a wood-burning oven.
The decor mirrors the cuisine’s deep-rooted heritage—while simultaneously ushering in a bold new era for Ambar in the Windy City—with a vibrant color palette, varying textures inspired by traditional Balkan embroidery and vintage kilim rugs and a revamped logo and monogram that pay tribute to the region’s legacy. Iričanin says, “The interior design creates a warm, inviting atmosphere that feels both timeless and contemporary.”
Ambar Chicago opens on Tuesday, April 1. Reservations can be made here.
See also: The 12 Most Anticipated Chicago Restaurant Openings Of 2025
Photography by: Photography courtesy of Ambar
