AMBAR Restaurant, Chicago
Experience exceptional Balkan cuisine in Chicago with a 4.8-star rating. Discover generous portions and a welcoming atmosphere. Reserve your table today!
Experience exceptional Italian dining in Chicago with a 4.8-star rating. Discover a warm atmosphere and memorable dishes. Book your table.
Traditional Italian specialties plated in a stylish, elegant restaurant with a whimsical vibe.
Located on West Randolph Street, this Italian eatery offers a highly-rated dining experience, boasting an impressive 4.8 out of 5 stars from over 4,400 reviews. Diners consistently praise the friendly and attentive service, noting it as a standout feature from the moment you arrive. The atmosphere is noted as being well-suited for special occasions, with a welcoming ambiance. Reviewers frequently highlight memorable dishes, including a surprisingly exceptional bread service and popular ricotta gnocchi. This spot is a strong choice for those seeking a quality meal in a vibrant Chicago neighborhood.
Restaurant Analysis
This restaurant has been analyzed using our formula-based system to help you understand its key features and match it with your dining preferences.
Price Range (Moderate)
Moderate pricing ($$) - Mid-range restaurants with good value
Meal Time (dinner)
This restaurant primarily serves dinner. Based on opening hours.
Group Size (Groups Welcome)
Welcomes large groups and families. Great for group dining.
Atmosphere (Casual)
Relaxed and laid-back atmosphere
Dining Style (Flexible)
Flexible options. Reservations available but not required.
Features & Amenities
This restaurant offers: Cocktails, Beer, Wine, Coffee, Family Friendly, Groups Welcome, Reservations
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Sourced from recent guest feedback and verified reviews.
We enjoyed an anniversary celebration and chose this place after seeing a flood of appraisals. It did not disappoint. The service was friendly and well executed from the first greeting at the door until the last minute. We started with the bread, which is not something that we usually order as we dont want to get filled quickly with carbs but this one was amazing and memorable. The ricotta gnochi appeared to be a popular dish amongst the online reviewers. It was good, but I created higher expectations than it delivered. We shared it, but I think that eating the whole plate would get boring. The fresh pasta was very good. The sauce was classic and confort food, but it lacks a touch of originality. Had the best time in this beautiful restaurant! Tried the rigatoni Alla vodka and the ricotta dumplings along with the crispy potatoes. Rigatoni could have been better, love the ricotta dumplings but definitely needed more sauce on the place, there was barely any! The drink was great ! The tiramisu however, they don’t use lady fingers , they use a layer of cake , not the best tiramisu I had as I didn’t like it as much! Barely tasted any coffee! Crispy potatoes were a waste of money! We sat at one of the high top tables cuz we didn’t have a reservation. Service was fantastic, the atmosphere was lovely, just the right amount of noise! Very busy even on weekdays ! Went here as a part of our wedding anniversary! Food was great overall, the vodka sauce and arancini’s were especially delicious. But what brought me to write this review was our service! We had asked to move tables because I wanted to be in the atmosphere of the main part of the restaurant and they were incredibly kind and accommodating. They gave us each a free glass of Prosecco to celebrate our anniversary and menus that say happy anniversary. I’m struggling to remember our servers name, but she was phenomenal. She made great recommendations and was very attentive to make sure we always had what we needed while still giving us the space to enjoy our meal together. Great experience!
Find the Restaurant
November 4, 2025
We enjoyed an anniversary celebration and chose this place after seeing a flood of appraisals. It did not disappoint. The service was friendly and well executed from the first greeting at the door until the last minute. We started with the bread, which is not something that we usually order as we dont want to get filled quickly with carbs but this one was amazing and memorable. The ricotta gnochi appeared to be a popular dish amongst the online reviewers. It was good, but I created higher expectations than it delivered. We shared it, but I think that eating the whole plate would get boring. The fresh pasta was very good. The sauce was classic and confort food, but it lacks a touch of originality.
November 9, 2025
Had the best time in this beautiful restaurant! Tried the rigatoni Alla vodka and the ricotta dumplings along with the crispy potatoes. Rigatoni could have been better, love the ricotta dumplings but definitely needed more sauce on the place, there was barely any! The drink was great ! The tiramisu however, they don’t use lady fingers , they use a layer of cake , not the best tiramisu I had as I didn’t like it as much! Barely tasted any coffee! Crispy potatoes were a waste of money! We sat at one of the high top tables cuz we didn’t have a reservation. Service was fantastic, the atmosphere was lovely, just the right amount of noise! Very busy even on weekdays !
September 28, 2025
Went here as a part of our wedding anniversary! Food was great overall, the vodka sauce and arancini’s were especially delicious. But what brought me to write this review was our service! We had asked to move tables because I wanted to be in the atmosphere of the main part of the restaurant and they were incredibly kind and accommodating. They gave us each a free glass of Prosecco to celebrate our anniversary and menus that say happy anniversary. I’m struggling to remember our servers name, but she was phenomenal. She made great recommendations and was very attentive to make sure we always had what we needed while still giving us the space to enjoy our meal together. Great experience!
October 4, 2025
Good atmosphere and ambiance. Very instagramy. The non alcoholic drinks were ok nothing to write home about there and very prohibitively expensive to be frank. The pastas were overall good. The fritto miso was tasty but lacking in quantity. The ricotta dumpling was by far the best and most unique. The pacherri was also very flavorful punchy. The lasgna was good but heavy and creamy. The rigatoni was lacking in flavor overall. I think its worth a visit for the pacherri and ricotta dumpling and the vibes.
October 17, 2025
Finally made it to Alla Vita, not sure why it took me so long! Everything from the cocktails to the dishes was spot on and made for a really enjoyable meal. My favorites were the Liuzzi Burrata, Spanish Octopus, and the Lasagna Verdi, each one packed with flavor and beautifully presented. We wrapped up with some pistachio gelato, and since we were celebrating a birthday, we also tried their signature birthday cake/ice cream combo. It was so good it made me want to come back just to celebrate again.
Features and amenities that make Alla Vita special
Cocktails
Beer
Wine
Coffee
Family Friendly
Groups Welcome
Reservations
Everything you need to know before you visit
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