Absinthe

Someone from this business manages this listing.

985 reviews

#8 of 2,316 Restaurants in Ottawa$$ - $$$, French, International, European

+1 613-761-1138+ Add website

Hours

Tue

11:30 AM - 9:00 PM

Wed

11:30 AM - 9:00 PM

Thu

11:30 AM - 10:00 PM

Fri

11:30 AM - 10:00 PM

Sat

2:00 PM - 10:00 PM

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What is Travelers’ Choice?

Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Ratings and reviews

4.5

985 reviews

#8 of 2,316 Restaurants in Ottawa

Travelers' Choice 2024

RATINGS

Food

Service

Value

Atmosphere

Food and ambience

Local cuisine, French, International, European, Canadian, Vegetarian friendly

“I started with the salad that along with the ciabatta was delicious and large...”

“The portions are very generous, the food delicious - from the soup and salad...”

Special occasions, Romantic, Large groups, Business meetings

“Anniversary 50+”

“... flat mirrors on the walls - so it didn't feel intimate, romantic or "fun".”

Location and contact

1208 Wellington St W, Ottawa, Ontario K1Y 2Z7 Canada

+1 613-761-1138

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Is this a fast food place?

Yes

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Details

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About

Absinthe is a Restaurant where you can eat too much, drink too much, put your elbows on the table and laugh out loud... all at the same time and nobody cares. Absinthe is a restaurant of the people for the people.

PRICE RANGE

$7.00 – $30.00

CUISINES

French, International, European, Canadian

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options

Meals

Lunch, Dinner

FEATURES

Takeout, Reservations, Seating, Parking Available, Street Parking, Free off-street parking, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Digital Payments, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service

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4.5

985 reviews

Excellent

670

Very good

217

Average

Poor

Terrible

BillandAnne2015

Gatineau143 contributions

Pricey – but worth it!

Dec 2019 • none

We picked an early slot on a Saturday night to reserve on their website and that process worked perfectly. It must be said that at night, this place is a bit hard to pick out: the sign for the restaurant has no lighting and the interior ambience is a bit dark from the outside so it looked like the place was closed! Fortunately, it wasn’t and we were lucky to find a spot across the street to park our car. Once inside, we were greeted warmly by Bill, who was our waiter – and an excellent, knowledgeable and attentive waiter at that – for our visit. We found the menu to be a bit on the limited side. Some of the mains included smoked ingredients, which we don’t like: “smoked” seems to be something of a fad these days in restaurants and we can’t wait for this fad to pass into history. However, the green salad was fantastic: the lemony vinaigrette was a delight. The steak-frites was cooked to perfection and the trout dish was equally well done with a delicious creamy sauce. We had room for dessert and the chocolate tart was outstanding. The lemon tart was good, although it came with a raspberry sorbet, which was a bit of a mismatch: a lime sorbet would have been better. The bill came up to almost $150, which we found a bit high – prices for two rather small glasses of wine were in the $12 range. That said, Absinthe features locally-sourced and organic ingredients, which explains the relatively high prices. And as noted earlier, the service is top-notch.

Written January 14, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Donna H

5 contributions

First dinner out - Covid

Jun 2020 • none

Last Wednesday was our first dinner out since March and we chose Absinthe. Restaurants are still only allowed patio dining so even though we were not able to enjoy the ambiance inside the food and service was still fantastic. These have been difficult times for the restaurant industry and it was nice to see that in less than a perfect situation Absinthe did not disappoint. Thank you for making our first dinner post Covid an amazing experience. We hope to come back soon.

Written June 26, 2020

T7552RPpatrickg

We're honored that you chose us for your first time out, Thank you. Be Well Pat G

Written June 27, 2020

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Julie

Kitchener10 contributions

Thank you Absinthe Cafe for making my mother’s 81st birthday one to remember even in a pandemic.

Apr 2020 • none

How do you celebrate important dates in a pandemic? The Absinthe Cafe helped make my mother’s 81st birthday one to remember. My parents were invited to a romantic dinner for 2. They were instructed to dress for romance, my dad to set the mood with music and my mom to set a beautiful table. Their dinner would be delivered at 7:30 after our family Zoom cocktail birthday party. Mariposa Farm Duck Confit, Mashed Potatoes, Honey, Rosemary Carrots, Salad, Fresh Baked Focaccia Bread, Maple Crisp Chocolate Chip Cookies and a special birthday tort. They raved about the meal and said it was the best that had had in a very long time and that they will be ordering again. The service was excellent! Patrick, the head chef and owner helped us with the menu and added some special touches that really made this meal special including a birthday candle. He suggested wine pairings that could be delivered as well. Dinner was hot and delicious!! Our heartfelt thanks to Patrick and the Absinthe Cafe for making my mother’s 81st birthday one to remember. She is still talking about it weeks later. It made all of her children feel like we were able to properly celebrated our wonderful mother even in a pandemic.

Written May 7, 2020

Andrea M

Ottawa3 contributions

Never fails!

Jul 2020 • couples

We've been to Absinthe several times over the years and we've never failed to have anything but an amazing experience. We recently went for our anniversary, and we blown away by the amazing service and food. Honestly, one of the best meals I've ever had! If you go, you simply must order the bacon wrapped duck and pork belly meat loaf and duck fat fries!! So decadent yet not too heavy! Can't wait to go back for more!

Written July 27, 2020

T7552RPpatrickg

Thank you for being awesome Be Well Pat G

Written July 31, 2020

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Debbie S

Ottawa4 contributions

Excellent meal

Oct 2020 • none

My husband and I went to Absinthe on a Friday evening (still doing date night after 49 years). Unfortunately, because of Covid there were not many patrons but the restaurant followed all the appropriate safety precautions so we felt completely safe eating inside the restaurant. We both had the fish chowder to start and it was one of the best we have ever had. We were expecting a heavy cream based chowder but this was a light stock based version and was truly delicious. For mains I had the Lobster Roll & my husband had the Confit de Canard... OMG to both. Hugh chunks of lobster & the duck was moist and melt in your mouth tender. Wine is only available by the glass (a pricey option if you want more than 1 glass) or by the bottle. Since I prefer red and my husband prefers white we were stuck ordering by the glass. Having 1/2 bottles available would have been nice. In summary this was a very nice restaurant - the food was delicious and the wait staff was very efficient. Definitely will go back - will probably go the "take-out" route next time since Covid is still very much around.

Written October 4, 2020

dbeaul

10 contributions

It's a shame food is too salty

Mar 2020 • none

This is a lovely restaurant and the food is presented elegantly. It's a shame that the food is much too salty. After telling our server after our first course, the second course arrived also too salty to fully enjoy.

Written March 11, 2020

Kjthom1

1 contribution

Lovely evening!

Jun 2022 • none

We went to Absinthe the other evening and were surprised that even on a Monday, the restaurant had to turn others away who had not made a reservation. We ordered a reasonably priced bottle of wine, which was very good, and three appetizers that we shared - the tuna, tartare and salad - all three were perfectly seasoned and nummy. We also tried each other's main courses - from the steak frites to the duck to the seafood pasta, everything was cooked as requested and very tasty. The absinthe cocktail with Prosecco was creative and the chocolate caramel mousse was to die for. All in all, we were very pleased with the meal and the attentive service.

Written June 29, 2022

Nic F

3 contributions

Delicious!

Nov 2020 • none

A friend and I had dinner on the front patio on Nov.7 to take advantage of the unexpectedly warm respite in the weather. She had the steak frites with sautéed green beans, all done to perfection and ended up taking half home for a second meal. I had seared tuna, quinoa, kale, nuts and dried fruit. It was delicious! I could eat it everyday which is saying something because I’m not usually a fan of fish. But this was so flavourful and lovely. I’ve been to absinthe many times and have had the burger, duck, steak frites and cheese fondue and all have been delicious. Sometimes it’s hard to choose which to have. Service was attentive, friendly and professional. Really lovely experience, thanks you Absinthe.

Written November 8, 2020

mabel61

Ottawa17 contributions

Always thrilled with Absinthe!

Dec 2020 • none

We have never been disappointed with Absinthe. Even with take-out, there is so much attention to detail. This was our first visit since Covid-19, and we felt very safe and relaxed. They accommodated our dinner with friends by sitting us at separate tables that were close enough for us to chat and enjoy each others company.

Written December 7, 2020

du h

Gatineau141 contributions

Our favorite in Ottawa!

Jul 2022 • none

Absinthe is consistently a great dining experience. Staff is professional and very efficient and food is always delicious. We had the table d’hote at $50 pp: quinoa salad with roasted and marinated vegetables, hanger steak with fries and a lovely garlic aioli, homemade bread and chocolate mousse with a hint of salted caramel. Good portions of all. Ample street parking.

Written July 18, 2022

Patrick G

Thank you very much, really appreciate your business. Pat G

Written July 18, 2022

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Barbara F

2 contributions

A Delicious Evening!

Mar 2021 • none

My husband very much enjoyed his 3 course dinner starting with Grilled Broccoli Rabe Romesco, while I had a wonderfully flavourful mixed green salad with toasted Pepitas and Parmesan along with a Lemon Thyme Vinaigrette. My husband's main was Mariposa Farm Duck, which he enjoyed immensely as did I with my seared yellowfin sesame crusted tuna, which was served with a sweet pea coulis with grilled brocollini--cooked just perfectly! (which is a huge compliment, because I love very rare tuna) HE, who does not have quite as many COVID pounds to lose as me, completed his dinner with a fabulous cheese board. I watched with envy while finishing my lovely Tempranillo wine. Considering the stresses that the restaurants have been enduring, there was no sign of that! Safety protocols were in place, and the atmosphere was pleasant and totally enjoyable while we enjoyed excellent service from our server!

Written March 22, 2021

Patrick G

Thank you soo much, glad you enjoyed. We hope to see you again soon. Pat G

Written March 24, 2021

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

sonia-ottawa

Ottawa189 contributions

Not what it used to be...

Apr 2022 • none

Absinthe used to be one of my favorite restaurants. I have been quite disappointed the few times I went it since Covid started. The worst experience was the fondue night. It was not worth the price. The cheese fondue tasted like the cheese was coming from sold very old packaging, and the bread too. The meat fondue smelled very oily, to the point where my clothes smelled bad even after I left the restaurant. The chocolate fondue came with very little fruit, and they wouldn’t do anything about it when I made a comment about it, except to say that there is more chocolate! Not what it used to be, and much more expensive, so no more for me.

Written November 14, 2022

Steve G M

Ottawa52 contributions

Wonderful food and experience

Oct 2022 • none

We went for my wife's birthday and enjoyed the food, ambience, and appreciated the staff being so helpful in choosing a wine. The appetizer was split between the two of us as we did not want to fill up before the main event. The two of us were very happy with the tasty and well present main courses - so much so that we traded plates half way through. It was very much appreciated to have the tables separated. This is not an inexpensive eatery but we feel it was worth every dollar.

Written October 4, 2022

BestWorldReviews

Ottawa75 contributions

Every second was EXCEPTIONAL.

Nov 2022 • couples

Exceptional, Exceptional. Exceptional food, experience, evening. We closed rhe place, went for the best of the best, and thoroughly enjoyed every second. Our waitress was so much more than a server .... she knew every aspect of the creation of every last plate served. In all, I think there were 45 plates, presented over four (approximately 45 minute) time periods - about 10 each time period. Our wine pairings were equally enjoyable. To experience Atelier at 540 Rochester ONCE in your life is a MUST do. We met all kitchen staff and then realized the enormity of the effort, focus and cuisine expertise required to pull off the degree of incredible tasting and exquisitely presented masterpieces each and every plate. This experience comes at an enormous cost however. After taxes, we put down almost $1,500 for almost 5 hours of culinary perfection. Not too bad all things considered. We talked about going back every year but then thought better. That's the only issue. My wife and I can go out elsewhere and still get a 5 star experience many, many other places. True, it won't be quite at this level, but we'll easily end up with $1,000 still in our pockets. When we think of the service tip we provided at the time, we've eaten at fabulous white cloth, excellently appointed, excellent service restaurants, for the same price we tipped at Atellier in Ottawa. The location was easy to get to and the decor and proximity of tables to another isn't ideal - remember you are not there for the decor, you're there for the food experience possible of a lifetime with your most treasured significant other. My wife and I loved and do not regret a thing, nor will change our minds. Exceptional.

Written July 1, 2023

Kristine B

24 contributions

Delicious dinner

Dec 2021 • none

We booked Absinthe for a special outing for four over the holidays. We were very pleased with the quality of the meal, the ambience in the restaurant and the professionalism of our servers. The menu, as others have noted, is not large but this meant all the meals chosen were very good, with lots of attention to small details. Several of us chose the steak frites option and one diner had the salmon. Starters, mains and desserts were all excellent. We should note as well that the restaurant's Covid protocols were all in place, and tables were well-spaced. We felt very comfortable dining at Absinthe, and would return.

Written December 30, 2021

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