

Absinthe is a restaurant of the People for the People. Absinthe is the kind of place where you can eat too much, drink too much, laugh too loud and have your elbows on the table…all at once! We try not too take ourselves too seriously, but we promise too take you seriously. Fondue on Tuesday between Thanksgiving and Easter street side and garden patio thereafter. Thanks Pat G
Lively contemporary bistro serving a changing menu of seasonal, gourmet European fare & cocktails.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 1208 Wellington St. W, Ottawa, ON K1Y 2Z7, Canada
Phone: +1 613-761-1138
Website: http://www.absinthecafe.ca/
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Order and Reservations
Reservations: absinthecafe.caopentable.ca
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Contact Us – Absinthe Cafe
Absinthe Cafe Resto Bar Restaurant – OTTAWA, ON | OpenTable
Absinthe, 1208 Wellington St W, Ottawa, Ontario K1Y 2Z7, CA
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Reviews
First up — the cheese fondue.
Creamy. Velvety. Perfectly seasoned. The kind of bubbling pot you gather around and suddenly forget all your table manners for. Every dip of bread (and let’s be honest, probably more bread than planned) was warm, stretchy, and deeply satisfying. It’s indulgent without being overwhelming — the balance is spot on.
Then came the pork wellington, and wow.
Golden pastry wrapped around tender, juicy pork with a savory filling that brought everything together beautifully. The crust had that delicate flakiness you hope for, and the inside was cooked just right — moist, flavorful, and comforting. It felt elevated but still hearty.
And we cannot skip the chocolate fondue.
Dark, rich chocolate served warm and silky, perfect for dipping fruit and sweet treats. It’s playful, nostalgic, and honestly the perfect ending to a cozy night out. You leave slightly overfull and completely satisfied — exactly how fondue night should end.
The Drinks: Choose Wisely
Now… a small but important note.
Skip the absinthe martini. I love a creative cocktail moment, but this one just didn’t hit. The flavors were a little too sharp and unbalanced, overpowering rather than complementing the meal.
Stick with a classic martini or a more traditional cocktail. Sometimes simple really is better — especially when the food is already doing the heavy lifting.
tldr: nice space, good service, mostly good food.
The cocktails are expertly mixed, offering a tasty and professional selection that will impress any connoisseur. The food is Michelin-style level, with standout main courses like the Beef Wellington and duck breast. The Beef Wellington is cooked to perfection with a pink center and tender texture, complemented by a flavorful red wine reduction sauce. The duck breast is also exceptional, showcasing the chef’s skill and attention to detail.
Not to be overlooked are the accompanying dishes like the fondue, which rivals that of a Swiss restaurant. The mushroom soup has an aroma that suggests the mushrooms were freshly harvested from the forest, and the accompanying vegetables are super tasty.
I strongly recommend Absinthe Cafe Resto Bar for special occasions or simply to enjoy excellent food and hospitality.
Great date spot as well.
They do not have a kids menu but do have a high chair!
2nd visit was horrible. We ordered the beef welly course with additional scallops. Took 45 mins before they served their salty cheese fondue and scallops.Then another 30mins for the beef welly. The welly was disappointing. The pastry was burnt while the beef was so undercooked it may as well be alive. We didn’t want another 30mins wait for the dessert so we just got them to go.
On both visits, i have the same opinion on their desserts. They only have 2 options that weren’t even amazing (creme brulee and chocolate mousse).
We landed at this spot for dinner because they were surprisingly one of few restaurants that would accept a reservation of 20+ people on a Wednesday night. The food was delicious, portions were good, drinks were made well, and service was prompt. (Only downfall is that they have limited vegetarian options)
Their salmon entree is a MUST-TRY!
Had we not come here for tonight’s dinner, we likely wouldn’t have tried found this place… but I’d definitely recommend it!
The restaurant itself could use a refresh to the paint and decor. It definitely needs a bathroom renovation. There was only a single bathroom for everyone and it was surprisingly bad for such an expensive restaurant.
Will return to try the steak frites!