Absinthe
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There’s playful magic in Absinthe. Unpretentious, French-bistro inspired food to enjoy as-you-are.
Established in 2003, Absinthe, is renowned for its commitment to fine food. The restaurant is a modern bistro, using locally sourced ingredients, prepared in an inventive and sophisticated manner. Enjoy the richness of Absinthe cuisine which features meats, cheeses and produce from eastern Ontario and western Quebec, prepared with classical French culinary techniques.
09/15/2026
We built our w**e list around steak. Then people started ordering it with the burger.
Turns out our smoked bacon burger holds its own against a proper glass of red, not just a side of ketchup. It's not on the pairing menu, but ask your server... they'll have an opinion, and it won't be a boring one.
Comment your go-to burger pairing: w**e, b**r, or otherwise.
09/12/2026
Julia Child had a theory about people who love food, and we happen to agree with her.
"People who love to eat are always the best people." - Julia Child
If that's true, our regulars are the best people in Ottawa.
Tag the friend who fits this rule to a tee.
📸 - Kseniia, Google reviews
09/11/2026
"A good night at Absinthe starts with ___, gets interesting around ___, and ends with ___."
Fill in the blanks in the comments! No wrong answers... just very telling ones. 😉
09/10/2026
We set something on fire at the table every week... and nobody's called the fire department yet. 😉
We serve up absinthe in the traditional way: a sugar cube set ablaze on a slotted spoon, then a slow drip of ice-cold water to create a nice louche.
Book the Absinthe Experience and try it yourself - https://www.absinthecafe.ca
09/09/2026
There's one thing we've never dared to take off the menu.
Steak frites, grilled medium-rare, finished with our house horseradish aioli, crispy frites, and braised green beans. It's the regular's favourite, and the one thing every server will tell you to order if you can't decide on anything else.
Still not convinced? Book a table and let the plate make the argument: https://www.absinthecafe.ca
09/08/2026
"Amazing food, great service, focaccia is fantastic!!" - Kelsey, Google Reviews
Thanks, Kelsey! You just learned the only rule at Absinthe... Never skip the focaccia.
📸 - Justjust, Google Reviews
Before landing in Hintonburg, our chef cooked his way through six cities on two coasts.
Chef Pat trained at culinary school in Vancouver, then worked his way through Banff, Victoria, Montréal, Seattle, Hawaii, and Miami before coming home to Ottawa.
In 2003, all of that experience resulted in the opening of Absinthe at 1208 Wellington Street... and it's never moved since.
09/04/2026
One of the great food writers of the 20th century summed up her whole philosophy in five words.
"First we eat, then we do everything else." - M.F.K. Fisher
Correct order. No notes.
Comment 🙋 if this is basically your personal philosophy.
09/03/2026
Three classic Absinthe desserts... which one gets your table fighting over the last bite?
Our dessert menu is a small love letter to Paris: tarte au citron, crème brûlée, and chocolate mousse. Order one to share and watch that plan fall apart immediately.
Vote for your favourite in the comments 👇
09/02/2026
Would you rather skip the bread or skip dessert?
Option A: give up the Absinthe house-made focaccia.
Option B: give up that crispy Absinthe crème brûlée.
Choose carefully... we're taking notes on who has good taste.
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Address
1208 Wellington Street W
Ottawa, ON
K1Y2Z7
Opening Hours
| Tuesday | 11:30am - 2pm |
| 3pm - 9pm | |
| Wednesday | 11:30am - 2pm |
| 3pm - 9pm | |
| Thursday | 11:30am - 2pm |
| 3pm - 10pm | |
| Friday | 11:30am - 2pm |
| 3pm - 10pm | |
| Saturday | 3pm - 10pm |
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