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Absinthe Bistro
Review
About
Absinthe Bistro offers modern and classic french cooking on Commercial Drive - Open for Dine in, Patio and take away
Features
CUISINES
French, European
Meal types
Dinner
Special Diets
Gluten free options
FEATURES
Accepts Credit Cards
BYOB
Gift Cards Available
Non-smoking restaurants
Outdoor Seating
Reservations
Serves Alcohol
Street Parking
Wheelchair Accessible
Wine and Beer
Location
Does this restaurant offer highchairs for toddlers?
Save this restaurant
Hours
Open until 8:30 PM
Sunday
Closed
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Wednesday
5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Thursday
5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Friday
5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Saturday
5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Contribute
4.7
454 reviews
Excellent
351
Very good
77
Average
20
Poor
4
Terrible
2
Gary B
Vancouver482 contributions
Mar 2023 • couples
Absinthe is becoming one of our favourites, despite some difficulty finding parking in the area. We both ordered mussels to start, the duck confit and shared a lava cake dessert. We started with cocktails (martini and pastis) and ordered a bottle of Pinot Noir, which was recommended by the server. The wine was so good, we found a course at Everything Wine and bought several bottles.
Absinthe is sort of homey French food, albeit at a price, but it is delicious and the ambience is enjoyable. Highly recommended.
Written March 27, 2023
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.
Jpart
Vancouver1682 contributions
Apr 2022 • none
Simply FANTASTIC. A Must restaurant to try for French flare. Our server was a very friendly individual who was also very knowledgeable with her choices. We took the set menu for $57 which included Appy, Starter and Dessert. I guess with these tough times we had our greeter who turned out to be our server, who turned out to be our bartender and best of all also turned out to be the owner. He did have a back up server who was also a very polite and friendly lady, who turned out to be a Mexican but could be mistaken for anything but. She made our evening extra special. Dinner event with a personal touch is so rare these days. The food and presentation - well just say go there and judge for yourself. You will be glad you did. Money and Evening well spent.
Written April 3, 2022
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.
Where_to_travel_next
Vancouver6843 contributions
Jun 2023 • friends
Pre-show in the area we came here for dinner. We chose their 3 course set menu option, which was great value. All items were delicious, of good portion size which we had trouble to finish dessert. A must try.
Written March 20, 2024
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.
SMG
177 contributions
Aug 2023 • couples
From reading previous reviews it looks as though we got a bit unlucky… The starters were nice that we had, but the halibut one of us had was bland and the steak was very tough. The waitress was really friendly, although the service was quite slow; which wasn’t her fault as she was the only waitress to over 12 or so tables. The restaurant itself is nice and I thought it was reasonably priced. We were disappointed with the food unfortunately.
Written August 12, 2023
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.
old-jogger
Port Coquitlam234 contributions
Dec 2022 • couples
We hadn’t been to Absinthe Bistro for a few years (thanks, COVID!) so this was our first visit since they moved to a slightly larger space a few blocks down the Drive. More room than before but they still create a warm ambiance for couples or larger groups. As before, the service is personal and friendly. The short menu changes regularly and there are three choices each for appetizer, main and dessert. A small but varied selection of wine, beer and cocktails - with absinthe a speciality. What brings us back is the food. Beautifully cooked fresh ingredients and wonderful sauces dominate the dishes. Everything was delicious but two highlights were a well paired pate and fig jam for the appetizer and luscious scallops (perfectly cooked) as a main course accompanied by a wonderful sauce and puréed potatoes. At many restaurants we find that we don’t have room for dessert, but portion sizes at Absinthe mean that we always have dessert. Chocolate lava cake and crème brûlée are regular favourites and the latter is the best we have ever tasted. Price for three courses is under $70 per person and worth every penny.
Written December 4, 2022
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.
r c
1 contribution
Sep 2024 • family
Always a new and delightful menu. Always worth the trip. Reasonable prices and great service.
The chef is excellent and I'm always excited to see what is available on the rotating menu. Highly recommended.
Written September 28, 2024
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.
Supergorf
Vancouver138 contributions
Jan 2020 • none
We like this place...
It is relaxing, simple, warm and we feel comfortable.
It is a fantastic value for what you get served and so far we have not been disappointed with the food nor the service. You can get very good food for less than C$50.00 and when I read individuals complaining that it is not as good as a French restaurant, I am a little dumfounded as you would pay much more in Paris. In fact, being Parisian myself, I am glad that they are not the same … I prefer their Vancouver “bistro” atmosphere.
The menu is not sophisticated and changes every season.
The owners (The chef and his wife) are now serving the food) and you get the cooks helping from time to time. So, if you have any type of complaint you can address right there with them as they are opened and willing to accept suggestions or critics.
When I read the reviews from few years ago it looks like the service has greatly improved although we were there from their opening days and did not have a complaint at that time.
The new location is more spacious, and tables are further apart which gives you an increased privacy.
Parking is a little difficult as they are located at the top of Commercial drive, south of Venables.
My only con is that the coffee is a little too weak for my taste and if Juliana or Cory read this (the owners) it can be improved.
Written January 20, 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.
Where_to_travel_next
Vancouver6843 contributions
Jun 2024 • friends
The four of us had a really nice dinner. We made reservations beforehand. There is a small covered patio facing Commercial drive. You have limited a la carte choices, which the chef will change up and use their creativity. We enjoyed the froie gras, salad, scallops, steak options. Great value for a meal. Friendly service. Absinthe drinks of course.
Written June 18, 2024
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.
M G M
Saskatchewan19 contributions
Apr 2024 • friends
An oasis of culinary grace amidst the burgeoning chaos of Commercial Drive.
The menu is excellent ... small (as befits a bistro) but varied, balanced between classic and contemporary French dishes. The French onion soup was exceptional, as was the chocolate lava cake with matcha ice cream.
The service was attentive, friendly and not hurried at all. A pleasure.
The wine list is small but well-chosen, with many selections available by the glass. We never tried the absinthe ... yet!
Written April 12, 2024
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.
mollymaloney365
San Francisco30 contributions
Jun 2022 • none
So delicious! The steak was incredible as was the gazpacho. The desserts are outstanding. Prepare to spend a bit of time enjoying your meal as the portions are large and there is quite bit of time between each service as you meant to relax and enjoy your food. Great service as well. Very good value for the price as well.
Written June 28, 2022
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.
Willie
Vancouver3 contributions
Apr 2021 • couples
We ordered Easter dinner (take out due to Covid restrictions). 2 course dinner.2 chicken liver pate, scallops & prawns entree, and steak entree. Even after driving home to Richmond and having our own salad and appetizers first, the steak was still pink medium. Delicious pate with hot mustard. 2 jumbo prawns and three large scallops with mashed potatoes and spinach. Delicious. We had a birthday dinner here in the fall of 2019 and have no hesitation in recommending Absinthe Bistro. Excellent food!
Written April 4, 2021
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.
Lucy D
2 contributions
Nov 2020 • none
We had crab cakes are they were very good. I was expecting two but only one.
We ordered the pate on the side and it was ok, lacked flavour
The land shank was better than compared to sablefish which had a fishy taste.
Absinthe cocktails were a real disappointment.
The food was brought to the table by I suppose the girl chefs as opposed to the one lone waiter.
It was ok not great as I was expecting from the reviews.
Written November 16, 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.
TrueReviewers
Vancouver8 contributions
Apr 2020 • none
As I'm sure you know, all restaurants in Vancouver are closed due to the Coronavirus, but they are allowed to provide a takeout service. Eating at Absinthe is a delight, but today we ordered takeout and we were not disappointed. Absolutely delicious and cooked to perfection. Please go and support this restaurant, and others, during these crazy times.
Written April 1, 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.
The Big Kahuna
2 contributions
Oct 2021 • none
L'Absinthe Bistro is an excellent French restaurant and I am familiar with excellent French and Swiss restaurants having visited France a
number of times. I'm surprised this Commercial Drive restaurant is not on the 10 Best list. It is a small restaurant so reservations are advised. The chef has been trained in Lyon, France and it shows.
Written August 13, 2022
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.
Colleen V
Montreal2 contributions
Dec 2019 • none
I have been going to Absinthe Bistro for years. The food is always excellent, and there is always something for myself and my guests on the 'limited menu'. The cozy atmosphere of the old location has carried over to the new one. However, what always stands out for me is the lovely owner who greets every guest like a friend, yet makes a person feel special.
Written March 6, 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.
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