#1 Château de Villa, Sierre VS
A temple of raclette culture with a special offer: the "selélection du moment" changes regularly and costs CHF 36 per person. The aromatic portions of raclette are served by professional "racelurs" who expertly spread the cheese on the plates. It is accompanied by marinated vegetables, a basket of hot potatoes, a bowl of silver onions and cornichons and one (or two) of the 700 regional wines on the menu. In addition to the authentic dining rooms, the 16th-century château also houses an enoteca dedicated to the local wine culture, including rarities and out-of-print vintages at moderate prices - a treasure trove of Valais wine.

#2 La Fromagerie at the Gstaad Palace, Gstaad BE
Regular visitors to the Saanenland know it: A truffle champagne cheese fondue is a must at the fondue lounge at Gstaad Palace. There is also a choice of raclette and fondue chinoise with top-quality meat, and you must be careful not to fill up on the starter buffet full of delicious "à discrétion" delicacies. Hidden deep in the basement of the luxury hotel, which served as a gold vault for the Swiss National Bank during the Second World War (the thick armoured door still bears witness to those times), this cosy restaurant has a cult following far beyond the valley. That's why you can't just walk in and why you need to book well in advance, especially at weekends.

#3 Restaurant Gitz-Gädi with evening sleigh ride, Zermatt VS
In the rustic Gitz-Gädi, which means "goat shed" in Zermatt, the open fire crackles and the cheese fondue with Williams flambéed with pears and Valais dried meat (CHF 39 per person) tastes racier than anywhere else. For those who prefer lamb fillet or a classic cordon bleu, the restaurant at the Silvana chalet hotel high above the Matterhorn village is equally good. Very popular with Zermatt connoisseurs: take the last gondola up to Furi station, enjoy the evening in the Gitz-Gädi (near the lift station) and then toboggan down the largely safe path to the village by moonlight. Toboggans are provided free of charge for restaurant guests - the hosts will pick them up the next morning in Zermatt. Good to know: On Tuesdays and Thursdays there is an extra evening cable car ride to Furi. On the other evenings, Furi can be reached on foot in just under an hour or by electric taxi at any time. 

#4 Chalet au Lac, Zurich ZH
Cowbells, red cushions on wooden benches, the feeling of a mountain hut and the familiar smell of melted cheese: the cosy deluxe fondue hut surrounded by festively lit Christmas trees in the hotel park of the Baur au Lac takes guests away from the hustle and bustle of the city and catapults them into the alpine world for a pleasantly slowed-down moment. The steep price of 145 Swiss francs per person (excluding drinks) guarantees exclusivity. At the Chalet au Lac, not only can you dip bread in hot cheese, but the fondue moitié-moitié (half Fribourg Vacherin, half Gruyère) is accompanied by three other courses, and for dessert you can choose from plum compote with cinnamon ice cream or burnt vanilla cream with orange sorbet. For vegans, the four-course meal is built around a cashew fondue (CHF 115).The Chalet au Lac will be open every Tuesday to Saturday evening from 3 December 2024 until New Year's Eve.

#5 Fondue Igloo Engstligenalp, Adelboden BE
The snow igloos on Engstligenalp offer a special setting for a fondue. The spacious plateau, ideal for winter hiking, is easily reached by cable car from the family resort of Adelboden in the heart of the Bernese Alps. Inside the igloos, furs and woollen blankets, wooden table tops and candles, as well as artistic elements made of snow and ice, create a cosy atmosphere. The only food served is cheese fondue (CHF 39 per person); Alpine maggots can also be ordered in advance. Important: Dress warmly - with temperatures close to the freezing point, ski clothing and winter footwear are far better than jeans and trainers. Also: If you prefer to sit outside in the sun during the day, there is a large restaurant terrace at the neighboring Berghotel Engstligenalp.

#6 Evening Fondue & Raclette Boat Trip on Lake Lucerne, Lucerne LU
The movements of the fondue forks in the ship's restaurant make their rounds through the cheese like the MS Waldstätter on Lake Lucerne. The heated ship sails every Friday for two and a half evenings during the winter (departure from Lucerne at 19:12, return at 21:47). As the countless lights of the lakeside towns pass by, you twirl pieces of potato and bread in your caquelon. The boat trip, including an excellent fondue or raclette à discrétion from the Urnerboden cheese dairy, costs 79 francs.

#7 Baracca Zermatt Basel, Basel BS
There are many fondue bars in Basel - which one is the best is of course subjective. But the fact that Baracca Zermatt, near Basel Zoo, is almost always fully booked suggests that you're in for a particularly atmospheric meal. The chandeliers and flickering fireplace in the middle of the room add to the feel-good ambience, as does the abundance of wood from the former Zermatt post hut. The menu is simple and good: nut salad or Valais dried meat specialties as a starter, followed by cheese fondue, fondue chinoise or raclette, and finally a homemade dessert (3-course menu between CHF 69 and 79). The Baracca is open every evening from Monday to Saturday from the end of October to the end of March, and on Sundays during the Advent season.

#8 Fondue gondolas & barrels in the garden restaurant Marzilibrücke, Bern BE
In summer a popular garden restaurant under gnarled chestnut trees by the Aare, from October to February a few discarded gondolas from the former Rellerli railway from Schönried-Gstaad and two large wooden barrels are spread out in the gravel garden of the Marzilibrücke restaurant. Both the gondolas and the barrels have been converted into cozy, heated miniature restaurants. Each can seat four or six to eight guests. A traditional cheese fondue and an Alpine starter plate with sliced cheese and air-dried meat (supplied by the Gstaad Dairy and Buure-Metzg Schönried) are served. To ensure nobody has to get up hungry, the menu also includes a blood orange parfait or a chocolate cake with double cream.

#9 Fondue gondolas Saas-Fee, Saas-Fee VS
After sunset, round off a sporty day in the sparkling snowy air with a cheese fondue on a relaxing gondola ride with views of the evening mountain world and the lights of Saas-Fee: A light-hearted experience that will remain in your memory for a long time, offered regularly by Saastal Bergbahnen during the winter season. Prices start from CHF 70 per person in the six-seater gondola (fondue with a glass of Valais wine, tea and dessert). Those who want more privacy can book the romantic Candlelight Gondola for two (CHF 199) or the Family Gondola for two adults and up to four children (also CHF 199). The gondolas are equipped with blankets and furs, so dress warmly! The one-hour evening ride departs at 18:30 from the Spielboden cable car valley station.

#10 Fondue balloon ride in the Vaud and Fribourg Alps VD/FR
It doesn't get much more spectacular than that: a balloon ride in the Alps of Vaud and Fribourg, combined with a cheese fondue in the air. Ballons du Léman makes it possible. A unique experience for lovers of breathtaking views and moments of pleasure, with the snow-capped mountains at your feet. Back on the ground, dessert is served: Meringues with Gruyère Crème Double and a glass of Champagne. Flights depart from the end of December to the beginning of March (at midday) and from the beginning of May to the end of September (departure two hours before sunset). Price per person: CHF 475.