As a seat of international power and a hotspot for travelers, Geneva, Switzerland hosts world leaders and tourists alike. Millions of people visit Geneva each year for important conferences, to enjoy the historical sites and panoramic views, or both.
Geneva rolls out the red carpet for its visitors no matter what they’re in town for. That’s why you’ll find some of the best fondue restaurants in this city with talented chefs adding their own creative spin to the dish.
Fondue has its roots in the rural parts of Switzerland. What began as a way to use leftover bread and cheese was reinvented and promoted in the 1930s as the Swiss national dish. Today, a basic fondue is a mixture of various kinds of cheese and usually a little white wine. It’s heated over a caquelon (portable stove) lit with a candle. Long forks are used to dip chunks of bread into a communal pot of hot, bubbly cheese.
So, when winter comes, and the temperatures drop, one of the best things you can do in Geneva, apart from ice skating, is eat lots of hot melted cheese! So, here is a list of the best restaurants in Geneva to try fondue.
Café du Soleil
Conveniently located by car to the United Nations, Café du Soleil is over 400 years old. It’s located in a historic building across from the Petit-Saconnex’s Church. It’s a favorite for locals and welcomes guests from around the world. The interior decor is homey and the outdoor terrace is reminiscent of a Provençal village.
The fondu at Café du Soleil is made with authentic cheese from La Roche, a village near Gruyères. Other dishes for cheese lovers on the menu include a plate of Gruyères, pan-fried cheese served with a salad, and Malakoff (cheese delicatessen.) Or try the Vacherin and Gruyères cheese tart from the seasonal menu.
Save room for a yummy dessert like merengue and double cream from Gruyères.
- Address: Place du Petit-Saconnex 6, Geneva
- Opening Times: Monday: 7am – 2.30 pm, 5pm – 11pm, Tuesday: 7 am – 11 pm, Wednesday – Friday: 7 am – 11.30 pm, Saturday: 10 am – 11.30 pm, Sunday: 10 am – 11 pm
- Website: www.cafedusoleil.ch/en/
Bains des Pâquis
Bains des Pâquis is a public swimming bath built in the 1930s. A popular meeting place for locals, it’s located on scenic Lake Geneva. Swim and lounge in the sun in the summer and have lunch on the terrace of the Buvette. In winter, you can take advantage of the Turkish bath, sauna, hammam, and massage service.
Fondue is served in the winter beginning at 11:30 am. The Buvette’s Fondue Night is an amazing experience. The specialty is the famous crémant fondue made with Gruyère and sparkling wine. It’s served in a warm cabin heated by a wood fire, or on the sunny terrace if the weather is mild. Fondue night begins every evening at 6 pm. Reservations are highly recommended.
- Address: Quai du Mont-Blanc 30, Geneva
- Website: www.bains-des-paquis.ch
Edelweiss Hotel
For a unique fondue experience, the Edelweiss Hotel features traditional live music by a folk band playing Swiss songs and the famous yodel. You can also reserve a table in Le Chalet, an authentic chalet from the Valais region that was dismantled and rebuilt in Geneva.
The Edelweiss has an extensive and creative fondue menu. For example, the Fondue du Chef, à l’ail et moutarde is the chef’s cheese fondue made with mustard and garlic. For a more traditional choice, go with the Fondue moitié-moitié affinée de la fromagerie de Marsens. It’s made with Gruyère cheese aged for 2 years and Vacherin Fribourgeois aged for 5 months.
The chef at Edelweiss has even created a vegan fondue made with cashew nuts. All fondues are served with bread, and fondue sans alcohol is available upon request.
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- Address: Place de la Navigation 2, 1201, Geneva
- Opening Hours: Tuesday to Saturday: 6pm – 11pm
- Website: hoteledelweissgeneva.com/en/edelweiss
Le Gruyèrien
Winter is the official Fondue season in Switzerland, but you can enjoy the hot cheesy dish any time of the year at Le Gruyèrien, a cheese lover’s paradise. The chalet-style establishment has a warm and homey atmosphere with a friendly staff.
Le Gruyèrien’s specialties include the traditional moitié-moitié (half vacherin, half gruyère cheese), fondue à la Tomate served with potatoes instead of the usual bread, fondue aux bolets with porcini mushrooms, and fondue chèvre made with 100 percent goat cheese. Once you’ve reached the delectable la religieuse – the crusty bit at the bottom of the fondue pot – settle your tummy with a traditional shot of schnapps.
Le Gruyèrien is known for exceptional quality, competitive prices, and speedy service. Booking ahead is highly recommended. Especially if you want to head out to enjoy the nightlife in Geneva afterward.
- Address: Rue de Chêne-Bougeries 2
- Opening Times: Tuesday to Saturday: 12 pm – 2 pm & 6:30 pm – 12 am
- Website: www.le-gruyerien.ch
Les Armures
Les Armures is one of the best restaurants in the city. Known for its cheesy-boozy Swiss moitié-moitié, it’s located in a 13th-century building with lots of charm and history. It sits between the 12th-century Maison Tavel and the Old Arsenal. The building’s dungeons were used as cellars during the 14th century. The dining rooms have low-beamed ceilings and exposed brickwork.
Besides the boozy moitié-moitié, fondue choices include variations with tomatoes, herbs, wild mushrooms, and bacon. A tasty raclette is also on the menu as well as dried meat platters and fresh perch from Lake Geneva.
Les Armures is one of the Geneva restaurants that serves fondue in Geneva’s old town year-round. Enjoy their great service outdoors on the patio for scenic dining. Fondue prices start at 26 Swiss francs.
- Address: Rue du Soleil-Levant, 1204
- Website: hotel-les-armures.ch
Café Bon-Vin
Café Bon-Vin is located in a picturesque setting right on the lake in Geneva’s Eaux-Vives neighborhood. It has a warm and friendly bistro atmosphere that welcomes guests from around the world.
Café Bon-Vin’s fondue menu is both traditional and creative. The champagne fondue is especially popular. Other fondue variants include half and half, mushroom, herb, goat cheese, and tomatoes.
Along with an excellent fondue, the menu features authentic Swiss cuisine including country sausages with cabbage, grilled entrecôte, and sliced Zurich veal with rösti.
The wine list at Café Bon-Vin is extensive and features the finest white, rose, and red French wines.
- Address: Rue François-Versonnex 17, Geneva
- Opening Times: Monday to Friday: 11:30 am – 3:00 pm & 6:30 pm – 11:30 pm, Saturday & Sunday: 6:30 pm – 11:30 pm
- Website: cafebonvin.ch
