Special fondue restaurants

Organic fondue, bread, wine, tea and crockery – the Bergell fondue sledge includes everything you need for an outdoor fondue. Those who enjoy hiking can walk with the sledge for around an hour to Lägh da Cavloc, while those who prefer a more relaxed option can find a spot by Lake Sils. The fondue sledge can be booked and collected at the Hotel Maloja-Kulm and the Hotel Schweizerhaus.

In the Davos Klosters ski area, an Iglu-Dorf is newly created each winter at 2,620 metres above sea level, featuring impressive art made from snow and ice. In the accompanying igloo restaurant or outside on the terrace, a fondue made with regional mountain cheese is served. On full-moon nights, guests can enjoy an all-you-can-eat cheese fondue in the heated kota following a short snowshoe tour. Warmly recommended: an overnight stay in one of the 17 igloos.

‘Behind the moon to the left’, as the locals say, a special fondue experience awaits: at the Michelshof mountain inn in St. Antönien, you can enjoy a cheese‑champagne fondue in the early evening before a guide leads you on a snowshoe tour through the moonlit, glittering winter landscape. Those who prefer snowshoeing during the day are rewarded with a summit fondue on a Sunday tour.

In the Bündner Herrschaft, fondue is served in a horse‑drawn carriage. As the horses carry you through the wine region, you can enjoy a creamy Bad Ragaz cheese fondue and a fine drop of Maienfelder wine in the heated “Rössliposcht”. The ride can be booked for up to 12 people.

In Jenins and Maienfeld, you can stay all year round in one of several heated sleeping barrels. These former 8,000‑litre wine barrels have been cosily converted into tiny‑house accommodation in the small region of great wines – as the Bündner Herrschaft is known. For dinner, you prepare your own cheese fondue; everything you need – including white wine – is provided. And afterwards, the bed is only a few steps away.

There are many ways to enjoy a fondue, but in a former cable-car gondola the atmosphere really takes off. At the Gondolezza at Hotel Steinbock in Pontresina, alongside the Glacier Fondue (a secret recipe), they also serve a local beer fondue, a “devil” fondue with chilli, and a champagne fondue with truffle. The first “ascent” is at 5.30 pm, the second at 8 pm. Arrival in cheese heaven depends on how much you indulge.

Even more adventurous is the Kurhaus Bergün fondue sledge. Instead of using a gas burner, the cheese mixture is melted over an open fire. You can enjoy the outdoor fondue right in the Kurhaus park or at various spots around Bergün; to help you find suitable places, you’ll receive a map with suggestions. Alongside cheese and bread, the fondue sledge is stocked with gherkins, pearl onions and pumpkin, as well as black tea, white wine and kirsch.

In Savognin and Bivio, you can enjoy fondue right in the heart of the wintry landscape of the Val Surses with an outdoor set. The set includes a fondue stove, firewood, a lighter and, of course, a regional fondue mix and bread. The outdoor fondue set, available for up to eight people, must be reserved in advance and collected from the tourist office.

On the “Senda dil Dragun”, the world’s longest treetop walk, you can enjoy a cheese fondue surrounded by snow-covered treetops. The 1.56-kilometre walkway offers visitors the chance to experience the Laax forest at eye level with the trees and enjoy the peace and quiet all year round. But beware: if you drop a piece of bread up here, you’ll hardly get it back — the animals, on the other hand, will be delighted.

At the Valsana Hotel Arosa, you can enjoy fondue together on your own room balcony. There’s no need to head to the restaurant — just place your order the day before. Blankets for cosy evenings with views of the starry sky and the snow-covered winter landscape are provided as well. And afterwards, the bed is not far away.