The Best Fondue in Switzerland

If you’re planning a trip to Switzerland, be sure to put sampling fondue on your list of things to do. Although it’s mainly a winter dish for the Swiss, you’ll be forgiven for indulging in this convivial dish in the summer.

Part ritual, and part traditional fare, fondue came about in the 1930s as a result of an ad campaign by the Swiss Cheese Union. The natives found it to be a great way to avoid wasting leftover cheese and throwing out stale bread.

As with most dishes, the Swiss came up with other variations, like a tomato fondue served with boiled potatoes, mushroom fondue, and more. You’ll likely find these fondue variations on menus around the country but go with cheese fondue for the real McCoy.

And although Switzerland is famous for chocolate, a fondue of chocolate isn’t a Swiss tradition. Chocolate fondue was born inside the head of a Swiss restauranteur living in New York City back in the 1970s and American brides rushed to put fondue pots on their gift registries.

It’s easy to find fondue in Switzerland. Easier than finding the perfect fondue recipe!. This list of places to find the best in the country’s four main cities, Zurich, Geneval, Lucerne, and Bern is a good place to start. But first, brush up on the etiquette for this ritualistic dish.