Fondue Fun in Bern: Tips for the city and the region

Sociable, uncomplicated and authentic: Restaurant Lötschberg is a classic in Bern, well known for its traditional Swiss specialities, excellent wine and the most delicious salads in town. The savoury house blend of Gruyère and Vacherin is highly recommended for all fondue fans. The lively ambience is perfect for friends, groups and anyone who appreciates a diverse setting. If you’re looking for a secluded spot for a romantic tête-à-tête, you can reserve one of the retired mountain gondolas right outside the front door.

The Moléson is definitely a classic among Bern’s fondue restaurants. Absolutely delectable cheese fondue made from ripened AOP Gruyère and Vacherin has been served here for over 100 years. The classic fondue blend can also contain either morel mushrooms or "Nidle" (cream), or be accompanied by a cold platter of dry-cured Bündner raw ham and air-dried meat. Did you know that the restaurant is named after the local Moléson mountain in Gruyères? It’s no wonder that many of the ingredients in the dishes here come from that region. Bon appétit!

The best thing about fondue time is getting together with friends or family, snuggling up and enjoying an evening around the caquelon. And what’s even better: vegans don’t have to go without this beloved tradition – JUL offers a plant-based fondue during the winter months. Please note: This Swiss speciality is served outdoors. Naturally, the restaurant provides warm blankets, but we still recommend putting on a warm jacket, a scarf and a hat. That way you’re ready for the short walk to the «Pläfe» (minster terrace) to enjoy the view after your vegan feast.

If you are looking for spectacular views, the fondue veranda of the Rosengarten Restaurant is the place to be. As the lights of Bern's Old Town sparkle on the other side of the panoramic window, you can sit back and enjoy a delicious meal. Fondue lovers can choose between the house mix, Alpine herb, Seisler chili and truffle fondue. For approximately 55 francs, you are served an entire fondue menu, including salad with egg, Valais meat platters and a dessert of sweet apple-cider cream. A tasteful ambience awaits with cozy candlelight, snug warm rugs and a crackling open fire.

Wrapped in warm blankets and in good company: in nights with a full moon, a special cheese experience awaits on Bern’s local mountain: after being greeted with mulled wine and roasted chestnuts and enjoying a bowl of homemade soup, a traditional cheese fondue is served. The meal is rounded off with a variety of desserts, but the highlight of the evening is the starry night sky and the panoramic view of the city with its sparkling lights.

A different kind of «Candlelight Dinner»: you can enjoy your fondue in a beautiful igloo at the Hotel Kemmeribodenbad, surrounded by sparkling snow. The homemade cheese fondue from the Marbach mountain cheese dairy is served with potatoes, bread, pickled vegetables and a platter of regional dried meats. And to reach the ultimate cosiness level, you can snuggle up in the hotel’s woollen blankets.

The fondue village at the Bären Dürrenroth creates a very cosy atmosphere. In the past, the building was used to store grains to protect them from fires. Nowadays, they serve fondue for up to four people in the charmingly decorated little wooden houses. And there is something for every taste: a traditional cheese fondue, a fondue with an aromatic herb mixture or a fondue with mushrooms. If you’d rather avoid cheese, you can order a Fondue Chinoise with various sides and sauces. What’s amazing: The meat and cheese come directly from the village’s own butchery and dairy, so everything is local and fresh.

In the Sense/Saane Valley you can enjoy a delicious Moitié Moitié (half-and-half fondue) with bread from the local bakery. But before you dig into your fondue, you can have some fun with adventures and games: you can book various activities for your fondue evening, for example a rail bike ride, cross bow shooting or archery or «Platzgen», a throwing sport from the Middle Ages. This dinner is particularly suitable for families or for a special outing with friends. If you’re interested, you should call in advance, because some sports can only be booked for lager groups.

The Berggasthaus Selibühl doesn’t just serve delicious fondue but also gives you an incredible view of the Gantrisch mountain range. Fun fact: if you brave the rain and the cold and make your way to the restaurant despite the bad weather, you’ll get a five-franc discount on the fondue. And when the weather’s good, you can combine your visit with one of the many winter trails in the Nature Park Gantrisch.

The fondue experience at the Hotel Al Ponte welcomes you in the most radiant way possible: the sea of lights outside the chalets immediately transforms your evening into something magical. And inside, you’ll find cosy furs, chequered tablecloths, rustic wooden tables and chairs – you couldn’t get more comfortable if you tried. From 8 November 2023 to 10 February 2024, they serve aromatic fondue variations in the wooden chalets: «Huuschmischig» (house mixture), «Waud»-Fondue (forest fondue), «Trüffu»-Fondue (truffle fondue), and many more varieties.

If you have finally had enough of the fog, it's time to leave the city behind and head for the mountains. High above the clouds on the Stockhorn, you can look forward to a unique nature experience as well as culinary delights. Hot food is served in the igloo village on frozen Lake Hinterstocken. You can enjoy delicious fondue and the restaurant's own white mulled wine in the middle of an impressively designed world of glittering snow crystals. Our tip: Combine the fondue feast with snowshoeing, winter hiking, ice skating or ice fishing to experience a perfect Alpine adventure!