Fondue Essentials and the Best in Basel
- Alison Waterfield
- 4 hours ago
- 7 min read
Before I came to Switzerland, I knew very little about fondue. My first proper cheese fondue was over a decade ago at Le Sommet restaurant at the top of the cable car to Moléson-sur-Gruyères, and from that moment on, I was never the same again! This article explains the different types of fondue and the best places to enjoy them in Basel.
A Short History of Fondue
Often considered the national dish of our alpine nation, cheese fondue has somewhat disputed origins. The word comes from the French fondre, meaning to melt. Legend has it that during a 16th-century conflict between Protestant and Roman Catholic factions, a temporary truce was marked by sharing a dish similar to today’s fondue, with one side bringing bread and the other bringing cheese. A peaceful and very Swiss solution!
Types of Fondue
When someone says "fondue", most people immediately think of cheese. But fondue is more than just cheese; it comes in many forms, some of which contain no cheese at all. Raclette (melted cheese that is scraped), while technically not fondue, is very much part of the same cosy winter dishes. Here's a quick guide that explains the distinctions.
Cheese-Based Fondue
Traditional Cheese Fondue Traditional cheese fondue is a shared meal served in a small pot, or caquelon, warmed over a flame. Bread cubes (preferably day-old) are essential, and the dish is often accompanied by cured meats, gherkins and pickled onions. The core ingredients are cheese, white wine, kirsch, garlic and a little cornflour to bind it all together. The recipe is simple, but the magic lies in the cheese blend and the balance of ingredients.
Fun fact: Fondue etiquette is relaxed, but there is one important rule. Losing your bread in the caquelon is considered a minor crime, and punishments may include buying a round of drinks, singing a song or, if you're truly unlucky, a naked dash through the snow!
Raclette A centuries-old tradition from Valais, raclette involves heating cheese until it melts and scraping it onto potatoes, onions and gherkins. Traditionally, this was done by warming half of a cheese wheel near an open fire. Today, most households use tabletop grills (electric or warmed with candles), either with a half-wheel mechanism or with individual pans for melting slices. Many grills have a top plate for cooking sausages, bacon, vegetables or anything else that takes your fancy.
Meat-Based Fondue
Fondue Bourguignonne Despite the French-sounding name, this hot-oil meat fondue is Swiss and was created in 1948 by Georges Esenwein of Café Bock in Lausanne. Pieces of raw meat are cut into bite-sized chunks and cooked at the table in hot oil heated in a stainless steel caquelon, then dipped into a variety of sauces. The original name comes from the use of Charolais beef paired with Burgundy wines. The dish was named Bourguignonne or Burgundian as it included Charolais meat accompanied by red wines from Burgundy.
Fondue Chinoise Often considered the lighter alternative to Bourguignonne, Fondue Chinoise cooks thin slices of meat and vegetables in a flavourful bouillon rather than oil. Once everything has cooked their fill, the by that point well-flavoured broth is served as a soup, often with thin noodles added. It is a wonderfully sociable dish.
Sauce is the key! The real star of any meat fondue is the sauce selection. Cocktail, garlic, tartar, curry, chilli, herb; the options are endless!
Fondue Bacchus A delicious hybrid between Bourguignonne and Chinoise, Fondue Bacchus uses red wine as the base for cooking the meat. As the name suggests, it is a decadent tribute to Bacchus, the Roman god of wine.
Tatarenhut The Tatarenhut is a distinctive conical grill said to resemble a traditional Tatar hat. Thin slices of meat, fish or vegetables are hung on the metal prongs while the broth sits in the circular ("hat") brim below. As the food cooks, its juices drop into the broth, enriching it into a wonderfully savoury soup.
Fondue in Basel
Whether you prefer an alpine chalet feel, a cruise on the Rhine or a traditional Swiss restaurant, Basel has no shortage of fondue spots.
Top Picks
Löwenzorn (Gemsberg 2, 4051 Basel) My personal favourite. The romantic Hofgarten comes with heaters and fur throws to keep you warm. If you prefer to stay warm inside, head into the characterful Saal inside and enjoy the very tasty fondue there instead.
Baracca Zermatt (Binningerstrasse 14, 4051 Basel) A taste of Zermatt in the heart of Basel. Tuck into cheese fondue, fondue chinoise and raclette in a cosy chalet setting that almost makes you expect the Matterhorn outside the door. For couples, try the romantic "Chäsrühren à deux" gondola (2 to 4 people). Book early as it fills up fast.
Winterdorf at Sandoase (Westquaistrasse 75, 4057 Basel) In winter, the Sandoase beach bar transforms into a magical Winterdorf. Choose between the rustic wood chalet, the Finnish kota for 8 to 12 people or the intimate ski gondola for 2 to 4. The menu ranges from raclette and fondue and Tatarenhut, with creative twists such as nutmeg-lavender raclette, red-wine-and-pepper raclette, and apple-walnut fondue.
Bambusnest (Messeplatz 10, 4058 Basel) In the historic round courtyard of Messe Basel, Bambusnest becomes a winter gondola village with romantic fondue gondolas and heated yurts for groups of 2 to 16. The full menu is served everywhere, whether you choose a gondola, a smaller yurt or the large fondue yurt. Expect several varieties of cheese fondue as well as fondue chinoise, all in a wonderfully atmospheric setting.
Hidden Gems
Kunsthalle's Fondue Stübli (Steinenberg 7, 4051 Basel) Tucked away in the garden near the Tinguely fountain, the Fondue Stübli brings a touch of Valais flair to Basel. Try hay-flower, porcini, prosecco, truffle, or dark Ueli beer fondue, along with sides such as sliced pear, raw egg, pickles and cured beef. The Stübli's mix of modern comfort and nostalgic charm makes it well worth a visit.
Rheinstube at Ufer 7 (Untere Rheingasse 11, 4058 Basel) The Rheinstube overlooks the Rhine, has ski-hut vibes and offers boozy fondue variations such as Rheinbrand gin or Teufel beer, alongside their U7-original and truffle options.
Dandy Hütte (Münchensteinerstrasse 81, 4052 Basel) For a trip back to the roaring twenties, visit the Dandy Hütte pop-up at Das Viertel. The fondue offerings are classic and comforting, with favourites such as Ueli-beer, champagne-truffle, or Valais-style with dried meat. There is also a wide raclette selection ranging from smoked to wild herbs, morel and sheep's cheese. Vegan and alcohol-free options are available too.
Hafechäs (Uferstrasse 40, 4057 Basel) For something different, head to the Holzpark Klybeck and make your own fondue. The ingredients are brought to the table, and the staff guide you through the steps. It takes around 15 minutes and feels very rewarding before you tuck in. A non-alcoholic version is available, made with apple juice.
Special Occasions
Fondue on the Rhine
Rhystärn (Westquaistrasse 62, 4057, Basel) If you want to be Uff dem Rhyy, an evening on the Rystärn is perfect. Sit back and enjoy the city lights, especially at Christmas. Options include fondue chinoise with Alpstein chicken momos, a vegetarian plant-based version, several cheese fondues including porcini, red pesto and a vegan option. Round off the evening with a session of ice curling on deck.
Fondue on the Ferries
For an even closer Rhine experience, book a Fondue auf der Fähre on one of the Basel ferries: Wild Maa (St. Alban ferry), Vogel Gryff (Klingental ferry) or Ueli (St. Johann ferry). You can rent the ferry privately by arranging it with the Fährimaa. Each ferry is run independently, but rental usually costs 150chf for the first hour and 100chf for each additional hour. Fondue and drinks are extra.
Fondue Chalet Rheinblick
If you love being by the Rhine but prefer a riverside view without the movement, the Fondue Chalet Rheinblick (Waldhaus beider Basel, In der Hard, 4127 Birsfelden) is a lovely option. Tucked in the Hardwald just outside the city, it offers a calm, cosy setting for cheese or meat fondue and makes for a relaxed winter evening out. Worth reserving ahead.
Traditional Favourites
Walliser Kanne (Gerbergasse 50, 4001 Basel) is a traditional Swiss spot offering three types of fondue: classic cheese, porcini mushroom, and champagne.
Brasserie Zum Braunen Mutz (Barfüsserplatz 10, 4051 Basel) at Barfi offers seven kinds of cheese fondue, including classic, tomato, mountain herb, truffle, saffron, champagne and beer.
Elsbethenstübli (Elisabethenstrasse 34, 4051 Basel) is a cosy local favourite where the house cheese fondue is a permanent part of the menu, which says a lot!
Schafeck (Schafgässlein 7, 4058 Basel), also known as Das Schoofegg, is one of the oldest restaurants in Basel and has been on the same site since 1474. Their traditional house-mix cheese fondue is wonderfully rich and comforting. A local friend of mine goes here every time she fancies a fondue and she absolutely swears by it.
Safran Zunft (Gerbergasse11, 4001 Basel) offers a different take on meat fondue with their famous Fondue Bacchus. Enjoy beef and veal with fries and various sauces. Reservations must be made 24 hours in advance.
Vegan Fondue
Tibits (various locations) serves a plant-based vegan fondue from New Roots, made from cashews and served with bread, vegetables and pears. Pre-booking is required. Winterdorf and Rhystärn also offer vegan options.
Cheese Fondue For One
Fondue is usually offered ab zwei Personen, but Basel has a few places where you can still treat yourself. The Rheinstube at Ufer 7 offers individual portions, and at Rhyschänzli (Lichtstrasse 9, 4056 Basel) you can enjoy a fondue menu for one that includes a mixed green salad and dried meats. For a quirky twist, try the Fondue Bus at Adväntsgass Glaibasel (Rheingasse, 4058 Basel) for a London-style fondue served on an original double-decker bus.
Fondue at Home
If you prefer a cosy evening at home, supermarkets offer plenty of pre-shredded mixes. For a more specialised selection, try:
Wirth’s Huus (Colmarerstrasse 10, 4055 Basel)
Glausi’s Käsespezialitäten (Spalenberg 12, 4051 Basel)
Milchhüsli Beider Basel (Baslerstrasse 12, 4123 Allschwil)
I hope you enjoy these fondue options as much as I enjoyed researching them! In the words of Ufer 7: a winter without fondue is no winter at all.
En Guete!
Alison Waterfield is a Brit who has been in the Basel area for over a decade. She currently resides in Oberwil, where she enjoys having countryside on her doorstep as well as town being only a short tram ride away. She loves cooking, baking and anything food-related and is a beginner food stylist and photographer. She enjoys being in nature and relaxing doing anything wellness-related, as well as engaging in creative activities such as abstract and fluid art and crochet.