Need good fondue in Lucerne
Aug 27th, 2015, 07:30 AM
#1
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Need good fondue in Lucerne
Husband and I will be in Lucerne in a couple of weeks. Staying at Hotel des Alpes near the Chapel Bridge. Is there a restaurant within walking distance of the hotel that has good fondue?
Other restaurant recommendations in the area would also be appreciated.
Thanks, Margo
Other restaurant recommendations in the area would also be appreciated.
Thanks, Margo
Aug 27th, 2015, 12:41 PM
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First of all, the town's name is Luzern.
Second, fondue is not a native dish in Luzern. Eating fondue in Luzern is like eating Indian curry or sushi in Luzern. In fact, the natives of Luzern hate fondue, because it is a dish from francophone Switzerland, a part of the country which they despise.
There is a restaurant specialized in fondues in Luzern, called "Fondue House". It gets terrible reviews because it caters mainly to tourists from Asia and the USA. It is grossly overpriced.
Otherwise I second the suggestion of Hotel des Balances - it has a good restaurant at moderate prices.
Second, fondue is not a native dish in Luzern. Eating fondue in Luzern is like eating Indian curry or sushi in Luzern. In fact, the natives of Luzern hate fondue, because it is a dish from francophone Switzerland, a part of the country which they despise.
There is a restaurant specialized in fondues in Luzern, called "Fondue House". It gets terrible reviews because it caters mainly to tourists from Asia and the USA. It is grossly overpriced.
Otherwise I second the suggestion of Hotel des Balances - it has a good restaurant at moderate prices.
Aug 27th, 2015, 03:50 PM
#5
<< First of all, the town's name is Luzern >>
In German, that is correct. However in English and French, it is Lucerne.
No need to be nasty to the OP. OP may only be getting to a couple of places in Switzerland and may want to try fondue during their travels.
In German, that is correct. However in English and French, it is Lucerne.
No need to be nasty to the OP. OP may only be getting to a couple of places in Switzerland and may want to try fondue during their travels.
Aug 27th, 2015, 05:41 PM
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Insisting on Luzern is like saying all the posters must use Roma, Firenze, Munchen, Wien, etc.
Since the board is in English many posters use the English names of places - although hopefully they know the local ones to use when they are there.
Since the board is in English many posters use the English names of places - although hopefully they know the local ones to use when they are there.
Aug 27th, 2015, 08:56 PM
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Actually, the op may even have trouble finding fondue in Vevey/Montreux in the summertime. It's a winter dish, and most restaurants wouldn't think of offering it in the summer -- too heavy and will add about 20 deg. to your body temperature, lol.
You can, however, buy the ingredients easily, and hopefully you can find a pot and a stovetop to heat them all up in.
If you do find fondue, Margo, please remember to drink smart. You should drink white wine or a hot tea with it; otherwise, the cheese will form a hard ball in your intestines that will give you some trouble a little later . . .
Hope you find some!
s
You can, however, buy the ingredients easily, and hopefully you can find a pot and a stovetop to heat them all up in.
If you do find fondue, Margo, please remember to drink smart. You should drink white wine or a hot tea with it; otherwise, the cheese will form a hard ball in your intestines that will give you some trouble a little later . . .
Hope you find some!
s
Aug 27th, 2015, 09:49 PM
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oh, yes -- Gruyeres has fondue 365 days a year! It's the home of the cheese that's used in fondue (gruyere), and they promote the heck out of it. But, yes, that's where I go when I'm there in the summer and want some fondue.
Gruyeres lies between the Oberland region and Montreux. It's a short detour off the Golden Pass scenic train route, if you'll be in that area.
s
Gruyeres lies between the Oberland region and Montreux. It's a short detour off the Golden Pass scenic train route, if you'll be in that area.
s
Aug 27th, 2015, 09:52 PM
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I suspect that you can find cheese fondue in Lucerne / Luzern in the next few weeks, even if it is "off season," though of course, I could be wrong. I found it there in July of 1989. 
If not, you'll find lot's of other wonderful things to eat.
If not, you'll find lot's of other wonderful things to eat.
Aug 27th, 2015, 10:01 PM
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kja,
Where did you find it in 1989? Maybe the op could google the restaurant and see if it's still in operation and still serving fondue.
If all else fails, traveller1959 gave the name of a fondue restaurant in Luzern, so the op can still go there.
s
Where did you find it in 1989? Maybe the op could google the restaurant and see if it's still in operation and still serving fondue.
If all else fails, traveller1959 gave the name of a fondue restaurant in Luzern, so the op can still go there.
s
Aug 27th, 2015, 10:39 PM
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If only I had that info, swandav! But I don't, and from what I could tell, the restaurant where I found fondue in 1989 might not have remained in 2013.
I looked around a bit in 2013, because that restaurant had done me a special kindness by serving fondue for one, and I thought it might be nice to stop in to again thank them, but I didn't see any place that seemed familiar. But so much seemed unfamiliar that I could have been very much mistaken!
I don't think it was the "Fondue House" mentioned by traveler1959 -- it was a restaurant with balconies overlooking the river and the Jesuitenkirche. The entrance was on a square to the north of the river that didn't offer views of the river; I was led upstairs to my river-side balcony table. The fondue was normally offered only for two and only as an appetizer.
As I said, I walked around a bit in 2013 to see if I could find it, and I did see fondue on several menus, but not for any of the places that could have been the one I was seeking. Unfortunately, that's all the info I can offer!
Sorry I can't offer more helpful information.
I looked around a bit in 2013, because that restaurant had done me a special kindness by serving fondue for one, and I thought it might be nice to stop in to again thank them, but I didn't see any place that seemed familiar. But so much seemed unfamiliar that I could have been very much mistaken!
I don't think it was the "Fondue House" mentioned by traveler1959 -- it was a restaurant with balconies overlooking the river and the Jesuitenkirche. The entrance was on a square to the north of the river that didn't offer views of the river; I was led upstairs to my river-side balcony table. The fondue was normally offered only for two and only as an appetizer.
As I said, I walked around a bit in 2013 to see if I could find it, and I did see fondue on several menus, but not for any of the places that could have been the one I was seeking. Unfortunately, that's all the info I can offer!
Sorry I can't offer more helpful information.
Aug 28th, 2015, 05:42 AM
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Thanks for the positive suggestions. I wasn't aware that I would have to go to Vevey to get fondue, or Italy to get Italian food! Having been to Switzerland several times I have been able to get fondue almost anywhere. The best was found in St. Moritz. That restaurant used champagne instead of white wine in the fondue. Also had it in Gruyere at a restaurant that had the castle in the background. And in Zermatt at the Walliserstube Zermatt. So I am looking forward to visiting Switzerland again soon. Just wanted some fondue with no attitude!!
Margo
Margo
Aug 28th, 2015, 08:17 AM
#16
I've had fondue in summer time in Vevey. But it was at a restaurant that specifically specialized in that and was open year round.
More common was finding raclette (the melted cheese, potato & pickle plate) which was often at the street markets and outdoor festivals.
More common was finding raclette (the melted cheese, potato & pickle plate) which was often at the street markets and outdoor festivals.
Aug 28th, 2015, 06:29 PM
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"Other restaurant recommendations in the area"
I second the recommendation for Wilden Mann, specifically, the Burgerstube:
http://www.wilden-mann.ch/cms/index.php?page=319
I second the recommendation for Wilden Mann, specifically, the Burgerstube:
http://www.wilden-mann.ch/cms/index.php?page=319
Aug 28th, 2015, 07:00 PM
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Aug 29th, 2015, 02:43 AM
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When we were in Switzerland last June we found fondue in most cities, and often in the mountaintop restaurants. I can't remember if it was offered at the cafe in Rigi, it might have been. There was really good fondue at a restaurant in Bern, if you are planning a day trip there (at least that is closer than Vevey or Gruyeres).
We never had any in Luzern, but then we weren't really looking for it. We had it in Bern, Gruyeres, and Zurich.
We never had any in Luzern, but then we weren't really looking for it. We had it in Bern, Gruyeres, and Zurich.
