America's 10 Best Restaurants For Fondue

Is there anything more delicious-sounding than a big, bubbling cauldron of melted cheese, surrounded by lots of different accompaniments for dunking? Fondue is indeed one of the most delicious foods on earth, and we've tracked down the 10 best restaurants to dive into it.

A Swiss-themed country restaurant in the heart of Ohio's Amish country, Chalet in the Valley is famous for its schnitzel and its inexpensive giant fondues (at $16.99, they'll serve four easily). Their version is made with a blend of Grùyere and locally made Guggisberg Baby Swiss, tied together with sauternes and a hint of sherry. It's served with French bread, but you can also order grilled chicken, bratwurst, broccoli, pretzel chips, or knockwurst to accompany it.

Tucked away inside this stylish restaurant is the Zermatt Room, which is dedicated entirely to fondue and its melty French cousin, raclette. Three different varieties of fondue are available here: Zermatt (traditional Swiss-style), Taos Pepper (Swiss cheeses, Hatch chiles, and sun-dried tomatoes), and Tillamook Cheddar (Tillamook Cheddar, white wine, leeks, fresh herbs, and mushrooms).

At this legendary après-ski destination, you'll find a pot of bubbling fondue at just about every table. The fondue is made with Grùyere, and is served alongside bread, apples, chorizo, and cornichons for dipping. You can kick it up with winter truffles if you're feeling especially fancy.

This 30-plus-year-old Chicago institution was slated to shut down last year, but due to an outpouring of support, the owners decided to stay open. And lucky you – it's serving the best fondue in the Windy City. Start with a crock of French onion soup and move on to one of four fondues: Swiss cheese; Swiss and Cheddar; muenster and Cheddar; and the oddball (but delicious) cream cheese and lox fondue, served with bagel sections. Be sure to come on a night when beef for dipping is unlimited.

This fun and romantic Silicon Valley spot makes for a perfect date night. Owners Mitchell and Tracy Cutler have created an interactive fondue experience with a mind-boggling variety of selections, including plenty of meats to cook at your own table including Canadian elk, Texas boar, California lamb, and even kangaroo. There are plenty of cheese fondue options as well, ranging from Classic Cheddar (sharp Wisconsin Cheddar, Worcestershire, and mustard) to Bacon (Swiss cheese, white wine, buttermilk, and bacon), Pesto Cognac (Swiss blend with basil pesto and Cognac), and Cajun (Swiss blend, spicy salsa, bay shrimp, and cayenne).

Built in 1853, New Glarus is a seriously authentic Swiss chalet plunked down into small-town Wisconsin. There's a massive variety of Swiss specialties on the menu, including schnitzel, pork geschnetzels, kaesechuechli, and locally-made Swiss-style sausage platters, but no meal is complete without the fondue. It's made in the traditional Neuchatel style (with Grùyere and Emmental) and it's served bubbling with chunks of Swiss-style bread. And because we're in Wisconsin after all, it comes with a complementary salad bar.

This classic Boston pub only has one fondue on the menu, but it's an absolute winner. Chef Jason Fiset creates a creamy blend of aged gouda, mornay sauce, and local cask ale (either American Pale Ale or IPA, depending), and it's served in a hot iron bowl with focaccia and house-made pretzel nuggets.

Soho's Taureau has a menu comprised entirely of fondues; the $52 three-course prix-fixe starts with your choice of seven cheese fondues, continues with fondue bourguignonne (raw beef, pork, or chicken to cook in a cauldron of hot oil), and chocolate fondue for dessert. The fondues on offer include Cheddar and Monterey jack; Parmesan and white American; smoked gouda with beer and Cheddar; and classic Swiss.

Only available on Sunday nights at this charming West Side spot, the traditional Swiss fondue is made with a mixture of Grùyere, Emmentaler, and Vacherin cheeses. It's served with cubed baguette, steamed potatoes, cured meats, and cornichons, and is a steal at $24.

With a name like Urban Fondue, the fondue better be good, and it is. At this cozy Portland standby, five different fondues are available: smoked local farmhouse Cheddar; brie and gorgonzola topped with roasted hazelnuts; Swiss and Grùyere finished with caramelized onions and port wine; Tillamook white Cheddar and caraway seeds; and hickory smoked Cheddar with tomatoes, basil, and bacon.