Swiss Food Culture: Fondue vs. Raclette – The Differences and Which One Suits You Best!

Swiss cuisine is full of traditional specialties, and fondue and raclette are two of these time-honoured dishes that combine great food with conviviality. We explain the differences between fondue and raclette and what you should keep in mind during preparation to achieve the authentic taste of Swiss cuisine.

Fondue – A Shared Experience of Dipping and Savouring

Social gatherings and unmistakable flavour – fondue is a long-standing Swiss culinary tradition that brings together families, friends, groups and couples around the same table. Especially during the colder months, it is almost impossible to resist the aroma of delicious melted cheese, savoury bacon and fruity cherry brandy drifting through the streets. Try it for yourself and visit Zurich's restaurants to indulge your taste buds with the rich flavours of authentic Swiss cheese fondue.

What Makes a Great Fondue?

Before trying this traditional cheese dish, it is worth understanding what makes a truly great fondue. Cheese fondue is much more than simply dipping bread into melted cheese. Preparing this Swiss specialty requires the right equipment, carefully selected cheeses and delicious accompaniments.

Fondue Equipment – From the Caquelon to the Rechaud

A pot made of cast iron or ceramic—known as a caquelon—is essential for preparing the cheese, while a rechaud, a portable tabletop heater, keeps the fondue at the perfect temperature throughout the meal. Modern rechauds with adjustable heat settings provide a safe and practical alternative to traditional spirit burners.

Fondue Cheese – It's All About the Right Blend

Whether you prefer Tilsiter, Appenzeller or Comté, choosing the right cheese ultimately comes down to personal taste. However, Gruyère and Vacherin Fribourgeois remain the classic cheeses used in traditional Swiss fondue. Many restaurants in Zurich also serve a moitié-moitié blend of Gruyère and Vacherin, creating the ideal consistency and perfectly smooth melt.



One essential ingredient should never be overlooked: a hint of cherry. Clear cherry brandy (Kirsch) adds a delicate fruity aroma that perfectly complements the rich cheese, creating the authentic balance of savoury flavour and subtle sweetness that defines traditional Swiss fondue.

Side Dishes for Cheese Fondue – Endless Flavour Combinations

Bread is the classic accompaniment to fondue and should have the right texture so it does not become soggy in the melted cheese. Specially baked fondue bread is ideal for this purpose. Other traditional accompaniments include small potatoes, mushrooms, pickled gherkins and onions, while a light salad provides the perfect finishing touch.



If you enjoy experimenting with new flavours, roasted nuts, fresh prawns or truffles make excellent additions to cheese fondue. Some restaurants even offer sweet versions featuring fruit and chocolate. A useful tip: combining rich cheese with savoury, acidic and sweet flavours creates a more balanced meal that is also easier to digest.

Raclette – A Culinary and Social Experience

Now let's turn to raclette, another traditional Swiss dish where spending time together and enjoying good food are just as important as they are with cheese fondue. However, the differences between raclette and fondue become apparent in the dining experience, the choice of cheese, and the unique preparation method.

What Should You Keep in Mind When Preparing Raclette?

As you now know, the highlight of a fondue evening is dipping food together into a shared pot of melted cheese. With raclette, however, each guest has their own individual pan in which to melt the cheese. In addition, everyone can use a shared grill plate to prepare meat, fish, and vegetables.

Heated Grill and Individual Raclette Pans

One of raclette's defining features is its dual function. A hot grill plate is available for cooking sausages, bacon, ham, or vegetables, while each guest has their own raclette pan to melt cheese exactly the way they like it. This allows everyone at the table to create their own personalised combination of flavours.

Raclette Cheese – The Perfect Melt and Rich Flavour

Swiss cheese is considered one of the best choices for raclette thanks to its excellent melting properties and wide range of flavours, from mild and nutty to bold and aromatic. To allow everyone to serve themselves as needed, raclette cheese is usually presented either as a whole wheel or as sliced cheese. Camembert, Tilsiter, and Appenzeller are also popular options. As a general rule, if you enjoy it, it's the right cheese.



One mistake you should avoid when preparing raclette is using cheese slices that are either too thin or too thick. Thin slices can burn quickly, while thick slices often fail to melt completely in the centre. Choosing the right thickness is essential for achieving the perfect melt, so pay close attention to this when preparing raclette for family and friends.

Raclette Side Dishes – From Savoury and Tangy to Sweet

If you enjoy flexibility at the table, raclette is the perfect choice. Thanks to the wide variety of accompaniments, everyone becomes their own creative chef. In Zurich and the surrounding region, the classic side dish combination consists of small boiled potatoes, known locally as Gschwellti, tangy cornichons, and crunchy pickled pearl onions. Seasonal vegetables such as peppers, cherry tomatoes, and mushrooms, together with freshly sliced bread, are also popular accompaniments.

Do you have a sweet tooth? As a light dessert after the savoury meal, fresh fruit such as pineapple, berries, and mango, or dried dates and figs, make excellent choices. Combined with melted cheese and topped with roasted nuts, these fruity flavours create a surprisingly popular sweet variation of raclette. It's well worth trying—not just for dessert lovers!



But a raclette evening offers even more. The heated grill plate opens up endless culinary possibilities, allowing you to grill bacon or ham cubes, small sausages, fresh mushrooms, or finely chopped garlic to perfection. Finish everything with a selection of fresh herbs and spices to create an even richer variety of flavours.

Cheese Fondue or Raclette – Which Is Your Favourite?

The main differences between raclette and cheese fondue lie in the preparation, the choice of cheese, and the accompanying ingredients. What both dishes have in common is their emphasis on sharing great food and enjoying time together. Whether raclette or cheese fondue suits you better ultimately depends on your personal preferences.

If you enjoy flexibility when preparing your meal, raclette is the perfect option thanks to its combination of a grill plate and individual raclette pans. If you prefer a hearty cheese dish with fewer accompaniments, cheese fondue is probably the better choice.



Can't decide between raclette and cheese fondue? No problem! The next time you're in Zurich, simply try both.

Where Can You Enjoy Cheese Fondue and Raclette in Switzerland?



Traditional Swiss cuisine can be found in cities all across the country, with a wide range of restaurants serving authentic local dishes. If you're visiting Zurich, we look forward to welcoming you to Restaurant Zum Königstuhl in Zurich's Old Town. Housed in a former guild house, we serve raclette made with premium Swiss mountain cheese, while our cosy fondue parlour invites you to enjoy an authentic and sociable cheese fondue experience.

Enjoy your meal!