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    Refuge des Fondues

    3.8 (254 reviews)
    ModerateFondue
    Closed 7:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)

    Refuge des Fondues Photos

    REFUGE DES FONDUES ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Loud
    Casual
    Good for groups

    Recommended Reviews - Refuge des Fondues

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    Lisa W.

    This place is an absolute must when in Paris. My 3rd time here and just as good each visit. Most importantly- make a reservation! This is such a popular place it is necessary. Know there is a good chance you'll need to climb over one of there narrow tables. Come hungry. There are numerous courses to the meal. As a vegetarian I chose the cheese fondue which was delicious. The bread cubes could be a bit fresher- however once doused in the cheesy fondue they're pretty good. Too fun drinking out of glass baby bottles- the wine is not bad yet not as good as I recall several years ago. All in all a fun outrageous experience to try at least once! The waiters are cute and efficient.

    Wine and initial platter
    Claudia F.

    I tried so hard to like it, but this place was just not it. Caught the bait from a tiktok while browsing for places to eat in Paris while planning our trip. The concept sounded so fun - climb up to get to the table, fondue, wine from a bottle. I was so incredibly excited. Unfortunately, it was underwhelming. Place is super tight and gets hot incredibly quickly. Starts off with a glass of Kir and a platter of miniature cheese, olives, pickles, and cold meat. Probably the best part of the meal. took a while for them to grab and switch with the actual fondue, but I stayed positive! After about 45 mins, the fondue finally arrived. With a baby bottle of red wine in hand, I stirred the fondue, and could tell the texture and consistency was off. The top was a layer of cheese water and the bottom had the actual cheese. If you didn't dip the bread all the way in, you were met with a soggy piece of bread which was already stale on its own. Ww had about 1/3 of the meal and we had to call it quits. Moved on to the dessert, and still underwhelming. Overall, it was a fun concept, but not worth it... only giving 2 stars because the waiter was nice. Don't necessarily recommend, but if you want a silly experience and you don't care about dropping $$$, this is the right place for you!

    Storefront!
    Rick L.

    I first came to Refuge des Fondues in 1996, before anyone currently working there (and possibly owns the joint) was born. To me, this is a quintessential Parisian experience and my five star rating is based on that perception, the overall experience, and despite the fact that the food is probably a 3 or 4 starts experience. There's a lot of history in this place and the quirkiness of it, especially being served wine in baby bottles with nipples came about, not for the sake of quirk, but as a practicality to avoid kicking over wine glasses when you have to step over the table to sit in the interior seats. (That's the lore that the current owners told us, established by the original proprietor.) We always get the cheese fondu as we're vegetarians. It's good, and filling though the cheese does tend to ball up after a while making it more difficult to eat. This is also the place where we discovered Kir...a mainstay French digestif which is delicious. Though on this most recent trip, under newer ownership, we noticed they've stopped rimming the glasses with sugar. We could have used more interesting offerings, as vegetarians, for the appetizer plate besides cubed cheese (and pickles and olives) as, of course, the main dish was the cheese fondue. But honestly, having been to this place a half a dozen times since 1996, the experience, atmosphere and quirkiness are all elements that I can't get anywhere else. I love it. I will always come back...even when I'm an old, old bearded man. (I mean in my fifties now and I'm by far already the oldest person in this restaurant.) Definitely make a reservation as the place fills up every night and they might be able to accommodate walking, but you're guaranteed a spot of you reserve on their website. Thanks Refuge des Fondues for being an ongoing and essential part of my Paris experience.

    Roxana Q.

    I love this place! My second time at this restaurant and it was just as good as the first. I cannot stress enough, you need to make a reservation. There are always people that try and walk up only to be turned away because they are booked. There are only 2 seatings a night - the 7pm and 9pm so it's not like you can just show up whenever you want. I've had both the meat fondue and the cheese fondue and the cheese is definitely the way to go. They also bring over a charcuterie or sorts, followed by the fondue you choose, a basket of bread, a baby bottle of wine or beer and finally, dessert. Everyone is very close together and one person in your party will have to climb over the table to sit on the other side as the table is one long bench. Overall, it's just a really fun experience and I would highly recommend you go!

    Fondue

    Fun and quirky fondue spot, if you sit on the outside bench it's tradition to step over the table to get in and out of your seat. It's fun to sit next to strangers and learn about who they are. The fondue is amazing and comes out in a timely manner. The servers are all great, I went alone and my French isn't great but they were very helpful and kind to me.

    Ashley S.

    My husband and I went here on our first night in Paris. After reading the reviews we decided to call and reserve a table for 7pm, when they open so we didn't have to wait for 2 hours. that worked well. We were some of the first people in. The restaurant is very small and you have to climb over the table to get to the side against the wall. To start we were given an appetizer plate and 2 spritz drinks. then they serve you red or white wine in a baby bottle (this was hilarious & fun). The fondue was not great, but it wasn't terrible either. You get the choice between cheese or meat. We chose cheese. It seems watery, but you just have to mix the cheese. It works out once the cheese melts. That was quite pleasant. Keep in mind you do not get a choice what you are getting for food or drinks for the most part. The restaurant is tacky and fun. If you want to have a few good laughs and interesting conversation with some people around you I recommend this place. We sat next to some great people from Belgium. This was one of our favorite nights, not because of the food, but we just had a really great time. It's something quirky and fun, but don't have high expectations, just bring your sense of humor!

    Cheese fondue
    Kristen B.

    Is this the best fondue ever? Probably not, but it's good! There are usually two seatings a night, we did the first at 7:15pm. You start off with Kir (cassis and white wine), then they give you a sort of antipasto plate (cheese, olives, charcuterie), you have the choice between cheese or beef fondue, and finish with a small dessert (I had chocolate mousse). The cheese fondue comes with a huge basket of sliced baguettes. All the food was good! The wine- red or white- is served in baby bottles. The whole place is super small and kitschy. I think this is more for tourists than locals, but it was such a fun experience and all the staff were so nice. I definitely recommend going!

    Zoë R.

    Delicious absolutely a must. This cheese fondue sets the standard for all others to compare. Very garlicky perfection. The atmosphere is like CBGBs total dive bar exclusive awesome vibe. Dinner service is a pain - you must reserve online but do it and you will not regret it.

    Erin F.

    The restaurant is small with two long rows of tables running the length of the restaurant, I knew we were in for an exciting experience the moment we walked in. Katie & Amanda had to climb over the table to get to their seats! The set menu hasn't changed since 1955! We first were served Kir Royale- French cocktail that's said to have roots dating back to the mid-19th-century. To start we were served an amuse-bouche "apéro rigolo" which consists of mini chunks of cheese, pickles, olives, cured ham, and potatoes. Our main course we ordered the fondue bourguignonne & savoyarde ( one pot of cheese & one of steak & potatoes). We drank wine from baby bottles! Drinking wine from a baby bottle sounds crazy, but it was hilariously fun! There's an urban myth that says the wine is served in baby bottles to avoid a Parisian tax on wine glasses. This is not true. Instead the wine is served in baby bottles as a safety measure which dates back to 1966 so that the wine glasses don't spill over when you are jumping over the tables to reach their seats. For dessert we had more cheese & an unbelievable delicious meringue. It was heavenly. We were also served a complimentary shot. I definitely recommend going here in you are in Paris! It is an unforgettable & hilariously fun experience!!!

    Lisa A.

    "if you go nowhere else on the list, just make sure you go to the fondue place." Oh so true! I'm glad we hoofed it up early to the Abessess (sp? or Abscesses :) as I liked to call it) metro stop in the Montmartre a few blocks from the Moulin Rouge where we had a show reservation. Stopping in when they open at 7 PM on an off night (on a Monday) is your best bet or call for a reservation. It's a tiny place! two big communal tables and a pretty open kitchen. It's all the same - a fixed price (23 euros a person) menu that includes: a sweet small sugar rimmed before dinner aperitif a plate with about 7 little tapas style bites. the fondue - either beef or cheese/bread or a combo (same price either way) We also got some sort of cold potato dish (kind of like potatoes bravas maybe?) dessert (ours ended up being floating meringue islands in a great custard sauce) aaaand last but not least - a baby bottle full of white or red wine (or soda if you so choose). Even if the group next to you at the table doesn't speak the same language, everyone was super friendly and the place has a lively atmosphere. The cheese and wine sauce and the bread were also outstanding, and the kept the baskets of bread coming. for 23 euros for the whole meal and experience it was tres formidable. As good as it gets!

    The cheese fondue

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    Refuge des Fondues Reviews in Other Languages

    Review Highlights - Refuge des Fondues

    So you sit there drinking your (very average French table) wine out of a baby bottle and loving every second of it.

    Mentioned in 38 reviews

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    Refuge des Fondues - fondue - Updated June 2026

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