Reviewing the WEIRDEST Fondue Restaurant in Paris
In this video we take our daughter and son to Le Refuge des Fondus, a tiny bohemian fondue restaurant in Montmartre where the wine comes in baby bottles and you climb over the table to sit down. If you are looking for a fun fondue restaurant in Paris for a family night out, this is what to expect.
How it works
The name is a play on words: “fondu” also means someone whose brain has melted, so it is really the refuge of the crazies. There are just two long tables, with a bench on one side that you reach by climbing over the table, so you sit elbow to elbow with everyone. The set menu was €31 per person when we filmed.
- A welcome kir and a small plate of olives, sausage, ham, cheese and pickles.
- Wine, or beer, served in baby bottles. That first glass is the last one you will see.
- A choice of cheese fondue or fondue bourguignonne, with meat cooked in hot oil, potatoes and sauces.
- A shot of rum and hibiscus, then a big meringue dessert with almonds and caramelized sugar.
- House rule: drop your bread in the pot too often and you get a penalty.
Our verdict
The food was decent, three and a half stars, not the best fondue we have had but far from the worst. The service got four and a half stars: friendly, attentive staff who all spoke English and explained how everything works. For dinner and a show at that price, the value is very good. It is noisy and high energy, so it is not for anyone claustrophobic, but kids and groups will not forget it. We met an Australian dad who came back with his family 28 years after his first visit.
Looking for more unusual places to eat? See our guide to 125 Paris restaurants and our Paris Guide Bundle, or taste the city with a local on a Devour food tour.