Glacier fondue in Basel, all year round
Pförtnerhaus is the only address in Basel where glacier fondue from the Engadin (Sennerei Pontresina) comes to the table. Three blends at the table in winter, the house mix in the garden in summer.
What makes glacier fondue special?
The origin
Our cheese comes from the Upper Engadin, from Sennerei Pontresina, a family business run by Hansjürg and Evelyne Wüthrich for over 35 years.
The craft
Glacier fondue is mixed cold, never pre-melted or pre-cooked, with no melting salts or preservatives.
The exclusivity
Gletscherfondue® has been a protected trademark of the dairy since 2004, and in Basel you'll find it only at our place.
Summer in the garden, winter at the table
In summer we serve the house mix in the garden, cheese, evening air and a glass of white wine, a little Basel quirk you have to experience.
In winter it gets classic: three blends, caquelon, long evenings, the full fondue liturgy. We serve from two people, with 300 grams of ready-mixed fondue per person and our rustic fondue bread.
Our fondue blends
House mix
The classic cheese fondue: four selected Swiss cheeses, white wine, kirsch and a spice blend. The all-rounder that carries any evening, and the star of the garden in summer.
Champagne truffle
The refined one: four selected Swiss cheeses, mixed with champagne and French sparkling wine instead of white wine, finished with black truffle and truffle oil. For evenings that deserve something special.
Engiadinais cun Prosecco
The local, lighter one: two selected Engadin cheeses, mixed with prosecco, no spice blend, with a clean freshness. For those who know fondue well and are after something lighter.
We serve glacier fondue from two people, with bread and, if you like, a matching wine. Current prices are on our menu. Peak-season evenings fill up fast.
Reserve your fondue table
Platzhalter: echtes Sennerei-Pontresina-Material anfragenAbout Sennerei Pontresina
The Sennerei Pontresina in the Upper Engadin has its roots in local farming. Around twenty farmers used to work in Pontresina, each hotel had its own farms to supply food. To process milk during the off-season too, the farmers founded a cheese-making cooperative. For over 35 years, Hansjürg and Evelyne Wüthrich have run the dairy.
A key milestone was the opening of the Alp Show Dairy Morteratsch in 1996, at the foot of the Morteratsch glacier, where 40,000 litres of finest raw milk are turned into cheese specialities each alpine season. Since 2022, the Gletscherkäserei in Samedan has joined the production, it's where the now-famous Glacier Fondue® comes from. We're proud to serve these cheeses in Basel.
Fancy raclette too?
From the same dairy comes glacier raclette, aged at least six months, on the plate or as a croffle. Once you've tried both, you'll know why fondue isn't the only cheese on our menu.
Fondue FAQs
What is glacier fondue and why is it called that?
Glacier Fondue® is a protected speciality from Sennerei Pontresina in the Upper Engadin, registered as a trademark since 2004. The name is inspired by the nearby Roseg and Morteratsch glaciers. Unlike standard fondues, it's mixed cold, with no melting salts or preservatives.
Is fondue available all year at Pförtnerhaus?
Yes. In summer we serve the house mix in the garden, fondue under the open sky is one of our favourite Basel quirks. In the winter season, three blends are on the menu: house mix, champagne truffle and Engiadinais cun Prosecco.
Which fondue blends do you offer?
The house mix (four Swiss cheeses, white wine, kirsch) is available all year. In winter, champagne truffle (with champagne and black truffle) and Engiadinais cun Prosecco (two Engadin cheeses, with prosecco) join the menu. All from Sennerei Pontresina, all exclusive to us in Basel.
What is the minimum number of people for fondue?
Two, with 300 grams of fondue mix per person and our rustic fondue bread. For larger tables of eight or more, we recommend ordering at least two blends so everyone can compare. Family gatherings and corporate events are best planned in advance.
Are there vegetarian fondue options?
All blends are vegetarian by nature, cheese is cheese. If you follow strict vegetarianism, ask about the rennet used; we can provide information for most varieties. We don't offer a vegan fondue.