Le Refuge des Fondus

Our reservation was 19:15 on a Tuesday. We waited in line for the restaurant to open. We were ushered in, and seated with all people who sat against the wall having to climb over the table. The appetizer plate was skimpy, nothing special (see photo). Aperitif was chilled and nice. The price was $66.00 for 2 people. You can order as a single but you have to pay for 2 people. 2 choices: cheese and a basket of bread pieces or diced meat and potatoes to cook in hot oil. It was hot and everyone was sweaty. It was fun for most to drink from bottle nipple but I preceded to remove the ripple and have better access to the wine. It is very tight seating which was nice to have conversations with the strangers next to us but we could not have any private conversations. If I was not with my young daughter, I would not have gone to the restaurant. We had fun regardless. I would not go back.

Really fun experience. The food is nice and the staff very pleasant. It is small inside but the quirky decor and baby bottles are all a fun touch. I'm not sure why people are complaining about the confirmation email etc. You book it and then the day before receive an email to confirm. It might go to your junk mail but they need to have a confirmation!

What a memorable experience! I learned about Le Refuge des Fondus from an online travel blog and thought it would be a fun place to visit after an evening Sacre Couer visit. My wife and I arrived to the restaurant just as they were closing to prepare for the 2nd dinner service. The hostess told us we should come back when they re-opened and that she would find us a table if the place wasn’t booked solid with reservations. I can’t believe I forgot to make a reservation! Smh. Fortunately, 15 min after the restaurant reopened and the hostess seated everyone who had reservations, there was still a table for my wife and me. Two other pairs with no reservations also made it in. My wife and I ordered the cheese fondue option. It was a lot of bread and a lot of cheese! We had it after kir, an appetizer, and a few swigs of wine/beer from a baby bottle. The baby bottles got lots of laughs. Quite the experience. After dinner, we had dessert and another kir, if I’m not mistaken. I’m so glad my wife and I ate here. It was a real experience, one we’ll never forget.

My fist stop in Paris every single time! Me and my husband have been coming here for our first meal as soon as we arrive in Paris for the last 4 times! And this time I took my mother. The best vibes, its fun to not take everything so seriously and jump over tables and drink out our baby bottles as an adult. Seriously she loved it and I obviously do too! The meat fondue is more a meal, comes with potatoes and sauces as well, and the cheese fondue is just a vibe and pairs nicely with the wine they serve. In both cases, its a warm and cozy meal. (The chocolate mousse is also so good)

this is a really fun place and the staff are great. Personally, would have liked some veggies with the cheese fondue but the menu is very clear up front on what you are getting. The baby bottles are fun for a moment or two but I had to take the lid off to drink as it was a bit gross drinking wine through a plastic teat. Props to those who can manage it. It was nice to get pens to be able to add to the grafitti. All in all good fun, good atmosphere and great value. Book before you go.

They really do pack people into this place! It is a fun idea, climbing over the table, drinking wine out of a baby bottle whilst manning a fondue 🫕 However, due to how packed it is (you can see in the pictures I posted how close people were to us) you literally CANNOT hear anything your dinner date is saying from across the table, especially if you are surrounded by people who have mastered the art of very loud speaking.. At one point the people on either side of us recognised each other and started talking over us, it was insanely rude. So it’s luck of the draw who is in there on the day! Booking is ESSENTIAL. We booked for 7:15, when the place opened. Somehow our booking was not valid due to an error on the booking site not sending a confirmation email even though the event showed up in our calendar. We were about to find somewhere else to go because the place looked fully packed already but they somehow still had “place” for more people. You get a fair amount with what is included in the set menu. Starter is a charcuterie with a glass of wine. Mains you have the option of cheese fondue with bread or sauces with steak and potato that you have to cook in a pot on the table. Another drink in a baby bottle is served with this. There were three options for desert which also came with a shot, I think if some cherry liquor. To be honest I would expect to get a little more variety than just bread for dipping in the fondue. It was very carb and cheese heavy and really could do with some vegetables. At the end we got to write on the wall which was fun but we really were in a hurry to leave due to how loud it was. The waitstaff were extremely friendly and prompt. They deserve some recognition for the chaos they have to deal with!

Many tourists but I honestly had such an amazing time. My friend and I got very lucky and got in with no reservation because a bigger group didn’t arrive on time. The experience was amazing. Very small and intimate restaurant and the experience was entertaining! I would definitely put this on your Paris bucket list and make a reservation asap! Servers were also super kind and entertaining, they made the experience unique and special

Went alone as I am a solo traveler, they made me sit with strangers, it was so awkward! Also you can either get cheese and bread, or protein cooked in oil and that’s all they serve. Really not a well balanced meal, no salad or vegetable options. Also the restaurant was CRAMPED!! Honestly so uncomfortable. The staff was very friendly, but the overall experience was not good for me.

A gazillion five-star reviews aren't lying to you: this place is a winner. If you want to ensure that you're able to enjoy, a reservation is absolutely obligatory, and you must confirm it the day before (don't worry, they will email you--just be sure that you check!). The staff is amazing: they are all polyglots. The hostess who welcomed us this evening spoke at least three languages (in the two minutes that I was within earshot): hashtag rockstar, hashtag goals, hashtag color me impressed. They are friendly, helpful, polite, and all about making sure you have a great evening. The menu is set: a welcome drink (they do offer both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options: kir) with a small charcuterie board to whet the appetite, followed by fondue of your choice: cheese with bread or a meat fondue (with four sauces). This comes with the famous biberon de vin--rouge ou blanc, comme vous voulez. After that, it is dessert: take your choice. When I was there, it was île flottante ou mousse au chocolate. J'ai pris l'île flottante et ma mère a pris le mousse au chocolate. They were both delicious. Alas, they didn't survive long enough to be photographed. RIP What really made this evening special for me was the camaraderie of the patrons: I came with my mom, but I met so many nice people. You will be sitting shoulder to shoulder with people who hailed from Italy and another traveler from the U.S. Everyone immediately became friends and shared travel recommendations. It was really quite nice. In case you are wondering, yes, they do sell the biberons, and yes, I did buy one. Absolutely worth it.

The staff was very nice and they were completely booked for the evening. Reservations are a must. I was able to get one online the night before. Their menu is very simple: cheese fondue with unlimited bread or with beef and cheese as an extra add-on. The fondue was very rich and creamy but definitely needed to be continuously stirred or the cheese would float to the bottom. The meal came with a plate of charcuterie and a glass of wine. It's very small and tight inside, so it gets very hot. Don't wear your jacket. Overall, great experience and everyone was very nice to talk to.

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.

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!

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.

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!

I had seen this place on social media several times and had been recommended to me to try on my trip to Paris. It's this tiny little place that I believe just has 2 servings. I wasn't really sure what to expect but it looked like a cute experience. Everyone was outside waiting and it wasn't clear what the procedure was but they do not open the doors until the reservation time and then everyone is trying to get to the front to get seated. I got to the front and was brought inside this tiny space that was pretty bare bones. The tables are incredibly close together and it's essentially one long table as you are elbow to elbow with the people next to you. If you are on the bench side of the table they make you climb over the table to get in and then they push the table in so you are trapped essentially. It was pretty tight quarters, and pretty claustrophobic. Make sure you use the bathroom before and wear something you are comfortable in enough to climb over a table. The whole thing is just chaotic but if you don't get claustrophobic or anxious about being trapped then it could be fun. They serve some pre-dinner wine that wasn't the best, seemed like boxed wine or similar. They then served an appetizer that was some meat and cheeses which were fine but not great. There are only 2 options to pick from which was meat and cheese or just cheese. I had the meat and cheese and it was ok, the cheese you constantly have to stir or else it will stick and the meat you have to leave in the oil for a few minutes to cook. The bread was ok but there is better bread to be had in Paris. The meat was also ok but nothing spectacular. They serve wine in baby bottles but I just ordered a soda which they also served in a baby bottle. While the baby bottles are cute, they do not seem the most sanitary. They then followed up with a dessert which was like chocolate mousse which was average/decent but nothing great. I went in the fall so it wasn't too hot, but i would not suggest coming here in the summer or on a hot day, the fondue makes the place hot plus you're in a small room with a lot of people. It also gets VERY LOUD, it's mostly college aged kids that are drunk and singing along to the music they play. It can create a fun atmosphere, but it's not the type of place you go to relax or just chat. It was a bit too loud for me. They also let you write on the wall at the end. It's also a process to pay and get out as they have to do one side at a time due to it being so small. I would say at 30 euros it's a bit pricey for some meat, cheese and bread but I suppose it's a novel experience. I personally wouldn't come back as it was just too tight and loud but if you want to have a fun night with wine, fondue and singing it could be fun.

They canceled our reservation!!! it was heart breaking, we had no idea when we originally booked that we would need to follow up as the google reservation only said that we have to cancel within 3 hours. So as a couple who had come to Paris to get engaged we didn't check our email.... We spend the whole evening on that side of town waiting for our reservation, very excited as I had been wanting to dine here since 2022 and by 10:00pm we were left with no dinner plans. The only nice thing I have to say was the young man who was checking reservations did everything he could to fit us in and was very kind. I understand that no shows are hard on small businesses but to cancel a reservation with no call and no text in 2025 is beyond me. I have and will tell people who are coming to visit Paris to not even waste their time with this place because they clearly they have no issue wasting yours.

Require you to reconfirm your reservation the day before your allotted time slot via a link sent to the email used to make the reservation. If you do not reconfirm by the morning of they will cancel your reservation. No indication of follow-up action required when making the reservation or at any point up until the day before your reservation. This is important in my case because I had made the reservation several weeks beforehand. If you are going to have a time sensitive follow-up action in order for diners to keep their reservation then you should make diners aware of this requirement at the time of the reservation. I'm on vacation. I'm not checking my personal email religiously. Just do what every other establishment does that has issues with people not showing up to their reservations: charge a deposit at the time of the reservation. Manager was not present to speak with the night that they cancelled our reservation. They did not respond to my email either.

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.

This is one of my favorite places in Paris. My first visit was in 1988 and it hasn't changed a bit! A few tips: - Reservations are an absolute must. The place only holds about 40 people and with the rise of social media, it's impossible to walk in (though you can be out on a waiting list). Everyone sits nearly shoulder to shoulder in two rows of tables up against the walls of the restaurant. They have to pull the tables out in order for the guests sitting by the wall to climb over the table to sit down. lol - They only serve fondu. Beef (w/potatoes), and cheese. Don't arrive looking for salads or anything else. They do serve a small appetizer platter before the fondu which consists of charcuterie and they also have a couple of desserts. - Only alcohol is wine Besides the lively atmosphere and camaraderie with your 25 new best friends, the best part is drinking wine out of baby bottles. Yep, these are old-school glass bottles with rubber nipples! It is a riot to see everyone sucking wine out of a bottle. The wait staff is fun and efficient and they speak English. They've kept the prices reasonable at 31 euro/pp - well worth it for the food, wine and experience! PS - you can also buy the bottle as a souvenir.

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!

My experience here was nothing short of amazing. From the ambiance to the well executed menu, it's clear how much love lives inside this restaurant. Will definitely return next time I'm in Paris.

This was quite an experience. The restaurant is SMALL. Yet it did not matter at all. There is no air conditioning so I am warning you. First of all my daughter had to climb on the other side which was fine. We had a few bites (charcuterie and antipasto) to start and they gave us some wine complementary with the meal and we chose to have a glass of white wine each. The wine comes out in a baby bottle which was hilarious. We chose the cheese fondue and it was good not the best but good. The staff was awesome and the group singing was the BEST! The bread was chefs kiss and I will definitely be back.

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!

BEWARE: they are SERIOUS about the 15 minute window for late arrival, which of course is fine. It is their right to make this policy. But they only inform you ONCE at the beginning of the reservation process. Then they request over the approaching days that you confirm and re-confirm your reservation multiple times, which might lead you to believe there is a mutual agreement that you are going to show up, and get seated. However, if you are even 16 minutes late for your seating time, THEY ***WILL*** GIVE YOUR TABLE AWAY to a waiting on-site party! Doesn't matter if you are there and they haven't seated the other party yet--they have moved on and left you in the gutter. Lesson learned. Be forewarned because they do NOT re-state this after an initial prompt in your reservation.

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.

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!!!

we had a reservation, I called to let them know I was running late and they told me it was not a problem. I arrived and they told us that we were too late. they talked to the manager and said we lost our table, even after I called to make sure we could still go. manager didnt even come talk to us... really bad customer service.

"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!

If I had to choose a single restaurant in the entire world to hold the #1 spot on my list...it would be Refuge des Fondues. While we ventured to Paris with a very hefty agenda, we thankfully left a few meals open for "whatever we felt". We did this intentionally as we knew we'd stumble upon a few local musts! This came as an impromptu recommendation and we hadn't made reservations so we decided to take a chance and thankfully - we got lucky! We arrived to find a large crowd huddled outside of the venue. That's when we discovered that this wasn't a one-in/one-out type of spot. So that leads me to tip #1 - make a reservation well in advance to ensure you don't get turned away (like I said, we got lucky). Once the previous reservation was out, they opened the doors to let the next group of us in. We walked in (more like squeezed in) to see that we were in what might have been the tightest restaurant I've ever seen. Two long family styled tables lined both sides. Which brings me to tip #2 - bring as little as possible because there is little space and to hang any bags or coats up, you have to shimmy to the very back of the room. With only one way to enter the side of the table closest to the wall, you either slide in and all the way down OR...you guessed it - step on the table to get to your seat. My husband volunteered me for that side. You then choose from two menu options (meat or cheese) and two wine selections. Everything comes out quickly and is served with a hot flame to keep it melty. My favorite part however, would likely be that the wine is served in baby bottles. Rumor has it that this is because people kept spilling in such tight quarters and the owner decided everyone would be better of drinking from bottles. HAHA! We laughed throughout the entire experience. We made new friends from both sides of us (a couple from Spain and a group of four French women celebrating their secret Santa - we miss you all!) and even left dinner to venture with them for a night cap! I finish this review with tip #3 - if you choose to venture here, just let loose and enjoy a one of a kind experience. It isn't the glitz and glamour Pexperience, but it's one that I'll never forget.

100% yes. Best fondue on the planet, Sing alongs, seating family style. Even drinking wine out of a baby bottle was somehow fun. We will be back.

This quite possibly was my favorite restaurant I've EVER been to. Not just for the food but for the experience. It is a 100% unforgettable experience. First of all, you walk in and there's only about 20 seats available, all at 2 big tables so people are eating family style. You immediately are served a complimentary cocktail & a plate of appetizers and then your order is taken & you can choose between red or white house wine and between cheese or beef fondue. Everything is included for 29£ total. They serve your wine in baby bottles, which is such a cool touch! And then after the meal you are given a dessert (cheese or almond mousse) and a complimentary shot. 100% cannot recommend this place enough, especially if you are visiting Paris. It is absolutely immaculate. Definitely recommend making a reservation because it gets SUPER busy & i believe they only can accommodate around 40 guests per night.

If you go here expecting a nice dinner, you will disappointed. If you go here expecting to have a great experience, fun, pretty good fondue, wine, and possibly make new friends-THIS IS THE SPOT! Make a reservation and pick an outfit that allows to you move because you may very well be climbing OVER the table to get into your seat! It is very tight quarters inside, you will bump elbows with your neighbors, and probably leave with new friends just as we did. This was one of the most fun places we went while visiting Paris and besides, when is the last time you drank wine from an actual baby bottle? Don't hesitate, visit here if at all possible! And pack a Sharpie for writing on the wall. Cheers!

This place was an absolute highlight for our group. The family style food, the wine in baby bottles, the delicious cheese and meats, the friendly staff, and the people you meet next to you make this such a fun and special experience. Next time we're in Paris we're absolutely coming back.

Le Refuge des Fondus is a can't-miss Parisian dining experience. Beloved for its upbeat, youthful atmosphere and indulgent prix-fixe menu, this not-so-hidden gem of Montmartre is an undeniable delight. Perhaps best known for its quirky use of baby bottles in place of wine glasses, there is no denying that the grub itself deserves the same widespread intrigue. My dining companions and I opted for the incredibly tasty Fondue Savoyarde, and readers, I am completely truthful when I declare that I could not stop thinking about this meal for weeks! I could not help but return to the lovely nook with an old friend before it was time to catch my flight back home to the States. For an unforgettable evening and a brightly bustling atmosphere, Le Refuge des Fondus is a no-brainer addition to your travel itinerary.

I went to this restaurant about a year ago when I was studying abroad to celebrate one of the girl's​ birthdays! We went right when the restaurant opened to make sure we got a spot since we were a group of 6 and I believe the restaurant cannot seat more than 20 or so! As many other reviewers have stated, the menu is limited to cheese/meat and white/red wine. As a larger group,​ we got one of each fondue, and most of us got red wine in the glass baby bottles. The food is delicious! It's hard to go wrong with fondue, especially in France! The front of house folks were so lovely and ex-pats so we had a great time chatting with them. We had creme-brulee for dessert and ended up purchasing baby bottles as souvenirs, although they gifted one to the birthday girl! We ended up using the baby bottles for our dinners at our apartment for the rest of our study abroad! The pricing was very reasonable and we had a peek in the kitchen and some laughs with the chefs on our way out! This restaurant is not 'high end' but it is such a fun experience! We stepped over the tables, wrote on the walls, and at the end of it all you feel like you both had a Parisian experience and left your own mark! We had such a lovely time and I recommend this restaurant to all friends and family going to Paris!

The food here is absolutely spectacular. When I make a trip to Paris, I will at least once, sometimes twice if time allows. This place is an unforgettable experience. The lines will get bigger and bigger as it gets later in the evening, so it's best to hit up this place early.

Such a fun atmosphere! The cheese fondue was insanely deliciously, the servers spoke excellent English for us for love to travel to France but our French is horrible! Will recommend to any friends up for a fun adventurous experience and perfect before we went to Moulin Rouge!

Would I normally travel abroad to eat fondue? No. But when your pals inform you that they serve wine in baby bottles you have peaked my interest. You go here for the experience, not the food. You also come for the wine but not because it's good wine but again, for the experience. It's tucked away on the corner and you might pass it if you don't know what you're looking for. Reservations are one hundred percent necessary. We lucked out and a party didn't show so our group of four was sat but only after waiting for an hour. It's small. Like, you'll crawl over the tables to sit or get out small. You think I'm joking? I'm not. You'll see families, dates, bachelorette parties where girls are just taking loads and loads of pictures of themselves with the wine filled baby bottles. You're greeted with a Kir in your bottle first. It's white wine with a little currant syrup. It's sweet but goes down easy. Then your choice of white or red wine. No funny business. No grape varietals. Like I said, you don't come for the wine. You get a small plate of nosh and then your meat. Cheese fondue is delish. The whole time is just a riot. Be nice to your servers too! They are doing their best in a small space so enjoy the ride! And if you're wearing a dress, be warned.

Had the most amazing, fun, and upbeat dinner at Refuge des Fondues! My friends and I ate here on our last night in Paris and it was so fun. Wine from baby bottles, shots, dessert, and climbing over the table drunk were a few high points.

Refuge des Fondues is an interesting restaurant. The concept is simple, and you don't have many options since they keep things simple. 1. Everyone is given the same appetizer plate with cured meats, cheeses, and pickled vegetables. 2. Everyone is given a glass of sweet pre dinner wine. 3. All adults are given a choice of white or red wine. Minors are given juice. 4. You have two choices of fondue - meat, cheese, or both. What makes Refuge des Fondues interesting is that they make you jump and climb over tables into your seat, and they serve their wine in baby bottles. Supposedly there is a way to avoid paying taxes on the service of liquor if you serve it in bottles? The food is fine, and if the interesting concept is your thing then this place is for you.

Drinking wine from a baby bottle? WHY NOT! No you won't find the best wine or a must try fondue here but it was a really fun experience for me. Adventure started from climbing up the table to be able to sit on a chair coz the entire restaurant has only 2 super long tables in a super small space. My table mates was a couple who travel from Canada and next to my friend was a local French family, then I didn't know the rest of them coz they were too far away from me to talk. I felt like we have a huge family from all over the places sat here together that night for a big family meal. Isn't that awesome?!? Right after my friends and I sat down, the server put the appetizer for us to share, dry sausage, cheese, spicy potatoes, olives, and some pickles. Also we got a glass of aperitif each. Now it's time to choose either cheese or meat. It was 4 of us so 2 chose meat and another 2 chose cheese...perfect to share! For my baby bottle? I chose white. Like I mentioned before it wasn't the best fondue I ever had and my wine wasn't that cold but it was fun and unique!! They even sell the bottle if you want it as a souvenir...not the one you drank from tho lol. They gave me a brand new one. 2 things you all should know: -They take credit card even it mentioned here as no credit card. -Reservation is a must I would say. They are very busy everyday as the local told me. Many ppl got turn away or you might be lucky to get in for the next round but that mean at least 1 or 2 hours wait (if you're lucky). YES I highly recommended this place for once in a lifetime experience!!!

If you want a memorable experience, come here. The atmosphere is electric, and the cozy setting promotes great conversations with the people you are sitting next to. My friend and I were very happy with our meal. Service is attentive and will step in if they see that your fire isn't set correctly. Definitely more of a "experience" place than a place to go for the food, but you will leave satisfied.

This is one of my go-to's when in Paris which is often. I love taking friends and not telling them what they're in for! You have to climb over the tables to get to your seat. The wine is simple but great and consumed out of baby bottles. The fondue is the best I've ever had. I love the limited menu and when a chef just does what he does really well. It's very fun and different. When people complain about it, I think they are probably stuffy and don't get it. It's obvious upon walking in what you're getting into so if you don't like it, don't sit down. If you want fun, amazing cheese, friendly service and to have a unique experience with wine, come here! It's a blast and I'll go every time I'm in town. Cheers!

It's cute I'll give you that. This is definitely a novelty that makes this spot the bee's knees according to the interwebz. The atmosphere is super cute. It's pretty bare bones, you walk in and there are all these wooden tables lined next to the walls filled with graffiti. The waitress gave us each a silver Sharpie to sign the wall when we finished our meal. And, they have this tradition where, because the tables are so close together, you have to CLIMB over the table to get into the chairs. Atmosphere aside, you can't just eat whimsicality and decor amiright? Let's talk food: Ok. So you have really only two options for mains. The cheese fondue which comes with bread. Or, the one my friends and I chose which was the heartier fondue with meat. This essentially turned out to be very mediocre beef chunks that you fry in a vat of oil. So very meh. The order came with a platter of side dishes, like olives, pickles, cheeses, dried sausages as well as dipping sauces (mustard, mayo). And we got some wine with a nice sugar rim. Of course, we had to order the red wine in the iconic baby bottle (which according to the waitress, you can buy to take home). To be honest, I enjoyed the side dishes and the drinks much more so than what the place claims to be an expert in. Good fondue. Perhaps it's because we didn't have the cheese version? In terms of staff, they were super friendly. We reserved in advance for one of the earliest time slot possible because we had to catch the EuroStar that evening. We finished walking around Montmartre a bit early since it was raining, and the staff let us come in a bit earlier. Conclusion = Definitely a place where you can hang with friends to benjamin button and regress to your baby bottle days and deface some walls, but don't expect the meat fondue to be amazing or anything. All the stars go to the atmosphere, novelty, and the ambiance.

It's all about the ambiance for this place!! Food and wine is just right!! College kids recommended it and I was pleasantly surprised that I still return every time I get to Paris!!

Truly a 10/10 experience! Made some new friends and definitely enjoyed the food as well!

I'm absolutely astonished this place is even in business, let alone popular. I feel robbed, given that I am a tourist and I spent a valuable night on this absolute joke of a dinner. Where would I even begin, considering how all around disappointing and blatantly unprofessional this disgrace of an establishment is. First off, to sit down you have to literally step/climb over a table. This is standard. Next, they ask if you want "cheese or meat" as your meal. You can get cheese for two or meat for one. What on earth is this?? Why wouldn't you able to just order the quantity you want? Who gets cheese for dinner? Am I insane? Last, and probably the most absurd truth about this abomination of a "restaurant", the whole meal hinges on bread and cheese.. and the bread was STALE AS HELL. I mean, if your whole schtick is cheese and bread, how the hell are you gonna serve people stale ass bread? Are you kidding me? This place is a disgrace that dumb tourists get roped into going to go by idiotic word of mouth. Avoid at all costs unless you are a child and want to eat grilled cheese for dinner. An utter disgrace and blemish on the great city of Paris.

I had such a love/hate experience with this restaurant. Someone else said it best in their review when they stated that 'it's so bad, it's good.' YES. The dining experience was so wacky that you're just fascinated to see what happens next. It's like watching a train wreck. You can't look away. But at the same time, YOU LOVE IT. It's another guilty pleasure, like trash TV. You hate to love it, and you love to hate it. That being said, the food wasn't bad. They bring out a sweet little ham and cheese platter to whet your appetite and then you choose meat or cheese fondue. I was with 3 other people, so we decided to splurge and get both. They were yummy, but didn't change my life. The cheese separated quickly, but that's expected when you eat cheese fondue. WHAT GOT ME was the fact that they make you STAND ON THE TABLE to get into your booth and once you're in, they push that table back up against the wall and YOU ARE TRAPPED. Good thing I didn't have to go to the bathroom! Also, good thing I am young and able-bodied! And wasn't wearing a skirt! I'm truly surprised this place hasn't been sued yet by some American who will inevitably bust their ass while drunkenly trying to get out of their table. NOT THAT I ENCOURAGE THIS. Finally, the wine is served in baby bottles (even Freud would find this weird) and the walls are covered in Sharpie, raunchy notes and signatures of international travelers. I didn't love my experience here, yet I recommended it to a friend who was studying abroad in Paris at the time. Why? I don't know. It just seems like a shitty little place that you've got to go to at least once just to see what all the hype is about. There's nothing quite like it.

had a blast here! they DO have air conditioning, and was more than comfortable for our dinner. made a reservation online and was really easy.

Do NOT attempt to go here if you don't have a reservation. Google brings you to their FB page not a website to make reservations. Google says "accepts reservations" NOT reservations required...We showed up at 7:30 and could not get in so we joined the virtual waitlist ( WASTE OF TIME) for the 9:30 slot. We got in line at 9:15 and because people (who were locals) were physically ahead of us in line ( not the virtual waitlist) they got the table not us. The employee would not even look at our waitlist times to see who signed up first. Waitstaff was rude and unfair even though they saw us waiting for over 2 hours for a table. Could get a reservation for the next night but have no interest going anymore.

Saw this reccomended on Instagram, I did some research and found other good reviews so booked it for mg friends birthday whilst we were un paris. It was fun and quirky but the food wasnt a good standard. The starters had clearly been left out for some time with the half dry. As we were two we could only get cheese or beef, we chose cheese and were stale bread. I later saw that this was stored in a massive plastic tub by the bar so who knows how long its been in there. I saw no evidence of 4 cheeses being in the fondue but it tasted nice, ended up eating it with a fork as the bread was dampening the experience. Despite ordering before, we were given our fondue after people who arrived later than us. This also meant we got later choise on deserts and they had run out of the good one. The other was a "floating island", which wasn't nice. We did the 7.15 sitting and felt rushed through, i assume the later sitting is more fun.

Really fun & the fondue takes me back to the 70's! It's a tiny restaurant & very friendly servers. Don't wear heels because you have to climb over tables to get in!

I had SUCH a good time here! It is lively, the people are friendly, and the staff are great. We went around 9:30Pm, we called ahead of time and they said there would be room. It was really crowded and we probably got seated around 10Pm. The meal came with some small appetizers (olives, pickles, potatoes, etc) and a small glass of wine. I came with one other person and we were only allowed to choose cheese OR meat for the fondue. We decided on meat and the party next to us chose cheese. The waiter suggested us sharing with one another and we thought it was a great idea! (Such a friendly atmosphere!!!) The meat fondue was a bit plain, even with the 4 dips provided. The meat didn't really have seasoning and the broth seemed like it was just water. They also give you potatoes. The cheese, however, was SO GOOD. I ate sooooo many pieces and I LOVED IT. The place is also really fun and they have wine (red or white) in baby bottles. This place is definitely a good time and a fun atmosphere!! Highly recommended for a good time in Paris!

My friend had been told that this was a must do place while in Paris. I'm glad we went. Luckily, we arrived just as they were opening because the restaurant is very tiny and seating is limited and cramped. The food was pretty decent and was very affordable - 23 Euros for everyone, including wine, appetizers, fondue (cheese/bread or meat or a combination of the two) and dessert. The dinner wine comes to you via a baby bottle. It was fun to watch everyone trying to drink their wine through the baby bottle! Our great waitress kept bringing more and more bread as we finished the meal. This was the perfect place for an affordable meal before heading to the Moulin Rouge!

Your experience at Les Refuge des Fondues will depend on your expectations. I would suggest the place for a fun night or pregame with friends, however it is certainly not the place to go if you desire high quality fondue. Definitely call ahead to make a reservation, we saw countless groups turned away despite empty tables being held for reservations. Also- dress comfortably. You will literally have to step over tables to get to your seat. You will quickly be served a mixed plate of "appetizers" which we saved to eat with our fondue. You must choose between either the cheese fondue which comes with bread, or the meat fondue which you cook in a boiling broth. We chose the cheese fondue. The wine is served in baby bottles which added a fun twist. We left very full and overall we enjoyed our meal and the fun experience. A great place for young people but not somewhere to take your whole family.

This was such a unique and fun experience. The pictures speak for themselves! Be sure to make a reservations way in advance because this place had people lining up outside! Apparently it's been open and work the same concept for over 45 years. If you are in Paris, this is an experience you can't give up !

This is the WORST kind of DISGUSTING tourist trap. They served us red wine that was freezing cold and white wine at room temperature. I asked why this was and was given some lame excuse that their "machine" had been down all day, and it had been a "crazy" day. What machine?? After asking me if they should put my white wine in the refrigerator and to "let them know" when I was ready for it, they then came back a minute later and replaced our drinks with a cold white wine and a room temperature red, which made me think that they are just f-cking with tourists because they hate them. Also, the fondue is disgusting - we were told the "cheese is at the bottom." IT SHOULD BE ALL CHEESE. WHAT CHEAP CRAP IS THIS? For 50 euros no less? I should have known better when they claimed they had no menus. AVOID AT ALL COSTS.