As a French and Swiss citizen, I have always been torn about who makes the best fondue or raclette. And believe me, we take this question very seriously where I grew up. Should I go the French Savoyard way with a fondue featuring a mix of different cheeses, Gruyere, comté and Beaufort, or stick with the Swiss one with the famous half-half (half Gruyere cheese, half vacherin)? Lucky MerciSF readers, I have prepared a list so you can taste everything without taking a side.
SAN FRANCISCO
Matterhorn Restaurant
Impossible to write an article about cheese without mentioning the one and only Matterhorn restaurant. Proudly Swiss, a menu featuring your regular half-half fondue and raclette, as well as local dishes like rösti and schnitzel, the Matterhorn makes for the perfect place if you don’t fancy hosting or cooking. Want some dessert? Try the Nusstorte, a delicious Swiss nut tart. Sit in one of the ski gondolas – you can almost see the Matterhorn – and enjoy the adventure.
Open Tuesday to Sunday, 5 pm onwards.
Address: 2323 Van Ness Av. San Francisco.
Read more here
La Fromagerie
San Francisco’s beloved cheese shops sell Raclette de Savoie – up to 6 pounds – at the 4 retail locations. They also sell a Raclette Kit complete with with 2 raclette cheeses, 3 meats and a great pairing with Vin de Savoie Apremont. You can also rent their Raclette Grill for the night to celebrate with your family and friends. Want more cheese? Pick from their 50+ options from all over Europe and across the US. Freshly baked bread from Firebrand, sandwiches, salads, charcuterie boards and wines for pairing are also available.
Dogpatch, 2425 3rd Street, San Francisco
Chestnut, 2260 Chestnut street, San Francisco
SoMa, 100 First Street (Entrance on Mission st.), San Francisco
Montgomery, 101 Montgomery Street, San Francisco
Purchase raclette here
Cheese plus
Cheese plus features a wide array of cheese from California, the rest of the US as well as France, Italy, England, Spain, Portugal, Austria, Switzerland and virtually any country in Europe, including cheese items for raclette and fondue. The store also has fondue and raclette machines.
Need to balance out the cheese with charcuterie, gherkins, bread or top the food with wine? Cheese Plus has you covered.
Special shoutout: Cheese Plus also has a Cheese of the Month Club, a monthly delivery of three cheese options curated by the team. How nice!
Want to know more? Check out Cheese Plus website
2001 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109
Cheese Boutique
A local mom & pop shop where you will find cheese and charcuterie in the Glen Park neighborhood. Raclette devices are also available for rent.
Fun fact: The Cheese Boutique won the award for the “BEST SANDWICHES” in the 50th Annual Reader’s Poll of the 48 Hills and Bay Guardian “BEST OF THE BAY 2024”. Congrats!
660 Chenery St- San Francisco
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Rainbow co-op
Head to SF workers-owned co-op to buy raclette and fondue cheese.
1745 Folsom St, San Francisco, CA 94103
More information here
Gus’ market
Gus Market offers five different cheese platters, from traditional items to local ones, featuring raclette-style items, such as California Nicasio Valley’s San Geronimo: .
Buy online or visit one of the four stores
Andronico’s
Great options for fondue with some of Switzerland’s finest products.
Two addresses in San Francisco, are 1200 Irving St, and 375 32nd Ave.
Order your fondue cheese here
AROUND THE BAY
Marin French Cheese
Head to Petaluma for a wide choice of soft-ripened cheeses. Shout out to Marin French cheese fondue recipe featuring the Petite Garlic & Pepper. Keen to try? Share your pictures with @mercisf on Instagram.
More about Marin French Cheese
7510 Pt. Reyes – Petaluma Rd, Petaluma, CA 94952
Berkeley Bowl
Cheese fondue and a wide array of cheeses from all over the world, including vegan cheese.
Order fondue here.
2 locations in Berkeley
Frenchery
Swiss Fondue, whole 1 lb Savoie raclette or sliced from Switzerland – we are in (cheese) heaven. Free delivery in SF, and the South Bay over $80
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Mollie Stone’s Market San Francisco, Palo Alto
Traditional Swiss cheese fondue by Mifroma, Aged Cheddar and gouda fondue and a wide array of cheese items available at the store or on Instacart.
Order fondue here.
Multiple locations in the Bay
Sprouts
Swiss fondue and a wide array of cheese items from the US and Europe.
Order your fondue here
Trader Joe’s
One sliced raclette option among plenty of other cheese items.
Multiple locations. Read more
Whole Foods
Raclette, fondue and other cheeses.
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Gourmet Corner
Swiss sliced raclette Mifroma available for our friends located in the San Mateo area.
873 N San Mateo Dr, San Mateo, CA 94401
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Draeger’s Supermarket
They carry French and Swiss raclette cheese. You will find their stores in Menlo Park, San Mateo, Los Altos, and Danville.
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