with a New Cheese Ritual
Melbourne’s viral winter dining experience returns to Federation Square this winter with a delicious decision to make: Fondue or Raclette.
For seven weeks this winter, Federation Square will transform into a glowing Alpine village in the heart of the city, a little piece of France appearing in Melbourne for the season.
After delighting guests last season with 214 five star reviews out of 227, Fondue Chalet quickly became one of Melbourne’s most talked about winter dining experiences, an immersive French melted cheese experience set inside private wooden chalets at Fed Square. For the first time, guests will choose their French Alpine cheese ritual before stepping inside their private chalet, selecting between two of the most iconic mountain dishes, fondue or raclette.
In the French Alps, these meals have a simple purpose. They bring people together around the table. Families, friends and strangers sharing warmth, stories and melted cheese late into the evening.
“Across France and the Alps, fondue and raclette bring millions of people together around the table every winter. It’s what we simply call the joy of the table,” says Vincent Hernandez, founder of the experience. “In France they are not just meals, they are moments shared with family and friends. Seeing that same ritual happening here in Melbourne is incredibly special.”
A French Alpine Escape in Federation Square
Private timber chalets recreate the atmosphere of a traditional mountain village. Soft lighting, wooden interiors and crackling fire pits transform Federation Square into a winter escape inspired by the French Alps. Adding to the authenticity, the experience is fully operated by a French team, bringing genuine Alpine traditions, recipes and unmistakable French accents straight from the mountains of France to the heart of Melbourne. As the sun sets over Federation Square, chalets glow with warm light, glasses of mulled wine steam in the winter air and the scent of melted Alpine cheese fills the square. Your French aprèsski experience, right at Fed Square.
The evening unfolds like a true French mountain ritual
Guests are welcomed with a warm glass of mulled wine, setting the tone for a cosy winter night. The experience begins with a generous charcuterie board, designed for sharing and inspired by the flavours of the French mountains.
Then comes the centrepiece of the evening. Each chalet chooses its ritual
Fondue, a bubbling pot of melted cheese at the centre of the table where guests dip bread and charcuterie into the rich Alpine melt. Or raclette, where melted cheese is slowly scraped onto potatoes, pickles and cured meats. Inside each chalet, a wine fridge stocked with a curated selection of French Alpine wines allows guests to perfectly complement the meal and continue the experience at their own pace. As the evening unfolds, guests gather around outdoor fire pits, roasting marshmallows and enjoying fresh seasonal fruits.
For those wanting to extend the indulgence, the night can end with an optional chocolate fondue, dipping fresh seasonal fruits into a rich pot of melted chocolate.
A French Winter Ritual Made for Melbourne
With sessions designed for different occasions, Fondue Chalet welcomes both families and groups of friends. The 5pm session offers a relaxed early evening ideal for families. The 7pm sitting remains the most popular moment of the night, when the chalets are filled with the warmth and energy of shared dinners. Later in the evening, the 8:30pm session becomes the perfect setting for friends gathering over wine, melted cheese and long winter conversations.
Whether discovering fondue for the first time or reliving a beloved Alpine tradition, Fondue Chalet invites Melburnians to slow down, share a table and embrace the simple French pleasure of gathering around the table in winter.
Bookings for the winter season are now open, inviting Melburnians to gather, share and embrace the pleasures of winter.
ABOUT FONDUE CHALET
Fondue Chalet is Melbourne’s winter pop-up, offering an unforgettable alpine dining experience in the heart of the city. Created by BBR Group Australia, the team behind iconic Australian events such as Bastille Festival, Mov’in Bed, and Ghost Festival, Fondue Chalet is the perfect blend of delicious fondue, warm mulled wine, and a cosy alpine ski village, all set against the lively backdrop of Fed Square, Melbourne.
Fondue Chalet is built around shared meals, where friends and family gather to enjoy delicious food, and laughter, and create unforgettable memories in a cosy, festive atmosphere. Embracing the French tradition of warmth, togetherness, and indulgence, Fondue Chalet offers a dining experience centred on connection, celebration, and indulging in rich, melted cheese while enjoying each other’s company in an alpine-inspired setting.
Thursday, 14 May 2026 – Sunday, 28 June 2026
Federation Square, Melbourne.
From $79 per person, for either 6pp or 8pp per chalet
Children under six eat for free
Add-ons: Chocolate Fondue: $59 for 6pp or $79 for 8pp.
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