Back in the day, when Savoyard shepherds wanted to warm up, they poured a little coffee and a lot of alcohol into a wooden shoe, hence the name “grolle”. Later, these shepherds made wooden containers that included several holes specifically designed for this recipe. There are now several sizes of grolles depending on the number of guests (from 2 holes to 8 holes). The grolle, also known as the “cup of friendship”, usually gets passed from hand to hand and should not come back on the table until it is finished.
La Grolla offers a charming, cozy, and authentic Swiss-inspired dining experience in the heart of Quebec City. Guests consistently praise the high-quality menu, particularly the generous fondue and raclette options, which feature delicious ingredients ranging from traditional cheeses to flavorful broths and decadent chocolate desserts. The intimate, rustic atmosphere makes it a perfect destination for families, couples, and friends looking for a memorable meal. Furthermore, the service is frequently described as exceptional, with staff noted for being welcoming, attentive, and helpful in guiding diners through the menu, ensuring every visit feels like a warm retreat.
This fondue place was amazing. We got the Trio option which is cheese, broth or oil, & chocolate or maple course. It was all very good & with portions we could not finish. Our waiter was very kind about our knowing very little French. They make no fuss about it, they just switch from table to table, which is pretty impressive. They were very attentive & nice!
Fondue dinner is our annual anniversary tradition …. & what better place to check out than a fondue restaurant right in the heart of Quebec City !
The restaurant is quaint; the decor is very cute & the staff are so friendly.
We started off with the french onion soup - a soup which I had never had before. It made me wonder why I took this many years to try it ! Fantastic !
We then made our way to the second course of cheese fondue. We chose the Quebec cheeses & we were glad we did. Amazing ! Of course the best part is at the end;'la religieuse' it's the salty goodness of the cheese that has crisped up at the bottom of the pot.
The main course was fondue bourginone (pretty sure I spelled that wrong!) which was very different than the fondue chinoise we are accustomed to. This particular fondue is cooked in oil & paired with tenderloin. Their dipping sauces are homemade. We were so very pleased with the bourginone option !
Lastly was dessert; chocolate fondue with a variety of fruits & marshmallows. You can't go wrong with dipping anything in chocolate but it was not'out of this world' or anything - but - a great way to end the meal.
If you're in Quebec City definitely go check this place out ! Unlike most fondue restaurants you will not end up smelling like the place upon leaving !
Do yourself a favour & take a walk off the Old Quebec beaten path to this magical fondue paradise. My family & I shared the fondue trio: 1st course was cheese & bread, 2nd course was broth & seafood, then chocolate & fruit to finish. I'm drooling again just recapping this… 🤤
La Grolla had a very charming look from the inside & out. Our server was very kind. The food was absolutely delicious! We had a triple fondue course meals. Cheese fondue as the starter, Chinese fondue with sea food (scallops, shrimps & salmon) & 4 different sauces that blended well with that & for the last, chocolate fondue with many different fruits. I recommend to anyone who has a fondue craving!
We had an incredible experience at La Grolla! We ordered the fondue trio-cheese, traditional, & chocolate-with an extra portion of shrimp, & it was more than enough for two adults & two kids. Every bite was delicious, & the variety made the meal really fun & satisfying for everyone. The highlight, though, was the service. Our waitress, Oliver, was outstanding-friendly, attentive, & made us feel so welcome. Highly recommend La Grolla for a cozy, delicious, & memorable fondue night!
Great staff. But compared to other fondue places, not even close to worth the price for the quantity & quality. We had the cheese, broth, & chocolate trio for two with a french onion soup.
The staff here are absolutely amazing & very attentive. The restaurant was super clean. We ordered the traditional Chinese fondue for two . The first course was a lovely cheese fondue with a variety of breads. The second course was thinly sliced beef that we cooked in the most amazing broth & the dessert was a platter of seasonal & favourite fruits with a lovely chocolate fondue sauce , aside from being more food than we could possibly eat each course was absolutely amazing. We would highly recommend making the time for a nice leisure dinner at La Grolla.
