1. 1. Little Giant

   85 Orchard St., at Broome St.; 212-226-5047

   Roasted heirloom potatoes, applewood-smoked bacon bits, green beans, cauliflower, crusty bread, and grissini for lavish dipping into the classic combination of Gruyère and Emmentaler.

2. 2. The Waverly Inn

   16 Bank St., at Waverly St.; no phone

   Outside Switzerland, there is no place more fabulous for dunking savory morsels into a pot of melted cheese; for two, Sundays only.

3. 3. La Bonne Soupe

   48 W. 55th St., nr. Sixth Ave.; 212-586-7650

   Yes, the soup is good, but so is the fondue at this tourist-friendly old-school French restaurant.

4. 4. Artisanal

   2 Park Ave., at 32nd St.; 212-725-8585

   In true peasant fashion, the house fondue puts to good economical use 100 or so different cheese ends and comes in two sizes: petite and grande.

5. 5. Swish Cafe & Shabu Shabu

   88 W. 3rd St., nr. Thompson St.; 212-777-8808

   The owners of this NYU-area café think of shabu-shabu as Asian fondue and serve multiple versions of it along with the Western cheese and chocolate varieties.

Related:

• Archive: “Food Features”
• Articles by Robin Raisfeld | Rob Patronite
• Table of Contents: Feb 5, 2007 issue of New York | Subscribe!