Raclette & Fondue: German Traditions for New Year’s Eve

By: Gerhild Fulson / Author, Blogger, German Oma!

New Year’s Eve in Germany, or Silvester, is all about celebrating togetherness with good food and great company. Two favorites for the occasion are raclette and fondue — meals that aren’t just delicious, but also perfect for sharing.

Whether you’re scraping melted cheese onto potatoes or dipping bread into a bubbling pot of cheesy goodness, these traditions bring warmth and fun to the table. They’re more than just meals — they’re an experience, and there’s no better way to ring in the New Year!

Melt Your Worries Away with Raclette

While raclette is famously Swiss, it’s also a popular tradition in southern Germany, particularly in regions near the Alps like Bavaria. Germans have embraced this warm, communal meal for cozy gatherings during the colder months.

Often enjoyed during New Year’s Eve (Silvester), raclette in Germany features a variety of meats, vegetables, and sauces, reflecting local tastes. It’s a modern favorite that pairs perfectly with German hospitality and a glass of Riesling or beer.

Who needs a fancy restaurant when you’ve got melted cheese and a table full of hungry people? 

This video shows how easy it is to bring this cheesy goodness to your kitchen. It uses a really clever modern kitchen tool, a raclette party grill. It's a fun way that everyone makes their own food right at the table, topping it off with the melted cheese. Lecker, lecker!

Dip, Swirl, Repeat: The Fondue Experience

Fondue might have started in Switzerland, but we Germans know a good thing when we see it! Whether it’s cheesy käsefondue (cheese fondue) or sizzling fleischfondue (meat fondue), it’s a must for New Year’s celebrations in so many families. I love how everyone gathers around the pot, dipping and chatting — it’s slow, fun, and oh-so-delicious.

Add some crusty bread, hearty meats, and maybe a bit of German wine, and you’ve got the perfect evening. For me, fondue is as much about the laughter as it is about the food! 

Fondue isn’t just food; it’s a sport. Will you be the graceful dipper or the one fishing your bread out of the cheese pot? Either way, it’s all part of the fun. You do know that fondue doubles as a great excuse to eat an entire pot of melted cheese in the name of tradition?

Bonus: ... As the evening progresses, if you don’t keep stirring the cheese and the heat’s a bit high, you’ll end up with a layer of cheese at the bottom of the pot. Slightly scorched, yes—but it’s pure gold! Those in the know consider this the hidden treasure, hoping no one else catches on. They then scrape it up, hoping no one sees them.

The video below will have you swirling cheese like a pro in no time.

As the evening winds down and the clock strikes midnight, there’s no better way to welcome the New Year than surrounded by loved ones, full of good food and laughter. Whether it’s the rich, cheesy goodness of raclette and fondue (why not do both?), these traditions bring us closer together.

Here’s to creating more memories, sharing more meals, and starting the new year with joy and togetherness—just like Oma would!

Prosit Neujahr! 🎉

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