Cheese fondue in Lisbon? Yes! In Príncipe Real (near Bairro Alto) you can find bistro Edelweiss with flavors of the Swiss Alps in a warm retro decor, inspired by the ’70s. Swiss specialties such as cherry brandy cheese fondue are always on the menu and of course the famous Swiss chocolates.
Bistro Edelweiss in neighborhood Príncipe Real Lisbon. Cow: Greta
The cheese fondue (€ 25 for two people) is classic: bread or potatoes, dipped in a fondue made with various Swiss cheeses and a “secret ingredient” which is a Portuguese cheese. Of course accompanied by cherry brandy (schwarzwälder kirschwasser), lit. black forest cherry water…
Bistro Edelweiss in Lisbon: cheese fondue (€ 25 for two people)
They keep changing the menu, but some specialties are always available, like Scharzwälder Schinken (Black Forest ham) with cornichons and onions, Suure Mocke (a starter: beef braised in vinegar and cream sauce) and Bratwurst mit Zwiebelsauce und Rösti (Sausage with onion sauce and Rösti). You can find the daily menu on their facebook page.
Bistro Edelweiss in Lisbon & the very sympathetic owners Marc and Sindi
Marc discovered this space a few years ago, the perfect place for the restaurant he and Sindi (Swiss origin) had in mind to open. With a background in architecture, Marc, born in Canada but emigrated to Switzerland, designed the decoration of the bistro. The retro furniture is remarkable and the space is filled with funny 70s details, like the television with a crackling fireplace and a cuckoo clock.
The famous song Edelweiss (Youtube) is written in 1959 
Bistro Edelweiss Lisbon, December 2012
This Bistro recreates the ambience of the Swiss Alps (painted on the windows) in Lisbon. The atmosphere is a mix of 70s retro and a ski resort. Sindi studied at the Hotel School in Switzerland and worked in several hotels in the country.
Bistro Edelweiss Lisbon: starter salad with chicory and beetroot € 5.50
My friend Erika enjoyed the cheese fondue, I tried the onion soup € 4.00: very good! Bottle of fine white Portuguese wine € 14.00. The biological apple mousse dessert (sobremesa) is one of the specialties of Sindi, the chef who runs the kitchen and creates new menus regularly. Fish and vegetarian dishes are also on the menu and of course German beer.
Bistro Edelweiss Lisbon: retro furniture & map of Switzerland on the wall
Three years ago Marc and Sindi opened the HEIDI bar in the legendary neighborhood Bairro Alto in Lisbon. The bar is closed because now they want to devote themselves exclusively to their Bistro. More info about the song:(wikipedia) Edelweiss
Bistro Edelweiss Lisbon
Bistro Edelweiss Lisbon: closed on Tuesday. Dinners only (from 18h to 24h). Prices: entrees between € 3.50 and € 7.50, main dishes between € 12 and 15. Rua de São Marçal, 2, Lisbon. Phone 00351 21 346 5324.
