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. 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. 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. 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. 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.