Food test: Raclette
It's that cosy time of year again when the Efteling transforms into a winter wonderland full of lights, atmospheric music and snug little corners. Of course, good food is part of Winter Efteling too, which makes the Warme Winter Weide a spot you can hardly avoid. From hot chocolate to sweet buns… and yes, even raclette.
But is that raclette really as wintry and irresistible as it sounds? We dug in, tasted both versions and reached a verdict.
The menu
On the Warme Winter Weide you'll find several chalets, each with its own offering. Think steaming hot drinks, freshly baked cinnamon buns and a chalet where raclette takes centre stage.
There are two dishes available there:
Miller's bread with melted raclette cheese
Baked potato with warm raclette cheese
Both come with a fresh salad of onion, carrot and gherkin. It's served in a disposable tray with cardboard cutlery. The price is €6.50 per dish, or €9.50 with a bottle of soft drink.
You might already be wondering whether the price is in proportion to the portion size and experience. For a winter special in a theme park it's not unusual, but for a small snack it can feel a bit steep.
The test: how do they really taste?
1. Raclette on miller's bread
You get two pieces of bread topped with a slice of raclette cheese that goes briefly into the oven. The flavour is nicely wintry and the whole thing smells wonderful. Only… the slices of cheese are on the small side. As a result, you sometimes end up with a bite of bread without cheese, and then you immediately notice how dry miller's bread can get.
A warm, tasty bite, but not quite balanced.
2. Baked potato with warm cheese
The baked potato is mashed and then topped with a portion of warm raclette cheese. Sounds ideal for cold days. The challenge, though, is the texture. The cheese melts together so firmly that it doesn't stick properly to the potato. With cardboard cutlery, it's quite a job to get a halfway decent mouthful.
Taste? Fine. Ease of eating? Meh, not great.
Final verdict
The raclette dishes fit perfectly into the wintry atmosphere and the taste is definitely good. However, the execution isn't ideal and the price is a bit on the high side for what you get.
In short:
Fun to try once
Fine as a quick winter snack
Not special enough for a second time
So if you have to choose between raclette or one of the other treats on the Warme Winter Weide, there are options that offer better value for money and make less mess.
@themeparkguide.com Raclette at Winter @Efteling 🧀✨ Have you tried it yet? #efteling #themepark #themeparkfood #winter ♬ In the Mood - Glenn Miller
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