Mona Lisa Fondue Restaurant

My husband and I have been coming to Mona Lisa Fondue for years. At least 2-3 times a year we visit for anniversaries, birthdays, graduations, just for funsies- any reason to fondue!And we make the drive from the Denver area because it's worth it. From the service to the ambiance to the food- the have the Melting Pot beat in every possible way.Let's talk about the service: it means something to have servers who not only know the menu and the food, but also enjoy their job. I don't mean their life's ambition is waking up to serve melted cheese and chocolate, but that they like working with people. And they like working with one another. That shines through.The ambiance: I've been to the other place and it's loud. You can't hear anyone at your table talk. That's challenging when you are trying to have a romantic meal or intimate gathering. Or even just a conversation. The Mona Lisa feels comfortable and cozy. There's enough space for any group but it doesn't feel like all the groups are encroaching on one another.But the food. That's the star of the show! The food at the Mona Lisa tastes fresh and clean. The salads are great. The fondue is wonderful and not only do they have the traditional flavors you expect, but also some rotating seasonal options for more adventurous eaters. For the main course, you don't dip your meats/veggies in broth to cook them, you grill them. This is a HUGE upgrade in the flavor profile and it's honestly a little more fun. You have several main course options, as well, some of which rotate for seasons.Then the chocolate dessert. Oh my. I've never been disappointed. From plain milk or dark chocolate to fancier options like flaming turtle or cookies and cream. Everything has always been incredible.We just left and I already can't wait to go back.Don't sleep on this restaurant! Whether you're visiting Manitou Springs for the day, the weekend, or just for lunch, put this on your list!

This review is for drinks and appetizers. We didn't even have fondue, and so take this for what it is worth.We went for happy hour. These are quality cocktails, and $10 is definitely a steal.We sat in the basement. A cool vibe; kind of felt like a French bistro. Nice music. Nice lighting. Very quaint.Cocktails were excellent, and they even adapted to my request to make mine a little less sweet. Thank you.The cheese plate was pretty mediocre. Could have used a few more apple slices. Brie was maybe too cold, not much taste. The white and orange cheese, don't know what they were, were also mild to uninteresting.Olives were very good. Prosciutto and salami were fine.Our server was nice, but not very attentive. Maybe this was on purpose, definitely a romantic spot.We'll have to go back and have fondue. I bet that it is stellar

My husband and I celebrated our anniversary here and they made it very special! The staff had amazing customer service! The food was good and the ambiance was pleasant!!

Romantic ambiance and excellent service! Waiter Caleb is a gem. The food food is delicious, gluten free options available!

We were aware of the small portions and the lack of "value" other reviewers cited, but we went for the experience and because I LOOOVE cheese! Plus, we had a big late lunch elsewhere, and we thought a "light" fare here for dinner would be just right. We were wrong.The lone star is for the impeccable service, which felt close to Michelin star service, but unfortunately not enough to carry the entire dining experience.We started with decent salads ($10 each). We then shared a cheese fondue ($27). I'm sorry to say this is the WORST cheese dish I've ever consumed. The cheese is reduced with so much alcohol-- that it overpowered the cheese, making it very bitter. I know the menu lists alcohol as part of the fondue ingredients, but I didn't realize it would be THE STAR ingredient. We hardly touched it. Before arriving, we were excited to try a dessert fondue, but the cheese fondue foreshadowed deeper disappointment, so we skipped it. I looked around to see how other patrons were doing. One table ordered the 4-course option and were cooking their main course on a hot plate. The ambiance was quirky and different (which I appreciate), but in reality, the space also felt a bit dingy with very little light. All this triggered me to flashback to broke college days when friends were cooking on a hotplate in their dimly lit studio. Is this the unique experience people come here for? When the server asked how the food was, we both politely smiled and asked for the check. We just wanted to be out of there. For 2 small salads and barely digestible cheese fondue that came with bread bits and small side of veg aka snacks, we paid $60.46 (including tax and tip).We had a good quality time together, but we agreed it was hands down the winner of the worst meal we've ever shared in the last decade. We wanted to like this place so much! Unfortunately, we left looking for another place to eat...

My husband took me to Colorado, so, you'd best be sure I'd find a wild experience for dinner. This restaurant, Mona Lisa, located in Manitou Springs was just what the doctor ordered. Experience we received, for sure. It was interesting to cook our own food table-side but the experience was a true pleasure. Everything was so delicious that we had to take the desert home! Most definitely best for romantic dates... it's quite upscale, and I felt spoiled by all the service upgrades we normally don't get in restaurants that fit our budget! #monalisafonduerestaurant #gourmetrecovery #goodeatsontheroad

This was the BEST GLUTEN FREE PIZZA I have ever had! Super friendly fast service, pipping hot pizza, and great price in a great location! It will be our new tradition to stop here anytime we're in Manitou Springs!

The waiter was very nice but the amount of money you pay for the smallest amount of food is ridiculous. This place used to be so much better, super disappointed. Just go to the melting pot you will spend way less and get a lot more food. The meat part of the meal is literally one tiny piece of each kind of meat. We paid over $200 for two people and barely got any food. The salad was not good at all. The cheese and meat tasted good but it was child sized portions. Sadly I would notRecommend this place anymore.

Amazing experience! We made a reservation for a birthday celebration, and the staff treated our party of three like old friends. Every single person we interacted with was kind, helpful, knowledgeable, and genuinely warm. The exceptional service alone made this place stand out from any other restaurant we've visited!On top of that, the food was absolutely delicious. Portions were generous, everything was fresh, and we left completely satisfied (and stuffed!). The building itself is so unique, with beautiful views of the town that add to the charm. This was hands down one of the highlights of our trip to Manitou Springs. If you're in town, this is an absolute must-visit!

Ok this is a true review. We have been going to ML for years and the place just keeps declining and that's a fact. The atmosphere is great, the servers are amazing, they really took great care of us. But the food... huh! We paid like $60 EACH for 4 tiny little pieces of meat, the one slice of sausage wasn't even 3/8" my poor husband had to resort to eating squash and potatoes just to not be hungry anymore.The melting cheese is ... maybe a cup? At the most? You dip 3 slices of bread in it and it's gone... and the imported cheese? That's just a lie. It's freaking mozzarella. On a raclette grill. We would expect AT LEAST raclette cheese on a raclette grill... if I wanted mozzarella I would order a pizzaSave your money, buy a raclette grill on Amazon and raclette cheese at king sooper and you will be better off.This place used to be comparable to the melting pot or briarhurst manor but it simply isn't anymore (as far as the food goes)See pictures... on the grill is one surf and turf and one wild game.