New York City is known for its diverse food scene, with a variety of culinary options available to residents and visitors alike. And one of its fastest growing specialties is artisanal cheese. In this blog post, we’ll tell you where to find the best cheese shops in New York City. And what you should buy once you’re there.
SEE ALSO: Our archive of the best cheese shops around the world →
New York City & Cheese
New York City is located in the north-eastern United States, and is one of the country’s most populous cities. It is made up of five boroughs: Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, the Bronx, and Staten Island. The city is known for its diverse culture, including its food scene, which draws influences from all over the world.
New York has a long history of cheese, dating back to the 17th century when Dutch settlers brought their cheesemaking traditions to the area. In the late 1800s, Italian immigrants began producing cheese in the region. By the early 1900s, New York City was home to numerous cheese shops and dairy farms.
List of 10 Best Cheese Shops in NYC
Today, the city’s cheese scene continues to thrive, with a range of artisanal cheese shops offering unique and delicious products. We’ve got 10 of the best for you!
1. Murray’s Cheese (Greenwich Village)
We have to start with NYC’s most famous cheese shop. Murray’s Cheese Shop is a cheese store located in Greenwich Village, Manhattan. It was founded in 1962 by Murray Greenberg. In 2017, Kroger (the largest supermarket chain in the United States) acquired the company.
Presently, Murray’s Cheese Shop sells a wide selection of artisanal cheeses from around the world, as well as charcuterie and other gourmet products. Furthermore, they offer cheese classes, pairing events and cheese of the month club subscriptions.
Their signature cheese is the “Murray’s Cave Aged Stockinghall Cheddar”, which is aged in Murray’s Natural Rind Cave. Without a doubt, this cheese shop has become a landmark in the Greenwich Village community and a must-visit destination for cheese lovers in NYC.
How to get there: 254 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10014 →
2. Bedford Cheese Shop (Gramercy Park)
Bedford Cheese Shop was established in 2003 on Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, by Jason Scherr and Jason Jeffries. Their aim was to provide their neighbourhood with high-quality cheese. The shop’s success led to the opening of a second location in the Gramercy Park neighbourhood of Manhattan in 2012.
Currently, the shop is solely operating in Gramercy Park and remains committed to being a bridge between cheesemakers and their customers. Moreover, their cheesemongers uphold the old-world traditions of mongering, sharing their expertise on cheese making, care and ripening. As well as the history, origins, and nuances of the cheeses.
If you’re looking for something a little bit more adventurous, this is the shop to go to! Be sure to look out for Spain’s Torta del Casar which makes an appearance seasonally in their cheese cabinet.
How to get there: 229 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211 →
3. Di Palo’s Fine Foods (Little Italy)
Next, we have Di Palo’s Fine Foods, a historic Italian specialty store located in Little Italy, Manhattan. It was founded in 1910 by Savino Di Palo and is now run by his great-grandchildren.
Di Palo’s Fine Foods offers a vast selection of high-quality Italian cheeses, cured meats, olives, oils, and other gourmet products imported directly from Italy. They pride themselves on providing personalized service to their customers, offering tastings and pairing advice.
Undoubtedly, the locals see this shop as a prime destination for Mozzarella and Ricotta. Di Palo’s Fine Foods has become a landmark in the Little Italy community.
How to get there: 200 Grand St, New York, NY 10013 →
4. Casa Della Mozzarella (The Bronx)
Casa Della Mozzarella is a famous Italian cheese store located in the Bronx. It was founded in 1980 by Orazio Carciotto, who immigrated to the United States from Sicily. Casa Della Mozzarella specializes in handmade Mozzarella, Ricotta and other Italian cheeses made fresh on-site every day.
They also offer a selection of cured meats, olives, and other Italian specialty products. Casa Della Mozzarella has become a favourite among locals and has been featured in numerous food publications, including The New York Times and Food & Wine magazine.
How to get there: 604 E 187th St, Bronx, NY 10458 →
5. Saxelby Cheesemongers (Lower East Side)
Saxelby Cheesemongers is a cheese shop located in the historic Essex Market. It was founded in 2006 by the late Anne Saxelby. Actually, Anne started her career at Murray’s Cheese before opening her own shop.
Saxelby Cheesemongers specialise in American artisanal cheeses, sourced from small-scale producers across the country. In fact, the only imported cheese they sell is Parmigiano Reggiano because there simply is no other cheese like it.
Importantly, this unique destination cheese shop shines a spotlight on local women cheesemakers. When you visit, be sure to grab a Kunik, Marieke Premium Gouda or Swallow Tail Tomme.
How to get there: 75 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011 →
6. BKLYN Larder (Brooklyn)
BKLYN Larder is a specialty food store located in Park Slope, Brooklyn. It was founded in 2009 by Francine Stephens and Andrew Feinberg, the owners of the popular Brooklyn restaurant Franny’s. In 2017, Brooklyn local Mandy Wynn took over the reins.
BKLYN Larder offers a curated selection of artisanal cheeses, with a focus on small-scale producers and sustainable agriculture. Their cheese selection includes both domestic and imported varieties, with a particular emphasis on Italian and French cheeses.
Our top tip is to ask for a local cheese like Four Fat Fowl St. Stephen or Tulip Tree Foxglove. In addition to this, they also have their own brand of Marinated Feta that is to die for! As well as their cheese counter, BKLYN Larder also offers catering services and hosts regular cheese and wine classes.
How to get there: 228 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217 →
7. Zabar’s (Upper West Side)
Zabar’s is an iconic gourmet food emporium located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. The store was founded in 1934 by Louis Zabar and has been family-owned and operated for three generations.
Today, Zabar’s offers a wide selection of high-quality food products, including cheese, smoked fish, meats, coffee, and baked goods. Their cheese department features artisanal cheeses from around the world, including rare and hard-to-find varieties.
While they have an impressive range of imported European cheeses, you will want to ask for some of the local favourites. Our wish list includes Bayley Hazen Blue, Tapping Reeve and Grafton Village Cheddar.
How to get there: 2245 Broadway, New York, NY 10024 →
8. French Cheese Board (Nolita)
With its chic monochrome design, French Cheese Board is without a doubt the most aesthetic destination on our list. The French organisation CNIEL owns and operates this little slice of France in NYC’s Nolita.
Unlike the other shops in our top 10, the French Cheese Board exclusively sells French cheese. Indeed, they offer a wide selection of artisanal French cheeses, ranging from creamy Brie Fermier to pungent Epoisses de Bourgogne.
French Cheese Board also offers educational classes and events where customers can learn about the history and production of French cheeses. As well as participate in cheese tastings and pairings. Overall, French Cheese Board is a must-visit for anyone who loves French cheeses and wants to experience a bit of Parisian culture in the heart of New York City.
How to get there: 56 Spring St, New York, NY 10012 →
9. Astoria Bier & Cheese (Queens)
Astoria Bier & Cheese is a multi-faceted establishment that functions as a beer bar, sandwich café and cheese counter. Owner Yang Gao opened the Broadway location in 2012 to fill a gap in the Astoria community’s limited cheese and beer selection.
Astoria Bier & Cheese’s flagship store still attracts a diverse clientele and is buzzing with neighbourhood energy. The store’s brightly lit cheese and charcuterie cases display a range of delicious offerings. This includes their signature cheese, Ewephoria, an aged, amber, sheep’s milk Gouda.
During your visit, you will want to try out one of their beer and cheese pairing plates. Typically, those feature four different cheeses matched with a range of local beers.
How to get there: 3414 Broadway, Astoria, NY 11106 →
10. Eataly (Flatiron)
Eataly is an Italian marketplace and food hall located in the Flatiron District of Manhattan. It was founded in 2007 by Oscar Farinetti, an Italian entrepreneur, with the aim of promoting Italian cuisine and culture.
Oscar Farinetti conceptualized the idea of Eataly in November 2002, which he sketched on a piece of paper. The core concept was straightforward: to provide a one-stop destination for high-quality, sustainably sourced Italian food at affordable prices for everyone. The aim was also to celebrate Italian biodiversity, and create an informal, natural, and unpretentious atmosphere for people to eat, shop, and learn.
Eataly also offers several dining options, including restaurants, cafes, and wine bars, as well as cooking classes, events and workshops. You won’t go wrong with any of their traditional Italian cheeses. But if you’re wanting something extra special, seek out the Quadrello di Bufala or Piave Stravecchio.
How to get there: Flatiron District, 200 5th Ave, New York, NY 10010 →
Summary: A focus on artisanal cheese
Thank you for reading our post on the best cheese shops in New York City. As you can see, our list includes some of the most famous shops (Murray’s). And also, some lesser-known destinations like Astoria Bier & Cheese.
But one thing that unites all of them is their focus on artisanal cheese, educated cheesemongers and customer experience. What’s your favourite cheese shop in the Big Apple? Let me know in the comments below.
