4. Restaurants

The Cheese Shop

Carmel Plz,Ocean Ave & Junipero Ave, Carmel, CA, 93923
  • (831) 625-2272
  • Store is closed

The Cheese Shop Menu

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Visit below restaurant in Carmel for healthy meals suggestion.

Carmel Belle ( Doud Craft Studios )

Sorry, We are updating this restaurant cholesterol menu details.

  • T V.

    OMG!!! Cheese galore!!! I love cheese and I'm so glad that we went with friends who loves cheese too!! This place is so cool. All the workers were attentive and you can sample all you want!!!! They were very informative and helpful. We asked for the deadliest blue cheese (since the bf likes it so much) and oh boy, we got the deadliest and it was so goooooood. So we bought 1/4 lb and man, it stank up the car for a bit! I am coming back here before we head out to the beach: cheese +wine +great company + beach = best day ever!!!

    (4)

  • Diane L.

    Reminds me of the cheese shops in Amsterdam. Yummy cheese and they give you samples! Wish that they made sandwiches here too, so you could have a lovely picnic on the beach.

    (3)

  • Alan A.

    Always a fun experience. There's hella cheese, the guys/gals know their cheese, and the cheese is good. They've made great recommendations, and hand out samples constantly. Don't forget your crackers or wine!

    (5)

  • courtness g.

    I LOVE THIS STORE...the cheese section at least. The employees are extremely helpful and knowledgeable about the cheeses. You can try their entire selection if you have the time, taste buds, and stomach for it....for FREE! Every time I'm in the area I MUST make a trip here for cheese. I won't lie, it can get a little pricey, but it's a specialty store. Their wine tasting area is a little new, but again, the employees that help you are very knowledgeable. My complaints about this section are that it's very small and crowded, there is no seating, and there wasn't anything to help cleanse your palette...I had to buy a bottle of water. You do have to pay for the tasting (it is Carmel), but the portions were generous. Overall, I love this store and wish they would expand to Sacramento.

    (4)

  • Erica C.

    Mmmm so much good cheese and so many that you can try before you buy. The staff was great here and seriously cut off atleast 8 pr 9 samples to try before we made a decision. Everything was so amazing that I couldn't even pick! But I ended up with a piece of Blue Moon and the Unnamed Gouda. They also sell wines and have a wine tasting bar and they sell olive oils and dried fruit and many other awesome things.

    (5)

  • Kate P.

    Great selection and wonderful service.

    (5)

  • Deirdre P.

    WHOA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am totally "Wowed" by this place! CHEESE HEAVEN, if you ask me! We went on a rather chilly misty day, to find a very crowded little store that really smelled. (of course its full of cheese!!) Now, this may just surprise me since the fanciest cheeses I eat are the ones they sell at trader joes, but most of them were not refrigerated. Which made the cheeses (that we tried anyway) very yummy. So here's the deal: *You can sample all the cheese you want *They are really nice about letting you sample all you want *they actually recommend cheeses you should sample *THEY HAVE A TON OF CHEESES!!!! so yea, bought of few slices (they sell by the lb, so like the priciest cheese we got was from France, I think it was a type of Gouda, and we paid 7 bucks for a slice, normally its like 29bucks a pound) some of the other slices were like a dollar or 4 bucks... then a sourdough baguette (which was so perfectly yummy!! and very chewy), and of course salami (which you get to sample as well to make sure its how you like it!!! Yay!) Next time we go, we're gonna ask if they can cut our salami for us, since the plastic knife they gave us didn't exactly do the job! If you go to Carmel, this is totally a MUST!

    (5)

  • Frank G.

    a whole lot of cheese! they are very helpful in helping find a cheese you like. well seasoned help that serves up small samples of cheese. very nice.

    (5)

  • Lizete S.

    We stopped in to pick up some wine. It was a cute place with an extensive cheese selection. Definitely returning!

    (4)

  • Haleh H.

    Great place to buy some cheese, bread, wine and spreads. Then walk to the beach and have a French picnic. Love this place.

    (4)

  • Destiny F.

    A must stop if you are in the Monterey/Carmel Area! Kent is awesome and so knowledgeable about cheese and wine. My husband and I probably spent almost 2 hours in here and left wanting more. They will give you a sample of any cheese you would like to try!

    (5)

  • Rita L.

    OMG, this made our trip to Carmel worth it! We got to try so many different cheeses! The service here is great! Just walk in and you'll be fed well!

    (4)

  • Rebecca D.

    I love this place! I've been coming for the past ten years or so. It's not close, so I don't get to come that often, but that means I have an excuse to overindulge when I DO come. The second you walk in the door you will get cheese in your mouth. I'm not kidding. You could sample every single piece of cheese in here if you wanted to (Though it would take FOREVER). The service has always been awesome, the servers ask you what kinds of other cheeses and foods you like; and then hook you up with a cheese they think you'd like. I've found some really awesome and unique cheeses this way.

    (5)

  • Sarah M.

    This place is one of the hidden secret in Carmel! If you like cheese at all you have got to visit this shop!!!! This tiny shop has it all for a little picnic by the sea. If you don't know anything about cheese except for what you get at the supermarket you are in for a treat! They let you sample everything and anything you want plus they help to direct your taste buds to a cheese that will fit any need!! It is a little expensive, but totally worth ever bite!!!!

    (5)

  • Chantelle C.

    How could I not give this place 5 stars. They have all of my favorite cheeses and offer free samples as you walk in the door. The staff is very knowledgeable and friendly. They have a great assortment of wines too so that you can pair your cheese and wine all in one stop.

    (5)

  • Dianne M.

    Rating this was hard because the service was a 1-Eek! Methinks not but the cheese choices was a 4-Yay! I'm a fan so I split the difference. This weekend was my second visit to the Carmel Cheese shop and it will be my last if the only person in the shop is the unfriendly and unhelpful girl who served us. She had no agenda, didn't ask questions to see what we might like to try, she just stood there waiting for us to figure out what we wanted. When we asked questions she smarted off with things like. "Don't ask me what's good because nothing is bad". I think a more appropriate response would be to say something like "do you like Cheddars, brie, blue" or do you like "mild or strong cheeses". She seemed put out and not happy to be there unlike the guy serving the couple next to us who was very informative, helpful and suggestive. This girl needs to get some training on customer service or get a new job. On the shop itself they have about 300 different cheeses which can make for a tasty experience but also quite overwhelming so a helpful person can narrow the choices and help you find a new cheese love. The two cheeses I bought were very good but it was like pulling teeth to get a sample.

    (3)

  • Mac B.

    My very favorite shop in all of Carmel!!!!! A must visit anytime I'm in town! No place better than The Cheese Shop!!!!!

    (5)

  • Pumpkin K.

    Cheese nerd heavan. Everything you ever wanted to know about cheese and more. Um, a lot more. These people have forgotten more about cheese that you will ever know. This place is a gourmand's wet dream. Shelf after shelf of the best wines, and an endless array of tasty treats to go with your cheese. Don't let your ego take control. Give them a general idea of what you are looking for and then just put yourself entirely in their hands. They will pack up a picnic for you to have on the beach, complete with paper placemats, plastic utensils and little cups for wine. You can drink wine on the beach here. God Bless America!

    (5)

  • Tera M.

    The Cheese Shop is a fabulously unique spot in Carmel. Its a perfect place for a snack and a glass of wine, and they even carry Schoch Family Farmstead Cheese which is made locally in Salinas. I highly recommend both the Cheese Shop and Schoch cheese.

    (5)

  • MiaZoi G.

    Phenomenal experience! The owner Kent is such a personable guy and took a good hour and a half out of his day to talk cheese with us and give us samples. I've never had that kind of personal attention anywhere at any store for anything like that. Kent is crazy knowledgable and taught us cheese "the fun way" (sampling + history), which I found super interesting being from Wisconsin and a cheese maker myself. It's just an experience in itself and easily one of the highlights in our month and a half roadtrip, so stop reading and experience!

    (5)

  • Chick R.

    Love this place! Huge variety and excellent bread. I recommend you pick up a loaf of ciabatta, your favorite cheese, maybe some cured ham or dry italian sausage, and head down to the beach or into Carmel Valley wine region. The owner is a pretty cool guy too.

    (5)

  • Discourser T.

    Simply the best. The help is stupendous, patient, and knowledgeable. The Wife and I make this one of our first stops in town. I love the aged Prima Donna cheese. We usually walk out with four or five cheeses, a salami, a baguette, and some crackers. The sheer amount of cheeses available for tasting is outstanding. The staff is more than willing to work with you one-on-one to find just the right match for your palate. I would recommend this place to each and every person visiting Carmel-by-the-Sea.

    (5)

  • Barbara J.

    Last Sunday afternoon had a great time sampling cheese and talking to the knowledgeable staff who dispensed their advice with a friendly smile. What distinguishes this cheese shop from others is that you are encouraged to try as many cheeses as you like before making a decision. Ended up with Garlic Havarti and a Mustard Seed Gouda. Happy with my choices when I served them last night.

    (5)

  • An O.

    A dream journey into the best cheese shop ANYWHERE! And they are fun!

    (5)

  • Mister R.

    A must if you visit Carmel. I brought bread and fruit. Came here tried so many cheeses and bought a couple. Went down to the beach, and ate nothing but bread, cheese, and fruit till the sunset. Next time, I will purchase their bread, a wine, and perhaps some of their attractive meats/pates. Go with friends, and you all can try to be food critics while sampling the cheeses.

    (5)

  • Jennifer B.

    Hands down... cheese heaven...These guys know good cheese....Ask for their suggestions... they won't steer you wrong... try before you buy... the guy even sampled with us...we even got to watch him bust open a fresh round... he got the first taste... "now that is some good, fresh cheese" he stated... it was so fun... we purchased 3 different cheeses, a baguette, and some olives... pure heaven... a not to be missed in Carmel-by the Sea.

    (5)

  • Amy P.

    I moved to Carmel almost a year ago... and the first thing my dad asked me was... "Is The Cheese Shop still there?" My parents were married in Carmel over 30 years ago and The Cheese Shop provided the cheese and the wine that got my dad, his best man and my grandfather "a little tipsy" before his "I do's". The Cheese Shop captures new customers every day and I love it as much as my parents and everyone else who steps foot into this wonderful shop! You have to experience it for yourself... it is a Carmel must!

    (5)

  • V C.

    Unbeatable selection - great staff! I've been coming here for years and will keep coming. The selection is great and always changing, but there are some great standards. The must eats are the Ewephoria, Benning, Humboldt Fog (of course), Trois Laits, and Fromage d'Affinois.

    (5)

  • Brittany A.

    wine tasted and tried different cheese. blake was great and then kent blew our minds away. it was probably the best experience i've had in a long time. made us feel very welcome, and he was very educated.

    (5)

  • Raul N.

    The Cheese Shop is truly the best spot on the Monterey Peninsula to buy cheese. Whenever I'm planning a party and need cheese, this is the only stop for me--no one on the Peninsula comes close to matching their selection of cheeses from around the globe. You'll find many tasty varieties here--my personal favorites are the aged Prima Donna (great in a grilled cheese) and Memoire (a rich gouda infused with truffles). The staff are always very friendly and very knowledgeable--they're truly dedicated to the cheese they serve. I must say I appreciate how patient they are with me when I'm sampling cheese after cheese in pursuit of something new. But don't just drop by The Cheese Shop for your next cheese platter--grab a baguette, some salami, some quince paste and a bottle of wine with your cheese and you're set for a lunchtime picnic too.

    (5)

  • Kat M.

    This is probably the best cheese shop I've been too. Such a wide selection of cheese and wine and salami from top to bottom. It's what every cheese sop should feel and look like. The staff is very knowledgable, with the wine parings too. And I agree with Kristina R. they are liberal with their samples....cause they know once you try just a little piece of the right cheese, it will be your new favorite and you will come back time and time again because the taste will never leave your dreams

    (5)

  • Shal J.

    I haven't found a cheese shop in SF that I love as much as this one. The people that work here are amazing - they offer smart and friendly service to everyone that walks in. You don't have to know anything about cheese, other than that you want some. The samples are great and we have started marking up one of their menus so we can keep track of everything we have tried. If you're going on a picnic, they will slice some bread for you with great care. Their attitude makes everything that much more fun and tasty. A true gem in Carmel!!

    (5)

  • keith r.

    Great place. We wanted to try a couple of cheeses and the owner ended up giving us a course in cheeses. He had us taste over 20 cheeses and gave us an education in the process. They are absolutely passionate about cheese here. Just went in to pick up a cheese and some bread and were amazed that it became an experience. Highly recommend any place that would be as passionate about their product as The Cheese Shop.

    (5)

  • Pepper C.

    We stumbled on this place while visiting Carmel and what a find! My husband is obsessed with cheese so this place was heaven to him. The staff were very friendly and attentive and was bombarding us with free samples of anything we wanted and things we didn't even know we wanted [it was quite amazing]. We even sampled the salami which was excellent. The people here really know their cheese and make great suggestions based on qualities you like. We ended up buying 2 cheeses and a salami and we are planning to go back the next time we are in Carmel!

    (5)

  • Karen L.

    I love the cheese shop! Every time I'm headed to Carmel I make a stop in for some cheese to take with me and a bottle of wine for the beach. They're always so welcoming and they let you sample the cheeses to see what you like. I feel like I can stay in there forever, the cheeses are so good! My favorites are the smoked Gouda and the Huntsman. Unlike other cheeses, the ones here have a sharper taste and better texture.

    (4)

  • David N.

    incredible! The knowledge of The Cheese Shop team is unmatched. Great place to learn about cheese and "find" cheeses. OK...they find them for you, but you can take credit.

    (5)

  • Mackenzie C.

    This is by far the best place to buy cheese! My boyfriend and I drive all the way up from Orange County to go to this place! Their staff is extremely knowledgeable about every cheese they have - and they let you taste anything you want! We've been there three times in the last year and each time we grab some salami and a baguette. Definitely a place to check out if you enjoy cheese!!

    (5)

  • Jenn W.

    Saw the awesome reviews on yelp for this place and decided to stop by during our little carmel girl date. aren't we glad we did! Such friendly service and wide variety of cheeses. The samples just kept on coming and she (i really should've asked for the girl's name) was just pleasant and friendly and never tired of our questions. Of course we all walked out with a little extra something.

    (5)

  • Lynn L.

    Fantastic selection of cheeses and accompaniments. Very knowledgeable and friendly staff - Blake in particular was awesome!

    (5)

  • David L.

    As good as an experience as you are going to have in a cheese shop. Great service, and easily the best selection of fine cheeses in the area.

    (5)

  • Daisy S.

    Absolutely love this place! Lots of variety of good cheese and the people are friendly with fast service! Bought three different kinds of cheese.. almost couldn't contain myself. I love cheese and believe me if you love cheese.. especially gourmet one... gotta come and visit!

    (5)

  • DD B.

    I had been looking forward to visiting this cheese shop (discovered it on Yelp), and it did not disappoint. The staff was super friendly and helpful, willing to help you select cheeses and generous with the samples. Good wine selection, too. One nitpicky thing: I'd like it better if you could see more of the cheese selections - many of them are kept behind the counter and you sort of have to peer around staff to see them. The Cheese Board in Berkeley has a much better set-up.

    (4)

  • Cheri R.

    The shop is tucked inside the Carmel Plaza, which is nice and garden-ish on a sunny day, but also feels like a waste of space with generic chain stores. It's a narrow, slightly claustrophobic shop, but the moment I walked in a young man behind the counter sliced off a heavenly piece of midnight moon gouda and offered it to me. I scanned the assortment of fine Pinot Noirs in the back. They looked very, very yummy.

    (3)

  • Frankie G.

    I had a chance to visit The Cheese Shop a couple years ago; it has a wonderful selection of cheese and the customer service was top notch.

    (5)

  • John G.

    Once again, the standard to seek. If you want an education and some truth about real cheese...this is the place to go. Kent and his crew continue to present "Fromage" in the most positive light with a good dose of humor as you sample cheeses from around the world. Truth be told, Some of the best cheese is from right here in California. It happened with wine, next is cheese and some other bespoke artisan offerings. You can easily spend a good portion of your day learning, sampling and buying cheese. The Cheese Shop also offers great wines, olive oils, vinegars and bread! When you go to Carmel....you have to go to The Cheese Shop...believe me, you just do!

    (5)

  • Jordan T.

    Mmmmm cheese! If you love cheese this is the place! You can stand there all day and sample different cheeses from around the world. Just tell them what you like and they will help you find the perfect cheese. Did I mention they also have great wine? ;)

    (5)

  • Elaine P.

    Does The Cheese Shop deserve another five-star review? Absolutely. We discovered The Cheese Shop a few years ago and now it is on our list of "musts" whenever we visit Carmel. The counter people are always helpful and have helped us "stretch" our palates a bit. There have been a few samples that were beyond our budget. However, for the most part the cheeses are not that expensive. Consider what you might spend on a totally blah fast food lunch -- and then think about a good crusty bread, some cheese, and a glass of wine. Bliss!

    (5)

  • C T.

    Based on these recommendations, hubby and I stopped in here during our weekend away. If you like cheese, you will love this place. We picked out several cheeses, some crackers, and a 1/2 bottle of wine. When we told them we were going to sit in the courtyard to enjoy our goodies, they opened the wine for us. Great experience and we'll be back for sure.

    (5)

  • Tammy W.

    As soon as we walked in, we were immediately greeted with free samples of lots of fancy cheeses. The service was great, the cheese was delightfully delicious, and the prices were fair. I don't have a bad thing to say!

    (5)

  • Leon C.

    I came here with a couple of friends and had a marvelous time here.!We sample sooo many different cheese and I just got a new perspective on cheese. At first, my friends I were a bit shy, but the lady over the counter was fantastic. She was sooo nice, knowledgeable, and accomdating. I give here five stars for her service! There were seven of us and she made sure each of got a chance to sample what we wanted. The cheese here are soooo good with such a wide range of flavors and that places all over the world. I think we probably spend an hour and half just sampling cheese. The cheese is gourmet so a bit pricey and can get a bit crowded, but everyone here had a wonderful experience!

    (5)

  • Ashley R.

    The owner is awesome. You get tons of free samples. You get great tasting cheeses. YUM!!!!

    (5)

  • Aram D.

    Don't just go for the great selections of cheese....Kent, the proprietor, is also incredibly knowledgeable about wines. I Love This Place! If you haven't been...you are missing out.

    (5)

  • J S.

    It's always great fun to visit this little shop in downtown Carmel! Excellent cheeses, great sampling, and the wine selections are wonderful, too; the owner and staffs are friendly and always ready to help. Highly recommended!

    (5)

  • connie k.

    i want to speciically state that this 5 star review is mainly for janaye, who helped us with our tasting. the other guys in the shop were kind of doting on other customers (some of whom had come in after us while we were obviously standing there waiting for someone), but janaye, who was working on someone else's cheese plate as we came in, made sure we were being taken care of. and she was absolutely awesome! she picked out the perfect cheeses for us after we told her what we liked, and even assembled a really pretty cheese plate for us (for no extra charge other than for the cheese and baguette, if you choose to supplement your cheese with it) to nosh on at the little tables in the courtyard directly outside the shop. everything was seriously easy and perfect. we ended up leaving the place with 7 different kinds of cheese (including two kinds of manchego and two truffle cheeses) and were only out $35 or so. we probably ended up tasting over 15 kinds of cheese before we picked out our final 7, so it was definitely worth it in the long run. we came here as part of my birthday celebration trip because i wanted fine cheeses, and this definitely made my whole birthday. the place was a little difficult to find and probably wouldn't have been able to find it so easily if not for our wine taster girl having given us specific directions. it's on the bottom floor of the first block of a little outdoor mall area. if you see tiffanys and louis vuitton, you're in the right block. it's a much smaller store than the santa barbara shop, but it's still as cute and home-y. definitely worth a return visit and another $50 on cheese the next time i'm up in the area!

    (5)

  • C H.

    I would have loved the opportunity to sample from the vast assortment of cheeses here. Unfortunately I was not able to freely browse the selection. All the cheeses were stored behind the counter, and the staff did not acknowledge my presence; they were busy with the older, more well-dressed customers.

    (2)

  • Jennifer F.

    Great little cheese shop. When you walk in, you get a great big whiff of cheesy aroma! The employees here are very friendly and let you try pretty much any cheese you want. They suggest pairing certain cheeses with certain wines and they sell all kinds of goodies (not just wine and cheese).

    (4)

  • Evalynne L.

    What's there NOT to like about the Cheese Shop? Great customer service, amazing selection of cheeses (you can taste it all!!!) not to mention their countless other hard to find delights! My favorite's the black truffle pate. Definitely a splurge at $30 a jar (we're talking holiday jam jar...yes that small) but oh so delicious! I usually pass on the wine since they're priced at a premium, but everything else is fair game.

    (4)

  • Joslyn D.

    This is always our first and last stop when coming to Carmel. Walk in and you are greeted with samples of cheese, cheese, and more cheese. The staff is very knowledgable and eager to educate you on the backgrounds of each varietal they offer. They will patiently give you samples of anything and everything to assist in the decision making process. They also offer a good selection of wines. If you are packing a picnic to take to the beach or out to the preserve in Carmel Valley, this is a must stop. They offer half bottles of wines and lots of little snacks to accompany your cheese. What's even better? They ship!

    (5)

  • ssdk k.

    I LOVE this cheese shop! The staff is so informed and I have only experienced very positive interactions with them. One of my favorite things is a delicious cheese, crusty bread and wine. All three things can be found here. Pack it up and take it to the beach for a great time. Even better, pack a little picnic and catch a show at the Forest Theatre. Good times.

    (5)

  • Kan L.

    i really liked this place. great assortment of cheeses and the people at the counter were nice and generous with the samples. if you want to try something, just ask. the midnight moon was fantastic, though pricey at around $30/lb. the place isn't big and it can get a bit crowded easily (especially since i went with a group of about 12 people and two smaller groups of 3 came in after us). I can see how getting attention from the people at the counter can get a little difficult if there are a lot of other customers in that small a space. all i can say is that you just have to take charge and do your best to get their attention. they're stuck behind a counter and won't be able to come to you.

    (4)

  • Tera M.

    cheese. yummy cheese. the owners know that i only bring the hot men i really like here. and the visitors that i want to share this great place that's been here forever. they have a good selection of wines as well. they will give you a plastic knife, napkins so that you can discreetly take your choices to the beach and enjoy on your blanket.

    (5)

  • Sanket K.

    I never want to leave this place. Usually the wife has to drag me out since she wants to see other things. I have been here over 5 times and the service and the cheese has always been outstanding. It's usually packed but that's usually a good sign. My favorite cheese include honeybee, red dragon and habanero jack. But really, any cheese is good here. WARNING: If you get the stinkiest cheese here (forgot the name), it will make your car really smell!!

    (5)

  • Eggert B.

    We simply love this place. Whenever we visit Carmel we go back! The place itself is very cute with a huge selection of wine and an awesome selection of cheese (and the smell is amazing, the whole place just smells of excellent cheese). However, it's the people that are the true stand out there. Every single employee is incredibly friendly and happy to help you and give you tastings of various cheeses. They also do great wine and cheese pairings that I highly recommend. Blake and Neil helped us out last time and they were incredibly nice and made sure we had a good time. Can't wait to go back :-)

    (5)

  • Alina T.

    Currently closed as a result of flood.

    (5)

  • Michelle L.

    Okay - seriously? How does a place this AWESOME exist? If you're looking for cheese, wine, and salami, this is THE place to be. The workers there are beyond helpful, and you get to sample a million cheeses until you find the ones you liked. Our favorites were the young manchego, the double creme gouda, and the one that has a hint of honey in it (they'll know what you're talking about). Go to the cheese shop! You won't regret it.

    (5)

  • Tarun G.

    This is a must stop if you are in the area. Nestled into one of the many courtyards of shops and dining, the Cheese Shop is truly a destination you could spend at least an hour in. Be prepared to taste cheeses of the world and walk away spending $50 on some of the finest cheeses and salami around. They don't skimp on free samples -- you are encouraged to try as many of the varieties they have to offer. The hosts are super nice and welcome questions and feedback. They often will provide suggestions based on your tastes. In addition to cheese and salami, they have some great wines and other spices/delicacies available in the store. They have month clubs and ship around the world, so don't worry if you can't take any back with you. My advice -- grab a couple of cheeses from here, head over to the Italian shop nearby, buy a bottle of wine from your favorite wine tasting room in the area, and head out to the beach -- a perfect setup for a perfect day in Carmel-by-the-sea.

    (5)

  • Will P.

    Just might be the greatest place in America. You walk in and it's one cheese after another that isn't just good but unbelievable. Mind blowing. These people find works of art and present these delicious masterpieces to you as samples. And then you'll walk out spending way more than you intended because every sample will have you saying "how do we not get that?" And it will be completely worth it. Just magical. Like Disneyland for cheese lovers. A beautiful, exquisite slice of humanity.

    (5)

  • Caroline T.

    I've never walked into a cheese shop and felt like an instant V.I.P till now. Everyone here is sweet, knowledgeable and super accommodating. They offered my bf and I various freshly sliced cheeses upon entrance and I became hooked on two new cheeses that I wouldnt be naturally drawn to! They have cheese basically from all different animals, it was extremely hard to narrow it down. This place is perfect to build a picnic basket to take down to Carmel Beach. They have everything from dips, spreads, crackers, wines, beers, and deli meats. My mom also gets her favorite aged balsamic vinegar here. I adore the spirit of this shop (located downstairs in the Carmel Plaza)! Great place to come learn about different cheeses and be among fellow cheesemongers!

    (5)

  • Deb S.

    This charming little place needs a better spot on the main drag in Carmel. Or this mall needs to become a better draw in and of itself. The place was empty! But the cheese was delectable, and all the makings for a lovely little picnic outdoors were purchased here. They even had beer and wine to go. Such a lovely little surprise.

    (5)

  • Michelle T.

    Mm this place is just so sooo nice. Cheeses imported from all over the world? Yes please!!! They sell Monterey Jack actually made from nearby Monterey as well which was quite pungent and tasty. They are always sampling something unique. They also do a great job explaining what the cheese you are trying is all about, adding to the cheese tasting experience. There's no pressure to buy. This is a great place to pickup some cheese and crackers for picnic on the beach. Mix and match! Just do it!

    (5)

  • Cynthia H.

    What an amazing cheese and wine shop ! This may be the best cheese and wine shop I've ever been. Its a full stocked cheese shop with a small wine tasting area in the back. I came in without any expectation on the wine part but the three Dan pushed out was very enjoyable. He paired it with an aged raspberry cheddar. At the time,I was hesitant about cheddar being a brie lover and all. I protested a little but he promised I would be happy. I was in cheddar heaven and proceeded to order three more chunks of cheese. The wine I had here beat all the wine I had during our short stay in Carmel. Super friendly staff. Dan is amazing !

    (5)

  • Carrie E.

    This store is awesome!!! The cheese selection is outrageous, and the staff will let you try cheese until you pretty much pass out if you want. We purchased the wine and cheese pairing, and the guy who hosted us was very knowledgeable about the wines and friendly and fun to talk to - we really enjoyed just hanging out in the back of this strip mall shop, talking to the guy. It was a great experience, and a fun, unexpected side trip to our vacation.

    (5)

  • Trevi T.

    What an experience! Everyone in the shop is so knowledgable and helpful. Such a variety of meats, cheeses, and wines. They have wine tasting (plus cheese) in the back of the shop as well. Would definitely recommend this spot.

    (5)

  • Stephen D.

    I don't think many people can say "Damn guys, I had -such- a fun time at a cheese shop this weekend!" That is, unless that person had visited THE [Amazing, Fun, Charming, Stupendous, Magical] Cheese Shop in Carmel. Stating that the customer service is amazing would definitely be an understatement. I learned so much about cheese sourcing, the cheese-making process, and what wines to pair with said cheeses that even -I- felt embarrassed of my cheese-based knowledge. This admittance, coming from a guy whose email since 6th grade is cheesemagicYY@yahoo, means that the staff here is VERY knowledgeable (and I mean they REALLY know their ish) That's exactly what makes The Cheese Shop so darn successful: they sell a great variety of quality cheeses, allow customers to try a little bit of everything based off of their own preferences and needs, and do it all with a healthy amount of gusto. This formula translates into what probably led you here in the first place: a stunningly perfect Yelp 5-star average after hundreds of reviews and tons of happy customers. I walked away with a good sized piece of delicious brie from Brie, France and am enjoying every single bite. For only $10, my thrifty self was very pleased. Come here for a quirky date (you can preface it with a cheesy invitation of "brie mine"), advice on wine pairings for your next dinner party, or to stock up on quality cheeses for your next killer mac-n-cheese/sandwich recipe. Regardless, you'll have a great time, learn something new, and walk out with nothing less than pure deliciousness. Happy cheesing!!!

    (5)

  • Jen R.

    This place is AMAZING!!!!! Happened in and was offered sample after sample of amazing cheese. Staff is extremely friendly and knowledgeable. Left with two different cheeses that I would have never in a million years even dreamed of trying. So thankful to be a local, will be visiting this place VERY often!

    (5)

  • Dan G.

    This is my favorite shop in all of Carmel for obvious reasons. They are experts in all things cheese! There are also a few on staff that are experts in all things wine. I highly recommend doing a wine & cheese tasting in the back. You won't find a more intimate, delicious, and unpretentious tasting in all of California. My favorite thing about this shop is the diversity of varietals it carries; every time I visit, I leave with a bottle of a rather obscure wine (The latest was Negro Amaro), which really makes for an exciting shopping experience. I am continually impressed by this spot and have become quite the regular.

    (5)

  • Anita P.

    Really great little shop, with a large variety of cheeses. You were able to taste absolutely every cheese if you wanted to, the only problem was the cheeses you tasted were so good, you ended up buying many of them, which meant we left with more cheese than we intended to buy. The clerks were very helpful and knowledgeable when you asked questions and were willing to cut any size cheese you wanted. We will stop here again next time we are in Carmel.

    (4)

  • Lilia P.

    This. This is the happiest place on Earth. Everything about it is top notch. The employees are kind and knowledgeable. They will offer suggestions based on what you like or they can suggest something new to try. This should be on your list of places to visit in Carmel.

    (5)

  • Adriana R.

    Like a sea of cheese, it's an Italian cook's paradise. What more to life do you need then wine and cheese? The customer service is excellent and patient. They let you try as much as needed to get the perfect cheese for whatever you are making. There are wine tastings in the back paired with cheese and you can never go wrong. I come here every time I go near Carmel and will continue doing so.

    (5)

  • J G.

    Cheese, glorious cheese! What a selection. And great service to boot! Very knowledgeable staff (they must live and breathe cheese!) and some real hidden gems. They were very welcoming to sample requests and we walked away with 5 or 6 different cheeses, a baguette which they were so kind to slice up for us, and some great spicy Soppressata for our lunch spread. I only wish they were closer to home! Though if they opened up shop in Los Angeles I might never leave... ;)

    (5)

  • Yue L.

    This place is just the yummiest place to stop by when you are in downtown Carmel. My friend E and P took us here when we met them for lunch during the weekend of my birthday and I never had cheese tasting before but it was so much fun! The gentleman gave us several tastings of various types of cheese that we were interested in, plus a few extra new ones that they have. I bought a gouda that was so delicious and picked up a bottle of Chardonnay at their wine shop which is just the back of the cheese shop store. They have wine tasting for $10 too but we had our puppy with us and wanted to sit outdoors to enjoy our wine and cheese. They even gave us some paper cups to drink our wine in. Everyone was friendly and the place is just a cheese lover's dream. Will definitely come back on our next trip to Carmel!

    (5)

  • Teiki K.

    Can't say enough good things about this place! We wanted to bring some cheese and wine to a dinner party and this place was exactly what we needed. Ten minutes in and out, free samples to help your decision, friendly and knowledgeable staff, and an unbelievable selection of delicious cheeses and wine. No wonder this place just celebrated its 41st anniversary!

    (4)

  • Jess C.

    The cheese shop is a cute little place that sell crates full of wine, loads of different types of cheese (by pound and by wheel), and little snacks and trinkets that make great gifts. Yelp's average rating here was a shocking 5 stars at 130+ reviews, which typically raises some red flags in my mind. I've mentioned this in a previous review, but a rating this high generally is due to the fact that the business a) accomodates special needs diets (Vegan/Vegetarian/Gluten-Free etc); b) is very cheap; c) is very friendly; or d) carries great product quality and/or selection. The Cheese Shop nails customer service, and offers a great selection of cheese. They give generous samples, and are very knowledgeable, friendly and patient. For those not looking for a bottle or to take home cheese, they offer a wine tasting in the back - $9.95 for 1 taste and cheese, or $15.95 for 3 tastes and cheese. The selections are at random based on the person pouring. Wines come in varied sizes, ages, and caliber (I saw a $4K magnum!). Prices aren't competitive, as you would expect but plan to stay awhile to browse the cool products they have, sample some delicious cheese, and taste some wine. I didn't plan to, but came home with several types of cheese! For quality product, variety, and customer service The Cheese Shop is a must visit in Carmel.

    (4)

  • Jordan M.

    "Say Cheese!!!" What a great place to go for your cheese fix - they even have a great selection of wine! The three people working were all very friendly, knowledgable about the products and helpful with everything anyone could ask! Service from Katie was AMAZING! She was friendly, fun, informative and had great cheese and wine knowledge! Actually this was kind of a bad thing because, as a result, I ended up spending too much money there! haha!! I suppose this was the purpose! :) All-in-all, a great place to go if you're a cheese lover! Katie says that the owner and all the employees try everything first before they sell it. While I know from working in the food industry myself that something like that is assumed, I also know it's rarely true! I get the impression that here, it's true! Bravo Katie & friends! I'll be back next time I'm in Carmel! ***Update: I DID go back and though Katie wasn't there, Rachel helped me and was just as fun and friendly! Thanks again!

    (5)

  • Mandy W.

    I am a cheese addict, cheese monger, cheese aficionado. I was in and out of here in only 15 minutes why? because if I stayed longer i would have went out of house and home buying and tasting everything. This is the absolute best cheese shop in the world. I have gone to many none impresses me as much as this. And I know my cheeses although not an expert per se. I will consider myself one if I lived in france and italy. I have not tried nearly as many as I want to. I only spent $37 but my god if i stayed longer i could have easily spent $200. Easily. So.darn.good. I saw about the real honeycomb and I will be back. I am frugal but put me here I will not buy enough.

    (5)

  • A J.

    This is THE best cheese shop with the best staff and most terrific owner. If you want great cheeses of the world, this is the place. You can taste the finest culinary treats from around the world which are handled with mastery by well trained hands and keen minds. The staff is sharp -- like finely crafted and choses artesian alchemists who know the depth and breathe of each wheel of cheese. There truly is no better place to shop. Enjoy!

    (5)

  • Sulieman R.

    This is the best spot in monterey county to get chesses. They have a wide selection of it and they are more that happy to let you try any. My favorite is memori. (Rich gouda cheese infused with truffles) To die for. Plus they have a great wine selection from Californian to Italian and french. Highly recommended.

    (5)

  • Samantha M.

    This is a FUN place to take visitors from out of town, if they love Cheese of course. Generous and informative with cheese samples from around the world!

    (5)

  • Joey N.

    Add this little shop to your places to visit while you're in Carmel by the Sea! Hands down the best cheese shop in town! Great selection of cheeses, pâté and wine. You'll find something for everyone's palate. Friendly staff and I've never left without a smile on my face and a bag full of cheese :)

    (5)

  • Stacey L.

    Cheese heaven! Didn't get a chance to try their wines because we had a couple of bottles waiting for us back at the hotel, but we sure tried a lot of their cheeses. When you walk in, you stick with the staff member that greets you and you basically pester them with all your sample requests until you make up your mind of which cheese(s) you want. Pick up a brochure on the way in and it'll make your cheese navigation simpler. One of my favorites of the many I tried was the Pecorino al Vino. For all of you connoisseurs, you'll know that Pecorino is a hard salty cheese. I'm usually not a huge fan because I prefer the milder softer cheeses, but I really loved this Pecorino. It's not as salty because it's soaked in red wine for a month or so; the flavors are nicely balanced. If you love cheese, just pay this place a visit. Don't be intimidated by the per pound pricing because I promise it'll come out significantly cheaper than wherever you're thinking of going to order a cheese plate.

    (5)

  • Kristin T.

    While walking past the shop with my husband and our dogs, I had merely peeked in the door when a friendly employee shouted to bring them in and handed me a sample. Who knew people who work in cheese shops were so happy, or that tasting cheese could be an incredible experience? I was very happy to find my favorite gluten free crackers there, then sampled a few more cheeses before purchasing a few hunks of an amazing blue and also a cheddar. If you love cheese, or even kind of like cheese, you must visit this shop, they'll find the perfect one for you.

    (5)

  • Terri D.

    Awesome, awesome cheese shop. We visited recently on our family vacation on the recommendation of my husband (who had been before) and I was not disappointed. It was busy when we arrived, but one of the employees who was helping other customers made sure to include us in their tasting, so we weren't waiting with nothing to do. The sales people were friends and very knowledgable about their cheeses. We must have tasted 20 cheeses while we were there and would have stayed longer if not for our restless toddler.

    (5)

  • Jim P.

    If you are looking for a 1959 DOM..............This the place to go. You can't walk in the door without and employee greeting you. Great chess and fantastic wine. This is a don't miss place when you are looking for wine and cheese at the beach.

    (5)

  • Christina N.

    The smell of cheese could be overpowering when you first enter the shop, but you get comfortable with it, especially when you start being served samples of cheese of various interesting types. If you're a wine and cheese pairing enthusiasts, they have a small corner at the back of the shop where you can call colour and the owners would pick some wine and cheese pairs. You can try out pretty much everything. In fact, there was so much selections that I've never learnt about most of them till my visit. Definitely a very interesting place to visit for cheese and wine lovers. I've never been to a cheese shop beter than this!

    (5)

  • Allison Q.

    Wonderful hospitality, great wine selection, and insanely delicious cheese!! Highly recommend a stop here!!

    (5)

  • Dominic B.

    BEST CHEESE EXPERIENCE EVER. - more cheeses than I've ever seen - huge wine selection - some of the best customer service I've ever had...and I mean the WHOLE staff. It was my girlfriend's birthday and I emailed them regarding some questions I had before I stopped in. Katie promptly responded to my email kindly answering all my questions. You have to go for the wine & cheese pairing! 3 options. all wonderful. The gf took the 3 white wines and cheese to pair with the wines. Rach was a great help and took us through the pairing, also describing the cheeses and wine in detail. Then after was the cheese tasting binge. Adrian is the man! SUPER knowledgeable and really knows his cheese. We tried about 10 different cheeses and walked out with a couple. I will be back as soon as I can get out there. Exceptional experience. I wish more stores shared your view of high quality customer service & friendly staff. :) Thanks guys! ***TIP: GO ON A TUESDAY! That is when they receive their newest shipments of cheeses, plus, not as busy so you don't feel rushed to try cheeses or feel bad that you are taking the employees precious time

    (5)

  • Gilman W.

    Such a friendly shop, they let us try a lot of favors and were very accommodating. Would highly recommend to anyone who is new to cheese or would like to try something new

    (5)

  • Jordan S.

    Seriously my mouth is watering just thinking about this place- I already regret not getting more cheese. I'm already planning my next trip to Carmel so I can come back here. The cheese, and i mean every cheese I tasted, was absolutely perfection. We came in here and Matt helped us out, he told us he was a newbie but his knowledge of the cheese was great. He gave us samples of everything he thought was best and some that we had heard about. My favorite two that we had tried (and it's hard to pick just two) were the Honey Bee and the Truffle cheese. OH MY GOSHHH, the truffle cheese, I can't even explain how amazing this cheese is, you will just have to go try it yourself- and then bring me back some as a thank you for telling you to try it. They also have wine pairings in the back, which I would like to try next time, however we were wine tasting all day so we opted out. Got some crackers to go with our cheeses and took them down to the beach to enjoy. YUM.

    (5)

  • Anna L.

    I love this store. It is one of my must stops whenever I visit Carmel. As other reviewers have said, the smell of cheese when you first enter this small store is strong, but you quickly get used to it while browsing their great selection of cheeses, wines and gifts. They offer tastes of cheeses up front and if you wander towards the back, there is a wine tasting station which offers not only wine tastings, but pairings with cheeses. All you have to do is pick a color (for your wine). This visit we just picked up some cheese. My dad is not a cheese lover by any means and his tastes in cheese revolve towards more mild choices. However, he ended up loving what we picked up here. Prices are a bit high, but you are in Carmel after all. If you love wine and cheese, be sure to stop in to this lovely shop. You will not be disappointed.

    (5)

  • Ashley B.

    You are seriously in for a treat once you step into this Holy land of cheese!! You cannot find the best gourmet products, wine selection, and of course cheese anywhere else. Prices are affordable and you cannot find a shop like this anywhere else.. You can visit several countries by tasting the cheese and not spend a dime on airfare ;) Don't be shy to ask for samples of something you see - as they are not shy to give you a taste as soon as you walk in. You have 200+ to choose from! If I may recommend a few to get your taste buds salivating: Jalapeño Jack is currently the spiciest cheese there and has an amazing kick to it! Perfect with quesadillas. Honey Bee is a Goats Milk Gouda infused with Honey - straight from the Netherlands! It's sweet and it'll leave you buzzzzzzing for more! Ever have Coconut Cheese? Well you're in luck. You would think Koko's would be from a tropical place like Hawaii.. WRONG! This Gouda is also from the Netherlands and it's infused with Coconut Cream so it has an amazing creamy texture.. Now take THAT to the beach with some wine and crackers! Don't be afraid to venture down to the wine selection! You can also do a tasting and they will pair it with some amazing cheese. Gouda, Jack, Manchego, Brie, Blues, Stiltons... Goat, Cow, or Sheep.. France, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, UK, US.. The Options are endless! The staff here will give you the best service in town! Not only will you walk out with a belly full of cheese but with some knowledge about them that you can share with others! Always nice to impress. Right? Go by yourself, on a date or with family and friends! It's a pet friendly shop so bring Toto, too! It's not JUST a cheese shop.. It's an experience! Hope you all enjoy!

    (5)

  • Eugene N.

    Accidentally stumbled upon "The Cheese Shop" and we're glad we did. Who doesn't like cheese? If you don't, well your the minority. We were walking around this small shopping mall/center and the aroma of cheese lured us in. The shop is small, but dense with so many cheeses from around the world. When you step inside, it's as if you stepped into Ollivander's Wand shop from Harry Potter, but except for cheese and wine. The place doesn't try to be posh or chic, which is a good thing because it makes purchasing easy. As far as purchasing, the entire staff here was so nice. They let you try an array of cheeses. The gentlemen assisting us did not even hesitate to let me try this expensive choice I saw caught my eye. I almost felt bad not buying anything. Again, I can't say enough about how friendly the staff is here. They are also very knowledgeable about all the cheese they carry. They seem so genuinely nice that although it is intimidating for most (including myself) to start asking where to begin, they definitely make it very easy. They have what seems to be a good selection of wine as well--although I'm not much of a wine person to comment on it. They also have a good selection of crackers to go with the wonderful cheese. Summary: You love cheese, stop by.

    (5)

  • Jemma B.

    You need to go here. Every time I visit Carmel with friends or visitors from shores afar I pop in here, and I am yet to find anyone - myself included - who doesn't absolutely love this place. Think of a cheese - any cheese you can - and it's almost certain you will find it here. They are happy to let you try anything you like - in fact they encourage it. No sooner have you tried one than they are opening another for you to sample. It's delicious, you will be in a cheese induced coma with the cheesiest smile you can imagine. I've never left this place without buying something (clearly they are good at their job...) and they are happy to cut you pieces as big or small as you want, including chopping it up and putting it into a 'nibble bag' for you. If you also happen to like wine, well then this place might just be heaven for you because the back half of the shop is brimming with every kind of wine. To top it all off you can do a wine tasting at the back of the shop which they then pair with various cheeses. Don't miss this place people. If you're going to go anywhere in Carmel, make sure this is top of your list.

    (5)

  • Liz H.

    Love this cute little cheese shop! As soon as we walked in, they started handing us samples which didn't end until we left. We tried lots of different ones and I knew we needed to leave before we spent ourselves dry!! We got 2 kinds of cheese and enjoyed the experience. Cute outdoor shopping mall around it too with lots to do and see. Definitely recommend taking anyone who likes cheese! Stay far away if you don't!

    (4)

  • Manny G.

    This is about as close to Heaven as you can get. OMG, let me say that again OMG. So many choices of cheese and they are all willing to give you a sample and describe the cheese and where it originates. Smoked Gouda and triple cream brie were our selections for the day. Did I mention they also see wine. Perfect place to come for some picnic goodies before heading down to the Beach.

    (5)

  • Hayley G.

    My boyfriend and I frequent Carmel By the Sea, and the cheese shop is one of our first stops! Everyone who works here is knowledgable beyond belief as well as super friendly. We love purchasing a bunch of cheese, baguettes and sitting on the beach while the sun sets!! I couldn't say enough wonderful things about this place!!

    (5)

  • Tom H.

    Great customer service from the wine shop in the back. They have a small but nice selection of local wines. Cheese shop in front was loaded with a bunch of goodies. I picked up a nice 6 month manchengo.

    (5)

  • Ben B.

    Being a native Wisconsinite we had to stop here. DUH CHEESE! lol It was amazing cheese and they let you taste test all of it. If you enjoy cheese this place is a hidden gem! Walked out with a handful of new cheese from around the world and really enjoyed the staff, very friendly. They also have lots of wine but we already had plenty from various other stops. Lots of neat things here that you just can't find in a store elsewhere; real honeycomb, Monterey sea salt, etc. Do yourself a favor and stop in!

    (5)

  • stuart h.

    Like cheese? Near Carmel? No question, this is a must go. The selection is crazy, and all quality. The staff are friendly, knowledgeable, and overall just a pleasure to deal with. Lots of samples are thrown your way, and whether you know your cheese or not is irrelevant. As long as you can enjoy a good cheese, you will like this place.

    (5)

  • Lisa H.

    Fantastic! On a Saturday afternoon, I, my husband and friend zipped on over here 10 minutes before closing and was expecting to sample a couple cheeses and be pushed out, but this was not the case. There were several staff manning the counter piled high with various cheesey treasures and educating customers on the cheese and offering samples. I weaseled my way to the counter and one very helpful associate started us on an extensive tasting. He answered all of our questions and shared a wide variety cheeses. Along the way he sliced small wedges of our selections and wrapped them up. Even as they were shutting down, we got to sample some salami too! 5 stars for A+ service, yummy cheese and a lovely time.

    (5)

  • Terri N.

    Culinarians and adventurers, get your patooties into The Cheese Shop when you visit the Central Coast! A friend I was visiting Carmel with was drawn to this place, and I'm so glad I followed her lead because it was truly a delight! First things first - the smell when you walk in could knock you out of your socks. Be prepared, and don't worry, it becomes pleasant quickly. Just succumb to the exquisite cheesiness of it all! There are two truly great things about this shop, aside from the products themselves: the variety in the amount of offerings, and the fact that you are offered endless free samples. Nothing is off limits, no 'cheese flights' - if it sounds good, tell one of the incredibly friendly and helpful staff, and not only will they slice you off a sample, they'll give you a lesson in that cheese's story. My cheese guide was a handsome young guy (woohoo!), who paid attention to what I liked or didn't like about each cheese and followed that path to offer samples I would prefer. This smart bloke tuned in quick that I am a big fan of blue cheese, gouda and the soft cheeses. If I hadn't been vacationing and had quicker access to a fridge, I would have purchased more - but I walked out with a sizeable $8 block of blue cheese from Oregon that was basically the best ever. I also didn't have time to enjoy their wine tasting/cheese pairing, but thanks for giving me yet another reason to return! Cheese-aholics, you have met your match!

    (5)

  • Tanya P.

    Best cheese place ever! Discovered it a couple years back. And come here every time I'm in carmel. Free samples goes good with wine!!

    (5)

  • Janet C.

    veritable cheese heaven with over a hundred cheeses they let you sample to your hearts content. also available are salamis, baguettes, crackers, wine, and cute patio tables outside on which to stuff your faces with your loot.

    (5)

  • Richard S.

    The Cheese shop is closed after a pipe broke in an upper level of the shopping center and flooded the store on Sunday May 17th. Several other shops on the second level and the wine shop next to the cheese shop are also closed until repairs and renovations can be accomplished. We were surprised when we walked up to the store today only to see the damage, the empty shelves and the signs that they were closed until furrther notice. Please come back!

    (5)

  • Tiffany P.

    Beyond amazing!! We are local, not sure why we do not indulge in this place more often. Yesterday was our 10 year wedding anniversary, so a picnic was in order. We found everything we wanted and needed here. If you love cheese, this is your mecca! Thank you for all the excellent suggestions! Our picnic was amazing!!

    (5)

  • Dennis B.

    Amazing selection, knowledgeable and friendly staff!! They will let you try every single cheese in the store if you want! If you are in Carmel..you MUST stop here

    (5)

  • Karen W.

    Dang dang diggitty dangitty... I miss this place every time I go there!!! You won't find a better Cheese Shop anywhere... Wine too. Wall of crackers, some cured meat, chocolate, jams, jellies and honey oh my! Lovely Staff and super generous tastings-as many different things as you have time for. Stinky or mild there's no happier place on Earth for your dairy lovin' palate.

    (5)

  • Sandy L.

    WOW. just WOW. I came in here on a whim with my boyfriend when we were visiting Carmel because we had some extra time, and I'm so glad Yelp led us straight to this little gem! As soon as we stepped in and made our way to the counter, someone started slicing off a piece of cheese sample for us and getting us straight into it. 15 cheeses later we walked out of there with 4 different slices of cheese for about $20. I hadn't planned on buying anything but the cheese were simply delicious! They have all sorts from different parts of the world, and the workers are knowledgeable and helpful on all of them. Luckily you can order these cheese delivered if you can't make it to Carmel but hunger for those cheeses and want something fancy for wine and cheese night! I leave you with a fun fact: Did you know there's a town in England called Cheddar where cheddar cheese was born?

    (5)

  • Jennifer L.

    People here are really nice. They are super friendly and patient. They let you taste as many cheeses as you want, so you won't end up buying anything that you don't like.

    (5)

  • Jennifer A.

    We cannot come to Carmel without stopping in here. Kyle is wonderful and always remembers us and is incredibly warm & welcoming whenever we return. He has helped us several times through the several years my husband & I have been coming here. Conrad helped us today and the last visit 6 months ago and is just as welcoming and knowledgable as Kyle on the cheeses and picking out cheeses that we may like based on the previous choices we've liked. We will definitely be back!!!

    (5)

  • Carolyn B.

    HOLY CHEESE BALLS LET ME LOVE YOU. If I could live in The Cheese Shop, you better believe I would. Lactose intolerant people, beware. The aroma hits you the moment you step through the door from an entire wall lined with every cheese you could think of. I almost cried the first time I walked in. The opposite wall has a great assortment of crackers, jams, nuts, olives and toppers which makes this a one stop shop for party appetizers or a light snack. The employees are wonderful. Truly kind people who are always so helpful and friendly. They stand behind a counter, that is basically a very long chopping block, and hand free samples to all who enter. You could walk in and say, "I want something spreadable" and they will bring three different cheeses for you to sample. They are so willing to help and they have an extensive knowledge of cheese - even the ones they don't have in stock or sell. Did I mention that they give out a lot of samples? Because they do. A lot of them. It's just all around great service. Oh, you can also sign up to get the cheese of the month! Plus, the entire back of the store is full of wine. Cheese, crackers, and wine. I mean, come on. I told you, if I could live here I would. This is a MUST visit if you are ever anywhere near the central coast. I guarantee you will not leave disappointed!

    (5)

  • Cara B.

    Best cheese shop ever. They are never stingy on samples and very descriptive on what you are trying. The massive variety is dizzying and the customer service is amazing. They have a selection of wines and champagnes as well.

    (5)

  • Briana F.

    If heaven exists, I would hope that it resembles the Cheese Shop. Excellent service, tons of samples, and loads of extras (crackers, sides & snacks to accompany that impending cheese and wine coma). Note that there is a nice lawn/picnic area across the street!

    (5)

  • Cassie C.

    This place is a must when I go to the Carmel area. The smell knocked me off my feet the first time I went there, but once you adjust to it, you are sure to find some absolutely delicious cheeses in there, and they are not skimpy with the tastings. I could spend all day in there if they would let me...not only because cheese is my favorite food but this place is an experience. You will have the best cheese you've ever had in your life here...and it will ruin the run of the mill grocery store "cheese" for you forever. The hard part is deciding what you want to get because you will want everything! The employees are knowledgeable and helpful. This place always seems to be swarming with people for a reason!

    (5)

  • R W.

    So many delicious cheese options! Friendly staff eager to offer samples. Great service!

    (5)

  • Sarah C.

    Was walking around before our dinner reservation at the flying fish grill when we happened upon this place. It was a busy happen'n place. We mentioned how we didn't have a knife seeing how we were staying at a hotel while walking in and one of the workers said they have plastic knives. We were given samples and decided to buy some for breakfast the next day. The girl who helped us was very helpful. We ended up buying a Brie that was on sale and a cheddar. We didn't end up spending that much! 7 bucks for breakfast for the both of us. Granted we had to spend another 3 bucks on crackers at Safeway but you can totally get a good deal here. We were walking by the next morning and there's still a lot of people in the shop. Def wouldn't coming back for more cheese!!

    (4)

  • Butch P.

    I have been here several times. They have a world class cheese selection-220 to 230 different varieties (I asked).Staff is friendly and knowledgeable. Great wine selection as well as bread, crackers and other gourmet food items. They also offer wine and cheese tasting in the back. We did the "B" menu. 3 wines with a serving of cheese. Wine is owner's choice. You either get red or white. If you are a local or in town for a vacation or just passing through, stop by here.

    (5)

  • Darren L.

    Absolutely amazing experience. The staff was incredibly friendly and helpful. They described many cheeses and additional products, asked questions to find out what type of cheese we like, and insisted we taste just about everything they referenced. We wanted to shop in the area a bit more, so they even offered to hold all of the wine and cheese we purchased to keep it chilled while we shopped in the courtyard. The selection of cheese was outstanding and the wine collection was well thought out; a great mix of domestic and international wines at reasonable prices. I will return to this cheese shop every single time I go to Carmel and spend plenty of $$ here. Fantastic establishment.

    (5)

  • Lilia D.

    any kind of cheese you can imagine and perfect place to stock up for a picnic on the beach. Best part about this place is the tasting....you can literally try as many as you want before picking the picnic finalists. Just dont go overboard Staff is extremely friendly and helpful and damn they know their stuff. I want their job

    (4)

  • Zebulon P.

    Taking a stroll through Carmel-by-the-sea? Looking for a large variety of cheeses and wines? This is the place to visit. I've never seen so many different cheeses in one place. The Cheese Shop has a great selection of vino as well. The staff are knowledgable and friendly. If they are cheese "snobs" at least they don't judge others for being novices. They will give samples of all their cheeses and wine tasting / pairing so you can try it before you buy it. I'll be stopping here every time I visit Carmel!

    (5)

  • Serena K.

    They literally keep handing you samples of cheeses until you ask them to stop. Obviously, the goal is to get you to buy tons of pricey cheese, but hey, every type of cheese we tried was good, which came as a shock to me. They really knew their cheeses and would pick cheeses based on your tastes and comments on previous samples. The person that helped us also gave us great advice on what cheeses are great in what dishes. We also did the wine and cheese pairing. It was quite delicious and fun. The chardonnay was yummy enough (with a decent price) that we ended up buying a bottle, along with a few small slices of different cheeses.

    (5)

  • Maura O.

    The most impressive cheese shop that I have ever encountered and mind you, I was born and raised in beautiful wine country, Sonoma Valley, where we take our cheeses just as serious as our wine. The inventory and variety is UNBELIEVABLE! They have fantastic samples and different selections at all price points. They also have an extensive wine inventory and they are very knowledgable about cheese and wine pairings. If you are in Carmel you have to stop in for the smell and some samples and then pick up some selections for a picnic.

    (5)

  • Paul N.

    What a great shop. Amazingly friendly and knowledgeable staff who can't do enough to help, offering tastings of all the amazing cheese (local and from further afield). Really fun stop in Carmel after the drive north through Big Sur.

    (5)

  • Clark P.

    This has been my favorite stop on vacation! The employee hospitality receives more than five stars. He helped this country boy select cheeses and wines and was really courteous without any judgment. Needless to say, his friendliness opened my wallet and I splurged on all types of cheeses I'd never had. Paired with charcuterie and wine, it's going to be so much fun having friends enjoy these with me.

    (5)

  • Jonathan Y.

    Take great, knowledgeable staff. Generous staff members. Generous staff members who keep insisting you sample cheese. Numerous cheese samples and other delicious odds and ends lying around the place. This is where I come to buy cheese now. I love cheese.

    (5)

  • Cossette P.

    Walked in at this specialty cheese store with my 6 y/o daughter and she begged to stay outside! LOL...she couldn't stand the smell of the stinky cheese. Friendly staff, super liked the samples, huge variety of cheeses. We picked up a couple of wedges (can't remember which one). We even got excited to find out they carry our favorite Seattle cheese (Beecher's Flagship) but it was steep for $20+/lb. A few weeks later we found it at Costco for $8+/lb.

    (3)

  • Adrienne S.

    If you love cheese, you just found your personal Utopia. The Cheese Shop is AMAZING. I could have spent an entire afternoon there. The selection is mind blowing and the service is even better. The cheese guys took a ton of time with us, letting us sample anything we wanted and discussing it with us. I learned a lot about cheese, and I was already pretty education on the subject. We grabbed a bottle of wine, our favorite new cheese discoveries, some bread, and spent our afternoon on the beach. You must visit if you are in Carmel. Skip lunch and go to The Cheese Shop instead.

    (5)

  • Robert F.

    I had heard about this place from family and friends and it did not disappoint. Personalized attention and helpful staff. Huge selection of exotic cheeses. Prepare your wallet because they are pricey but some of the best cheeses I have ever tasted.

    (5)

  • Dianna M.

    I could spend a week in here. Just the smell alone is maddening, I want it ALL!! :) The owner is so engaging that he could double as an entertainer. The other folks that work here are friendly and knowledgeable as well. If you're in Carmel and you like cheese DON'T miss this place!! I think I'll be joining the "Cheese of the Month Club" really soon. I Love this place. 'Oh!! And there is Wine to go with your cheese!

    (5)

  • Crystal P.

    A friend of mine posted on Facebook how she went to The Cheese Shop in Carmel, I immediately questioned her on details as Im a cheese fanatic! LOL I ended up booking a photoshoot out in Carmel, so I went early with my daughter and her friend to Carmel to check out the shop. AND OMG!!!! I just LOVED it! We met the owner and he was such a nice guy! We spent a good amount of time in here tasting tons of cheeses and buying cheeses too even became a member hahahahaha! This place is just awesome! It has such a warm feeling and the staff and owner are so sweet and nice! We just had such a blast here! I came home and told my husband "Hunny my birthday party is at the cheese shop this year" LOL So guess what, May 3rd we will be with a group of couples visiting this amazing place!!! So excited! Thank you so much Cheese Shop!

    (5)

  • Jacob L.

    I just got off the phone with Ken the owner of the store and he's one of the nicest and professional people that I have had the pleasure of talking to. His vast knowledge is truly amazing as his patience and attention to detail and ones needs is truly terrific! I'm glad I found him and everyone should not only go to his market but appreciate his hospitality! We truly need more people like him!

    (5)

  • Nick P.

    This is truly a five star place. The people are friendly and knowledgeable about wine and cheese. My favorite part is when you are picking/sampling the different cheeses and the cheese minion tastes along with you, so he knows what you(the client) are tasting. The best cheese we had was Barber's vintage cheddar, hoo so sharp ;-) Just a side note: I don't know how they do it but having five employees sampling cheese all day behind a small counter and not farting up a storm is beyond me. Kudos to them!

    (5)

  • Christal R.

    Very narrow and small store. I was overwhelmed with the selections but Karen made it very easy and fun. I purchased 5 out of the 7 cheeses we tasted! Karen didn't push the cheeses that were out of my price range. I wish they had a location in Southern California. :( The staff is very friendly and inviting. I will definitely come back again. My only comment is I wish the website was laid out better, with a user-friendly shopping cart system of all the cheeses they sell, instead of having to call to order cheeses.

    (5)

  • Nicole S.

    Wow! If you love cheese stop by and let these wonderful people help you select the perfect cheese ( or bag full in our case). Fantastic selection and very knowledgeable! The soft truffle and red witch were perfect snack while hanging out by the pool. The lady there, I'm terrible with names, also offered wonderful dinning recommendation. She was correct in saying Chef Cal at Marinus would take care of us, fantastic dinner! Will definitely be back our next trip!

    (5)

  • J C.

    Way, way, way over-rated...service was horrific...apologies for "disturbing" the staff with a request for wine tasting and cheese...Pinot Noir presentation resembled 10W30...estimated time on the shelf greater than 180 days... Avoid this place unless you prefer snotty service and murky Pinot

    (1)

  • Jameson J.

    I wish there was a shop like this everywhere I go. I keep trying to find its equal but cannot.

    (5)

  • Sam M.

    OH MY GOODNESS....I am a Cheese Lover, so we had to stop by to check this place out.....The counters and walls are Covered with all types of Cheese which can be sampled :)! We tried atleast 6 different types of cheese, it was very hard to choose a favorite....the staff is very friendly and helpful and kept offering more cheeses to be sampled! The Prices range from affordable to pricey, we ended up getting a 1/4 pound of double creamy smokey gouda (Delicious!) for 2$ along with a pound of stronger cheese for 20$, which will last us for many days!!! There is also a Chalk board which will inform you of any sale Cheese Prices.....When in Carmel, this is a must try! Next time I will be sampling the Olives!

    (5)

  • Matthew K.

    This place is awesome! I know nothing about cheese. My knowledge of cheese comes from the deli slices or bags of Mexican 4-Cheese from Safeway and I never even really enjoyed Kraft's Mac n Cheese growing up but I DID enjoy coming here. The reason I enjoyed it was because the cheesemongers (is that the right term for it?) are really friendly, knowledgeable, and more than willing to give you a fromage journey of samples to find what you like. There are just so many different types of cheeses from different regions with different flavors and textures that I could even dream about. Two friends and I just strolled in looking somewhat confused at all the different cheeses they sell and one of the cheesemongers just started cutting up samples for us and handing them to us. She asked us questions about what we like and what we were looking for and gave us samples to choose from. My friend asked her lots of questions about where the cheese came from, how they were able to obtain a certain flavor and texture in the cheese and for the most part they were able to answer. I ended up buying a goat's milk gouda cheese called The Honey Bee and I thought it was fabulous so that I bought some for the gf since she likes cheese but necessarily the gourmet kind. She didn't really enjoy it but that is why she has to come in here and find what she likes!

    (5)

  • Leah N.

    I will only echo every other 5 star review on here! This place will knock your socks off. Amazing, amazing service. You walk in and no more than 10 seconds later you are eating cheese. Then more cheese..and then some more again. At one point you are full and you need to stop but ...just.....one.....more! If I was local this is the kind of place i'd frequent very, very often.

    (5)

  • Maggie G.

    An update since I visited again for the wine tasting. My mom and I shared the flight ($15) that came with a cheese pairing. Great job to the connoisseur because our pairing was so delicious we bought both the cheese and one of the wines. I'm definitely coming here every time I visit Carmel.

    (4)

  • Yesi P.

    I love the Cheese Shop, every time I go to Carmel its a must go place for us. The Cheese shop is a great place to taste and buy cheese and wines and they love to share the amazing flavors of international cheeses. I love that every time we go there no matter what day the owner is present and help in out. Just goes to show how proud of his business he is. I like the little touch of adding different currency bills of all the people that come from different countries put up around the shop. I always leave with a bag filled with goodies and the prices are reasonable.

    (5)

  • Kathy B.

    We always visit the cheese shop when we go to Carmel. Excellent service and they are attentive, personable, and professional. They never are annoyed if you ask to try another cheese. I think we tried 15 cheeses. I didn't feel pressured to buy cheese (although it's hard to resist not buying any cheese ) This is a "don't miss" place to visit when you are in Carmel!

    (5)

  • Ahmad B.

    Simple review- if you love cheese, then this is heaven. You can tour the world with cheeses, and samlple almost any cheese there. They offer a Cheese of the Month Club, which I had recieved as a gift, and was well worth it. Staff knows there stuff, and they are super friendly!

    (5)

  • Jessica M.

    My favorite thing (besides the pungent cheese smell) is walking through the door seeing all the friendly faces. I've been helped by most all employees of the cheese shop, and each just as pleasant and cheesy (pun intended) as the last. The variety is best in town, and my two favorites have been the herbed gouda laced with stinging nettle, and the aged pradera. Don't be afraid to taste as many as you can stomach you are sure to find a favorite too! In my opinion, the cheese shop is a must visit in the sleepy town of carmel. I dare you to go in and leave with no cheese (i bet you can't)!

    (5)

  • Guy C.

    It's hard to figure out anything amiss with this place, great selection of wine and cheese, friendly staff and the boss is an absolute pleasure. We joined the cheese club and just tried our first three selections. Have to say two were magical and one looked he art but didn't quite deliver but I guess that's the fun of it.

    (5)

  • J R.

    Great selection of cheese (& other products--we were most interested in the cheese), and they're happy to hand out samples. But they didn't have the Greek cheeses I was looking for, although they're listed on their "Cheese List" brochure. Nor did they offer to order any. Staff were otherwise helpful and somewhat knowledgeable.

    (4)

  • Doll F.

    Best shop in Carmel, hands down. Don't miss this place. Go during a weekday so that you can get individual service. The selection is excellent and the staff is friendly. I love the selection of jams, crackers, etc that go with the cheese. Grab some cheese and go for a picnic.

    (5)

  • Jeanine K.

    Can NOT miss this when visiting Carmel. If you like cheese at all. Yum!!!

    (5)

  • Liz S.

    Wow!!! This place is amazing! Katie, the manager couldn't be any better. Can't wait to make it back here again!

    (5)

  • Daisy S.

    First time there & I totally fell in love! I've always been a cheese addict, and this place is great for a cheese lover. The owner was hilarious and spent about 30 minutes with me and my husband, although the shop was busy and crowed. Great staff. They have this cheese called the "Unnamed Gouda". The BEST thing I've ever had.

    (5)

  • Joel R.

    Love this place! We travel up the coast 1-3 times a year and this is always one of our favorite places to visit. We love wine and cheese and always enjoy our trips here. A huge selection (300+) and great presentations with a knowledgeable staff that makes it fun and different every time. A great staff that can get you what you are looking for, easy or hard! With lots of samples to find exactly what you are looking for or something new or very different. They have so much going on it is a must see!

    (5)

  • Crystal H.

    We got here late afternoon like 1-2 hour before closing time. You can choose to wine taste or get a glass if you want here. I'm not sure if you can drink outside area, but we drank in the tasting area which had no chairs but there's like little areas where you can put your wine/cheese. We decided to go with this Chef's Cheese & Wine deal which the chef will pair either red or white wine with a cheese for ~$9.95. This was a good deal and it was fun! I had a chardonnay paired with goat's milk cheese and my bf had the viognier paired with cow's milk cheese. Lots of cheese and wine to choose from. They also got proscuitto and salami. $10 for prosciutto? That is a bit expensive! But it was good. Nice male staff who helped us and paired our wine and cheese perfectly! The other staffs were equally as nice. My bf was taking pictures of the cheese in the front and the staff was like we have this rule if you want to take pictures. They took out this cheese hat for my bf to wear. It was funny.

    (5)

  • Bill H.

    This place is cheese heaven. 400 types of cheeses, an amazing staff that knows their stuff, and you will never leave disappointed. The staff will offer tastings of chesses and educate your on each and every one. Nice selection of wines - be sure to ask them to help with great pairings for each cheese.

    (5)

  • Brian J.

    Thank you Katie for giving us our first 'cheese tasting' experience. And of course, we walked out of there with a few new favorites: Aged Ewephoria, Honey Bee, Brillat-Savarin, and some other crystalized, aged, tasty stuff that's long since gone... Looks like other Yelps agree, The Cheese Shop truly exceeded any expectation of how a cheese store should operate. Additionally, I'd like to suggest that this place be cherished as a global model for all the other places in the world that swing coagulated milk products. Bon courage!

    (5)

  • Napagirl L.

    This is one of the best cheese shops you can visit for selection. They offer multiple tastings, and can pair to your descriptions of what you like. But what is really great about this place is the customer service. It is, by far, one of the best customer service experiences I have had so far. I wanted a specialty cheese from the Catalan Pyrenees, and had contacted them. They didn't have it, but ordered for me, without charging, for a visit I had planned a month in the future. I showed up, and my cheese was there! I got to taste it, and ended up buying quite a bit, along with a few others. The shop also offers a wine/cheese pairing for a fee, which I chose to do. My only critique is that a newer employee didn't quite understand the wine palate I had. Not to worry, the amazing Kent Torrey (the owner) was brought over. He has that uncanny knack of a treasured few of my wine vendors, who can recommend a wine based on your description of what you love. Same with cheese:-) He is the cheese/wine whisperer! He should have his own cable show! Bless their hearts, I took home a bottle of wine that ended up being TCA tainted (corked), and they MORE than took care of me in RECORD time. You cannot go wrong here because there is good cheese, good wine, Kent and his staff to pair them, and best of all, good KARMA!

    (5)

  • Kelsey R.

    When in Carmel, one MUST visit The Cheese Shop. The employees are knowledgeable, helpful and fun! They can find you something you like by asking what types of cheese you like or by letting you sample every single one (don't do that though, I did and my friends were mad that I couldn't eat my dinner). They have a manager's special for $10 that gets you a glass of wine and a cheese pairing. I've always done it with a few friends so you get to try a little of everyone's. Try the coconut cheese, it's AMAZING!

    (5)

  • Lisa H.

    I didn't know how much I loved cheese until I came here! Amazing selection that is constantly changing, plus its dog friendly! My favorite cheese was the rosemary crusted manchego....yummy, although it didn't make it home since we ate it all almost immediately after we left the shop.

    (5)

  • Jan M.

    WOW!!!!! When we walked through the door and saw all those cheeses, we were amazed! I knew I had just found my new favorite place in Carmel. We were greeted quickly by Kyle. He really knows his cheeses! He started us out with a mild Gouda and told us where it had been made. With each cheese, he had a joke and a story, which made it even more fun, he even does different accents. We found a cheese that my husband absolutely loved, after about 10 different ones. Then it was on to find my perfect cheese. With so many to choose from, it was difficult to decide, but that didn't stop Kyle from continuing the quest. Each employee was very friendly and added comments, jokes and stories of their own. We finally found my cheese and Kyle sliced off a nice size hunk and wrapped it up for me. We had such a great experience, we are planning on going back next month and trying some wine with our cheese. They have everything you could need for a beautiful picnic. Cheese, wine, salami, beautiful breads and crackers. They even have mustards, olives, spreads and accessories. This place is wonderful!!!! If you love cheese, you've just gotta to by and sample a few. They won't stop letting you sample their cheeses until you find just the right one. Thanks again Kyle, our new Cheesemonger! See you soon.

    (5)

  • Stephanie T.

    The cheese shop is awesome. I love coming in here and trying new and different varieties of cheese. The staff is always super friendly and always fills me in on the new cheeses that have come in and of course offers me a taste! I highly recommend coming here if you are not sure what type of cheese you need/want for a party or recipe, the staff knows cheese and are good at offering suggestions.

    (5)

  • M G.

    Decided to take a short ride into Carmel from Pacific Grove just to walk around and enjoy the afternoon. After hearing how wonderful this place is we decided to check it out!! Glad we did. Blake was awesome!! We tried a ton of cheeses and he had a great way of explaining each cheese. Great sense of humor and really made it fun for us and others in the shop! If you LOVE or even like cheese this is a must stop when you are in Carmel!

    (5)

  • Cathy K.

    If you like...scratch that...LOVE cheese, then you CANNOT miss this during any visit to Carmel. I am here about every 2-3 weeks just to eat my way through their counters and fridges. This place has fabulous cheeses from all over the world. As soon as you walk in the door, they start feeding you and you can pretty much stay as long as you have room for cheese. If you are not sure what you want, then just describe what you like and they will do the rest! I have done the wine tasting here as well. While they do have a nice wine selection, the particular experience I had wasn't my favorite. I prefer the experience where the wine pourer can tell me about the wines and sit and tell me about them. It didn't work quite like that here and I feel that the $15 for the small pours of the "owner's choice" didn't leave me many options and was a bit pricey. I wouldn't necessary ever do the wine tasting again, but I LOVE the cheese enough to go in over and over. If you are feeling froggy, just take a couple of the cheeses from the grab bag at the front. These are tiny pieces of cheese that run anywhere from $1 - $5 and you never know what you will get in there. This is a fun way to try something new without spending a lot of money. Grab something you haven't tasted just to challenge your palette with something new. They also have a nice selection of crackers and other nice cheese accompaniments. This is a fun place a great way to spend an hour while playing in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Bon Apetit!

    (5)

  • Matt S.

    This place rocks. Like all other reviews, the cheese smell is really strong when you walk in but it's all good after a minute. The staff is super nice and want you to try as much as you want! They gave great recommendations. I tried a blue cheese from France, at the recommendation of the clerk. He was right on and I bought some. They know their stuff and are really awesome. Will always go here when I'm in Carmel.

    (5)

  • Ai T.

    great staff! I love how they're so knowledgable about cheese and kept on insisting me to not be shy and try out as many different kind of cheese as I wanted. I really like their sheep cheese and though I tried cheese from france and den mark somehow Canada has it best for me. Love that they carried more than 400 kind of cheese and that the cheese came from around the world

    (5)

  • Tashi D.

    The one and only. Best cheese shop short of Zurich. And the staff is kind and knowledgable.

    (5)

  • Kristi C.

    Rarely do you encounter a business with employees as passionate as the ones you will find at The Cheese Shop. Knowledgeable and into sharing, these folks will put a smile on your face one sample at a time.

    (5)

  • Lyn C.

    5 stars w/100+ reviews? WOW! I will keep that momentum going...the cheese shop gets 5 stars for carrying my favorite cheese! I have a hard time finding it, so to know that this place had it is a major perk. This place is a must go if you are a cheese lover!! It is in the lower level of the Carmel plaza. The people are very friendly, helpful, and have no problem with getting you samples to please your palate. We got a bunch of cheese and brought it to the beach to enjoy. It was perfect.

    (5)

  • Linnea E.

    Fantastic assortment of cheeses, and they are happy to let you try them before making your decision. Big plus there. And the staff seems to really know their cheese (as they should). I found a really great gouda. we also got an assortment of other cheeses they helped us to find for our girls weekend. all yum! in addition to cheeses, they have anything you could want to go with it. crackers, cheese knives, etc. it's such a fun place to even just check out for some cool extras. If you are a cheese lover, you really should pay this place a visit.

    (5)

  • Nichole L.

    The best cheese shop! The staff is super friendly, and knowledgeable! There are so many different cheeses here and you can try as many as you like for free! I have to say, the Garlic and Basil Ghouda was my favorite! I will definitely coming back again and again! Maybe some day I'll try them all!!!!!!

    (5)

  • Paul W.

    Go there for the cheese not the experience. Employees -- especially the owner are quite perverse. Come down from your high horse kind sir. You are human like the rest of us.

    (2)

  • Johnny H.

    An amazing part of my families annual trip to Carmel by the Sea is never complete without cheese from this well established and very informative friendly establishment. Ask for Kyle, he's on the cheese!!

    (5)

  • Rachelle P.

    Just build me a bed in there, I'm movin' in. Boy howdy, did this become a quick obsession. We purchased cheese, ate the cheese that evening, and were back in the morning for more. Kind of embarrassing. Our favorites were the Le Roule, the Raspberry Bellavitano, Old Amsterdam Gouda, and the Peppadew Harvarti. It's probably a very good thing (for my thighs) that I live so far away.

    (5)

  • Kelli S.

    The staff here are very knowledgeable and quite friendly. The variety here is quite impressive. Wine section in back is truly amazing.

    (5)

  • Colin G.

    Unbelievable amount of great cheeses, way too many to sample in one trip. Stefan behind the counter was friendly, very helpful, and had us sample some absolutely great Goudas, Bries, and Pecorinos. Needless to say, we left with a few slices for later.

    (5)

  • scott b.

    Been here a couple times and always have had a great experience. I dont know of many cheese shops, but I hope that all of them could be like this place. I would go out of my way to drive the hour down to visit here if I need something in particular. The staff is really friendly and definitely seem to know what they are talking about. They give out free samples and I think that is key to the service and the selling point of this place. We bought some delicious salami that is the best I have ever had. We got a good recommendation on a wine and cheese pairing and enjoyed both because they were great!

    (5)

  • Anthony Z.

    This place is a narrow slice of heaven! It's smallish, but so dense with cheese, wine, crackers, olive oils, etc. The staff don't rush you, and they are very knowledgable. I'm sure you could sample EVERYTHING if you wanted to. The cheese selection is unparalleled. Yes it's a bit pricey, but nothing can compare to this place for a long way. I go here every time I'm in Carmel. Sometimes more than once!

    (5)

  • Kristine F.

    This place is heaven as far as I am concerned. Why would I make such a bold statement you might ask.... because it is full of CHEESE! NOMNOM. Haha! Upon walking in here a fine gentleman across the counter asked what kind of cheeses we liked and proceeded to whip out some and let us try it! Every cheese tasted absolutely amazing! We were on a mission to taste wines that day and the cheese shop had a wine pairing with cheese for $15! Obviously we had to take that great offer. The wines we sampled were excellent, and the cheeses that were cut to match were delicious as well. I think this place is top notch and the employees are all so friendly. We absolutely could not leave this place without purchasing more of the triple cream brie, tasted like buttah!!!

    (5)

  • Kevin M.

    This is a great place. They offer tastes of any cheese you're interested in, and they will help you find cheeses to pair with whatever recipe you're dreaming up. They also offer lots of wine, crackers, and spreads. It's pretty much a one stop shop for great hors d'oeuvres.

    (5)

  • Rosers M.

    Oh Cheese Shop...you had me at Cheese. With everything from raw sheep milk with truffles to Chimay Trappist Cheese, is there any sort of happiness that you do not sell? Your Cheese siren lures me in every time I pass within 50 miles, beckoning me to indulge and get trapped in your web of incredibly friendly and knowledgeable...lets say cheese people. You even have a goateed man ready to shoot from the hip with a cheese-related pun for every fromage and willing to have us behind the counter for an oh-so-perfect-photo commemorate our perfect trip to Carmel. Your love of cheese is rivaled only by my inability to digest it. Sigh...

    (5)

  • Lorrie M.

    I think for the most part this place is probably more a four-star shop, but because I have yet to find anything like it, it's the best of its kind that I have found! Before I start I MUST recommend the Percorino de Vino (it's a goat cheese soaked in red wine for 30 some odd days). It's probably the most delicious cheese I've ever tasted, and every time I go there at $33++ a lb I always get some because it's so good and I've also yet to find this cheese anywhere else. It's good to note that this cheese will please any palate whether you're into the real stinky type cheeses or if you're more of a light cheese type eater. Yum! Anyway, this place is an extensive collection of cheeses and wines and their staff is very friendly and knowledgeable. Their wine tasting choices are always updated with fun, fruity, or delightful wines of the white and red variety; and most of the time they will throw in a few extras depending on what kind of a wine drinker you are. They also have a paired cheese tasting which is VERY delicious and it's honestly one of the best cheese / wine tasting pairs I've been to. Aside from their vast collection of wine (they actually have some 100 pts if you're feeling spendy ...) they have lots of shelves of marinates and olive oils and vinaigrette and so on. Great stuff if you are planning on cooking or BBQ'ing for any occasion. HIGHLY recommended!

    (5)

  • Catherine F.

    Kyle served a fantastic variety of cheese, he really did an awesome job with selections for our group .. Everyone left with an assortment to bring home..this will be a stop next time I visit Carmel.

    (5)

  • Yun C.

    My friends insisted to stop by this store on our way to the Big Sur. Since it was early and it was on the way, we agreed and what a pleasant experience we had at the Cheese Shop. I've been to Carmel, but it was my first time at the Cheese Shop. The store is tucked in a very beautiful fancy shopping strip in downtown Carmel. What a hidden gem! We got there a little bit before 10AM and the store was still closed, and we could see the owner (Kent) was getting ready stocking the store with cheese. When we finally got in, he acknowledged that he was "late" and apologized to us for the wait, and then he proceeded on giving us samples of great wonderful yummy cheeses!! wow what a treat!!! I'm no cheese connoisseur, but I love cheese and it was certainly a great experience. We probably sampled about 10-15 different kind of cheese!!! what a treat!!! We of course bought cheese from them and this yummy truffle balsamic vinegar from the store! Customer service was certainly an A++++++ and the quality of the product was excellent as well. We will be back!!! it's now in my referral list for friends who are going to Carmel!

    (5)

  • Amanda K.

    the name says it all. The cheese shop. they sell cheese! but they also sell a whole bunch of other products to compliment cheese and tools to enjoy your cheese with. in the back of the store they have a pretty decent wine selection. I wasn't super sure what to expect when i walked into this store. but i'm so glad i went! we had wonderful service and we were helped by 3 different people. i loved that we had the opportunity to try the cheeses. there were so many i never heard of and wouldn't consider buying (or eating) if i didn't get a little taste. none of the employees gave me the feeling they were rushed to help other customers even though the store was pretty full. they all took the time to help us, unwrapping cheese to cut a little slice off for us to sample, and then wrapping it right back up with fresh plastic wrap. they did that until we were ready to move further down the aisle/counter to see what else they had to offer! the staff know their cheese and can even help you pair with the right crackers/toppings just by asking. we ended up purchasing some cheese and the staff gave us knives and napkins so we could enjoy it immediately. i liked that small touch. i could imagine that when this store gets busy it would be difficult to get service since you have to approach the counter for help and there seemed to be only one register. will definitely come back again next time we're in the area!

    (5)

  • owen l.

    The staff really know their cheeses. There were so many cheeses . Who knew? We tried 15+ cheese and walked out with 10. Best thing we did in Carmel

    (5)

  • Charles S.

    The Cheese shop is a must visit place in Carmel. We went for the cheese and wine tasting and were incredibly pleased. It was probably the most fun thing we did in Carmel, as well as probably the most affordable from an entertainment standpoint. The cheeses paired with the selected wines (which were poured generously), were explained by the owner and CEO (cheese eating oenophile) R Kent Torrey. This guy is an encyclopedia when it comes to cheese and wine, as well as extremely entertaining. He aims to please and it shows. I can't wait to make another trip out there just to go to this place again. Thanks a lot for all the help Mr. Torrey and keep it up!

    (5)

  • Vivian D.

    Great selection of cheeses, friendly staff, and SAMPLES! Granted, cheeses cost alot more than what you would find at Trader Joes but they are well worth it. They also welcome dogs and even offer cheeses to them too :)

    (5)

  • Jennifer R.

    Amazing selection, staff, and location.

    (5)

  • Crystal V.

    Small shop that isn't off the main street, you have to walk in a court yard to find it. Luckily, we had the owner assist us. First, we sample cheeses and I ended up with one of the samples, I'm really more of a try it and like it and buy it person. I ended up with a raspberry ale cheddar from Wisconsin. I know I know, I had allll these other cheeses from around. The world to purchase but I ended up with one from the states. The boss man had me check off some of the cheese I tried, helped me pronounce them and told me what cheeses and places had some good cheeses for me to try on my upcoming abroad trip. He does talk a lot but we didn't mind it. However, if you are in a hurry just tell him I am sure he wouldn't mind. Definitely come stop by to learn or to check out your favorite cheeses!

    (5)

  • Karen G.

    Wine + Cheese = Perfect Combo This fabulous shop in the Carmel Plaza features so many yummy cheeses. The friendly and knowledgeable staff are more than happy to offer a taste of their wares. So many cheeses from around the world to choose! France, England and Italy oh my! I love to sample new varieties in the hope of discovering a new favorite. While the front half of the store is devoted to cheese and other speciality foods, the back half is devoted to wine. I found a huge bottle of a 1997 Silver Oak Cabernet for sale. So tempting! Quite a good selection of great wines if I do say so myself. I love wine and cheese and I love The Cheese Shop!

    (5)

  • Ashley H.

    This is a great place to try new cheeses! The people are friendly and you can try and try and try... Its not cheap but it is worth it! After spending 18 months in France, its hard to woo me with new cheeses, but I ended up taking home a few delicious morsels of new cheeses! I'm taking off a star because they have a quite small selection of soft cheeses- its mostly hard, store on the counter type cheeses. Also, I would recommend against the $10 or $15 wine and cheese tasting. They ask you to choose red or white, then they choose the wine and cheese you get. It tasted fine, but was in an awkward smooshed corner of the store with no seating.. I'd much rather (and cheaper) buy my favorite cheeses and take them home to drink with as much of my preferred wine. Not a bad experience to do once I guess, but I wouldn't do that part again.

    (4)

  • Sarah C.

    This place is awesome! The staff was so nice and helpful. They had excellent knowledge and background information on all the cheese that we were sampling. We left with about 10 different types between the 6 of us. The best part, is that they will ship! I can't wait to order more, it was excellent. My favorites were the cave aged gruyere, and the Mindnight Moon irish goats milk. I wish you could taste the wine at the same time, but the staff made up for it in excellent service. *advice, bring something to drink while you are tasting the cheese!

    (5)

  • Steph C.

    If God had another son and said, "Son, you are going to be the ruler of all cheeses".. and sent him to earth to collect all the faithful cheeses then this would be the portal to heaven.. Ok.. maybe that was a little extreme but this place has so many different types of cheese its unbelievable. I didn't even get the workers name but the young man with long-ish type of hair knew everything there is to know about any cheese from anywhere and how it was made. He was God's second son.. the cheese God as I called him.. I walked in and was immediately overwhelmed by all the cheese and wine staring at me. I was about to leave because I had no idea what was going on and what to do but the worker stopped me and handed me a piece of cheese.. After that first bite, I was set and couldn't leave. I tried so many different types of cheeses till I found 3 of my favorite ones. The worker was funny, easy going and knew A LOT about the different types of cheese and suggested cheese I would like and some how knew exactly what I liked. The cheese is extremely affordable also. I left with 3 different types of cheese at a 1/4lb each plus specialty gluten free crackers/rice crackers (DELICIOUS) for about $24. Just the gluten free crackers alone are amazing. The best gluten free crackers I've found to date. Overall this is a SPECTACULAR place. I highly suggest anyone to come here... Even if you aren't a huge fan of cheese the shop is filled with preserves, salami, wine and tons of crackers and jams. I LOVE THIS PLACE.

    (5)

  • Steve S.

    Fabulous staff. Knowledgable and passionate. I bought 4 kinds of cheese and will return for more. Excellent for gifts and special occassions. I purchased hard cheeses: Pondhopper, Habanero Dry Jack, Oveja al Romero, The Unnamed Gouda. Awesome.

    (5)

  • Joyce Z.

    I've been here quite a few times and the one thing that irks me each time is whenever I buy a slice of the hard cheeses, it ends up being the piece that has been used for the samples for everyone else. I tried to avoid this by asking for my slice to come from the non sampled side only to find the sampled 1/2 in my bag again with 5 large slices cut from the middle portion. After removing the rind, there was barely enough to cover 3 slices of baguette making me feel like a victim of a timeshare presentation where the one who buys the timeshare ends up paying for the restaurant gift cards the rest got for free.

    (3)

  • Rachel S.

    This was hands down one of my favorite parts of a vacation I took to the San Francisco area last month. I walked in not knowing what to expect and I was FLOORED. The second we walked in (even though it was rather late), the guys at the counter just started handing us cheeses to try. We must have tried upwards of 50. Lucky for us we were going on a picnic the next day and were looking for some awesome cheeses to bring with us. I didn't feel pressured at all to buy a certain amount - the guys just put the knife and would say "more or less." It was so easy to just try and buy some incredible cheeses. They were pleasant and personable and even though they were closing up - they made us feel like it was no problemo. We wound up walking out of there with a TON of cheese and huge smiles on our faces. If I lived in the area I would be there regularly without a doubt.

    (5)

  • Collin F.

    This place is the bomb! I have been to Carmel roughly 7 times now, and each time this place is a must-stop for the trip. The last 2 times, we have stopped as soon as they open on Sunday morning, taste a few free samples, and buy a couple of great tasting cheeses. This last time we bought some English cheddar and a honey-laced gouda. They are a small establishment, but The Cheese Shop has everything you need to make a successful picnic or party with a plethora of cheeses and wines (yes, they do sell those here, too), along with the appropriate crackers, bread, and other accoutrements. If you find yourself anywhere in a 200 mile radius of Carmel, I encourage you to go check out The Cheese Shop. Great people and great food - it just doesn't get any better.

    (5)

  • Natalie D.

    I swear, I'm a little mouse when it comes to artisan cheese. And this place was right up my alley. The cheese servers are great and will spend time letting you taste and make suggestions based on your preferences...sort of like wine tasting. Great for gift buying!

    (5)

  • Tiffany D.

    The Cheese Shop aka Heaven!!! The staff here is fantastic! They are full of knowledge and always super friendly. Cheese tasting is FREE, yes FREE! And Im not talking about sampling 3 cheeses, you can sample every cheese you see, in fact, I often leave there with a full stomach and a nice goodie bag for the road. On top of the cheese, they also offer wine tasting for a small price in the back of the shop which features many local wines. If you find yourself shopping in Carmel Plaza, I highly recommend taking a break at the Cheese Shop, your taste buds and tummy will thank you!

    (5)

  • Lourie C.

    Yeah, it is located in a shopping plaza but don't let that fool you! Great selection, knowledgeable and friendly staff. AND as many free samples as you'd like! We left there with our snack of 5 different cheeses (so far our fav is the caramel tasting aged Gouda) and a baguette. We sat outside and enjoyed our snack in the warm Carmel sun. We'll be back for more! Andy, if they aren't busy they'll take your picture behind the counter surrounded by all the cheese!

    (5)

  • Vanessa R.

    I get to try all the cheese before I buy it? Seriously?? I immediately dropped $50 on a triple cream blue cheese and some smoked cheddar. Then I called my friend who sent me there and mumbled "thank you" through bites of additional samples. They lasted less than one week in my house and I "forgot" to share with the bf. Ooooops!

    (5)

  • Nathalie V.

    I am French girl at heart and would be content eating bread and cheese the rest of my life. The Cheese Shop is stinky as heck, and sure knows how to bring it. The staff is very friendly and helpful, and encourages you to try as many cheeses as you like until you find The One. On this particular trip I tried six different cheeses, and ended taking home some Fromage D'Affinois (French double-cream soft cheese made from cow's milk - SUPER DEELISH) and Brebris de Corsica (French soft cheese made with sheep and goat's milk - VERY GOOD). I love that no matter how many times I have visited this shop, I always manage to find something new and tasty. I am a fan!

    (4)

  • Rachel U.

    Our friend insisted that we get to Carmel and check out The Cheese Shop and I'm so happy he did. This store is amazing. They have like 1000 different cheeses and if you want to try them all, you can...seriously. We had to stop the woman assisting us because we'd so many... The shop was very busy and we did have to wait (which we didn't mind) but when it was our turn we had her full attention. What a great experience.

    (5)

  • Heidi S.

    I LOVE THIS PLACE. Amazing wine selection. AMAZING cheese selection. Great customer service. Go. Spend all your money. Shamelessly flirt with handsome boys that are too young for you that feed you cray-Z wonderful delicious cheese.

    (5)

  • April B.

    The Cheese Shop is the very place that first turned me into a cheese fanatic. During a trip to Carmel in my senior year of high school, my friends and I stopped by this quiet little shop just to see what kind of cheeses they had. And behold, our cheddar-American-parmesan worlds were blown apart with such cheeses as pecorino, asiago and stilton. Seven years later, I returned to my place of cheesy love. They were so much busier than I remembered, and people were bustling in and out of the shop. We were immediately greeted by a bright-smiled gentleman, and he offered us a taste of the caprinelle. Delicious! One by one, he showed us a multitude of cheese, and we loved each one more than the last. He was knowledgeable about pairing the cheese with food or wine or beer, and we tried a variety of cheese from all over the world. When I had first walked in, I was determined to walk out with no more than two types of cheese. After we were done sampling, I walked out with five: aged Ewephoria, Manchego, Old Quebec Cheddar, cave-aged Gruyere, and Stokes' Point (this one was perfect when sampled with salami). Oh Cheese Shop, how delighted I was when I got home and still had a taste of you. Because of you, my world is now happier because it is so much cheesier.

    (5)

  • Leigh Anna G.

    Fabulous cheese selections and friendly staff, this place is a MUST if you're in Carmel....or in Santa Barbara! FYI they ship anywhere. Some Favorites: Aged PrimaDonna Old Amsterdam Provençal goat Cheese with olive tapenade Ewephoria Tete d'Moine

    (5)

  • Alisa C.

    Yep! The Cheese Shop is the only place cool enough to be called The Cheese Shop. You get to sample all the cheeses you want and every one they carry is so tasty. So so tasty. They have so many options and they're all unlike anything I've ever tasted before. Needless to say, we left with a LOT of cheese. I recommend the Honey Bee, Beecher's Flagship, and 7 year Aged Cheddar. Yummm and they ship to you so you can order from them. It makes me so happy. Love this place!!

    (5)

  • Shannon L.

    Awesome to see so many cheeses - the employees there know their cheeses and such and there's so much to choose from. Just wish it wasn't in the heart of the tourista area...perhaps going there in an off season will be better.

    (4)

  • Ian B.

    Allow me to explain my 3-star rating. First off, I absolutely love the cheese shop; the selection is unmatched and on most occasions, the staff is extremely friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. Based on every experience I've had up to this point, and purely on quality and selection, I would give them a resounding 5 stars. If I average the 5-star rating that I would typically give with the experience my friends and I had there on our most recent visit, it works out to 3 stars. One of my biggest complaints of any establishment is when they do not train their new employees thoroughly and expediently. Like most patrons, I am very understanding when a new employee shadows a more experienced one; I appreciate the opportunity for them to "get their feet wet" while still offering the customer a solid experience under the watch of someone who really knows their stuff. What I don't appreciate is when a new employee fumbles about with clearly no idea what he or she is doing and with little to no regard for the fact that the customer is missing out on a quality experience. So here's a quick summary of our visit to the cheese shop on Wednesday, June 13: - The young man behind the counter allowed us to sample whichever cheeses we asked for but he did not suggest any that we may like--it seemed that he really had no idea what to recommend. - Rather than the usual commentary on the taste, type, application, and background information on the cheeses, he made comments like, "this one is really hard," "This one crumbles easily," "I don't really like this one," and "this one isn't easy to cut." - When I asked him if he was new, he let me know (with a very derogatory tone) that he's only worked there for a week. - After giving us a sample of each cheese, he gave himself a generous taste while we waited for him to finish wrapping it up and moving on to the next one. - Once we made our selections, he pulled each one from the shelf, spent a long time trying to figure out how much to cut, asking us about the weight, and having no concept of how to use a scale (i.e. we asked for a quarter pound, he cut more than we suggested he cut, weighed it, the scale said 0.340 pounds, and he thought that was under and went to cut more). Multiply all of this for the 13 cheeses that we purchased and it starts to make sense as to why it took us over 2 hours to make our purchases and get on to our picnic. It was 3:00 by the time we finally got to the beach for lunch. For some of the time the other employees were busy serving customers, but for the last 45 painful minutes, most of them just stood around talking. I can't remember an experience I've had with a more incompetent employee. Not only that, but he was also catty and snide with his comments. As I mentioned earlier I have always had great experiences at the cheese shop in the past. The thought that kept going through my mind was, "who are this guy's parents and who do they know that he has a job here?"

    (3)

  • David K.

    Came here on a friends recommendation. This place is awesome! The workers here are friendly about their knowledge of cheese. I dunno sometimes u go into specialty shops and you get the rudest service because you dont know anything about what you're purchasing. But these workers here start slicing cheeses for you left and right to see what exactly hits your taste bud. Once they know a general basis of what you like, they hit the spot with a bunch of cheeses! My gf came out with three different cheeses and she was SO HAPPY! This place is AWESOME, check it out!

    (5)

  • Andrew S.

    A cheese utopia with free samples!!! This cute cheese shop located in downtown Carmel, has a lot to offer! Perfect if you want a last minute picnic across the street at the park or just down the road on the beach! I ended up getting a couple selections of cheeses along with a half baguette and brought a bottle of wine to the beach with a friend. Such a great way to enjoy a relaxing afternoon. Don't know what cheese to get? Have no fear...they give away free samples and the employees are really great at giving recommendations based on your what you're looking for.

    (4)

  • Mabel L.

    O.M.G. This place is a cheese lover's dream! I've never done a cheese tasting before, but if they're all like this, I need to do more! Once we stepped foot into the shop, we were greeted right away and the cheese fest began. The cheese kept coming and coming! Our cheese expert (I think her name was Alyssa) was incredibly friendly and informative. We probably tasted 15 different cheeses and she knew everything about them. The cheeses were so delicious and flavorful. From delicate and creamy bries to the most pungent blues I've ever tried, they were all a delight to the senses. The store is tucked away on the bottom level of Carmel Plaza. What a great find!

    (5)

  • Chrissy H.

    I have been going to the cheese shop since I was a little girl after school with my grandma- i know they have most likely changed owners but it's a great place- I always get new to the area clients a gift card so they can experience how fun it is. I also recieved a gift card there as a gift and the magnetic strip wasn't working- and they still honored the $25 amount which inwas grateful for. I love that place! Best cheese and wines selections perfect to grab for a beach picnic

    (5)

  • Vanessa y.

    I sampled, I purchased, and I ate cheese all weekend like a mouse on crack. If you can't find a cheese here that you like, well then you don't like cheese because this place has everything! Everything! The best part about this place is that they will let you sample all day long. The staff is super knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. Sure it gets a little crowded at times, but the place is awesome and word is out. Like I said mice on crack, and they know where to find the best dealer in town :)

    (5)

  • Jamie L.

    "The stinker the better." I love coming here. I love their samples. I love their selection of wine. And I love their service. I mean I can't say much more than that.

    (5)

  • Melissa M.

    It's place is so good. You can get full off the all the generous sampling, great wine too!

    (5)

  • Meetscriteria O.

    JACKPOT!!! Exceeded expectations (which were high to begin with)! My kids (3 & 4) came with me and we were a little unsure where to begin. One of the servers chatted us up and had us try something right off the bat, which got us settled in to partake in a blue cheese tasting grunge match! He let our kids try everything (they love blue cheese) and we left with a bit of Stilton and an aged Gouda. If I lived here I'd be here every weekend...

    (5)

  • Mai M.

    The staff here know their stuff and are very helpful as well as super friendly. We always make a point of stopping here when we're in Big Sur. The cheeses they offer are excellent and the staff are always open to showing you new kinds of cheeses you've probably never even heard of. My husband is a stinky cheese kind of guy. Like the kind of cheese that smells like ammonia and makes your eyes tear up. The cheese that looks like it's melting even if it's in a cold room. I can't stand stinky cheese so when we come in, it's always an adventure to see what these guys come up with to satisfy our palates. They offer everything for your own little cheese party for your Pebble Beach picnic: baquettes, olives, fig cake, salumis, olives, honey, nuts...you name it, they got it. Great place to buy gifts for the cheese/wine lover. The wine selection is excellent and Kent (the owner) is one of the non-snobbiest wine guys you'll ever talk to about wines. He is extremely knowledgeable of wines from all the regions but especially the ones here in California. We could listen him talk for hours. Most people don't know this but all the way in the back, they offer wine tasting and flights. A nice thing if you wanna try some wines before you buy the whole bottle. Also, they have wine of the month and cheese of the month clubs they send straight to your door. LOVE IT!

    (5)

  • Christiane D.

    The Cheese Shop is a great addition to the Carmel Plaza area. They have a wide array of off the wall cheese available as well as a wine sampling area in the back. The best part about the Cheese Shop is the sampling opportunities they give you. You can try any, and I mean any, and every cheese you have a slight interest in. The staff is well educated in the different cheeses and whether they have been working there 4 days or since they opened, they know the ins and outs of what they sell. The vibe is nice and homey. It's a smaller establisment tucked down on the first floor of the Plaza, but once you are inside, there are so many things to look at, learn about and taste that you can walk away and be completely satisfied. I had never tried or remotely heard of a few of the cheeses they offered, but at first glance, they may not have been my first choice. The staff lures you in and gets you to expand you mind and it's a great, great experience. If you have yet to try it, make it happen. I would definitely return time and time again.

    (5)

  • Simone L.

    The Carmel Cheese Shop is an extraordinary business with a great team. The variety and quality of their cheeses are outstanding and well priced. Kent, the owner, is hands down the most knowledgeable cheese professional in the area - he is incredibly passionate about cheese and all that goes with it. His recommendations are spot on and his love for cheese is infectious. As a wedding planner, I'm ALWAYS searching for top notch vendors and I've found that in Kent and his team. Kent designed the most amazing and massive display of artisan cheeses for one of my weddings which became the talk of the event... typically it's the cake that people are taking photos of, well, it was his cheese display that got the attention. Great people, great cheese, great vendor. Book him, now.

    (5)

  • Madeleine H.

    Madeleine's Thoughts I love cheese... a lot. I have been to this establishment... a LOT. How many stars will I therefore give this wonderful eatery? A LOT! The Cheese Shop has never failed to impress me. With a large selection of cheese, lots of crackers and wine as well, and some great baguettes (if you get there before they sell out for the day), this place is a dynamite find in Carmel. Make sure you ask to taste as many cheeses as possible before you settle on one, even if you go in KNOWING what you want :P Ask the people working there what they recommend - they are almost always super helpful (although i once had a kid working there who was helpful but was all too excited that his shift was ending in 20 minutes). If you love cheese, and I know you do or else you wouldn't be looking up a review for a CHEESE SHOP, then be sure to stop here... you will not be unimpressed! Evan's Thoughts Same, same, and same. I love cheese almost as much as Madeleine (which is saying a lot :p) and I have to say this place is amazing. The selection of fine cheeses, crackers, and breads is astonishing. Every time I go to Carmel with Madeleine, this place is a must go. Bring on the cheese!

    (5)

  • Lisa M.

    This is one of my favorite places! They always have really great cheese recommendations and are friendly and will feed you cheese til you get exactly what you want. The staff is cute and know their cheese. What can I say, I have dreamed about this place!

    (5)

  • Scott M.

    What a gem. Cheese from absolutely everywhere. If they don't have it, the cheese is either illegal (i.e. French Mimolette) or it just isn't worth it. The people behind the counter are super personable and will let you try anything they have. Go ahead and get up and ask for something!

    (5)

  • Brittney M.

    The cheese alone was amazing but the staff made our trip to The Cheese Shop a wonderful experience. A must go whenever we go to Carmel!

    (5)

  • Harry K.

    Cheese heaven! Oh, man, what a cornucopia of coagulated lactic excretions! Like any good pusher, they let you sample for free. All the clerks know every conceivable relevant fact about everything they have in stock. In addition to having about 17 gazillion varieties of cheese, they also have sausages, crackers, wine, oils, cheese paraphernalia (how did you ever live without a cheese cozy?), and trinkets. If you don't love cheese, I probably don't want to talk to you to start with. If you don't find something you love here, I definitely don't want to talk to you. Bottom line: FANTABULOUS! (Maybe I should add a few more exclamation points. Here: !!!) (Much better.)

    (5)

  • Tony Y.

    we had an expert help us pick out the cheese, a patron loyal for 20 years who directed us to some of the most out of this world cheese you could possibly imagine. they were french with complicated names, but taste like bree and goodness for what ended up not being a break the bank funny kind of excursion. a great experience for those of great taste, for everyone else, a cheese stinkin good time.

    (5)

  • Sarah R.

    Love this place! I think everything I could say has already been said, but definitely, go check out this shop.

    (5)

  • Nate S.

    This place was really awesome. Oren was helping us with every question or suggestion. The people here are knowledgeable, yet warm and welcoming. We had a group of five and they kept us for an hour and forty minutes, just giving us samples of cheese for free! Of course, we decided to buy a ton of cheese... But at least we knew that we were going to love every bite. It is not just a shop, but a destination. Enjoy!

    (5)

  • JD D.

    Selection, service, tasting, education=all superb. Keep in mind, it's a boutique type small personal cheese shop. Translation= higher prices, but better overall experience b/c the staff is well educated & friendly & the selection is pretty diverse. I love just walking in here & being turned on to a new glorious transformation of bacteria. The wine selection is mostly classics & expected markups. AKA no hidden gems...unless they're really hidden.

    (4)

  • Jeffrey M.

    What a brilliant business model. Give out tiny slivers of amazing cheese and customers are enticed to spend generous sums on larger pieces of cheese. BTW, this is not a complaint. This is a good thing.years now. Knowledgeable staff who like to teach and are always patient. There is no snob factor and they keep the focus small: cheese, wine, bread, sausages. I'm glad they're not closer to Sacramento. I would be rotund and poor. And oh so happy! The Cheese Shop has been a destination spot for many

    (5)

  • KayKay T.

    One of the most DELIGHTFUL and UNIQUE places I've ever set foot in! Ceiling to floor filled with a rustic historical feel. They have such a huge selection of amazing cheeses (I don't personally care for them but my bf loved them) PLUS they have a huge assortment of wines, ranging from regular to wonderfully aged. The owner is quite the character. Not only is he super sweet but an excellent entertainer who is filled with knowledge about random facts and definitely knows his business. If there's a line (and there always is), the wait won't seem too long with him putting on his usual show! What's even better is he let's you sample cheese... FOR FREE! Even with bread (if he thinks the cheese definitely compliments it) If you're a cheese/wine lover, THIS IS YOUR DOMAIN! HAHAHAHA! Also they have a cheese taster club where they'll send you 3 samples of cheese once a month, all random, shipped all around the world! Cool!!!!

    (5)

  • Ryan C.

    Wow, what a cute little cheese shop. Lots and lots of cheese with a super knowledgeable staff. Also, a ton of wines in the back. When you walk in, you get hit with a huge whiff of cheese. It's almost too much, but then again, cheese is GOOD. So we were just checking things out and were about to head out when who I think was the owner stopped us and said, "hey, we can't let you leave without having some samples." He gave us a quick lesson on cheeses and a few slices that he cut from a few wheels. WOW. So good! A++ for service! If only the cheese wasn't so expensive. But, I bet getting cheese from this place is like a religious experience. I'll give it a shot one of these days.

    (4)

  • Jennifer J.

    Cheese, glorious cheese! This place is the Disneyland for lactose lovers. We were just going to pop in and check it out, but walked out with a bag and belly full of cheese (they give you serious samples here), along with all sorts of random knowledge about cheese. Apparently it's "How-dah" not "Goooo-dah." And the cheese guy even managed to give me a goat cheese sample that didn't gross me out! I could have curled up inside their fridge with the selection of brie and just stayed there, you know, like, forever. The staff is awesome, the selection amazing, and the prices surprisingly affordable. This place is a must if you are going to Carmel. Get yourself some cheese, accompaniments, and wine and make yourself a picnic!

    (5)

  • Ben R.

    Mmmmmm! Just keep saying "Yes." You walk into the shop and the friendly cheese experts start slicing off different cheeses for you to try. Don't EVER turn a sample down. They are all fabulous. We WERE planning on stopping in for a snack then heading somewhere else for lunch, but decided instead to buy some cheese, a half bottle of wine, some salami and sit outside on the beautiful porch and listen to these incredible teenage kids play piano and cello. Great experience!

    (5)

  • Kimberlee G.

    great service. several guys were guiding each customer through their purchases. they helped narrow down our selection, and let us taste everything. awesome experience.

    (5)

  • Elizabeth R.

    After visiting the Cheese Shop my fiancee and I had so much fun eating cheese and drinking wine while watching the sunset from our hotel room! This place has great cheese and I love the service, they make great recommendations for you.

    (4)

  • Shiho F.

    I love this cheese shop and all the fun things that they offer. I was a bit bummed that you could not enjoy wine while you were tasting the cheese. We picked up a few different wedges for a wedding celebration party last Saturday and they were a hit. Too bad I can't remember any of their names besides the one that I brought.... have to write these things down or I'll never learn. Did some wine tasting in the back since he the pourer said I had to stay there and drink in the back of the room or take it outside so of course you know what I did. I got 3 glasses of wine. Two for my friend and I to enjoy outside on the patio after we were done shopping and one to have while I was waiting for him to ring me up. Too bad I didn't enjoy any of the wines they wre pouring that day. I'm sure that will change as the wine selection changes. I was craving a Riesling or any light sweet German wine... Auslese or a late harvest white wine or a French style Sauterne.... um not so much.... my options were a Chardonnay that was far from buttery/oaky and the Sauvignon Blanc I couldn't even finish... just not lovely at all. Oh well, still love this place and look forward to going back. Love the service here. Especially love it when we get lucky and Elliot helps us. He is the best!

    (4)

  • Shelley A.

    If you like cheese, then go here. Excellent selection, knowledgable staff, and tasty little slivers of cheesy goodness. A 'must stop' whenever I'm in the area.

    (5)

  • Rajendra S.

    Not a bad thing to say about this place. Kent is one amazing gentlemen. Getting to know him the past couple years and he is probably one the hardest working men in the area. The guy doesn't sleep! Him and his staff are killer. The selection of cheese and even their wine selection is A1! Cheers!

    (5)

  • Fred W.

    So we pop over to Carmel once a week or so and explore, this little shop is one of my fav finds so far. The service is great, they don't mind letting you try just about everything. One example, we were looking for a mild cheddar and I told the guy that its hard to choose since I didn't have my salami to eat with it and compare. He promptly reaches over and opens up a salami :) Now that's customer service. Needless to say we spent a bit here, but mmm it was worth it. Don't be afraid to buy or try something, stinky cheese is good cheese.

    (5)

  • mellisa t.

    No doubt about it. And seriously friendly and knowledgable.

    (5)

  • Paul A.

    Best wine and cheese selection in town! The owner Kent really knows his stuff too. If you are looking for a bottle but not sure what exactly they always does a great job of pointing you in the right direction. Also their Hunk of Cheese & Glass of Wine deal is a great way to experience some of Kent's favorites!

    (5)

  • Amy O.

    THESE PEOPLE KNOW CHEESE. Don't get confused by the mass retailers that are neighbors to this wonderful cheese shop. This shop is one of the few places left from the original Carmel Plaza, and the best place to buy cheese on the Monterey Peninsula. Great customer service, superior knowledge, and just local charm. A must stop! They also validate for parking.

    (5)

  • John I.

    Boy, can they cut the cheese! I love cheese. They pulled me right in with the free sample I got 2 seconds after being in the door. $60 later, I wanted to get some more. The staff is very knowledgeable and friendly. The owner is a hoot and a half. I had a few thoughts of what I could get from the list at the counter but was steered to better choices that I am even happier with.

    (5)

  • Mark S.

    Wow what a selection. Got three cheeses one I knew and two we discovered along with fresh baguette. It made the perfect picnic.

    (5)

  • Jennifer L.

    I finally made good on my promise to myself and brought my daughter (and son, lactose intolerant stepson and husband) to the cheese shop. When I walked in, it smelled just as I remembered: that wonderful, musty cheesy smell. It was like I was 4 years old again. Elliot helped us at the counter. He was very friendly, knowledgeable, and generous with the samples and when he learned that my daughter the cheese lover was a third generation shopper at the store, he plied her with many more samples. Because she loves brie, he gave us 3-4 samples of different varieties to compare. We left the store with a delicious, perfectly ripe d'Affinois, a cheddar that my son liked (Where did he come from? Cheddar?! Cheese blasphemy!), some havarti, and a baguette. After the drive home, we have most of the havarti and cheddar, but only a little of the brie left. But it was a delicious trip.

    (5)

  • Sarah M.

    One of my favorite places to take guests from out of town. Staff is always eager to expand my palate and help me find new favorites.

    (5)

  • randy m.

    My new favor place to shop for wines at a cheese shop. You want high-end to everyday drinking...it's only a matter of money and they have it in verticals. This is a wine neophyte's dream.

    (5)

  • Meredith P.

    As the Beatles sing, "there's nothing you can know that isn't known, nothing you can see that isn't shown." There's nothing I can say about this place that hasn't been covered by previous stellar Yelp reviews or that hasn't become well known in the nearly 40 years this place has been in Carmel (the shop has been open in Carmel since Memorial Day weekend 1975). The selection is wonderful; the quality of their products is wonderful; the staff is wonderful; the location in charming downtown Carmel is wonderful. I left yesterday with delicious domestic cheeses. A goat/cow milk blend from Oregon (Rimrocker), a smoked gouda from Wisconsin, and a creamy local cheese from Salinas, Ca. They are all amazing, especially the local cheese (ask to try the Junipero!!) The Beatles were also right that all you need is LOVE...and what goes better with love than some great cheese and wine? I love this shop. Locals love this shop. Tourists love this shop. You will LOVE this shop.

    (5)

  • Jeffrey J.

    For my entire life I had enjoyed cheese as much as the next guy, never really thinking it that big a deal. Enter Truffle Noir. As I placed the generous free sample upon my tongue my brain exploded with the delicious sensory overload. My life was forever changed by cheese.

    (5)

  • Monica L.

    This is a required stop for my husband when we are in Carmel. It would be a sin for us to come to Carmel and not come to his favorite cheese shop! They have tons of different cheeses from all over the world and are not afraid to give you samples of anything you want to try. They also have a very large wine selection and an area where you can pick up items for a picnic on the beach. They also have cute plastic wine glasses you can buy for $1.75 if you want to have a romantic picnic on the beach without the hazard of glass. Love this store...I just wish cheese liked me as much as I like it!

    (5)

  • Anna R.

    They have everything! The only reason i'd take one star off is sometimes the service is a little slow...but they are working their butts off.

    (4)

  • Jay D.

    "Fantastic" is the first word that comes to mind when I think of the Cheese Shop. Friendly, knowledgeable staff that offers cheese samples like I've died and gone to heaven. I love this place.

    (5)

  • Sarah S.

    mmm cheesy! Love the set up with the personal attention and samples. Guess my main complaint would be that they don't wear gloves. I've seen them cut cheese, give samples, handle money, cut more cheese without even washing their hands in between. Kinda grosses me out. Still end up buying a lot anyway. I heart cheese.

    (3)

  • Marlene B.

    LOVE THIS STORE... #1 I love cheese #2 Selection #3 They let you try everything before purchasing ~ even when they know you won't like it... So I can't believe I haven't reviewed my favorite place on earth yet! Ok so I adore cheese. I couldn't imagine life w/o it! I first became a cheese snob after visiting this place about 5 years ago. I mean I knew I had great taste but YUM! Ok so they have a list of probably 60 or more cheeses. Broken up into selections from the world. They have goat, sheep & cow cheeses. They have hard, soft & semi soft cheeses. They have pretty much everything. The staff is helpful and willing to serve. They help with wine & food pairings along with your own personal tastes. Meaning they know you like s creamier, smoother types of cheese, they will still let you try something that is "earthy" flavored just so you remember why you like the other kinds of cheese. Now the cheese here isn't for those who only like kraft american singles, but you might find out you're a cheese connoisseur in hiding. Draw backs if I must say anything are: The smell its over powering for some The prices are kind of high. (Before you know it you can be at $50 w/o wine) Small, but I like to think an intimate relationship with you & the cheese. Parking... oh well its Carmel live with it!

    (5)

  • Stephen W.

    Talk about a helpful knowledgable staff! I *love* cheese, but I can never remember which cheeses I like best, and the staff here is more than willing to give you a sample of each cheese that you're interested in. Despite being stuffed from a prior meal, we gobbled down several slices of recommended cheese. While it was hard to pick one, we went with a nice gouda in the end. Lots of good wine, and other accompaniments necessary to make a good wine/cheese plate are available to pick up here too. Many of the offerings are from Northern California restaurants and speciality shops which helps make the offering here fairly unique.

    (5)

  • Joseph H.

    The staff and Cheese alike are both amazing. Cort helped up the first time we stopped in and he was knowledgeable, and incredibly friendly. The samples are great, and the selection is superb! One of the things I really enjoyed about this place is that its really close to the beach, and on the way to the Big Sur Coast so its great for grabbing a snack as your passing through. I would highly suggest getting some cheese, bread, and salami... having the staff cut it for you like they did for us, then walking to the beach for an amazing picnic. I don't have enough good things to say about this place. It's a must for us any time we re-visit that area. I just wish they would open one up out here in Denver, cause this place would be a hit anywhere you put it.

    (5)

  • Kat E.

    The only descriptors I can think of for this place have religious connotations, but really, can you think of anything more heavenly than a semi-soft black truffle cheese? How about a gouda with rich hints of caramel and vanilla left on your tongue for minutes after you swallow? Mmm. Heaven on earth, and they even have crackers, wine, and seating. What more do you need for an earthly retire?

    (5)

  • Jon W.

    CHEEEEZZZZZZZZZZZZ!!! You can smell this place a mile away. Ahh... YESSSS!! Stinky cheez. You wont be dissappointed here. The selection is vast, the service is excellent. Buy a couple of small bottles of wine (put it in a plastic cup and dont tell em) or water before you head to the counter so you can wash\seperate the flavors of the various cheeses while youre sampling. Tables outside to do a mini picnic. Now if there was only some bacon around there.

    (5)

  • Eileen R.

    The greatest place on earth for cheese lovers- hands down! A great selection of cheeses from around the world, a knowledgeable staff (Kent, the owner, is one of a kind and extremely generous with his knowledge of both cheeses and interesting local wines) and lots of fun gourmet sauces, seasonings, etc... This is a perfect spot to pick up your wine and cheese picnic then hit the 17 mile drive or Ocean Beach. LOVE The Cheese Shop!!!

    (5)

  • Theo H.

    Friends recommended this place and I have to agree. Their cheese selection is so, so good. I bought a bottle of '98 Flowers Pinot Noir only to discover it was corked. When I came back the next day to say something was amiss, Andrew kindly offered a replacement - they stand behind their product (even when it's not their fault)... Despite the difficult parking situation, I will always get wine from here when I go home to visit the parents.

    (5)

  • Carrie G.

    I have to say the best part of this shop is the walk into the store. The smell of molds and aging cheese is heady in the air. I loved the friendly staff. As they change over the plastic on the outside of the cheese, they offer you a piece as well as knowledge about the cheese, region is was made, and other helpful information. I must have tried 10 different cheeses while just standing there. Anything to go with cheese is in the shop, condiments, bread, wine, etc.....very convenient for a special cheese plate or the most amazing mac and cheese you ever made. It was a fun stop and a "must go back" kind of place.

    (5)

  • Adam W.

    After my best friend and I go kayaking in Monterey we always have to make a stop down to the cheese shop. They have a very wide selection of wines and cheeses. The way this place runs is a try-before-you-buy. There is one drawback though. This place is crowded and you will most likely spend more time waiting your turn then being served but it's well worth the wait. I've heard that if you come around closing the crowd isn't that bad. By far, This place is great and if you are in the area you should definitely check it out.

    (4)

  • The Rau Ranch R.

    The Cheese Shop is an awesome place to learn about and taste some wonderful cheese'! The staff are great and very helpful as well as patient. We had a great conversation with Kent and Pat's dad about wine and life! Will visit again as often as we can! Great place! Joe

    (5)

  • Arron F.

    I have been shopping here for years. The cheese selection is out of this world and they have a great selection of wine. The employees are very friendly an knowledgeable. If you like wine and cheese this place is a must when visiting Carmel.

    (5)

  • Camille M.

    Besides the dog friendliness of the town, this is one of the reasons to take a trip to Carmel. If you go to Carmel you have to visit this place. It is a cute shop with so many different cheeses, apparently France alone has as many cheeses as there are days of the week!! The staff and clientele are helpful if you are a cheese noob. You can taste cheeses too along with wine I think, we just tried the cheeses though. Can't find a store really dedicated to cheese anywhere.

    (5)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :10:00 am - 6:00pm

Specialities

  • Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : No

The Cheese Shop

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