The Cheese Shop

Cheese shop · Carmel-by-the-Sea

The Cheese Shop

Cheese shop · Carmel-by-the-Sea

1

Carmel Plaza Ocean and, Junipero St, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93921

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The Cheese Shop by null
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The Cheese Shop by null
The Cheese Shop by null
The Cheese Shop by null
The Cheese Shop by null
The Cheese Shop by null
The Cheese Shop by null
The Cheese Shop by null
The Cheese Shop by null
The Cheese Shop by null
The Cheese Shop by null
The Cheese Shop by null
The Cheese Shop by null
The Cheese Shop by null
The Cheese Shop by null
The Cheese Shop by null
The Cheese Shop by null
The Cheese Shop by null
The Cheese Shop by null
The Cheese Shop by null
The Cheese Shop by null
The Cheese Shop by null
The Cheese Shop by null
The Cheese Shop by null
The Cheese Shop by null
The Cheese Shop by null
The Cheese Shop by null
The Cheese Shop by null
The Cheese Shop by null
The Cheese Shop by null
The Cheese Shop by null
The Cheese Shop by null
The Cheese Shop by null
The Cheese Shop by null
The Cheese Shop by null
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Highlights

Since 1973, this cozy Carmel shop has been a cheese and wine lover’s paradise, offering hundreds of global cheeses and free tastings.  

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Carmel Plaza Ocean and, Junipero St, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93921 Get directions

thecheeseshopinc.com
@thecheeseshop1

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Carmel Plaza Ocean and, Junipero St, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93921 Get directions

+1 831 625 2272
thecheeseshopinc.com
@thecheeseshop1
𝕏
@thecheeseshop1

$$

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Aug 2, 2025

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Amazing cheese shop!

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Shannon Lin

Google
Every time i'm in Carmel, I have to stop by the Cheese Shop. I could easily burn 2 hours here. Its the most interesting and unique experience, especially for out-of-town visitors. They let you try everything - really exciting for foodies like me. I ended up spending $200 in global cheeses, jams, and mustard. I don't even care. Money well spent.

Yana T

Google
My favorite cheese shop. The people that work here are so helpful, letting you sample different cheeses before you make your selection. We learned a lot too about where the cheese is made and the process each one is made by. They have some really unique cheeses too like horseradish cheddar and the barista (coffee flavored) cheese. Perfect place to stop by for a charcuterie lover. They also have a really good rosemary lamb salami. And a large selection of wines. We stop by here every time we come to Carmel.

Chelsea Hartman

Google
The fact that they let you sample any cheese you want-five stars alone. The cheese quality was amazing and our cheese monger packed up plastic knives and napkins knowing we were staying in a hotel. Also bought salami and crackers-they’ve got all the fixings. Amazing service, support this shop!

Nabila Kabir

Google
They were kind enough to let us do a little cheese tasting of 6 different cheeses before we purchased a few. They have a wide array of aged cheeses and wine.

H VS

Google
We had an incredible experience at this cheese shop in Carmel! The staff was so knowledgeable and friendly, and they really took the time to teach us about the different cheeses. We were able to taste everything, which made the experience even better. Each cheese was delicious and unique, and the staff’s passion for what they do truly shows. Highly recommend this shop to anyone visiting Carmel, whether you’re a cheese lover or just curious, you’re sure to learn a lot and leave with something delicious! They also have a lot of vegetarian cheese options available so make sure to ask them about it. I brought home some of the spicy cheese kinds that I liked along with the garlic and chives one. Oh don’t forget to try out their spicy brea cheese, that was my favorite. I also got some bruschetta artichoke and red pepper spread. Can’t wait to try it out.

Courtney Jean Smith

Google
Came from out of town because we had heard great things and the experience and cheeses definitely lived up to the hype! The workers here were so kind, patient and incredibly knowledgeable. We learned a lot about the different cheeses and our own cheese preferences, were able to sample a large variety of cheeses before purchasing and overall had a great time. Would highly recommend to any cheese lovers!

Savannah Pontiff

Google
MUST visit if you love cheese! You can try an unlimited amount!!! I would absolutely visit again!

Jill Peterson

Google
I went in twice and the guy behind the counter helped couples that came in after me. Very poor customer service and need a better system of helping people that are waiting patiently for their turn. Both times I was clearly next and they went to help people that walk through the door. Seems like they cater more to people that look like they have “deep pockets”. Not sure why
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Sarah V.

Yelp
Awesome place to stop in Carmel. Stopped by to enjoy a tasting. Three wines + cheese sample for $20, love that it is all different brands of wines to try! Staff is very friendly and very knowledgeable on wine as well as the cheese. Simple setting for wine tasting. A couple of tasting rooms nearby so the fun doesn't stop there if you are looking for more wine. Ended up purchasing a small bottle and hunk of cheese to take to the beach to enjoy the sunset! Highly recommend this stop in Carmel !
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Ken C.

Yelp
Amazing cheese experience Never had a cheese tasting quite like this. This cozy shop is popping. Their staff is eager to introduce you and let you try any of their many cheeses. Our host was very knowledgeable and I am shocked at the amount of cheese we were able to try free of charge. We especially liked their Gouda, which we gladly bought some to take home. Perfect post-wine tasting activity.
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Natasha S.

Yelp
This is a must do when visiting Carmel! If you're a cheese lover (and really, who isn't?), this spot will quickly become your favorite. The atmosphere is so charming and cute; you could easily spend hours exploring this little shop. The staff? Absolutely top-notch. Every employee is friendly, knowledgeable, and eager to help you find exactly what you're looking for. During my visit, one of the team members went above and beyond. She was incredibly patient, answered all my questions with a smile, and stuck to my preferences when suggesting cheeses. Her expertise made the experience even more enjoyable. The best part? Free sampling! They offer so many varieties of cheese, and the team is happy to educate you on their selections. Even when the store is packed, they handle it with ease, taking the time to share their offerings and make recommendations tailored to you. Beyond the cheese, there's wine tasting in the back, making it a perfect spot for foodies who want the full wine-and-cheese experience. This place is truly cheese heaven. We ended up walking with pounds of different cheeses :) Already can't wait to go back and try more!
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Kirk R.

Yelp
I just love coming to the Cheese Shop, the staff is always so friendly and knowledgeable about their cheese offering. I'd say they had at least 30+ varieties and they will let you sample as much as you want. We ended up with four different small pieces of scrumptious delightful morsels of gooey goodness. They also have an extensive wine selection as well.
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John R.

Yelp
This place is always our first stop when we roll into Carmel. I with I could say I know a lot about cheese but I can't. I do have a set of notes what we have bought before and then the tasting and buying begins. The folks there are all very helpful and knowledgeable. In addition to a zillion cheeses, they have all sorts of other items from spreads, crackers, deli meats and a very nice selection of wines. You walk in and the aroma of all the hard cheeses out is a wonderful welcome. Buy some cheese, get a few other fixings, a bottle of wine and sit at one of the tables in the courtyard and enjoy people watching.
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adriana m.

Yelp
As soon as we walked in we were greeted by Kim. She made sure to go above and beyond for us. She was very knowledgeable about each cheese and any questions I had she made sure to answer with a smile. I let her know what I like and what I don't and she made sure to stick to that. The atmosphere is so cute. You can spend hours at this little shop. Especially because the staff is so friendly. There is also wine tasting in the back, which we did not do. This is definitely on our to do list for next time. Thank you Kim so much for going above and beyond for both of us. You definitely made a lasting impression on us. Any time we are in Carmel we will make it a point to stop by and taste all the yummy cheeses.
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Irena S.

Yelp
Came here last Tuesday with a couple gal pals as we were just exploring the area and came across it. We had a fantastic experience trying and buying cheeses and jams, I would say it rivals some of the cheese shops in Wisconsin (supposedly cheese capital? lol) The guy helping us was super patient and let us try like 8 different cheese, and was very knowledgeable about the kind of cheese, where it was from, etc. We got to try a bunch of little thin slices of cheese and I ended up buying a quarter pound of the Hatch pepper gouda and a small jar of jam for $20. Totally worth it and it's next door to Wrath if you want to do wine tasting. They actually let you bring your cheese from the cheese shop to eat with your wine. Not sure if the workers were just extra patient with us because it was pretty empty on a weekday, but I had a great experience and I would definitely come back and bring friends. You can request any size of cheese, so you can get smaller oz or lbs if you're trying to not spend a bunch of money. Huge variety of cheese and jams and almonds, it's a charcuterie lover's dream.
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John G.

Yelp
Looking for a good cheese to pair with a nice wine this is the place to go. Super helpful and friendly staff. We were told by our friends at Caraccioli Cellars that the Cheese Shop does a wine a cheese pairing in the back. What a neat and fun experience. Choose your color of wine. Red, white or sparkling. They pick the wine and the cheese. We left with two bottles we had tried and multiple cheeses. This place pretty much everything you need for a beach picnic or snacks back in your hotel room. And I love the amazing smell of all their cheeses as you walk in the door.
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Liz A.

Yelp
This place is amazing!!! Yes, it's a cheese shop but they also have a tasting (red, white and bubblies) that they pair it with cheese and you definitely have to try it! We got the owner who's incredibly knowledgeable , you can tell he's very passionate about cheese and wine/champagne and it was such a delightful experience. Hands down, one of the best tastings I've done. It's a very laid back relaxing atmosphere, you cannot beat the prices either, and it leaves you wanting MORE. We ended up leaving with an educational fun experience and about 10 lbs of cheese.
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Catherine L.

Yelp
I LOVE THIS PLACE ITS SO GOOD! You will find at least three new cheeses you love. They have everything. Everything! Subscription service was underwhelming. The service is top notch; they can run it to your car on the street if you're in a rush. I buy from here every time I have guests. They're the best! Thank you, Cheese Shop!
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Ashley H.

Yelp
Holy cheese !!!! The cheese shop has hundreds of cheeses to select from. Not going to lie, upon walking in I was overwhelmed and felt a bit crowded inside of this shop. I was unsure what to do and how to taste some cheeses before making any purchases, however, my husband has been here before and gave me a little run down of how things work. We stepped back and an employee that was very attentive knew that we had been waiting called us to the front counter. I told her my favorite types of cheeses and she made some recommendations and gave us samples of all the cheeses we asked about. If you are in need of some cheeses this is the place to go. Free cheese tasting before making any purchase? Yes, please. They also have wine tasting in the back for $17 for a flight that also included cheese on the side of your tasting. I didn't do the wine tasting but I'll certainly be back to do a wine tasting.
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Becky L.

Yelp
This is a MUST STOP on Ocean Ave. Located at the start of Ocean Ave downstairs in the Shopping Center. If you ADORE cheese (who doesn't ) this will become your FAVORITE place. Every employee is knowledgeable, friendly & eager to suggest based on your criteria. The ONLY additional RECOMMENDATION would be to have some fresh baked French baguettes to sell with all the DELICIOUS cheeses you've bought
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Ramy H.

Yelp
Came back to the cheese shop for another visit because - how could I not? The service as always was top notch. Despite being packed inside, the staff rise to the challenge every time and work diligently with you to share their offerings and even educate you on the cheese (if you ask them to). They offer samples of most everything available and they definitely have SOMETHING for everyone. My buddy and I visited this time explicitly for the cheese and decided to forgo any of the wine tasting (we had gone prior in the area). Walking up to the counter, we were greeted by a staff person who shared that this was only her third day on the job. She could have definitely fooled us because she was knowledgeable, confident, and just outstanding overall. Even though we didn't taste any wine there today, it's far too tempting not to check out their collection of bottles from around the world. They have everything from your casual drinking young gamay from unknown French wineries to highly acclaimed Napa Cabernets. If you're in the area and you're looking to pick up some stuff for date night or a picnic at the beach, this is your spot.
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Suzette C.

Yelp
Food, is a universal love language. No matter your native home we can all bond in good company with food. A narrow store filled with what a food lover could ever want; wine and cheese. Towards the back is where you can do wine tasting. For our first visit we were there solely for the cheese. First, you can find this charming place in the Carmel Plaza Shopping Center. There is public parking, but I recommend paying at the Carmel Plaza Shopping Center parking garage. Despite the lively crowd the staff was very friendly and could remember who was next in line. Here the helpful staff lets you try however many cheeses until you find the ones to your taste. The cheese is priced by weight. Cut to your desire! We ended up getting the oh so delightful schoch aged jack, black diamond, and my favorite D'affinois excellence. There is also olives, chocolates, cured meats, and an assortment of crackers etc. It really is a one stop shop for all those who love making charcuterie boards including myself! You can't leave Carmel without visiting The Cheese Shop!
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Mo O.

Yelp
One of our must visit places in Carmel..:definitely the most robust cheese selection we've ever come across and my husband stops at All The Cheese Shops when we are on vacation. The staff is very knowledgeable and they just keep the samples coming, ensuring you get a cheese (or three or five!) you love.
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Elizabeth S.

Yelp
So so good!!! If you like cheese you have to come. You can sample as many cheeses as you want and hot jelly (which you MUST try). It tastes great with cheese. They also tell you where each cheese is from before sampling and give you recommendations. My favorites were the honey bee, havarti, truffle, and raspberry cheese. Honestly, every cheese was delicious. And you can buy as small as 1/8 of a pound. I think my friend and I probably sampled 10-15 cheeses and we were really happy with the experience. The staff is so friendly and knowledgeable. Must come if you're in Carmel! Fun activity to do on your trip.
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Steve G.

Yelp
We visit Carmel every year, and every time we stop at the Cheese Shop. This place is amazing. It's cheese heaven. And the best part is the free sampling! They have so many different types of cheese, and the staff is incredibly knowledgeable. On our most recent visit, the person helping us had to go on their meal break, so we got lucky as the owner, Kent, took over. He has so many great stories about the shop and some of its better known patrons, and of course he knows so much about the cheeses. We always end up buying more than we should, and are happier for it. They are also a bottle shop, and again have a great selection and extensive knowledge. Next step is to join their Cheese Club!
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Liv K.

Yelp
A gem of a cheese shop. If you fancy yourself a cheese aficionado, then do yourself a favor, and visit The Cheese Shop. Teagan was super patient with us during most likely the busiest week of the year - Monterey Car Week. The store wasn't busy, only half the sampling/service counters were being worked, and we weren't there the longest, as the woman next to us was working on building the two hugest stacks of cheese wedges I've ever seen in my life. Her dear husband, in his Ferrari jacket, was ever so patient, letting her do her thing. We started out with sheep's milk and Manchego-style cheeses, then moved onto sheep/cow milk blends, cow's milk cheeses and finished off with chevre. I happily purchased the following cheeses: Baetje Farms Three Pepper Chevre, made with pink peppercorn, white peppercorn and black peppercorn. OMG $62.95/lb. I restrained myself, to my wallet's relief, and requested 2 oz. It is, by far, the most amazingly smooth tasting chevre I've ever had. I could easily consume an entire pound of this with a sliced baguette, and call myself the happiest person in the general vicinity. I ate this first, as I don't eat cheese quickly, and I didn't want to let this gem go to waste! L'Adarre Reserve, $41.95/lb. Aged Boschetto, $36.95/lb. Not sure what I was thinking. This turned out to be funkier than I am used to. Does the higher price signify nicer cheese? Black Pepper BellaVitano, $23.95/lb. This is sold at my local Sprouts, but it was nice to get a custom-sized wedge. Good ol BellaVitano cheese. Delicious Wisconsin cheese with a hint of sweetness. Black Pepper Gouda, $17.95/lb. Great for snacking or grilled cheese! The employee helping us went to lunch and smoothly handed us off to another employee. Would return, but maybe with better restraint next time. Cheese adds up!
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Sean M.

Yelp
Went in to buy some crackers to support the wines we were tasting in the plaza. Didn't buy any cheese but would totally come back if we were building a charcuterie board.
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Michelle O.

Yelp
I order wine to be delivered to friends at Pebble Beach lodge. Ethan was very helpful with all my questions and helped suggest a wine in my price range. They delivered it that day (chilled) with directions to put it in an ice bucket and bring it to the room with champagne flutes. I will definitely use them again and visit the shop when in town. They normally deliver wrapped nicely but I opted out because it was going in a wine bucket.
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M S.

Yelp
Tucked in the Carmel Plaza this quaint cheese shop is narrow in space; when busy it's very hard to see cheeses or crackers and such on shelving. The entire back of the shop is dedicated to wine. Appears to be a nice selection of cheeses unfortunately the staff is not well informed to present selections or to give recommendations. I'm always looking for a cheese I've not tried, this place is more of you must know what you want.
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Izzie L.

Yelp
The service here is simply amazing! You go up to the front desk and they will give samples to try. There are multiple booths and when we went, it was super busy-- but they were still pretty quick to help us get serviced. Our host was very knowledgeable and she gave us recommendations for cheeses to try based on our preferences. We ended up getting the parmesan, the sriracha cheese, and a truffle cheese -- all were delicious, and pretty reasonably priced! I think we paid around $25 for a box of crackers and 3 small slices of cheeses.
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Brandon S.

Yelp
Stopped by with our family earlier today to sample some cheeses and bring home an assortment of things to enjoy. While we were in the shop, our staff helper was very nice, shared about each cheese that we were trying, and recommended a few things that we ended up bringing home. Having never been there before, I thought it was quaint, a little crowded, but not at all stuffy. we were able to walk right up and be helped, and nobody bothered us about how much time we spent in the shop. This will be a must-visit for our family the next time we come to Carmel!
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Karena K.

Yelp
A must visit if you are in Carmel! A friend recommended this place. I was expecting to just try some cheeses, so I was pleasantly surprised when we were also learning about different cheeses and where they came from. We had a young man helping my party of 7. He was really patient with my group and well knowledgeable. We got to try interesting cheeses like an ant hill one, mango and ginger, and a cheesecake-like cheese. I love cheese, so I had many favorites. Even my friends who aren't big cheese lovers enjoyed their time here. I highly recommend stopping by if you are in the area! It was really fun and informative.
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Elizabeth G.

Yelp
Amazing amount of different cheeses Great well informed personnel Great to be able to taste before buying
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Courtney Christine C.

Yelp
They don't have fondue but I am melting over this place! Oh cheese! This place is "grate" (get it?) For $16.95 you get your choice of - sparking, white, rose, or red- and the server will pour you 3 options of your choice. PLUS a chunk of cheese! We did 4 tastings and tried so many tasty wines. Each one was super unique and the descriptions given to us on each wine were palatable and spot on. The staff is incredibly knowledgeable and kind. We asked pretty unique questions regarding wine and cheese and they had answers and suggestions for everything we had chatted about. It feels like a cozy neighborhood spot, but we were welcomed with open arms and treated so "Gouda!" We are here for a couple more days and I have every intention of coming back- because it doesn't get any chedda than this! ;)
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Aashna W.

Yelp
We went in looking for just some ingredients for a charcuterie but had an extraordinary experience. When looking for wines, one of the staff members recommended several wines based on our tastes and even told us the history of several wineries in California. I love knowing the history of where my wines come from so this was lovely to hear. When looking for cheeses, one of the staff members gave us recommendations and even let us sample 3 different cheeses to help us decide. Overall, great staff, lovely service, and a great selection of wines and cheeses. Oh, we also got a Nashville hot dip and it was absolutely delicious.
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Sharon E.

Yelp
Located on the bottom floor of the Carmel Plaza, I visited the cheese shop two days in a row during my stay in Carmel. Walking in your senses are overwhelmed by the various cheeses on display. The employees are always friendly upon arrival, although the girl who helped me the first day wasn't quite as accommodating as the girl who helped me the second day. They offered to give me samples of anything I like but it's always comforting when the employees are openly suggestive and try to match my likes. Especially since there are so many options to try. I ended up choosing the truffle noir, rattlesnake and garlic herb the first day. The rattlesnake had a slight kick to it but not overly spicy. I came back the next day and ended up choosing the Beechers flagship and Le Cremeux. I have been to this shop 3 times and each time the employees all said Le Cremeux is their favorite. And after tasting I can see why. It tasted buttery, creamy and smooth on my palate. One of the best parts about it is the fact you can slice it or you can spread it which gives it a slightly different texture when spread. I really enjoyed all the cheeses but the Le Cremeux did stand out as my favorite so far was well. The shop also has a large assortments of wines, crackers, nuts and speads to go with your cheese. My husband picked out a Calabrian chili with orange jelly to eat with my cheeses. This jelly was a perfect blend of sweet and spicy. I will definitely return to the Cheese Shop when I come back to Carmel.
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Ally H.

Yelp
Will go back to this place year after year! Service was great and delicious cheese! We were able to sample everything we wanted to and this year there was no line!
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Manny G.

Yelp
If you love cheese you need to drop everything and visit this spot. There are only a few cheese stores I would recommend and this is one of the top of the list stores. What ever you crave they have. Service is amazing. Price point is fantastic. I can't say enough about the knowledge and professionalism of the staff. Great products woth amazing people. Gwt up the sofa and run don't walk to this gem in Carmel.
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Deanne H.

Yelp
Still can't get any better!!!! I highly recommend going in with an idea of what you want to try. The employees are all super helpful but I think m you get a better experience knowing what you want. A bit cozy so be aware you won't have much personal space. But the cheese can't be beat! Literally cheese paradise!
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Brian K.

Yelp
Good cheese certainly ain't cheap, but if you're looking for a no pressure cheese tasting experience, this is your place. Awesome service, great selection and lots of other unique items that pair well. For me, I love cheese with truffles and was able to try many.
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Jane H.

Yelp
Hard to say anything at all bad about this place. This is located at the bottom floor of an outdoor shopping plaza. Extremely friendly employees who were happy to tell us about and sample the cheeses. Delicious and extensive cheese selection with clear labels. There are also jams and crackers for sale. No outside beverages allowed inside. There's a wine tasting room right next door. We tried several different cheeses and came home with a nutty crystally aged Gouda (Noord Hollander) a sheep's milk truffle cheese, and a creamy sweet cheese (Le Cremeaux). All three were phenomenal. For about $20 we got a nice selection of cheese to have with crackers and cheese while driving the Big Sur the next day.
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Glenm B.

Yelp
We had an unforgettable cheese tasting experience at The Cheese Shop. Our exchange student from Spain was treated to a taste of local cheeses, cheeses from Spain, and some very unique cheeses. She mentioned the experience as one of her favorites during her trip to the US. My 13 year old daughter discovered this shop (she's a big cheese fan) and we have visited it a few times. We are delighted each time we make the trip up! Thank you!
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Jay M.

Yelp
Carmel, CA in the Carmel Plaza the Cheese Shop has Hundreds of fine cheese from around the world and this shop is very deserving of a 5 Star rating. Arrived early Monday morning and L. assisted in my purchase decisions where I learned o Country of Origin o Milk produced by . . . o Flavor profile o Age o great pairing with . . . See my haul for today (picture) I will be back for another set of cheeses. One, two, three, four, FIVE Stars ! I approve of this review, Jay M.
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Wendi K.

Yelp
Thank you The Cheese Shop for lending us such an amazing experience and delicious cheese / various items. Small-ish shop chock full of everything you need to build your dream charcuterie board, and a large wine selection wine too! The lady helping us out (I wish I got her name) was SO sweet and SO patient. You can sample any cheese they have (looked like they had more than one hundred). I was also pleasantly surprised at how affordable it was - we got an entire charcuterie board worth of items (6 Types of cheeses, sorpressa, crackers, and fig jam) for $50! They will hand cut any amount you want. We brought all the items to the beach to eat at sunset. And then they wrap and label everything :) Loved it all, especially the truffle gouda (SO truffley) and the rum raisin soft cheese (tasted like cheesecake).
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Max Y.

Yelp
Give me all the cheeses. The shop was bustling, but the staff were attentive, patient, and helpful in recommending and sampling a variety of cheeses. We are happy with their recommendations and wish we had bought more.
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Amy M.

Yelp
Stopped by here after the morning at Refuge. Heavenly cheese selection and wonderful help. Had a lovely picnic after!
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Marilyn T.

Yelp
This is a super cute cheese shop with a great selection. They had some harder to find cheeses like L'etivaz. We ended up with some Jurassic dino and Urgewalt, which were new finds for us. They have lots of salts, dips, honey, crackers, and even Mast Bros chocolates. There's also a good wine selection. Staff are friendly and helpful!
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Elaine P.

Yelp
Covid stopped our travel ventures -- and we especially missed the Carmel area and The Cheese Shop. Now we are back! Our favorite way to start a few days in Carmel is to stop at The Cheese Shop in Carmel Plaza. Our routine is to sample several, then buy a few for our first night charcuterie plate. If we pace ourselves, we have cheese left for later in the week -- or even some to take home! We always make some new discoveries. This time it was Old Quebec Cheddar, Young Queso Manchego, and Le Cremeux. Helping us with the tasting experience was Noah. Great service! Unfortunately, they were out of the Mimolette. Hope it will be in stock at our next visit. We will definitely be back.
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Dawood K.

Yelp
I'm not one of these guys. I appreciate my sting cheese. Wanted to be boogie with babe. This is the absolute spot to do so. We got pistachios, Camembert, epoise like and another semi soft cow and sheep cheese. We got dark chocolate, little pickles or corniches, these long flaky crackers and a few bottles of wine from next door. Please get there tasting. I liked that it was approachable, I liked that I could ask my silly little questions and not feel weird about it. The staff was warm and friendly. The spot?? ... play it cool bro. Let babygirl soak it in. It's something out of a French movie. It gets busy. Plan ahead for a cute picnic on the beach
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Arem C.

Yelp
Be careful of this place. It's not what you think. To the casual observer it may look like a wonderful little European cheese shop, but to the well-traveled foodie knows better. Cheeses are manhandled by an untrained staff of young people who deserve better training once they're hired. In fact, they are given none. Zero. And it's obvious when you listen to all but a few of them as they enthusiastically try to explain the cheeses they're offering. I know all this because I worked there and thankfully knew more about the cheeses than the managers themselves. These two managers, a couple of "Disney adults" who openly claim they "don't like cheese," take tips from the young staff in direct violation of the State of California's Labor Code, section 351. They also, along with the owner, misrepresent some of the cheeses they're selling by stripping the wheels of identifying labels and "re-branding" them with made up names as something else, and sell perishable products that are past expiration dates. The cheeses are choked in miles and miles of plastic wrap instead of proper cheese paper, all because the owner finds it "too expensive." Just goes to prove that staying in business for 50 years is mostly about having no serious competition in town. The longer a place stays in business, the longer customers believe that there must be a reason for it. Regardless, a Labor Board hearing will look into this matter soon.
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The Fab-5 Plus 1 B.

Yelp
If you Ike cheese stop by- you get to sample different types of cheeses- keep an eye as to who helps you out- some of the staff are amazing at giving you pointers and trying to figure out what you really like. Don't get bread or crackers here- the cheese is worth the price - the other stuff you can find somewhere else
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Chelle K.

Yelp
It's a magical place, Rena is super friendly during our cheese tasting and the cheeses are just scrumptious! Great variety very well priced and absolutely delicious! Took the following home: Boni parmesano Romano, Old Quebec Cheddar, Pareggio, Le Cremeux, some myzithra for browned butter pasta, extra aged pecorino Romano for carbonara, Cinco Lanzas for wine night, and Frommage Excellence triple cream brie for daily enjoyment. Truffle Mouse Pate was also very nice! Must stop when you're in Carmel area - come early!!!
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Julie S.

Yelp
Super happy to see that The Cheese Shop has weathered the pandemic and is still around! They are still giving out tons of samples of every kind of cheese they have (maybe around 200) and had a new selection of cheeses from the last time I was there pre-pandemic. They do put the samples on tissue paper or little paper spoons if it's a creamier cheese instead of just handing them to you - which is totally fine and probably more appealing to germaphobes! The place was less busy than I remember it being - but there were plenty of customers and also the staff was as helpful as usual. I'm always amazed at all their cheese knowledge and expertise.
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Valerie Z.

Yelp
Sadly not impressed. Walked in today and thought yes, not busy. Literally only about 5-6/people tasting cheese. Maybe this time we can taste some cheese. It's usually packed and we always figure too busy we will come back. Well today should have been the day. Went to the counter. Young lady was spending time with a couple. I can wait seeing she is engaged in the language of cheese. I waited a tad more was then acknowledged "be right with you". "No problem." A few more minutes. Okay I will look around a little. Tried to make eye contact with other employees. Engaged doing their job. Then I caught the eye of one who I thought yes, she's free. She looked at us but no engagement. Like a "can I help you?" "Would you like to taste some cheese?" She really didn't look like she was wanting to engage. So now after about 5 minutes of do we stay or do we go I told hubby not today. Sorry to miss out on what we have heard is a fun experience. The first employee should have offered a here's a little taste and I will be with you soon. Not the day for cheese tasting. Maybe they do better with the big crowd. Maybe next time we will have a more welcoming experience.
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Kani Kimo S.

Yelp
Best recommendation - peruse the offerings on the shelf, while listening in the background to how some of the staff explain the variety of cheeses. By doing so, you will discern who will better serve you by inquiring to your needs and likes. Some are hospitably experienced in this regard, and some are not. This will no doubt help you to choose your cheeses wisely.
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David P.

Yelp
The cheese shop is the best place I know to buy cheese in the Bay Area. Huge selection of cheeses and wines, and excellent customer service. The owner of the place is very attentive to all customers, tells about all the cheeses that he gives for testing, and therefore the purchase of cheese turns into a pleasant process. And of course the quality of the cheese, the highest!
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Chondra L.

Yelp
Super amazing cheese shop! They let you sample anything! Tried not to try everything! Even was introduced to camel milk cheese! Soo yummy!!! You gotta try this place! You can even sign up for a cheese membership and they ship you 3 cheeses monthly I believe for around $90 per shipment!