Van Hook Cheese & Grocery

Unbelievable shop with delicious products! I’ve been a part of their monthly cheese club for a few months now and it is UNREAL — they curate it so well and we love trying new cheeses! We recently celebrated our baby shower, and ordered a cheese & charcuterie board. Everyone loved it! Get your cheeses & meats here, you won’t regret it.

We love this place! Top quality cheeses and other food and some really unique items that you don’t find anywhere else. The owner is super friendly, as is the rest of the staff. And the sandwiches are amazing!

Literally the best curated cheese shop I’ve ever seen - and I consider myself a student of the fromage arts. The choices are very thoughtful, varied and interesting. The staff is super friendly and they have a large variety of outstanding accoutrements. Don’t miss the Pate De Campagne, and I can’t believe I’m saying this, but the pimiento cheese is outstanding. Go Jersey City!

Just bought some bacon 🥓 from here and it was fantastic. I hit this place up occasionally when I need some high quality charcuterie. Would definitely recommend, great way to set up a nice at home date night.

I unlocked the perfect sandwich that I make the with ingredients I only buy here. It starts with an entire choco pain baguette, then a light spread of Beurre de Baratte salted churned butter, then a thick coating of Brebirousse d'Argental cheese with orange rind, then a healthy helping of their thinly sliced Prosciutto Cotto! Chop in half, cover one and pop in fridge and eat the other with a bag a chips and a soda! No need to mess with the classics there. Boom! You are welcome.

Excellent customer service and food. I highly recommend their grilled cheese sandwiches. The French Onion or the original with fig jam are both fantastic. Then their assortment of meat, cheese, and spreads are perfect for any charcuterie. Highly recommend!

Solid local artisan cheese shop. They have a wonderful assortment of hot sauces, drinks, snacks, dips, condiments, etc. Their OG Krystal? crystal? Is sublime. I was not aware cheese could have a chewy texture to it. That may not sound appetizing but it was worth every cent! Come here for the grilled cheese it’s a little wait but worth it! Anytime I come the staff is knowledgeable but more-so helpful. I was surprised they sold Maldon Sea Salt Flakes I had in Scotland that was not an arm and a leg. I bought a bunch of things here for my wedding anniversary and my husband loved everything! This would be a better cheese pull video but I didn’t eat it until I walked about 20 minutes home. *just to give you an idea of how delicious their grilled cheese is!

Nice , clean little store. Decent selection of cheese. More importantly, very friendly, patient, knowledgeable and passionate staff. I am new to cheese and often times I get carried away by trying different cheeses. The staff here has never rushed me to decide which is very much appreciated. A nice , cozy, convenient and polite addition to the neighborhood. I say they should bake in house bread as well on daily basis. The smell of fresh bread travels a distance. Always been satisfied doing cheese and meat groceries here. A neighborhood gem.

The bomb! If you are a foodie, looking for speciality items or trinkets, unique coffee beans, darn good cheese, or a bomb artisanal grilled cheese sandwich... this is your one stop shop. I ordered a grilled cheese with onions. It takes about 10-15 min for it to be prepared. It is well worth the wait. I would suggest ordering it first and then wandering the shop. The onions were perfectly sweet through great caramelization. The bread was buttery and crispy. The cheese was of the upmost quality and taste. Just a well rounded combo and sandwich. The service here is friendly. Would definitely come back to this location. There's also a Montclair location which is a bit larger than the JC location.

Pretty place. We seldomly come here to buy their cheese. Service is great. They even got a mini market shelf.

They have a separate sandwich menu you can ask for. The truffle Gouda with honey was amazing. House mutz is a must try as well!

We have legit walked by Van Hook numerous times, but we never went inside. I was walking back from the post office, was starving, and saw some people leaving the shop with sandwiches. I was like, wait, hold up, they make sandwiches? They do. It was one of the best grilled cheese sandwiches that I've ever had. I had a cheddar, prosciutto, and fig jam grilled cheese and it was phenomenal. The fig jam gave it a bit of sweetness to counter the savory of the prosciutto. Staff were super nice and friendly and they have SO MUCH cool merch in the store. We're definitely going to be back to pick up some items for a nice cheese board dinner in the near future.

A really awesome selection of cheeses. The staff is great and allows you to try some to make it easier to choose. You will definitely be leaving with a few cuts. They also make platters but you must order in advance while supplies last.

Wow. I'm blown away by the recent experience that I had with Van Hook. My husband's 30th birthday was a few days ago, and of course all plans were cancelled and we were home. I put together an at home wine and cheese tasting for him to enjoy and Van Hook HOOKED it up. See what i did there? Ordering Process: -SEAMLESS. -Fill out the online order form, you only need to do it a few hours in advance. I did it two days in advance just to be safe. There are tons of cheeses and meats to choose from plus cheese board fixings like crackers, jams, pickles, etc. You can even find other grocery items like eggs and chicken. -There are lots of fancy cheeses and meats with fancy names. If you have any questions you can email Van Hook and ask for advice. The owner Carl got back to me so quickly and was so helpful. -Specify the quantity. Most cheeses have 1/3 of a pound minimum, but because I needed small amounts of a variety of cheese I was able to put in a special request for 1/4 pound. -Once you order confirmed you'll get a call from Van Hook for payment. And then you can simply walk over and grab your order without having to make any contact. They only allow two in the shop at once so it's super comfortable, but if you feel more comfortable with them bringing it out to you they will do that. What we ate: -Everything was absolutely stellar. I ordered several cheeses, meats, rosemary crackers and pickles. The prosciutto was by far the best. I won't be buying prosciutto elsewhere now. My husband and I both agreed that the Humboldt Fog was the most delicious cheese of the bunch, it's like a hybrid goat / blue. I also really loved the L'Amuse Signature, which was an aged gouda. Van Hook is a must always, but it's especially a pick me up now because cheese really solves all problem. The ordering system that they have in place is flawless and the cheese is even better. If you have a special occasion coming up and want to impress someone I'd suggest setting up a wine and cheese tasting at home and snagging all of your goods from Van Hook. My husband really loved this, and it was such a great way to celebrate. Now that I know which items I like I'll be ordering more regularly.

Took me forever to finally go to Van Hook. When you walk in the smell alone is intoxicating. Selection isn't huge but they have plenty to choose from and prices are good. Staff is friendly and more importantly...knowledgeable.

A cute little local cheese shop with lots of gourmet packaged food selections and also freshly made grilled cheeses! I enjoyed looking around at the different items and ultimately decided on a pint of horchata/churro. Also ordered the french onion grilled cheese on a whim and.... it's AMAZING. The bread is crisp and buttery, the gruyere the perfect amount of gooeyness. The shallot confit really tied the whole thing together. Although the food items are quite expensive, the grilled cheese is very reasonably priced and it's a great local business to support!

It was my 4th time in the store today. And I really hate giving low ratings especially when the business is nice and unique. During my previous visits the shop assistants (unfortunately I do not know the names but they were male if it is of any help) were super helpful and always advised me the best how to make a good cheese plate, what to pick and how much stuff I need. On the contrary today the staff was very rude and showed attitude I understand it is a stressful time for everyone but people come to the store to get a great product and expect great service and friendly faces not someone annoyed and speaking with irritation. I believe it is unacceptable for this kind of business. Please take that into consideration and hopefully change for better in the future.

I always come for their cheese & meats and pair them with wine at home. They do have excellent selections. The staff are very friendly & welcoming. I took their recommendations several times and am always happy with the results. I love their grilled cheese. They offer several flavors and my fav is the duck one. The truffle one is also nice. The honey adds the sweetness to the sandwich so it wouldn't be too heavy. It is a little bit lighter than other flavors I tried here. One the other hand, the duck one is more heavy. It is made by smoked duck, raclette & sour cherry preserve. I can't finish the whole thing by myself. The flavor is stronger & I feel the portion is slightly bigger (the weight is actually heavier). Half of it can make me happy & full.

Great food and very very friendly people Without a doubt the Best Grilled Cheese +++ sandwich We went back two day in a row and we NEVER do that

I have been meaning to come back and update this review for a while!! But since my last review, I have gone to Van Hook Cheese several more times and also tried some of their food at different food festivals in Jersey City. They are, by far, my favorite cheese place in the area!! Things I recommend: 1) Getting a cheese plate after work with your friends 2) Getting one of their delicious grilled cheeses with fig jam 3) Asking for recommendations on a cheese plate for home entertaining. You can't go wrong! So glad to have a cheesemonger in the neighborhood!!!

We were looking for a specific type of chili crisp that was msg-free...and they had it! It's a great local neighborhood cheese & speciality foods store and has many tasty cheeses, crackers, meats, and pickles to choose and take home.

I love cheese. You might say I was a cheeseatarian. I can only thing of one cheese I have come across that I did not like. One. Obviously I have my favorites. But really, I will eat cheese. Any time, any place. I'm sure I can make up plenty of Dr. Suess rhymes about cheese. I love going to Van Hook Cheese. I tell them the flavor profile I am looking for. The firmness (I tend to prefer hard for every day and soft for parties), and let them steer me towards what they are loving in this moment. Haven't been steered wrong yet. My father in law now asks us to stop by van hook cheese on our way over to his house because he too now has favorites. The shop itself is cute, clean and well organized. The staff is friendly and knows their cheese. In JC and need cheese? This is the place!

Great quality duck sandwich for cheap!! Can't wait to explore and try their other sandwiches and snacks. All seem to be great quality. Nice little shop.

I first bought 3 cheeses for my dad from their stand at the Grove Street Farmer's Market. He loved them, but unfortunately, I couldn't remember any of them. I decided to come back to see if I can somehow buy them again or get similar ones. My dad loves Gruyere, so I asked for any cheeses similar to it. I generally dislike cheese unless it's a hard, salty cheese or melted over something, but I loved the cheeses the incredibly helpful lady chose for me. I ended up getting three interesting cheeses and a standard Gruyere. * Snowfields - I saw this mentioned in a review and was curious to try it. I was afraid this would be too creamy, but it isn't. The crystals in it give it great texture. If you haven't tried it before I recommend getting a taste. * Pleasant Ridge Reserve - I was told this was the most-awarded cheese in American history, and the person helping me said she also loved this particular one quite a lot. The flavor is so intense. Couldn't quite place it, but oniony almost. This also has the crystals in it. I think this one might have been my favorite. * Dutch Knuckle - This cheese is made by a couple in Upstate NY and then sent to a cheese aging facility in Crown Heights. This was also a delicious cheese and most similar to gruyere out of the three. I love the saltiness of it. In addition to a great selection of cheeses, they also have everything you need to make a cheese plate. You can grab some crackers, jams, cured meats, and other gourmet snacks. I believe they even sell ice cream from Milk Sugar Love. If you're in the area check out this cute, little shop. I'll definitely come here now over Murray's Cheeses.

I was in JC For the day visiting my Aunt who has been very sick( from surgery complications)and hasn't left the house in months. I decided to take her to van hook to but and taste some cheeses. Tina was amazing! She asked us what we kind then leg us sample many cheeses. We left with 6 :) and some salami to. Tina was very knowledgeable, patient and never made us feel rushed and so sweet. This was exactly what my Aunr needed to lift her spirits. We will be back!

If you go here for only one thing please let it be the duck grilled cheese sandwich. Omg!! I tried it on a whim and have not stopped thinking about it. DELICIOUS!!! They don't have a good selection of salami but a ton of local products and cheese. Definitely worth the visit, especially the grilled cheese.

I know very little about cheese. I just know what I like and what I don't so when I heard about a local specialty shop with knowledgable staff, I was immediately intrigued. I dropped in mid-day on a Saturday and there was a smattering of people in the shop. I initially came in for the highly recommended duck grilled cheese (too salty for my tastes) but ended up purchasing $40 worth of cheese, cured meats, and crackers as well... they really got me good and I have no regrets about it. Meat - Hot Sopressata: Very thinly sliced and a perfect mix of salty and spicy. Great for softer, creamier cheeses. Cheese - Truffle Tremor: They warned me this had a strong truffle taste but it really doesn't hit you until you've had a few pieces. They really weren't kidding when they put "truffle" in the name. I don't typically like goat cheese but I love truffle so it all balanced out. Cheese - Vacherrouse D'argental: If it wasn't extremely unhealthy to do so, I would eat a whole block of this in one sitting. It's smooth, soft, and creamy; very similar to a brie. Will most definitely go back for more. I adore the vibe of this place and the vast assortment of goods they offer. The cheeses and meats aren't prepackaged so you can purchase as much or as little you want depending on your needs.

Simply incredible curated selection of cheese and charcuterie. I'm hesitant to call out my favorites by name for fear they will become overly popular and gone from the case when I stop in. Though, try the Snowfield, it's an out of this world white cheese that has little crunchy crystals in it. Pick a off peak time, chat up the friendly cheese mongers and pick something based on your tastes and mood. I love putting together a balanced cheese platter and always leave with more than I intend to (whoops!). A selection of chocolate is not to be missed. Hand towels and cloths, as well as boards and knives are available. Crackers and the like are offered. Jellies, fig jams, all there. Literally everything you need to make a cheese board. One stop shopping.

Always have great cheese recommendations and I love browsing the small snacks for a picnic. The grilled cheeses are really tasty. I appreciate the markup is because this is a small business but I took a star off because I think some of the fridge snacks (esp the stray cheese) are very overpriced. But I enjoy this place for the experience :)

Cute little store on the east side of downtown Jersey City. They don't carry much and the prices as you would expect for a very cute specialty store are high but they do have some very interesting items for sale. They have quite a few caramel sauces, specialty salsas and hot sauces and also have interesting mixers for drinks and a few kitchen type knickknacks. We bought some dried Mandarin orange slices and some Weak Knees sauce which is like a combination of srirarcha and gojuchang. It is amazing with steamed or panfried dumplings. They also sell cheese and occasionally do tastings so if you're in the neighborhood on a weekend stop by as that is when they do those events. One of us said to the other that we needed to leave because we had to use the restroom and the gentleman behind the counter allowed us to use theirs that is in the back. That was very nice.

Van Hook Cheese & Grocery is a very welcome addition to downtown Jersey City. To be honest, my cheese needs have been satiated beyond my wildest dreams by the restaurant Third and Vine since they opened in 2014, so I did not see much of a benefit to having a cheese monger downtown when I heard one was opening. Now that I have been in a few times I have seen the light, especially considering how many great specialty food stores have recently opened on this stretch of Jersey Avenue. Who is even going to need to go to Whole Foods when they open in a few years? Van Hook has a deep selection of cheese and they are very enthusiastic about giving you a sample to try. All of the clerks have seemed pretty knowledgeable about the cheeses and there is also a selection of cured meats. A personal favorite cheese I've discovered at Van Hook is the Brebirousse D'Argental sheep's milk cheese from France. It is delicious. I also pick-up a few Christmas presents here, including a make your own herb butter kit for myself.

My 2nd time getting cheese and ham - just as good as what you can get in Spain (well, maybe not the Iberico ham) but the Bayonne, plus great bread from next door. best $27 ever spent. My daughter, who has a bad cold and says she can't taste anything can't stop eating it. Get the Jambon Bayonne and 3 month old Manchego plus a baguette and a bottle of Malbec and you've got one of the beat meals in Chilltown. Quality is Superb - you can't get any better this side of the Atlantic!

This place is magical. If you want to impress your friends, next time there's a gathering, pick up a few cheeses (maybe an aged gouda and cheddar), some charcuterie, a baguette and some olives from here and just enjoy. They let you sample pretty much to yours heart desire, mainly because I think they know their stuff is so legit that you can't resist buying it once you have a taste.

Great new neighborhood spot. I went in for some curds after hearing that they'd be in stock. While there, was also offered to sample some other cheese (I forget what, but it was good) and then randomly bought another cheese spread. Prices were a bit on the high side, but let's be honest - you're not buying Kraft here. To me it's worth it. Also impressed by the personable staff. From the two women who were working behind the counter, offering a warm welcome and samples, to the owner who chatted me up for a bit, I actually felt like they were working not only to establish themselves as a store, but to be a legit community participant. I'd likely go back regardless, but this "bonus" friendly vibe will surely make me a return customer.

I really wanted to like this place. It looks so pretty and yummy. I finally had the time To sneak in while my baby was asleep in her stroller. Middle of the day, not busy at all. I did not get a hello or even any acknowledgement by anyone in there. The guy behind the counter was especially cold. Man it was so awkward in there. It sucks coz, when i guess a regular came by, everyone perked up and was all warm and chummy. NEVER GOING BACK IN THERE, not even if you pay me!

Nice selection of cheese and friendly staff. I went in last week for my first visit. Not knowing what to order, I asked the opinions from the staff. They gave helpful tips as well as a brief intro to various types of cheese. I was told their Prairie Breeze was best to go for the Grilled Cheese sandwich. I ended up buying the small samples (in the refrigerator) of four types of cheese. I asked them for ways to eat those cheese when I paid for them, and it turned out great. I will be back and try their Brie and Prairie Breeze the next time. The ones I bought as of now: Beemster 18 month. It is a cheddar cheese that has some savory start, but smooth, milky and a tinny little bit of sweetness at the end when pairing with bread. Schlossberger Alt: a denser cheese. It does have much sweetness or milky flavour, rather it is of a dense and complex yet smooth savory taste towards it. I paired it with Trader Joe's 3 seeds sweet potato crackers for a balance. Wild Alpine and Essex Menchego. Haven't tried but was told they are also good with crackers and bread. Will update later once I try them.

Buying specialty cheeses can be a bit daunting since there are SO many options. Van Hook's staff is super helpful, and will walk you through all your options depending on your needs! I usually just tell them what I need if it's a cheeseboard, or if I'm trying to make a particular salad, baked good, or want to make a unique grilled cheese- Van Hook is your go to! Reese is amazing, and is always super helpful, I'm a bit particular with how I like my cured meats sliced, and he is always so patient with me. They also carry specialty goods from local Jersey vendors which I love. Besides the amazing assortment of cheeses, meats, and other goodies, they sell the BEST free range organic eggs. Sourced from a local farm, a dozen only costs $5 which feels like an absolute steal!

The best cheese there is, no question about it. Van Hook is a super trendy cheese shop in Downtown JC. They have cheese from all over the world as well as a sandwich station. For about $10, Van Hook will prepare a grilled cheese sandwich using some of the worlds best cheeses. Inside, it's very inviting and upstate New York feel. The staff is pretty hipster. Beware- the store does smell like dirty feet. I mean CHEESE!

I went in here and got treated like trash. I walked in a few days ago to possibly find a Christmas gift and the guy in there was more annoyed by my lack of cheese knowledge than he was helpful. I had every intention on buying treats for my whole family, but I'd rather take my business elsewhere.

More cheese please- now I get a new one to try every couple weeks. This weekend it's the Italian piave paired with a hot soppressata from Brooklyn. Best place in town to get hot sauce, bean-to-bar chocolate, and locally made ice cream to go. Not to mention olives, crackers, and other gourmet items. Carl and the staff are as helpful and friendly as it gets.

Really great selection of cheeses. The staff are extremely helpful and really know their stuff. Had a girls' night dinner and needed some good cheese for the evening, the owner suggested a few which paired perfectly with our wine and pasta. Definitely a local gem and would recommend to anyone!

Special place in Jersey City.....A beautiful selection of some hard to find cheeses and other gourmet products. Friendly customer service and they now carry my favorite French yogurt La Fermiere! Wish I lived closer, I'd be here once a week. :)

I love this place so much. The staff is so Staff is so knowledgeable and kind and patient. I wanted to try so many things the first time I went and they were so patient with me. A bit on the pricier side but worth every penny!!

I come here for the cheese and the meats, but mostly the cheese. Definitely best cheese selection in Jersey City, better cheese than Whole Foods too. The cheese is expensive, but in this case you get what you pay for. They let you try cheese/meats before you buy them, so definitely try it before paying up and the staff is super friendly. The cons are 1) the price, its pricy though there are alot of moderately priced options that are good 2) people tend to try a lot before purchasing so they can take a while to buy their cheese/meats, and you might have to wait a while though lines have been rare when i've gone 3) its pretty small, so 3-4 people in there and it feels crowded, especially if you are going in with your stroller. I also have bought some other stuff here, bougth some cultured butter here that was pretty good and some organic sweet italian sausages that were also good. Pick up some bread at Choc-o-pain next door, some cheese/meats here, and a bottle of wine at cool vines a couple of blocks away and your set for your weekend picnic or lazy weekend day at home.

Though Van Hook might not have the square-footage of some of the larger cheese chains (like STINKY'S in Brooklyn), this place still has a wide variety of options from which to choose. If you're someone planning a wine and cheese night with friends, or just someone (like me) who could sit and binge-watch Netflix with a bottle of Barolo, a baguette, and some Humbolt Fog, Van Hook offers something for everyone. The staff was both welcoming and incredibly helpful, and based upon my conversation with Carl (who is manager and owner, I think), I even bought some bacon marmalade --- which has since become one of my most favorite things ever! Keep an eye out for ads from Van Hook for wine-and-cheese-pairing events. I went to one, and for something like $40, I drank some REALLY nice sparkling wines/champagnes, paired brilliantly with cheeses from the same regions where the grapes were grown. UPDATE: Returned on 9/16/2017 and the quality and service are as amazing as ever. Also stopped by their tent during the street fair in Jersey City and had an AMAZING grilled cheese.

I absolutely love Van Hook Cheese Shop so much. This is my favorite place in ALL of Jersey City. It's so refreshing to have a shop with fresh cheeses, crackers, jams and other local delicious treats. The staff is always friendly and patient. You can try cheeses so you have an idea of what you'd like to buy. They offer so many different kinds of cheeses I haven't even heard of. I have gone multiple times and leave with 3 amazing new options I haven't tried but love! I always take recommendation from the staff because they 100% know what they're doing. Also if you're looking to pair drinks with the cheese make sure you let them know! They'll help. I've tried so many delicious options there and can't wait to still go back. For holidays they are a great stop to make! Add to a gift or bring as an appetizer to any party.

Van Hook is a small, interesting cheese shop with some select grocery items. This isn't the sort of place you would come to do your weekly shopping but is a great place to visit when you are entertaining guests or want to pick up a special treat. The people are very welcoming and helpful. The selection of cheese is very good (and very delicious). And it also offers a small selection of other grocery items for foodies, from tapenades to Marcona almonds to organic milk. Uncertain about a cheese? Ask for a sample--the staff is very accommodating! With the loss of Tender Shoot Farm and Carrino Provisions, here's hoping this small, tasty place develops the clientele it deserves to succeed in Jersey City. I'll be back!

This place is AWESOME!!! My wife and I fell in love with their lonely cheese bin. If you don't know, after they sell through most of any given block of cheese, this is the bin where they put the last scraps for sale. You can score some really, really good cheeses for really, really cheap. We always pick up some cheese and enjoy as a late night snack with wine in front of the TV. They sell cheese to-go. They also sell various gourmet cheese sandwiches. They're AMAZING!!! I've tried most of their menu, and you can't go wrong with any of it. If you're having a party, check out their cheese platters. My wife and I bought a cheese platter for our welcome reception prior to our wedding. They're fairly priced and come with large portions. We're getting another for our son's first birthday party. Finally, they sell more than cheese. I've scored some pretty interesting mayos and jams here. And, they sell Jeni's ice cream. If you've never tried Jeni's, it will blow your mind! Best ice cream on the market, full stop.

I live in Williamsburg but was visiting some friends in JC on a Sunday and stopped by this super-adorable place. It has an appealing vibe: marble counter, big window, wood floors, cute and special items in pretty displays. I intended to get some cheese--and did--but also walked out with a baguette, jam, hard salami, Marcona almonds, olives, the best grapes I've had in recent memory, and some handmade napkins. I then proceeded to go home and eat a half-pound of the Prairie Breeze cheddar in one sitting :0 I know zero about cheese, and I find most cheese shops intimidating. I really appreciated how warm and friendly the service was here. I got a few samples and was not judged at all for my ignorance!

Great grilled cheese. We tried the french onion and duck french toast, both were great

As many of us who are lucky to enjoy the Grove Street food and farmers market scene may remember, the Van Hook cheesemongers first drew us into their stand with their prized picks of cheeses and excitement for the unique and high quality products they are able to share with us. Between the famed fresh mozzarella, the Prairie Breeze cheddar with a nutty crispiness, and the perfect Crybaby swiss cheese, we were roped in. Q: Why didn't the cheese want to get "sliced"? A: It had "grater" plans. This summer, the Van Hook cheesemongers had greater plans to open a local cheese and grocery shop for us all to enjoy year round, just around the corner from the Grove Street train station! Yesterday was opening day, so I couldn't wait to stop by to stock up my kitchen with all of my favorites and to explore all of the additional unique items they are now able to offer in their new storefront. The vibe is perfect: wood floors, clean surfaces, fresh cut flowers and herbs for sale, a wooden wine barrel with a giant cheese wheel on top...everything I want to see to inspire me to create an amazing farm-to-table spread on a weeknight or for a special meal. An example of some of the items I picked up: -burrata, brie, mozzarella, Prairie Breeze cheddar, Parmigiano Reggiano -local grapes, peaches, basil -small batch tonic for a good old gin & tonic -blackberry and rosemary jam (their bacon marmalade is my FAVORITE!) -balsamic grapes -pistachio salami -smoked maple bourbon ham -Battenkill Valley Creamery fresh milk

This place is phenomenal!!! There's a sense of intimidation when it comes to cheese (like with all fine foods.) Most people won't even pay you any mind because you don't know what you're talking about, but the people who work here really know their stuff and don't mind to tell you about the different textures and flavors of the cheeses! It's nice to know that there's a place that's so warm and approachable. The staff is so helpful that if I didn't have any self-control I'd buy $$$$ worth of cheeses. This place is definitely worth a weekly visit too. :)

A super welcome addition to the downtown jersey city area! Brilliantly curated foodie items, awesome home wears and the most amazing cheese counter. All housed in a beautifully designed and decorated space. The lady and gent working there (I highly think the owners) where up beat, and delighted to talk about cheese and there new store! It's going to be a pleasure to support this local epic business!

Great, local cheese shop with a very knowledgeable staff. I stop into Van Hook about once a week, it is consistently a great experience. The shop has various jams, sun dried tomatoes, smoked fish, almonds, olives, baguettes, firehook crackers(THE BEST, IM HOOKED!) and everything else you could want, in addition to cheese to make an awesome charcuterie platter! They do tastings here occasionally where you can sample local cheeses. They also have a specialty grilled cheese menu which, I'm yet to try but I hear amazing things about. You can sit outside during the summer, as there is a small table and chairs.

Of course, this place is going to be a 5 star! Being the only place in Jersey city, it is guaranteed that everyone who loves to pair a nice bottle of wine with a good cheese will come here. But this is not the reason why I give this place a 5* review. This place is small and, therefore, reminds me of a family owned store in France. The team is nice! They are always open to let me try something new. They are also quick to understand what I am craving for based on my expectations. Suggestion: Bring in more variety please and good luck on getting more happy customers! Be sure to let local wine and liquor stores know about you, so they can lead more customers to Van Hook!

Love this place! Cutest cheese grocery I have ever been into. Staff is super helpful and knowledgeable about cheese. They have many options to choose from, soft cheeses, hard cheeses, olives, cheese bags, meats, cracker options, pasta, olive oils. They even have cute baskets that you can use to create your own gift.

Pretty good local cheese purveyor. Owner is super knowledgeable and very customer centric. Small, but quality selection of cheeses and fine pairings.