{"id":28374,"date":"2023-01-18T00:11:34","date_gmt":"2023-01-18T00:11:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/?p=28374"},"modified":"2023-01-18T13:30:59","modified_gmt":"2023-01-18T13:30:59","slug":"san-francisco-cheese-shops","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/dev.devourtours.com\/blog\/san-francisco-cheese-shops\/","title":{"rendered":"9 San Francisco Cheese Shops (+ Local Cheese Producers)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mission burritos. Seafood-laden cioppino. Juicy dumplings. No matter what you\u2019re craving, San Francisco is rife with top-notch culinary options<\/a>. And if you\u2019re in the mood for an enviable selection of cheese (and other speciality foods or drinks to go with it), the city by the bay will also deliver.<\/p>\n

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Cowgirl Creamery is a well-known Californian cheese producer. Photo credit: Neeta Lind<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The best places to get cheese in San Francisco are family-owned neighborhood spots, multi-location dynamos, co-op grocery stores, and farmers market stands. You\u2019ll have your pick of everything, from European imports to local California favorites.<\/p>\n

So grab your picnic basket, pray that Karl the Fog<\/a> takes a day off, and stop by one (or all) of San Francisco\u2019s top cheese shops.<\/p>\n

Traditional cheese shops in San Francisco<\/h2>\n

La Fromagerie<\/h3>\n

French Alps native Ruben Donze opened the first La Fromagerie<\/a>\u2014on 3rd Street in the Dogpatch\u2014in 2012. And he has one rule<\/a>: cheese must be sampled. All three shops in the city offer an impressive selection of cow, goat, and sheep\u2019s milk varietals, as well as cured meats, pat\u00e9s, and all the crackers, jams, nuts, and pickles you need for a well-rounded feast.<\/p>\n

La Fromagerie also offers freshly-made sandwiches on house-baked ciabatta and salads crafted a la Donze\u2019s grandmother. The celebratory Raclette party board is also worthy adversary, complete with two kinds of melty Raclette, Coppa, Prosciutto di Parma, local ham, cornichons, and an optional (but recommended) bottle of crisp, white Vin De Savoie Apremont.<\/p>\n

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What could be better than a delicious wedge (or two) of cheese for your outdoor lunch? Photo credit: Fr\u00e9d\u00e9rique Voisin-Demery<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Say Cheese<\/h3>\n

Say Cheese<\/a> is the definition of a neighborhood staple and has been serving Cole Valley and beyond for over 40 years. It\u2019s a one-stop shop for some popular California specialties, like Cowgirl Creamery Mt. Tam and Cypress Grove Humboldt Fog. They also import international options from Italy, Spain, and France.<\/p>\n

Insider’s Tip:<\/strong> Say Cheese is walking distance to Golden Gate Park<\/a>, which makes our list of top places to visit in San Francisco<\/a>! This San Fran cheese shop is a great option for picking up cheese, charcuterie, wine, or sandwiches beforehand – just don\u2019t forget your layers.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Imagine enjoying this view at the Golden Gate Park while snacking on some cheese! Photo credit: Jeffrey Eisen<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Mission Bay Wine and Cheese<\/h3>\n

Mission Bay Wine and Cheese<\/a> is an excellent choice for before or after an event at Oracle Park or the Chase Center. This isn\u2019t the first rodeo for co-owners Debbie Zachareas and Master Sommelier Peter Groff. Their other spots are Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant<\/a> and Oxbow Cheese and Wine in Napa.<\/p>\n

A hop away from the Muni lightrail and Caltrain<\/a>, this well-positioned behemoth offers an assortment of wines and cheeses, as well as beer, craft spirits, sake, cured meats, tinned fish, and caviar. Grab your loot and head to nearby Mission Creek Park, or enjoy table service in the shop itself. Mission Bay Wine and Cheese also offers daily tastings, hosts regular events with area makers, and takes reservations.<\/p>\n

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A tasting is the perfect way to compare and contrast national and international cheese. And if it’s with wine – all the better!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Cheese Boutique<\/h3>\n

Cheese Boutique<\/a> is one of many edible reasons to visit the less-touristy Glen Park neighborhood. Owners Rick and Nada Malouf opened the shop in the 90\u2019s, and they curate a list of over 100 domestic and international cheeses.<\/p>\n

Cheese Boutique is also known for its homemade Middle Eastern specialities (the Maloufs hail from Lebanon), like tabouli, baba ghanoush, and Rick\u2019s famed hummus, which gets its characteristic smoothness from the removal of the chickpea skins pre-blending.<\/p>\n

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Cheese Boutique sources cheese from all over the world!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Little Vine<\/h3>\n

Little Vine<\/a> sits in one of San Francisco\u2019s Italian food<\/a> meccas. It\u2019s equidistant to North Beach\u2019s Washington Square Park<\/a> and Coit Tower, a place to get one of the city\u2019s best panoramic views.<\/p>\n

Open since 2011, Little Vine showcases small Californian producers, like Petaluma\u2019s Straus Family Creamery and Pomona\u2019s Di Stefano burrata. In addition to cheese, they stock wine and groceries, like local chocolate and eggs. The shop also offers a small sandwich menu: one meat option per day plus the everyday winner of Mt. Tam, fig-black tea preserves, and arugula.<\/p>\n

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In addition to an amazing cheese spread, Little Vine also offers lots of wine options. Photo credit: Ania Wieckowski<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Cheese Plus<\/h3>\n

An unassuming corner store on Polk Street, Cheese Plus<\/a> has been a prime place for San Francisco cheese since 2005. Owner Ray Bair<\/a>, a former Whole Foods cheese and wine director, stocks a massive variety of cheeses, charcuterie, wine, beer, and other speciality foods from the states and abroad.<\/p>\n

Stop in for a taste from one of their knowledgeable cheesemongers or peruse their offerings online. Cheese Plus is also open seven days a week, including their sidewalk cafe which boasts a hefty menu of sandwiches, Marin-roasted Equator Coffees<\/a>, and pastries that you can take to go or enjoy at the shop\u2019s parklet.<\/p>\n

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In addition to cheese, you’ll find charcuterie, drinks, and other specialty foods at Cheese Plus. Photo credit: David B. Townsend<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Other top spots for cheese in San Francisco<\/h2>\n

The last three stops on our San Francisco cheese list are not cheese shops per se, but with unique and varied offerings, we\u2019d be remiss to not mention them.<\/p>\n

Bi-Rite Market<\/h3>\n

Bi-Rite Market<\/a> is a San Francisco institution. The 18th Street location in the Mission has been open for 80+ years, where it has remained a gathering place for food and community. Whenever they can, Bi-Rite works directly with producers to guarantee quality, fairly-priced goods.<\/p>\n

The store\u2019s cheese buyer, Jon Fancey, is a Cheese Plus alum, a worldly student of cheesemaking, and an instructor at The Cheese School of San Francisco<\/a>. He curates an ever-changing assortment of both local and international options. We suggest seeking out the Essex Street feta<\/a>, an ancient Greek cheese made from the milk of sheep who graze on Lesbos Island.<\/p>\n

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Bi-Rite is a well-known spot to fill up on all sorts of delicious goodies. Photo credit: Eric Heath<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ferry Building Farmers Market<\/h3>\n

Held every Saturday, the large and well-known Ferry Building Farmers Market<\/a> has amazing produce and speciality food vendors. But it\u2019s worth seeking out some of the regular cheese purveyors, too. Here are some of our rotating favorites:<\/p>\n