City Name
Temperature
Home » Recent posts » We Went on a Cheese Hunt in Vancouver, and It Made Us Melt inside with Happy Vibes

We Went on a Cheese Hunt in Vancouver, and It Made Us Melt inside with Happy Vibes

top-cheese-shops-vancouver
We extensively test and research all services we review. Here's why you can trust us.

As a self-proclaimed cheese enthusiast, I recently took it upon myself to explore Vancouver’s best cheese shops. And let me tell you—it was a mouthwatering journey! 

From the moment I stepped into these shops, I was surrounded by the rich aromas of artisanal cheeses that promised something special. I tasted everything from buttery bries to crumbly blue cheeses, each shop offering a unique selection that left me craving more. 

Whether you’re curating a cheese board for a special occasion or simply indulging in your love for gourmet cheese, these Vancouver gems are where you’ll find the cream of the crop. Let’s dive into my top picks!

Les Amis du Fromage

Website: http://www.buycheese.com/

Variety: Local and imported options

Pricing: $$$

Address: 843 E Hastings St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1R8

Contact details: +1 604-253-4218

Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 10am to 6pm

As soon as you step inside Les Amis du Fromage, you’re greeted by the delightful aroma of cheese, setting the tone for an incredible experience. 

This shop offers an impressive selection of cheeses, ranging from European imports like the Camembert Isigny: Fabrique en Normandie to exceptional domestic options from Salt Spring Island.

It’s no wonder they’ve been recognized as the “Best Cheese Shop” by readers of The Georgia Straight, The Westender, and The Courier. They’ve also earned Vancouver Magazine’s Restaurant Award as the Top Food Supplier.

They even carry unpasteurized varieties, perfect for creating a cheese board that pairs beautifully with a fine bottle of wine.

One unique feature is their brown bag option, where they handpick three cheeses for you. It’s a fantastic way to explore new flavors and step out of your usual cheese routine.

If you’re hungry for more than just cheese, their food offerings won’t disappoint. The mac and cheese is a must-try, especially the crab version, and on a rainy Vancouver day, we love their Swedish meatballs with a side of frozen potatoes cooked in duck fat.

Benton Brothers Fine Cheese

Website: http://www.bentonscheese.com/

Variety: Local and imported options

Pricing: $$

Address: 1689 Johnston St, Vancouver, BC V6H 3R9

Contact details: +1 604-609-0001

Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 9am to 6pm

Benton Brothers is a top-tier spot for both well-known and more obscure cheeses. Their selection is truly impressive, offering everything from familiar favorites to rare finds, including Winnipeg-style cream cheese—something that’s hard to come by in the GVRD.

They encourage sampling, which is perfect for discovering new favorites, and they also offer an excellent assortment of crackers, spreads, and even French butter. 

While the imported items, like mature Wensleydale and Leicester from the UK, come with a higher price tag—sometimes nearly double what you’d pay in the UK—the selection is unmatched in Vancouver, making it well worth the visit.

If you’re planning a cheese board, they can even help you get the right shapes—circles, triangles, and rectangles—of the cheeses you choose.

Cheese Man

Media credit: vplgold

Website: https://cheeseman.ca/

Variety: Local and imported options

Pricing: $$

Address: 991 W 3rd St W, North Vancouver, BC V7P 1E4

Contact details: +1 604-985-4527

Operating hours: Tuesday to Saturday: 10:30am to 5:30pm

For those who truly appreciate fine cheeses, supermarkets and warehouse stores simply don’t cut it. Instead, they turn to specialty shops like Cheese Man, where the selection goes far beyond the ordinary.

Cheese Man is a classic, old-school destination filled with imported cheeses from places like Holland, France, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, and even the east coast of Canada.

The shop takes a European approach to service, so if you’re in a hurry, it might not be the place for you. 

The owner and his staff take their time with each customer, treating everyone like they’re the most important person in the shop. It’s worth sitting back, relaxing, and enjoying the conversations around you while you wait.

Fresh St. Market

Website: https://shop.freshstmarket.com/vancouverhouse

Variety: Local options

Pricing: $

Address: 1423 Continental St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 0G3

Contact details: +1 604-265-1311

Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 8am to 10pm

Fresh St. Market boasts an endless selection of cheeses, offering everything from cheddar, feta, and mozzarella to ricotta, parmesan, and Swiss—basically, any variety you could think of.

For a medium-sized grocery store, their selection is impressive, with top-notch cheese quality. The store also features an excellent bakery, and the friendly staff are always nearby, ready to assist.

The store itself is brightly lit, clean, and well-organized, making it easy to find what you need. While some items can be on the pricier side, they do offer small weekly sales starting every Friday, which is a nice bonus.

la Grotta Del Formaggio

Website: http://www.lagrottadelformaggio.com/

Variety: Local and imported options

Pricing: $$

Address: 1791 Commercial Dr, Vancouver, BC V5N 4A4

Contact details: +1 604-255-3911

Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 9am to 6pm

Since 1979, this deli has been a cornerstone of Vancouver’s ‘Little Italy,’ offering high-quality foods from across the Mediterranean to the local community.

La Grotta Del Formaggio is the go-to spot on Commercial Drive for cold cuts, an impressive variety of cheeses, and other Italian groceries. Whether you’re looking for specialty cheese or delicatessen items from Western Europe, this place has it all.

It’s also known for its extensive charcuterie offerings, featuring a wide selection of both domestic and international cheeses.

If you’re planning to order or pick up a charcuterie board, be sure to give their catering team three to five days’ notice, especially during the holiday season. 

Outside of catering, both founder Fortunato Bruzzese and store manager Ashley Ray are available daily to help you select the perfect cheeses, charcuterie, and accompaniments.

Dussa’s Ham and Cheese Ltd.

Website: https://www.instagram.com/linasdeli/

Variety: Local and imported options

Pricing: $$

Address: 1689 Johnston St, Vancouver, BC V6H 3R9

Contact details: +1 604-688-8881

Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 9am to 6pm

The variety of cheeses at Dussa’s is truly impressive, featuring selections from all corners of the world, complemented by exquisite Spanish and Italian hams. 

Whether you’re looking for fresh or aged, fragrant or stinky cheeses, they’ve got it all. You can freely pair your cheeses and hams with their tasty assortment of crackers, jams, and spreads.

If you find yourself on Granville Island, don’t miss this great little shop in the Farmers Market. They have a fantastic selection of cheese, and their pepperoni is a must-try, with a variety of flavors to choose from.

la Fabrique St-George

Website: http://fabriquestgeorge.com/

Variety: Local options

Pricing: $$

Address: 7 E 7th Ave, Vancouver, BC V5T 1M4

Contact details: +1 778-945-1677

Operating hours: 

  • Monday: 3pm to 10pm
  • Tuesday and Wednesday: 11am to 10pm
  • Thursday and Friday: 11am to 12am
  • Saturday: 11am to 12am
  • Sunday: 11am to 10pm

The St-George Factory offers a great variety of cheeses and other products, including delicious  bread. It’s a wonderful spot to create your own plancha or build a charcuterie board with top-notch local cheeses, meats, and bread.

They also offer wine flights and even have vegan cheese options, which are just as delicious as their traditional offerings. While the prices can be a bit high, the quality and variety make it worth it if you’re putting together your own charcuterie board.

Duso’s

Website: https://granvilleisland.com/directory/dusos-italian-foods

Variety: Local and imported options

Pricing: $

Address: 120 – 1689 Johnston Street, Vancouver, BC

Contact details: 604-685-5921

Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 9am to 7pm

Duso’s offers an extensive range of cheeses, olives, pasta, salads, and more, including a variety of dips. It’s a fantastic specialty shop for both meat and cheese lovers. 

We recently visited in search of German butter cheese for a raclette, and they had it! We also tried their Belgian butter cheese, which, though not as creamy, was still incredibly tasty.

Today, you can find Duso’s fresh pasta and sauces in over 800 grocery stores across Canada, but their original location at the iconic Granville Island Market remains a must-visit, especially for its delicious variety of cheeses.

Bosa Foods

Website: https://bosafoods.com/

Variety: Local and imported options

Pricing: $$

Address: 562 Victoria Drive Vancouver, BC V5L 4E2

Contact details: 604-216-2659

Operating hours: 

  • Monday to Friday: 8:30am – 6pm
  • Saturday: 8am-5pm
  • Sunday: 10am – 4pm

This store offers over 400 varieties of both domestic and international cheeses, including iconic Italian options like Parmigiano Reggiano (the king of Italian cheese), Grana Padano, Pecorino Romano, Provolone, Asiago, Piave, and Montasio. 

Plus, there’s a huge selection of cheeses from all over Europe. Cosa diavolo, indeed! While some items can be pricey, the high quality makes every purchase worthwhile. They also carry many products that you won’t find elsewhere, making it a cheese lover’s paradise.

Cioffi’s

Website: http://www.cioffisgroup.com/

Variety: Local and imported options

Pricing: $$

Address: 4156 Hastings St, Burnaby, BC V5C 2J4

Contact details: +1 604-291-9373

Operating hours: Monday to Saturday: 8am to 5pm

At Cioffi’s, they offer over 250 varieties of cheese. From local favorites to Italian classics and European delights. You’ll find everything from Italian Provolone and Swiss to local Havarti and aged Cheddars.

They also stock a range of local artisan cheeses like Bries, Goat Cheeses, and Camemberts. Don’t miss the Smokehouse Aged Cheddar from the Village Cheese Company in Armstrong, BC.

For those who prefer organic, they have grass-fed organic Cheddar from Mainland New Zealand. And if you’re a fan of Prosecco, their Buffalo cheese cured with Prosecco is a must-try.

Cioffi’s is your go-to for Italian specialties too—fresh ricotta, ricotta salata, mascarpone, and buffalo mozzarella from Campania. They also cut whole wheels of aged Parmigiano Padano and Reggiano fresh in-house and grate Parmesan cheese daily. 


Sign Up for Our Newsletter

The Best Vancouver expert reviews directly to your inbox (and absolutely no spam!)