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: $$$
Address: 843 E Hastings St, Vancouver, BC V6A 1R8
Contact details: +1 604-253-4218
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 10am to 6pm
As soon as you step inside Les Amis du Fromage, you’re greeted by the delightful aroma of cheese, setting the tone for an incredible experience.
This shop offers an impressive selection of cheeses, ranging from European imports like the Camembert Isigny: Fabrique en Normandie to exceptional domestic options from Salt Spring Island.
It’s no wonder they’ve been recognized as the “Best Cheese Shop” by readers of The Georgia Straight, The Westender, and The Courier. They’ve also earned Vancouver Magazine’s Restaurant Award as the Top Food Supplier.
They even carry unpasteurized varieties, perfect for creating a cheese board that pairs beautifully with a fine bottle of wine.
One unique feature is their brown bag option, where they handpick three cheeses for you. It’s a fantastic way to explore new flavors and step out of your usual cheese routine.
If you’re hungry for more than just cheese, their food offerings won’t disappoint. The mac and cheese is a must-try, especially the crab version, and on a rainy Vancouver day, we love their Swedish meatballs with a side of frozen potatoes cooked in duck fat.
Pro tip:
With its prime spot near the brewery district, it’s an absolute must-stop on your way home. Grab a par-cooked baguette for extra flair.
Benton Brothers Fine Cheese
Website: http://www.bentonscheese.com/
Variety: Local and imported options
Pricing: $$
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.
Pro tip:
If you can, aim to stop by on a weekday morning. The public market can get pretty busy, making it hard to have a longer conversation if you’re looking for more personalized recommendations.
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.
Pro tip:
This place only accepts cash so make sure you have enough on hand before ordering.
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.
Pro tip:
They have a dedicated cheese specialist onsite to assist customers in selecting the perfect cheese for any occasion.
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.
Pro tip:
Be prepared for a bit of a wait—if there are about 5 people in line ahead of you, it could take around 15-20 minutes before it’s your turn.
Dussa’s Ham and Cheese Ltd.
Website: https://www.instagram.com/linasdeli/
Variety: Local and imported options
Pricing: $$
Address: 1689 Johnston St, Vancouver, BC V6H 3R9
Contact details: +1 604-688-8881
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday: 9am to 6pm
The variety of cheeses at Dussa’s is truly impressive, featuring selections from all corners of the world, complemented by exquisite Spanish and Italian hams.
Whether you’re looking for fresh or aged, fragrant or stinky cheeses, they’ve got it all. You can freely pair your cheeses and hams with their tasty assortment of crackers, jams, and spreads.
If you find yourself on Granville Island, don’t miss this great little shop in the Farmers Market. They have a fantastic selection of cheese, and their pepperoni is a must-try, with a variety of flavors to choose from.
Pro tip:
Keep in mind that Granville Island is a popular tourist spot, so prices can be a bit higher, and it gets especially busy during the summer.
la Fabrique St-George
Website: http://fabriquestgeorge.com/
Variety: Local options
Pricing: $$
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.
Pro tip:
You can grab some snacks right at the front, perfect for putting together your own picnic or charcuterie board on the go.
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.
Pro tip:
Make sure to try the Dusos herb sauce—it’s absolutely delicious! It freezes well and pairs perfectly with just about anything.
Bosa Foods
Website: https://bosafoods.com/
Variety: Local and imported options
Pricing: $$
Address: 562 Victoria Drive Vancouver, BC V5L 4E2
Contact details: 604-216-2659
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday: 8:30am – 6pm
- Saturday: 8am-5pm
- Sunday: 10am – 4pm
This store offers over 400 varieties of both domestic and international cheeses, including iconic Italian options like Parmigiano Reggiano (the king of Italian cheese), Grana Padano, Pecorino Romano, Provolone, Asiago, Piave, and Montasio.
Plus, there’s a huge selection of cheeses from all over Europe. Cosa diavolo, indeed! While some items can be pricey, the high quality makes every purchase worthwhile. They also carry many products that you won’t find elsewhere, making it a cheese lover’s paradise.
Pro tip:
You have the option to take your food to go or eat right there. There’s a small counter with stools near the takeout area, or you can ask to head upstairs, where there are tables and chairs.
Cioffi’s
Website: http://www.cioffisgroup.com/
Variety: Local and imported options
Pricing: $$
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.
Pro tip:
Don’t forget to check out their ready-to-eat section next door, as well as their butcher section—both are packed with delicious options you won’t want to miss!