
We hate to be cheezy, but we can't wait for January 20th! Why? It's National Cheese Lover's Day! While there's no wrong way to celebrate, we love the idea of planning a complete cheese feast! Gather up all the classics and toss in a few varieties you haven't tried before.
If you want to take your day to a whole new level, start by visiting some of the best specialty cheese shops in the Cincinnati area. Here are a few of our favorites.
1737 Elm St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
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Located in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood of Cincinnati, The Rhined sells a wide variety of American-made artisan and farmstead cheeses. All of the small-batch cheeses they carry are made by hand and can be cut-to-order in the shop. This is perfect for anyone who wants to sample a variety of cheeses without making a huge investment.
They also carry everything you need to enjoy your cheese, including olives, nuts, jams, beer, and wine. You're welcome to take your selections home or relax and enjoy a cheese flight with a glass of wine. They offer counter seating in the tiny, intimate shop or outdoor seating in their courtyard.
To minimize contact, they're offering delivery and curbside pickup. They'll also handcraft a delicious cheeseboard for your next gathering.
Are you a true cheese lover? If so, they check out their monthly cheese club box. What a great way to treat yourself all year long!
1801 Elm St. UNIT 28, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Located in the Findlay Market, JE Gibbs Cheese & Sausage has been pleasing their customers since 1922. Back then, they were simply a butter and egg stand. Today, they still carry butter and eggs, but they also have specialty cheeses, sausage, lunchmeat, Amish jams, homemade noodles, natural peanut butter, 20+ kinds of fudge, and more!
The store is still family-run, now in its fifth generation. When you visit, check out the display of tools the family used back in the 1920s, including a butter churn, manual cheese slicer, and thick wood boxes used to transport cheese. You'll feel just like you're taking a step back in time!
The owners travel to Wisconsin three times a year to restock their assortment of specialty cheeses and fresh cheese curds. While some of it goes straight to the store to sell, much of it is held for aging. They release their aged cheddar cheeses twice a year — around Mother's Day and Christmas. When they do, the supply always sells out fast. Try it once, and you'll quickly understand why this amazing treat is worth waiting for.
3036 Woodburn Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45206
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The owners of Urban Stead Cheese see cheese making as a true art form. They make all their cheese on-site and have a full tasting room, viewing windows, and a full bar with beer, wine, and liquor. Here you'll find incredible varieties of cheese, including Street Ched, their traditional English-style clothbound cheddar, Misty River, a Camembert-style cheese, and Quark, a fresh, creamy farmer's cheese. They also have Gouda, fresh cheese curds, and more!
We recommend visiting the tasting room and ordering a cheese board, cheddar curds, or beer cheese with sourdough pretzels. For the perfect experience, pair your snack with a glass of wine or a tart cherry old fashioned. Don't forget to pick up a baguette and some fresh cheese to take home with you so you can enjoy a second snack later!
2707 Erie Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45208
Nothing goes together quite like cheese and wine, which is why Hyde Park Gourmet Food & Wine is the perfect place to celebrate National Cheese Lovers Day. In addition to an enormous selection of wines, they also sell yummy sandwiches, fresh bread, cheese, crisp pickles, and more!
They're open every day for lunch and currently offer delivery and curbside to-go. Next time you find yourself in Cincinnati's historic Hyde Park Square, pay them a visit — you'll be glad you did!
6105 Ridge Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45213
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The ultimate neighborhood cheese chop, Share: Cheesebar offers a small but curated selection of cheese and charcuterie. The offerings rotate, and all of the cheese can be cut to order. In addition to cheese, they also offer grab-and-go treats, artisan products, and an excellent selection of beer and wine. Their stock changes seasonally, so you can always find something new to enjoy.
Next time you're hosting dinner or an event, visit Share: Cheesebar for a custom-made cheese or charcuterie board. They're as beautiful as they are delicious and are sure to please your guests!
1034 Walton Nicholson Rd., Walton, KY 41094
Ed-Mar Dairy believes happy cows make great cheese. They provide all of their dairy cows with excellent living conditions and a healthy diet. They also use the state's only robotic milking machine, which allows the cows to choose when they want to be milked.
Their wide selection of cheeses are made with their farm's fresh milk, which contains no antibiotics or hormones. Once it's turned into cheese, it's aged for 60 days or longer. You can order their delicious cheese online or head over to their farm where you can sample their cheese and honey, buy products, and even schedule a behind-the-scenes farm tour!
4183 Hamilton Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45223
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One of Cincinnati's most popular delicatessen and specialty grocery stores, Morsel & Nosh is well known for their wide selection of fine cheeses and cured meat. They also carry a variety of provisions from local and regional artisan producers.
Visit their online store, where you'll find a selection of cheese, meats, produce, and more for delivery or pickup. And if you really want to wow your guests at your next event, order a Mandala Board or Bohemian Board. These stunning meat and cheese boards are meticulously assembled so they look more like a fine work of art than a tray of food.
How do you plan to celebrate National Cheese Lovers Day?