Do you need a selection of cheese shops in Iowa to browse through? Take a look at the following list of 7 cheese shops below.
1. The Cheese Shop
The Cheese Shop is a local favorite nestled in the heart of Des Moines. They have well over 100 styles of cheese, along with a hefty collection of cured meats, wine, and more. I mean, come on – it’s in the name. If you need a cheese shop, go to… The Cheese Shop. They’re open from 10-6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and closed Sunday-Monday.
The options at The Cheese Shop are genuinely excellent. Their “Cheese Club” allows people anywhere in the US to order two half-pound styles of monger-picked cheese each month. This is made even more remarkable by their extensive collection of various kinds of cheese, from comte and Mt. Tam to stilton, Harbison, and all of the usual cheddar-style mainstays.
Swing by The Cheese Shop’s contact page to learn more.
2. Frisian Farms Cheese House
Frisian Farms Cheese House is a relatively new entry to the Iowa cheese scene, opening its doors in 2015. They’ve quickly developed a name for crafting true-to-source Dutch-style cheese and creating genuinely delicious dairy offerings. Frisian Farms is open from 10-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, closes an hour earlier on Saturday, and is closed on Sunday.
The main focus of Frisian Farms is their cheese curds and various styles of gouda. They come in dozens of styles, from smoked or seasoned to long-aged melt-in-your-mouth flavor favorites. Visitors can find several varieties and group packages and are also able to order from anywhere in the US. Swing by Frisian Farms for some of the best gouda in your life.
Swing by Frisian Farms Cheese House’s Facebook page to get in touch.
3. Kalona Creamery
Kalona Creamery is a local favorite that’s especially well-known for its cheese curds. They’re an incredibly widespread creamery in Iowa, with well over a dozen locations. Kalona is your stop if you want ice cream, fresh butter, or top-tier cheese. Kalona Creamery is open from 9-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and closed on Sunday.
Kalona Creamery is well-known for a few things, though its most significant draw is its cheese curds. Upon a visit to the website, you’ll get why – it’s something the people at Kalona genuinely love. While they do make top-tier ice cream, hand-churned butter, and fudge, their white cheddar cheese curds are simply too good to pass up. You can also find a handful of cheddar block cheeses, though that’s the limit of Kalona’s cheese offerings.
Swing by Kalona Creamery’s Facebook page to reach out.
4. Dan and Debbie’s Creamery
Unsurprisingly, Dan and Debbie’s Creamery is a family-owned and operated creamery dedicated to crafting farm-fresh, local, sustainable dairy. The owners, Dan and Debbie Takes, have been in the business for quite some time and have earned local love for their cheese, ice cream, and cream top milk. Dan and Debbie’s Creamery is open from 11-8 p.m. seven days a week during the fall season.
Dan and Debbie’s three primary focuses are cheese curds, aged cheddar, ice cream, and cream top milk. The cheese curds and cheddar are the clear standouts (though their milk and ice cream are great, too). From garden or farmhouse to peppercorn and caraway cheddar, the aged cheddars from Dan and Debbie are truly excellent – and the cheese curds, oh, their cheese curds are divine.
Head to Dan and Debbie’s Creamery’s contact page to get a taste.
5. Sisters in Cheese
Sisters in Cheese is a newfangled, truly incredible joint dedicated to serving genuinely excellent food in a fully woman-owned business. They opened in 2017 and have built a name for creating perfectly curated collections of cheese, meat, and more. Sisters in Cheese is open from 8-12 p.m. on Wednesday, from 7-12 p.m. Thursday-Friday, and from 8-12 p.m. on Saturdays.
While you can undoubtedly grab some cheese and leave, that’s not what Sisters in Cheese really does. Their primary focus is curating the best assortments of cheese and charcuterie for dinner or small events, and they serve a few tasty breakfast offerings, too. Ultimately, though, Sisters in Cheese is likely your best stop to find cheese, locally-crafted accouterments, and a grazing board (or three).
Head to Sisters in Cheese’s contact page to learn more.
6. Northwoods Cheese Haus
Northwoods Cheese Haus is an exceptional place. It’s an Iowan cheese shop owned by a Wisconsin native who moved there from Nebraska. While those trips were undoubtedly long, the owner, Chris Evitch, was able to learn a great deal about cheese. And thus, Northwoods was born to serve Iowans with the best American-made Midwestern cheese possible. Northwoods Cheese Haus is open from 10-6 p.m. Friday-Sunday and closed Monday-Thursday.
The offerings at Northwoods are simply excellent, which makes it really difficult to highlight just a few. They offer over 25 styles of locally-crafted cheese and a small rotating selection of cheesemonger’s picks so you can branch out a bit. You’ll find hard alpine cheese, soft Italian and French-style cheese, and a wide assortment of cheddar and cheese spreads. Ultimately, Northwoods is an excellent stop for cheese, no matter how you cut it.
Swing by Northwoods Cheese Haus’s contact page to reach out.
7. The Cheese Shoppe & Deli
The Cheese Shoppe & Deli is the last entry on our list, and it’s a great one. Established in 1970, this longstanding local name is something quite special. What began as a small-town cheese store has grown into a fully-fledged restaurant with a cheese shop attached. The Cheese Shoppe & Deli is open from 8-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday and closed on Sunday.
You’ll be in heaven if you love cheese as much as the people at The Cheese Shoppe. Not only do they have a massive selection of cheese to buy and take home, but they’ve got well-educated cheese mongers to help out. And perhaps best of all, they have sandwiches and a few other offerings for those who just can’t wait to munch down at home. At the end of the day, The Cheese Shoppe & Deli has it all – so check them out.
Head to The Cheese Shoppe & Deli’s Facebook page to learn more.
