Do you need some help in finding cheese shops in Minnesota? We’ve featured 10 located across the state below.
1. St. Paul Cheese
St. Paul Cheese is a longstanding name in St. Paul and is a sister store to French 44 and St. Paul Meat. They’re a family-owned joint that offers sandwiches, catering, and fresh cut-to-order cheese from all over the state (and the world). St. Paul Cheese is open from 10-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday and from 10-5 on Sunday.
The cheeses you’ll find on offer vary quite a bit, though it’s for the better. From the softer cheese like brie and ricotta to hard alpine Swiss and gruyere, there is something here for everyone. And as they offer sandwiches, too, it’s really quite hard to justify skipping this stop.
Head to St. Paul Cheese’s Facebook page to learn more.
2. Legacy Cheese
Legacy Cheese is a dairy lover’s dream store. They’re a local family-owned tale of success, drawing from Dick and Jan, the owners’ grandparents. They have built a name (or legacy, one might say…) of crafting top-notch cheese – and it remains to this day. Legacy Cheese is open from 9-7 p.m. Monday-Friday, from 9-5 p.m. on Saturdays, and closed on Sunday.
The selection of cheese at Legacy is truly something astounding. While they specialize in blue cheese, they also make many more. From Sartori and Havarti to gouda, juusto, cheddar, and yes – goat and sheep cheese, too. Ultimately, they are the stop in Minnesota to grab local, truly excellent cheese in just about any form you can imagine.
Swing by Legacy Cheese’s contact page to learn more.
3. Redhead Creamery
Redhead Creamery is, unsurprisingly, a redheaded cheesemaking business that’s a bit of a new entry to the scene. Having opened their doors in 2014, they’ve been around for less than ten years – but the family in charge sure knows its stuff. Redhead Creamery is open from 12-4 p.m. Friday and Saturday for in-person shopping, with hours for pickup and online ordering varying by the day and week.
The focus at Redhead is (obviously) on cheese – but specifically, it lies in award-winning cheese curds, cheddar, brie, Tilsit, and a broad range of flavored cheddar offshoots. Realistically, there are very few creameries in the area with as many international and national awards for truly incredible cheese – so don’t leave them by the wayside.
Head to Redhead Creamery’s contact page to get in touch.
4. Bongards Creameries
Bongards Creameries is something special. While they’re not family-owned, they’re close – Bongards Creameries is a farmer-owned coop with well over 100 years in the business. They have the expertise to craft some truly special dairy and do so ethically and with local sourcing when possible. Bongards Creameries is open from 9-6 p.m. Monday-Friday, from 9-3 p.m. on Saturday, and from 10-2 p.m. on Sunday.
Bongards specializes in four broad styles of cheese that each have smaller subsections – natural, process, imitation, and whey cheese. These range in style from classic American cheese to cheddar, Colby, Jack, and many other familiar favorites. While they don’t stray too far from tradition, Bongards makes excellent staple cheese for all your dairy needs.
Swing by Bongards Creameries’ contact page to reach out.
5. Friendly Confines Cheese Shoppe
Friendly Confines Cheese Shoppe brings us away from creameries and back to classic cheese stores. They opened in 2009 with a unique theme – baseball and cows. They’ve developed a reputation for being incredibly family-friendly while serving top-tier cheese from all over. Friendly Confines Cheese Shoppe is open from 11-7 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and closed Sunday-Monday.
The interesting thing about Friendly Confines is that they’ve split their business into two sides; one serves cheese dishes, while the other is a full-blown cheese store. They serve some of the best-known cheese in the area, such as St. Pete’s blue, Faribault gorgonzola, or a luxurious prima donna matura. Ultimately, Friendly Confines is a top-tier place for cheese lovers from all walks of life.
Head to Friendly Confines Cheese Shoppe’s contact page to learn more.
6. Edward’s Cheese Shop
Edward’s Cheese Shop is a small-town joint with big dreams. They’re centered in Chisago City (no, not The Windy City of a similar spelling). Edward’s has built a local reputation for friendly service and a superb cheese selection. Edward’s Cheese Shop is open from 11-7 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, from 10-2 p.m. on Sunday, and closed Monday-Tuesday.
Edward’s has an eclectic (yet excellent) selection of offerings. They obviously serve cheese, as it is in the name – though they also offer several locally-crafted boards, crackers, meats, and other accouterments to accompany your cheese. And if you need international cheese (or local), Edward’s is likely the best spot in the area due to their shockingly large selection.
Go to Edward’s Cheese Shop’s contact page to get in touch.
7. Eichten’s Hidden Acres
Eichten’s Hidden Acres is an aptly named little spot in the middle of nowhere, Minnesota. They’re a farm and creamery that, while out of the way, is absolutely worth the detour. Their cheese is fresh, the people friendly, and the prices are truly excellent. Eichten’s is open from 8-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday and closed Saturday-Sunday.
Eichten’s Hidden Acres focuses on specific and unique cheeses. They’re each European-inspired styles, such as Tilsit, gouda, and various cheese spreads – though that’s not all. You’ll find handcrafted farmer’s cheese, Havarti, blue, cheddar, and more, each perfectly aged and attended to ensure the creamiest, tastiest cheese possible.
Head to Eichten’s Hidden Acres’ contact page for more information.
8. Surdyk’s Cheese
Surdyk’s Cheese Shop is a fourth-generation stop dedicated to selling cheese the proper way – with personality, attention, and a massive breadth of knowledge. They’ve been around since 1934 and have earned their place on this list with multiple generations’ worth of work. Surdyk’s Cheese is open from 9-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday and from 11-6 p.m. on Sunday.
While they also serve deli sandwiches and cured meats, Surdyk’s is clearly dedicated to cheese, first and foremost. They have an extensive list of dairy from which to pick, getting hand-cut bits of the best cheese in the area. They have a selection that is so large that you need to read it to believe it – so check out their cheese list.
Head to Surdyk’s Cheese’s Facebook page to get in touch.
9. Little Red Dairy LLC
Little Red Dairy is a brand-spankin’ new entry to the local cheese scene, opening its doors in July of 2021. Since then, they’ve quickly gained local love – specifically for their cheese curds. Little Red Dairy is open from 2-6 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9-6 p.m. on Saturdays, and from 9-3 p.m. on Sundays.
As for the cheese on offer from Little Red Dairy, they keep things simple. Their primary focus is cheese curds of various flavors – taco, garlic, buffalo, dill, ranch, and (duh) “original.” That’s not to say that Little Red Dairy only serves cheese curds, though – they also offer a few unaged kinds of cheese, such as cheddar or cheese spreads.
Head to Little Red Dairy’s Facebook page to learn more.
