9 Cheese Wonderlands In And Around Cleveland That Are Worthy Of A Pilgrimage
By Nikki Rhoades|Published September 11, 2019
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Nikki Rhoades
Author
Nikki is a lifelong Ohioan with a love for literature. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Akron and has enjoyed publishing her written work since 2007. She has a love of travel and does so frequently, though she believes that home is where the heart is — she continues to work in and around Cleveland as a digital content specialist to this day, working on everything from commercial scripts and social media posts to grassroots marketing initiatives.
Cheese is a food that people either love or hate. Its dedicated fans encounter emotions that compare to those of sports fans — elation, excitement, and even the sinking feeling of disappointment when they discover that cheese trays are less than impressive. Loving cheese is a lifestyle — and, fortunately, it’s one that is supported by life in and around Cleveland. If you call this charming place home and are in search of the best cheese shops, you won’t have to look far.
Cleveland has one spectacular cheese shop that produces raw cow’s milk cheese and that's the Old Brooklyn Cheese Company. This charming newcomer opened its doors in 2016 and visitors have obsessed with their offerings ever since. Their cheese are cave aged for a minimum of 60 days and they're an absolute treat for the taste buds. If this isn't enough to satisfy your cravings, you'll adore their selection of local and imported cheeses.
The West Side Market has a little bit of everything, so it truly is no surprise that it also boasts an incredible and delectable selection of cheese. The most impressive selection is offered by The Cheese Shop, which offers domestic and imported cheeses alike. Here you'll find cow cheese, goat cheese, mixed milk cheese, and a number of other delectable surprises.
Way out amongst the rolling landscape of Middlefield, Ohio, is a cheese chalet that's downright darling. The Rothenbühler Cheese Chalet has roots in Swiss tradition, as its founder was the son of a Master Cheesemaker in Switzerland. The first wheel of cheese produced for this cheese store was crafted in 1956. It weighed in at 250 pounds! Three generations later, this incredible chalet still produces cheese with the same traditional values and processes at the heart of everything they do.
No trip down south is complete without a stop at Grandpa's Cheesebarn. This delightful little gift shop has roots that stretch back to the early 1900s, but its iconic storefront officially opened in 1978. Ever since, cheese lovers have traveled here from all over to stock up on the very finest cheeses. Plus, visitors can stock up on delicacies from Sweetie's Chocolates just mere steps away from the cheese selection. This is one trip you must take for the sake of your taste buds!
Port Clinton is a frequent stop on trips to Cedar Point and the Lake Erie islands, but it has quietly amassed a reputation of its own. Why? Well, it's thanks in part to quirky attractions like Cheese Haven, which immerses visitors in the wonders and flavors of more than 125 types of cheese. Mmm!
Address: 2920 E Harbor Road, Port Clinton, OH, 43452
Bring your appetite with you, because any visit to Heini's Cheese Chalet will whet your appetite. Heini's offers samples to visitors in their decades-old Holmes County factory, allowing visitors to stock up on thoughtfully crafted cheeses right in the heart of Ohio's Amish Country.
Address: 6005 County Highway 77, Millersburg, OH, 44654
If you're a fan of fine cheeses, Guggisberg Cheese is a landmark you absolutely must visit. It was here that Baby Swiss was invented and launched in 1968 and its legacy has continued to impress visitors to this day. As time marches on. Guggisberg Cheese has grown into one of the largest manufacturers of Swiss cheese in Ohio — and a visit to their Swiss-inspired chalet is a must for all fans of local cheese.
At Walnut Creek Cheese, cheese is the star of the show, but it's happy to share the stage with bakery, produce, and bulk foods. This unique shopping experience in Amish Country is a fan favorite and it makes the perfect addition to any day trip bucket list.
In 1958, John Shisler set out to provide an incredible service to the Orrville, Ohio community. That's right — he set out to showcase local cheese! Ever since, locals and travelers alike have stopped in Shisler's Cheese House for exquisite samplings of local cheese. They were so successful that they opened a second location in Copley. Today, both are delicious destinations that cheese lovers obsess over.
Address: 55 Kidron Road, Orrville, OH, 44667
Address: 1275 S Cleveland Massillon Road, Copley, OH, 44321
These wonderlands are the very best cheese shops around Cleveland, and they’re all within driving distance of other incredible attractions. Treat your taste buds and add these destinations to your Northeast Ohio bucket list! Which of these destinations is your favorite?