Best Artisan Cheese Shops In Metro Detroit
3723 Plaza Drive #2
Ann Arbor, MI 48108
(734) 929-0500
www.zingermanscreamery.com
There is a reason that you will see Zingerman's on many "Best Of" lists, be they regional or national: this Ann Arbor food empire is made up of a bakery, coffeehouse, roadhouse, delicatessen and creamery, along with specialty classes on a variety of topics such as cake decorating and bread making. Zingerman's Creamery offers over 200 cheeses, as well as various craft beers and local wines to pair with them. You can also taste any cheese you like before purchasing it. Also, try a scoop from their gelato bar to satisfy your sweet tooth.
511 W. Canfield St.
Detroit, MI 48201
(313) 831-9470
www.trafficjamdetroit.com
Traffic Jam & Snug is more of a restaurant than a cheese shop, but it makes its own cheeses in-house and has won awards for its cheese, as well. You can buy cheeses to take home, as well as its homemade breads, or you can enjoy yourself at the restaurant and order the cheese platter, which includes its homemade cheeses, fruit, crackers and its homemade fig and hazelnut compote. Its cheese platter is available for catering too ($75, feeds 20 people), as well as its herbed cheese and endive.
2468 Market St.
Detroit, MI 48207
(313) 568-7777
www.facebook.com/devries1887
DeVries & Company can be found in Eastern Market and is the ultimate cheese shop for foodies. It is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesdays through Fridays, and 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays (it's closed Sundays and Mondays). The shop is owned by David DeVries, whose grandfather, Rudolph, opened the shop in 1887; in 1924, David's father, Clarence, started working at DeVries, at its current location, and added goods to the store other than cheese. The shop has recently been remodeled, and it sells butter, eggs and cheese. Ask for a sample if you're unsure what type of cheese you want to buy.
Related: Best Cheese Shops in Detroit
33041 Grand River Ave.
Farmington, MI 48336
(248) 957-9581
thecheeselady.net/locations/farmington
The Cheese Lady, aka Kendra Mantey, has a few locations, including on the west side of the state (Muskegon, Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids and Traverse City) as well as this location (Farmington) and one in Rochester, which will be opening soon. This location can be found in downtown Farmington, in a shopping center next to Riley Park. Kyle Tackett, the assistant manager, has studied culinary arts at Schoolcraft while working at two Farmington restaurants and has a wealth of knowledge about cheeses and the store's other products. The Cheese Lady also carries gift baskets, fair-trade Ghanaian baskets, woodwork that is made locally and wine and craft beer.
2534 Market St.
Detroit, MI 48207
(313) 567-2890
Gabriel Import Company is also located in Eastern Market and is known for its feta cheese. It's open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mondays through Saturdays, and in addition to cheeses, it sells olives and spices. Ask for one of its cheese balls when you go: a small ball of goat cheese with spicy red pepper flakes throughout and then rolled in herbs such as basil and oregano. All of Gabriel Import Co.'s counter foods are available for sampling before purchasing.
