What to Buy Food Best Places to Order Cheese Online Murray’s Cheese is the best overall place to order cheese online By Pete Scherer Pete Scherer Pete Scherer is a cook and baker with a decade of experience across many facets of the Southern California food scene. Food & Wine's Editorial Guidelines Published on February 24, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Photo: Elena Katkova / Getty Images When a pilgrimage to your local cheesemonger doesn’t make sense, you’ll probably wonder: Can I order cheese online? To merely say yes would be an understatement. The fact is, more cheeses are available online than you can probably imagine. It’s possible to pick up a few pounds of fresh mozzarella, an elaborate cheeseboard, a gift assortment for your fromage-loving friend, and a handmade seasonal rarity from that little organic dairy farm, all in a modest slice of an afternoon. The best online cheese shops exhibit intimate knowledge of their products and ensure quality throughout the shipping process, all backed up by amazing customer service. Browsing is a pleasure, with smart-looking photos and helpful search filters like age, milk type, and country of origin. And if you order a little extra, you might even qualify for free shipping. Best Places to Order Cheese Online of 2023 Best Overall: Murray’s Cheese Best for Budget: Caputo’s Market Best Variety: Goldbelly Best Gourmet Cheese: iGourmet Best for Gifting: Harry & David Best for Vegan Cheese: Thrive Market Best Organic Cheese: Cowgirl Creamery Best for Charcuterie: Hickory Farms Best for Wisconsin Cheese: Nordic Creamery Best Raw Milk Cheese: Saxelby Cheesemongers Best Overall: Murray’s Cheese Murray’s Cheese Buy Now Key Specs Starting Price: $11 per poundClub Options? YesFree Shipping? Yes (to select states on orders over $100) Why You Should Try It Murray’s knows fine cheeses; add in pantry items and serve ware, and you have our top pick of online cheesemongers. Pros and Cons Pros Large selection Useful filters Wide variety of accompaniments and serve ware Cons Pricey Overview Murray’s began as a local cheese shop in New York’s Greenwich Village and has since become a national retailer and wholesaler of a wide range of gourmet specialty products. Murray’s carries hundreds of domestic and international cheeses, as well as fine charcuterie, pantry items like spreads and crackers, and associated serve ware. The company also has a line of private-label cheeses that it matures in its aging caves. And there’s a selection of subscription clubs, like Cheeseboard of the Month and Cheesemonger’s Pick of the Month. Best for Budget: Caputo’s Market Caputoâs Market Buy Now Key Specs Starting Price: $11 per lb.Club Options? YesFree Shipping? Yes (on orders over $50) Why You Should Try It With Caputo’s generous shipping policies, you can get more bang for your buck. Pros and Cons Pros Dozens of cheeses Great selection of specialty groceries All products eligible for free shipping Cons Long phone waits for customer service Overview Caputo’s is run by a family of self-described “food nerds.” The company has its own cheese caves in Salt Lake City, Utah, making it a particularly convenient and affordable choice, shipping-wise, for customers in the Western and Midwestern United States. Caputo’s creates a small selection of cheeses from start to finish and cave-ages about a dozen from outside producers. You can shop by milk type or region or browse the entire selection of around a hundred cheeses. Besides cheese, Caputo’s has a deep catalog of hard-to-find specialty groceries, from vanilla beans and heirloom tomato jam to fresh black winter truffles. Best Variety: Goldbelly Courtesy of Goldbelly Buy Now Key Specs Starting Price: $7 for 6 oz. of crème fraîche from Russ & DaughtersClub Options? NoFree Shipping? Yes Why You Should Try It When you want to broaden your concept of cheese, Goldbelly is the place to go. Pros and Cons Pros Many free shipping options Good for gift ideas Cons Not great for browsing individual cheeses Overview Goldbelly is like a digital food mall. A search for “cheese” turns up unexpected gems like the Badger Pack from State Street Brats or the Pao de Queijo by Kouklet Brazilian Bakehouse. But don’t worry. There are also the usual assortments, gift boxes, and sampler packs, and now and then you will spot cheese proper, like three pounds of fresh mozzarella from M & P Biancomano or a one-pound wedge of Lamb Chopper by Cypress Grove. Best Gourmet Cheese: iGourmet Buy Now Key Specs Starting Price: $12 per lb.Club Options? YesFree Shipping? No Why You Should Try It iGourmet’s gourmet cheese collection is unparalleled. Pros and Cons Pros Over 600 cheeses Great for gifts Live chat customer service Cons Higher shipping costs for customers from Western states Overview iGourmet may have the largest selection of cheese available online. The company says it carries over 900 cheeses; at press time, more than 600 were available for purchase through the site. To manage the overwhelming selection, iGourmet provides search filters by cheese type, milk type, texture, brand, origin, and price. There’s also a live chat feature so you can get any questions answered quickly by a helpful human. The vast cheese catalog is accompanied by an equally enormous selection of gourmet groceries, including fresh meats, charcuterie, and pantry items. Best for Gifting: Harry & David Courtesy of Harry & David Buy Now Key Specs Starting Price: $30 for the Artisan Cheese AssortmentClub Options? YesFree Shipping? Yes Why You Should Try It Harry & David lets you deliver the gift of cheese in style. Pros and Cons Pros Large selection of assortments Loyalty program savings Cons No customization Overview Harry & David has long been a popular choice for gift shopping and entertaining. Browse the company’s impressive collection of assortments, and you’ll find everything from a bundle of award-winning artisan cheeses to full banquet spreads complete with cheese, wine, charcuterie, and accompaniments. If you are an avid gifter or entertain frequently, the company’s Celebrations Passport loyalty program can save you a lot of money on shipping while earning reward points toward future purchases and other perks. Best for Vegan Cheese: Thrive Market Thrive Market Buy Now Key Specs Starting Price: VariesClub Options? NoFree Shipping? Yes (on orders over $49) Why You Should Try It For deep discounts on nondairy cheese, you may want to join Thrive Market. Pros and Cons Pros Organic products Large selection Cons Can’t browse without a membership Overview Thrive Market is an online-only grocery store that’s a bit like Whole Foods meets Costco. For a modest membership fee, you get access to an extensive selection of natural foods and household products, available at discount prices. Thrive carries many of the top vegan cheese brands like Daiya, Miyoko’s Creamery, Follow Your Heart, Kite Hill, So Delicious, Violife, and Forager. If you’re a regular consumer of any of those brands, a Thrive Market membership could be a perfect fit for your lifestyle. Best Organic Cheese: Cowgirl Creamery Cowgirl Creamery Buy Now Key Specs Starting Price: $70 for the Hot Tam and Ham collectionClub Options? YesFree Shipping? No Why You Should Try It Cowgirl Creamery is an iconic organic cheesemaker that offers award-winning cheeses. Pros and Cons Pros 100% certified organic pastured milk Quarterly cheese club Cons Small selection Overview Cowgirl Creamery is an artisan cheesemaker in Northern California. The creamery sources organic pasture-based milk from two local dairies for its lineup of six (four soft-ripened and two hard) award-winning pasteurized cheeses. While you can’t order individual cheeses online, the site offers several lovely assortments, many of which include various accompaniments. Cowgirl's quarterly cheese club includes seasonal selections from other regional organic and artisan producers for those seeking a deeper dive into NorCal’s legendary terroir. Best for Charcuterie: Hickory Farms Hickory Farms Buy Now Key Specs Starting Price: $20 for the Sweet and Smoky Turkey Sampler (with farmhouse cheddar)Club Options? NoFree Shipping? No Why You Should Try It When it comes to cheese and meat, nobody does it like Hickory Farms. Pros and Cons Pros Great for gifting and entertaining Budget friendly Two words: cheese balls Cons Few varieties of cheese Overview Another popular gift-shopping destination, Hickory Farms, is known mainly for its attractive assortments of yummy noshables, anchored, of course, by its handsome collection of sausages. There are over a hundred gift baskets, boxes, and towers, many of which come with crackers, fruit, sweets, spreads, and wine. There’s even a gift basket that includes two popular card games. And while you won’t find any Roquefort or Taleggio, Hickory Farms does make one thing you can’t find at those fancy gourmet specialty shops: cheese balls. Best for Wisconsin Cheese: Nordic Creamery Nordic Creamery Buy Now Key Specs Starting Price: $5.35 per lb.Club Options? NoFree Shipping? Yes (to select states on orders over $30) Why You Should Try It Nordic Creamery delivers the essence of Wisconsin. Pros and Cons Pros Small family farm Handcrafted, award-winning cheese and butter Cow’s, goat’s, and sheep’s milk cheeses Cons Relatively small selection Overview Nordic Creamery is a small family farm and cheesemaker located in the Driftless region of Wisconsin, an area famous for the dairy cows that thrive grazing its lush summer pastures. Nordic has much to offer if you’re in the market for an aged cheddar, including a 10-year-old cow’s milk cheddar and a small batch made exclusively with A2 milk. You’ll also find Wisconsin favorites like fresh and squeaky cheese curds and several different Muenster variations. And don’t close your browser tab without taking a peek at Nordic’s butters and Amish-made jams. Best Raw Milk Cheese: Saxelby Cheesemongers Saxelby Cheesemongers Buy Now Key Specs Starting Price: $6 per lb.Club Options? YesFree Shipping? Yes (to select states on orders over $100) Why You Should Try It Anne Saxelby’s legacy is a sight to behold. Pros and Cons Pros Great source for American artisan cheeses Rare and seasonal cheeses Excellently curated selection of accompaniments Cons Pricey shipping, especially to Western U.S. Limited selection of European cheeses Overview Saxelby’s celebrates and supports America’s best artisan cheesemakers (while wisely stocking authentic Italian Parmigiano-Reggiano and Pecorino Romano). Although Saxelby’s offers a smaller online selection than other cheesemongers, the company’s roster is jam-packed with heavy hitters from a who’s who of American cheesemakers. For raw and rare cheeses especially, Saxelby’s is an excellent source. Be sure to check the announcement bar at the top of the site, which heralds hard-to-find seasonal gems like Winnimere, a bark-wrapped washed rind cow’s milk cheese from Vermont’s Jasper Hill Farm. Final Verdict Murray’s Cheese is our top pick of the best places to order cheese online. The company’s deep understanding of the cheese market and gourmet specialty products is reflected in its thoughtful yet extensive catalog, detail-oriented approach, and overall aesthetic. When you need the best, Murray’s is your best friend. Compare the Best Places to Order Cheese Online Company Starting Price Club Options? Free Shipping? Delivery Area Same-/Next-Day Shipping Available? Best Overall Murray’s Cheese $11 per lb. Yes Yes, to select states on orders over $100 50 states Yes Best for Budget Caputo’s Market $11 per lb. Yes Yes, on orders over $50 50 states Yes Best Variety Goldbelly $7 for crème fraîche No Yes 50 states No Best Gourmet Cheese iGourmet $12 per lb. Yes No 50 states Yes Best for Gifting Harry & David $30 for Artisan Cheese Assortment Yes Yes 50 states Yes Best for Vegan Cheese Thrive Market Varies based on product No Yes, on orders over $49 48 states No Best Organic Cheese Cowgirl Creamery $70 for Hot Tam and Ham collection Yes No 50 states Yes Best for Charcuterie Hickory Farms $20 for Sweet and Smoky Turkey Sampler (with farmhouse cheddar) No No 50 states No Best for Wisconsin Cheese Nordic Creamery $5.35 per lb. No Yes, to select states on orders over $30 50 states No Best Raw Milk Cheese Saxelby Cheesemongers $6 per lb. Yes Yes, to select states on orders over $100 50 states Yes Guide to Ordering Cheese Online What Do You Look for When Buying Cheese Online? The seller’s reputation is probably the most crucial factor when making an online cheese purchase. At the end of the day, you just have to trust that your shipment will arrive in peak condition and that the company will make it right if something goes wrong. Even the best companies make mistakes, and shipments can get caught up in circumstances beyond anyone’s direct control. Look for customer feedback on review sites or the company’s social media channels to get a feel for the company’s customer service, or simply reach out beforehand to establish trust. Lifespan: How long will different types of cheese last? As a general rule: Hard: 4-6 monthsSemihard to semisoft: 2-4 weeksSoft: 1-2 weeks Storage: Store cheese in your refrigerator. Wrap it in parchment paper or cheesecloth, then put it in a Tupperware container or resealable bag. Cheese needs to breathe just a little bit, so avoid wrapping the cheese in cellophane. Assortment: Assortment is a double-edged sword. From a shopping standpoint, a large assortment is good. It’s fun to browse, and the odds are high that you’ll find what you’re looking for. However, the more extensive the catalog, the more challenging it is for the company to manage, which increases the likelihood of missteps. Is It Safe to Eat Cheese Purchased Online? Generally, it is very safe to eat cheese purchased online. Companies go to great lengths to ensure the safety of your shipments. Again, it comes down to trust and accepting that sometimes things will go wrong. Trust your instincts. If a product seems off, don’t consume it and notify the company immediately. Frequently Asked Questions Is It Worth Ordering Cheese Online? If you’ve made it this far, you’re probably seriously considering ordering cheese online. When the local cheesemonger just won’t cut it, or there is no such thing in your local area, ordering cheese online will likely prove satisfactory. Imagine that creamy, umami goodness on your tongue, and go for it. What’s the Best Way to Package Cheese? Cheese needs to be kept cold in packaging that allows a small measure of airflow, especially at the cheese’s surface. Butcher or parchment paper are suitable wrapping materials. You can then place your wrapped cheese into a larger resealable bag or Tupperware container for further protection from its surroundings. What Is the Highest Quality Cheese? The highest-quality cheeses are the product of quality ingredients and the cheesemaker’s skill. The primary ingredient in cheese is milk. Therefore, top-quality milk is essential for fine cheese. Cheese is a living product that, like other perishable products, exists in a constant flow of change. Time, then, is also an essential element. When the right ingredients and the right technique converge at the right moment, that’s where the magic happens. What Cheese Does Not Need Refrigeration? Hard cheeses with very low moisture content may not require refrigeration from a safety standpoint. However, proper wrapping and refrigeration will extend their shelf life and protect them from unwanted bacteria and molds. Some cheeses are best consumed at room temperature, so remove them from refrigeration a couple of hours before serving. Methodology We researched more than a dozen online cheese sellers to find the top companies in various categories. We evaluated multiple aspects of each business, considering factors like reputation, selection, shipping policies, and the overall user experience. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit Related Articles Best Produce Delivery Services Best Places to Buy Bourbon Online Best Fruit Basket Delivery Services Best Online Spice Stores Best Places to Buy Chicken Online Best Places to Buy Wild Game Meat Online Best Kosher Meal Delivery Services Best Places to Buy Wagyu Beef Online Best Tea Subscription Boxes Best Cake Delivery Services The Best Dairy-Free Meal Delivery Services To Make Mealtime Easy Best Places to Buy Beer Online Best Places to Buy Brisket Online Best Fruit of the Month Clubs Best Chocolate Subscription Boxes Best Beer Subscription Boxes Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies