There is a Cuban proverb that says “cheese, wine, and a friend must be old to be good.” Luckily, local cheese shops allow you to stock your cupboard with artisan cheeses and wine or attend some of the cheesemaking events and workshops. You may find you've made some new friends, too.

Check out these cheese shops near our DDowntown Dallas high-rise apartments.

Mozzarella Company

Mozzarella Company's cheeses are made by hand the old-fashioned way, following centuries-old recipes. You'll find the tiny cheese factory in Deep Ellum on the corner of Elm and Walton, where it has stood since 1982.

Scardello Artisan Cheese

Scardello is a cut-to-order shop. Though they do not make the cheese themselves, they bring a variety of local artisan cheeses into their shop such as from the Veldhuizen Family Farm, which is located two hours away. Try the popular American and European varieties they carry as well as the seasonal local selection. Scardello also offers many workshops and events.

Elm Creek Manor

If you're ready to learn how to make the cheese yourself, sign up for an artisan cheesemaking class at Elm Creek Manor. You'll make three kinds of cheese during this two-day course, including either chevre or feta, a pressed cheese, and ricotta. Elm Creek does not use any chemical starters or inoculants in its cheesemaking process. Instead, they harvest honey from hives at Elm Creek Manor, as well as goat and cow milk from a nearby organic raw dairy. Under Master Chef Marcia's direction, you will learn how to make your own clabber, which is the starter for making cheese. You'll also learn about homogenization and pasteurization, see the fermenting cave, and understand the various cheese finishes.

Knowing where to find great cheese is an important step to filling up your cheeseboard with local goodies. These cheese shops are just some of the many exciting stores in Dallas. For more local shops, try sampling the specialty teas at nearby tea houses. Contact usto set up a tour of our luxury apartments in Downtown Dallas!