The Upper East Side's Cheese Shop

For over 70 years, Ideal Cheese has been the cheese shop Upper East Siders rely on. Located at 942 1st Avenue — just south of the neighborhood in Midtown East, an easy trip down from anywhere on the Upper East Side — we've been cutting cheese to order since 1954.

Forbes once called us the "World's Best Cheese Shop." We carry more than 250 cheeses from 17 countries: French farmhouse classics, Italian DOP staples, Spanish manchegos, and small-batch American farmstead cheeses you won't find at a grocery counter. Everything is cut fresh, and our cheesemongers taste everything they sell — ask for a sample and you'll get an honest opinion, not a sales pitch.

Getting here from the Upper East Side: We're a straight shot down 1st Avenue, or take the 4/5/6 to 59th St or 51st St and walk east. Many of our regulars have been making the trip for generations — for holiday cheese, dinner-party boards, and the weekly wedge that never makes it home uneaten.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the closest cheese shop to the Upper East Side?

Ideal Cheese at 942 1st Ave (between E 51st & E 52nd), minutes from the Upper East Side via 1st Ave or the 4/5/6 subway.

Does Ideal Cheese offer cheese tastings?

Yes. Our cheesemongers taste everything they sell and are happy to let you sample before you buy.

What are your hours?

Mon–Fri 8:30am–6pm, Sat 9:30am–5pm, Sun 11am–5pm.

Do you sell cheese gift baskets?

Yes — with nationwide shipping on gift baskets and corporate gifts.