Our Story

Ideal Cheese began as a family butter-and-eggs business — and in 1954, it became something more: New York’s neighborhood cheese shop.

For over 70 years, we’ve stood at 942 1st Avenue in Manhattan, doing things the old way. Every cheese is cut to order. Our cheesemongers taste everything they sell. Regulars have been coming through the same door for generations — grandparents, parents, kids — buying holiday cheese at the same counter.

Forbes once called us the "World’s Best Cheese Shop." We’re proud of that, but prouder of this: while legacy food businesses close around us every month, we’re still here. Still independent. Still cutting cheese the way it’s supposed to be cut.

Today, Ideal Cheese carries more than 250 cheeses from 17 countries, ships nationwide, and supplies restaurants, hotels, and caterers across New York. The shop is owned by Michael Binetti, who runs it with the same philosophy it’s always had: history matters, cheese matters, family matters, community matters.

Come visit us for the holidays — or any day. We’ll cut you a taste.

Frequently asked questions

When was Ideal Cheese founded?

1954, evolving from a family butter-and-eggs business into a specialty cheese shop.

Who owns Ideal Cheese?

Michael Binetti.

Where is Ideal Cheese located?

942 1st Ave, New York, NY 10022, between E 51st & E 52nd.

Why is it called the "World's Best Cheese Shop"?

Forbes gave us the title; we earned it one cut-to-order wedge at a time since 1954.