Knowledgable staff and some wonderful cheeses. We went looking for a specific cheese and discovered a host of better options thanks to the staff. read more

Excellent, friendly assistance even when busy. Extremely knowledgeable. Great selection.

If you're a cheese lover, Cowbell Cheese is an absolute game-changer! From when you first step in to this small shop, you'll be blown away. The fromagers are kind, knowledgeable, and intent on sharing their expertise, humbly. Plus, their variety of cheeses ensures there's something for every palate, from sharp and tangy to mild and buttery. And lots of other great products including pasta sauce, sides for a great charcuterie board, and an excellent baguette and fresh sandwiches. Beyond the taste, I appreciate Cowbell Cheese's commitment to quality and freshness. This shop is a true delight for any cheese enthusiast! read more

Ever since I tried creamy blue cheese at Mood Food, I've been hankering for it. The stuff used to scare me. This store popped up on my Instagram feed, and of course, they were featuring a creamy blue cheese. In the aftermath of the Thurs/Fri storm, we made the trek to this store. We were the only ones in the store at the time, so we had plenty of help and recommendations from the friendly person behind the counter. Yes, we found our creamy blue and tried a sample of an adarre cheese, which was delicious. So we got some of that too. They also have a lot of sauces to check out. We got a green pepper mustard to try. It was pretty tasty! We will definitely be back for unique cheese for special occasions... and just for good eats. read more

Cowbell Cheese - Cheese Shops Near Me - Portland, Oregon

I've been never been somewhere so busy (even before opening there was a line) that makes you feel at ease and like there is no rush or timeframe they need to get you out in. We were first ones there, a gentleman helped us out with a few cheeses and some meats for our Thanksgiving get together. He was very informative, helpful and friendly. The place is tiny, they have an area to the right of the counter with some jams and pickled items, but otherwise not a whole lot going on. Some fresh baked breads and pastries at the check out counter which is to your immediate left when you first walk in. The prices are moderate, depending on what you get, granted we got every single thing we tried, everything was delicious and unique. I've already recommended this place to a few friends and look forward to going back. read more

Cowbell Cheese - Front of their shop (prior to opening). - Cheese Shops Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Love this place! Wonderful selection - especially for raclette in these colder months. The folks here are always so kind. read more

A grungy garage of Gouda? A compact cubby of Camembert and Cheddar? A reliquary of Roquefort and Romano? I seriously had no idea this little slice of Havarti Heaven was even here! And judging by our in-depth interior investigation, these mongers know their Manchego! Whether ordering from behind the counter, grabbing a block to-go from the fridge, picking up a pairing bottle of wine, or perhaps some pasta, crackers, breads, baguettes, oils, jellies, and all manner of other charcuterie components, everything for sale here is an example of pasteurized perfection, a cultured classic, a moldy masterpiece. Unsure of which wonderful wedge to walk away with? Samples are available behind the counter! Just ask! In short, cheeses don't fear the eater, and you definitely need more Cowbell! read more

Cowbell Cheese - Cheese Shops Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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I ducked in to this cute little shop after a local event, pleasantly surprised to find a shop of this quality on a quiet side street just North of the East Esplanade area. Despite being in a quiet part of town, it had a line already, so I looked around At a huge variety of mustards, sardines, pasta, cookies, and other items. The service was perhaps a bit slow but I may be biased because I was very thirsty. The young woman behind the counter was extremely kind to me, and just very genuine and treated me respectfully even though I only ended up buying a beverage. Based on her kindness alone I will come back to this shop again. read more

Cowbell Cheese - Cheese shop line - Cheese Shops Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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I was having drinks at a nearby bar when the bartender recommended I get some cheese on my way to my next stop from Cowbell. She couldn't say enough positive things about their cheese so even though I very rarely eat cheese, I had to make a pitstop. They gave us a couple of samples that were delicious and we ordered just enough cheese and prosciutto to have as an impromptu charcuterie. read more

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We came to Cowbell for the first time and had a fantastic experience! We were helped by a lovely tall person with pigtails and they guided our cheese journey with the utmost respect and expertise. We told them what we wanted, and they helped us choose the best cheese of our lives. It looks very small and humble from the outside, but it was the best cheese shop experience that we've had in Portland! read more

Having lived for months in France and Italy, Cowbell is a great place to find European favorites, as well as the new American cheeses that are enjoying a renaissance in recent years. read more

I was dying to find an store like this in Portland. It came on my instagram feed one day and I had to stop. All the people behind the counter are knowledgeable and nice. The space is small and well organized. It's so great knowing that there is a specialty store in town that carries all the imported deliciousness. read more

Cowbell Cheese - Cheese Shops Near Me - Portland, Oregon

It's not just a shop, it's an experience. This place feels like it belongs in Paris. The folks who work here are all so knowledgeable and take the time to help you find the right cheeses for you. I love the grocery section with beautiful olive oils and other gourmet products. If you are in a hurry, this is probably not the place for you. read more

Fabulous selection, service and friendly helpful and knowledgeable atmosphere. Bought cheese and a charcuterie board that was just wonderful! read more

Amazing Cheese! And service is great, the store is very cramped so its way too tight but besides that amazing store!

Walked down some not-so-great streets to get here but the selection is worth it. Plus they sell small-batch shoyu straight from Japan that I haven't been able to find elsewhere. Great for a picnic or to buy gifts for a foodie friend read more

Cowbell Cheese - There was a long line for a reason - Cheese Shops Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Incredible find in the east Burnside area! The cheese mongers are a fount of knowledge and equally as delightful. Emily helped us find a great mix of cheeses for a picnic to pair with a lovely fresh baguette. The shop is super charming and offers a wide variety of cheeses, some fresh bread (focaccia and baguettes while we were there), olives, jams, French butter (YUM), etc. Can't wait to try other offerings! read more

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Small but packed cheese shop, with a line out the door, but it was a holiday weekend. Every type of cheese you can imagine. Helpful and knowledgeable staff that will help you find the cheese you're looking for or offer recommendations. Loved that staff offered samples and didn't judge my choices. read more

This is one of the most amazing and special shops ever. Expect a long line. This is a good thing. The line is long because the cheesemongers take time with each and every customer. The service is outstanding. There's no rush, no shame, just the perfect level of attention needed to pick the perfect cheese. Customers have the opportunity to sample EVERYTHING. No need to guess if you will like your selection. They have a large menu posted on the wall, but I prefer to let the staff pull a few samples. If you know what you want, they will get it for you. If you don't know what you want, they will help you decide. The cheese is so good. High quality, deliciousness. I feel embarrassed when I think about the days I got excited about Trader Joe's cheese. If only I knew then what I know now. If you want a quick grab-and-go cheese, you will have a better experience at New Seasons. If you want a mind blowing cheese experience, Cow Bell has you covered. read more

Such a cute shop! Welcoming service and a delightful array of cheese and charcuterie.

Love this place. Love it even more that it has this feeling of operating out of a garage space. The products are so good. The different variety of cheese from Germany, France, Spain, Italy, and Switzerland are awesome. They have a lot of variety. Everything from the mildest cheese where you feel like you are just eating solid milk to some funky funk cheese that could remind you of the locker room from your high school. Either way, they have some cheese for every type of cheese eater. The cheese variety board has some from each region and then a few they recommend for the week. They also have a lot of very good imported salamis, oils, vinegars, and crackers from all over Europe. As well as pasta sauces and dry pasta! What I like most is the place has a very knowledgeable staff and they are enthusiastic about having you try before you commit to buying a hunk of cheese! I love this the most about this place! It feels very welcoming and the only danger to me is spending most of my paycheck on cheese and bread for the week! Oh forgot to mention that they have breads from Cafe Ollie and locally sourced. read more

Cowbell Cheese - Cheese Shops Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Highly knowledgeable staff, lots of samples and delicious cheeses and meats! Not to mention other fun imports.

I really wish this shop was more conveniently located because unless you come to this neighborhood or are parked far off from one of the popular restaurants in the area , its impossible to find this store .That being said if you love European cheese and some of the specialty items that you don't get everywhere in generic stores , this is the spot for you .They had pastas , olives , oils ,vinegars ,crisps ,jams and preserves ,tinned fish ,tomatoes , Harissa and the works . The person behind the counter was friendly and talked at length about the products and answered questions very insightfully. They have an online shop that you can order from and some of the artisanal cheese also comes in their charcuterie and cheese baskets . Pricing is reflective of the fact that most of the stuff has been imported . read more

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Walking into Cowbell is like a dream. I have to pinch myself to see if I wake up. The neighborhood and the building are old and funky -- like some of the cheeses! The staff are blissed out, with strange voices, like spirits from the cheese world. And the cheeses -- omigod, how do all these subtle flavors and textures come from the milk of cows, sheep and goats? Going here is kind of my initiation into cheese. Similar to the first tastes of craft brews, and realizing you had never had real beer before. Come to Cowbell and get baptized in cheeses! read more

We're in love! Cowbell is a very special cheese shop indeed. First rate customer service with tastings, suggestions, and custom care. They also have a special assortment of charcuterie. The prosciutto is fabulous. The Spanish El Roy cheese was a hit. Plan ahead so you're not rushed and enjoy the experience. Customers were also helpful with tips on their favorite combos of crackers and cheese. The atmosphere was friendly, the staff was very knowledgable, and the selection of specialty items was impressive for such a small space. We have found our go to cheese shop! read more

Cowbell Cheese - Best little cheese shop. - Cheese Shops Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Super nice and helpful staff, great selection. Ended up getting a few meats and cheeses and some amazing mustard for a board.

Categorizing this as a "cheese shop" is a major understatement - it is so much more. Yes, they sell an assortment of delicious cheeses of all milk types and from around the world. They know the cheese well and can tell you the history - a cheese that is special because of where the cow was in its lactation cycle or a cheese that is made by a company who does not use plastic and is shipped in the original cheesecloth it is made in - just for example. Wrapped well in cheese paper. But they have so much more: -An assortment of cured meats sliced to order - jamon serrano, prosciutto, mortadella with pistachio, cappicola -Bread from Cafe Olli - thin long baguette for only $3, salt bread for $5, larger breads for $8-11. -Red pasta sauces -Sardines and other canned fishes (anchovies, cockles) -Large assortment of olive oils -Salts -Spreads of various types -Dried Italian pasta, including bucatini -Breadsticks -Even some Indian food items The man and woman that work there are friendly and knowledgeable. They give samples sometimes. No parking lot, but plenty of parking on the streets. Definitely worth a visit! read more

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Cowbell Cheese has the ambience of a European specialty shop maybe, on a side street - under a bridge, near a bustling downtown, that demands attention. One must visit to to understand the depth of knowledge and passion and, sometimnes, love the mongers exemplify while obviously enjoying what they do. I'm sure that my wife would have stayed longer, shopped more aggresively, bought specialty jars and breads and butters but my daughter and I really came only for the cheese. Previously I have learned that one needs to come with a specific cheese mission because these peeps can, and will, do tastings that dazzle your buds into a dither. Our Monger was delighful and knowledgeable and open to explaining cheese backgrounds and made our visit special. Thank you to the young lady who helped us today. Ray and Kristy read more

Cowbell Cheese is a long-running concern providing Portland with cheese and fine food. They were in City Market on 21st for many years, and now they have a new home. I discovered them through the Pix-O-Matic. They are a supplier to Pix, which says something, and I discovered we have an old friend in common. They have the aforementioned wholesale business for restaurants and other shops; this is retail. You will find a rotating selection of rare cheeses, many imported, and a few from small American cheesemakers. Many can be found on their website, and you can preorder and pick up hygienically. You can also stop in with proper social distancing for an up-to-date list of cheeses, advice, and food knowledge. The same cheese will change over the year with seasons and aging. For instance, I learned that goat milk flavor peaks in the Spring. The cheese is laid down and cures from the rind in. The longer it cures, the more the cure consumes the center. So you have a different cheese at different times of the year. They even have an unusual cheese from an ancient breed of goat going back centuries. They have imported pasta, olive oil, olives, and more. Some cheeses they import are unique in Portland. They explained it is actually possible to rent condo space in an ocean-crossing refrigerated container! The cheese course didn't travel to America, but you can add it to your meal if you like, and this is a good place to start. Cowbell is one of the most unique, and knowledgable, cheese shops in Portland, with great prices and customer service. read more

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This shop tucked into the inner east side area in Portland is a delight. A wide range of wonderful cheeses, excellent local bakery items, and an array of high quality canned and bottled food items from around the world. I love coming here. read more

One of my favorite places to get some quality butter, cheese, and smoked meats. They have some of the hardest to find items and are the ones who help supply the town with some great tasting cheeses. I like this shop as it has a little bit of everything you need. They have this smoked ham that is literally one of the best things I've tried. read more

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Their cheeses are extraordinary! Pair that with service, and this is a shop not to miss. Super friendly staff always has samples, great information and suggestions and they are so nice and seem happy to be there! They also make a sandwich daily, one kind I think - featuring a charcuterie meat and cheese and they are simple and delicious. Great bread as well for the sandwiches. I treat myself to a small piece(s) on Thursdays or Fridays when I can swing by, for the weekend. Go! You won't be disappointed! read more

Literally the best hole in the wall shop in Portland ! The wait in line is worth it !!

Amazing hidden gem. I am reluctant to give a review because word will get out and my hidden gem will be known. Best cheese shop - ever! Side note - Feels like you're in Brooklyn. Pro-tip if this is your first time - be patient. This is a special place and soon it will be YOUR turn and you will understand what VIP treatment is. read more

Incredible selection of cheeses presented in an approachable way by people who are passionate about what they do . This place is a must visit for anyone who loves exploring cheese . read more

Great little cheese and specialty shop!! I always find something new and interesting for my kitchen adventures. The servers are very knowledgeable and helpful, and the tiny space is packed with wonderful food read more

Stumbled on this fabulous cheese shop and so glad I did! We had a gathering of quite a few people and we were looking to put together an elevated snacking board. When we told them what we were looking for, they gave us their suggestions and let us try samples to make sure we liked them. (We did... and bought 4 different types). They also have meats and fresh bread. (Not to mention jams, condiments, dried pastas and more!). My love affair with the New Seasons cheese department had ended in this day and I'll only go here from now on. read more

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Amazing cheese and top notch customer service !!' Can't wait to return. This is my second trip !

IAN was fantastic! Super knowledgeable and friendly. The cheese is phenomenal! I flew in from CA and would make this place my first visit when I come back read more

Seems like a lovely cheese shop if it is not busy and you don't have to wait in a que like we did. ( not opposed to waiting in a line) The cheese we purchased was very good indeed! They have all sorts of gourmand products in the area before the ordering counter. My issue is, there aren't cheeses on display as in most traditional cheese shops. One stands in line and orders from the counter as if ordering from a food truck or take out window and you don't even know the full cheese offerings, save for 4 picks of the week on a chalk board above the window, until you get to the counter where there is a hand written menu of cheeses off to the side with no prices. Having a line behind you waiting one feels pressured to make up your mind pronto and exit. No chance to really look over all the selections or to discuss what you might be interested in. It's like a fast food order window for fine cheeses. read more