earlier this year, my friend and i were craving a delicious, homemade grilled cheese. we had been looking for a reason to stop by formaggio kitchen, and this prompted the perfect reason to visit the place. when we got to this place, we immediately fell in love. it has three distinct areas...its almost as if three stores merged to create one, amazing grocery. one of the areas has cheese and meats, one area has sweets and jams, and the other area has fruit, vegetables, breads, and flowers. seriously, this place is amazing. anyway, back to the story...so we were hanging out by the cheeses and couldnt decide on the perfect pair to make our grilled cheese. a very friendly young lady came out from behind the counter to talk with us about what we were looking for in 'the perfect melting cheese,' and she helped guide us to the perfect combination! we moved on to the bread section and bought a delicious wood-fired bread. later that night, we enjoyed our grilled cheese and certainly were not disappointed! i cant wait to return to this place to try some of their other delicious cheeses and venture into other areas of the store! read more

Formaggio is what your local grocer should be. They have a huge selection of specialty meats and cheese. A moderate but carefully chosen selection of beer and wine. Plus tons of local produce, olive oil and many other sweets and goodies. read more

An absolutely wonderful foodie mecca! Great cheeses, meats, chocolate, fresh produce, beers, and so much more! Amazing staff too! Prices are a bit high but that's to be expected at a place like this. read more

Add my voice to the chorus..... this place is amazing. I attended a cheese class last November and had alot of fun. They offered a German beer and french/German cheese pairing class. Alot of the attendees were older (mid 40's to 60's caimbridgite foodies) and seemed a little nervous by my groups presence (3 of us age 26) but relaxed as soon they realized we weren't there to rob them or listen to loud hip hop music. I digress. The staff is very knowledgeable, obviously passionate about food and their classes are very informative. We sampled about 10 cheeses (most of which I had never heard of) and sampled 8 different wines and beers. The experience was well worth the price. Make sure to see the new cheese cave and if you don't live in Cambridge bring enough money to stock up on obscure but well priced beer and wine and some awesome food. Bring cash to pay for any tasting or pairing class and it is polite to tip whoever is leading the class. read more

12/30/07: What a treasure, had I know about this place when I lived here, I would have gone broke. Piles of cheeses, chocolates, coffees, assortment of breads (Iggy's french bread served here, we liked the sweetness of their bread) and vegetables. It was very crowded when we arrived (one hour before closing), parking on neighborhood streets. Like what others have said, the store is much bigger than you expect- read more

So let me tell you I worked here in the 90's. But this place is as good as gets. This is best Chese store in the state. But Chese is not only what they are good for. Food related and even flowers? Yes too! Ask an employee and you will get an answer! When I left this job I opened Number 9 Park. I asked if I could do the Chese board? The owner said of course. I said what's my budget? She said make it special and memorable! read more

I drove here from Northborough today to pick up a pint of Jeni's Ice Cream (a Columbus favorite that I discovered on a recent trip to OSU - come to find out they carry pints at Formaggio!). What I found, in addition to my ice cream, was a huge selection of everything from gourmet cheeses and chocolates, to wines and craft beers, fresh breads, produce, and sandwiches. This place is foodie heaven. I only wish I lived closer! read more

Excellent selection of cheeses, and really knowledgeable cheese mongers! They even have Carles roquefort -- no one has Carles roquefort.

Everything here is scrumptious. If I could afford to, I'd buy all my groceries here. Current favorite is the gingerbread muffin. Of course, they sometimes sell out before I make it in, and then I have to settle for a sourdough roll. Or a cookie. Or sixteen samples of cheese. Darn. read more

What's not to love about Formaggio? Cheese, cheese, salami, salami, fill up the case in the first room, the second room has chocolates and baked goods and the third room has fresh produce. All of this stuff is from all over the world, the finest stuff, and yes, it's a bit pricey, but when you want to find something unique, unusual and spoil your palate, this is your place....I mean, where else are you going to get raisins on the vine, sun dried in the Mojave desert? And roasted chili flavored Fava beans? Give this excellent grocery store some dough...hob knob or at least bump elbows with the Julia Childs' wannabes and the uptight Cambridge ladies...and well, grin and ignore them and enjoy the culinary delights! read more

Over the top! Delicious, fresh produce. Beautiful cheese selection and other specialty items.

Wow. If I had all the money in the world, I would spend much of it on various cheese, bread, and chocolate products at Formaggio in Huron Village. And if I had all the time in the world, I would probably spend it looking through the seemingly endless goodies that this upscale market offers. Folks who live in this part of Cambridge have it made, as they can walk down the street to this spot to stock up on supplies anytime they want. Yes, it's expensive, but in this case, you definitely get what you pay for, and in the case of Formaggio, you are getting nothing but the best. read more

Went there for the first time this past Saturday for the sidewalk bbq. It was HEAVEN! BBQ starts at 11am and goes to 2pm or earlier if the food runs out. We waited about 35 minutes, but time flew by as it was a gorgeous day and there were things to keep as busy like trying some cheese samples from inside and sampling some adult beverages provided by a saleswoman outside the store. Everything looedk and smelled amazing but we decided to start small. Well not really, we went with the brisket sandwich, half rack, half chicken, apple raisin slaw and the corn bread. Total for all was $27, so totally reasonable. The chefs preparing the food and manning the grill were super nice and talkative and asked us for extra sauce, slaw, on top of everything! Seating is limited...but who needs it? We saddled up on the curb by our car (not the best options for eating bbq, but it worked well!) They pack all of your food in nice containers to keep everything as neat as possible. All of the food was excellent! The ribs were tender and juicy with the meat falling of the bone. The chicken was incredibly juicy and dressed with a delicious spice. Extra sauce on both of these was a nice addition. The brisket sandwich on chibatta bread was definitely one of the best briskets I've tasted. Fixed with grilled onions and sauce, the brisket had a lovely taste. The chibatta is an excellent choice as it keeps the sandwich together beautifully right through the final bite. The Apple Raisin Slaw was amazing, especially on top of the rack of ribs mixed in the sauce. The cornbread was good, it's unfortunate that they can't keep the cornbread real warm (bc they're outside) but besides its temperature, the overall taste is still fantastic. The sidewalk bbq at Formaggio's Kitchen was the best bbq I've had in Boston. Go there and eat the day away! read more

The best selection of cheeses in the Boston area bar none. They also have a good selection of hard-to-find items, like hazelnut oil or duck fat, which makes it very easy to spend way too much money. read more

A wonderful gourmet shop with a wide range of items - cheeses, coldcut meats, jams, etc. - and next door to a great fish market, The Fishmonger! read more

Not enough stars for this one, THE BEST specialty grocer in Cambridge (and beyond). It'll cost you though, because they only select the best products. Wonderful selection of cheeses, meats, Italian pastas and sauces, luxury chocolates from around the world, luscious small batch jams... you get the idea. They also have some delicious prepared foods and a tasty bakery. And amazingly they fly in Poilane bread once a week! Whoa. Now that;s a serious local grocer with global flavor. read more

I may be jumping the gun here a bit as I just made my first visit to Fromaggio Kitchen. It seems delightful. Its full of delicious cheese, sweets, jams, honeys, breads, produce, and wine and I'd like to try them all. The prices are not exactly low, so it won't be my regular, run-out-to-grab-a-couple-of-things spot, but I'd definitely come in here to splurge. I suspect lunch time is not the right time to visit as its rather cramped in here due to all the deliciousness they stock. Oh, and they have samples. Have I mentioned before how much I love samples? read more

When I got in here on a Saturday afternoon, I immediately wanted to leave. Small, crowded, and high prices - like those Manhattan food shops that my brother drags me to. But then I saw that they have the widest selection of hard cider I have seen around Boston and not one, but THREE varieties of russet apples. Ashmead's Kernal and Roxbury Russets and something else I forgot. So I won't go back because I want to. I'll go back because they stock stuff I like that I can't get anywhere else. Great place to get your apple geek on. read more

Oh mah lawd, how I didn't get here before in the 15 yrs I have lived in Boston is beyond me. I will never buy cheese from anywhere else again (wholefoods PALES in comparison). Not only delicous (and they will let you taste ANYthing) but it's like walking into those time-old specialty shops of Europe. A true experience. They also sell wine, charcuterie, and a handful of gourmet spreads, oils, etc. Plus it connects directly to a fresh bread/veggie/fruit shop next door. Mmmm-mmmm good! read more

While Formaggio Kitchen does not have "BBQ" in their name, they actually have the best BBQ in town! Awesome all-natural hotdogs, pulled pork, briskets... when it opens up again *this Saturday* (hint hint), I'll be there! read more

I love FK - love the atmosphere of the store, love the selection of cheeses, wines, produce, specialty items, etc., love the people who work there. Can't think of one critical thing to write, except that the prices are a BIT inflated, though given FK's very unique niche, high standards, and lack of competition even that one fault is understandable. read more

SO. GOOD. Yes, it's super busy on the weekends, but the staff are helpful, friendly, and knowledgeable. For example, yesterday we needed recommendations for some cheeses to serve at a party, and they steered us in exactly the right direction - the cheeses were a hit, as were the breads they recommended to accompany. We even got to sample the cheeses before choosing them (really good, because many of them are quite expensive). The only reason I'm not giving it five stars is that on the weekend, it's hard to even walk through the place and there can be a bit of a wait to be helped - but all in all, it's well worth the time. Definitely going back! read more

Great selection of hard to find cheeses, but the real value is in the enthusiastic and knowledgeable staff. If you want the perfect cheeses to compliment your meal THEY KNOW. Shelves stacked with mostly ridiculously expensive items you can live without, but once in while have to have. Pre-made sandwiches are good if your pressed for time, but get there early because they run low quickly. Negs: coffee is not very good, baked goods are middle of road, and parking is horrible. read more

Great cheese and olive oil selections. I love the family vineyard called Capezzana and this store carries the olive oil but not the wine. They do carry some Carmingnano wines but they are very pricey: not an everyday dinner wine but for special occasions. They have many great Italian products that I can't find other places. Their Charcuterie is fantastic as well. I highly recommend the store. read more

Formaggio is one of my favorite stores anywhere, ever. I've been going there for decades and the quality has never wavered. Some highlights are their exquisite breads, exotic selection of beautiful flowers, huge variety of cheeses and charcuterie, homemade pasta. If you are looking for something exotic or of a high quality, you have come to the right place. To top it off, staff there is very friendly and extremely knowledgeable. I highly recommend this place to any foodie. It's the best!! Unfortunately, after moving away to Sacramento, California, I haven't found any equivalent So, to those of you lucky enough to be near Formaggio's, I say, "Count your blessings, you are very fortunate!" read more

My husband signed us up for the class on French cheeses and wines. The class was great. We sampled 8 cheeses and 8 wines. We both loved 6 of the 8 cheeses. The only down side to the class is that it is standing room only, and the do pack about 30 people into the small shop. Although, with all the wine you don't so much care! At the end of the class they open the shop to the students with a 10% discount. The will also allow you to tour the wine caves. I found the teachers (cheesmongers!) very enthusiastic about their work. The store claims to have ~200 cheese on hand on any given day. These are high quality cheeses for the true cheese lover. You won't find Stop and Shop cheddar here! The store also has a great selection of international specialty foods and small production jams from Cape Cod. I would return here any day. Parking did not seem to be a problem (Cambridge shop), although we were there on a Sunday evening. read more

can't give you the fifth star because i can't afford it, saturday bbq... i guess its a secret thats not so secret, since there is a line around the block, but if you haven't tried it.... do it. pulled pork sandwiches, trust me. read more

I so enjoyed our jaunt to Formaggio Kitchen this weekend. The staff was so helpful and we were both so pleased with our purchases. We had no idea what we were doing/purchasing and they made awesome suggestions and helped us create a memorable night of meats, cheeses, and crackers that I hope we'll repeat often and soon! read more

If you love cheese and artisinal food, be prepared to spend a fortune at Formaggio. My only gripes about the location on Huron Avenue in Cambridge is that it's very small, making it difficult to maneuver, and expensive. But when you want top-notch quality, it's impossible to beat. Formaggio's specialty is cheese - lots and lots of cheese - but don't overlook their housemade meats, local produce, and other specialty items. Enough meat, cheese, crackers, and produce to make a good charcuterie platter for four will run you about $50, but for a special night it's worth it. Coming from California, I was used to my staples in San Francisco - Cowgirl Creamery for cheese, Boccalone for meat, and ACME for Bread. New to Cambridge, I immediately set out to find my "replacement" markets, and fortunately came across a review for Formaggio in Boston Magazine. I could spend paychecks and days looking at each item in the store, and wish I had both! I will definitely be back. read more

A neighborhood gem! Amazing cheese selection, fine wines and lovely staff. It's the perfect place for hostess gifts.

expensive but worth it. I would rather pay a little more and have the option of being able to get really interesting food

I Love this place, one of my favorites since returning to Boston from college. Must try the tellegio wth some roasted tomatoes, wish i could afford more cheese! read more

Everything is so good in this shop I always spend more than I should. The people that work there are well trined and they let you try samples of cheese. Great selection of all sort of cheeses, lots of great chefs shop there. read more

Wow....this place is true gourmet! I get so excited every time a get a chance to get away and visit this taste of Italy. You can not go wrong with any purchase here. Some of the imported items are a bit pricey but well worth the cost when you taste them. This is a cheese lovers dream come true! read more

The best type of day to visit FK is when it is pouring rain and you will have the cheese counter all to your self! Otherwise this small specialty food store is crammed with foodies eager to sample from the well stocked cheese area. An amazing selection of cheeses with well informed staff who will help guide you to the cheese that you desire. They also have fabulous baked goods, a nice selection of fancy candies, and chocolates (Burdick, for example), wine, olives, and an area devoted to local veggies. And, a whole lot more of vinegars, crackers, cured meats. Although we love this place, you can drop some serious money on the goodies here...good thing I don't live nearby! read more

Exceptional. I will return with a detailed review later but I wanted to give them a "thumbs up" in the meantime. Give it a try!

Good selection of cheeses, but do not come with kids: no friendly smiles let alone a word of welcome. Ok, it is small and packed, but still... too uptight for the little ones? And yes, do check your bill before you leave. It has happened to us twice that cheese had a wrong label. read more

Being that cheese, specifically French stinky, oozy cheese is my favorite, I can't not give Formaggio 5 stars. Their vast array of local and imported cheese is truly amazing!! Not to mention the saucison sec that hangs from the ceiling remind me that I need to return to Paris. Albeit an expensive gourmet store, it is fun to take a trip to Cambridge and explore their many varieties of decadent foods. Today however, we went for something else. Saturdays in the summer and fall Formaggio Cambridge does a sidewalk BBQ. There are only two small tables and a very big line, so due to this we took our food to go and had our meal in the park. We ordered the pulled pork and pulled lamb, along with potato salad and beans. They gave big portions, one should share the sides. I liked the pulled pork but I loved the pulled lamb. We also indulged in a salty chocolate chip cookie for dessert. It was difficult to resist the chocolates, macarons, and many assortments of fresh made pastries. If you appreciate good food, go to Formaggio, you will not be disappointed. read more

Wow. Walking into Formaggio's feels like a visit to heaven. And by visiting heaven, I mean stuffing your belly with endless cheese samples, then buying obscene amounts of beautiful cheeses, perfect olives, hot salami (yes, I wrote that), fresh bread from various local bakeries, mundane and exotic organic fruits and veggies, Lakota bakery cookies, and exquisitely vibrant flowers from Hallie's Garden to bring even more pleasure to yourself and to lucky friends. The staff is always super patient, helping me find just the right delicacies to bring to a party or picnic. read more

we stopped in here at the height of our withdrawal from a trip to paris the week earlier. we'd been craving good cheese, and whole foods wasn't cutting it. the brie, goat, and comte imports were all impressive. when we were inside, the bf read an article on the wall that said the french embassy gave the owner a medal for being such a great cultural ambassador. seriously, well deserved! read more