Where to find the tastiest cheeses in Cape Town

There's so much more to South African cheese than a choice between Gouda or Cheddar, and to French cheese than Brie or Camembert. If you want to expand your cheese horizons and indulge your palate, visit one of these specialist cheese shops in Cape Town, and discover the huge range of artisan varieties now available.

THE REAL CHEESE

For the last 15 years, chefs and savvy gourmets have been visiting The Real Cheese in Observatory for the best artisan cheeses in South Africa. “We look for natural cheeses made as simply as possible without preservatives,” says owner Valerie Elder, “and we choose them with a chef’s palate in mind.”

With 150 cheeses from 40 carefully chosen farms, it’s hard to know where to start, and customers are encouraged to talk through preferences and taste before they buy. If you’re looking for alternatives to cow’s milk, try their range of goat- and sheep’s-milk products, including some exciting new cheeses, fabulous yoghurts, fresh milk and even butter.

Call 021-448-8041.

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LA CRÉMERIE / THE FRENCH MARKET

For a genuine taste of France, head to the Gardens Centre, where La Crémerie/The French Market specialises in authentic, regional French cheeses imported weekly. Names such as Brie de Meaux, Camembert de Normandie, Comté du Jura, Cantal d’Auvergne, Époisses de Chalancey, Reblochon de Savoie, Roquefort and Delice triple crème are guaranteed to bring out the cosmopolitan cheese gourmet in you.

The heady aromas transport you in an instant to the heart of France, as you talk recipes with owner Suzanne Himely. Fresh patés, wild boar terrine and Delifrance frozen baguettes add to the makings of a perfect French feast.

Call 083-300-6725.

CULTURE CLUB CHEESE

New on Bree Street, Culture Club Cheese offers more than 100 varieties of handmade cheeses, mostly from South Africa. Cheese maker Luke Williams has selected the supplier farms carefully. “It is extremely important that the cheese makers have a similar philosophy to ours, which means caring about animal husbandry, to cheese making, ingredients and maturation of the cheeses.”

Cheese chat is encouraged, so you can learn the whole story behind each variety. Luke and partner Jessica Merton make their own fermented foods such as kombucha, kimchi, sauerkraut and kefir, and offer an enticing cheese-focused café menu too.

Call 021-422-3515.

This article was originally published in Sunday Times Neighbourhood: Property & lifestyle guides. Visit yourneighbourhood.co.za, like YourNeighbourhoodZA on Facebook and follow YourHoodZA on Twitter.