A mild, holey cheese invented in a small Ohio factory went on to be named the best cheese in the entire country. That win came in 2019, at a national contest packed with serious competition. I love that a farm-country favorite took the top prize.
The surprises keep stacking up. One family shop has been making Swiss since 1928, through four generations. A city creamery makes its own wheels with milk from heritage breed cows, then sells them right next to cheeses from around the world.
Holiday hosting is coming fast, and a cheese board is the easiest way to look like a pro. A good shop can turn a plain cracker plate into the thing guests talk about on the drive home.
I’d love to explore Ohio’s local cheese shops, discover a few delicious new favorites, and put together a beautiful cheese board for the holiday table.
1. Black Radish Creamery
Most shops pick a lane, either making cheese or selling it, but this Columbus spot happily does both. It’s known as the only shop in the city that works as cheesemongers and cheesemakers at the same time.
That double job matters when you’re planning a party spread. You can stand at one counter and choose between cheeses made in-house and wedges sourced from around the globe.
The house cheeses start with milk from heritage breed cows at Stone Wall Dairy in Guernsey County. The creamery turns that milk into award-winning cow’s milk cheeses, made in small batches by hand.
You’ll find both fresh and cave-aged styles in the lineup. That gives you an easy way to build contrast on a board, pairing something soft and young with something firm and deep.
Here’s a fun twist for hosts who hate repeating themselves. The cheese case rotates with new selections every week, so a December trip may look different from a November one.
Everything at the counter is cut to order. Tell them how many guests are coming, and you can walk out with the right amount instead of a giant brick you’ll eat alone in January.
Don’t skip the shelf of fruit preserves either. They’re made specifically to go with cheese, which saves you from guessing which jam belongs next to which wedge.
A smart plan is to pick one house-made cheese, one global import, and one preserve. That simple trio looks thoughtful and tells a little story about Ohio milk meeting the wider cheese world.
Address: 59 Spruce St, Columbus, OH 43215
2. Guggisberg Cheese
Baby Swiss has a birthplace, and you can drive right up to it. The mild, buttery favorite was invented at the Guggisberg factory in Charm, deep in Amish Country.
Fame came much later on a national stage. In 2019, their Baby Swiss won the United States Grand Champion title at the U.S. Championship Cheese Contest, earning the label of best cheese in the country.
The trophy shelf didn’t stop there. The company has collected numerous Ohio Grand Champion Cheesemaker titles over the years.
Want something your guests probably haven’t tried? Look for Ziller, a sweet cross between premium Swiss and Baby Swiss that took first place at the 2025 United States Championship Cheese Contest.
The shop makes eight varieties of cheese, and most of them lean Swiss. That focus makes it easy to build a themed board around one style done several ways.
Kids and curious adults can peek into the cheesemaking viewing area. Watching the process beats any cooking show, and it gives you a great story to share while slicing at home.
Samples are available, so you don’t have to commit blind. Taste Baby Swiss next to Ziller and decide which one earns the center spot on your platter.
The shelves also hold local and European style meats plus cheese accessories. Grab a new knife or board while you’re there, because the old one with the chipped handle has served long enough.
Address: 5060 OH-557, Millersburg, OH 44654
3. Pearl Valley Cheese
Four generations, one goal, and nearly a century of Swiss cheese. The Ellis and Stadler families have kept this Coshocton County business going since 1928.
That kind of staying power deserves a spot on your holiday table. It also gives you a great conversation starter when someone asks where the cheese came from.
The shop turns out 14 varieties, so choosing might take a minute. Classic Swiss and Emmentaler lead the way, joined by marble, colby, cheddar, and several smoked cheeses.
Smoked options are a sneaky hosting trick. One smoky wedge adds a bold note to a board without needing fancy add-ons or extra prep.
Sampling happens right in the on-site retail store. You can taste a few before deciding which ones will feed your crowd.
Timing your trip can make it even better. Free factory tours take place on Wednesdays at 9:30 AM from March through December, while visitors can watch cheesemaking through the retail store windows on weekdays from 8 AM to noon.
Picture yourself explaining how Swiss gets made while guests nibble the finished product. Okay, that’s a little show-offy, but who cares during the holidays?
For an easy plan, grab a classic Swiss, a colby, and one smoked pick. That mix covers mild, creamy, and bold tastes, so picky relatives and adventurous friends both stay happy.
Rural Ohio roads around here make the drive part of the outing. Just leave room in the car for a cooler, because you’ll likely buy more than planned.
Address: 54760 Township Rd. 90, Fresno, OH 43824
4. Heini’s Cheese Chalet
Some families mark the holidays with lights, and others mark them with a cheese run to Holmes County. This chalet has been a stop for many families across generations.
The shop operates under the Bunker Hill Cheese name, and the cheese selection is wide. Bring a list, or at least a rough idea, before you start wandering.
Cheese is the star, but the supporting cast is strong. You’ll find meats, sweets, Amish country jams, and local honey on the shelves.
Honey and cheese might be the easiest pairing on earth. A drizzle over a mild wedge makes your board look like you planned it for weeks.
Home-smoked meats are another reason to linger. They slide right onto a platter next to sliced cheese and crackers with zero extra effort.
Hosting tip time. Pick one jam, one honey, and two or three cheeses, then add a smoked meat for a board that feels complete.
Sweets make great backup desserts, too. When the pie runs out early, nobody complains about a plate of treats from Amish Country.
Gift shopping is easier here than at the mall. A jar of jam with a wedge of cheese makes a tidy present for neighbors, teachers, or the host of another party.
A trip like this feels a bit like a family tradition in the making. Maybe this is the year yours starts.
Address: 6005 Co Rd 77, Millersburg, OH 44654
5. Marchant Manor Cheese
Curated is a fancy word, but it fits this Lee Road shop nicely. The team hand-selects artisanal cheeses from across Ohio and around the country.
The goal is a collection you won’t easily find elsewhere in the Cleveland area. That’s handy when you want your board to feel a step above the grocery store version.
Hand-picked cheese means someone tasted and chose it on purpose. For a host, that’s like having a friend who already did the hard homework.
Local cheese-enhancing items sit alongside the wedges. Think of them as the backup singers that make the main act sound even better.
A strong strategy here is to ask for help. Share your guest count and taste preferences, then let the selection guide your choices.
Mixing Ohio cheeses with ones from other states makes a fun theme. Label each wedge with its home state, and suddenly your party has a mini cheese road trip.
Cleveland Heights is easy to reach from much of the east side. That makes a quick stop simple when holiday errands are piling up.
Try to shop a day or two before your gathering. Many artisanal cheeses taste best after resting at room temperature for a bit before serving, so plan ahead.
You’ll leave with cheese that sparks questions from guests. And honestly, answering cheese questions is a pretty great way to spend a party.
Address: 2211 Lee Rd, Cleveland Heights, OH 44118
6. The Cheese House
Fudge and cheese under one roof sounds like a dream holiday shopping list. This Plain City shop has been a neighborhood staple for more than 30 years.
The focus is on foods that reflect a tradition of homemade goodness. That fits right in with the season of family recipes and crowded kitchens.
Artisan cheese anchors the shelves. Pair it with quality meats from the shop, and your appetizer table is mostly handled.
Then comes the handcrafted fudge. It works as a dessert tray, a hostess gift, or a secret snack you hide in the pantry.
Hosting guests with special diets can feel tricky. Here you’ll find gluten-free and sugar-free foods, which makes planning for everyone a lot less stressful.
Local jams and spices round things out. A spoonful of jam beside a sharp cheese adds sweet balance, and a new spice blend can upgrade your next dip.
Plain City sits northwest of Columbus, so it makes a manageable drive for central Ohio hosts. Turn it into a quick Saturday outing before the calendar fills up.
Need a simple game plan? Pick two cheeses, one meat, one jam, and a box of fudge, and your snack table is basically finished.
Three decades of serving neighbors says a lot about a shop. Holiday cheer feels easier when your shopping comes with that kind of hometown history.
Address: 17260 OH-42, Plain City, OH 43064
7. The Cheese and Charcuterie Shop
Shopping for cheese inside the West Side Market feels like a holiday outing all by itself. This stand has become a staple of the famous Cleveland market.
Look for stands H8 and H9 when you arrive. Grab a map in your head first, because the market offers plenty of tempting distractions.
Passion and expertise are the big selling points here. The staff is known for being knowledgeable, offering recommendations and pairing suggestions.
That guidance helps when you’re stuck between ten wedges. A few smart questions can save you from buying three cheeses that taste almost the same.
Short on time this season? The shop’s charcuterie boards are known for generous amounts of quality food without cheap fillers.
A ready-made board can be a lifesaver on a busy hosting day. You get the wow factor without the hour of slicing and arranging.
Prefer to build your own? Pick a few cheese items from the case, then ask for pairing ideas to tie them together.
Shopping at the market also lets you stock up on other party pieces nearby. Bread, produce, and snacks can all land in your bag during one Ohio trip.
Arrive with a plan and a sturdy tote. This is one errand that feels more like fun than a chore, and your guests will taste the difference.
Address: 1979 West 25th Street, Stand H8 H9, Cleveland, OH 44113
8. Urban Stead Cheese
Cheesemaking usually brings farm fields to mind, not city streets. Urban Stead flips that idea by making and selling cheese right in its Cincinnati shop.
The company describes itself as a community-focused urban cheese business. That spirit fits nicely with a season built around gathering people together.
Buying cheese where it’s made is a treat. You get a direct line between the people crafting it and the folks eating it.
For hosts, that’s also a fun story to tell. Saying your cheese came from a city creamery sounds a lot cooler than mentioning a supermarket aisle.
Think about how you’ll serve it. A city-made cheese can be the anchor of your board, surrounded by crackers, fruit, and a few simple extras.
Ask about what’s available when you visit. House-made offerings can change, and the folks behind the counter know their cheeses best.
Cincinnati hosts don’t need to drive hours into farm country for local cheese. This shop brings that experience closer to home.
Here’s a clever party move. Set out a small card naming the shop beside the cheese, so curious guests know where to go next.
Supporting a local maker during the holidays feels good, too. Your board gets tastier, and a community business gets a boost at the same time.
Plan a stop early in the season before calendars get packed. You’ll thank yourself when the doorbell starts ringing.
Address: 3036 Woodburn Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45206
9. Shisler’s Cheese House
Trail Bologna and a wall of cheese make a pretty convincing argument for a road trip. This Orrville shop carries both, plus plenty of candy to tempt you at checkout.
The cheese collection is wide, which helps when guests have very different tastes. Mild lovers and bold fans can both find something here.
Gift boxes are a big reason to stop before the holidays. They take the guesswork out of shopping for coworkers, neighbors, or that uncle who’s impossible to buy for.
Picking up a few at once can knock out half your list. Keep one extra in the car for surprise invitations.
Trail Bologna deserves its own spot on your board. Slice it thin and set it beside a couple of cheeses for a hearty, no-fuss snack plate.
Candy works as a sweet finish. A small bowl of treats next to the cheese tray keeps kids busy and adults smiling.
Here’s a smart layout trick for hosts. Put cheese and bologna at one end of the table and sweets at the other, so guests spread out instead of crowding one spot.
Orrville sits in Wayne County, a short drive from plenty of other Ohio food stops. Turn the trip into a mini tour if you’ve got a free afternoon.
Leave with a full bag and a lighter to-do list. That’s a holiday win in anyone’s book.
Address: 5520 Kidron Rd, Orrville, OH 44667
10. Broad Run Cheesehouse
Summer sausage in December just makes sense when it’s tucked beside a wedge of good cheese. This Dover cheesehouse builds gift boxes around that classic combo.
Quality cheeses and local foods fill the shop. That mix makes it easy to gather a party spread and a few gifts in one stop.
The gift boxes pair cheeses with meats like bologna and summer sausage. They’re ready to hand over, which is perfect for last-minute exchanges.
Think beyond gifting, too. One of those boxes can double as an instant appetizer when friends drop by without warning.
Local foods add a hometown touch to your table. Ask what’s on hand and build around a few items that catch your eye.
A simple board formula works well here. Choose two cheeses, add a sliced sausage, and finish with crackers and something from the local shelf.
Dover sits in Tuscarawas County near plenty of country back roads. A drive out here can feel like a break from the holiday rush.
Shopping early means better choices and fewer stressful errands later. Your future self, frantically cleaning the guest bathroom, will be grateful.
Store your cheese wrapped and chilled until party day. Pull it out about an hour before guests arrive so the flavors wake up.
Wrap up your Ohio cheese adventure here, and you’ll head home ready to host. Just maybe save one slice for yourself.
Address: 6011 Old Route 39 NW, Dover, OH 44622
Share this story
