Best Mac n Cheese, Grilled Cheese, Cheese Wheels and Wedges in the Bay Area

Wondering where to get your cheese fix in San Francisco? It’s not hard. Not to be cheesy, but... just kidding. No cheese puns here – just straight-up delicious restaurants in the Bay Area that know how to do cheese right. I’m talking mac n cheese, grilled cheese, and the simple (yet effective) Bay Area-made cheese wheels and wedges to bring on your next picnic. Now let's get that cheddar!

Best Cheese in San Francisco 

The Melt

(SoMa // Embarcadero)

That’s what cheese is supposed to do, right? Melt in your mouth. And if you’re looking for a place that truly serves all things melted, you’ve come to the right spot. From a variety of MeltBurgers to subtle twists on timeless grilled cheese classics, The Melt has every base covered when it comes to all of your dairy cravings. And be sure to order a side of Cheddar Bacon Ranch fries with all that!

The American Grilled Cheese Kitchen

(1 S. Park St. // SoMa)

This grilled cheese spot brings gourmet ingredients to the classic sandwich, and the world is better off for it. If you’ve never tried a grilled cheese with a caramelized apple spread or a lavender-basil pesto, it’s time to rise for your taste buds to rise to their cheesy potential. Grab a bowl of smoky tomato soup for an even richer experience.

La Fromagerie

(Dogpatch // FiDi)

There’s no party like a raclette party! Celebrate with this French twist on fondue, which also comes with 3 meats and a side of wine. Whether you’re looking for cow milk, sheep milk, or goat milk cheese, La Fromagerie will likely have something to satisfy your cheesy cravings.

The Cheese School of San Francisco

(900 North Point St., Suite #K201 // Marina)

Perhaps you’re a cheese enthusiast, but have you ever been educated in cheese? Welcome to The Cheese School! While there are no in-person classes available at the moment, school is still in session online. You can virtually dip your toe into the cheese world with Cheese 101, or take the more advanced Fondue-Making course. Once class is out, you can study up by subscribing to the monthly cheese club or ordering a cheese-wheel cake.

MAC’D

(2127 Polk St. // Russian Hill)

Have you ever wanted to build your own mac and cheese? I mean, who hasn’t? Well, at MAC’D, the mac and cheese plays by your rules. You can mix in bacon, crab, peas, and a plethora of other ingredients. And to top it all off, you can add Hot Cheetos on top--for free! For those avoiding the lactose, you can try the restaurant’s vegan mac, made with a creamy vegan gouda sauce. 

Cheese Plus

(2001 Polk St. // Russian Hill)

Cheese Plus is a San Francisco business all the way. In fact, many of the sandwiches here are named for locations within the city. You can order everything from the North Beach, stocked high with Italian meats to the Monterey Bay, which features a fishier flavor. And any of the available gift baskets is a must-have for the ultimate cheese-lover.

Daily Driver

(Dogpatch // Embarcadero)

What goes better with bagels than a cheese spread? Daily Driver not only makes its own bagels. There’s also a creamery on-site to make cream cheese, as well as fresh quark and the House “Jackie” cheese, made from aged buttermilk. With tons of cheesy options, your bagels will never have to feel underdressed.

Best Cheese in the East Bay

The Cook and Her Farmer

(510 9th St. // Oakland)

This adorable shop in Old Oakland has everything you could want from oysters to housemade jam to natural wine. But my main reason to stop by here, of course, is the cheese stuff. They offer some of Cowgirl Creamery's triple cream Mt. Tam cheese, as well as a selection of cheese-ful foods, like lasagna, grilled cheese (my fave), shrimp melts, and more. 

The GrilledCheezGuy

(Berkeley // Oakland)

Founded in Oakland in 2009, this pop-up sandwich shop has become a Bay Area classic. With an eccentric menu (each item is accompanied by an amusingly surreal cartoon on the website), this spot always uses local farmers and cheese-makers to create its award-winning grilled cheese sandwiches. And I want a bite!

Homeroom

(400 40th St. // Oakland)

Mac on mac on mac. And pretty luxurious mac at that. I’m talking spinach dip mac, pizza mac, elote mac, goat cheese mac... the list goes on. You can even DIY your own mac and cheese concoction. Does it get much better than that?

Cheese n’ Stuff

(2442 Durant Ave. // Berkeley)

You like cheese? You like sandwiches? You like all things simple, delicious, and affordable? Well, you've come to the right place. Cheese n' Stuff's site proclaims that their "fresh meats and cheeses rarely disappoint even the pickiest customer. No one in the community can protest our great prices." They're not wrong. Go treat yourself to their special platter of imported cheeses.

Belfiore Cheese

(2031 Second St. A // Berkeley)

Belfiore's decadent selection of au natural cheeses are 100% free of additives + preservatives, making for deliciously organic cheese products that have been in the game for over 30 years. Grab yourself some fresh mozzarella or burrata and go to town.

Best Cheese in the North Bay

Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co.

(14700 Shoreline Hwy // Point Reyes Station)

Original blue, toma, gouda, white cheddar, and oh so many more to drool over. Not only does this shop have a glorious selection of cheese, but the grounds are truly worth the visit alone. Once the pandemic ends, best believe you can catch us here for a cheese tasting party. 

The Girl & The Fig

(110 West Spain St. // Sonoma)

"Cheese please!" is the move when you visit The Girl & The Fig. Order The Works (for 2) or The Fromage Tower (for 4), both with a selection of cheeses, cured meats, seasonal fruit, spiced nuts, fig cake, and baguette. They also have a killer grilled cheese. Just sayin'.

Cowgirl Creamery

(80 4th St. // Point Reyes Station)

Do I really need to explain myself here? Cowgirl Creamery is a well-known gem in the Bay Area, and for good reason. They have everything from triple creams to Humboldt Fog goat to Parmigiano Reggiano and I am living for it.

Valley Ford Cheese & Creamery

(14390 Valley Ford Rd. // Valley Ford)

This North Bay cheese shop is family-owned and operated by a mother and son who are the 4th and 5th generations of workers in the dairy industry. Their Highway 1 store serves fresh coffee and danishes every morning, as well as their locally-renowned cheeses.

Best Cheese in South Bay & Peninsula

Uncle Tetsu Japanese Cheesecake

(72 Hillsdale Mall // San Mateo)

Japanese Cheesecake is one of those things that not many have tried, but will definitely change your life once you do. Uncle Tetsu's cheesecake is light, fluffy, rich, and melt-in-your-mouth good. With incredible recipes from the original to ube, matcha, or oreo, you'll have to stop yourself from coming back daily. 

20twenty Cheese Bar

(1389 Lincoln Ave. // San Jose)

20Twenty is not named after the infamous year we just had, but rather the 20 beers + 20 wines they have on draft that will pair perfectly with your cheese + charcuterie plate.

The Greedy Ant

(932 Ralston Ave // Belmont)

A classic deli/cheese shop, The Greedy Ant is the perfect stop for your day out. I recommend grabbing the Twin Pines Park Basket (a daily gourmet cheese wedge, a half baguette, and 2 side salads) and taking it to the park for a picnic with your S.O., homie, or just solo. No judgment here.

Don Francisco Cheese

(176 Barnard Ave. // San Jose)

With Old world recipes and traditional techniques, the cheese from Don Francisco is authentic and decadent, just like the owners' grandparents used to make it. Go for their queso Cubeta, panela, or queso fresco, and you won't be disappointed.  

Find Yourself in SF?

If cheese is first on your weekend or vacation to-do list, I don’t blame you! The San Francisco restaurant game is hard to beat! It’s one of the reasons I love living here so much. If you happen to visit any of these restaurants, tag me in a photo on Instagram and let me know what you ordered!

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