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Global Cheese
Category: Food Specialty Food Cheese Shops Cheese Shops [Edit]
76 Kensington AveToronto, ON M5T 2K1
Neighbourhood: Kensington Market
(416) 593-9251
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
25 reviews for Global Cheese
Review Highlights
"Friendly staff that know their sh."
(in 3 reviews)
"You get to try everything before you buy."
(in 3 reviews)
"But they have an old cheddar that is great."
(in 3 reviews)
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25 reviews in English
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Review from Blair M.
2/4/2012 1 Check-in Here
When it comes to cheese in Toronto no matter where you live in the city this place is where you should be coming to get your cheese. Global cheese has been a huge part of the Kensington market for decades most of the guys working there have been serving up the best cheeses from around the world longer then I've been alive and because of that, they know their cheese and really take pride in the product they sell. Just walking through those doors and smelling that wonderful stink is enough to make me feel like heaven.
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Review from Brandon D.
Toronto, ON
11/21/2011
I've been here looking for a nice slab of parmasen cheese and was given a great piece for a reasonable price (6 dollars)
The last time I went I was looking for a nice amount of cheese to use for a taco mix. I noticed they had a special pre graded blend of cheeses specially labeled "taco mix". When I brought it home, the mix tasted really awful. I like to think I have a good idea on what good cheese taste like, and stuff that has gone bad, but this stuff was really out the window.
Attempting to go back for a 3rd time soon, hoping to have a better experience. -
Review from Melinda M.
Toronto, ON
11/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
I've never met a cheese I didn't like, and I like Global Cheese better than most.
Top things to know about Global Cheese:
Go early on the weekends, because it gets crowded!
Lots of samples! They'll let you try before you buy. Yum.
You can get all the same stuff from the counter on the left, but people rarely go there because it's off to the side.
They have some good deals on cheese. Pay attention to the specials posted on the board.
I hope you're not lactose intolerant -
Review from Eric L.
8/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
Huge selection of cheeses. I'm not a huge Cheese fan, nor did I buy anything when my friend went in to pick something up. However I could tell this is a quality type of store.
It has such a great smell to the place. Years of different cheese smells soaked into the wall, might at first gross you out, but then you realize the richness to it.
When I need some specialty cheese, I will think of this shop. -
Review from Weez G.
Toronto, ON
2/12/2012
If you want to get a large quantity of cheese at a value-price than this place is always a good bet. I know of several restaurants that use this place as the main supplier. There is a good selection of standard "deli" type cheeses as well as plenty more upscale varieties and the staff are efficient and polite.
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Review from Kat T.
7/20/2011
If given the option of Chocolate or Cheese, I will always choose the Cheese. I'm addicted to the chevre, sheep cheese, cheddars and all the rest. However, when asking for suggestions for specific dishes, I felt led astray by the Global Cheeseheads. The sale cheese was processed or just old, but I felt like it was suggested because they wanted to get rid of it.
I'm also surprised that a lot of what they carry is available individually wrapped at Longo's or Sobey's, but they just cut you off a chunk of generic cheddar.
More crackers and olives than most other cheese shops. -
Review from Janna S.
5/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
If I only make one stop in Kensington, it's at Global Cheese. Granted, the smell inside is strong enough to knock you out, but the cheese is made to please (sorry - I could not resist the pun).
I always get the spiced (cumin) Gouda but overall the prices here seem pretty fair. I love that the staff give you free samples without even asking; it's nice to try before you buy. I don't think I've ever seen this place without a lineup, but they know how to keep things moving. Bring cash! -
Review from Susan G.
6/13/2011
Being a cheese lover, I'm not sure why I haven't ventured into Global Cheese until recently, especially since I walk past it... probably every day.
I went in looking for a simple brie to go with my baguette from My Market Bakery next door. The service was very prompt, even though the store was busy (I've grown to expect this in Kensington Market shops on Sundays!). The brie was delicious, but more importantly to my starving-student self (ok, I'm not a student anymore, but still) - it was a really good price! I'm used to getting brie at a Loblaw's or some other grocery store, but the brie here was much cheaper, and more importantly, much tastier!!
I will definitely venture back soon to explore the extensive selection of havarti!Listed in: Gems of Kensington Market
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Review from Jennifer M.
Toronto, ON
12/26/2010
I am giving Global Cheese a full five stars because frankly I cannot see any improvements they could possibly make to make this a better place to buy cheese. A Couple we are friends with brings a wicked cheese platter to EVERY EVENT. Finally I demanded to know their secret and they told me.
You can vist Global Cheese with a price in mind, and they will help you craft a selection of cheeses for you within your budget.
Case Study, Christmas 2010. I visit Global Cheese which is BUSY in the afternoon before Christmas Eve. I tell the guy that I am going to a Christmas party and I want to bring four or so cheeses, I like bold flavours and I would love to bring my german Oma something she would recognize. I also mention that I want to spend $20. The cheese man, wielding a machete, visits the fridge, pulls out a selection and has me sample them all. DELIC!! "How about this artisanal Quebec Gem" DONT MIND IF I DO" "A Popular Roquefort? "BRING IT"
In the end, me (slightly fatter and much happier) end up with a nice chunk of stinky Danish Blue, an Artisanl Quebec Cheese, a Smoked German cheese and some fantastically super creamy brie. I approach the counter and she rings in all of the weights and prices. Including tax $19.90. With plastic bag $20 cash. He got it Bang on $20. I thanked the cheese (whisperer) and promised to be back. I stank the entire way home on the Queen car but it was worth it.
Seriously an entire platter of amazing cheese for $20? Leslieville heese Market charged me $12 last year for a "meh" slab of prepackaged Brie.
MUST TRY is the Truffle Brie. You can call ahead and they will craft an entire platter for you with crackers and the like. Amazing. Cash Only.Listed in: Best of the Best
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Review from Jennifer K.
Markham, ON
Been Chinese... A traditional Chinese that loves eating Asian food, I have been asked numerous time if I eat Cheese.. Yes I eat Cheese.. and kind of love eating Cheese especially if my Cheese is paired with wine tasting!
I have to agreed with Janna S about how great the staffs at Global Cheese are!! I were offered to taste Janna's fave Gouda without even asking.. the staff just overheard me asking how the cheese she got tasted like..and then a slice suddenly appeared in front of my face!
I definitely be back for more!! OK not just for the free tasting but to buy some and enjoy them with a glass of wine or 2!! -
Review from Jeff M.
North York, ON
10/7/2011
Global and the store next door (which is actually them as well) is a great spot for cheese. Lots a free tastes and a wide selection. great garlic cream cheese. Always a stop when in the market.
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Review from Heather M.
Updated - 12/29/2010
I just came here today trying to assemble a holiday cheese plate and the guy helping me was great - suggested a whole bunch of cheeses which were all super delicious. Friendly and quick service, and great knowledge of the product. They could probably upsell me anytime!
The only thing where I'd give it one more star is if they made the store more fun to shop in, add in a couple more things to touch and feel. This store is not easy to browse in.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/17/2010
Huge selection of cheese with very knowledgeable and helpful staff. Prices here are good too,… Read more »
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Review from M T.
Toronto, ON
8/6/2011
I was at Global Cheese today. I asked for 200 gramms of cheese. When I went to the cash register, I was surprised at the bill. I paid, but went back to check the price of the cheese. Turns out, the woman helping me thought that it was ok to give me 400 gramms of cheese instead. Her response was "I just gave you a bit more". It's my fault for not double checking before paying, but it also reflects poorly on the customer service in the place. Go next door to Mendels. Prices are cheaper, cheese is fresh, and the customer service can't be beat.
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Review from Cameron O.
Toronto, ON
11/2/2010 2 Check-ins Here
This place is great! They have all sorts of cheeses in an amazing variety from fresh, soft, hard, old, smelly, soaked in port, even a select few raw-milk cheeses too.
They have a small selection of canned goods including beans, tomatoes, bottles of olive oil, olives, antipasto, some frozen fish and an array of crackers.
The only possible strike against them is that they are CASH ONLY. I have found this very discouraging in my nearly cash-less existence (both paper and electronic of which I have none). But I suppose on the other hand it prevents me from dropping $300 on cheese in one spree. And I guess this saves my life because I don't go home right away and polish off all that cheese in one sitting.
Thanks to changes in Ontario health-code rubbish, they can no longer have stacks and stacks of cheese sitting on the counter. Before it was amusing watching short people try and communicate with the staff because the wall-o-cheese was very tall. This has vastly reduced the number of samples they offer because the cheese isn't sitting on display waiting to be taste-tested.
The staff do know their product well and if you fancy something for a special purpose or occasion or specific dish or wine combination, they generally can help guide you to a fantastic selection. -
Review from Leon C.
9/8/2009
Any mouse out there reading this review, there is a mouse God, and he resides within the walls of Global Cheese. There is so much cheese, so much variety, any cheese aficionado will start shivering with excitement the moment their nostrils flare with the pungent fragrance of cheddery goodness.
The shop is small and set up like a shotgun bar. The way the attendants are working through the mass of baying customers, you almost expect to see Tom Cruise catching a deck of Stilton behind his back. You may wait a while but once it is your turn boldly step up to the counter and let the fun begin. You get to try everything before you buy. I had no idea what I wanted and blurted out random words such as 'Uhhh... Smokey, erm...., uhhh... Spicy! Errrr... Ch... Chives! This game went on for around 3-4mins. I eventually settled on a Prima Donna and a creamy Gorgonzola.
The only draw back of Global cheese is that it isn't cheap, yet if they start selling Jager shots to go with the bubbling atmosphere and funky Kensington crowd, I may make it my regular.Listed in: Brit in Toronto
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Review from Richie S.
1/13/2010
I'm fat, therefore I love cheese.
This is the only place I can count on for my favourite(s) even when they don't, they have something like it.
Cheapest Brillat savarin I can find any where. Friendly staff that know their sh...cheese. I had a crush on the young lady that worked the register at the end of my travels, but now I'm married.
Tough luck, kiddo. -
Review from Todd V.
Toronto, ON
9/14/2008
If you're lactose intolerant, well firstly, you probably shouldn't read any further and should go about your regimen of poking around the internet looking for LI support groups, dairy-free-friendly restaurants, and blogs on recipes for pizza that don't taste that bad for being cheeseless. Secondly, it really sucks to be you since Global Cheese is a fantastic place to grab solidified milk that's been set aside for a while.
Tucked away in the Kensington Market, Global Cheese is a quintessential cheese shop. You get that feeling as soon as you step into the place. It literally reeks of cheese. No seriously it does. As strong and possibly offensive as this place may be to the senses olfactory, it's the hit I think you need to take to get to the bottom of some serious cheeses. The more sanitized, the less authentic, in my world, anyway. Sample all you like at Global Cheese. Find one of the many helpful counter staff and get them to slice you off a sliver of something you think might be tasty. I'd be surprised if it doesn't work for you. The range of cheeses they supply is superb so I suggest you heed the warning and don't go hungry, unless you want to go home with about 200 grams of everything that sounded even half-decent.
It's not just me that thinks this place is pretty cool. Every time I attempt to go in and grab a bit of fermented milk heaven, I am faced with a line that coils around the shop filled with people that are definitely not lactose-intolerant, or if they are, are willing to take the pain for the gain. -
Review from Connie T.
Toronto, ON
12/18/2008
Cheese freaks, make your coffin: this is where you come to die.
I feel like I'm on edge when I come into this place. The sheer amount of cheese, olives, dips, and fancy appetizer-y accoutrements makes my head spin. It also makes me want to throw a party.
The selection is overwhelming, so when the ever-present staff demands "Who's next?", I feel pressured to buy something I don't even want. (uh... uh... Mozzarella? Babaghanoush? Sure.) Alternatively, I just rush back to the olive counter where I can browse for saltiness in relative peace. -
Review from minke p.
Scarborough, ON
12/30/2010
Sign seen in a store:
Good, Fast, Cheap:
Pick any two.
Except that's not the case with Global Cheese. Super fast, super cheap, super good.
For those who say its pricey, ummmm... compared to what? I picked up a pound of full flavored Havarti with dill last night for 4 bucks. That's less than the blocks of extruded plastic when they're on sale at No Frills. Global had 5 inch wheels of Camembert this fall for $2.50. Granted, to get that price you had to buy two of them. That's how they GET you.
You do have to be ready to do business. I never find them rude, but if you're still deciding, they'll move on and get back to you. They don't give attitude if you don't buy something you've sampled. You walk in there behind 11 other customers, try five kinds of cheese, and you're still out in 7 minutes. And if you watch the scale you'll see they round down the prices as often as not. 27 bucks worth of cheese? lets call it 25. It's a shtick, I know, and I'm a total slut for it.
Get a container of grated Parmesan. And get a couple of containers of Boursin (garlic cream cheese. they used to have a sign "with GARLIC. Grows hair on your chest.") Name your fave cheeses and ask what's on sale: Sharp old white cheddar 5 bucks a pound. Zippy Swiss 6 bucks a pound.
Then walk ten paces north and get an $8 piece of kielbasa as long as your arm from European meats. Spread Boursin on Kielbasa. Fail in attempt to not eat entire kielbasa and 2 containers of Boursin in one go. -
Review from Sarah S.
9/15/2009
"The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese." J. Hammond
If you are a lover of lactose, Global Cheese is the place for you. As a cheese fiends paradise, the selection is endless, the samples are plentiful and the experience is always memorable.
I once walked in and described a non-refrigerated goat's cheese made by monks in Montserrat and sure enough, they had it. Don't get me wrong, the staff are not always all-smiles (but always efficient) nor is it a quick shop, Global will test your patience. How much do you really want that cheese fix will cross your mind more than once when waiting in, what looks like, a bar line on a Friday night.
The prices are moderately high but, if what your heart desires is something out-of-the-ordinary then this is the shop for you. -
Review from Erin H.
Toronto, ON
9/12/2008 1 photo
On a hot day if you walk past global cheese in all likelihood a waft of its pungent aroma will fill your suddenly overloaded and confused nostrils. If the bizarre, even grotesque, smell horrifies you then run away fast but, if the odor makes your body tingle with intrigue then enter and don't turn back.
Global Cheese is an old world cheese shop, run by virile Italian men who man their counters waiting for a pretty girl to taste from their seemingly infinite wares. The place is a cheese lover's heaven-- stocking cheese from Rotterdam to anywhere they damn well please.
The cheese shop owners take pride in their work. The last time I was there I brought a tear to one of the worker's eyes by identifying a processed taste in some smoked gouda. This place is amazing! -
Review from Max R.
Toronto, ON
11/24/2010
Fantastic selection and fantastic pricing. I agree with the poster who cautioned against taking what the sales people are trying to push. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't. I go in for an unpasteurized Stilton. I used to buy one at Alex Farm Cheese (one in St Lawrence Market and one on Bayview), but it is so much cheaper at Global.
When I'm in there to get that, I'll usually try one or two other cheeses. I am not a fan of their really old sharp cheddar. It's simply overpowering. But they have an old cheddar that is great. I last tried a cheese, whose name escapes me, that was an old white cheddar with caramelized onions and it was fantastic.
Go and explore. Ask the sales people for what you're looking for and taste away. When you find something you like, chop off a block. -
Review from Bijan V.
9/18/2008
Very friendly staff and very knowledgable about cheese. My roomate's a traditional Italian and we went on a cheese hunt and he just started splurting all this Italian mumbo-jumbo and the staff knew exactly what he was talking about (and no they were not Italian). All the cheese we got were tasty and reasonably priced. They have every kind of cheese you'll ever want, and many different kinds of it too!
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Review from Amanda L.
8/20/2008
Do you like cheese? Do you like cheese a lot? Then come on over to Global Cheese! Stacked to the CEILING are almost every type of cheese imaginable. The prices go from reasonable to insane. Joe and I tried ::Gasp:: unpasteurized goat cheese for the first time in our lives and oh my goodness gracious was it DE-licious! America doesn't know what it's missing man!! All the people working were willing to help at all times, and they even gave out free samples! W00T! I couldn't find any Portuguese cheeses though, hence why I've knocked down a star. But I would come back here in a heartbeat!
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Review from Mike S.
Toronto, ON
9/19/2008 1 photo
Cheese is one of those things that the older you get the more you appreciate it. You start out with Kraft slices and then you slowly move your way up the epicurean ladder with each level being greater than the last. I walked into Global Cheese with the intent to scope it out check the lay of the land and maybe get a little bit of something I had never heard of before. Within twenty seconds of entering the store I was being handed sample after sample of cheeses that I had never heard of, but were all delicious. The service (needless to say) is very good at this store. I got to try about four cheeses before I settled on my soft goat's milk cheese and was very happily surprised when I got half a wheel for $5.50. If you like cheese than Global Cheese is for you, it's not just the selection ,which is quite impressive but it's the fact that the staff know their cheese and are willing to share it with you. I know that I would have never gotten the cheese I did with out trying it first, but that little sample gave me the chance to make an educated choice. I highly recommend Global Cheese for everyone on their own epicurean journey because no matter where you are you will be more knowledgeable about cheese when you leave the shop.
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