After cleaning out my fridge this morning, from a 13.5 hour power outage, I needed to stock up on cheese. Since I was in Kensington I decided to check out this place. A pungent odor hits you in the face as you open the door. It is a narrow shop not well suited to those ignoring the limits on number of customers at a time. Service is friendly. They have a small but good selection. I grabbed gruyere, emmenthal, Bonne Maman strawberry jam, Italian prosciutto and oddly some of my favourite chocolate dipped Hobnob cookies. read more

Amazing! I got a really good onion and parsley cheese from here. In my week long stay I visited 3 times! I wish they stayed open later or else I would have visited more. Everyone who works there is friendly but I liked the lady. She was so sweet and genuinely seemed to care about my trip to Toronto. I love this shop! The smell is really cheesy so be prepared! read more

Cheese Magic - Front - Cheese Shops Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

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Sweet dreams are made of cheese.. Who am I to diss a brie? I cheddar the world and the feta cheese. Everybody's looking for Stilton. read more

When you walk into a cheese shop and it smells like a million cheeses you know you have hit pay dirt! Just take a deep breath and be prepared to be wowed by more cheeses then you ever thought was possible! One of my fave cheeses - Comte - is sold here. A bit pricey but oh so worth every single bite! The staff are all knowledgeable and friendly and you can taste to your heart's desire. It's a tiny space that can get packed, but be patient because it's worth it! read more

I want to buy this entire store. You can sample before you buy, so it's an awesome way to check out new cheese. They have a great selection of cheddars as well as a lot more local stuff for you to sample and maybe buy! They also have a selection of olives and other dried/preserved foods for a perfect cheese plate. It's tiny, which is so sad because I'm going to get so fat eating all of their cheese that I won't be able to fit into the store anymore. I honestly don't have much to say about this place except that I LOVE it and I am so happy it exists. read more

Cheese Magic has been open in the market for as long as I can remember. The space is tiny, and someone with a backpack will block the narrow aisle. Regardless, these people know their stuff. As you come in, check out the fantastic stuffed olives in the window. And the cheese selection is incredible with most of it easy to see and the staff eager to let you sample it. They are unpretentious and very efficient, unlike some larger stores where you can spend too much time browsing. In the back of the store they have a limited selection of cold cuts and some dairy products and eggs. The Bulgarian feta they sell works fantastic as a topper on barbecued burgers. read more

This place is my cheese mecca. They've got a great selection of cheeses, olives, and other spreads to accompany charcuterie boards big and small. Service here is always great, and the staff are always happy to make recommendations. They'll give you a sample to taste as well in case you're feeling a little adventurous. I find the prices here to be reasonable and they'll ask if you want cheese slices or a block. The space is very small though and can easily get crowded on the weekends. The counter is also super high up so you may not be able to see the staff person behind the cheese, but let's be honest, I come here to stare at the cheese. It's worth a try if you haven't been. read more

I absolutely adore cheese: sprinkled on top, chunks and wedges to taste, and definitely melted and gooey on top of Italian food. What would keep me away from this place is the smell: pungent indeed! But if I was in Kensington market, I would run in to grab a few slices, run out then skip on over to Golden Patty for some warm coco bread to go with my cheese YUM! read more

If you like cute boys behind the counter who'll give you a taste of some creamy white stuff, then come here. (Ugh, I think I just threw up a little in my mouth with that opening line.) Ask for a recommendation and the cheese guys are happy to oblige. On a recent trip I bought a delicious, nutty aged gouda and a ridiculously creamy cow's milk cheese called La Sauvagine (Voted Grand Champion at the 2006 Canadian Cheese Grand Prix) that practically runs out the door when it hits room temperature. Thanks to Kat F. for the tip on La Sauvagine but I almost couldn't ask for it by name because it sounds like "Wild Vagina" in French. The shelves are crammed with packages of dried pasta (including my fave brand Barilla), jars of pickley nibbles and random edibles packed in olive oil. My one gripe with the shop is that it's narrower than a TTC streetcar. You will always be in someone's way when they enter through the doors. Be prepared to shell out; good cheese is pricy. read more

As a massive cheese lover, I had to go in here! I like that you get to taste the cheese before you buy, and both cheeses I got were delicious. I would recommend tasting a few adventurous cheeses, like the apricot wensleydale, and then settling on some safer choices to actually buy. read more

Have you ever walked into a place and its been bitter sweet. Well for Cheese Magic, that would be the best way for me to describe it. Bitter - you walk in and the smell overwhelms you. It gets in your nose and you just can't shake it no matter how hard you try! Also its a bitter mood because the males that work there are so extremely good looking and yet you know you never have a chance with any of them! They're not interested... don't even try! Sweet- Because to try a new cheese that will change your life and you will never have a dinner party with out it, is so sweet. Not to mention that garlic stuffed olives as you walk in the door. (must have!). They have unlimited cheese options and will let you try every kind in the store if you want. This is another place in Kensington Market that is a part of my weekly routine.. Dare I say, I'm a regular? read more

I've long moved away from Toronto but I woke up this morning remember how crappy the service was here and vowed to write a review. I didn't really know anything about cheese but I wanted to get some for a nice picnic I was setting up for my boyfriend. Looked on yelp and it was between this place and global cheese. Honestly, I only chose this one because I was intrigued by the number of reviews that said that this shop was filled with good looking boys. Service was just HORRIBLE. I stood in the shop being ignored despite the fact that there were two guys behind the counter and only one other customer. Knowing nothing about cheese, and overall just intimidated by their attitudes, I was afraid to step up and say anything. So I kind of just stood there until finally, the owner or manager comes by and offers me some help. Walked out with a container of assorted cheese and a feeling of worthlessness. read more

The cheese boys are cute and the cheese boys are kind. Great little spot with friendly service, but could do a bit better with pricing and ageing in terms of some of the cheeses. Samples abound and full of other pairing items plus a few quirks like natural peanut butter. Very intimate (small) shop with lots of charm! read more

Ahh Cheese Magic...the Kensington shop in which people will gladly pay a premium to crowd in close with the pungent stinky cheeses wafting odors into their hair and clothes. But! The cute boys who work there, I mean, the delicious cheeses, they make it all worthwhile. The "cute boys at Cheese Magic" trope has played out over many city-focused message boards, and the truth is you do see a whole lot more female customers asking to be hand fed samples of gruyere than (straight) males. However, just because there's a good business model at work doesn't mean that the shop isn't a worthwhile trip for its goods as well. With a couple coolers of deli-type refrigerated items as well as some breads and gourmet non-perishables, the real emphasis of Cheese Magic is...wait for it: cheeses. The great thing is that the guys who work there (cute as they may be) really do know their stuff. If you like something but find it too mild, they are quick to slice up a sample taste of something more flavorful for you to try. Unless you're looking for a specific cheese for a recipe, your best bet at CM is to ask what's good, what's on sale, or what's recommended. It's a really wonderful way to open up your cheese world beyond the usual block of President's Choice brand cheddar cheese. read more

I gotta say I'm pretty happy with Cheese Magic. They have a great selection of goat and sheep cheeses (which I'm told also have lactose but for some reason don't affect me nearly as much as cow milk). The staff is super friendly, the owner incredibly gracious. I believe she also owns The Market Bakery next door. Cheese and Bread... can you really go wrong here? Also a hit are the various European spreads and pickles etc along the back of the store. Whatcha waitin' for? Go hungry :) read more

The absolutely fantastic cheese in this Kensington Market gem is only matched by the exceptional service. On my first visit to try the "must have" Applewood Smoked Cheddar I was offered up multiple slices of heaven by the generously endearing cheese-boys. Besides the Applewood the complexity of their Whisky cheese won me over. Cheese Magic even has the courage to stand on the merits of a simple 6 year-old aged Cheddar and come out victorious. read more

Great cheese shop in Kensington! Walked in with no cheese, walked out with 6 types and some pate! Service was quick but good. I'm on the short end of 5ft so it was a bit difficult to see them but we managed. Cheese options were great and they even have clotted cream for scones in the fridge section! read more

I only really buy two types of cheese (feta and mozzarella) but in the spring time, I can't help but make feta and watermelon salad all the time, so I frequented Cheese Magic a bit and discovered two things: 1. There is a cult of people who worship the Cheese Magic boys. 2. Hummus. Going back to the first point, I am too short to really see who is on the other side of the counter, but sure, the guys are nice. I don't understand how this appreciation came to be, but whatever. One time I saw a really funny missed connection that was comprised of cheese puns and thought it was brilliant. Anyway, the hummus is a special thing. The owner makes it herself but it is not sold every day, and in fact, she apparently only makes it on Tuesdays (I think). I was quite devastated to find this out because I had an out-of-town friend in tow for an impromptu picnic on the Island and the hummus was the secret ingredient to the most perfect afternoon. I'm also a fan of their sundried tomatoes, yum! read more

When I've got a hankering for some Dutch gouda or aged cheddar, this is the place I come to. The store has a pungent smell that can hit you like a brick wall, but it's a cheese shop so get over it. The display cases are well organized and everything is clearly labeled. They'll gladly slice up your order or give it to you in a big hunk. read more

Cheese Magic - Cheese Shops Near Me - Toronto, Ontario

I'm really not surprised that the abundance of cute male workers at Cheese Magic has been mentioned more than once. It's not a myth, they really do exist! And they're friendly and helpful and I really love Cheese Magic. They have a fairly wide selection and also a couple extras on the shelves like pasta, sauces and other treats! I seriously mean to try something different every time I go to Cheese Magic but I always end up with a big chunk of applewood smoked cheddar. It's seriously to die for. One star off because yes it can get very cramped if it's busy...but I still prefer it to the larger Global Cheeses. read more

This is the best cheese shop in Kensington. They are very helpful and knowledgeable. It's a small shop but they have a very good selection. I have been shopping here for 20 years and have never had a bad cheese unlike the other cheese shop in Kensington. They are scam artists, stay away. This place is the exact opposite of that place, very honest and kind. read more

I come for the smoked cheddar.....I linger to read the awful and brillant cheese jokes/puns on the walls. E.G. Let's get brie-tarded Quirky little cheese shop in Kensington which is manned by cute boys who know their cheeses. Need a cheese for pasta or casserole? They got you covered. Need some dried pasta or sauces? They are there as well. And I used to recall them having prepared pizza dough on hand too which was convenient. Cons are that their selection of canadian/regional cheeses is not as big as some other cheese stores in town and this place can be a pain to navigate when there's a crowd inside. read more

Great spot in Kensington to grab cheese & other stuff like sun-dried tomatoes in EVOO, pesto sauce, etc. The people who work there are always so friendly, knowledgeable, and genuinely proud of their products... they're always happy to help you find the perfect cheese. read more

Delicious cheese, A+ service. Some reviews here seem to be complaining about the prices, but frankly I thought it was quite reasonable, certainly not much more than you'd pay at one of the big grocery stores, and coming here is much more appealing in every single way. Try the guiness cheddar, it's amazing. read more

This place was pretty awesome, the people know lots about cheese and are really helpful. I walked into the cheese store and they were singing songs in meows, which was hilarious. The atmosphere was nice, and we bought a few cheese which we really liked when we took home. Otherwise, I would definitely recommend this as a good place to pick up cheese in the Kensington market. I really enjoyed shopping here, from the fun people who worked there, to the HUGE line of different cheese, to their willingness to let us try cheese to see what we liked, to their awesome suggestions. It was a great cheese experience. read more

Every cheese imaginable. What's better than cutting the cheese? Buying it here. What's funnier than cutting the cheese? The jokes on the wall behind the counters. Yes, the cheese is cheaper than at your local grocer...and you can sample ! read more

Fun place... ask for a free taste... avoid stilton... just kidding... sell the blue cheese as it's mouldy in a fish auction... One time I asked the counter staff for a fine eating cheese, I had a taste and it was excellent so I bought. Thanks guys Andrew (c) Copyright 2017. Andrew M. Walduck. Associated Press. All rights reserved. read more

I was picking up some meats and cheeses for my client. Really nice selection and the prices are very reasonable.

I find it interesting that not more people mention how cheap this store is. Maybe it's just the low-fat cheese though that I've been looking for at various grocery stores and have finally found here. Should anybody know of any other store that has cheese with max. 10% fat at even lower prices - by all means, drop me a message! Considering this, I don't really care about anything else in the first place but the guys there still always are very friendly and patient. And I love the metal or at least a bit rougher rock that they usually got playing. There are only two things that keeps me from giving this store a perfect score: 1. The stench. I usually like the smell of cheese but this thing is a wild beast born out of the smells of dozens of cheeses, kept in the small cage this store is. Would love to see (or smell...) some better ventilation in there. 2. Only debit and cash is accepted. I guess that's no big deal for most but as I currently can only pay with cash or credit and usually forget to get cash before I go there, this is really annoying. read more

I bought some wasabi cheddar (which was good) and a big chunk of German butter cheese last Sunday. The German cheese is covered in mold already! read more

Yay Cheese Magic!!! They kick Global Cheese (the rival around the corner's) ass, big time! No pressure, no upselling, no overcharging, no old cheese (all of which I've had at Global). Just great cheese, great prices, and friendly service from a bunch of cute guys. They'll let you try whatever you want but won't push anything on you. I LOVE how they clearly display the prices of all the cheeses so you don't have to constantly ask (this is a particular bugbear of mine). Plus they're small enough to be familiar with all their products. My kind of cheese shop. Long live Cheese Magic!!! read more

Got very fresh and sweet Mozzarina there. Don't care much about boys, but after reading reviews here I recall that the young man serving me cheese was indeed gorgeous, and most importantly, well mannered. I was actually surprised by the offers to try cheese and by generous amounts of the cuts. The store is amazingly cheap. They don't accept plastic, but who cares - I paid 18 bucks and took home lots of cheese. I normally leave around 30 bucks and up. One visit was enough - I am going to be a regular. read more

Cheese heaven! I wish I could open up a store like this in Honolulu! I'd probably be 500lbs then since I would eat all the products. Anyways, great selection and helpful staff. They really help hone in on what you want and of course you can sample! read more

oook. so about two weeks after we bought our last batch of awesome, tasty cheeses from here, three of them have spoiled in the fridge! two had hardly had any handling, so it wasn't from cross-contamination/leaving it out of the fridge while cooking. boo. in my first review, i noted the cheese curds weren't squeaky- this can be due to them not being so new and fresh. well they were in far worse shape than i'd feared! the cheese curds went sour, the tube of herb goats cheese went bloated, green and rancid, and the parmesan grew some nasty green mold. the goats cheese actually went dramatically off in about a week. WTF? our fridge is COLD and the cheeses are stored together in an air-lock plastic container and then each cheese is in its own ziplock/container inside there. some crazy a-type cheese sorting/storing, lemme tell you. we transported the cheese in a cloth bag inside a backpack, so it couldn't have gotten thaat warm on the bikeride home. what gives? i'm pretty convinced the cheese we bought wasn't very fresh at all. blegh. what a shame. it makes me think that maybe they don't do very good rotation or don't have very good practices to prevent contamination. i feel pretty disappointed. two stars instead of one because of the selection of cheeses, the friendly service, and for being a thriving small business/market icon. but seriously, come on guys! read more

Helpful staff who provided great recommendations for my upcoming wine and cheese!! I'd give it a big thumb up!!

Cheese is slightly expensive here, but you can be sure you'll be getting good cheese. Staff is very knowledgeable and friendly. This is the place I go to for cheese in Kensington market. read more

Definitely the best cheese shop in Toronto. I've come here for years and the quality and service are always top notch. You can't go wrong with a visit to Cheese Magic! read more

Thank you for accommodating my birthday gift to a friend in Toronto. Steve indicated he was able to obtain a few pieces of cheese he enjoyed. read more

About the shop: helpful, patient staff; extensive variety of cheeses (including many Canadian choices); reasonable prices; as many free cheese samples you can shove down your gullet. The recommendation: Try the "Welsh Red Dragon", a firm and textured chedder that's a buttery concoction of ale and mustard. One criticism: their lack of quality complimentary food items - they mostly have generic pastas and crackers (supermarket fare) that are relatively overpriced. Verdict: check it out. read more

Cheese Magic is great - they have ample selection, great friendly service, and some very tasty sundried tomatoes and artichoke hearts! my only qualm is that they often cut the cheese into odd, oblong rectangles so a 300g block of cheese is a long and rather thin block - which makes for a difficult time when trying to grate it or slice it. Please guys, can't you cut them into more square shaped blocks, or wedges? Would greatly appreciate it. read more