We've been going here probably about once or twice a week for 8 years. Great establishment with greatest local owners. Quality and selection is what you want when you have particular tastes. They're here to meet those needs. Aren't we so spoiled in Berkeley? read more

I miss the former owner. Imagine being laughed at for asking for one pound of mozerella. They cannot do it! The Cheeseboard can, others can. The reason I asked for a special cut was because the pieces they have are all 2/3 or 3/4 of a pound. This would be in waste for me because I am buying it for a specific recipe and do not need extra of the particular cheese. Clearly they are not customer oriented. In fact, the younger gentleman could not handle it so he asked the older one to come over and cut the cheese. They both looked at the large block of mozzarella from which to cut it, and the younger guy started laughing. Why? Because he knew he couldn't do it? Why not just do the math if you know how many pounds the block is. Just use your hands to measure. And then he stared at me for a few seconds. Finally the older guy cut a piece that looked too large, and was indeed 1 1/3 pounds. Pretty interesting, considering that's the equivalent of two pieces that are already cut and packaged on the shelf. He handed me the cheese saying that was the best he could do. I didn't say thank you, just said OK. but it is not OK, and the attitude is not OK. Just say you don't cut cheese to order if you can't do it rather than being insulting and wasting a customer's time. read more

On a whim I stumbled into Country Cheese Coffee Market, and found everything I had been searching for my entire life. French cheese, local chocolate, Asian/Middle Eastern teas, olive and coconut oil. It's rare to find SUCH quality items at such an affordable price. What really got me was the costumer service. Country Cheese is owned by a man from Laos and woman from Japan, and right away they treated me like I was family. "Don't by that Italian panforte," she said. "Too expensive, get the stuff from Chico...much better and cheaper if you buy in bulk." She pulled out a two pound block of panforte (a dried fruit nut bar, that is probably my favorite thing to eat in the world). She gave me a sample. What specialty store lets you sample their goods? One that trust in the quality of their products. Thanks you guys, I'll be back soon. -Jw read more

our favorite cheese, tea, and coffee shop! we used to come here almost every weekend to try out new teas and coffees and browse their dishware selection. when we moved to soCal we hunted for a replacement but to not avail.... since we're in town for the next few days we knew we had to stop by! pete, the owner, is still roasting his own coffee and loves to share knowledge about various coffee types, roasting methods, and best ways to brew coffee. it was him that convinced me to get the aero-press, this amazing (but strange-looking) contraption that makes the BEST coffee. granted, it's designed for single-cup users but worth at least checking out and asking for a demo. sharing knowledge isn't just limited to coffee - i love coming here because they always teach me something about various tea types, cheeses, and this was the first place i learned about the awesomeness of truffles. also, they have a surprisingly large selection of chocolates - yum! there's also a shop on san pablo that has sandwiches and gelato in the back, not as wide of a selection of teas and coffees. family-owned and operated, great little shop that is one of the reasons we miss the bay area! read more

This is a great place to find those little cravings or gourmet items. You'll find a very wide selection of chocolates in the form of bars, bulk, sauces, etc. as well as obviously the cheese and coffee. There is a very good selection of olive oils, with even a few Spanish labels to boot. For the latter, they were very kind and helpful in helping me select an oil that was to my taste. The store is small, but I don't think this is a negative at all. It is very densely packed with quality items that are neatly arranged. If anything, it's a very efficient use of space. read more

Great selection of tea and coffee - Check Yummy cheese and cured meats - Check Large amount of decadent chocolate - Check Cute Japanese ceramics - Check Knowledgeable buyer who also lets you try things - Check Only down side is that it isn't bigger. I don't understand why people only give it 4 stars. It really is a gem. read more

This is a great little spot (and I mean LITTLE, lol). The space is tight, but hey, that's what city living is all about, isn't it? If you want wide isles, go to the Burbs. They have a great selection of cheeses, and their selection of chocolate bars is AMAZING. I no longer buy my dried herbs in the pre-packaged McCormick little bottles. Now, I just re-use the original little bottles and refill them with dried herbs they sell here. Just tell them how much you want and you get it. Its a LOT cheaper this way and you can buy just what you can use before the flavor dies out. read more

I'm a sucker for local little businesses. I love getting to know the shopkeepers as well as the specialized local products they stock. Country Cheese has been in Berkeley for years. They have two shops, one on San Pablo, and this one on Hopkins. They are both wonderful stores, and the family that owns them is cute as a button. They have a great selection of tea leaves and dry goods, and they roast their own coffees every week. They're very knowledgeable about what they have, and they'll special order things for you too. The store on Hopkins has a really fun selection of Japanese ceramics, and they make yummy cookies and great sandwiches too! Ask for a sample of something... read more

I have not bought coffee or tea here yet. I go straight to the back for the cheese and on in particular. The White Stilton with Mango and Ginger is the bomb. They also have great deals every now and then on our favorites. They also have an amazing selection of chocolates and jams. A nice nostalgic place with amazing aromas and intimate scale. read more

Super friendly owner and staff. They have great selections of cheese, coffee and tea leaves. They also sell locally made Salami, one of the best that I have had so far. Stop by to get a cup of good tasting coffee or tea if you are doing grocery shopping in the area. My friend also loves their strong tasting Vietnamese coffee. They also made very good Taiwanese green tea. I would highly recommend this place. read more

We love this place. They have a fine selection of cheese, delicious black and green pitted olives, terrific array of different kinds of crackers; just a delightful small store with an ever helpful owner, Pete. read more

I love the way this store smells. The people who run it are wonderful. Evidence: 1. One time my friend forgot his money. "Just pay us back the next time." Oh, and it was his first time in there. 2. Insanely generous with the cheese sample-giving. If I say I'm looking for something, the cheese guy is always like, "Try this, it's good, now try this, it's good too. Oh, and you should try this, it's on sale, and taste this too, just for comparison, and also this, it's my favorite." Good thing I LOVE dairy. 3. The nice lady who runs it always has fabulous tea recommendations. Much of the tea they buy themselves during trips abroad, so she can tell you about growing conditions, etc. Now that is knowledgeable! Oh yes, and they have awesomely awesome items in bulk such as almond paste, sardines, truffled pate of duck, and cornichons...all of which are highly expensive everywhere else in the world but here, and yet all of which I deem necessary for my health and good cheer. Sometimes I buy chocolate or some funny European cookies. That's always good, too. They have another location on San Pablo, which carries the same cheeses, more or less. The San Pablo location also has a great bulk section, with many different kinds of flour...including bread flour (which is distinct from cake and all-purpose flour), and a little meat section, too. It's not as homey and fun as the Hopkins store, imo, but it's run by the same great people. read more

Excellent service and very knowledgeable staff. The store is small but is packed with lots of great quality ingredients from oils, vinegars, spices, and salts. I love their fresh COFFEE. The owners roast the coffees themselves daily. They also have a lot of teas from fresh to packaged TEAS. There is a very wide variety. Her CHOCOLATE selection is also incredible. Everything from milk to dark to bacon chocolate! I only purchase this store's CHEESES. Its very fresh and very delicious. There are so many great things in the store and every time I go in I keep finding new things. This place is a real Berkeley gem. read more

I absolutely love this place. Everytime I walk in it puts a smile on my face becasue I know I am going to get something good. Cheese comes first, we are big chedder cheese fans and there is an excellent selection and very good. Then we will get out green teas, a ton of varieties and they have great knowledge on the teas. Of course the chocolates, many different types to choose from. I am starting to get into coffee a bit. Still gonna brew my green tea but I know where I am going to get me some good beans. read more

Raxakoul on Hopkins was one of my favorite places to shop, but I've noticed that recently the cashiers have become more unfriendly. They speak abruptly and harshly these days. read more

! Shirley is here to help us decide/find what we want. ! My blood pressure & cholesterol numbers have responded to her suggestion of a pu-erh & hibiscus mix w/those beautiful 'gourds' ground-up. Every visit a pleasure. Bill. read more

One of the best chocolate selections in Berkeley. Great Thai iced tea, and if you ask nicely, they will give you samples of the cheese.

If I could give it zero stars I would! The lady who took my order was very rude. There was not a large variety of boba tea. And the prices were outrages. The boba tea was flavorless. I will not be returning to this shop! read more

This little market on Hopkins is easy to walk right past. There is nothing at all interesting about the storefront and and since most people stopping on this block have probably come for Gioia Pizza or Monterey Fish, they never think to stop in. I happened upon it only because I had just eaten a piece of pizza (yes, Gioia, and yes, it was amazing) and was now desperately thirsty but didn't want to wait in line again with the people ordering pizza. So I went next door and on the way to getting a bottle of water was stunned by one of the best collections of chocolate I have seen in the East Bay. Like, six long SHELVES of chocolate, many of them made by local Bay Area chocolatiers I had not heard of before, but also rows and rows of super high-end chocolate bars from all over the world. This store has a better (and more interesting) selection than shops that specialize in chocolate, like Bittersweet Cafe on College. Now I'm driving over to Hopkins just for the chocolate. My particular favorite: Lula's Dark Chocolate Rocky Road. Country Cheese Market: if you're reading this, I think you need some marketing help. Add "Chocolate" to your name and fix up your front windows to give us a better idea of the wonders to be found inside. You deserve to be overrun with customers. read more

This place just flat out 100000% rules the earth. Great everything - coffee, cheese, smoked meats, crackers, mugs, pastas, and ESPECIALLY TONS OF CHOCOLATE. There's like a whole Wall of Chocolate that will Blow Your Socks Off and Knock Your Mind into Tomorrow. read more

Rude person, expensive, not many boba teas to choose from and don't taste like anything. There are much better places to choose from. Skip this place and try going to Quickly or anywhere else. read more

This is a small store w/ an amazingly diverse array of wares. They do have cheese and that's what brought us in. Tam had tasted a Primadonna Gouda at a party and it made a terrific impression on her. We stopped by after our trip to the coast and they had it. She bought two pieces, one for her and one for us, so I'm looking forward to tasting it. They have a wall of bulk teas and lovely Korean pottery teaware. They have boxed teas and chocolates of all sorts. They sell coffee by the pound and by the cup. The aisles are narrow and the shelves are abundant w/ goodies too many to enumerate. There is almost always a table on the sidewalk in front of the store w/ lovely Asian ceramic plates and bowls. There's one small and lovely plate that I admired and which I may go back and buy. read more

Lots of cheese in this snug shop, although no custom cuts are available and the selection seems about half that of the Cheeseboard. They largely make up for it with a wide assortment of teas (both bagged and loose), tea sets, fancy chocolates, and bulk coffee beans. Country Cheese is definitely the shopping centerpiece of the charming, neighborhood oasis surrounding it! read more

I was really shocked to see the low stars on some of the older reviews -- I think they must be intended for the other store that used to be on San Pablo because this shop is top notch. Along with Magnani's and Monterey Market, we can do most of our shopping on the block. I've been shopping here for a while and love it. The owner, Shirley, is really knowledgeable about fine foods generally, and really knows her inventory -- which is saying A LOT -- because she carries a wide variety of delicacies. We've found that everyone else who works here is kind and knowledgeable too. The chocolate selection is incredible -- she carries many small production options that I have not seen anywhere else, even in SF. We often try something new and then get our favorite, a big block of 73% El Rey Chocolate -- we think it's a great value given how delicious it is. We have also purchased great cheeses, oils, jams/jellies, teas and spices. I have not bought coffee beans here but she sells that too. (Cole's in Oakland, has won my heart.) Finally, I recommend you try the coffee/tea drinks. I think the espresso is much better than that served across the street at the cafe (and it's cheaper too). I crave Americanos from this place. My husband loves the "London Fog" which is made with steamed milk and good strong tea, often loose leaf, depending on what's in stock. read more

This rating is for customer service. Extremely rude when they overcharged me. Be very careful about what this store charges you for items.

Wow - three of my favorite things all crammed into such a tiny space. The chocolate selection is phenomenal and the cheese selection admirable for a small store. The guy behind the cheese counter seemed to know his stuff, but he was already occupied with a customer and there really wasnt room for more than one person to be helped over there. So, we grabbed a few that looked interesting and headed out. They were pretty good, but I suspect we would have done better to get a bit of advice from the resident expert! read more

I've shopped at this place for quite a while, but just realized some astounding savings that can be realized here. Have you ever run out of an herb or spice, gone to the store and swallowed hard when you had to pay 6-7$ for a little jar of it? NO MORE! Buy spices and herbs in bulk and save a fortune here. Cinnamon, oregano, chile powder, cumin...all the basics..a little bag with a couple of ounces...then refill your jar when you get home. Amazing. Yes, that and cheese and coffee and chocolate, and specialty foods too. read more

Up until this past Sat., I would have rated this place 4 stars as everyone has been very nice, a pleasant place to shop. This last Sat., I went in to purchase some cheese. I was looking for a 1/4 pound but the cheese I wanted was cut into 1/2lb rounds. No problem, right? Every other time I've wanted a 1/4 lb, they were more than happy to cut 1/2 lb piece in two. Not this time. I asked the kid working back there (I've never seen this guy before) if I could get 1/4 lb and he said "No". That's it. No reason for it. Nothing. Just "No". And so I left. I then drove 2 min. up to The Cheese Board and got what I wanted for HALF of what it would have cost me at Country Cheese. While I've had no complaints at Country Cheese before this last weekend, I most certainly will never go back. If you want cheese, as much or as little as you need, skip this place and go directly to The Cheese Board. They know cheese. They have a larger selection, better quality and in my case it was a lot cheaper. I owe the kid "working" at County Cheese a big thanks! read more

The name pretty much tells you what they sell....cheese and coffee....kind of random things to group together. My boyfriend and I always wander in after hitting up Monterey Market. The BF likes their fair trade beans which he gets coarsely ground so he can use them in his french press. I prefer their extensive and expensive tea selection. I recently purchased this white pineapple guava tea (for $12.50). I walked out thinking that I probably wasted my money on overpriced hype, but then I tasted it and oh WOW. That is seriously my new favorite tea. Mildly sweet and very flavorful. The pineapple really shines. I just can't stop drinking it! So good! read more

Four stars alone for lots of free samples and delicious cheese and coffee smells all over the shop. Staff is friendly, and the selection of cheese and meats is particularly impressive. read more

I selected goat blue cheese and looked for a sell-by date on the store's own label but it was not marked. I purchased the cheese. When I got home I realized the package was slimier than I had expected, and beneath the label there was green slime. I drove back to the shop, a twenty-minute round trip, to exchange the cheese for another. The cheese manager told me the cheese was okay and did not exchange it or refund my money. When I returned home I checked on the internet and found that indeed the cheese was defective, the blue mold having turned bright green (not "blue-green") throughout the cheese. I feel that the shop should have been more careful about what it was selling, and more informed and forthcoming about having sold me defective goods. I regard it as a $7.00 loss and I will not shop there any more, thus also the loss to me of what had been a place for getting interesting goods. read more

I've been going here for years. They have an excellent selection of cheeses, bulk spices, chocolates, and pantry staples. The people who work there are friendly and extremely knowledgeable. Their prices are very reasonable and they often have specials on cheeses, olive oils, and other things. Don't miss their seeded flatbread crackers and Goia burrata. read more

Simply the best place to buy tea in bulk at a reasonable price. I buy 6 lbs. a month. The staff are delightful and I feel like they know what I want and take great care of me. read more

really liked the selection here, and prices are fair. i heard one employee (younger asian lady) talking to a customer about tea, and she was very enthusiastic and sounded knowledgeable. my wife and i had just bought some sake from the liquor store nearby and my wife was chatting up the lady at the front counter about it i guess (we were carrying the bottles in-hand), when the asian-but-clearly-not-japanese lady at the counter "corrected" my wife saying that "it is pronounced "sah-kee, not sah-kay". that is a huge negative in my book. lost a star for that. if you don't know japanese pronunciations, don't "correct" other people with your incorrectness. rude. the other two employees however were polite and helpful read more

I love this place,great deals on cheese,meat,coffee,tea and just about a thousand neat things in this place......

They carry a great selection of cheeses, chocolates and knick knack gifts. The coffee here seems like an after thought though. Oh and the language barrier! One of my biggest pet peeves! read more

They have some damn good icecream and even stayed open when they knew we wanted to get some.

If you like cheese, coffee and chocolate...this is a must stop for you! Just 5 minutes away from Gourmet Ghetto and Solano Avenue in Berkeley, California! You can find a wide variety of cheese from all over the world, including my favorite Humboldt Fog from Eureka, California. As far as coffee beans go, they import beans from all over the world and roasted in house. Charley's Choice Bean are a nice dark roast. Also try their Guatemalan bean as they rotate them quite a bit. They will even ship to your home and just charge you for postage! I love small neighborhood business ideas like this one. read more

I went to this store after school and I was looking at chocolates and they told me "put the chocolates down!" so I respectfully did and put my hands up to prove that I wasn't stealing or touching the the chocolates. While I had my hands up I got sent out because "they didn't like my attitude". I left the store and they told me to never come back again. My friend went in the store and got me my boba and called my friend a "bitch". He gave my friend a lecture for giving me a boba. Now they refuse do serve me for putting my hands up. If I could do a 0 star I would but 1 is the minimu read more

This place is an old school little store with a nice selection of cheeses,dried meats,pate,coffee,and tea.Nice folks too.Just up the block from Monterey Market which is THE SPOT for fresh produce. read more