Murray's Cheese Shop, New York's oldest and best cheese shop, has a rich history dating back to 1940. From its humble beginnings as a wholesale butter and egg shop, Murray's has evolved into a full-service specialty shop that offers a wide range of high-quality cheeses, a kitchen, a new website, mail order options, a gift catalog, a classroom, and cheese caves.
Upcoming Classes at
Murray's Cheese
Showing 42 upcoming dates for classes at Murray's Cheese
The History of New York's Oldest and Best Cheese Shop:
Murray Greenberg (never met him; he died before I got here) was a Jewish Spanish civil war veteran and communist who opened a wholesale butter and egg shop a few doors up Cornelia street in 1940. The old timers tell me that even though he was an old leftie, he was still a street smart capitalist who used to buy cheese cheap and trim it and sell it. In the 70's he sold the shop to his clerk Louis Tudda, an Italian immigrant from Calabria.
The old shop was used like a bodega or a Korean deli is today; not only cheese was sold but cheap oil and tomatoes to the locals, who were predominantly Italian back in '91 when I bought the shop. That's changing now.
I'd left the family supermarket business in '85 to do full service specialty shops in New Jersey, where I was from. When my shop, in Princeton tanked with the crash of '87, I wound up in my brother's old apartment here in the Village (he's a lawyer and he'd moved to L.A.), wondering what to do with my life next. One day, when I was in line at the original shop, I heard Louis say he'd lost his lease and was closing. I made him an offer and moved the shop to the corner of Bleecker, where we stayed 14 years, until November '04, when we moved to our current location at Bleecker and Leroy.
Frankie came with the shop; he lived around here and had been the delivery boy, then a counterman through college, and stayed here when his folks returned to the island of Malta where they were from. Louis himself worked for a year before he went back home. We'd hang out behind the counter selling cheap cheese, mostly commodity stuff bought on deal.
Around ten years ago we got serious about the good stuff, and at first we couldn't sell it. Now we can't keep it in stock! The first line we got in was Neal's Yard Dairy cheese, and boy, did it sit there in the case. The old neighborhood is changing. Zito's bread, older than Murray's even (1920) is gone, and so is the pioneer of all, Balducci's up on 9th St. (Citarella's there now). But the new customers are a lot younger and hipper.
We always had a good staff, though this is by far the best. I'm often grouchy, but everyone else was, and is, really very nice. Go figure. And the business grows each year.
These days I can barely keep up on all the new stuff that's going on: we have a kitchen, a new web site, mail order, a gift catalog, a classroom and cheese caves. It's not quite anarchy but it's certainly not corporate. It's the Village: artists, folkies, poets, creative types have made this their home for over a century. Our shop in Grand Central even has the feel of it.
The main thing is to let the customers see our passion, that's what it's all about. Turn them on to whatever we've got going. Taste it yourself. My Grandpa, whose own store is in a picture above the dairy case (ca. 1925), and an immigrant (Russian Jewish) himself, always said, in that sort of accent of his, 'go on, take a taste.' Nothing's changed, I suppose. We tell them, 'here, take a taste.'
--Rob
Reviews of Murray's Cheese
(4.6-star rating across
699 reviews)
Red Wine & Cheese Pairing
Reviewed by Emma L. on 10/22/2023
The teachers were very knowledgeable and shared a good amount of information.
The class would have been more fun if they allowed a few minutes on each pairing for interaction between the students. I have been to a class before that offered a small second taste of your favorite at the end and let students discuss and mingle which adds a nice social element.
Cheeses were delicious and the class was really informative on how they are made.
Wines were not great. I would not purchase any of them.
Infused Burrata Making with Mike's Hot Honey
Anonymous review on 9/24/2023
It was fun!!
Mozzarella Making
Reviewed by Andrea P. on 9/22/2023
The structure was great - starting with a tasting of different mozzarella considerations. A demo of how to make mozzarella followed and then we were able to make our way. The mozzarella turned out amazing and it is so much easier to do than I thought. Thanks to this class I have the confidence and instruction to make fresh mozzarella at home any time!
National Cheese Day Pairing Perfection
Reviewed by Karen B. on 6/5/2023
I love Murray's!
Wine and Cheese: Mediterranean Masterpieces
Reviewed by Dilara O. on 6/4/2023
It was fun! interactive, interesting and delicious choices1
Burrata Making
Reviewed by Bob W. on 5/21/2023
The concept of the class was great and something we were looking forward to. The sampling of different cheeses in different states, along with the bubbly/wine was a nice touch. We have done a number of cooking classes in our hometown as well as other cities we have travelled to. None of these classes involved cheese or in this case making a specific cheese, so it might not be a fair comparison. The other classes were instructor lead and participatory, just like this one. However, the process was laid out in steps, with the instructor giving you direction for each step. This class was watching the instructor go through all the steps and then we were allowed to start. It was easy for her since she has done this multiple times in the past. But for a first timer it was very confusing, trying to remember what was said and then try to duplicate the steps. And it didn't go very well, with each of our efforts resulting in a less than acceptable finished cheese. Since we took it with us as we left, we both threw our "finished product" in the trash. The class was also very messy dealing with the cheese and water. It would have been nice to have some protection/covering (aka an apron) to protect our clothes as both of us experienced some splashes and spots on our clothes that were supposed to be worn again during our vacation. I doubt we will try this at home based on our experience, and instead just go out and purchase the cheese when we have the occasion to serve it. For the money, this was a total bust. We had hoped for more.
Cheese & Rosé Tasting
Reviewed by Lindsey C. on 5/8/2023
Very informative, teachers were nice and did a great job, delicious cheese and wine!
Tour of Europe: Cheese & Wine Tasting
Anonymous review on 4/17/2023
The class was great, super informative and fun!
Mozzarella Making
Reviewed by Lauren D. on 1/8/2023
Fun experience, great information, delicious mozzarella! Staff was friendly.
The Most Decadent Mother's Day
Anonymous review on 12/11/2022
I loved the class!
Mozzarella & Burrata Making
Reviewed by Kristen H. on 11/15/2022
What an absolutely perfect afternoon! This class was fun, informational, delicious and lovely. Our instructor was so knowledgable, witty, helpful and warm. What blew me away was how well it was prepped and run. From the wine and tasting to the actual making and the gifts to take home, it was an incredible experience that exceeded my expectations.
Virtual Pairing Perfection: Picnic Edition
Reviewed by Kyla B. on 9/30/2020
Very educational and fun! Learned a lot and the food was delicious!
Virtual Cocktails and Cheese
Reviewed by Kimberly M. on 6/20/2020
Had a great time learning about cocktails and cheese!
Virtual French Pairing Perfection
Anonymous review on 5/28/2020
cheese was great, class was boring/video was low quality
Virtual Spring in Vermont with Jasper Hill!
Reviewed by Kimberly M. on 5/23/2020
Hope they do more classes like this!
Virtual American Pairing - Spring Edition!
Reviewed by Patsy T. on 5/22/2020
I loved it for my first experience. It was a bit blurry and would have enjoyed more up close view over all. Otherwise, loved it. The cheeses arrived on time and were very tasty
Virtual French Pairing Perfection
Reviewed by Jennifer H. on 5/16/2020
Angela was very informative and handled the remote class very well! Our cheeses all arrived in plenty of time and we enjoyed the whole experience! We will definitely do it again! Thank you.
Virtual American Pairing - Spring Edition!
Anonymous review on 5/1/2020
The instructor Michelle for this virtual class was great! She focused on the cheeses and the paired accoutrements. Her set up was very nice, she was fun and engaging. We hope she teaches more virtual classes!
Virtual Pairing Perfection: The Office Edition
Anonymous review on 4/26/2020
Instructor had great attitude. Rolled with technical difficulties and never stressed out or flustered. Kept energy up and made it fun even through hiccups. Also loved how nerdy and into the theme of the show she was.
Virtual French Pairing Perfection with Murray's Cheese
Reviewed by Penny D. on 4/24/2020
felt like most of the time was how to make a basic cheese board instead of more information of how to pick out the different notes in cheese and use for pairing - how to best experience those parings - other options to pair other than those provided - details on cutting other than "use a harp or dental floss" - whether the way cheese is cut changes how you experience it. Guess I was hoping for more education about cheese than a not so artistic take on how to make a cheese board - youtube has plenty videos on that - for free - and prettier.
Students who have taken classes at Murray's Cheese speak positively about their experiences. Many students found the classes to be fun, interactive, and interesting, with delicious choices of cheese and pairings. They enjoyed the knowledgeable instructors and the opportunity to learn about different cheeses and their pairings. For some students, the virtual classes provided a unique experience. Many students highly recommend the classes.
Quotes:
1. "The instructor was extremely knowledgeable and knew her material inside and out. The session was so excellent, I signed up for two more."
2. "The instructor Michelle for this virtual class was great! She focused on the cheeses and the paired accoutrements. Her set up was very nice, she was fun and engaging. We hope she teaches more virtual classes!"
3. "The structure was great... Thanks to this class I have the confidence and instruction to make fresh mozzarella at home any time!"
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