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Murray's Cheese

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.

Murray's Cheese

Upcoming Classes at Murray's Cheese

  • Pasta Making & Cheese Tasting

    Discover the perfect pairing of pasta and cheese in a hands-on workshop led by Murray's Cheese experts. Immerse yourself in a guided tasting of cheeses and ingredients that can elevate your pasta dishes. Learn the art of hand-shaping pasta and take your creations home to impress your friends and family.

    Next start date: Wednesday, Apr 10th, 6:30–8pm Eastern Time
    Price: $90
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  • Burrata Making

    Unleash your inner cheesemaker and create your own creamy and delicious balls of fresh burrata in this interactive class led by cheese experts. Learn the secrets behind making this silky pasta filata-style cheese and indulge in a guided tasting of exceptional examples like mozzarella and bufala. Sip on wine as you roll up your sleeves and leave with a cheesy masterpiece.

    Next start date: Saturday, Mar 23rd, 2–3:30pm Eastern Time
    Price: $102.80
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  • Mozzarella Making

    Learn the art of stretching fresh, milky, and mild mozzarella from scratch in this hands-on class. Taste exceptional versions of other pulled curd cheeses and create high-quality mozzarella to take home. You won't want to miss this delicious and satisfying experience.

    Next start date: Thursday, Apr 4th, 6:30–8pm Eastern Time
    Price: $97.55
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  • Cheese 101

    Discover the fascinating world of cheese through a guided tasting of exceptional cheeses representing six cheese families. Uncover the secrets of cheese-making and learn what makes each variety unique in this immersive experience. Expand your cheese knowledge and indulge in delicious flavors at Cheese 101.

    Next start date: Wednesday, Apr 3rd, 6:30–8pm Eastern Time
    Price: $81.80
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  • Chocolate & Cheese Pairing

    Indulge in a delectable tasting experience that explores the art and science of pairing cheese and chocolate. Discover the rich flavors and perfect combinations that arise from this unique culinary adventure, guided by a Murray's expert. Immerse yourself in the decadence of artisanal chocolate and hand-picked cheeses, accompanied by the perfect selection of beverages.

    Next start date: Sunday, Mar 31st, 2–3:30pm Eastern Time
    Price: $87.05
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  • Grilled Cheese Making

    Master the art of crafting the perfect melted masterpiece in this workshop led by cheese experts. Dive into the nuances of elite melting cheeses and learn to elevate your grilled cheese game with expert tips and pairings. Indulge in your custom creation alongside fine wine, and leave with the secrets to recreate grilled cheese perfection at home.

    Next start date: Friday, Apr 12th, 6:30–8pm Eastern Time
    Price: $108.05
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  • Raclette Party & Cheese Pairing

    Join us on National Cheese Lover’s Day for a one-of-a-kind event featuring a raclette bar, guided cheese tasting, and wine.

    Next start date: Saturday, Mar 23rd, 5:30–7pm Eastern Time
    Price: $129.05
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  • Spanish Wine & Cheese Pairing

    Embark on a delicious journey through Spain's rich culinary history, exploring the perfect pairing of Spanish wines and Murray's favorite Spanish cheeses. Discover the diverse flavors and traditions that make this pairing an exquisite experience. Join us for a guided tasting led by our expert and indulge in the finest tastes and aromas Spain has to offer.

    Next start date: Saturday, Mar 30th, 5:30–7pm Eastern Time
    Price: $108.05
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  • Cheese & Rosé Tasting

    Embark on a tantalizing journey through the world of artisanal cheese and rosé with our expert-led tasting experience. Explore the delightful interplay of flavors and textures as you sample four distinctive cheeses alongside carefully selected rosé wines. Immerse yourself in the stories behind each pairing, and elevate your palate with the perfect harmony of creamy cheeses and zesty wines.

    Next start date: Saturday, Apr 20th, 5:30–7pm Eastern Time
    Price: $118.55
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  • Cheese Tasting: Rare & Seasonal Showcase

    Discover the season's richest and tastiest cheeses at this unique guided tasting. Join a cheese expert as they walk you through six incredible cheeses that are only available this time of year or exclusively at Murray's. Don't miss out on this opportunity to taste autumn's rarest and most delicious wheels and wedges.

    Next start date: Thursday, Apr 18th, 6:30–8pm Eastern Time
    Price: $118.55
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  • White Wine & Cheese

    Indulge in a delightful guided tasting experience where you'll explore the perfect pairings of white wines and a diverse array of unique cheeses. Discover the flavors that will make you a believer in the magic of white wine and cheese. Join us for an unforgettable experience at Murray's Cheese.

    Next start date: Saturday, Apr 13th, 5:30–7pm Eastern Time
    Price: $108.05
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  • Mediterranean Wine & Cheese Pairing

    Embark on a flavorful journey through the Mediterranean as you discover the art of pairing iconic cheeses with perfectly matched wines.

    Next start date: Friday, Mar 22nd, 6:30–8pm Eastern Time
    Price: $108.05
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  • Honey and Cheese Pairing

    Delve into the exquisite harmony of sweet and savory with our artisanal cheese and honey pairing workshop. Unlock the secrets of flavor synergy as you explore a curated selection of cheeses and honeys, expertly guided by a Murray’s connoisseur. Immerse yourself in the world of taste and texture, and discover the art of perfect pairings that will elevate your culinary repertoire.

    Next start date: Sunday, Apr 14th, 2–3:30pm Eastern Time
    Price: $118.55
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  • Pairing Perfection: Taste of Spring

    Indulge in a tantalizing exploration of cheese and artisanal delights from around the globe. Delve into the art of perfect pairings as you savor a curated selection of exceptional cheeses and complementary accompaniments. Join us for an immersive tasting experience led by a knowledgeable expert, where each bite promises to reveal the vibrant flavors of spring.

    Next start date: Wednesday, Apr 24th, 6:30–8pm Eastern Time
    Price: $118.55
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  • Cheese & Wine Tasting: Taste of the Caves

    Indulge in a sensory journey through Murray's unique Cave Aged cheeses, paired perfectly with exquisite wines. Delve into the art of affinage as you savor three distinct cheeses, each representing a testament to cheese craftsmanship. Join us for an exclusive tasting experience, guided by our experts, and uncover the secrets behind the centuries-old tradition of cheese aging.

    Next start date: Thursday, Apr 11th, 6:30–7:30pm Eastern Time
    Price: $76.55
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  • French Wine & Cheese Pairing

    Embark on a flavorful journey through the iconic culinary region of France, exploring the perfect pairing of exquisite French cheeses and wines. Uncover the secrets of pairing principles and discover the magic that happens when the right flavors come together. Get ready to immerse yourself in a guided tasting of regional delicacies that will leave you craving for more.

    Next start date: Saturday, Apr 6th, 5:30–7pm Eastern Time
    Price: $108.05
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  • Italian Wine and Cheese Pairing

    Embark on a culinary journey through the flavors of Italy as you discover the art of pairing exquisite Italian cheeses with perfectly matched wines. Unveil the secrets of Italian bliss with a guided tasting led by Murray's Cheese experts.

    Next start date: Saturday, Apr 27th, 5:30–7pm Eastern Time
    Price: $108.05
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  • Springtime Wine and Cheese Pairing

    Embark on a delectable journey through the world of wine and cheese pairing. Immerse yourself in a guided tasting led by a Murray’s expert, where you'll explore the harmonious interplay between four artisan cheeses and four distinct wines. Elevate your palate and deepen your appreciation for the art of pairing in this flavorful exploration.

    Next start date: Friday, Apr 26th, 6:30–8pm Eastern Time
    Price: $118.55
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254 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10014
Murray's Cheese
Greenwich Village, Manhattan
254 Bleecker St
Btwn Leroy & Morton Streets
New York, New York 10014

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Description

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 697 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 - Wine & Cheese Pairing

    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.
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Review Summary by CourseHorse

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!"

Teachers at Murray's Cheese

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