The Cheese Shop
Roosevelt Cultural District, Des Moines
Bar in Des Moines, United States
Book with PearlWhy go
The Cheese Shop is an easy Des Moines pick for an early, conversation-friendly date or small celebration built around cheese and wine-adjacent browsing rather than a full restaurant meal. Go before dinner or on a weekend afternoon; choose Centro instead if the plan needs a broader sit-down menu or later-night energy.
About The Cheese Shop
The Cheese Shop is a Des Moines venue with a straightforward profile: casual dress and regular daytime-to-early-evening hours from Tuesday through Saturday. It is closed Sunday and Monday, so the safest way to plan around it is as an earlier stop rather than a late-night option.
For planning, avoid assuming a specific menu format, pricing, reservations, service style, or drinks. If you need a fuller plan, Centro is another option to compare. If the outing needs a different format, xBk Live may be worth researching separately. For broader planning, use The Cheese Shop as one part of a Des Moines itinerary and confirm current details directly before going.
A better fit for early plans than late-night plans
The schedule matters here. The Cheese Shop is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 AM to 6 PM and closed on Sunday and Monday. That makes it a poor fit for late-night plans in Des Moines, but a direct option to consider earlier in the day or before an evening elsewhere.
The dress code is casual. Beyond that, do not assume a specific booking setup, seating arrangement, menu, beverage program, or service format. For a more complete outing, compare it with Centro, xBk Live, or browse Pearl's Des Moines bars guide and Pearl's Des Moines restaurants guide.
Who should choose it
Choose The Cheese Shop if the hours and casual dress code fit the plan. It is best considered for an earlier Des Moines stop, not for a late-night outing, because it closes at 6 PM on the days it is open.
If the plan needs more than one stop, use other Des Moines dining and venue guides to build the rest of the itinerary. Centro, Heavenly Asian Cuisine & Lounge, Jasper Winery, Parlor, xBk Live are other named options to research depending on the occasion, while unnamed Des Moines venues may also be worth comparing for later hours or a different format.
Planning details
- Location
- 833 42nd St b, Des Moines, IA 50312
- Website
- thecheeseshopdsm.com
- Phone
- +1 515 528 8181
The take
The Take
The Vibe
The Cheese Shop presents a focused, neighborhood-minded personality that favors curation over breadth. Situated on 42nd Street, it benefits from a residential rhythm rather than downtown foot traffic, and that geography produces a measured, specialist approach: cheeses take center stage and accompaniments are selected to support them. The writing frames the operation as intentional and quietly confident—less interested in chasing trends than in doing a few things extremely well. Expect a small-scale, thoughtful setting where staff expertise and a pared-back selection define the experience.
Best For
This shop is best for people who come with a purpose—cheese lovers, home cooks assembling a gathering board, and anyone who appreciates knowledgeable recommendations. It suits solo shoppers picking up provisions, couples or small groups assembling a take-home feast, and neighbors who rely on a consistent, curated selection rather than a sprawling menu. Because the operation is neighborhood-focused rather than tourist-facing, it’s a smart stop for regular runs, supplying cheeseboards and wines for casual get-togethers or low-key celebrations.
Ordering Tips
Go prepared to buy cheese-first: the cheeseboards are a core offering, and the team curates cured meats and composed plates to complement selections. Ask staff for pairing suggestions—the shop keeps a curated wine list intended to accompany cheese rather than compete with it. Don’t expect a heavy cocktail program or an emphasis on reservations; the format leans toward walk-in retail and counter-style service. If you’re assembling a spread, mention the occasion and desired flavor profile so staff can compose a balanced board.
Venue details
Ambiance
Warm, welcoming retail environment with a focus on artisanal products and educational experiences around cheese, wine, and cured meats.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Format
At the Bar
- Bar Category
- Wine Bar
- Late Night
- Closes by 10pm
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Also Consider
- xBk Live, Notable alternative
- Parlor, Notable alternative
- Jasper Winery, Notable alternative
- Heavenly Asian Cuisine & Lounge, Notable alternative
- Centro, Notable alternative
Bar context
How it compares in Des Moines
Choose The Cheese Shop when the plan is small, early, conversation-led. Compared with xBk Live, it is the calmer call; xBk Live makes more sense when live entertainment is the reason for going out. Compared with Parlor, this is less of a general bar choice and more of a focused stop for cheese-and-wine-style grazing.
Jasper Winery is the better cross-shop if the outing should center on wine as the main event. The Cheese Shop is more convenient when the plan is lower commitment and earlier in the day. Centro is the safer recommendation for a full dinner, a business meal, or a celebration where service structure matters.
Heavenly Asian Cuisine & Lounge sits outside the immediate Des Moines, so it is less useful as a direct substitute. Keep The Cheese Shop for a compact, easy-to-plan stop; pick Centro for dinner, Jasper Winery for wine focus, xBk Live when the room's energy matters more than conversation.
Explore Des Moines
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full The Cheese Shop guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare The Cheese Shop
| Venue | Location | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| The Cheese Shop | Des Moines | No published awards |
| xBk Live | Des Moines | No published awards |
| Parlor | Des Moines | 2025 Canada's 50 Best Bars · #44 |
| Jasper Winery | Des Moines | No published awards |
| Heavenly Asian Cuisine & Lounge | West Des Moines | No published awards |
| Centro | Des Moines | No published awards |
How The Cheese Shop Des Moines compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Does The Cheese Shop have happy hour deals?
Ask The Cheese Shop directly before planning around any happy hour specials. Its hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 AM–6 PM, it is closed Sunday and Monday.
What's the crowd like at The Cheese Shop?
Plan for a casual Des Moines stop. The Cheese Shop has a casual dress code and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 AM to 6 PM.
Is The Cheese Shop good for groups?
Is The Cheese Shop good for a date?
It may work if the casual dress code and earlier hours fit your plan. The Cheese Shop is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 AM to 6 PM and closed Sunday and Monday.
Is the food good at The Cheese Shop?
Is The Cheese Shop open late?
No. The Cheese Shop closes at 6 PM Tuesday through Saturday and is closed Sunday and Monday, so it is not a late-night option in Des Moines.
