Righteous Cheese

This place has it all! Cheese boards, slicers, mini cheeses wrapped up so you can make a DIY cheese board and they even make fancy grilled cheeses. I have yet to try one, but I know they make it with hot honey so of course it’s going to be delicious. Whenever I go to Union Market this is always a must to stop at. Try La Tur and let it sit out a couple hours before diving in!

Their prices are on the expensive side, but they had some interesting stuff.
It’s ¼ lb minimum per cheese, but they also have some small pieces that are pre-​cut on the side.
— Cacio de Basco: sheep milk Italian cheese with truffles — nutty and tangy. Loved this
— Schnebelborne: Swiss cow milk cheese, similar to a Gruyère, very flavorful
You can definitely try the cheese before you buy them. They also sell some cheese accompaniments like almonds, figs, etc. It’s not a huge place but the selection is good and more interesting.

They have to have at least 50 types of cheese here including cow, goat, grass, cheddar and all kinds of soft cheeses. They cut your portion with string! The cheese monger is so nice and helpful and the cheese is outstanding! This is a regular stop on our way to Florida…

Love them… not the best but since we live a block away we stop here a lot for last minute cheese emergencies! Although there staff is awful, don’t get there attitude and unfriendly behavior. Not sure if I will return anytime soon…

My wife and I drove to Union Market specifically to pick up some cheese from Righteous Cheese for a party. Although the place is not really conveniently located and overpriced, we had had two previous positive experiences with knowledgable service and a quality product. This time, however, proved to be the exact opposite.
It was a Sunday afternoon, and Union Market was not that busy. My wife and I walked up to the counter to wait behind two customers that were currently being helped by the two staff members on duty. Meanwhile, some bougie, annoying couple approached and tried to cut us off — had to get their cheese I guess — but decided to wait to the side. After five minutes go by, one of the staff members (who owns the place) looks up and tells my wife and I that we need to get in line. Behind people who arrived after us. So we left and they lost an $ 80 to $ 100 sale.
Long story short — this place has good cheese but terrible management and customer service. I was extremely offended by the manager who could have handled the situation so much better. Honestly, I’ll probably never return to Righteous Cheese because of this. Unless maybe Carolyn (the owner) were to call and offer me a personal apology. Until then, I’ll use other cheese mongers in DC.

Cheese looks nice enough but I was put off from purchasing when I was called out by a server for touching the cheese (all in enclosed in plastic wrap).
I was informed that I couldn’t touch the cheese nor get a whiff through the plastic without the server directing me. For some, this is great news. Do the happy dance. I found this policy pretentious and its delivery… well… condescending.

We dined at five different eateries in Union Market and Righteous Cheese was my favorite.
First, the team there are exceptionally knowledgable about cheese and incredibly friendly. My friend gave an obscure description of some cheese she had when she was in Europe and they knew exactly what she was talking about. Describing the taste perfectly to her!
They offer gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches and we tried the brie on sourdough. It was divine! I would have preferred a little bit more cheese in the sandwich, but it definitely hit the spot.
I’m looking forward to coming back!

We got the manchego grilled cheese. The highlight were the deep grill marks. But the cheese itself was mediocre and should have been double or triple the volume, especially given the price. We could barely taste it because it was so minimal. At least the beers were local and tasty. We won’t be getting the sandwiches here again though.

This is probably one of the best first date venues in the District. Sitting at the bar (much better than the tables) with just a few other couples, low light, and the swirl of conversation from the market crowd, there is a surprisingly intimate feel. One member of the staff guides you through the options and pairings, then delivers them with friendly professionalism.
The servings are tiny and artistic, which makes for an ideal extended nibble-​and-​get-​to-​know-​you session. The wine and cider pairings with the cheeses are quite good and promote sharing new flavors and conversation with your companion. The staff tries to deepen one’s understanding of the cheese on offer, though at times their tools are a little shopworn. Quince jelly? Cheese 101, and it should be banished to the kiddy menu. Figs, on the other hand, are fabulous accompaniments in season. The wines are uniformly good and appropriate. I don’t know enough about cider, but I’ve never had a bad one here.
The best part of a visit to Righteous is that, appetite provoked and with a mild buzz, you can transition to one of the other vendors in the market for more substantial fare. I for one like the kind of date where you keep moving between mini-​events until you finally end up at a coffee shop or lounge, loose and satisfied.
The downer is Union Market’s criminally early closing time, 8pm on weekends. Unless you’re on an Amish thing, a satisfying night out means shifting to another part of town after the market. H St. and U St. beckon.

My mind is literally blown that other reviewers have been impressed with the selection at this place. As far as cheese shop selections go, I’d rate this at the bottom of the barrel.
That said, what offerings they did have were good. The girl who served us didn’t know much at all about the cheese. My friend was looking for a soft, strong cheese. I pointed one out, and she mentioned it was probably too mild. Then proceeded to sell him an incredibly mild cheese.
While it was good, it wasn’t at all what he had asked for, and it was also underripe.
I was pretty disappointed, especially given the other reviews of this place. (This has the best reviews of any cheese place in DC proper). DC– you need a new cheese shop!

Are you a cheese fan? I’m assuming yes, unless you are lactose-​intolerant, in which case you are probably still a fan but which you have to admire from afar, like dog-​allergic people look at dogs in parks. So for all of you then, Righteous Cheese is your place. The cheesemongers are super friendly and all of the cheese is super well-​labelled so you know what you’re looking at and what the prices of everything is (a pet peeve of mine in many cheese places where you pick a small piece of cheese and end up paying $ 20). The cheesemongers can help you pick out the right cheeses for your needs or help expose you to some new favorites. Most of the time, I go in and say what I usually like and ask them to let me try something new and I never get steered the wrong way. They also have a great email newsletter that comes out once a month where I’ve learned a lot about cheese from. They also have cute gifts and accompaniments as well as classes, and wine and cheese flights where you can stop and relax. Overall a great place to fill your cheese love or develop a new one.

My fiancé and I did a cheese tasting with my brother and his fiancé for a gift for them for their birthdays.
All of the cheeses were delicious, and we learned a lot about how they were made, aged, etc… It also came with a generous three-​wine pairing.
Most of all, the servers were very educated about the cheeses and friendly.

Definitely a place to try. We met Carolyn through a cheese class in Seasonal Pantry long before the place existed in Union Market. She has great advise for cheese and wine pairing selections. She is pleasant and friendly, and makes the experience unique. As cheese lovers, we are definitely regular clients.

Righteous Cheese is one of the best places to go in DC for great service and cheese selection. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable, and they even have a cheese history stored in their computer! Whether you’re trying to make a fabulous cheese plate, or you’re making mac n cheese, definitely stop here. In addition to their delicious selection, they have a ton of really convenient grab and go items, like fig jam, buffalo mozzarella, smaller cuts of popular cheeses like parmesan, but my favorite is the cheese buddy. It’s a serving of all of the little «extras» that you’d get on a cheese plate at a fancy restaurant, like the almonds and spreads. It’s so convenient (and cheap!) if you’re hosting for just two people, or you can get a few of them to make a bigger cheese board… without having to actually buy a ton of each cheese accompaniment. Definitely stop by if you’re in the area — I can’t recommend them enough!

Came here for Google Local DC’s Wine and Cheese event, and was blown by the selection variation. The speaker knew her stuff from the cheese origins, process, wine production, cultivating methods, proper cheese wrapping methodology, and more. My knowledge in wine and cheese is already on the low end, but the wine and cheese combo was quite interesting. Honestly, I’m not a big wine person, but I really liked two of the three glasses of wine she gave, and all the various types of cheese. If you’re new to the wine and cheese culture, check this place out!

Have always been impressed by the selection at this modest (in size) cheese shop in Union Market. All of the employees are helpful and knowledgeable and have always steered me in the direction I’ve been aiming for. They are always patient but efficient and the pairing suggestions are without fail, a hit. Love the energy and the mission of this spot. Definitely can tell that the owner/​staff are truly passionate about their work. Definitely stop by. I’d also love to be a part of the wine/​beer/​cheese events but haven’t gotten around to it yet!

The cheese and wine selections here are FANTASTIC. I haven’t ordered a flight yet (which you can walk up and do any time), but I have attended two classes. These are the best cheese and wine courses I’ve attended (and I’ve attended quite a few). Here’s why: The cheesemonger is REALLY knowledgable, and shares that knowledge in a very accessible, engaging way. She feels like your friend by the time you’re done. It’s also a wonderfully intimate venue, so it becomes a conversation, not a lecture. She prepped a great array of cheeses — there was something on the platter for everyone, with excellent accompaniments. The wines were wide ranging as well — from sparkling white to port — and excellently paired with the cheeses. I’m really hoping that there’s a class the next time my Mom is in town, so I can take her. Otherwise, we’ll be trying one of the flights!
The only word of caution here is about the building that houses Righteous Cheese, Union Market: the market is FANTASTIC, with many other great vendors; however, it’s closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Don’t forget this (like I frequently do) and head over there then. It’s ridiculously disappointing.

This place is a blast and half the reason I go to Union Market (which, given the quality of the rest of the shops there, is really saying something). Don’t miss it.
We’ve made a habit of stopping by on Sundays to pick up a few new cheeses to try, and the Righteous staff have never failed to steer us in the right direction. With as little input as «um…we like hard cheeses? also soft ones,» they’ve served us some of the best cheeses I’ve ever eaten and kept track of all of it for us so we can reorder «the Comte» instead of «the yummy Swiss one.» Don’t miss their crackers and other cheese accouterments, too, like fig preserves and membrillo. Warm, friendly service and cheese that will make you say wow — what’s not to love?

Righteous Cheese will lure you in with friendly (and good looking) smiles from young somethings behind the counter. They may have a small space, but great things come in small packages. They are always great at giving advice on the perfect cheese to buy and suggestions based on cheese you already like. There is usually something new each time I go, but my all time favorite and addicting purchase would be the marinated goat cheese in olive oil. TO DIE FOR!!! You will never want to buy any other goat cheese, or any cheese at all for that matter. They offer you a taste of what they are cutting and if you are really nice, they will just let you taste whatever. One of the best aspects is that they offer wine flights/​pairings. Yes, you read that correctly. WINE FLIGHTS!!! Jackpot. What is better than wine and cheese? Perhaps maybe some chocolate, but luckily at Union Market, you can go around the little shop corner and get as much chocolate as you like. Union Market is a lovely place to spend an hour or five, so get your tail over there and the first thing you will run into upon entering is of course, Righteous Cheese.
Cheesy, in a good way.

I always welcome new cheese shops to DC and this one is a friendly and tasty addition. I’m by no means a cheese expert. Despite a love of all things cheesy, I get cheeses mixed up all the time — but the cheese mongers here at Righteous Cheese were patient in explaining flavors, textures and types and helped me pick out some great cheeses for snacking.
One of them (a Beemster Gouda) was so delicious I ate the all of mine and then the 2^nd piece I had intended to bring to a party and had to go back to buy some more.
They also do wine/​beer/​soda and cheese pairings and host regular events. And for cheese dolts like myself, their blog and newsletter are great reads.
Check out the bin of cheese leftovers to try a new cheese without committing too much money.
Finally, they asked me if I wanted to be added to their list — so next time I come back I know what cheeses I bought.
This may be my favorite shop inside Union Market!