If there’s a universal culinary pleasure, it’s cheese—melting, crumbling or perfectly aged. And while a well-stocked cheeseboard has become a calling card for restaurants with serious credentials, some venues elevate the experience to new heights. Whether you're after a Parisian-style baked camembert, an expertly curated grazing board or a wine-matched platter with pedigree, these destinations are shaping a new era of fromage appreciation.
Here are three exceptional venues where cheese is not just an ingredient—it's the star.
Chez Olivier – South Yarra, VIC
A cornerstone of South Yarra’s Toorak Road dining scene, Chez Olivier brings
the charm of a Parisian bistro to life with moody down-lighting, rustic timber
floors and wine-laden shelves that whisper of indulgent evenings ahead. The
venue's French identity remains intact through a Frozzie lens—a seamless
marriage of French technique and Australian ingredients. From intimate date
nights to celebratory dinners, the ambience is warm, lived-in and unmistakably
European.
The standout? Camembert rôti—oven-baked camembert with
caramelised onion, a warm salad and crisp croûtons. A dish that oozes
sophistication both figuratively and literally, it’s an ode to simple French
pleasures, transformed into an experience. Pair with a chilled Chablis and a
lazy evening, and you’ve got the perfect excuse to linger longer.
East End Cellars – The Tasting Room – Adelaide CBD, SA
Tucked into the buzzing Vardon Avenue precinct, East End Cellars – The Tasting
Room is part wine sanctuary, part European-style dining room. Here, rustic
charm reigns—red brick walls, recycled timber accents and shelves groaning
under the weight of premium wine bottles. It’s a place where the conversation
flows as smoothly as the Shiraz, ideal for relaxed catch-ups or late-night
grazing under festoon lights in the alfresco area.
Their signature cheeseboard is made to order, giving guests
the reins to create their perfect spread. Choose from an impressive range of
cheeses and charcuterie, artfully plated with fresh pear, pickled cornichons,
baby onions and quince paste. It’s not just a snack—it’s a cheese-laden
journey, elevated by the surrounding ambience and expert wine pairings.
Church Mouse Cheese – Coorparoo QLD
Housed within the nostalgic walls of the Coorparoo Bowls Club, Church Mouse
Cheese is less a venue and more a movement. With a devotion to dairy that
borders on the divine, this Brisbane gem delivers high-end cheese catering with
flair—from roaming carts to bespoke platters and decadent wine and cheese
events. Whether it’s an intimate dinner party or a high-powered boardroom
meeting, their offering is designed to spark conversation and impress.
Their monthly tasting events are where Church Mouse truly shines—featuring curated selections of both Australian and imported artisanal cheeses. It’s the kind of place where you discover a triple-cream Brie you’ll dream about for weeks, or a sharp Manchego that becomes your new obsession. Add a few clever pairings (think quince, sourdough crisps and a chilled Verdejo) and you’ve got cheese curation at its best.
From comforting baked camembert to curated grazing masterpieces, these venues prove one thing: cheese is more than an afterthought—it’s the main event. Whether you're an aficionado or simply fromage-curious, there's never been a better time to explore Australia's best artisan cheese destinations.
