8 Wisconsin Cheese Plates That Belong On Your Table
Wisconsin cheese isn’t just food—it’s a state treasure that turns ordinary gatherings into memorable events.
As someone who grew up near America’s Dairyland, I’ve spent countless evenings sampling the creamy, sharp, and nutty flavors that make Wisconsin famous worldwide.
Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or simply treating yourself to an indulgent snack, these eight cheese plate destinations offer combinations that will make your taste buds dance with joy.
1. The Milwaukee Masterpiece At Wisconsin Cheese Mart
Last summer, I stumbled upon this gem while visiting family in Milwaukee, and my cheese standards were forever changed. The Wisconsin Cheese Mart creates a plate that balances five artisanal cheeses with perfect accompaniments—their aged cheddar paired with honey still haunts my dreams!
What makes this plate special is how they incorporate local craft beer recommendations with each cheese selection. The friendly cheesemongers explain flavor profiles in a way that even cheese newbies can understand, making you feel like an insider to Wisconsin’s dairy secrets.
The colorful array includes creamy Butterkäse, tangy brick cheese, and their award-winning 10-year cheddar that crumbles perfectly on your tongue. This plate embodies Milwaukee’s food scene—unpretentious yet sophisticated.
2. Fromagination’s Capitol Square Sampler
“You haven’t truly experienced Madison until you’ve tasted Fromagination’s cheese plate,” my college roommate insisted during my visit. Boy, was she right! This Madison institution crafts a plate that tells the story of Wisconsin’s cheese heritage through carefully selected varieties from small family farms.
The presentation alone deserves applause—each cheese nestled alongside locally sourced fruits, nuts, and preserves on a handcrafted maple board. My favorite combination was their cave-aged Pleasant Ridge Reserve paired with spiced cherry preserves.
Located just steps from the Capitol building, Fromagination creates an experience that connects you directly to Wisconsin’s farming traditions. Their staff’s passion shines through as they share the backstory of each cheesemaker, making every bite more meaningful.
3. Hill Valley Dairy’s Farm-To-Table Feast
Cheese tastes different when you’re eating it mere feet from where it was made. That’s the magic of Hill Valley Dairy’s cheese plates! During my spontaneous countryside drive last fall, I discovered this charming spot where third-generation cheesemaker Ron Henningfeld crafts small-batch cheeses that showcase Wisconsin’s terroir.
Their signature plate features five cheeses at different aging stages—from fresh curds that squeak between your teeth to complex aged varieties with nutty undertones. The real showstopper? Their hickory-smoked Gouda that makes time stand still with each bite.
Kids especially love watching the cheesemaking process through viewing windows before sampling the results. The rustic farm setting adds authenticity you simply can’t find elsewhere, making this plate not just a meal but a genuine Wisconsin memory.
4. The Village Cheese Shop’s European Vacation
Stepping into The Village Cheese Shop in Wauwatosa feels like teleporting to a European cheese cave—with a distinctly Wisconsin twist! My sister-in-law introduced me to this hidden treasure last Christmas, and now it’s our tradition whenever I visit Milwaukee.
Their European Vacation plate pairs Wisconsin artisan cheeses with their continental cousins, creating fascinating flavor comparisons. I never knew how our local sheep’s milk cheese stood up beautifully against Spanish Manchego until I tried them side by side here!
Owner Sabina handles each cheese like precious art, cutting perfect portions and suggesting unexpected pairings like lavender honey with blue cheese. The shop’s cozy atmosphere encourages lingering over your selections while sipping wine from their carefully curated list. It’s the perfect way to travel through cheese without leaving Wisconsin.
5. Mars Cheese Castle’s Royal Feast
Driving along I-94, it’s impossible to miss the turrets of Mars Cheese Castle rising like a dairy kingdom against the Wisconsin sky. What started as a roadside joke during my family’s annual summer trips became a beloved tradition—we always stop for their Royal Feast cheese plate.
This massive sampler is pure Wisconsin excess in the best possible way! Six generous wedges of their bestselling cheeses surround a central bowl of squeaky fresh curds. Their 7-year aged cheddar develops tiny crystals that crunch between your teeth, releasing waves of complex flavor.
Despite its touristy reputation, Mars delivers authentic Wisconsin cheese experiences with zero pretension. The castle-shaped building might be kitschy, but the cheese expertise is legit. Their friendly staff members wear cheese-shaped hats while offering samples, embodying Wisconsin’s playful approach to serious cheese.
6. Alp and Dell’s Swiss-Inspired Selection
The yodeling might catch you off guard when you first enter Alp and Dell in Monroe, but trust me—it sets the perfect tone for their Swiss-inspired cheese adventure! During my cheese road trip across southern Wisconsin, this place captured my heart with its authentic Alpine charm and serious cheese credentials.
Their signature plate showcases the Swiss cheesemaking traditions that immigrant families brought to Green County generations ago. The star is their cave-aged Emmentaler, made using original Swiss recipes but with rich Wisconsin milk, creating holes (“eyes”) perfect for peeking through like my five-year-old nephew loves to do.
Watch master cheesemaker Tony craft these specialties through the viewing windows before sampling them on your plate. The shop’s attached museum shares the fascinating story of how Swiss traditions transformed Wisconsin’s cheese landscape, adding cultural depth to every delicious bite.
7. Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery’s Curd Celebration
“Squeaky cheese” became my daughter’s favorite food after our trip to Ellsworth, the self-proclaimed Cheese Curd Capital of Wisconsin. The Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery elevates these humble curds into the centerpiece of an unforgettable cheese plate experience that celebrates dairy in its freshest form.
Their Curd Celebration plate arrives with warm, just-made curds in the center—still bouncy and squeaking between your teeth as proof of ultimate freshness. Surrounding these treasures are wedges of their aged varieties, showing how time transforms the same milk into completely different experiences.
Family-owned since 1910, the creamery represents Wisconsin’s cooperative farming spirit, where local dairy farmers pool resources to create something greater than any could achieve alone. The viewing area lets kids watch curds being made, connecting them to their food’s origins while creating lifelong cheese lovers.
8. Brunkow Cheese’s Bold Baked Bliss
Hidden along winding country roads near Darlington, Brunkow Cheese nearly escaped my notice until a local farmer pointed me there during my southwest Wisconsin exploration. I’m forever grateful for that chance encounter, because their Bold Baked Bliss plate delivers a warm, melty experience unlike any other cheese plate in the state.
The centerpiece is their famous Brun-uusto “bread cheese”—a Finnish-inspired creation that’s meant to be heated until golden brown. It doesn’t melt but instead develops a toasty exterior while staying soft inside. They serve it warm alongside their aged cheddars and unique spreads.
Watching the cheese sizzle on their cast iron skillet before it lands on your plate adds theatrical flair to the experience. The no-frills farm setting with views of rolling hills reminds you that great cheese comes from great land—and Wisconsin has plenty of both!