Try cheese-restaurant collabs and visit nearby creameries during the American Cheese Society Annual Conference in Louisville, Kentucky.
Cheese lovers of the South, rejoice: During the American Cheese Society’s annual conference in Louisville, Kentucky, from July 8 through 10, American artisan cheese companies are teaming up with local restaurants for delicious partnerships you won’t want to miss. Plus, you’ll be dining for a good cause: 10 percent of all proceeds will go to Skill Kitchen, a community-based culinary youth education program. Don’t forget to stop at nearby creameries on your road trip to/from the Derby City too. Browse below and remember to make any necessary reservations in advance.
Restaurants
Pizza Lupo | Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese
Pizza Lupo was voted pizza in Louisville by Best of Louisville for four consecutive years. The pies here are Neopolitan-style and wood-fired. Crave Brothers crafts an assortment of Italian-inspired cheeses, so these two are a natural fit.
Featured Menu Item: Pizza with caramelized local zucchini & onions, bechamel, Crave Brothers Mascarpone
Red Yeti | Beehive Cheese
This farm-to-table gastropub led by James Beard semifinalist chef Michael Bowe can be found across the Ohio River on its Indiana side. Light ravioli and Beehive’s Bee-Chive Cheddar feels like a combo we can’t wait to eat.
Featured Menu Item: Raviolo For Two: Beehive Bee-Chive Cheese, Ricotta & Smoked Red Pepper, Herbed Pistou, Bee-Chive Crumble
610 Magnolia | Rogue Creamery
Book your reservation early for 610 Magnolia, a prix fix restaurant in a historic section of Louisville. At the kitchen’s helm, you’ll find Chef Edward Lee, whose resume includes appearances on Iron Chef America, Top Chef, and MasterChef.
Featured Menu Item: Kimchijeon with Pork Belly and Smoky Blue Cheese
The Exchange Pub & Kitchen | Beecher’s Handmade Cheese
The Exchange Pub & Kitchen focuses on seasonal dishes, some with Southern twists like cornbread and sorghum butter and a hot chicken chopped salad.
Featured Menu Items: Summer squash, marinated tomato, and basil dish with Beecher’s Flagship | Mac and Cheese with Garlic Noir
Red Hog | Fiscalini Cheese Company
Run, don’t walk to this butcher-owned restaurant with rustic flair and an extensive wine list.
Featured Menu Item: Tarte Flambée: Crème fraîche, caramelized onions, Fiscalini LIONZA cheese, bacon lardons, chives
Swizzle | Bellwether Farms
Swizzle has two revolving floors that give diners the ultimate panoramic view of the city, plus award-winning steaks and creative cocktails. (Old Fashioneds delivered in a smoking box, anyone?) Add in Bellwether Farms luxurious basket ricotta and what more could you want from a night out in the Derby City?
Featured Menu Item: Langoustine & Bellwether Farms Ricotta Stuffed Shells: Pasta shells stuffed with silky Bellwether Farms Ricotta and roasted peppers, accompanied by tender langoustine and finished with a pesto cream sauce. Topped with toasted pan grattato and grilled lemon ($41)
Cheese Shops & Creameries
Cultured Cheese Shop
Here’s Louisville’s one-stop, women-owned shop for all things artisanal cheese and charcuterie. (We’re told there are great rooftop views.)
Urban Stead Cheese
Fresh off a Best of Show win at the Los Angeles International Dairy Expo, 2025 Hot Listers Scott Robbins’ and Andrea Siefring-Robbins’ Ohio creamery is roughly 1.5 hours away from Louisville—and definitely worth a stop on your road trip itinerary.
Capriole Goat Cheese
About 30 minutes outside of Louisville lies Capriole: Judy’s Schad’s iconic company that helped put American goat cheese on the map. While the creamery isn’t offering tours at this time, Capriole cheeses can be purchased throughout Kentucky, including Louisville. Try to track down Sofia: an ash-ripened goat cheese pyramid.
Kenny’s Farmhouse Cheese
Book a stay at Kenny’s Farmhouse Cheese’s Mattingly Farm, located two hours away in Austin, Kentucky. (Cheese is, of course, included.) Also visit Kenny’s Farmhouse Cheese farm store for its signature Smoked Kentucky Bleu.
Tulip Tree Creamery
Passing through Indianapolis? The Tulip Tree Creamery shop is open on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pick up American Cheese Society award-winning butter or Nightshade, which earned Super Gold at the 2024 World Cheese Awards.
Be sure to read The Louisville-Courier Journal‘s roundup for even more places to get cheese during the conference.
Did we miss somewhere cheesy to check out? Reach out to alana@culturecheesemag.com to let us know!
Alana Pedalino
Alana Pedalino serves as Managing Editor of culture. Her work has been featured in Bon Appétit, Chicken Soup for the Soul, and more. She loves to write, cook, and kayak. Find her bylines at alanapedalino.com.
