If you’re looking to have a mozzar-hella good day, swing by the locally loved cheese boutique, Quesarium, where you’ll find a broad array of authentically delicious cheeses.
The Spanish diet simply wouldn't be complete without the vast selection of cheeses that come from a variety of different livestock from different and distinct regions.
Cheese is a staple of the Spanish diet and something special you have to experience for yourself – and the Quesarium is a great first stop.
There are a tremendous number of diverse cheeses that exist in Spain due to this country’s geographical and climatic variance. The different weather patterns and climates throughout the many regions of Spain influence the flavor and textures of the cheese produced.
Walking back from a movie at Teatre Goya? Or maybe you’ve found yourself wandering around after visiting the infamous Placa de Catalunya?
Whatever you may be up to in this central area, go ahead and follow your cheese loving heart and empty stomach over to Carrer del Muntaner.
If you can bring your growling stomach just a little bit passed the Papa Johns on the corner, you will be rewarded with a much more local alternative, the quaint and welcoming Quesarium.
With an impressive rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars, there’s no risk that you won’t find what you are looking for at this conveniently located cheese boutique.
From the outside, it somehow achieves an elegant, yet home-spun feel. Once you are drawn in by the vivid orange Q on the crystal-clear door, it softly slides open as if its been waiting for you.
Behind the clean glass lies a chic and open space, filled with a wide variety of cheeses, wines, chocolates, crackers, and jams that will be sure to tempt your tummy.
The walls, along with the ceiling, are stained a matte midnight black, adding a feeling of boundlessness to the space, perhaps symbolic of the seemingly endless options of cheese available.
Stepping foot in Quesarium seems to immediately lull all the anxiety existing from the hustle and bustle of the Barcelona streets. The moment you enter, nothing else seems to matter besides the important things in life – those being cheese and wine.
It feels like a whole new universe when you enter, in which the dome-shaped display case in the center acts as the sun, with all the uniquely independent cheeses surrounding it acting as palette-pleasing planets.
However, this glorious gastronomic galaxy is not just limited to its selection of various cheeses.
To the right of the centerpiece, you will find a broad selection of high-quality wines, which the seasoned staff can help you pair properly with the cheeses you desire.
To the left, a simple hot plate and pot make for simply divine fresh fondue for visitors.
Straight ahead, you’ll alight upon an affordable basket of savory chocolate bars, as well as authentic miniature marmalades. These spreadable jellies have no added chemical elements or flavor enhancers in their composition. Luckily they come in a dozen of unique flavors including kiwi con cava and tomato con jalapeños.
The marmalades are 100% natural and chocolate is 100% delicious.
Parallel to the countertop full of tempting chocolates and jams perfect for travelers lies an impressive selection of cheeses that are not only locally cultivated in Spain, but also imported from various places including France, the Canary Islands, Galicia, the Basque Country, Catalonia, Andalucia, and many more.
Perhaps you’re overwhelmed by all the diverse options? Don’t worry – you can’t go wrong by trying the most highly acclaimed cheese in this selection, the Marantona Viejo.
Don’t let the hard crust of this pasta pressed cheese fool you as the flavor will softly enter your taste buds, leaving you wanting more with the residual hint of nuts that lingers long after the first taste. The slightly acidic, salty, and savory flavor will leave you wanting to personally thank the LaMancha sheep who gifted its milk to make this cheese.
This aged cheese earned the “Super Gold” esteemed classification in the 2018-2019 World Cheese Awards.
You can purchase .25 kilograms of this popular cheese for just 8.13 euros. Or perhaps make your friends and family love you even more and get some to share! Purchase three kilograms of this aged cheese for 64.50 euros.
Jessica Moulin, who has been living in Barcelona for almost 2 months, shared that after buying a wheel for her and her roommates they “all insisted we come back to get the same cheese and to try a new one.”
She recommend trying the French soft cow cheese Bethmale de Montagne and the six week matured cheese of Spanish orgin called Tou del Lluçanès. Jessica revealed that her family comes from French background, so it figures that she knows cheese better than your average cheesemonger.
You can purchase these options and many more on Quesarium's online platform, which conveniently offers all of the same options you will see in the store.
However, if you choose to order it virtually, you won’t have the added pleasure of conversing with the friendly and knowledgeable staff of this locally- loved cheese shop.
Julio Domenech is just one of the lovely cheese experts that will greet you with a warm smile and an openness to any questions you may have.
Julio is not only a cheese person but also a people person. He is not just eager to share his passion for cheese, but also more than happy to converse with you, diving deeper than the typical surface level conversation.
After years of working in the tourism/hotel industry, Julio expressed that he wanted a break from the chaos of that world and wanted to expericnce a “more laid-back livelihood that would allow for to assist people on a more personal level.”
This loyal employee has been working at Quesarium since its inception, when the Russian owners moved from France and founded this shop here Barcelona in November of 2018.
Why would cheese lovers ever be motivated to leave France? Julio helped to clear up this enigma by saying, " They loved the speciality cheeses offered in France, but just adored the city of Barcelona, so they decided to mix them both."
Not only does Julio carry a broad knowledge of cheeses, but he also possesses an impressive catalogue of language fluency including Catalan, Spanish, English, French, Italian, and Portuguese!
If somehow you didn’t already feel a sense of bliss being surrounded by delicious cheeses, Julio won’t fail to brighten your day and spark up a conversation that has the potential to last long enough for you to get hungry again.
It would be surprising if you didn’t leave here satisfied with your service and saying Quesari- yum to the fresh new cheeses you secured.
From the boundless options of cheeses available, to the tempting wine and chocolates, Quesarium is a cheese boutique in which any local or tourist is bound to feel right at home.
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