Curds & Whey: Long Island's Premier Destination for Gourmet Cheese, Charcuterie, and Exceptional Sandwiches in Locust Valley

Curds & Whey Introduce

Welcome to Curds & Whey, a true culinary jewel nestled in the picturesque village of Locust Valley, New York. For New Yorkers seeking a break from the ordinary and a taste of high-quality, artisanal provisions, this charming

Cafe

is an absolute must-visit. For over a decade, Curds & Whey has quietly built a reputation as the premier destination on Long Island for gourmet cheeses, cured meats, and inventive sandwiches that consistently wow local patrons. It’s an establishment that feels less like a simple cafe and more like a carefully curated European-style provisioner where every item tells a story of quality and craftsmanship.

The atmosphere is decidedly

Casual

yet the quality is unmistakably high-end. Patrons often feel an immediate sense of comfort and relaxation upon entering, an experience that transports them away from the hustle of Nassau County. This family-owned and operated small business is helmed by a wonderful owner whose sweet and welcoming demeanor contributes significantly to the delightful experience, fostering a loyal following that spans generations. It’s the kind of place that convinces visitors they should "move to this exact neighborhood" just to be closer to its delicious offerings!

Curds & Whey’s specialty is, as the name suggests, built around the finest dairy and cured items, particularly their exquisite charcuterie and cheese boards. Customers hail it as their "favorite place for cheese and charcuterie on Long Island," praising the establishment for sourcing the "finest of meat, cheese and provisions from some of the most unique purveyors." The quality is evident in their must-have recommendations, such as the double cream, brie, and the standout spiced fig jam, all perfect complements to the rosemary and marcona almonds. These boards are not just food; they are show stoppers, making them the perfect centerpiece for any special occasion or party.

Beyond their celebrated boards, the cafe offers a delectable menu of sandwiches and paninis that represent exceptional value and gourmet flavor. Visitors rave about the sandwiches, citing the high value due to the use of "great quality cured meats and cheeses." The Pulled Pork Panini, described as "basically a Cuban, yum!," and the creative chorizo with machego cheese and pear sandwich are noted as unforgettable, prompting diners to think about them for days. Adding to this remarkable value, each sandwich order is accompanied by a bag of high-end TORRES chips, which are considered a luxury item themselves.

The offerings at Curds & Whey extend into a wide range of provisions for the home. They feature a selection of

frozen food that’s ready to heat up and eat

, including frozen pasta, making gourmet weeknight dinners simple. They also sell pints of ice cream,

unique jams

, local pie, and artisan chocolates and sweets. As a true cafe, they naturally serve excellent

Coffee

. Furthermore, their beverage selection is surprisingly sophisticated, with a casual offering of

iced teas from any of the Harney & Sons tea selections they have

, prepared with remarkable speed and perfection. In addition to these provisions, the cafe is a great source for

Comfort food

and

Quick bite

options throughout the day.

Location and Accessibility

Curds & Whey is conveniently located at 20 Birch Hill Rd, Locust Valley, NY 11560, USA. This location in the charming Locust Valley community of Nassau County makes it an ideal spot for local New Yorkers to visit for a special lunch, provisions, or to order catering for an event.

The cafe is committed to ensuring a comfortable visit for all patrons. Accessibility features include a

Wheelchair accessible entrance

, a dedicated

Wheelchair accessible parking lot

, and a

Wheelchair accessible restroom

. These features ensure that the "little gem," despite its small business size, is thoughtfully equipped to welcome every member of the Long Island community.

Services Offered

Dine-in (Seating available)
Takeout for grab-and-go convenience
Specialty
Charcuterie Board
and catering orders for special occasions
Sale of gourmet provisions (cheeses, cured meats, jams, frozen pasta, ice cream)
Coffee and specialty
Iced Tea
service
Dessert
options (including local pies and chocolates)
Accepts
Credit cards, Debit cards, and NFC mobile payments
Good for kids
(a welcoming environment for children)

Features / Highlights

Celebrated Long Island destination for
Cheese and Charcuterie
Family-owned and operated small business
Exceptional value for gourmet quality (e.g., TORRES chips included with sandwiches)
Gourmet menu items including the Pulled Pork Panini (Cuban-style) and unique pairings
Sourcing of unique and high-quality purveyor provisions
Serves Harney & Sons teas and excellent
Coffee
Retail section offering
Frozen pasta
, specialty jams, and local sweets
Atmosphere is described as
Casual
and relaxing (feeling "like you’re in Italy")
Amenities include a clean
Restroom

Contact Information

Address: 20 Birch Hill Rd, Locust Valley, NY 11560, USA

Phone: (516) 399-2800

Mobile Phone: +1 516-399-2800

What is Worth Choosing Curds & Whey

For Long Island residents and discerning food lovers across the New York metropolitan area, Curds & Whey is truly worth choosing for its unique and unparalleled combination of quality, value, and personal service. It distinguishes itself not just as a cafe, but as a local institution that has perfected the art of gourmet provisions over 13 years. The core appeal lies in its dedication to sourcing the finest and most unique cheeses and cured meats, which allows them to create

Show-stopper

charcuterie boards—a must-have for any gathering.

What makes the experience particularly compelling is the exceptional value, which often surprises New Yorkers accustomed to high city prices. Receiving gourmet items like high-end TORRES chips and Harney & Sons teas as standard offerings alongside their thoughtfully crafted sandwiches highlights their commitment to quality over cost-cutting. This family-owned approach, led by a sweet and welcoming owner, ensures a personal touch and consistently relaxing atmosphere, which many reviewers describe as a truly transporting experience. Whether you need a quick, delicious

Comfort food

lunch, want to stock your pantry with artisanal provisions, or require a fabulous charcuterie board for your next party, Curds & Whey in Locust Valley offers a quality and charm that is unmatched in Nassau County.

Curds & Whey Details

Service options
Takeout
Dine-in
Delivery

Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Wheelchair accessible restroom

Offerings
Coffee
Comfort food
Quick bite

Dining options
Dessert

Amenities
Restroom

Atmosphere
Casual

Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards

Children
Good for kids

Curds & Whey Photos

Curds & Whey Location

Curds & Whey

New York Nassau County Locust Valley Birch Hill Road

20 Birch Hill Rd, Locust Valley, NY 11560, USA

Curds & Whey Reviews

An average rating of ★5 from 11 user reviews.

charcuteriecheesepaninisacai bowlownerfrozen foodplattergift

★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

We came across this little gem (that has been around for 13 years!) just today and this place single handedly just convinced us that we should move to this exact neighborhood haha!We got two sandwiches, a pulled pork panini (basically a Cuban, yum!) and a chorizo with machego cheese and pear. They were both so delicious and I’ll be thinking about it for the next foreseeable days. Each sandwich order comes with chips but they’re not just any chips.. they’re TORRES chips! If you were to purchase these chips outside at the market, that itself is already $6 and the sandwiches are about $12-$16.. the value of this meal is HIGH! They use great quality cured meats and cheeses too.. I think we’re so used to being scammed in the city with the pricing we almost had a whiplash when they told us our total. LOL.They also offer iced teas from any of the tea selections they have- very casually offering Harney & Sons.. I have no idea how she made the iced teas in less than two minutes but she did and it was perfect.It seems like their specialty is charcuterie boards but they also offer frozen pasta and pints of icecream (they also serve icecream too, must go back for that), frozen food that’s ready to heat up and eat, unique jams, local pie and chocolates/ sweets.This small business is family owned and operated- I believe the wonderful lady who helped us today was the owner and she was so sweet and welcoming.We’re so excited to come back and try their other sandwiches and possibly order a charcuterie board for our next special occasion!
July 02 · Ahlice H
This is by far my favorite place for cheese and charcuterie on Long Island. A small owner operated establishment that has the finest of meat, cheese and provisions from some of the most unique purveyors. When not taking items to go, you can sit down in a very relaxing atmosphere and feel like you’re in Italy while having a nice cheese and meat board. Must haves are her double cream, brie and spiced fig jam. The rosemary, marcona almonds also stand out. She makes fabulous boards and plates to go, a show stopper at any party!
September 24 · O. Triggs
So many delicious things! Charcuterie, cheese, paninis, cookies, ice cream, coffee/tea, plus stuffed olives, dips, frozen items, McConnels’s ice cream cream! And a small selection of nice gifts.
August 10 · Brenda Reed
We love stopping in for acai bowls! The owner is always so helpful and friendly. They also have ice cream, chocolates, paninis, and an amazing selection of homewares which would be great when you’re in a pinch or need a host/hostess gift (wine glasses, tea infusers, etc.). Of course their cheese selection, specialty foods, and charcuterie options are great, too. Can’t wait to order a platter for an event.
February 23 · Meghin Rooney
What a nice place, the Coconut ice cream is delicious, and the Paninis as well! I love this place!
April 06 · Susana Solorzano