About St-Albert Cheese Co-op
Franco-Ontarian dairy farmers founded the St-Albert Cooperative Cheese Manufacturing Association in 1894, and the co-op still makes its cheese in the village, about 30 minutes east of Ottawa. All of the milk comes from member farms within 50 kilometres of the plant. A fire on February 3, 2013 destroyed much of the site, and the co-op rebuilt; it marked its 125th year in 2019.
Fresh curds are the classic purchase, and cheddar comes in every age, from mild (one to three months) to extra-old (14 to 20 months), plus a Distinction line aged two to ten years. The fine food store and the viewing gallery, where you can look in on cheese-making, are open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and the self-guided visit is free, with an information board explaining the process. Groups of more than 20 can request a guided tour for a small fee.
The restaurant and ice cream counter open at 11 a.m., closing at 3 p.m. Monday to Wednesday and 6 p.m. Thursday to Sunday. The menu centers on the co-op's own curds: classic poutine starts at $9.49, deep-fried curds are $12.49, and there are burgers, pizza and hard and soft ice cream. The restaurant, store and gallery are wheelchair accessible, with an elevator and accessible washrooms, and parking is free, with room for large vehicles.
Les Jardins Écologistes Grégoire, the lavender farm east of Ottawa, is also in St-Albert, a few minutes' drive away. In summer, walk the lavender fields and then stop at the co-op for curds and poutine.
What to do
- Watch cheese being made from the free viewing gallery
- Buy fresh curds and cheddar from mild to aged ten years
- Order a classic poutine or deep-fried curds at the restaurant
- Get hard or soft ice cream at the counter
- Request a guided tour for groups of more than 20
Season, hours and prices
- Season
- Store and viewing gallery open daily year-round
- Hours
- Store and viewing gallery daily 9 a.m.–6 p.m.; restaurant Monday–Wednesday 11 a.m.–3 p.m., Thursday–Sunday 11 a.m.–6 p.m. (as posted in 2026)
- Admission
- Self-guided viewing gallery free; guided group tours for a small fee
Good to know
- Accessibility
- Restaurant, store and viewing gallery are wheelchair accessible, with an elevator and accessible washrooms
- Reservations
- Guided tours by request for groups of more than 20
Tips for your visit
- Come before 3 p.m. on Monday to Wednesday if you want to eat at the restaurant
- Parking is free and fits buses and RVs
- Groups should send a tour request ahead through the co-op's website
Pair it with a lavender farm
Les Jardins Écologistes Grégoire · about 5 minutes away
Les Jardins Écologistes Grégoire is in St-Albert too, a few minutes away, so lavender and cheese curds make an easy summer pairing.
Getting there
Questions
Can you see cheese being made at St-Albert?
Yes. The viewing gallery is free to visit daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Is the co-op wheelchair accessible?
Yes. The restaurant, store and gallery are wheelchair accessible, with an elevator and accessible washrooms.
How old is the St-Albert Cheese Co-op?
It was founded by local dairy farmers in 1894.
🗺️ Part of the guide Things to Do Near the Lavender Farms of Glengarry & Prescott-Russell, Ontario
Checked in October 2026 against the business’s own website and local tourism pages. Hours and seasons change, so check with them before you go. How we check listings · Is this your business? Claim it free
