Welcome! Let's get this started.
or
Finish logging in.
American
Fast food
Take-out
Stall 35 inside the market. Sells vegan cheeses and dairy-free foods, plus made-to-order sandwiches, pastries & coffee. For takeaway. Previously called Riverdel. Reported under new ownership February 2024. Open Mon-Fri 11:00am-7:00pm, Sat 10:00am-7:00pm, Sun 10:00am-6:00pm.
-
88 Essex St (at Essex Street Market), New York City, New York, USA, 10002
-
Loading...
-
-
Last update on 15 Feb 2024 by Poundie
Update business info -
Are you the owner?
Claim this business -
Added by Chris26_lilo on 15 May 2019
-
-
59 Reviews
First Review by ManhattanTransfer
Kerrymichigan
Points +100
Vegan cheese and meats - Edit
This was wonderful place to visit on our trip to NYC! Bought small wedges of cheese and enjoyed visiting Essex market.
Read moreGuest
woodlewis
Points +502
Gorgeous, wide variety - Edit
It is stunning to see the creativity and beauty of these cheeses! Really nice selection of crackers and other tasty treats to go with the cheese. Small selection of lovely sweets like cannoli!
Read moreGuest
Ramy94
Points +181
More cheeses than I thought possible - Edit
I've been here twice and tried a multitude of cheeses. They've all been delicious. I always get a flight so I can try 5 different cheeses at once, but I'm planning to start buying blocks soon. I especially love the havarti dill and olive oil feta.
Read morePros: So many cheeses, Great/rare pantry products for purchase, Excellent service
Cons: Expensive
Guest
VeganFamilyTravels
Points +2287
Great selection of cheese - Edit
We travelled from England and this was the first place we went to as we were so excited about a vegan cheese store. As the founder and admin of Vegan Cheese Lovers Club and have made and sold lots of vegan cheese, we always love chatting, tasting and seeing vegan cheese. Whilst the amount of cheese and variety was impressive, the service was underwhelming. We asked for opinions, gave examples of what we liked and was just shown to some bits that had been packaged up earlier. The server was not keen to talk or passionate about the product. We had to go off the labels but had no clue on the product base and limited idea of it's softness or firmness. The three we chose were nice but softened really quickly so were spreadable rather than sliceable. The garlic one was our favourite. For the price I would expect better service. #Veganuary
Read morePros: Lots of vegan cheese, Selection of associated products
Cons: Lack of customer service, Expensive
Guest
Izzy234
Points +2410
Unreal!!! - Edit
A fully vegan cheese deli with loads of different artisanal cheeses... this place is heaven for vegan foodies!
Read moreThe guy working behind the counter was really nice and made some fantastic selections for me based on my preferences. Everything was SO GOOD!
You MUST go here if you're in NYC.
Pros: TONS OF VEGAN CHEESE!!!, Convenient location - near lots of vegan places , Friendly service
Cons: Nowhere to sit
Guest
Yuna_X
Points +753
Wish it had sandwiches - Edit
I saw a really yummy looking sandwich on happy cow but when I got there they didn't have any and it didn't seem like they made them anymore. I got a cheese sampler and it was pretty good but kind of a meh experience to eat it from a to-go container. I was hoping to get something substantial but had to settle for a snack. Cheese was good but if I were a local I'd just buy the cheeses instead of the sampler and eat it at home with my own crackers and fruit!
Read morePros: Yummy cheese and huge variety
Cons: No meal options like sandwiches
Guest
NickTustin
Points +1305
Would like to try again - Edit
Love that this place exists, would definitely like to try more, but we tried the cheese balls sampler and they were just okay. One variety was clearly very stale, we couldn't finish.
Read moreGuest
IwaWella
Points +1249
Incredible - Edit
A vegan cheese shop such a niche place and yet it’s one of my favorite places to buy food in New York City
Read moreGuest
paypar
Points +919
Cheeze heaven - Edit
Died and gone to vegan cheese heaven! I did the three tastings and it was so hard to choose but the person behind the counter helped me by asking what my likes were and sharing their own experiences.
Read morePros: All vegan, Not just cheese!
Cons: No place to sit and enjoy, Hard to choose
Guest
mazinha
Points +342
Blue Cheese!!! - Edit
I’ve been looking for a vegan blue cheese for over 5 years.. the search is finally over! I looked for one everywhere in California and could only get the spirulina ones that look blue but taste like cashews, even decided to make my own (with very little success). Billy Blue is the real deal with the perfect creamy texture and pungent flavor.
Read moreWe also got cheeses from rebel and they were also delicious. Finally feel like I don’t need to compromise by deciding to not hurt cows. Happy vegan!
Pros: Lots of options , All 3 we tried were delicious , Helpful staff
Cons: None
Guest
GFGoldenLady
Points +2345
Amazing vegan cheese! - Edit
I was totally blown away by the section of cheeses available and the staff were quite knowledgeable as well.
Read moreLeft with a few pieces of cut off cheeses when ch in my opinion is a great way to sample!
Pros: All vegan , Artisan cheeses , Superb selection
Cons: Blue cheeses are made with spirulina for effect
Guest
GF Cookie Monster
Points +1502
Finally! An all-vegan cheese store - Edit
Fresh vegan cheeses cut while you watch. Plus pre-packaged cheeses and other vegan specialty grocery items. The made to order sandwiches are very affordable. The cheeses, on the other hand, are really expensive, but the quality is outstanding. Most of the cheeses themselves are gluten-free. And there is a gluten-free bread option for the sandwiches.
Read moreRiverdel is on the Lower East Side, INSIDE the Essex Market. Most of the vendors in the market are not all vegan, but many have some vegan options. If you're visiting NYC, this is right next to the awesome Tenement Museum.
Pros: Gluten-free options, Affordable sandwiches, High quality, artisanal vegan cheeses
Cons: Expensive (but worth it)
Guest
drquayle
Points +738
Solid - Edit
Vegan cheeses generally upset my stomach. The cheese here doesn't, though – it tastes and feels more natural to me than store bought options. Also just really fun spot to visit.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2021-02-12
Pros: All vegan, Nice alternative to store bought vegan cheese
Cons: Not a huge fan of vegan cheeses, personally
Guest
LisaSpykers
Points +11424
Delicious but really pricey - Edit
I bought 3 cheese wedges: picante, a blue cheese, and a sharp cheddar. The taste is a step up from other cheese wheels I've tried but the price is mind-blowing ($11) for the teeny wedge you get. I'm glad I got to try this place, but it isn't a place I can afford to frequent. Note that the cheeses can't be left out of the fridge too long or they become a soft mess.
Read morePros: Lots of variety
Cons: Very expensive
Guest
mramericano
Points +181
RIVERDEL! - Edit
This is the place for vegan cheese! What an impressive selection of cheeses - they specialize in having whole wheels of cheese cut and weighed to order - very much in a traditional cheesemonger style. They also have some good prepackaged cheese options along with vegan meets, sauces, unique jams, tofus, and baked goods. They have a couple of sandwich options too.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2021-08-20
Pros: Cheese!!!, Helpful, friendly staff
Cons: Inexpensive
Guest
jrfishe1
Points +822
Great service and great cheese - Edit
We had such a great experience here; Clauditte was exceptionally patient with all our questions and have us great information and advice about the cheeses. We bought 7 samples and then bought a pound of our favorites (the house picante, Reine sharp cheddar, Rind lapsang, and Conscious Creamery maverick). They are in stall 35 on the ground floor (the one where you enter).
Read moreGuest
wanderinggabs
Points +271
All the Cheeze - Edit
Amazing selection of vegan cheese for every occasion, helpful staff. They also have a good selection of packaged cheeses, “meats” and sauces/ dips.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2020-11-19
Updated from previous review on 2021-05-08
Guest
yasmin1818
Points +937
Who doesn’t love vegan cheese - Edit
Amazing vegan cheese shop! 🧀
Read moreGuest
szczupak
Points +100
Good cheese, wide range of other vegan products - Edit
I came to Riverdel in person once, and the people there were very friendly and gave recommendations on cheeses to try. Also, my spouse's employer organized a cheese tasting as a holiday activity and ordered a Christmas box for him, full of great products as well. I particularly enjoyed the Camblue and cranberry blue cheese made by Rind.
Read morePros: Many options for vegan cheese, artisan products, Nice staff
Cons: A bit expensive like all artisan vegan products
Guest
gabandtonic
Points +3152
The original vegan cheese monger.. - Edit
Riverdel is simply the best, what else is there to say? I was heartbroken when their prospect heights location shut down. They are the go-to vegan spot in NYC for cheese. Their cheeses can't be compared to anything else. The selection is incredible. I definitely spend an insane amount of money here and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Read moreEveryone who works there is beyond lovely. All of their cooking classes benefit a farm sanctuary. They are just the epitome of vegan awesomeness. If you are in NYC this is a must!
Pros: Everything, Riverdel is the best
Guest
JJones315
Points +2383
Vegan outpost in Essex Market - Edit
Let me state upfront that, because of health reasons, I rarely eat vegan cheese. That said, Riverdel also has baked goods and groceries. At this first trip I had a truly delicious slice of pumpkin bread (which they kindly heated up for me) and I bought a bottle of vegan fish sauce (who knew?!). The service was appropriate, though not speedy by any means. I’ll be back next time I’m at ExMk.
Read morePros: 100% vegan, Nice selection of vegan food stuffs, Great location
Guest
martint
Points +11092
Not worth the hype - Edit
The cheeses are verty impressive, no doubt. Unfortunatelly I couldn't get any so I ordered the "signature McDel" which decepcioned me a lot. A very small sandwich with bland slice of tomato, some lettuce and tofu, nothing more. If this is the "signature" meal, I do not want to get to know others... Totally below expectations
Read morePros: A lot of variety of cheeses
Cons: Expensive, Flavourless sandwich
Guest
kmanchester306
Points +847
Rude staff - Edit
Finally had a chance to visit Riverdel's Manhattan location today, and wow, wish I never did! I thought the staff at the Brooklyn location was unwelcoming, until I came to the Essex Market space.
Read moreMy husband and I were in line to order. The women behind the counter were chatting up some guy (I'm guessing they knew) in front of us in line, asking him to try whatever chips he was snacking on and pretty much ignoring everyone else. They then proceed to skip over us in line and ask the man behind us what he would like to order. Once they were done chatting with their friend and serving the people behind us, they finally decided to wait on us. We were planning on purchasing Impossible burger and multiple cheeses, but after that experience, we decided to only purchase a small serving of Impossible burger (we've been looking to try Impossible at home!) and not buy anything else.
Riverdel: please train your employees on customer service. We ended up walking the three short blocks to the other vegan shop and spending $50 on their products because they're friendly and serve people in line appropriately. So disappointing. I want to continue supporting this business, but the service is just not friendly enough for me to do so anymore.
Guest
quarrygirl
Points +1725
Great breakfast sandwich! - Edit
Excellent spot in the market to grab a breakfast sandwich. I got The McDel, which comes with tofu egg, bacon, cheese with dijonaise , greens, tomatoes, whole-wheat English muffin. Would rate that sandwich 10/10.
Read morePros: Delicious , All vegan, Quick
Guest
vegangyy
Points +926
Awesome cheese - Edit
If your looking for a quick sandwich or deli style place, this is it. They also make their own cheese and it’s wonderful! Highly recommend checking them out if you enjoy cheese
Read morePros: Quick
Guest
wardrive
Points +122
Best cheese in NYC - Edit
I made a quick stop at Riverdale for lunch today. I got a ham and cheese croissant and it was fantastic. Amazing food and fancy cheese. Staff was very friendly. Sandwiches were priced reasonably. I'll definitely be back again.
Read morePros: 100% vegan
Cons: Limited seating upstairs during lunch rush.
Guest
ElizabethMae
Points +421
The best - Edit
There are no words.
Read moreBut I will try.
The selection was amazing. The people are nice. You can taste anything. I loaded up my suitcase before getting on a plane. If it weren’t 100% vegan I would have some serious concerns that my blue/Camembert wasn’t vegan because it was incredibly tangy and tasted straight out of France. I can’t wait to go back.
Guest
For Members
Why was my review removed? Guidelines for writing a review View our privacy policyFor Business Owners
Claim this business See inaccurate information? Submit an update here Link to this page from your site See an unfair review? View full terms & conditionsThis page has been viewed 10756 times.