Best Vegan Cheese in Ireland: Taste Test & Buyer's Guide
Finding quality vegan cheese in Ireland has never been easier. Whether you're craving a melty pizza topping, a creamy spread, or something to rival traditional dairy, we've tested the leading brands available across Irish supermarkets and online. This guide covers everything from sliced sandwich cheese to artisan cashew alternatives.
Why Vegan Cheese Matters
Vegan cheese opens up dining possibilities for those avoiding dairy—whether for ethical, environmental, or health reasons. Irish shops now stock far more variety than even three years ago, making plant-based meals genuinely delicious and convenient.
Sliced Vegan Cheese
Violife Original
Where to buy: Tesco, Dunnes, Sainsbury's, Aldi
Price: €2.50–€3.00 per pack
Violife's sliced variety is a staple in Irish vegan kitchens. The flavour is mild and slightly sweet, which works brilliantly on sandwiches and burgers. Meltability is solid—melts well in toasties but doesn't brown like dairy cheese. Best for: quick lunches and casual cooking.
Applewood Vegan Smoked
Where to buy: Tesco, Dunnes, some Aldi stores
Price: €2.80–€3.20 per pack
The standout here is genuine smoky flavour. It's more robust than Violife and pairs beautifully with vegan bacon and tomato. Texture is firmer, slightly less creamy. Best for: breakfast sandwiches, charcuterie boards, BBQ.
Block & Crumbly Cheese
Sheese (Various Varieties)
Where to buy: Health food shops, Tesco, online specialists
Price: €4.50–€6.00 per block
A UK-made standout. Sheese blocks have excellent flavour depth and melt beautifully. Available in mature cheddar-style and smoky varieties. The main drawback is availability—you may need to order online. Best for: grilling, cooking, flavour-forward dishes.
Nurishh Creamy Coconut Cheddar
Where to buy: Dunnes, Tesco, health shops
Price: €3.50–€4.00 per block
Made with coconut oil, this has a creamy texture and works wonderfully grated over curries and pasta. Taste is subtle, so it doesn't overpower dishes. Best for: cooking, grating, comfort food.
Cream Cheese & Spreads
Follow Your Heart Vegan Cream Cheese
Where to buy: Health food shops, online
Price: €4.50–€5.50 per 200g tub
This cream cheese is genuinely creamy and perfect for bagels, crackers, and desserts. Tanginess is mild, so it won't overpower delicate flavours. Best for: breakfast, baking, spreads.
Mozzarella & Melting Cheese
Violife Pizza Cheese
Where to buy: Tesco, Dunnes, Sainsbury's, Aldi
Price: €2.80–€3.30 per pack
Specifically designed for pizza. Melts evenly and develops a light golden finish under the grill. Doesn't replicate dairy mozzarella's stretch, but flavour and performance are solid. Best for: pizza, lasagne, baked dishes.
Julienne Bruno (New to Tesco)
Where to buy: Tesco (recently added)
Price: €3.20–€3.70 per pack
Italian brand making waves in Irish stores. Slightly firmer texture, very good meltability, subtle flavour that complements rather than dominates. Best for: Italian cooking, pizza, baked dishes.
Parmesan-Style Cheese
Violife Parmesan Style
Where to buy: Tesco, Dunnes
Price: €2.50–€3.00 per shaker
Pre-grated and ready to sprinkle. Tastes nutty and salty, with that signature umami punch. Works beautifully over pasta, soups, and salads. Best for: finishing dishes, quick sprinkles, everyday use.
Fully Free Ireland (Irish Artisan Cashew Cheese)
Where to buy: Specialty food shops, farmers markets, online
Price: €6.50–€8.00 per 200g tub
A true artisan gem. Made from cashews with nutritional yeast and fermented for depth. Complex, complex flavour—this tastes like premium dairy cheese. Supporting a small Irish producer is a bonus. Best for: special occasions, flavour-forward dishes, impressing guests.
Quick Comparison Table
| Brand | Type | Taste | Meltability | Price (€) | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violife Original | Sliced | Mild, sweet | Good | 2.50–3.00 | Excellent |
| Applewood Vegan | Sliced | Smoky, robust | Good | 2.80–3.20 | Very Good |
| Sheese | Block | Deep, complex | Excellent | 4.50–6.00 | Limited |
| Nurishh | Block | Subtle, creamy | Very Good | 3.50–4.00 | Good |
| Follow Your Heart | Cream Cheese | Creamy, mild | Spread | 4.50–5.50 | Moderate |
| Violife Pizza | Mozzarella-style | Mild, fresh | Very Good | 2.80–3.30 | Excellent |
| Julienne Bruno | Mozzarella-style | Subtle, Italian | Excellent | 3.20–3.70 | Very Good |
| Violife Parmesan | Parmesan-style | Nutty, salty | Sprinkle | 2.50–3.00 | Excellent |
| Fully Free Ireland | Artisan Cashew | Complex, premium | Good | 6.50–8.00 | Limited |
Where to Buy Vegan Cheese in Ireland
Major Supermarkets
Tesco: Best overall range. Usually has Violife, Applewood, Nurishh in most locations.
Dunnes Stores: Good selection, competitive pricing on own-brand items.
Sainsbury's: Strong in English border regions. Wider Violife range.
Aldi: Excellent value. Stock Violife and Applewood at competitive prices.
Specialist Shops & Markets
Health food shops in Dublin, Cork, and Galway carry premium brands like Sheese and Fully Free Ireland. Check farmers markets for local artisan options—Irish vegan cheese makers are emerging, and quality is exceptional.
Storage & Shelf Life Tips
- Keep unopened packages in a cool, dark place.
- Once opened, store in an airtight container in the fridge—most vegan cheeses last 5–7 days.
- Block cheeses can be frozen for up to 3 months; thaw slowly in the fridge.
- Sliced cheese dries out faster than blocks—consume within 3–4 days.
Cooking Tips for Best Results
For Pizza & Baked Dishes
Use Violife Pizza, Julienne Bruno, or Nurishh. Preheat your oven and use a pizza stone for better browning. Vegan cheese performs best at higher temperatures (200°C+).
For Melting on Toast
Slice cheese thinner than dairy—it melts faster. Applewood Smoked is ideal here for flavour.
For Flavour-Forward Dishes
Use Sheese or Fully Free Ireland in small quantities. Their strong flavours mean you need less. Grate over warm dishes rather than melting into them.
Discover Vegan Restaurants Across Ireland
Now that you've mastered vegan cheese at home, explore Ireland's best vegan restaurants. Our vegan restaurant directory features fully vegan establishments and vegan-friendly spots in every major city. Find the perfect spot to enjoy plant-based meals prepared by professional chefs.