Near cache distribution in in-memory data grid environment that utilizes manifest of keys may be provided. An application instance may be initialized that utilizes an in-memory data grid caching infrastructure with a near cache in a virtual machine running on hardware processor. The near cache for the application instance may be activated. Logic of the near cache associated with the application instance may request a manifest of keys from one or more peer applications utilizing the in-memory data grid caching infrastructure, and receive the manifest of keys. The logic of the near cache associated with the application instance may send the manifest of keys to a grid cache of the in-memory data grid caching infrastructure. The logic of the near cache associated with the application instance may receive at least some of the data objects from the grid cache.