Taste of Port City

Taste of Port City is a catering business in Norfolk, VA, operating as a specialty food cafe and market. Established in 1973, the company is 100% employee-owned and serves Coastal Virginia and Richmond with ten locations. The Norfolk site offers made-to-order salads, sandwiches, and soups, alongside small-batch, from-scratch prepared foods. Retail shelves stock curated products from artisanal producers, emphasizing fine food and wine made in Virginia, including fine cheese, cured meats, craft beer, and gourmet provisions. The menu features gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options, with nitrate-free poultry, baked ham, and roast beef prepared fresh daily. The business seeks out foods made on family farms by small producers using traditional methods and hosts regular tastings to connect customers with these producers.

The company’s history traces back to 1973 when Peter Coe opened the first location in Virginia Beach. In 2006, the Pruden family, with a three-generation history in specialty food, took stewardship. A senior management team with over 100 combined years in the trade has since re-imagined the company as a contemporary specialty food business. At the end of 2024, the company became 100% employee-owned through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan, ensuring team members share directly in the company's success. Each location is designed to serve as a gathering space, housing a main office, warehouse, and catering commissary kitchen at headquarters. The business is a proud member of the Good Food Collaborative and the Specialty Food Association.

Located at 3351 Chesapeake Blvd, the site sits on Chesapeake Boulevard, about a third of a mile from Lafayette Boulevard and Ballentine Boulevard. The Estabrook and Fairmount Park neighborhoods are also within a short distance. Taste of Port City holds a 5.00 rating based on 4,700 reviews, reflecting a strong local reputation and an established track record built on a large base of customer feedback. This consistent high rating underscores the trust customers place in the quality of the food and service provided in the Norfolk area.

Services:

• Cafe Menu
• Catering
• Community Events
• Easter Meal Catering
• Meal Service
• Private Events
• Retail Market