Catering at Island View
Catering at Island View is provided through a curated list of trusted, locally owned caterers who are familiar with our property and how events flow here.
Each partner brings their own style, pricing, and menu approach—giving you flexibility to choose what feels right for your celebration.
We’ve already done the work of vetting and approving each caterer so you can feel confident knowing they’re experienced working onsite at Island View.
How it works
There’s no required food minimum, and you’re free to choose the caterer that best fits your guest count, style, and budget.
Menus and pricing are set directly by each catering company and may change seasonally, so you’ll connect with them for the most current details.
Scroll below to explore approved caterers, sample menus, and FAQs
Partnered Caterers
Locally Owned and Operated
Crossroads Bistro Catering and Food Trucks
The owners, Nicole and Brian, are trained culinary professionals that met in culinary school, fell in love, opened Crossroads Bistro, and have been happily married since 2016!
From their food trucks or their restaurant to your personalized event menu, they pride ourselves on using ingredients that are fresh and of the highest quality.
The meal for your special event should be delicious and appeal to your distinct crowd, for this reason, we offer blueprints and guidelines, versus a “traditional cookie-cutter" or "package” model!
Our booking process is fast, simple, and allows a personal, custom experience!
Locally Owned and Operated
Two Guys Grill and Pub and
Food Truck
Two Guys Grill and Pub is a family-owned, full-service restaurant with deep roots in the East Coast dining scene.
The owners grew up in the restaurant industry, and their family has been serving generations of families along the coast.
Established in 2020, Two Guys brings the flavor and favorites you may remember from their popular food truck to their new restaurant.
Their menu includes Baltimore’s best crab cakes, ribs, tacos, burgers, and more — all made with care and a focus on great taste and service.
Whether you’re planning a casual buffet or a full celebration, Two Guys knows how to deliver food that’s both memorable and crowd-pleasing.
Locally Owned and Operated
Blind Tiger Catering
Blind Tiger Catering brings bold, chef driven menus and seamless service to waterfront celebrations at Island View.
Family owned and operated by Erica Russo, Blind Tiger is built on over 16 years in the Baltimore hospitality scene since 2010 and backed by her brick and mortar restaurants The Point in Fells and The Point in Towson.
We specialize in weddings, private events, and corporate gatherings that are anything but standard, creating custom menus using fresh, high quality ingredients with a focus on elevated bites, abundant grazing tables, buffets, and interactive stations.
From statement food displays to interactive dessert bars, everything is designed to feel immersive, intentional, and memorable for your guests.
Paired with our custom built mobile bars and full service rentals, we deliver a cohesive experience where every detail works together effortlessly.
With an experienced team managing logistics, timing, and service, you can stay present and enjoy your event while we handle the rest.
Family Owned and Operated
Island View Waterfront Cafe
At Island View Waterfront Cafe, we believe in creating more than just a dining experience — we craft memories. Nestled on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay in Essex, MD, our cafe offers a unique blend of scenic beauty and culinary excellence. Our passionate team is dedicated to providing a warm and inviting ambiance for our guests.
1. Is there a food minimum, guest count minimum, or china requirement?
No; no minimums or china requirements.
2. Do you have food tastings? Are they free?
Each caterer has their own policy, tasting schedule, and some charge accordingly. When you inquire with them, they can let you know what they do.
3. Do we have to use choose a caterer from your list?
Yes; at Island View, we’ve carefully selected a list of local caterers who are known for their great food, reliable service, and commitment to providing a high-quality experience for our couples. These small business owners are personally invested in making your wedding day a success, and we truly believe in supporting local businesses that care about your experience. Plus, it’s important to like the people you’re working with, and we’ve chosen partners who share our values and dedication to making your day special.
All partnered caterers include a standard facility fee in their pricing—
$350 for weddings and $175 for social events—
which covers access to our kitchen space, ice usage, dumpster, and onsite support.
This fee is collected by the caterer, and it applies to all events, even when selecting from our preferred list.
But, Island View recognizes that clients may have specific needs, such as religious or other personal preferences, that require the use of outside catering. For this reason, we allow outside, licensed, and insured caterers for an additional fee ($$).
Please note that outside caterers must be approved by Island View before booking and must provide their own staffing for the event. To ensure all requirements are met, please confirm with Island View and request the outside catering agreement and checklist by contacting us at info@islandviewwaterfrontevents.net
Outside Catering Fees:
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Wedding: $600
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Social Event (less than 75 guests): $200
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Social Event (75+ guests): $400
4. Do the caterers have staff?
Yes, we require that every celebration, from start to finish, have a dedicated team to take care of the details. This includes the caterers providing staff to manage setup, service, and cleanup, as well as supplying all service-ware, maintaining the event, removing trash, and breaking down food displays. Their team ensures everything runs smoothly so you can focus on enjoying the day.
5. What's the difference between drop off food & full service catering?
Important: Full-service catering is required for weddings, micro weddings, and events with more than 50 guests.
Drop-off catering is only permitted for smaller events.
Must have staff for either option
Full-Service Catering: With full-service catering, Island View's partnered caterers take care of everything within their package, from setup to cleanup. They handle plated meals, food displays, and breakdown, providing an stress-free experience with a wider menu range, so you can focus on enjoying your day.
Drop-Off Catering: Drop-off catering is only permitted for less than 50 guests (Cozy Gathering or Celebration Gathering packages). The caterer delivers pre-prepared food and sets up buffet tables for self-service. We require service staff to assist with the event, and an additional fee applies (see below):
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Using a partnered caterer, $150
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Choosing an outside caterer, $350
6. What kind of catering service do I need?
Full Service Catering is required for weddings, micro weddings, and any social event with more than 40 guests.
Drop Off Catering is only permitted for social events with less than 50 guests (Cozy Gathering or Celebration Gathering packages) and must be ordered from a licensed food distributor and an additional fee will be added to assist with the event.
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Using a partnered caterer, $150
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Choosing an outside caterer, $350
7. Will the caterer provide alcohol and soft drinks, or do I need to handle the bar separately?
No, Island View will provide the alcohol and soft drinks and the bar will be separate from the catering.
You will discuss all bar/drink packages and payments with Island View.
8. Do you have recommendations for different caterers?
Yes! Please ask for our 'Vendor Guide.' We have curated an extensive list of our favorite vendors, including outside caterers (additional fee applies).
9. Can we have a late night snack?
Yes! Our caterers have options plus we have a curated list of vendors that we love that also have fun late night snack options.
10. How do I order the linens/table coverings?
Island View will handle the details when it comes to linens/table coverings because we setup and breakdown the tables for your celebration. Please visit the "Linen Guide" for more info.