Considering its size relative to the other cities in Hampton Roads, the city of Suffolk has an unusually high number of excellent restaurants. Whether you’re downtown — where it’s possible to find some of the area’s top-ranked eateries located literally around the corner from one another — or in the rapidly growing North Suffolk community — whose best restaurants could be ranked right alongside some of the finest on the East Coast — you can be sure to find a place to have a memorable meal.

But one of the great things about dining in Suffolk is the variety. Not only are some of the area’s best fine-dining establishments located here, but you also can find a great assortment of casual restaurants featuring all sorts of flavors within the city’s borders.

And one of the best ways to celebrate that variety is to join the party downtown today for the annual Taste of Suffolk event. It’s a celebration of all things culinary, and it includes generous helpings of entertainment, vendors, contests, cars and other fun designed to give revelers time to digest their food between all the restaurant booths.

Of course, the star of the event is the food, and this year, you’ll find a sampling of appetizers, main courses and desserts that will please the pickiest of palates.

Participating restaurants this year include U3C Italian Ice, Coldstone Creamery, The Broken Egg Bistro, C3Vino, The Catering Place, Al Forno Pizzeria, Island Krave/Jammin’ Jerk BBQ, N’Dulge Eclectic Cuisine, Mosaic, Ricky and Roy’s Catering, Divine Creations, Madigan’s, Da’lish, The Baron’s Pub/Amici’s, Rosa’s Coffee Cantina and Harper’s Table.

The event is scheduled today from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on North Main Street, from Finney Avenue to East Washington Street. Come out and enjoy a little taste of Suffolk.