Island Cafe

The food and the setting are wonderful.
Everything else, which is basically the staff, is not. Sure it’s busy in the summer and things can go slowly. But in the fall, on a quiet morning there should be no excuse for such rude and slow service. We were informed — with a huff and a rude «we don’t open until 11:30. You have to wait» — that seating wasn’t open until 11:30 so we opted for the take-​out bar. This was at 11:21. There were 2 parties of 2 ahead of me and the counter-​service girl was so insanely slow that these 2 coffees, 2 juices and a nectarine took her 13 minutes to serve. I know this because by the time she was taking my order, I was informed breakfast wasn’t served after 11:30. I looked at my clock: 11:34. I told her I had been waiting in line for nearly 15 minutes. She rolled her eyes and asked someone if we could have one more breakfast. Now it was his turn to grumble and grudgingly say «I guess so» and then turn to the kitchen and loudly say «Sorry guys, but we have to do one more breakfast even though it’s after 11:30»
ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME? If your service was at a normal pace — I would have ordered before 11:30.
The second part of my order was a hot dog. I was told they might not be ready. Sooooooo, you don’t serve breakfast at 11:30 but you don’t have your hot dogs ready for your lunch? That makes sense.
Finally, we got our food. But the hot dog was raw and my husband had to take it back. No apology and then they asked if he wanted his money back or another hot dog. Then he was told that the hot dogs weren’t ready so he can have his money back or nothing. Fine. They gave him stale tortilla chips that took forever to put into a paper bag.
The food and coffee, when you get it, is delicious. And to the other reviewer who says you should relax and enjoy the island vibe — well that’s all fine and dandy if the island vibe is rude and dismissive. I would be okay with the slow service if it was at least service with a smile.
It’s a family run business and probably doesn’t have to rely on service for business as there are only two places to eat on Ward Island. But will be bringing a picnic next time and skip trying to deal with the incompetent staff

The place is an absolute disaster. There are no signs indicating the different areas. Staff is grumpy and huffs at the guests especially the lady at the cash today.
The place is not organized
People in their bikini are allowed to enter into the eating area which is not very hygienic

Half the tables were empty and they still couldn’t be bothered to bring me a menu (I got my own) or even come over to take my order after 15 minutes. Ridiculously bad service.

First things first… You’re on the island. Your day should be a leisurely exploration of outdoor space and not rushing around with timelines. So with that being said, yes, the service can be a bit slow here. But given there is literally only this or the Rectory Café to choose from on this stretch of the island, it should be no surprise the place gets busy and servers may be more tied up that one would hope… So my advice is to chill out and take this in stride rather than being impatient.
Once you get past any initial wait for a table and then subsequent wait for the waitress to actually tend to your table, things will turn around. The food is good (burger and fries for $ 15 was a very satisfying lunch, and nothing on the menu is over $ 18), the beer is reasonably priced ($ 6.50 + tax for a craft pint of Mill Street or Sidelaunch beers), and the atmosphere is lovely.
Also, to correct the review below — there are washrooms, they are around the back of the place near the lawn bowling.
If you’re really impatient, just go to the takeout section. While the menu is different and it can also get busy, they do seem to work through the line pretty efficiently. Otherwise, take your time, chill out and enjoy your day with a stop into the Island Café.

This café is fantastic! It has a comfortable cottage aura with a sprawling garden patio. The vibe perfectly reflects the island, and the menu is outstanding. You must try the smoked fish board.

I like the Island Café because for one, the food is fresh. They have a smoker so they smoke their own meats and salmon. This is the best spot to eat in the entire island. It’s cute, cozy and the food is good BUT, the staff needs to look a little bit more presentable and clean. We’ve been there several times and it’s always the same. The other day there was a waitress that looked a little too dirty for my liking. She had bug bits all over that were bloody (SO gross), and her clothes looked dirty. If it wasn’t for the staff looking a little too raggedy, I’d give this place 4 stars! Please please have the staff clean up a little bit. It’s a big turn off for such a nice place.

visited on a Saturday, loved it so much came back on the Sunday and loved it again
Tried various items over the two visits, but what really made a difference especially when compared to the nearby Rectory Café, 5 minutes away was the staff, it is a family owned and run restaurant, it shows
Home Smoked Fish board WOW $ 11, and great starter
the Kale Salad, Fish Tacos, Chicken Mole, all great,
Deserts really brought it home. Tarts layer cakes $ 6. and great
fine selection of wine and biers, light and dark
The Island Café is a folksy place right off the Ward’s Island ferry dock

I think the staff have a serious case of grumpy.
I came in and asked a few people if they were in line. Turns out they were employees, and instead of answering «no» they just huffed at me and walked behind the counter. Sorry…
Then I asked the lady at the takeout counter if they did takeout. She rolled her eyes and said «yeah». When I asked for the menu, she motioned behind her to a messy chalkboard sign and said «um, it’s right here…» Rude.
I wasn’t super into any of the takeout meals, so I asked to see a dine in menu. They told me they don’t make anything on the menu for takeout, so I could only see it if I waited for a table. And then she walked away, shaking her head obnoxiously.
I totally would have dined in had I been treated with respect. Instead, I waited for the next grumpy staff member come to the counter and I ordered a hot dog that took 20 minutes to cook. Had I not been starving, I would have left. It cost way too much.
Learn to smile, Island Café! You’re in one the most beautiful parts of the city!

This is my fav place to get a bite on the island. I’m not vegetarian but the vege burger is amazing! Its bright pink so I guess it’s made with beetroot, very moist and delicious. It’s often busy and can be a hot mess at times so get your food to go, sit on the grass and enjoy.

Went there last Sunday (June 9, 2013) when the weather was beautiful. Island Café is a picturesque place with a gorgeous patio, located close to the ferry dock, on the edge of a park on Ward Island. There is so much potential. Our server was quite friendly and accommodating and the setting made it earn 2 stars; but otherwise, it would have been one.
The menu was limited, fries only available on «Frydays», chicken wing special only available after 5:30pm. No big deal as there were other things to choose from. The intention of a smaller menu is usually to simplify work in the kitchen so that speed and quality can be emphasized. We ordered a pitcher of beer, two orders of shrimp, and two orders of nachos. The beer took 15 minutes and our appetizers took 45 minutes to arrive. Each order of shrimp was six or seven shrimp with a side of watery tamarind dipping sauce. The nachos were basically toasted chips with hardly any cheese or toppings. We did opt for two add on guacamole orders at $ 2.50 each, for about two tablespoons of guac.
The whole thing along with one glass of wine (just some sub-​par appetizers and essentially 4 drinks) came to just over $ 80 after taxes and gratuity. This would have been reasonable for good quality food; but from what I observed, the food gets better attention at a fast food chain.
I sincerely hope that Island Café can improve their quality and speed rather than just rely on their location monopoly. Otherwise Torontonians will catch on and save their appetites for the mainland.

We arrived here by accident. We took the Wards Island Ferry because it was the first one to arrive, and we wanted to get out of the city. On the island, the sign at the ferry dock announced that there was a music festival at the café.
The food is real. Full of flavour and fresh things, beautifully laid out. They were totally welcoming of a tired grown person and an overly energetic small person, and the wait staff were charmed by his ordering. Warning, the chipotle humus is hot — I loved it, but it was too hot for the two year old. Every thing else was excellent.
If they have the white chocolate coconut cake, get it. We watched two other tables order pieces, and based on their facial expressions we ordered one. It really was fabulous, and I don’t like white chocolate. Two tables later they ran out. Don’t be the one who does not get cake.
Also, the red sangria. If you drink alcohol, drink the red sangria. The white is fine, but the red is what you want.
I’m plotting a return, which is saying something considering the ferry and all.

Adorable little place, but slow service at the counter. We waited 20 minutes for two veggie dogs. They forgot part of our order. We wanted to order ice cream, too, but it just took forever!

Without doubt then least flavorful food I have ever eaten in a restaurant. The location is delightful and the wait person was charming. The Wednesday evening pizza was a barely warm gelatinous goo with over cooked and dry pulled pork. The spinach salad had a thin dressing without discernible flour. A burger that replaced the inedible pizza was again devoid of seasoning.

The prices are outrageous ($ 2.00 plus tax for a 500 mL bottle of water??). The staff are slow and not very customer-​oriented (staff more concerned with restocking items than with waiting on customers). I won’t go there again. I’ll leave that to people who think high prices and crappy customer service are signs of sophistication.
(Why do unfavourable reviews get «filtered»? Is this supposed to be a glee club or a genuine rating service?)

I expected the prices to be much higher since there are not that many other places to go to once you’re at the islands.
but the prices are great!
couches on a veranda is a win! also chess tables, yard tables with a cute front yard garden, bicycle parking and lounge chairs!
and a good ice cream and lots of different types of coffee and tea.
the staff wasn’t super excitingly friendly but not rude either.
Nice spot.

Definitely a cute cute cute atmosphere. Nice big veranda with couches tables and chairs. Have not even seen the inside yet.
But I ask you Island Café, why are the grilled cheese sandwiches ONLY for children? But if you add a tomato slice onto the sandwich and a dollar onto the price (you seemed to just make this weird rule up on the spot) then it is suddenly fit for adult consumption? This is wacky and makes no sense. I hate things that don’t make any sense!

The Island Café is a cute little place right off the path from the Ward’s Island ferry dock. It was recently featured on CBC radio but I came across it on a bike tour around the islands. It’s only been open for a couple months and is under new ownership by a local Ward’s Island family.
The café is situated on a porch facing the north shore of Ward’s Island. There is covered seating and couches on the porch, plus picnic tables and chairs out on the lawn. The place has a very campy feel to it.
Ward’s Island is the main neighbourhood island of the Toronto Islands so this café attracts a mix of locals, city folk and tourists but definitely nothing compared to the hot mess of tourists on Centre Island.
I opted for a veggie dog which turned out to be one of the sausage-​sized variety that looking very much like a real wiener. It came in a massive bun and was accompanied by your basic toppings of relish, mustard, and ketchup. At $ 4.20(taxes included), it was great value for the money and decently filling.
The next person to order one at my recommendation was really taken a-​back when she saw it, asking if it was really a veggie dog.
The Island Café also has a good selection caffeinated drinks but it was way too hot for me to even consider an iced coffee so I went for the natural selection of the white jumbo freeze pop and was off on my bike adventure again.
I would come back here to try the veggie burger or the burrito and some of their drinks.