The Island Cafe 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 cafe 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 cafe 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 Cafe 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.