The Island Cafe is a family run, community restaurant that opened in May 2010. Owners Peter Freeman, Maura McIntyre and their son, Zorah Freeman-McIntyre, live on Wards Island and work hard to make the Island Cafe welcoming to locals and visitors of Wards Island. The cafe was located in the historic Wards Island Association Clubhouse until a fire burnt down the building in March 2024. Within months, the owners, with support from the City of Toronto, were able to reopen on adjacent land. The Island Cafe family looks forward to welcoming you to Wards Island.
About The Island Cafe
Our Commitment to Local and Green Eating
Caring for the island is part of who we are. At The Island Cafe, sustainability goes beyond the plate, with every decision guided by respect for the land, water, and community.
Our commitment starts in the soil. Through our GrowTO Greens initiative, we harvest nearly 480 pounds of kale annually from just 1/100 of an acre to donate to local food banks. We nurture these gardens by collecting used coffee grounds from Toronto cafés and biking them here to enrich the soil naturally, without chemicals.
This care extends to our service. We proudly say no to single-use plastics, using 100% compostable takeout materials, on-site composting, and patio furniture built from recycled wood. When you dine with us, you help keep Ward's Island beautiful and support a café that gives back to the land as much as it takes.