Restaurants
The Toronto Islands have a small handful of eateries. Selection and variety are limited, as most of the restaurants do not operate year round, full-time, and are open only seasonally. Be sure to check the websites of each restaurant for operating hours before you visit. Here you can find a map and information about all the restaurants on the island.
The Upper Deck
Toronto Island BBQ & Beer Co.
Located right next to the Centre Island ferry dock, this large restaurant can seat 1000 guests, including over 500 on the patio.
Subway
The popular sandwich chain has three outlets on the Toronto Islands — one at the Centre Island Ferry Dock, one at the Centreville amusement park, and one near the pier (exact address is unlisted).
Island Cafe
Located on Ward’s Island just a few steps from the ferry dock, the Island Cafe offers coffee, brunch, lunch, and dinner. They also do take out and have an ice cream bar, along with a licensed patio.
Centre Island Food & Drink
Pizza Pizza
Pizza Pizza was founded in 1967 and has over 500 locations across Canada (most in Ontario), with there being two separate outlets on the Toronto Islands.
The Rectory Cafe
Although threatened with permanent closure after the devastating floods of 2017, the Rectory Cafe reopened in 2018 under new ownership.
Carousel Café
Beaver Tails
Picnics & BBQs
Centre Island, Olympic Island, and Hanlan’s Point each have large grassy fields that are ideal for picnics and BBQs.
| LOCATION | PICNIC SITES | FIRE PITS |
|---|---|---|
| Hanlan's Point | 12 | 3 |
| Ward's Island | 1 | 0 |
| Centre Island | 10 | 1 |
| Olympic Island | 5 | 3 |
| Snake Island | 4 | 4 |
Hanlan’s Point
- Picnic Sites: 12
- Fire Pits: 3
Ward’s Island
- Picnic Sites: 1
- Fire Pits: 0
Olympic Island
- Picnic Sites: 5
- Fire Pits: 3
Snake Island
- Picnic Sites: 4
- Fire Pits: 4
You can picnic on the island wherever you like, but gatherings of 25 or more people (200 max) require a permit from the City of Toronto (at a cost of $88.42 in 2018). Alcohol may not be consumed anywhere on the Toronto Islands except in licensed establishments. Toronto bylaw enforcement officers regularly patrol the island looking for violations. Additionally, picnic permits have additional restrictions:
- No amplified music or microphones (so don’t bring your Bluetooth speakers)
- Sales of food, items, goods, services, or fundraising are forbidden (there’s a separate permit process for that)
- Permits are not issued for beach areas
- No balloons, decorations, banners, signs, inflatable games, generators, tents, or tarps (so no birthday parties)
Permanently fixed charcoal BBQs are available in a few places across the island, although you’ll have to bring your own charcoal or briquettes. Use of propane and other fuels are strictly prohibited in permanently fixed BBQs.
If you’re planning a picnic or BBQ on the Toronto Islands, a wheeled beach cart, super long-lasting cooler, or cooler with wheels will be super helpful to get your food to and from the island.