Cafe Talia - Salt Spring Island

Louis Renaud and Joann Glenn took over the reigns at Café Talia, a local hot spot on Salt Spring Island, in November 2009. Long-time entrepreneur Louis Renaud founded Luigi's Pizza in 1981, the first Italian restaurant on Salt Spring. He is a well-known “local” on the island and has a penchant for photography and some of his own work graces the walls of the café. Partner Joann Glenn, a registered nurse, brings her comfort food flair from Nova Scotia and adds her personal touch to the cafe with her stylish details and design sense.

Situated in the original Salt Spring Telephone Exchange building, in the heart of Ganges, Café Talia is the ideal spot to enjoy a classic cappuccino paired with a biscotti or pain au chocolate. Joann and Louis are committed to offering quality baking: classic European pastries, authentic Belgian waffles, Italian panini and Serious Soups, like leek and potato made with organic chicken stock.

Fresh, modern and a little bit country, this charming cafe is a local meeting place. Islanders love the sweet and savory selections: organic mocha cupcakes or a tomato and onion tart. Try a grilled Italian panini on a fresh baguette with bocconcini, Genoa salami, and organic basil. There’s always a vegetarian option too, like Manchego cheese with local organic greens and edible flowers. Grilled to stay or take away.

An exciting new element at Café Talia is the expansion of gluten-free and raw food menu items: Happy Planet Soups that are organic, gluten and lactose free. Raw hemp hearts and macaroons are some of the offerings created by Luba, the raw food mavin of Salt Spring. Or try a selection of gluten-free baking from the popular Laughing Daughter’s Bakery.

Enjoy Café Talia’s rustic charm, read great magazines and drink fair-trade organic coffees and teas on historic Hereford Ave. The Global Peasant food blog enthuses, “this sweet little spot combines a casual European flair with a kicked back West Coast vibe.” Contemporary art shows enhance the wall space and fresh flowers adorn each table. Locals and visitors alike have made this charming cafe a hit.