Kona Cafe for lunch? Or other ideas???

[JMLBrats]

Hi
Can anyone give your thoughts and reviews on Kona for lunch. I know it’s a fav for breakfast but we are wanting to go there for lunch on our MK day and not seeing a lot of reviews/info on how lunch is there. I am also open to other ideas on MK resort lunch spots (just not wanting to spend a small fortune)-it will be me, DH and our grown children plus their friends. FYI we are open to more adventurous options if you think of anything! The idea is to beat the heat for a couple of hours (it will be early august) eat some (hopefully) better food than MK itself has to offer and get away from insane crowds for a little while
Much appreciated!

 

[QueenofPrideRock]

It's one of my favorite lunches on an MK day ... hop on the boat there, enjoy the Poly lobby, some tasty food and perhaps a cocktail, and catch the monorail back.

I know others on this board like Grand Floridian Cafe and Steakhouse 71 too, for resorts within walking distance.

 

[Marthasor]

I'm not a huge fan of Kona - I've just had too many mediocre meals there. Poly is great though! So if one of your goals is to hang out in a beautiful lobby, it's not a bad choice. You may also want to consider Whispering Canyon at WL - beautiful boat ride, gorgeous lobby and good food. If you go, ask the front desk or concierge for their list of artifacts in the lobby - it will give you info on the totem poles and items on display. You can also walk over to the living room area at BRV to see some of the train cars that were in Walt's backyard. I would avoid GF Cafe (lobby construction going on) and, while I like Steakhouse, CR, as a resort leaves a lot to be desired. I would rather hang at Poly or WL.

 

[JMLBrats]

Thanks for the replies so far-it seems the reviews are not “great”for Kona lunch or dinner…hmmm. I am also seeing reviews that WC has gone downhill. WL is probably my favorite resort as far as how beautiful it is but again-don’t want to eat meh food if I’m leaving the park and paying more to do so. I don’t expect gourmet but something worth it would be nice. I might just go ahead and try Kona anyway because the menu does look nice for what it is. How bad can it be? Lol

 

[PalmettoPath]

Thanks for the replies so far-it seems the reviews are not “great”for Kona lunch or dinner…hmmm. I am also seeing reviews that WC has gone downhill. WL is probably my favorite resort as far as how beautiful it is but again-don’t want to eat meh food if I’m leaving the park and paying more to do so. I don’t expect gourmet but something worth it would be nice. I might just go ahead and try Kona anyway because the menu does look nice for what it is. How bad can it be? Lol

I would agree with the sentiment that WC has dramatically gone downhill, both in food quality (sent back both steak and chicken) and the fun factor is not what it used to be. I don't mind Kona. I like GF Cafe more and would not personally care about the lobby work going on.

 

[Smugpugmug]

Kona Cafe is just meh. Not terrible but not amazing. If you're used to good Asian food, then Kona is an avoid at all costs. I ate there last week and the short rib was SO salty. No other flavor except for excess salt. I think the short rib is a dinner only item because I don't see it on the lunch menu.

Their appetizers aren't bad though and I end up ordering those as a main.

I would agree with the sentiment that WC has dramatically gone downhill, both in food quality (sent back both steak and chicken) and the fun factor is not what it used to be. I don't mind Kona. I like GF Cafe more and would not personally care about the lobby work going on.

I agree about the fun factor at Whispering Canyon. I think the food is fine but I really miss when the shenanigans were out in full force. The last time I went, I felt like the cast members were holding back or too afraid to really go all out. It was a shame since I usually love it there.

 

[PalmettoPath]

Kona Cafe is just meh. Not terrible but not amazing. If you're used to good Asian food, then Kona is an avoid at all costs. I ate there last week and the short rib was SO salty. No other flavor except for excess salt. I think the short rib is a dinner only item because I don't see it on the lunch menu.

Their appetizers aren't bad though and I end up ordering those as a main.


I agree about the fun factor at Whispering Canyon. I think the food is fine but I really miss when the shenanigans were out in full force. The last time I went, I felt like the cast members were holding back or too afraid to really go all out. It was a shame since I usually love it there.

We had a leather steak supposed to be mid-rare and pink chicken (and not smoke ring pink, but undercooked pink), a bit of a no-no to say the least. Used to be one of our fave spots for fun, but now off the list unfortunately.

 

[JMLBrats]

We had a leather steak supposed to be mid-rare and pink chicken (and not smoke ring pink, but undercooked pink), a bit of a no-no to say the least. Used to be one of our fave spots for fun, but now off the list unfortunately.

Yikes! Does not sound good!

 

[JMLBrats]

Kona Cafe is just meh. Not terrible but not amazing. If you're used to good Asian food, then Kona is an avoid at all costs. I ate there last week and the short rib was SO salty. No other flavor except for excess salt. I think the short rib is a dinner only item because I don't see it on the lunch menu.

Their appetizers aren't bad though and I end up ordering those as a main.

Oh jezzz-that sounds pretty bad-maybe we will just do the apps if we end up going there…

 

[RanDIZ]

You have the right idea leaving MK for a break. It’s the worst park for food IMO. I would recommend Grand Flo Cafe, Geyser Point or P&Js. All are very good and nice places to explore for a few hrs of park relief.

 

[PalmettoPath]

Yikes! Does not sound good!

It was surprising and sad all at once.

 

[leebee]

Grand Floridian Cafe, if you are looking to have lunch outside of the park. There is also Captain Cook's at the Poly. It's QS, but you could relax on the monorail to get there/back to MK. The food is pretty good for QS... but we LOVE the GF Cafe- that'd be my choice.

 

[JMLBrats]

It was surprising and sad all at once.

It was surprising and sad all at once.

definitely a bummer

 

[JMLBrats]

Grand Floridian Cafe, if you are looking to have lunch outside of the park. There is also Captain Cook's at the Poly. It's QS, but you could relax on the monorail to get there/back to MK. The food is pretty good for QS... but we LOVE the GF Cafe- that'd be my choice.

TY, I will check out the menu at GF cafe as that def seems to be a fav. I like the idea of captain cooks but I think we want to try to do a TS since we plan on doing mostly QS on this trip

 

[erinch]

Will you have hoppers? Epcot is another option, with a world of choices

 

[JMLBrats]

Will you have hoppers? Epcot is another option, with a world of choices

I do love Epcot food but no-no hoppers for this trip. Thanks for the thought though

 

[erinch]

Geyser point is open for lunch. I would go there!

 

[Robber Baron]

We like Steakhouse 71 for MK day lunch.

Lots of great sandwiches & a short walk or monorail ride away.

 

[soccermom54]

Kona for breakfast is still wonderful. The macadamia nut pancakes with crispy bacon is amazing. We started my birthday visit last month with this fantastic breakfast. Great start to my 69th birthday week.

 

[B-Ride]

It's one of my favorite lunches on an MK day ... hop on the boat there, enjoy the Poly lobby, some tasty food and perhaps a cocktail, and catch the monorail back.

I know others on this board like Grand Floridian Cafe and Steakhouse 71 too, for resorts within walking distance.

If I were to choose between these I would still go to Kona for the food and the resort ambience.