Kona Cafe - tell me about it

[glassslipper2004]

We have done Ohana before and don't really need to do it again, so are thinking of going to the Kona Cafe (for a night we really want to spend at the Poly). If anyone has had dinner there, please let me know how you liked it, if there are any "don't miss" items, etc. It looks like it has been updated since I was last there about 20 years ago...

Also, do you know if kids over 9 can order from the kids' menu? My 11 year old would far prefer chicken strips or mac and cheese to regular adult menu items.

Thanks very much.

 

[Aubsmama]

I'm intrested about Kona as well. I've heard mixed reviews about Ohana's and was wondering if Kona would be better.

Also wondering if the Kona Breakfast is worth a trip to Poly in the morning??

 

[PsychNurse]

Kona is amazing for breakfast. Highly recommend both the Tonga toast and the macadamia, pineapple pancakes. . I make it a point to go for breakfast. I have been there for dinner once, and it was also very good, although didn't stand out as much as breakfast. The chocolate cake was delicious.

 

[Disneyfreak616]

We LOVE Kona!! It is an absolute must-do on every trip for our family. You cannot miss the banana chocolate creme brulee for dessert, and really all of the entrees are great. I'm pretty sure that if you're not on the DDP, your kids could definitely order off the kids' menu.

 

[Desnik]

We love the Kona Cafe and go there every time we are at WDW! In fact I just made my ressie for our Aug trip!

First the bread they give you is so delicious! We often order more even though they give you a large loaf.

Then we must have the chicken wings for an appetizer. You can get them with the mustard sauce on the side which is pictured below. But, now we let them put it on them because it is so yummy!

Then I always order the teriyaki steak which no longer has broccoli like in this picture. Now they give you broccolini. It is so good and the dish is consistent and always cooked perfectly. The flavor is amazing!!

DH has tried a new dish every time and always loves everything he gets.

On our last trip DD was 12 and was able to order off the kids menu if she wanted. But, she chose to order the Pan Asian Noodles which she loved.

DS always gets the Mickey ravioli which is also very good.

I have to tell you we have never had a bad meal here. Only once did we have a really bad server and we have gone there a lot so it was bound to happen. Still the food is consistently good and we really like the atmosphere. Can't wait to go back in Aug.

*FYI, there is no chicken strips or mac n cheese on the kids menu. Just cheeseburger, Mickey ravioli, and hot dog.

 

[hannahdrewmom]

Every meal we have had at Kona is amazing. The atmosphere is sort of blah though. If you are looking for a special night it's not here. The food is yummy but it's more open air bistro style with alot going on around you since the restaurant is open to the general hotel lobby. We love the potstickers and the coconut chicken. If you go for lunch the tacos are great!

If you want good food it's Kona if you want good atmosphere it's 'Ohana.

We enjoy Kona for breakfast but it is not worth missing time in the park. If you are staying at or near the Poly or you can get it on your last day then go for it. If it requires a lot of traveling time then I'd go else where. Tonga toast is a little different than you can get elsewhere but everything else is pretty much standard breakfast fare.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Here is another tip if you go there for dinner and if you can't get an ADR or are told it's a long wait for a table without an ADR, you can always order off the full Kona Cafe dinner menu at the Kona Island Sushi Bar. It's located just a few feet away at the entrance to the Monorail station and the few times my family and I went there for the Sushi we saw other guests ordering off the Kona Cafe menu. Plus over there they don't take ADR's, so if there are some free seats either at the Sushi Bar or the table against the window you can go and sit right down.

 

[GatorLady]

We love Kona for both breakfast and dinner. For our big vacation we are eating there twice, once for each of those meals.

If fact breakfast is so yummy that when we are at Disney for just one night
next week (it's a weird split trip) I had to make a reservation for the morning we leave!

 

[wonderlandaddict]

We also love Kona! Breakfast is wonderful!

 

[Colleen27]

We really like Kona and have had a couple of really great meals there, but our last experience was a little disappointing (slow service, the kind of thing that can happen just about anywhere from time to time, nothing that will keep us from going back). I love the tuna oscar and that you can order appetizers from the sushi bar. My kids adore the Kona Kone dessert.

 

[B-Ride]

We really love Kona. There are lots of great items on the menu and your kids will love the Kona Kone for dessert. As for a +9 ordering from the child's menu I don't think that would be an issue.

 

[MYD714]

We love Kona. I just made reservations for our August trip this past weekend. We are already drooling at the thought.

We love the strip steak (the one pictured in the previous post). It is so yummy!

For dessert, I always get the chocolate fondue. It's amazing! They give you fruit and macaroons to dip in the chocolate...

We're taking my parents with us in August. It'll be their first time eating there and I'm hoping that they love it too.

 

[MaggieMoo'sMom]

We ate there last June. YUMMY!!!!! My husband said his steak there was better than the one he ate earlier in the week at LeCellier. We loved it!!!!!

 

[shburks]

We went for dinner our first night in last September. We thought it was wonderful. All the food was delicious. Our server was a little slow, but food was great!

 

[Trinityloo]

Here is another tip if you go there for dinner and if you can't get an ADR or are told it's a long wait for a table without an ADR, you can always order off the full Kona Cafe dinner menu at the Kona Island Sushi Bar. It's located just a few feet away at the entrance to the Monorail station and the few times my family and I went there for the Sushi we saw other guests ordering off the Kona Cafe menu. Plus over there they don't take ADR's, so if there are some free seats either at the Sushi Bar or the table against the window you can go and sit right down.

Good tip! Can you redeem for a TS credit when you order off the Kona Cafe menu at the Kona Island Sushi Bar?

 

[David Brent]

my g/f and really wanted to try ohana, but after those pictures, i won't feel too bad for getting an adr for kona. the food looks great.

 

[Disnut4925]

Kona is a favorite in our family. The potstickers are delicious, and the Kilauea torte is an amazing dessert.

 

[Rather Be in Disney]

Two words = KONA CONE!!!!

Our family's favorite dessert!!!

 

[LuvsBlueDiamonds]

Can you order sushi at Kona's during dinner?

 

[Beauty & the Best]

We had a great lunch at Kona yesterday - it was our first time there.

Our party of 2 had the Pan Seared Chicken w/ Mango sauce and the Teriyaki Steak and split both. We subbed asian slaw for the macaroni salad that comes in addition to the rice & the meat.

Both dishes were really yummmy and even seemed pretty healthy (i.e. no heavy sauces) The chicken portion that you get for lunch might be a little small if you weren't getting an appetizer or dessert, but it looks like the dinner portions are larger.

Really enjoyed our time at Kona. We will be back!