KONA vs OHANA

[PRINCESSDIVA]

We are looking for a dinner ADR, Ohana or Kona, and need input which you would suggest and why....thanks for ANY input!

T

 

[natsiswdw]

That's a hard choice in my opion!!! It really is a diffenence in dining styles. Kona has the different menu so everyone can get what they like and have more choices......Ohana is great too it is just more family style and everyone gets everything, with not a lot of choices. Ohana does have my favorite dessert by far!!!

 

[bluejasmine]

The two are nothing a like personally..

Ohana grilled meats, noodles, wings, peel and eat shrimp, salad and veggies, dumplings and an amazing bread pudding with hula games and coconut races,a must do!

Kona has a set limited menu.

I think Kona is best for breakfast for Tonga Toast, Pinnaple Macadamia Nut Pancakes, and a twist on eggs benedict.

 

[goodfood4ursoul]

Let me first say that I have never been to Ohana-
the huge crowds of people (and the very long waits that go along with that)
and noise just don't appeal to me... ... and "all you can eat" style dining in my experience usually
(but not always) ends up being lesser quality food.
My experience at Kona has been that the food is top quality,
never overcooked, as sometimes large quantity,
all you-can-eat style cooking occasionally is.

But regarding Kona's limitations, I think the amounts may be limited more than the menu.
Just my opinion but I'd rather have less food and higher quality than more food and lesser quality...
To me the menu at Ohana is limited compared to Kona:

Appetizers/Starter (that's three yummy choices)
Lump Crab Cakes - Served with Asian tartar sauce and pineapple relish. - $10.49
Pot Stickers - Wok seared duck dumplings with creamy ginger soy sauce. - $7.49
Sticky Wings - Glazed chicken wings with a tangy mustard drizzle and toasted sesame seeds. - $12.99

Soups/Salads

Chicken Noodle Soup - Chicken noodle soup. - $6.49
Kona Salad - Mixed greens, Maytag bleu cheese, fresh fruit, red onions, and smoked almonds, with a citrus vinaigrette. - $7.99
Shrimp & Coconut Curry Soup - Shrimp and coconut soup. - $6.99

Entree/Main Course (six to choose from, and there is usually a beef dish on the menu too)
Coconut Almond Chicken - Sauteed chicken breast served with Asian greens tossed with honey lime dressing, golden pineapple, strawberries, and toasted almonds. - $16.99

Miso Glazed Mahi Mahi - Served with asian Noodles and Baby Bok Choy - $21.99

Pan-Asian Noodles - Asian egg noodles with sliced chicken, pineapple, seasonal vegetables, and a House-made sweet-and-sour sauce. With shrimp $17.99. Can be made vegetarian upon request. - $17.99

Pomegranate BBQ Pork Chop - Served on pan-roasted Fingerling potatoes and Applewood smoked bacon with braised Swiss chard. - $21.99

Shrimp and Scallops - Panko breaded shrimp and pan-seared scallops with sticky rice and Ponzu, spicy guava, passion fruit, and wasabi cream sauces. - $20.99

Tuna Oscar - Served with fried green tomatoes, tempura-fried jumbo lump crab, and wasabi hollandaise. - $22.99

Dessert

Coconut Cream Kiki tart - Tart - $5.49
Desserts - Choose from: Banana-chocolate Creme Brulee, White chocolate cheesecake, Kona Kone, Kilauea Torte, Chocolate Fondue, No Sugar Added Apple Stack, or Chocolate Macadamia Nut Tart.

The menus change with the seasons, hence no beef on the menu at this time, I guess.
DH loved his steak with mashed potatoes and broccolini on our last visit, so I'm hoping that it will make a comeback

Either way, we love the quality, choices, and service at Kona.
It's one of our "must-do" dinners while on vacation

 

[Marty Joe]

Kona - Great menu, great food, great staff. Atmosphere is OK.

'Ohana - Great food and lots of it. You are seated, order drinks, and the food starts coming. The atmosphere is very festive, and the views are awesome. Dining at 'Ohana is an event.

 

[pinkpixie0920]

We have ate at both and prefer Kona. While we liked Ohana and will go back there our meals at Kona were out of the world good (Tuna and NY Strip). Also one thing that we found out while dining at Kona if you ask your server about the bread pudding from Ohana, they will bring it over to you for your desert at Kona.

 

[HunnyJar]

While we enjoy both restaurants we were less than impressed with our dinners at Kona. We definitely prefer 'Ohana for dinner. Even as a vegetarian, I find that I have MORE than enough wonderful food to eat. It is not just meat, meat and meat. Plus the dessert they offer (bread pudding) is wonderful.

Kona is completely different. We happen to like their offerings much more during breakfast. Last time we tried their dinner my husband's teriyaki steak was very dry and just didn't have a great flavor to it. And while every restaurant can have an off day, we've been a few times for dinner and decided that breakfast is just more to our liking.

 

[princess aleya]

Kona Cafe...We didn't care for Ohana.

 

[lblume91]

We're thinking about doing both on our next trip. O'hana is the only must-do thing in all of WDW for DH. I've always wanted to try Kona. I'm thinking if I schedule one at the beginning of our trip & one at the end, it'll be fun to visit the Poly twice.

 

[Wildflowerz]

When are you going? We just booked this weekend for MLK week in January and we could only get Ohana breakfast on Monday and couldn't get a dinner at all. Our TA recommended Teppan Edo instead so we're going to try that, though we do hibatchi around here quite often.

 

[jstouder]

We are doing both this trip. We've only done O'hana in the past and liked both their breakfast and dinner. This time around we thought we try both and see what we end up liking the best.

 

[aurorae]

In the reviews, Ohana gets slightly higher ratings.

 

[parlay]

If you like sushi, you can get an order from the sushi bar at Kona. The Tuna poke was delicious!

 

[guitarob]

I don't know if I'd be able to choose, but I think Kona might win out if I were pushed. We love it there.

 

[ilovejsparrow]

If you're looking for a relaxing sit-down meal, Kona is the best choice. If you're looking for an all you can eat meal with lots of activity, I'd go with 'Ohana. I personally think the food is slightly better at Kona.

 

[cleophus12]

I agree w/ IloveJSparrow. It really does depend on what you are after in the way of atmosphere. WE love the food at both places, but the environments are completely different. If it's fun and entertainment you are after, then O'Hana may be your choice. But for a great meal with a more grown up atmosphere, Kona might be for you. Good luck. I don't think you will be disappointed with either.