Must go to restaurants - Aulani

[NJDVCmember]

I searched and there is information on Aulani all over the place. Lots of great info.

But thought I would ask what restaurants would you recommend while staying at Aulani.

Any information would be appreciated. DH, 26 yrs old DD and 22, and 20 yr olc DS and myself.

How is the restaurant at the resort?

 

[DenLo]

Have you look at this restaurant thread for Aulani? http://www.disboards.com/threads/going-to-aulani-lets-list-places-to-eat.2858912/

 

[JWG]

Something not at Aulani. The Aulani restaurants were ok, but nothing worth the price you pay considering the available options off resort. We actually did really like the Olelo Room, but the other two restaurants were just ok compared to price. Not bad by any means, just very overpriced.

 

[NJDVCmember]

Have you look at this restaurant thread for Aulani? http://www.disboards.com/threads/going-to-aulani-lets-list-places-to-eat.2858912/

THANKS!! going there now!

 

[NJDVCmember]

Something not at Aulani. The Aulani restaurants were ok, but nothing worth the price you pay considering the available options off resort. We actually did really like the Olelo Room, but the other two restaurants were just ok compared to price. Not bad by any means, just very overpriced.

Thank you for an honest opinion!! With 5 adults I would hate to spend so much on dinner and say it was just okay!!

 

[CheetoGuido]

We just got back ourselves and our most expensive meal the entire trip was the dinner buffet and unfortunately is was our worst meal. We did not like most of the items offered and just didn't feel it was worth anywhere close to what we paid for it. We did enjoy the character breakfast buffet though. We definitely had better meals off property for 1/2 the price.

 

[NJDVCmember]

We just got back ourselves and our most expensive meal the entire trip was the dinner buffet and unfortunately is was our worst meal. We did not like most of the items offered and just didn't feel it was worth anywhere close to what we paid for it. We did enjoy the character breakfast buffet though. We definitely had better meals off property for 1/2 the price.

What off property did u enjoy?

 

[CheetoGuido]

We definitely visited Monkey Pod twice, their happy hour was amazing, appetizers & pizzas were discounted as well as the drinks. Also Pizza Corner twice, delicious garlic knots. These restaurants were recommended by everyone here, so we had to go since you just walk across the street to them. We also went to Benihana in Waikiki (they actually did some different things than what we see in our local one) and we ate ate some other restaurants around our excursions. I used my Oahu book for recommendations. Schooner's for Pearl Harbor, etc. On the days that we stayed at Aulani for beach/pool days, it got quite boring of the same menu items.

 

[Girimama33]

Here is a link from the Ko'Olina site that lists the dining in the area: http://www.koolina.com/experience/dining

I need to second MonkeyPod. We have been there several times and is one of our favorites.
If you are going to be downtown at all, I highly recommend Lucky Belly (saimen place) - delicious!

 

[southerngirl528]

Perhaps we are the odd men out, but we were not impressed by Monkeypod Kitchen. They had a garlic mushroom flatbread that I recall was good, as well as one or 2 drinks but in 2 dinners there, both DH and I looked at each other and said we didn't care if we went back there.

We didn't try the Roy's at Ko'Olina but we love the one here in Orlando and the one on Maui. I've heard great things about Aloha Salads, and lots of folks like the Koa Pancake House for breakfast. We LOVE, LOVE poke and after sampling a couple at the Kapolei Costco, we settled on the limu poke which was heavenly!!

 

[alohamom]

The thing about Aulani is the little plaza across the street is so close that you really dont have to stay on the resort to eat, it is waaay closer than getting from one end of Epcot World Showcase to the other and we have all done that for a meal or two!!! So if you dont have a car the resort is honestly not your only option. We ate at the Mexican place there called Just Tacos. It was more of a sit down place than I had expected with huge portions of pretty good food and it was reasonable price wise. You can also get some decent take out sushi and deli selections from the ABC/Island Market store in that plaza that makes for a light lunch.
http://www.yelp.ca/biz/island-country-markets-kapolei-2

 

[DenLo]

I am confused that people say 'Ama 'Ama food is just okay. I have only eaten dinner there twice and the food has been delicious and the service excellent. It is an expensive table service restaurant, but you get a lot of food. You will find these types of restaurants at most deluxe hotels in Hawaii. I think the food at 'Ama 'Ama is better than most. You cannot compare it to the Olelo Room which is lounge with Hawaiian sized appetizers or a restaurant like Monkey Pod which is an inexpensive alternative chain. There is nothing wrong with either of them, but they are not same type of restaurant.

I think any Disney buffet is overpriced and Makahiki is as well. It definitely caters to the Japanese and local guests, so many Americans might be disconcerted by what it offers or think the food is limited and it is true that the American food selection is limited. It is too expensive for me for a buffet.

Ulu Cafe has a varied selection of quick service food. And we often order food via the pool servers during the day. There are restaurants at the other nearby Marriott timeshare and Roy's Restaurant at the golf course across the street. I am interested to see what kind of restaurants the Four Seasons next door will have when it opens, although I expect those restaurants will be pretty expensive too.

 

[juncker]

Best meal we had was across the street at Roy's.

 

[77catwoman]

Joining to hear any new options. The other thread hasn't been used in awhile.

 

[Glent59]

Anyone been to Alan Wong's? we were looking for something upscale, and all the reviews said this is the place, we have made reservations already ( 8 of us ), but just curious if anybody has any feedback.

Thanks!