Tell me all about Kona Cafe

[MelissaBee]

We are considering Kona Cafe for dinner one night after an MK day. We want a meal on the monorail loop and already have Ohana and GF Cafe other times. We aren't fans of 1900 Park Fair or Chef Mickeys and the picky eaters in the bunch won't consider the Wave. So Kona it may be.

What are your reviews? Positives, negatives? Favorite entrees or desserts? Do they still offer the bread complimentary? Thanks!

 

[samsteele]

I've been x2 for dinner and enjoyed. My first visit was better since I had better service. I had the same entree both times . . . strip steak and for dessert the banana creme brulee. Both very good. Service here does make a difference. Ask for a table looking toward the gardens/monorail side as the decor isn't that interesting.

The macadamia nut butter bread service was complimentary as of last Fall. And it was excellent

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Our Ratings of Kona Cafe (Breakfast-LunchDinner: (*rev 3/21/2016*)
. . . food price value: C-D
. . . food quality: C-D
. . . food quantity per serving: C-C
. . . food prep speed: B-C
. . . food selection: C-B
. . . seating quantity: C-C
. . . seating comfort: C-C
. . . eatery atmosphere: B-B
. . . eatery convenience: B-B
. . . staff friendliness: B-C
. . . staff attentiveness: B-D
. . . character interaction: n/a
.
Our Recommendations:
. . . appys:...Crab Cakes (lunch-dinner)
. . . entree:..Tonga Toast (bfast)
. . . entree:..Tuna Poke (lunch). Littleneck Clams (diner)
. . . dessert:.Coconut Creme Kiki Tart
.
NOTE: Kona Cafe is quite good for breakfast when getting their famous Tonga Toast or
Macadamia Pineapple Pancakes. Other breakfast offerings are pretty much "just average".
They are usually quick with the service as they are trying to turn tables and get more
people through the eatery. The food quality/service level both severely suffer for lunch
and dinner. There have been many complaints about the slow service and poor food quality.
They changed lunch/dinner menus in August-2012, and lots of folks are displeased that
older favorites such as the ribeye is missing. As for value, it ranks as one of the most
overpriced eateries at WDW, as the size of meat and chicken servings are miniscule.

 

[DizDaD7]

We are considering Kona Cafe for dinner one night after an MK day. We want a meal on the monorail loop and already have Ohana and GF Cafe other times. We aren't fans of 1900 Park Fair or Chef Mickeys and the picky eaters in the bunch won't consider the Wave. So Kona it may be.

What are your reviews? Positives, negatives? Favorite entrees or desserts? Do they still offer the bread complimentary? Thanks!

Was there once . Last year on our arrival day...I believe Aug. 15th..It poured & we got soaked on our way out from MK to the monorails to Kona....

Food---Very Good.....Service---Not so Much....Rather poor to be honest. And it's not like we were stuck way back in a corner.....We were right there on the aisle when you pass the hostess......I'd love to give em another try..My Family said Hell no...

 

[gatordoc]

We usually go for lunch. Less crowded, and the sticky wings and sushi make a great midday meal.

 

[Huff]

This is one of our must do's every trip. We've always had great food and excellent service. Desserts are some of the best. We've only gone for dinner.

 

[SGMCO]

We ate there last trip and my food was excellent! I had the Grilled Fish.
The atmosphere was very nice.

Plus, this was Next to last TS meal and Credits on the DDP.
The manager was very helpful because the day before we had eaten at Yak and Yeti and our server changed in the middle of our meal,
and we were double charged in DDP credits.
Kona Manager went out of his way and checked on this and got my Credits returned to me, I was so grateful.

 

[2forMe]

Enjoyable meal and great location. We try to eat here on our trips!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I don't let one experience leave a permanent impression but we had lunch there last year (October) and it was not that great. Food was reasonable I guess, service was horrible. Took over 10 minutes for a server to come, drinks were painfully slow, no refills, everything was just slow, slow, slow and the server was oblivious. I can count on two fingers the number of times I've ever found a manager at a restaurant to complain, this was one of them. I'd go back as every place has bad days/people, but I was let down because you read so many good things about Kona.

 

[DisneyHardin]

We had breakfast there once and the service was TERRIBLE.

 

[momofkids]

I don't let one experience leave a permanent impression but we had lunch there last year (October) and it was not that great. Food was reasonable I guess, service was horrible. Took over 10 minutes for a server to come, drinks were painfully slow, no refills, everything was just slow, slow, slow and the server was oblivious. I can count on two fingers the number of times I've ever found a manager at a restaurant to complain, this was one of them. I'd go back as every place has bad days/people, but I was let down because you read so many good things about Kona.

This except it was November 2015 and dinner. The dessert was messed up too. I will say the manager was amazing. He called our restaurant for the next night and had us treated like VIPs

 

[MrsDuck]

Not a fan of Kona at dinner. Prices are high and entrees are lackluster IMO. We go for breakfast but pass on dinner.

 

[disneychik21]

I like lunch much better than dinner. For lunch I had these pork tacos and they were crazy good. For dinner I got the kona coffee crusted pork chop. It was beyond over cooked, like leather. I informed the server and they really couldn't have cared less. I will say the bread they served with dinner was amazing, but it is sad that bread was my favorite part of the meal.

 

[arcticdisneylovers]

We've gone a few time and the food was fine but the service was always terrible so we gave up, haven't gone in a few years. Dh loved breakfast options pancakes and tonga toast. I'm considering booking in Jan for the Kona cone!

 

[Tucker24]

We went once two years ago and the food was good. I believe we had the steak for dinner and a pineapple dessert. We returned last year and had scallops and were underwhelmed. So much that we probably won't return. We did eat at the Grand Floridian Cafe and were really impressed. Of course we had the steak at Grand Floridian too so that may have something to do with it. Like I mentioned we aren't returning to Kona but we will return to Grand Floridian

 

[goofy4prez]

Kona Cafe for me: Breakfast is pretty good, lunch is ok, dinner is rather average in food, decor and service. It's not really a restaurant I would make a trip out to though for any meal unless right there. I know you mentioned about the monorail loop, but would you consider taking the boat as an option to either the Wilderness Lodge or Fort Wilderness. At the WL ,Whispering Canyon may be a nice option for picky eaters with it's BBQ comfort foods. The endless skillet is pretty good and you can use the bottomless milkshakes as a beverage credit and still indulge in dessert. That and the antics can be a lot of fun. Make sure to take some time and look around this impressive resort as well. Perhaps the finest themed resort in WDW. At FW you have Trails End Restaurant. It doesn't get any easier for picky eaters at this buffet. The offerings are fried chicken, carved meats, pizza, pasta's, smoked ribs and other picky eater foods.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Kona is a refurbished Coffee shop--wide open and noisy.

OK for breakfast though---

 

[3 Hobbits 2 Disney]

Have eaten there last 3 trips (all within 24 months). First dinner summer 14,very good food, good service. Dinner winter 14 okay food, horrible service. Dinner spring 15 lackluster food, horrendously poor service. It was fallen off of our list.

 

[minniebeth]

We've eaten at Kona many times~ breakfast is best, lunch is good, and dinner is pretty good, but sometimes hit or miss.
Service is *always* slow.
And quirky~ an example is that when we ate there for dinner in January after the Marathon, we had a big group of people. My DS was the only one who ordered an appetizer and the server told him maybe he shouldn't have it, because it would be awkward for him to be eating while no one else was. Um, the guy just ran a marathon. He's hungry, bring him his appetizer, lol...
Just thought that was so odd! Yes, he was serious too!
We've had some other odd server encounters there as well. But we stay at the Polynesian and monorail resorts often, so I'm sure we'll be back.

 

[DIS_MIKE]

I ate at Kona recently for dinner and I really enjoyed it. Service was good and if you're a sushi fan you can get your fix for a lot less than you would at the Cali Grill.