By Darlin’ Diva
If you’re thinking about dining at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, you can’t go wrong with Kona Café. Often overlooked in favor of the super-popular ‘Ohana, Kona Café offers guests a delicious menu, excellent service, and is 1 Table Service credit on the Disney Dining Plan. Kona Café’s location makes it a convenient option before, during, or after a day in the Magic Kingdom – just hop on a boat or monorail for a quick trip to the other side of the Seven Seas Lagoon.
We’ve dined several times recently at Kona Café and have been delighted on every visit… which poses a problem for us: Which meal to chose!
Kona Café – Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner?
Kona Cafe’s breakfast menu is huge and boasts one of Walt Disney World’s most famous dishes, Tonga Toast (“Banana-stuffed Sourdough French Toast rolled in Cinnamon Sugar and served with a Strawberry Compote and your choice of Ham, Bacon, or Sausage”).
If, like us, you prefer a more savory breakfast, there are also excellent choices like The Samoan (“Poached Eggs with Hollandaise served over Smoked Pulled Pork Hash”) and other, more traditional fare. If you’re a fan of grits with breakfast, Kona Cafe’s are the best we’ve had on Disney property! Personally, I love the egg-white omelet (with roasted red peppers and goat cheese). It comes with a huge bowl of fresh berries and makes me feel like I’m making healthy choices while filling me up with yummy goodness. 
The breakfast menu offers something for everyone and the Kona coffee is both delicious and available to-go if you need a little extra caffeine to take with you. To best enjoy Kona Café for breakfast, I’d recommend one of two plans: Either book an early reservation and hit Kona before heading to Magic Kingdom or book a late reservation and take the monorail from Magic Kingdom after enjoying a few rides during an early extra magic hour. No matter which option you choose, Kona Café is a perfect place to enjoy the most important meal of the day! If you’re not on the Disney Dining Plan, breakfast is also a more economical choice for experiencing Kona Café than later in the day. (Full breakfast menu here)
Lunch at Kona Café – The advantage of lunch at the Polynesian is that you get a mid-day break, outside the parks, in a tropical paradise. During the hottest time of the day, you can relax over tasty fare like barbeque pork or fish tacos, Asian noodle bowls, an Ahi tuna or turkey sandwich, or…my personal favorite, the Kona Surf and Turf Burger Deluxe “Grilled Angus Chuck Burger topped with Passion Fruit-Onion Jam, spicy Fried Shrimp, and Sweet Potato Fries” The kids menu is awesome and includes several healthier options than the usual burger, hot dog, or pasta (although those are available too) and there are several tasty and unique dessert offerings to choose from. Check out the full menu here. Stretch out your relaxation time with a stroll around the gorgeous grounds (the landscaping is fantastic) or browse in the Polynesian’s boutiques before tackling the rest of your day.
In the evening, Kona Café offers dinner guests an excellent opportunity to sample Polynesian-influenced menu items in a casual, family-friendly atmosphere. After dark, the Kona Café’s location takes on a completely different atmosphere. If you want to enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail, the Tambu Lounge with its comfy seating is just next door. If you have more time and prefer an even more exotic atmosphere, Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto is also a fun and unique place for a libation (downstairs on the first floor). 
What we like most about Kona Café in the evening (besides the convenient location) is the variety of offerings – something to please every type of diner! Every time we go, I try something new and haven’t been disappointed. The sushi, if you’re a fan, is excellent with plenty of options. My husband and I usually order an appetizer (like the Pot Stickers or Sticky Wings) and a sushi selection for sharing before our entrees. 
As a main course, I’m partial to the Pan-Asian Noodles and my husband loves the Kona Coffee-rubbed Pork Chop (with Curried Green Lentils and Glazed Baby Carrots). With beef, duck, lamb, fish, chicken, seafood, and vegetarian choices, there’s a lot to choose from! (Full dinner menu here)
If you’re looking for someplace casual with great food in the Magic Kingdom area, you can’t go wrong with Kona Café! Are you already a fan? What’s your favorite Kona Café meal?
Until next time…Darlin’ Diva
