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Review: Breakfast at Kona Cafe in Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort


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You’re in for a real treat today as we take in breakfast at one of my favorite spots, Kona Cafe!

You’ll find Kona Cafe in Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. The hotel continues to undergo vast renovations, but we’re so happy to report that Kona Cafe seems to be sticking around!

Meals at this spot are pretty consistently good. Lunch at Kona can offer a welcome respite from Magic Kingdom. And dinner is a hidden gem — many swear by Kona’s Steak. But breakfast offers some serious cult favorites for Disney veterans.

Atmosphere

Kona Cafe is located off of the center atrium at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. It’s conveniently situated for guests of both the Polynesian, and, well, anywhere! Just steps away from the Monorail, it’s a quick ride from both the Magic Kingdom and the Ticket and Transportation Center.

Disney Food Blog Kona-Sign-

Entrance to Kona Cafe

You may be tempted to dismiss Kona without much thought. After all, its open atmosphere makes it seem like any plain jane hotel restaurant. And I agree — it does look like a Hilton straight out of the mid-90s.

The general feel of the space is supposed to be tropical. Bold colors abound on walls and carpet, while lighter-stained wood and wrought iron round out the space.

DFB Kona-dining-room

Kona Cafe Atmosphere and Seating

Because it’s located off of the atrium, Imagineers have made an effort to give it sort of a garden feel. As a result, some of the lights, like these large leaf-shaped glass fixtures, mimic nature patterns.

more lights Kona Cafe

Lighting Fixtures

One of my favorite decorative features are the ceiling fans that run the length of the dining room.

lights Kona Cafe

These Super Cool Ceiling Fans Keep the Air Moving Nicely

The carpet is very…colorful. Big, splashy exotic blooms are scattered across it. Look closely, and you may just find a familiar shape among the flowers. :-)

Hidden-Mickey-in-Carpet Kona Cafe

Hidden Mickey, Hidden Very Well Indeed

Seating is a combination of round and rectangular tables. If you’re with your whole fam, this is a nice place to settle in!

Seating

Seating

The mixed seating with banquettes on one side and chairs on the other are a good compromise.

Seating Area

Booth Seating

A lot of times, we make a big deal about the view of the Monorail at the Contemporary when you’re dining at Chef Mickey’s. But did you know that you can also see it when you dine at Kona? Here’s proof!

Lighting and a View Outside

View of the Monorail Coming into the Station

But, it’s super not as fun since you can’t hear it, and it’s not exactly whizzing by overhead. ;-)

But we’re not here for the vehicle view anyway…let’s get to eating!

Eats

If you’ve been reading Disney Food Blog for any length of time, then you know that Kona is one of my favorite spots for breakfast. The biggest reason for this distinction is their selection of unique menu offerings.

Breakfast Menu -- Click to Enlarge

Breakfast Menu — Click to Enlarge

This visit was late last Fall, and I was happy to find that, in addition to the regular menu, Kona was offering one of their seasonal treats…Pumpkin Pancakes!

Breakfast Special -- Pumpkin Pancakes!!

Breakfast Special — Pumpkin Pancakes!!

We began our meal with some of Kona’s best beverages. If you visit, you have to try the Liliko’i Juice. A blend of Passion Fruit, Orange, and Guava Juices, it’s pretty much the same as POG Juice and Jungle Juice, which you’ll find at other Disney restaurants. They just re-name it depending on the restaurant’s theme.

Lilikoi Juice

Liliko’i Juice

If you’re a coffee lover, you should definitely order a Press Pot of Kona Coffee, which serves two.

French Press of Kona Coffee

French Press of Kona Coffee

Soon enough, our food began to arrive, and I couldn’t wait to dig into those Pumpkin Pancakes. They’re served with Maple Pecan Butter, and they come with your choice of Bacon, Ham, or Sausage.

These were pretty good, but I really needed more butter! :-D Unfortunately, my server was pretty scarce during this visit, so by the time I got the chance to ask for more, I’d already eaten what I’d wanted of the pancakes.

Pumpkin Pancakes

Pumpkin Pancakes

And speaking of specialty pancakes, Kona offers different versions throughout the year. Keep an eye out soon for their Red Velvet pancake special, which should pop up for Valentine’s Day. They’re served with a cream cheese icing!

Valentine's Day Treat: Red Velvet Pancakes at Kona Cafe

Valentine’s Day Treat: Red Velvet Pancakes at Kona Cafe

If the specialty pancake isn’t your thing, though, we can recommend the Macadamia Pineapple Pancakes — another guest favorite at Kona.

Macadamia Pineapple Pancakes with Bacon

Macadamia Pineapple Pancakes with Bacon

The second order of the morning was something I’d actually never tried — the Samoan. This is sorta-kinda the Hawaiian cousin of Eggs Benedict. A little.

Poached Eggs sit atop a savory Pulled Pork Hash.

The Samoan

The Samoan

The stack is topped with a rich, tangy Hollandaise Sauce, and is garnished liberally with Arugula.

The Samoan -- Up Close

The Samoan — Up Close

The Eggs were were just you’d want when it comes to poached-ness. The whites were just set, while the yolk still slightly gooey.

The Samoan -- A Perfectly Poached Egg

The Samoan — A Perfectly Poached Egg

The Pulled Pork Hash was a flavorful addition to the mix. The Shredded Pork is moist and tender, and the diced White Potatoes do a great job of taking on all of the flavor of the meat. Together with the rich egg and hollandaise, it’s a great combination.

The Samoan Pulled Pork -- Up Close

The Samoan Pulled Pork — Up Close

So, I’ll admit, we skipped the Tonga Toast this time — I know! But be assured, it’s still on the menu. And it still looks great!

Tonga Toast with Bacon from Kona Cafe Will Keep You Going

Tonga Toast with Bacon

Another incredible breakfast at Kona! And fueled up for the day, it was time to see what we could get into!

And just a quick hello here to the awesome family I met while I was there! (They were sitting next to me!) Mom and Dad and two beautiful little girls — it was so fun to talk to you guys!

Overall

It’s so funny. There are places at Disney that are so inconsistent, so unpredictable, and then there are spots that you can count on every single time you visit to deliver in terms of food and service. Kona Cafe is on that short list.

We have visited for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and honestly, it’s always good to great. It’s not the decor to be sure. There’s no immersive experience at Kona. But the meals have been worth the money on a regular basis. And with breakfast items that are delicious and original, a visit to Kona is a fantastic way to start your Disney day.

Is dining at Kona Cafe for breakfast part of your busy Disney schedule? Comment below and tell us what you’d like to order the next time you visit!

Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com!Also, come on over and:




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