Kona Cafe Breakfast Review
Kona Cafe is a restaurant in Walt Disney World’s Polynesian Village Resort. We’ve already reviewed Kona Cafe for lunch and dinner, but breakfast is also a popular meal at Kona Cafe, so we figured we’d cover that now. The breakfast menu doesn’t really have the Asian flare of the other menus, but instead is a somewhat tropical take on American breakfast.
Kona Cafe is a 1-credit table service restaurant on the Disney Dining Plan for breakfast, and it also accepts the Tables in Wonderland card for a 20% discount. Kona Cafe is a terrible value on the Disney Dining Plan for breakfast. Definitely pay out of pocket and save your credits for lunch or dinner if you’re planning on dining here while on the Disney Dining Plan.
We covered this the dinner review, but our biggest complaint about Kona Cafe remains the ambiance. It’s an open-air restaurant that in the open-air atrium of the Great Ceremonial House at the Polynesian. This in itself wouldn’t be an issue as the Great Ceremonial House has a very relaxed and tropical ambiance. The problem is when you throw guests into the mix–and guests will invariably be thrown into the mix because Kona Cafe is adjacent to the incredibly popular ‘Ohana.
If you’re unfamiliar with the layout of the Polynesian, the photo below should give you an idea. This shot was taken from across the upper level lobby. In the foreground is a seating area that becomes a de facto waiting area for ‘Ohana. To the near right is Tambu Lounge, a bar that is basically part of ‘Ohana. Just past that, in the corner, is ‘Ohana.
Immediately to the left of ‘Ohana (basically at the top center of the photo) is Kona Cafe. Guests seated right by the edge of this restaurant will have a lovely view of patrons waiting for ‘Ohana at breakfast. This issue is totally eliminated if you’re seated away from the outer edge of the restaurant, though.
Drinks shouldn’t be overlooked at Kona Cafe, where the 100% Kona Coffee French Press Pot serves one of the best cups of coffee at Walt Disney World (right up there with Artist Point, Yachtsman Steakhouse, and Victoria & Albert’s).
Sorry, Starbucks, but this is the way to start your morning if you’re staying at the Polynesian. The Mega Berry Smoothies and Lilikoi Juice are also great.
We highly recommend with starting out with one of these three Kona Cafe specialties (especially if you’re on the Disney Dining Plan, as they’re a better value than regular juice or soda).
We’ve dined at Kona Cafe for breakfast a few times. The big draw here is the Tonga Toast, which was the main reason why we dined at Kona Cafe initially. Kona Cafe gets a lot of hype around the internet for its breakfast, and almost all of this hype is due to the Tonga Toast.
Our first time, we bought into the hype and dined here because of it. This was a rookie mistake. Getting the Tonga Toast wasn’t the mistake–that was a brilliant decision as Tonga Toast truly lives up to the hype. The mistake was going to Kona Cafe to get it.
As we later learned, Tonga Toast is also available downstairs in the Polynesian at Captain Cook’s for less than half the price charged at Kona Cafe. The only thing it lacks at Captain Cook’s is the Strawberry Compote, but I can do without that, anyway.
So what, exactly, is Tonga Toast? Banana fried awesomeness in dough form. It’s two pieces of sourdough bread with bananas in the center that are egg battered and deep-fried, then rolled with a liberal amount of cinnamon sugar. You know those Cheerios commercials “heart healthy” commercials? I’m pretty sure there won’t be a similar commercial for Tonga Toast anytime soon.
Who wants to eat a healthy breakfast at Walt Disney World, though? With Tonga Toast, you get something that is flat out delicious and is a breakfast you’ll crave later at home. I personally think the Strawberry Compote is a bit much (both in terms of flavor and sugar overload–banana and strawberry go well together normally, so perhaps I’d like it more without the cinnamon sugar on the Tonga Toast?), but I highly recommend the Tonga Toast.
Like I said above, I recommend getting it at Captain Cook’s, which leads to an interesting dilemma here, but you’re dead set on Kona Cafe and don’t want to dine at Captain Cook’s, get it at Kona.
Fortunately, Tonga Toast isn’t the only great thing on the Kona Cafe menu. We are normally not huge fans of breakfast at Walt Disney World, as it’s mostly generic or fake-tasting items, but Kona Cafe is a rare gem among breakfast locations. I’m a fan of the Steak and Eggs, which is a smallish New York Strip Steak along with eggs, a biscuit, and potatoes.
The steak isn’t nearly as inspired as the one they serve at dinner, but it has good flavor and is a decent cut. It’s a fairly reasonable value (for a steak at Walt Disney World), too.
Another item that seems to be pretty heavily hyped among fans is the Big Kahuna, which essentially contains a little of everything: French toast, pancakes topped with pineapple sauce and macadamia nut butter, eggs, potatoes, plus ham, bacon, and sausage. We do not give this item a gold star.
Here, we think the hype is the result of a lot of different things being offered in one single entree that’s not all that expensive. On paper it sounds great, especially for the price. However, the portions of ham, bacon, and sausage are very small, so that’s somewhat illusory.
More importantly, the only stand-out here is the pancakes, and those are available as a separate menu item (Macadamia-Pineapple Pancakes). That’s what you should order instead if you want those pancakes. The pancakes are delicious and an item that actually is somewhat “special” at Kona Cafe, unlike the rest of the Big Kahuna platter, which is all fairly generic.
The Big Kahuna is by no means bad, but it’s not deserving of the hype, which seems to us perpetuated not by the quality of the meal, but by the quantity of items in it.
Besides the Steak & Eggs and the Macadamia-Pineapple Pancakes, we’ve also heard very good things about the Samoan, which is poached eggs with Hollandaise served over smoked pulled pork hash, and it certainly sounds unique, but we haven’t had a chance to try that yet.
Otherwise, the menu is mostly composed of fairly standard breakfast options. Still, considering the quality (or lack thereof) of breakfast at most Walt Disney World restaurants, the fact that Kona Cafe has around 3-4 solid options plus great coffee and drinks should be considered very impressive relative to the field.
Overall, it’s difficult to arrive on a score for Kona Cafe because of the Tonga Toast dilemma. Tonga Toast is the main draw here, and this review is largely based upon it. On the one hand, Tonga Toast is delicious, and a great option for breakfast at Kona Cafe…so it should score points for that. On the other hand, Tonga Toast is also available at Captain Cook’s, and is much cheaper there…so Kona Cafe should lose points for that. It helps Kona Cafe that it has a few other great breakfast options, and ultimately those plus the drinks form the basis of our score here, as the Tonga Toast is pretty much a wash. Request a seat away from the lobby or dine early enough that the lobby isn’t busy and you’re likely to have one of the best breakfasts at Walt Disney World…even if the very best item they serve is “better” downstairs at Captain Cook’s!
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Your Thoughts…
Are you a fan of Kona Cafe? What’s your go-to breakfast here: Tonga Toast, Macadamia-Pineapple Pancakes, or something else? Hearing from you is half the fun, so please share your thoughts in the comments!
The Samoan. 2 words – enough said. My absolute favorite breakfast item at Kona Cafe.
Worth going there for the Kona coffee alone. Like they also have gluten free waffles, but would go if breakfast was not good for the best coffee in the world.
I found Kona cafe to be an absolutely perfect place for breakfast at WDW. And that is how to start a day at Disney! The breakfast menu doesn’t really have the Asian flare of the other menus, but instead is a somewhat tropical on American breakfast. All the recipes at Kona café are very good, especially the Macadamia-Pineapple Pancakes.
we are booked in here to try the tonga toast. is captain cooks better? we are paying cash, I paid for the dining plan last year and I lost money due to our choices, but enough of that. Which one is better? we are dying for tonga toast!! yummy
Hey do you guys know when Capt. Cooks will be done being refurbished? We are going to Disney in May and I am hoping it’s done by then b/c I need to have access to the self serve Dole Whip lol when I get off the monorail!!!
The only info out there right now says “Summer 2014,” but my guess is that it won’t be open before Memorial Day. The Polynesian is going to see some extensive work before the Polynesian Disney Vacation Club opens, and we expect Captain Cook’s to pretty much be gutted and totally redone. I can’t see them finishing that in less than 2 months.
Kona is ALWAYS our first breakfast on every trip. Coffee, Tonga Toast, Pineapple Macadamia Pancakes, Samoan….to die for. I’m sorry, but, Tonga Toast without the strawberry compote….never!!!
Haha, to each their own! The strawberry compote may be good, but it’s tough for us to justify that price…
Thank you for this review of Kona Cafe. Our trip is this April, and my to-do list included shooting over to Captain Cook’s to try Tonga Toast for the first time. I was planning to fit it in around 6:30 or 7 am, before heading to the Magic Kingdom for 9 am rope drop. Well, Captain Cook’s will be closed for refurbishment during our stay.
So, is Kona Cafe a feasible substitute, just to try the infamous Tonga Toast? We’ve never been there. I know it’s sit-down, but I really only want to try the Tonga Toast. And I guess the coffee. (And now the pancakes after reading your review). I can’t believe the price difference for the Tonga Toast: $5.19 at Captain Cook’s vs. $12.99 at Kona! And the only difference is the compote? Does it even include sides? I know that many places will let you un-combo a meal for cheaper. I’m wondering if we would be able to ask for just the toast at Kona, for less money?
Also, I think it opens later, like 7:30. Is it even a possibility to fit this in before rope drop on a 9 am opening? I just want to try the Tonga Toast! I am wondering if it would even be worth it to try it at Kona, or just put it off for another trip, when Captain Cook’s is open.
From what I understand, There will be a temporary location while Captain Cook’s is closed. I’d expect that location to have Tonga Toast.
If it doesn’t…well, you certainly seem really excited about Tonga Toast, why not just splurge and go to Kona? I doubt you’ll regret it.
Ok, we are here in WDW right now, and have decided take your advice and head over to Kona Cafe on our day off fron the parks! Will we need a reservation for breakfast?
Reservations are always recommended. Whether you *need* one depends upon the day.
Thank you so much! We went over for breakfast last Wednesday. We took a chance without an ADR, and it was fine. At 11 am, not even 25% full.
Breakfast was awesome. We ordered all the fan faves: French press Kona coffee, Tonga Toast (with the strawberry compote!), Pineapple Macadamia Nut Pancakes, the Samoan and even the Lilikoi Juice. We shared between 2 adults/2 kids.
We loved everything, except the coffee. I was so excited to try it, and I am a strong coffee drinker, but it was very bitter and I am sorry to say this, but it tasted like when I leave my coffee pot on too long, and burn it. Everything else was a hit, though, including the great service! And hubby thought the portion/price ratio was impressive. So worth the bus + monorail ride all the way from Riverside!
Glad to hear that you liked it! 🙂
Haha, thanks, I am excited, but not at that price. How can I find out about the alternate location?
I seriously have made a list of various foods here & there that I’d like to try, on our upcoming 4th trip, many of which I have read about here, so thanks. And I am not looking to make a romance out of it, just try the various food items for my Disney (food/snack) bucket list. So I planned for us to get to MK by bus, shoot over to Poly on the monorail, grab the toast, and head back to MK.
I guess I’ll take the chance on the temporary place you suggested, but I don’t want a family sit down meal early in the morning, when we’re trying to catch opening at MK.
Thanks again for all your awesome advice & info!
I thought the Kona Cafe was great for breakfast. The Big Kahuna breakfast is legit and offers that little bit of everything that I love. I would recommend that. The tonga toast was pretty disappointing. Its a big hunk of dry texas toast, covered in cinnamon sugar with some banana in the middle. Not a fan, and maybe I’m the only one that thinks so, but its not that special….overhyped for sure.
My husband and I just dined at Kona for breakfast last month for the first time. We went while the kids were otherwise occupied, which I think is the way to do it! The coffee was amazing, the Tonga Toast was great, but we are still raving about the Samoan! It is such a unique dish and the flavors are so perfectly blended. If I went back, I’d definitely order it again!
I’ll let you know after the 27th when we have our ressie.
Kona is one of my favorites for breakfast at WDW. I love everything from the amazing smell when you first walk in to the Great Ceremonial House, to the excellent Polynesian staff, to the incredible food and drink choices. I,d rate it a 9/10! The argument about Captian Hook’s is a bit misleading, comparing prices of a sit down restauant to a counter service restaurant. If anything, they should be given extra points for having one of their signature items with alot of “hype” available as an easily accessible counter service item.
Maybe I got suckered in but since I had an ADR at Kona, and this was the first time I had to get the Tonga Toast. I look forward to returning and trying other dishes.
It’s a shame that you’ve had so many mediocre breakfasts at WDW. You owe it to yourselves to try breakfast at Boma, it is really something to write about. We are also big fans of the breakfast at Fresh Mediterranean Market in the Dolphin hotel. We don’t usually feel that we get our money’s worth out of a buffet, but these two are exceptional. I’m sure we recoup our investment on just the fresh fruit at Boma, and the fresh squeezed wheatgrass juice at Fresh makes it worth a walk over to the Dolphin. We go to Epcot for early entry, play in the park for two hours, then walk over to Fresh for a 10:30 breakfast, and we aren’t hungry again until dinner time!
I have to agree… try Boma’s breakfast! The thickly-cut ham is delicious.
Thanks for the review, Tom!
Kona looks pretty good, and we may still keep our reservation there. A spot opened up at ‘Ohana for dinner our first night at WDW, so we’ve got the Poly covered. We still have to figure out what we’ll do for the one meal that has to come ‘out of pocket’ and this will definitely be in the running!
I first visited the Kona Cafe because of the Tonga Toast but what keeps me coming back is the coffee (we usually buy a bag of beans to bring home) and the macadamia nut pineapple pancake. Kona Cafe is on the top of our must do list. Couldn’t imagine just picking up a tonga toast at Captain Cook. I don’t think it would start off our MK day in quite the same way.
I will say that I shared the Tonga Toast on my last trip, paid extra for a few slices of bacon and it was definitely work the 1-credit for a table service restaurant. 🙂
worth* not work…
While I agree with everything you said, I think that a 7.5 is too low on the Bricker Scale. You’ve handed out some 8’s and 9’s, in the past, to some inferior competition.
I’m beginning to hate this scale because it’s so hard to rate a lot of the restaurants, and then after I’ve rated some, I have to go back and make sure the new ratings are consistent with the old, etc.
You may have a point. Despite saying the Tonga Toast thing was a wash, that did play into my rating. This should probably be upgraded to an 8 or maybe even 8.5 (if compared to other breakfast spots). I’ll think about it…
I know you’re really upset about the Tonga Toast being cheaper at Captain Cook’s but Kona Café does include choice of meat plus it’s a table service restaurant rather than counter service. I don’t think it’s fair that the price affected your rating so much.
The Samoan is by far the best breakfast item on WDW property. All of the pulled pork at the Poly is great. However the pork and hollandaise is something to behold.
Thanks for the recommendation. I’ll be sure to try that next time!
So are you saying that the smoothies and special juice are part of the dining plan? I thought that only soft drinks were included? Or am I wrong and we can get other specialty drinks at other restaurants, too?
Also, we plan on eating at O’hana breakfast to meet Lilo and Stitch. Since you mentioned Captain Cooks, I’m assuming that Tonga Toast won’t be served at O’hana… Sad, I really wanted to try it, but I don’t think we can swing two days of breakfast at the Poly on our next trip. We’ll have to make it a priority on the trip after that 🙂
They allowed us to order a smoothie on the dining plan at Kona….and Sci Fi Drive In allowed us to order shakes…it might be different at each place…if you are not sure…..ask your server….they have always been great about recommending options on the dining plan.
Thanks, so good to know!
We love the Macadamia-Pineapple pancakes, but we like them better in the Big Kahuna. I dont know why maybe because they are smaller or something but they just taste SOOO much better in the Big Kahuna. Kona is MY favorite breakfast spot in all of WDW and it’s a must do on each and every trip, my non-disney friends are even sick of looking at all my Kona Press and Big Kahuna pictures I post to my facebook. After breakfast we always go get a Dole Whip down in Capt. Cooks to share on the monorail over to Epcot. And that is how to start a day at Disney!
I find Kona cafe to be an absolutely phenomenal place for breakfast at WDW. It’s also reasonably priced vs the buffets and character meals, yet the food and ambiance is arguably still very nice by comparison. That being said, the disney food blog recently did a review of Boma for breakfast, and it looks to be divine: http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2013/10/13/review-breakfast-at-boma-in-disneys-animal-kingdom-lodge/
Here’s a few full-res photos of our last trip to Kona for breakfast. I loved the macadamia-pineapple pancakes.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7875882@N07/8701134167/in/set-72157634308741594
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7875882@N07/8702264566/in/set-72157634308741594
I saw that review on DFB. It looks great. We’ve done dinner at Boma and it was incredible, so I can only imagine that breakfast is also great.
Those photos of your macadamia-pineapple pancakes are proof alone that people should order that instead of the Big Kahuna! 😉
Hi Tom,
Thanks for the review. My family loves Kona Cafe. My comments are towards the Steak and Eggs. I have embraced a low carb lifestyle (lost 65 pounds) and worry about what to eat at WDW. Steak and Eggs sounds like a great option (I’ll just give the potatoes and biscuit to another family member). Plus, I Love Coffee!!! Look forward to trying it at Kona.