3/18/21 3/18/21

Kona Cafe Lunch Review

Kona Cafe, located at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, is one of our favorite resort table service restaurants on Disney property for delicious special diets meals and affordable prices. Normally, we dine at Kona Cafe for dinner or breakfast, but on this visit, we decided to grab an early first seating lunch. We were excited to dine at Kona as it had been quite a few months since our last meal there.

*This gluten free dining experience took place in February 2021. It includes information about dairy free options, as well as fish/shellfish, peanut, hazelnut, cabbage, and chicken & turkey allergies.

Lunch at Kona Cafe

COVID-19 & Reopening Notes

On this particular visit, we made reservations for the restaurant a few days before we dined there. I used the My Disney Experience app and found that there was a first lunch seating, which we decided to book (the restaurant opens for lunch at 11:30 a.m. but does serve breakfast earlier in the day). The app worked as it normally does, and we were able to add in our special dietary needs in the app and alert cast members of our needs when we arrived at the restaurant. We were able to use the online check-in when we arrived with no issues.

The restaurant itself featured many mechanisms to provide sanitization, social distancing, and safety for both guests and cast members. All cast members wore facial masks and some cast members also wore protective shields, as well. All servers in the restaurant wore both facial masks and protective shields. We also noticed on this visit that there was some overflow seating for Kona Cafe on the walkways outside of the restaurant since the monorail is not currently operating.

As a note, at the time of writing this review, we have been to several of the Disney Resorts, including the Animal Kingdom Lodge, Boardwalk Resort, Contemporary Resort, Coronado Springs Resort, Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Old Key West Resort, Polynesian, Riviera Resort, and Wilderness Lodge Resort along with all of the theme parks. All locations have the same protocols, as far as we have observed. Be sure to check with restaurants and the official Disney World website for additional information about current guidelines and recommendations.

Atmosphere

We've reviewed Kona Cafe many, many times. So, we won't go into a lot of the theme in this review. You can find some of our other reviews with more photos and information on the blog.

Kona Cafe - Entrance / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Generally, the restaurant is a contemporary take on modern Polynesian decor. But, the restaurant has not been updated in many years. So, you may find that the decor has a bit of a 1990s feel to it. There's lots of bright colors and patterns featured on the carpet, upholstery, and decorations at Kona Cafe.

The restaurant is also "open" in that it's a lobby restaurant that fully opens to the 2nd floor walkways. Depending on where you're seating, you might get a lot of people watching in.

Kona Cafe - Seating Area / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

When we dined at the restaurant, the breakfast and lunch hours were just switching over. So, that meant it was very quiet. If you are looking to avoid large crowds or prefer quieter times, we highly recommend an earlier or later lunch which seem to be the best when dining indoors with less people right now during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This photos also gives you a good idea of what the interior of the restaurant looks like along with the general theme and atmosphere that you'll experience when dining at Kona Cafe.

Kona Cafe / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The restaurant does include social distancing measures throughout. And, we found that dining at 11:30 a.m. helped make the restaurant feel even quieter and more socially distanced due to the low number of diners.

The Food

Like most Disney owned restaurants, Kona Cafe does have an allergy-friendly menu. You can, of course, always speak to a chef when you dine at Kona Cafe too to discuss different options, modifications, and any questions that you might have.

Because we have dined so much at Kona Cafe, we don't always speak directly with a chef. But, because our server noted our multiple special dietary needs, she recommended that we bring a chef out to discuss the options. It was actually a great thing to do, as I was able to make a special request for a to-go order, which I'll talk about later in this post.

Up first were allergy-friendly rolls. These are gluten free, dairy free & free of the top 8 common allergens and vegan. The current brand used was Bloomfield Farms, which I really love. They were very well heated and tasted great, as always. I also got some Smart Balance vegan buttery spread on the side. The restaurant does usually offer Earth Balance, but due to supply issues they only had Smart Balance (both of which are gluten free, dairy free & vegan) at this time. It's always a good idea to ask a chef when dining at a restaurant what dairy free & vegan options are available.

For my entree, I decided to get the Kona Chicken Stir-Fry which came with Rice Noodles, Napa Cabbage, Carrots, and GF Teriyaki Sauce. This dish is marked safe for Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, and Peanut/Tree Nut Allergies.

I had this dish on a previous visit and really enjoyed it. The last visit, I found the dish to be a bit heavy on the GF teriyaki sauce, which I enjoy but thought was just a bit too much. This time, the noodles had the perfect amount of GF teriyaki sauce. The chicken was really well cooked and the vegetables were flavorful and tasty. If you enjoy noodles and stir-fry, this is a great option for gluten free and dairy free guests.

Brandon absolutely loves Kona Cafe's Pork Belly Noodle Bowl, and you would be hard-pressed to see him ordering anything else from Kona Cafe for his entree. This dish is marked safe for Fish/Shellfish, Milk, and Peanut/Tree Nut Allergies. It was also made safe for chicken & turkey and cabbage allergies by swapping out the bone froth for a vegetarian Jasmine broth and omitting bok choy and other types of cabbage from the vegetable medley in the noodle bowl.

Brandon absolutely loves all the flavors of this dish and always raves about it. If you enjoy noodle bowls and pork belly, this is a great dish for you.

On this visit, we had briefly mentioned that it was my birthday the day before. Unexpectedly, the chef brought out a lovely platter of special diets treats for us to enjoy for dessert. This included Enjoy Life Cookies Snickerdoodles & Chocolate Chip Cookies, fresh fruit, coconut macaroons, and a gluten free, dairy free & vegan tapioca pudding. Everything was gluten free on the plate and all but the coconut macaroons and chocolate decorations were dairy free. If you're a dessert fan, I do highly recommend the tapioca pudding. There's lots of bright citrus flavors in it, and I absolutely love the creaminess of it. We enjoyed it all, and it was such a thoughtful treat from the chef.

The special request that I mentioned earlier was a to-go order. Because were dining just after the breakfast and lunch switchover at Kona Cafe, I asked the chef if it was possible to order a to-go order of breakfast food -- specifically the gluten free macadamia nut pancakes. The chef checked in the kitchen to see if that was possible and was able to make this dish to-go. If you are dining at Kona Cafe for breakfast, the GF version of the macadamia nut pancakes are not listed on the allergy-friendly menu, but you can order them upon request. I had these the next morning, and they reheated really well! It was a nice treat and good to know that you can sometimes get take-out during that switchover period if you ask.

If you want to get more information about our visit to Kona Cafe, we did film our visit for our YouTube channel.

Overall

We always really enjoy our meals at Kona Cafe. And this visit did not disappoint. We absolutely loved the entrees that we ordered, which were repeat dishes for both of us. And, we also really loved the surprise dessert platter. All of the food we had was great! Our experience with the chef and low crowds was also outstanding. We so appreciate that the chef could accommodate a breakfast to-go order too. While it may be a bit before we're back at Kona Cafe again, we always enjoy it and can't wait to have another great meal there.

Have you been to Kona Cafe? What was your experience with the special diets options there?

9/4/20 9/4/20

Kona Cafe Dinner Review

Kona Cafe, located at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, reopened in July 2020 after the Disney Parks & Resorts closed temporarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Kona Cafe is one our favorite resort table service restaurants for a reasonably priced and delicious special dietary needs safe meal. So, Brandon and I were thrilled to be able to finally get back to the restaurant for a meal when we went in August 2020.

*This gluten free dining experience took place in August 2020. It includes information about dairy free options, as well as fish/shellfish, peanut, hazelnut, cabbage, and chicken & turkey allergies.

Dinner at Kona Cafe

COVID-19 & Reopening Notes

On this particular visit, we made a last minute reservation on the same day that we dined. I used the My Disney Experience app and found that there was a 8:30 p.m. seating, which we decided to book (the restaurant closed at 9 p.m.). The app worked as it normally does, and we were able to add in our special dietary needs in the app and alert cast members of our needs when we arrived at the restaurant. We also utilized online restaurant check-in when we arrived at Kona Cafe. Online check-in includes using your My Disney Experience app to check-in yourself. It's super easy, and I hope Disney keeps this going forward too.

The Polynesian Village Resort itself featured many mechanisms to provide sanitization, social distancing, and safety for both guests and cast members. All cast members wore facial masks and some cast members also wore protective shields, as well. All servers in the restaurant wore both facial masks and protective shields. In addition, there were many portable hand sanitizer stations for guests to use. We also saw cast members regularly cleaning surfaces and restrooms throughout our visit. The resort itself was fairly quiet — making social distancing very easy. The restaurant was a little busier than expected (it is currently the only table service restaurant open in the resort), but the tables were well spaced out to provide social distancing.

As a note, at the time of writing this review, we have been to several of the Disney Resorts, including the Contemporary Resort, Old Key West Resort, and Riviera Resort. All locations have the same protocols, as far as we have observed. Be sure to check with restaurants and the official Disney World website for additional information about current guidelines and recommendations.

Atmosphere

Kona Cafe has Polynesian inspired decor. The restaurant decor hasn't been updated in many years, so the restaurant theme does feel a bit on the dated side. Still, there's a lot of charm and nostalgia for me in this restaurant.

Kona Cafe - Sign / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Kona is located on the second floor of the main building at the Polynesian Village Resort and is open to the second floor lobby area. It's a good spot to watch other guests walk by as they head onto the monorail and other Disney destinations.

Kona Cafe - Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

The restaurant is definitely very bright and cheerful. There's a lot of seating options including standard tables and booths with plush seats.

During our visit, we both agreed that we felt in terms of the seating that the front area of the restaurant, with the booths and plusher seating, seemed to be more of a challenge for social distancing. We were seated in the far back of the restaurant and felt the spacing there was definitely more comfortable for our personal preference.

We did also dine at one of the last seatings of the evening, so your mileage may vary on seating and capacity depending on the time that you visit.

The Food

Like most restaurants at Disney World, Kona Cafe does offer an allergy-friendly menu. We were also told by our server that we could speak with a chef at any time. As far as protocols and offerings, we found the restaurant to be just as accommodating as they are during normal times.

The only interesting part about our visit was that the allergy-friendly menu that we were sent by a reader from the week before was different than the one that we received on our visit. So, on whatever visit you have to a Disney restaurant, be aware that the menus can change depending on supplies and availability. For the most part, the biggest changes we have seen in the past few months is that restaurants are slowly adding more dishes back to their menus, which is great news.

To start our meal, Brandon and I were served the Bloomfield Farms brand Allergy-Friendly dinner rolls. These are gluten free, dairy free, egg free, nut free, and vegan. We were also served regular butter, but the restaurant does offer Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Spread, as well.

We have had these rolls at pretty much every Disney restaurant that we've dined at this summer. So far, Kona Cafe was the restaurant that did the worst on heating these rolls up well, but overall, we enjoy the flavors of these rolls and love having them as an allergy-friendly option whenever we dine out at Disney.

Brandon wasn't initially a fan of these rolls, but he has come to enjoy them a lot -- especially if they are well-heated.

For my entree, I asked if I was able to get the Gluten Free and Dairy Free Chicken Teriyaki Stir-Fry that had been on the allergy-friendly menu the previous week (but wasn't on the menu when we visited). I was glad to hear that this was not an issue and easy to accommodate.

The dish included rice noodles, grilled chicken, lots of veggies, and gluten free teriyaki sauce. Overall, I really enjoyed this dish, especially because they used the GF teriyaki sauce that is normally served at 'Ohana. So, I totally had 'Ohana vibes at our meal.

My only slight criticism was that the stir-fry was heavily sauced. I probably would have cut the sauce in half as it was a little too much sauce for my taste (and I am a huge fan of sauces!). I would definitely get this again if it's still on the menu the next time we visit.

Kona Cafe - Pork Belly Noodle Bowl — Kona Cafe / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For Brandon's entree, he ordered his favorite dish at Kona Cafe -- the Pork Belly Noodle Bowl. It is marked safe for Fish/Shellfish, Milk, and Peanut/Tree Nut Allergies. They also swapped the broth out and used vegetable broth instead to make this dish chicken & turkey free. And, they also made sure to not include bok choy, as Brandon is also allergic to cabbage.

If you have read any of our other reviews of Kona Cafe, you know just how much Brandon loves this noodle bowl. It's a must on any visit to Kona for him.

The other dish that Brandon always orders at Kona Cafe is the Mashed Potatoes. Normally, you can order a large side of these. But, on this visit, Brandon was served a small bowl -- as the potatoes aren't currently on the menu (but were available that night the the short ribs entree).

Creamy, rich, and super tasty -- the mashed potatoes at Kona Cafe are a great gluten free, fish/shellfish free, and peanut free side dish.

If you want to get more information about our visit to Kona Cafe and the Polynesian Village Resort, check out our vlog that we recorded on our YouTube channel.

Overall

Kona Cafe is always a must-visit restaurant for us at the Disney Resorts. It's a restaurant that we visit again and again for solid special dietary needs food options, delicious meals, and reasonable prices. We are hoping that it remains open to guests during the upcoming refurbishment of the resort too, because would hate to miss out on this great restaurant for a year.

Have you been to Kona Cafe? What did you enjoy when you dined there?

1/1/20 1/1/20

Kona Cafe Dinner Review

Kona Cafe, located in Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, is one of our favorite go-to spots for an affordable dinner on Disney property. Brandon and I really enjoy the pan-Asian flavors highlighted in the meals at Kona. Recently, we had dinner at Kona on a few occasions -- once with a friend who'd never been before and once with my family who were at Disney World on vacation.

*This post contains dining reviews took place in November and December 2019. It includes information about gluten free options, in addition to dairy free, fish/shellfish free, cabbage free, peanut free, hazelnut free, and chicken & turkey free options.

Dinner at Kona Cafe

Atmosphere

Kona Cafe is a true lobby restaurant, located on the second floor of the Polynesian Village resort's main building and lobby area.

With an open-air concept, you can actually view guests walking by and see the monorail entrance, as well.

Kona Cafe - Seating / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Kona Cafe has bright colors and lots of Polynesian touches, though as I've mentioned in several reviews, I do think the restaurant could use a refurb. I feel like the decor is a bit stuck in the late 1990s as far as color scheme and patterns.

As you can see from the photos here, the restaurant is quite spacious, with lots of different types of seating. On our second visit, we were one of the last tables in the restaurant for the night, and I was able to get a few rare photos of the restaurant virtually empty.

The Food

Like most Disney owned restaurants, Kona Cafe does carry an allergy-friendly menu. In addition to this, guests can also speak to a chef directly about questions, modifications, and other special dietary needs.

On both visits, our servers brought Brandon and I allergy-friendly rolls, which are Deanna's Gluten Free brand. These are both gluten free and dairy free. I have also been served both regular dairy-filled butter and Earth Balance vegan buttery spread. The Earth Balance is available upon request. Lately, Kona Cafe has been hit or miss on how well these rolls have been heated. Sometimes they're great and other times they are not.

Kona Cafe - GF Airline Chicken — Kona Cafe / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

On our first visit, I was determined to try something different because I often get sushi or a sandwich there. Based on the recommendation of our server, I ordered the Asian-Marinated Airline Chicken with Sticky Rice, and Bok Choy. It was supposed to come with an Asian glaze, but I was told the glaze contains gluten, so I was brought gluten free soy sauce on the side. This dish was marked safe for Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, and Peanut/Tree Nut Allergies.

Of all the dishes I've had at Kona Cafe, this was my LEAST favorite dish. Not only was the chicken fairly bland, but the portion was oddly small. It doesn't look as small in this photo, but when it was brought to the table everyone started laughing because it was served on a large plate and looked even tinier. I would definitely avoid this dish and can't recommend it to anyone who visits Kona.

Kona Cafe - Beef Pho — Kona Cafe / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

On our second visit, I had the Beef Pho. This was marked safe for Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, and Peanut/Tree Nut Allergies. Overall, I really enjoyed this dish, though I wouldn't say it's the best pho I've ever had.

The beef was extremely tender and flavorful, and I really enjoyed the vegetables in the dish. The weakest spot of the dish was the broth -- something that should be spot on for pho. It had a good amount of seasoning, but there was just something lacking in it. It wasn't bad enough that I wouldn't get it again. But, it also wouldn't be at the top of my list for gluten free dishes served at Kona.

On both visits, Brandon ordered the Pork Belly Noodle Bowl. This dish is marked safe for Fish/Shellfish, Milk, and Peanut/Tree Nut Allergies on the menu, and with some modifications (including swapping the bone broth out for vegetable broth) it was also cabbage free and chicken & turkey free.

This continues to be one of Brandon's most favorite dishes at Kona. He absolutely loves the pork belly and says the flavor combinations are always outstanding.

Overall

While my dishes were a bit hit or miss on these last two visits, both Brandon and I do very much enjoy Kona Cafe. I think the restaurant shines with their sushi, noodle bowls, and sandwiches. In the future, those will continue to be at the top of our list for dishes to try when we dine at Kona Cafe.

Have you been to Kona Cafe? What did you enjoy when you dined there?

12/31/19 12/31/19

Kona Cafe Breakfast Review

Kona Cafe, located in Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, is a table service restaurant that serves classic American fare with a Polynesian twist. Brandon and I both really enjoy Kona Cafe for breakfast and dinner. Recently, I stopped by the restaurant to try out the new gluten free and dairy free Tonga Toast sliders, which I had heard about as a new offering from my friend Alexis at Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures.

*This gluten free dining review took place in December 2019. It includes information about dairy free options too.

Breakfast at Kona Cafe

Atmosphere

Kona Cafe is located on the second floor of the Polynesian Village Resort lobby area. With an open concept, it is essentially a lobby restaurant in the truest sense.

Polynesian Village Resort Decor / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

I do love taking a look at the lobby's decor when we dine at Kona Cafe. The refurb they did a few years ago to the resort incorporated some phenomenal new touches. I especially love the decorative lights in the main lobby area.

As you can see, the restaurant is fairly open. And, you'll have good views of the monorail and other lobby area activity. I wouldn't say the decor is very fancy, but it does have a subdued Polynesian twist. I personally think the restaurant could use a refurb itself, as some of the decor is pretty dated and looks like the restaurant hasn't been updated since the late 1990s. Despite the dated decor, the restaurant is charming overall.

The Food

Of course, the real reason I visit Kona Cafe is the food. On this occasion, I stopped by myself on a weekend to see if the restaurant could accommodate the Tonga Toast sliders. In addition to speaking with a chef (which I always highly recommend), the restaurant does carry an allergy-friendly breakfast menu.

The allergy-friendly menu is a bit more limited than the actual offerings available. In speaking with a chef, I have been able to get the macadamia nut pancakes gluten free and the Polynesian Egg Platter gluten free and dairy free served with an Erin McKenna's Bakery NYC donut too. On this occasion though, I had my heart set on gluten free Tonga Toast Sliders. I was very excited to learn that yes, this is currently an option at the restaurant.

To go with my Tonga Toast sliders, the server brought me both 100% pure maple syrup and house-made Strawberry Compote. The compote has always been gluten free, but they now have made it dairy free and vegan too.

Our friends at Vegan Disney World reported on this a while back, and it was great to check it out in person. I have heard (though I didn't confirm with the chef on this visit) that the compote now has coconut milk in it. If you're interested in this compote, I would recommend double-checking with a chef. I will say that I personally found the strawberry compote very sweet, so a little bit goes a long way in my opinion!

When the gluten free and dairy free Tonga Toast Sliders arrived at my table, I will admit that I wasn't that impressed by the look of them. They looked a little "burnt," and I was worried that they wouldn't be that tasty. But, once I took a bit, I was hooked. The sliders are made using Deanna's Gluten Free (and dairy free) rolls and are stuffed with banana, deep fried in a dedicated fryer, and smothered in cinnamon-sugar. Wow!

I have never had the original Tonga Toast, but I was pretty impressed by this dish. It wasn't very pretty looking, but the taste was great. I preferred my sliders topped with maple syrup, but I know the strawberry compote is the classic way to enjoy this Kona Cafe favorite. I would most definitely get this dish again, and I really hope they keep it on the menu. Interestingly enough, there's seems to be some inconsistency with how it's made. While I got the sliders, I've actually seen several photos of a stacked version made with gluten free bread slices instead of the rolls. So, your mileage may vary on which version you get.

Overall

Kona Cafe is always a fantastic place to get breakfast or dinner. And, with the addition of the gluten free and dairy free Tonga Toast sliders, there's even more of a reason to get there during breakfast hours. Whether it's this new breakfast treat, the GF macadamia nut pancakes, egg platter or one of their other special diets options, you'll be pleased with whatever breakfast option you get at Kona Cafe. I can't wait to go back again soon to try the Tonga Toast sliders again soon!

Have you been to Kona Cafe for breakfast? What did you enjoy when you dined there?

9/29/19 9/29/19

Kona Cafe Breakfast Review

Kona Cafe, located in Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, used to be one of my family's favorite table service restaurants for breakfast on Disney property. Sadly, the last few years have seen quite a bit of change to the breakfast menu at Kona Cafe. And, so my family slowly stopped going there regularly due to the declining quality of the food, service, and overall options. Recently, my family came into town and wanted to go out to breakfast at Disney. After a two-year gap in eating there for breakfast and hearing how much Brandon and I have been enjoying the new dinner options, we decided to give it a try after a long break.

*This gluten free dining experience took place in September 2019. It includes information about dairy free modifications.

Breakfast at Kona Cafe

Atmosphere

The Polynesian Village Resort is one of my family's all-time favorite resorts on property. We all love the mid-century modern construction and decor. Plus, who doesn't want to feel like they're in Hawaii?!

Polynesian Village Resort Interior / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

I always love just hanging out in the resort lobby. The second floor, where Kona Cafe and Ohana are located can be a bit crowded, but if you're there when it's quiet, the cozy chairs on the second floor are a great spot to rest and relax.

Kona Cafe Sign / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Kona Cafe is a bit of a lobby-style restaurant, in that it's directly located in the second floor lobby area. Unlike Ohana, where you can walk into a more secluded restaurant area, Kona Cafe is open to the lobby with guests walking by to the shops or the monorail entrance.

There is plenty of spacious seating, and if you like a more quiet meal, I always recommend asking for a seat in the back of the restaurant.

As you can see from this photo, the restaurant's decor includes bright mid-century modern colors. Although I do enjoy the charm of this restaurant, the decor does feel a bit dated in Kona Cafe. I swear it hasn't changed since the 1990s, and it could use a bit of a refresh one of these days. But, it's always nice and relaxing to eat at this restaurant -- even if the interior feels a bit dated.

The Food

Like most Disney-owned restaurants, Kona Cafe does carry an allergy-friendly breakfast menu. While it does include a lot of options, I always recommend speaking directly to a chef, especially if you're interested in something not marked safe for your special dietary need on the allergy-friendly menu. As you'll see from this review, I ordered two dishes not marked on the menu but that the chef was able to easily accommodate and modify.

On this visit, my mom and I were talking before we got to the restaurant, and she asked if we could split an order of allergy-friendly Mickey waffles. My mom does not have any special dietary needs, but she actually prefers the allergy options over the regular ones. Neither one of us loves super sweet options at breakfast. So, we decided we would split two entrees to get a little bit of sweet and savory breakfast options.

When the chef came out, I did ask what allergy-friendly Mickey waffle mix they were using. I had heard from my friend Alexis at Alexis's Gluten Free Adventures that the restaurant was using Carbon's Golden Malted Gluten Free Waffle & Pancake Mix. I'm not at all a fan of the flavor of that mix or the texture. And, quite frankly, the waffles made with this mix are just plain gross. On top of that the mix does contain soy. And while it's certified gluten free, the company does not disclose that the mix is made on shared equipment with wheat and several other top eight allergens. I would much rather eat the mixes from Bob's Red Mill or Namaste, which are infinitely tastier and that have much better transparency with their food production and allergy-friendly safety.

That being said, the chef did tell me that they still have Namaste Gluten Free Pancake & Waffle Mix that can be used for pancakes. This was great news because I was very interested in the gluten free macadamia nut pancakes.

We decided to order the Polynesian Egg Platter which came with Two Eggs-Any Style with Fresh Fruit Poke, an Erin McKenna's Bakery NYC Donut, and Home-fried Potatoes with Bacon. This dish is not on the allergy-friendly menu. But, the chef said he could easily accommodate this. The only real swap was the regular muffin that comes with it for a gluten free, dairy free, and vegan donut from Erin McKenna's Bakery NYC. The entire dish was gluten free and dairy free.

Both my mom and I agreed that we would 100% get this breakfast entree again. The savory components with the eggs, bacon, and potatoes were all excellent. And, it was nice to get a healthy side of fruit along with the breakfast pastry. I was also pleasantly surprised at the taste of the Erin McKenna's Bakery NYC donut. I have found that sometimes they taste a little stale when they're served at a restaurant. But, this one was fresh and very tasty.

Of course, the best part of our breakfast were the Macadamia Nut Pancakes. This includes the pancakes made with Namaste Gluten Free Pancake & Waffle Mix and served with with Macadamia Nut Butter, Pineapple Sauce, and a side of Ham. This dish is gluten free but does contain dairy. You may be able to get a version of these gluten free and dairy free, and I would recommend talking to a chef directly if you're interested in that option.

Both my mom and I were wowed by these pancakes. The flavor was incredible. And the texture was fantastic. The pancakes do contain macadamia nuts in the pancake batter and in the butter served with it. The pineapple sauce was super delicious and added a nice bit of sweetness. Topped with 100% pure maple syrup, this was hands down one of the best sweet breakfast entrees I've had in a very long time at Disney World.

The overall portion was huge too. My mom and I split both entrees, and we both couldn't finish the pancakes because the portion was so big. But, we both agreed that splitting these two entrees was a great way to sample all the different dishes Kona Cafe has to offer. Though, I have to admit, I might lean towards ordering the pancakes over the Polynesian Egg Platter next time I go!

Overall

Kona Cafe has definitely redeemed itself from our previous lackluster experiences a few years ago. While I still miss the old days of Kona Cafe with their famous Big Kahuna Entree, I'm glad to see that the restaurant has added some options that offer some sweet and salty options in one dish. And, I absolutely love the gluten free Macadamia Nut Pancakes. These will be high on my must-order list for breakfast at Kona next time I visit.

Have you been to Kona Cafe for breakfast? What did you think of their options?

*This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase products using these links, I will receive a small commission, which helps support my blog. It does not change the price you pay for the products.

7/19/19 7/19/19

Kona Cafe Dinner Review

Kona Cafe, located at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, has become an instant favorite with us (and especially Brandon) after we visited a few months ago when they launched their new all-day lunch & dinner menu. We enjoy the low-key atmosphere and some of the new menu items, along with classic favorites.

*This gluten free dining experience took place in July 2019. It includes information about dairy free modifications, fish/shellfish, peanut, and chicken & turkey allergies.

Dinner at Kona Cafe

Atmosphere

The Polynesian Village Resort is one of my favorites on Disney property. I absolutely love the retro Mid-Century Modern / Tiki vibe.

Polynesian Village Resort / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

On the night we went for dinner, the weather was pretty stormy outside -- perfect for a tropical storm vibe, but not so great for guests planning on going to the Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show. In fact, we both commented on how busy the lobby and general public areas of the resort were. It's definitely the busiest I've seen it in a long time.

Kona Cafe Menus / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Because it was so busy, we were told that we would be seated close to our reservation time instead of early. So, we took that time to wander the surrounding shops and found a nice cozy spot to sit and relax before dinner.

I forgot to take too many photos while we were in the restaurant -- mostly because the restaurant was really extremely crowded. I usually only see Kona that crowded during breakfast, so this was definitely a surprise. The photo I took above was taken as we were leaving the restaurant and the table seatings were started to empty a bit.

As you can see, the restaurant is open to the second floor, so it's very open and you can watch a lot of the action nearby, including the lines for the monorail!

The Food

Like most restaurants at Disney World, Kona Cafe does offer guests an allergy-friendly menu. I do always recommend that you speak with a chef too, if you have any questions or want to talk about other potential options for you to enjoy. I also especially recommend this if you have multiple special dietary needs.

After we ordered our meals, our server brought us bread service to enjoy. I was served the Deanna's Gluten Free allergy-friendly rolls. These are gluten free, dairy free, and cover several other special dietary needs, as well. I was served regular butter, but you can request Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Spread too.

I can pretty much make a meal out of these and some sushi when we dine here for an easy and filling meal. I've had good luck with the rolls being properly heated here, and they have been enjoyable on every visit I've been there. For some reason 'Ohana right next door never seems to properly heat these rolls, which is a bit odd since they share kitchen space.

Because Brandon can have gluten, he was brought the classic rolls served at the restaurant. These are peanut free.

Kona Cafe - Cheddar Burger — Kona Cafe / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For my entree, I ordered the Crispy Baked Cheddar Cheeseburger with Smothered in Crispy Cheddar, Maple-Black Pepper Bacon, Roasted Tomato, and Braised Onions. This is served on a gluten free bun. It is also marked safe for Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Soy Allergies. It does contain dairy, but you could get a burger plain without cheese.

If you're a cheese person, this is a must-order burger at Kona Cafe. There was so much cheese, that it was kind of a bit ridiculous. I absolutely loved the crispy baked cheddar crisp served on the burger. And, I especially loved the maple-black pepper bacon and braised onions. This was a pretty big burger, and all of the toppings were super flavorful. If you can have dairy, this is definitely a great option. One word of caution, the burger is fairly messy and greasy. So be prepared!

The fries served with it were also good (and made in a dedicated allergy fryer), but these are the fries you can get pretty much everywhere at Disney. So, they weren't anything special.

Kona Cafe - California Roll — Kona Cafe / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

If you can't have dairy or are looking for something a bit lighter or seafood-based, look no further than Kona's sushi options. On a previous visit, I ordered the California Roll. This is marked safe for Gluten/Wheat, Fish, Milk, and Peanut/Tree Nut Allergies. I am always really impressed with the quality of their sushi. They do a great job, and everything always tastes really fresh. Plus, they have gluten free soy sauce on hand too!

Kona Cafe - Pork Belly Ramen — Kona Cafe / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Brandon has been loving the Pork Belly Noodle Bowl with Bone Broth, Rice Noodles, Soy Egg, Mushrooms, Bok Choy, and Hot Sesame Oil. This is marked safe for Fish/Shellfish, Milk, and Peanut/Tree Nut Allergies and it's also chicken & turkey free too. He's ordered this three times now, so I'd say it's a winner.

One interesting note about this dish and even the mashed potatoes he's ordered several times. We both have noticed that these are not consistently prepared. The noodle bowl, for instance, sometimes has one type of mushroom and other times not. And, on this visit, his pork belly looked quite different from previous visits. He was also served the soy marinated egg, which he has not always had in his noodle bowl. We double-checked everything, but we were still noticing that the dish seems to vary depending on the night we visit.

Brandon also really enjoys the mashed potatoes. These contain dairy but are safe for Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Soy Allergies and are also chicken & turkey free. These are super creamy and rich. So, they're a good side to order if you really love mashed potatoes.

As you can see from this photo and the one above, the mashed potatoes have also been slightly inconsistent too. On Father's Day, when we took Brandon's dad out, we were served potatoes with the skins mashed into the dish. On this occasion, they weren't, and we had the addition of green onion. So, I'd say consistency could be an issue at this restaurant. Thankfully, despite the consistency issues everything has tasted great for both of us, even with the variations.

Overall

With a much larger all-day menu that includes sandwiches, entrees, noodle bowls, and sushi, there's just about something for everyone at Kona Cafe. Add to that a good amount of options for guests with special dietary needs, and you have the makings for a great table service option for lunch and dinner. Both of us agreed that this is definitely a location we'll keep going back to for an easy-going and filling meal in one of our favorite resorts.

Have you been to Kona Cafe? What do you think of their new lunch & dinner options?

5/31/19 5/31/19

Kona Cafe Dinner Review

Kona Cafe, located at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, is a table service restaurant with a la carte options that include sandwiches, sushi, and ramen bowls for lunch and dinner. Brandon and I have both been fans of dinner here for their rice and noodle bowls for meals that are easy, filling, and reasonably priced. On this visit, we stopped by for a quick dinner after returning from a 3-day cruise on the Disney Dream. Neither one of us wanted to cook dinner the day we got back and Kona Cafe is always easy to get last minute reservations to for dinner.

*This dining experience took place in May 2019 and includes notes about gluten free, dairy free, peanut free, fish and shellfish free, and chicken and turkey free options.

Dinner at Kona Cafe

Atmosphere

Both of us love the atmosphere of Disney's Polynesian Village Resort. As one of the first resorts opened at Walt Disney World back in the 1970s, we both appreciate the nostalgia and retro vibe that this resort has too.

When the lobby of the Polynesian Village Resort was refurbished back in 2015, I was pretty sad to see the water fixture that was a mainstay in the lobby go. But, I have to admit, some of the new updates, like the decorative lights shown in the photo above, were pretty terrific additions.

Kona Cafe is located on the 2nd floor of the Polynesian Village Resort -- just above the lobby. With an open-air concept, the restaurant really feels like a lobby restaurant. You'll get plenty of chances to people watch while you dine.

Kona Cafe - Seating Area / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Inside the restaurant itself, the colors are bright and vibrant -- though I do think it could use a bit of an update. It feels a little like the decor is stuck in the 90s with Polynesian flair. Still, the seating is fairly comfortable and the theming is generally pleasant and low-key -- a bit like the overall experience I feel you get at Kona Cafe. It's all very nice, but I wouldn't say it's particularly special.

The Food

Like most restaurants on Disney property, Kona Cafe does carry an allergy-friendly lunch and dinner menu. You can, of course, always ask to speak with a chef when you visit too to discuss options and potential customization. I recommend asking for a chef, because the menu is often very easy to accommodate for gluten free guests (and even dairy free) with simple modifications.

On this visit, we requested to speak with a chef due to Brandon's new allergies. Our biggest concern were his chicken and turkey allergies, which are fairly unusual. The chef was fantastic at talking through options and ensuring that Brandon had something safe for his special dietary needs.

After speaking with the chef, our server brought us rolls for the table. I had the Deanna's Gluten Free Rolls which are gluten free, dairy free, and free of the top common allergens. Kona Cafe serves the rolls with Macadamia Nut Butter or Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Spread, depending on your special dietary need.

Brandon was given the regular gluten-filled rolls, as they were safe for his peanut allergy.

Since we had been eating a ton on the cruise ship, I wasn't all that hungry. I opted to get the Seafood Coconut-Curry Soup which was listed as safe for Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish, Milk, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Soy Allergies.

This was a really delicious but spicy soup. The flavor was excellent, but I think I would have not enjoyed it if it was much spicier because it was fairly close to being too spicy for me. I also enjoy spice a lot, so if you're not a fan of spicy food, you may want to skip this soup. Overall, it was very good and had a good amount of seafood in it. So, I would definitely order it again.

Kona Cafe - California Roll Sushi — Kona Cafe / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

For my entree, I chose to get sushi. Many of the sushi options are gluten free or can be easily modified. I opted for the classic California Roll with Jumbo Crab, Citrus Mayonnaise, Cucumber, and Avocado. This is listed as safe for Gluten/Wheat, Fish, Milk, and Peanut/Tree Nut Allergies.

I have to say that Kona Cafe always does an excellent job with sushi. If you're looking for reasonably priced sushi at Disney, this is a great option. I always find that the seafood in my sushi is really fresh and very tasty. They also have gluten free soy sauce/tamari on hand for sushi too. Be sure to ask the chef and your server about it.

Brandon was really craving the noodle bowl that Kona Cafe used to serve. But, since it's no longer on the menu, he ordered the Pork Belly Noodle Bowl with Bone Broth, Rice Noodles, Soy Egg, Mushrooms, Bok Choy, and Hot Sesame Oil. This dish was listed safe for Fish/Shellfish, Milk, and Peanut/Tree Nut Allergies, and it was also safe for Chicken and Turkey Allergies too.

Brandon raved about this Ramen bowl. He said the broth was really flavorful. And, he loved the crispy pork belly. I was shocked as he was eating it just how much pork belly they included in the dish. So, if you're looking for a hearty portion, the noodle bowl is definitely a great value.

Kona Cafe - Mashed Potatoes — Kona Cafe / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

Brandon didn't think the noodle bowl would be very big, so he asked to order a side of mashed potatoes. Clearly, we were both still on cruise mode asking for lots of options! You can imagine how surprised we both were when we were brought a giant platter of mashed potatoes. The serving was huge and definitely a shareable dish meant to accompany one of the steaks on the menu.

The Creamy Mashed Potatoes were very good. Were they the best mashed potatoes we've ever had? No. Would we get them again? Maybe depending on what we ordered. We both agreed that next time we'd stick with our main entrees and skip the side.

The mashed potatoes are safe for Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Soy Allergies.

Kona Cafe - Tapioca Pudding — Kona Cafe / Photo Taken by Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW

I had heard that Kona Cafe and 'Ohana both had a vegan tapioca pudding dessert. When the chef mentioned that the desserts came in smaller portions, I decided to give it a try.

The Coconut Tapioca with a Pineapple-Coconut Jam base topped with Fresh Fruit and Assorted Boba is safe for Gluten/Wheat and Milk allergies and is vegan. Brandon did not want to try this, so we did not ask about peanut or tree nut allergies.

Overall, I really enjoyed this dessert, but I didn't love it. I really really dislike boba balls, so I made sure to remove these immediately. I just do not like the texture of them at all. The pudding itself was creamy and rich tasting. And, I loved the fresh crushed pineapple on the bottom of the dish. It added a nice bit of sweetness and acidity to a very rich dessert. I would definitely order this again minus the boba balls.

Overall

Both Brandon and I really enjoyed our dinner at Kona Cafe. Neither one of us thought the new combined lunch and dinner menu was that amazing. But, we really enjoyed what we ordered. We both agreed that we'd come back again for the sushi and noodle bowls without hesitation. We'd skip it for steaks though because there are far better restaurants for steak on property. But, if you're looking for sandwiches, sushi, or noodle bowls, Kona Cafe is a great choice.

Have you been to Kona Cafe at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort? What did you think of the dinner options?

9/18/16 9/18/16

Ohana -- Dinner -- Table Service -- Polynesian Village

*This dining experience took place in September 2016. Ohana, a table service restaurant located at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, offers family style meals with an Asian and Polynesian flare. Ohana has long been a favorite in my family (fitting, since Ohana actually means family).On this particular visit, I dined with my mom and stepdad for dinner. Ohana also offers breakfast, but my family always prefers dinner. There's so many options, and it's such a solid and filling meal. You can read about my most recent visit in May 2016 with my friend Ron, here on the blog.After being seated, Chef Rodney came out to speak with me about options. For family style meals, they bring separate special dietary needs plates for me, except in the cases where the dish is already safe for me to eat.First up was the Lilikoi Salad, which is both gluten free and dairy free naturally. My family has spent enough years with me gluten free that they know about sharing dishes and avoiding cross-contamination. Every makes sure to scoop salad safely, as they each got pieces of regular gluten-filled bread and already had that on their plates.I really like the Lilikoi Salad and often find it to be under-dressed. This was not the case this visit, as it was filled with a good amount of vegetables (including edamame, shredded carrot, and red onion) and papaya mango dressing. I really enjoyed it, and even had a second helping.I was also given one Deanna's Gluten Free roll (formerly known as GNI Brand rolls) along with some Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Spread. I don't know what it is about Ohana, but they can never seem to heat these rolls well.This one was probably the most well-heated gluten free roll I've ever had at Ohana, but it was still pretty crumbly. I'm glad that Chef Rodney only brought me one out for my meal, as I wouldn't have eaten a second one.Chef Rodney also brought out steamed white rice, chicken wings (plain without sauce), sauteed vegetables, and gluten free Sweet & Sour Sauce. I also asked for gluten free Teriyaki sauce, but didn't end up getting that with my entree.I am a huge white rice fan (don't ask me why; I just find it really comforting), so I love having a nice sauce to add to it along with the veggies. The vegetables always seem really undercooked to me and a little too crunchy for my liking. I usually end up eating a few pieces of broccoli cut up really well and mostly eat the sauteed onions and smaller vegetables that have cooked longer.For my money, Ohana is all about the grilled meats. There are currently three grilled meat offerings at Ohana -- sirloin, sweet & sour chicken, and grilled shrimp. All three are gluten free and dairy free, and all three are really delicious.The steak for me is a bit iffy, as sometimes it's really good and other times the meat is really grisly. I had one really amazing piece on this visit, and the rest were kind of gross. I always love the grilled sweet & sour chicken and the grilled shrimp. Both were delicious, and I may have eaten my weight in both of them.For dessert, Chef Rodney brought me Rice Dream non-dairy ice cream, sliced strawberries, fresh raspberries, topped with Enjoy Life Crunchy Cookies and Hershey's Chocolate Syrup. It's pretty much what they serve me on every visit.Usually, I'm so full I can't eat much of it. I did my best though on this visit. I'd love to see them change up the dessert offerings here. Maybe even offer a version of the Pineapple Dole Whip. I'd much prefer that to ice cream I get when I visit. Or, even better, I remember when Ohana used to serve fresh pineapple slices for dessert. That to me would be a perfect way to end such a big meal.Overall, I can't help but love Ohana. The food is delicious and plentiful. It's definitely one that my family and friends enjoy visiting, and I always look forward to a meal here.Have you been to Ohana? What did you think of your meal there?

9/18/16 9/18/16

Pineapple Dole Whip -- Snacks -- Pineapple Lanai -- Polynesian Village

*This post contains information from September 18, 2016. Always double-check with a cast member to ensure that an item is safe for your special dietary need before consuming. The Pineapple Lanai, located at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, is a snack kiosk that serves a classic Disney snack option -- the Pineapple Dole Whip. Once only found at the Aloha Isle in the Magic Kingdom, the Pineapple Lanai is now another great go-to spot to get your Dole Whip fix.Currently, the Pineapple Lanai serves two types of Dole Whip -- the traditional Pineapple Dole Whip and the Vanilla Dole Whip. You can also combine the two and get Swirl Dole Whip. If you're feeling fancy, you can also get a float served with fresh pineapple juice and your choice of Dole Whip.Pineapple Dole Whips are gluten free, dairy free, vegan, and free of the top common allergens. But, the vanilla flavor does contain dairy. It is recommended that you speak to a cast member at the Pineapple Lanai about any potential cross-contamination with dairy in the Dole Whip machines and containers used to pre-mix the Dole Whip flavors.To read the ingredients for the Pineapple Dole Whip, check out my post on the Aloha Isle, with images from the ingredients binder.The Pineapple Dole Whip is such a rare treat. I love that it feels like it should be filled with dairy, yet isn't. It makes for a perfect treat on a hot Florida afternoon, and it is a classic Disney snack. I'm also glad that I can get it at Disney's Polynesian Resort any time I visit there.On this visit, I got the classic Pineapple Dole Whip in a cup, but I will definitely get a Pineapple Dole Whip Float on my next visit. I love both so much that it's hard to choose whenever I go to order one.Have you had the Pineapple Dole Whip? Is it a must do for you when you go to the Magic Kingdom?

Lunch at Kona Cafe

COVID-19 & Reopening Notes

Atmosphere

The Food

Overall

Dinner at Kona Cafe

COVID-19 & Reopening Notes

Atmosphere

The Food

Overall

Dinner at Kona Cafe

Atmosphere

The Food

Overall

Breakfast at Kona Cafe

Atmosphere

The Food

Overall

Breakfast at Kona Cafe

Atmosphere

The Food

Overall

Dinner at Kona Cafe

Atmosphere

The Food

Overall

Dinner at Kona Cafe

Atmosphere

The Food

Overall

Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW