It’s been too long since we got our Tonga Toast fix! We headed back to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort for a special breakfast at Kona Cafe.

On our last adventure to Kona Cafe, we shared what the dining experience is like since it re-opened. We indulged in crispy pork and vegetable potstickers and washed it down with a giant pineapple filled with Lapu Lapu. Now we’re BACK and stuffin’ our faces with one of the most popular breakfast classics at Walt Disney World.

The Polynesian is known for a great view of Cinderella Castle, yummy tropical drinks, and (for us!) Tonga Toast. It’s not a morning trip to the Poly unless you leave with a belly full of fried bread!

Let’s head inside Kona Cafe and see what breakfast is like since the re-opening.

Atmosphere

Disney has adjusted dining experiences by using mobile check-in when you arrive and limited menus for many restaurants. Kona Cafe is adhering to the same health and safety protocols with social distancing and increased sanitation. Some booths and tables were closed to create distance between travel parties and the sushi bar seating was also closed.

Despite some changes, Kona is as tropical and vibrant as ever! We love that the restaurant is located on the mezzanine and open to the second floor too! It gives you a chance to people-watch while you take in the sights and sounds of the lobby below.

Eats

Ok, now for the good stuff! We held back our urge to order everything on the limited breakfast menu. Those Macadamia Nut Pancakes are to die for, by the way.

Coffee lovers unite! This one is for you. One of our favorite treats at Kona is the option of ordering a French Press that is large enough to serve two, full of fresh coffee. Kona Cafe uses its very own specialty beans roasted by Joffrey’s Coffee! We couldn’t resist having a cup or two (or three).

Now for the real deal! We’ve reviewed Tonga Toast many times before for good reason — it’s an absolute classic. Some guests find the dish to be too sweet while others love the rich decadence. If you’ve never heard of it before now, let us take you on a taste journey. The whole meal costs $16 and we’re almost certain you’ll leave feeling nice and full (for about 29 minutes because carbs).

The Tonga Toast consists of a HUGE slice of sourdough bread, which is deep-fried. To add to the majesty, the bread is stuffed with bananas and dusted with cinnamon sugar.

On the side, you get some strawberry compote and maple syrup to bathe your toast in ooey-gooey goodness.

To top it all off, you also get a choice of ham, spiced ham, bacon, or sausage. We went with some crispy bacon to accompany the crispy fried bread.

The amount of Tonga Toast and coffee was definitely a big enough portion for two people. Bring a friend and share or sneak out and treat yourself to an enormous breakfast date with YOU!

Now time for our required Tonga Toast disclosure: Tonga Toast is amazing, but NO you don’t have to make a reservation at Kona and pay $16 for it! If you venture downstairs to the Polynesian’s resident Quick-Service location, Capt. Cook’s, you’ll find the SAME Tonga Toast on the breakfast menu for $9.29. The ONLY difference? No strawberry compote (and no ham as a side option if you want to get really picky!). So decide if that strawberry sauce and the sit-down experience is really worth almost $7 more. For us, sometimes it is, sometimes it isn’t.

Nosh or Not

Consider dining at Kona Cafe if:

• You want to experience a delish and low-key table service meal before heading into Magic Kingdom
• You want to experience a taste of Disney’s Polynesian Resort without staying at the hotel (it’s usually easy to snag a last-minute reservation here!).

You might want to skip Kona if:

• You want something cheap. $16 for fried bread isn’t exactly a bargain, so maybe consider checking out the cheaper version at Capt. Cooks.
• You want something quick. This is a full table service meal. Don’t plan on sitting down and eating in under 30 minutes before rushing to the Monorail!

Overall

Kona Cafe is one of our favorite places and is often overlooked. Despite reminding us of a typical hotel restaurant in decor, look, and feel, the open concept allows you to take in the Polynesian’s atmosphere and the restaurant serves up some really great classics. The Tonga Toast is a treat that has been around since the beginning of Walt Disney World. For many guests, this dish tastes like coming home. We think a fresh pot of coffee and a slice of Tonga Toast is a great way to start off your magic morning! Start your day at this tropical paradise, grab your grub, then take a short monorail ride to the Magic Kingdom!

This wasn’t our first visit to Kona Cafe and it certainly won’t be our last. Be sure to follow along with us as more restaurants re-open at Disney World too!

Heading to a Disney World hotel soon? We answered all your questions about the hotels re-opening here!

Are you heading to Kona Cafe soon? Let us know if you’ll be trying the Tonga Toast for the first time or 100th time!