Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Restaurants Guide
This guide provides an overview of restaurants at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. It includes a list of all dining options, discusses reservations, hours, menus, and everything else you need to know for dining at the resort. We hope it will help with making the most of your stay! Of course, if you’re staying at Disney’s Polynesian, you’re in for a real treat. This tropical hideaway has plenty of restaurants. From Dole Whip treats to Polynesian-inspired cuisine, there’s something for everyone.
Polynesian Resort Restaurants List
Here is a list of restaurants at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. Below, we’ll go over each one in more detail.
- ‘Ohana
- Kona Cafe
- Tambu Lounge
- Capt. Cook’s
- Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto
- Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace
- Barefoot Pool Bar
- Oasis Bar & Grill
- Pineapple Lanai
- Kona Island
- Wailulu Bar and Grill (Island Tower)
‘Ohana
Ohana is a family-style table service restaurant on the second floor of the Great Ceremonial House at Disney’s Polynesian.
- Serves: Breakfast and Dinner
- Reservations: Required*
- Hours: 7:30 a.m. until 12:15 p.m. (Breakfast)
- Hours: 3:30 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. (Dinner)
- Preview Menu Here (Select Breakfast or Dinner)
*Given this restaurant’s popularity, you’ll want to make reservations in advance. It would be difficult to secure a last-minute walk-up here.
If you were to mention having dinner at the Polynesian, anyone familiar would probably chime in with, “Oh, you went to ‘Ohana.” This dining option is so popular that the mere mention of visiting Walt Disney World is often reciprocated with some type of nod toward the South Pacific-themed venue.
‘Ohana has two distinct dining options.
- The restaurant offers a character dining experience called the Best Friends Breakfast featuring Lilo and Stitch for breakfast only.
- Then, at dinner, ‘Ohana serves a traditional Polynesian family-style meal. (Characters are not part of the dinner service.)
Breakfast at ‘Ohana
First, we’ll discuss the Best Friends Breakfast with Lilo and Stitch. Reservations are required, and given the popularity of this location, they can be challenging to obtain.
This breakfast includes family-style skillets that are brought to the table. The skillets contain scrambled eggs, sausage links, Hawaiian-style ham with a pineapple compote, island-roasted potatoes, biscuits, and Mickey-shaped waffles are brought to the table. Each table also receives a fresh fruit platter and freshly made pineapple-coconut breakfast bread.
Lilo, Stitch, Mickey Mouse, and Pluto take turns visiting each table during breakfast. The song Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride occasionally plays in the background, and the characters parade through the restaurant for everyone to see them.
Overall, the breakfast is fun, and the food is decent. However, note that you’re primarily paying for the characters attending the meal.
Dinner at ‘Ohana
‘Ohana opens again in the late afternoon for a meal consisting of various Polynesian-inspired cuisine. This meal period does not have characters. Similar to breakfast, this meal is served family-style. The ‘Ohana dinner skillet consists of teriyaki beef steak, spicy peel-n-eat shrimp, grilled chicken, ‘Ohana noodles, and a veggie. Of course, dessert is the real treat here! Everyone’s eyes will water when the ‘Ohana Bread Pudding is brought to the table. It’s covered in a yummy caramel sauce.
Plant-based items can be substituted as needed at each meal. We have also had good experiences with allergy-friendly dining at breakfast and dinner. Our review of dinner at ‘Ohana details our experience at the restaurant.
Kona Café
Kona Cafe is a table-service restaurant at Disney’s Polynesian Resort. It is on the second floor of the Great Ceremonial House, occupying one side of the open-air lobby.
- Serves: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Reservations: Recommended*
- 7:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. (Breakfast)
- 11:30 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. (Lunch)
- 5:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. (Dinner)
- Preview Menu Here
*While reservations are recommended, we often have good luck getting walk-ups at this location. Now, if you’re visiting during a holiday season like Christmas or Easter, you 100% want to get reservations. This location also offers to-go orders that can be placed in the My Disney Experience app.
We’ve dined at Kona Cafe many times. Given its popularity, it’s difficult to call the restaurant a hidden gem. However, we can refer to this Polynesian restaurant as a not-so-hidden gem.
For breakfast, Kona Cafe has two exceptionally popular menu items you may have heard of: Tonga Toast (think toast stuffed with bananas and coated with cinnamon sugar) and Macadamia Nut Pancakes. Most of our visits to Kona Cafe have been for lunch or dinner. It’s a favorite place to order sushi. That said, the restaurant serves a mix of Polynesian and American items. So, if you have picky eaters, don’t worry. The menu features burgers, sandwiches, and kids’ meals. We have a review of dinner at Kona Cafe if you would like to learn more.
Tambu Lounge
Tambu Lounge sits next door to ‘Ohana on the second floor of the Great Ceremonial House. From time to time, they have a secondary drink cart on the first floor of the lobby.
- Serves: Appetizers and Beverages
- Reservations: No
- Hours: 8:30 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. (Varies, Appetizers after 4:00 p.m.)
- Preview Menu Here
Tambu Lounge has a relatively large bar area with additional seating that expands into the second-floor lobby of the Polynesian. Between guests waiting for dinner reservations at ‘Ohana and others who only want a drink, this entire area gets jam-packed on most evenings.
Tambu Lounge is an ideal location for picking up a drink served in a pineapple. Not only that, but the bar serves a few alcoholic beverages that were part of the opening act when the Polynesian opened. Here is a list of those three 1971 signature drinks at Disney’s Polynesian Village:
- Backscratcher–Bacardi Superior Rum, Myers’s Original Dark Rum, and Passion Fruit Juice topped with Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey and a Bamboo Backscratcher.
- Lapu Lapu–Myers Original Dark Rum and Tropical Fruit Juices served in a fresh Pineapple topped with Goslings 151 Rum
- Polynesian Mai Tai–Myers Original Dark Rum, Bacardi Superior Rum, Bols Orange Curacao, Lime Juice, Orgeat (Almond), and Pure Cane Sugar
A while back, I tried the Backscratcher, a delicious cocktail that knocks your socks off. It comes with a real backscratcher. However, the Lapu Lapu is probably the most well-known cocktail at Disney’s Polynesian. It’s a fun, tropical drink served in a pineapple. If you like, you can also order it in a regular glass. When ordering a second, the cast member will refill the pineapple you already have if you bring it back when placing your order.
Capt. Cook’s
Capt. Cook’s is the Polynesian Resort’s primary quick-service restaurant. For many, it’s another go-to dining spot when visiting Walt Disney World.
- Serves: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- Reservations: No
- Hours: 7:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m.
- Preview the Menus
Captain Cook’s has two indoor dining areas, one on each side of the restaurant. An additional dining space is available outside. Vintage posters line the back walls. Each poster represents one of the buildings at the resort, which are all named after the Polynesian Islands.
Similar to the other restaurants at Disney’s Polynesian, Capt. Cooks has a menu featuring a mix of Asian and American cuisine. For breakfast, Capt. Cook’s offers a variety of options, including Tonga Toast and Mickey waffles. Signage at Captain Cook’s encourages guests to order ahead. If you are inclined to do so, this will save you loads of time. We have a separate list of our mobile orders from Capt. Cook’s.
Resort refillable mugs are available at the resort’s quick service restaurant. They are good for the entire length of your stay and can be used to refill tea, coffee, soda, and hot chocolate. Learn more about refillable mugs at the Polynesian.
If you would like to know more about food options at this location, see our separate review of Capt. Cook’s.
Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto
Off the Polynesian’s main lobby, you’ll find an entrance to Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto. Guests must be 21 years or older for admittance after 8:00 p.m.
- Serves: Appetizers and Beverages
- Reservations: May have a sign-up list at the entrance.
- Hours: 3:00 p.m. until 12:00 a.m.
- Preview the Menu
Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Often, a line of guests stretches down the hall, hoping for admittance. When it’s that busy, cast members usually take your name and contact info and text you when a seat becomes available. In the meantime, you might try to find a seat on the Tiki Terrace, Tambu Lounge, or in the lobby. You could also walk out to the Barefoot Pool Bar and grab a drink to take to the Polynesian’s white sand beaches. Trader Sam’s offers a unique drink menu with the opportunity to purchase souvenir mugs when in stock.
Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace
A popular alternative to Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto is Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace, the bar’s outdoor side. Its seating area is adjacent to the one at Captain Cook’s.
- Serves: Appetizers and Beverages
- Reservations: Walk-Ups
- Hours: 3:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m.
- Preview the Menu
Since Trader Sam’s and Tiki Terrace share the same kitchen, they offer the same menu. We’ve enjoyed several casual meals here, combined with mobile orders from Capt. Cook’s. A live musician is available on select evenings.
Barefoot Pool Bar
Disney’s Polynesian Resort has two pools, each with a pool bar. Barefoot Pool Bar is at the Polynesian’s feature pool, the Lava Pool.
- Quick Service and Poolside Bar
- Reservations: Walk-Ups
- Hours: 11:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.
- Preview the Menu
Like most pool bars at Disney World, this bar has a side open to the private pool area and a section where non-resort guests can order. If you’re traveling to Disney’s Polynesian using the resort boat launch, you’ll run directly into the Barefoot Pool Bar as you walk toward the lobby. It’s on the far side of the marina.
From my understanding, the Pago Pago Painkiller is the most popular drink at this location. They also have several non-alcoholic specialties, beer, wine, and sangria. The pool bar has a separate menu for pool guests that offers food items.
Oasis Pool Bar
The Oasis Pool Bar is only available to resort guests. It sits inside the fenced area of the Oasis Pool.
- Serves: Appetizers and Beverages
- Reservations: Walk-Ups (Resort Guests Only)
- Hours: 11:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.
- Preview the Menu
Typically, this location offers a similar, if not the same, menu as the Barefoot Pool Bar. This little outdoor dining area is also a nice place to enjoy a poolside meal if you’re staying at the resort.
Pineapple Lanai
Next on our list of Polynesian Resort restaurants is the Pineapple Lanai. Pineapple Lanai is on your immediate right when entering the back door of the Great Ceremonial House. This location consists of a walk-up window with an outdoor seating area.
- Serves: Snacks, Dole Whip
- Hours: 10:0 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.
- Preview the Menu
Pineapple Lanai is popular because it serves Dole Whip. The traditional pineapple flavor is always available here. They typically have at least one other flavor. Usually, there’s a sign at the counter indicating when a unique flavor is available. Dole Whip is diet-friendly, dairy-free (except when the regular soft serve is mixed with it), and vegan!
Kona Island
Lastly, Kona Island is a quick-service kiosk next door to Kona Cafe. This location is known for its specialty coffee, pastries, candied goods, and sushi.
- Serves: Coffee, Snacks, and Sushi
- Hours: 6:30 a.m. until 10:00 p.m.
- Preview the Menu
Behind this location is a long counter facing out to the monorail. Guests can sit here and enjoy their snacks or coffee. You can order Joffrey’s exclusive Kona Blend at this location. This is one of my go-to places to order a cappuccino. If you are interested in coffee options at the resort, we have a separate article that details where to find coffee at Disney’s Polynesian.
Wailulu Bar and Grill
Wailulu Bar and Grill is a table service restaurant at the Island Tower portion of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. It’s a wonderful location that offers views of Seven Seas Lagoon with both indoor and outdoor dining spaces.
- Serves: Lunch and Dinner
- Reservations: Recommended*
- Lunch Hours: 11:00 a.m. to 4:55 p.m.
- Dinner Hours: 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
- Preview the Menu Here
*This location requires reservations; however, they can take walk-ups based on availability. This location also takes to-go orders. Wailulu Bar and Grill is listed under the Polynesian Villas and Bungalows section of the My Disney Experience app.
We love to enjoy the outdoor dining space at Wailulu Bar and Grill. On a recent visit, I enjoyed the Wayfinder burger along with a view of the sunset. It was a pleasant evening. This has become one of our top spots to enjoy a meal at the resort. We’ve even had some difficulty securing a reservation here.
Final Thoughts
Whether it’s a rainy vacation day or you are tired of dealing with crowds, Disney’s Polynesian is a true tropical oasis. We love to come back for a break from the parks to enjoy a meal here and relax.
After your meal or snack, take some time to tour the resort’s grounds, especially around sunset hour. You might also enjoy sitting for a spell in the Great Ceremonial House. We enjoy sitting on the second floor while looking at Cinderella Castle in the distance. It’s not the worst way to spend an afternoon.
For more on this resort, you might also like the following coverage:
In the Comments
What are your thoughts on these restaurants at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort? Are there any you are looking forward to trying? Is there a restaurant you must visit on every trip? Let us know below in our comments section.
