Honolulu's BBQ scene is one of the most diverse on the island, blending Hawaiian plate-lunch traditions, Korean tabletop grilling, Japanese yakiniku, and good old-fashioned smoke. I pulled together this guide from 51 qualifying restaurants across the city to highlight the spots genuinely worth your time — whether you're after a quick plate or a full sit-down grill session.
At the top of this list is Midtown Eats in Ala Moana, a spot I personally recommend and one that carries the NateEatsHawaii badge. This food hall brings together 12 local vendors under one roof, including BBQ options alongside sushi, banh mi, and more — it's a great way to sample Honolulu's food culture in a single stop. Beyond that, you'll find long-standing favorites like Bob's Bar-B-Que, a window-serve shack that's been feeding Honolulu since 1978, and Gen Korean BBQ House, a popular local chain known for tabletop Korean grilling in a modern setting.
This is a curated guide combining my verified picks with the area's best-rated spots. Restaurants where Nate has personally eaten are marked with the NateEatsHawaii badge on the page — look for it to know which spots come with a firsthand stamp of approval.
The ranking
Top pick1
Honolulu's newest food hall featuring 12 local restaurants with diverse cuisines from sushi to BBQ to banh mi. Located at The Park on Keeaumoku with free validated parking. Note: While the bar stays open until posted hours, most food vendors close between 8–9 PM.
2$
3$Window-serve shack since 1978 with outdoor seating & late hours, selling Hawaiian BBQ plates.
4$$
5$$Popular window-serve grill offering American eats, plus a market for prepared foods & baked goods.
6$$
7$$Local chain offering Korean BBQ grilled tableside & ban-chan in a trendy, modern setting.
8$Snug, family-owned restaurant serving traditional & Hawaiian-style Korean meats, soups & noodles.
9$$
10$$Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ brings asian to Waikiki at a mid-range price point. Lively atmosphere perfect for groups and celebrations.
11$$
12
13
14$$
15$$
16$$
17$Brunch fare in Waikiki. Kono's Northshore - Waikiki is a solid pick and offers outdoor seating.
18$Island-themed fast-food chain whose menu features traditional Hawaiian plate lunches.
19$Island-themed fast-food chain whose menu features traditional Hawaiian plate lunches.
20$Island-themed fast-food chain whose menu features traditional Hawaiian plate lunches.
21$Island-themed fast-food chain whose menu features traditional Hawaiian plate lunches.
22$Island-themed fast-food chain whose menu features traditional Hawaiian plate lunches.
23$Island-themed fast-food chain whose menu features traditional Hawaiian plate lunches.
24$Island-themed fast-food chain whose menu features traditional Hawaiian plate lunches.
25$Island-themed fast-food chain whose menu features traditional Hawaiian plate lunches.
26$$
27$
28$Counter-serve joint dishing up large portions of Korean barbecue fare such as kalbi & bibimbap.
29$
30See every spot on a live map
Filter, get directions, and find what's open right now.
FAQ
Honolulu has a fantastic range of BBQ styles — Hawaiian, Korean, and Japanese are all well-represented. Midtown Eats (Ala Moana) is Nate's personal recommendation and carries the NateEatsHawaii badge, while spots like Bob's Bar-B-Que and Gen Korean BBQ House are highly regarded by visitors for their consistent quality.
For budget-friendly BBQ, window-serve and plate-lunch style spots tend to offer the best value — Bob's Bar-B-Que has been a local go-to for affordable Hawaiian BBQ plates since 1978, and Diamond Head Market & Grill is popular for hearty, wallet-friendly American-style grilled plates.
This is a curated guide that combines Nate's firsthand verified picks (marked with the NateEatsHawaii badge) with the highest-rated BBQ spots in Honolulu as determined by real visitor ratings on NateEatsHawaii.com. The list is reviewed regularly to reflect new openings and updated ratings across the site's ~1,900 Oahu restaurant listings.
Honolulu