Oahu's BBQ scene is surprisingly deep — Hawaiian plate-style smoke, Southern low-and-slow, Korean grill, and everything in between. I pulled together 99 qualifying spots across the island and ranked them into a guide worth bookmarking, whether you're hunting a quick plate lunch or a full sit-down spread.
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At the top of the list is Midtown Eats in Ala Moana, a spot I personally recommend — it's Honolulu's newest food hall with 12 local restaurants under one roof, including BBQ options alongside sushi, banh mi, and more. Further out on the island, Easy 'Que in Kailua is highly regarded for its brisket and fried chicken in a hip setting with cocktails, while Bob's Bar-B-Que has been a beloved window-serve institution since 1978, known for Hawaiian BBQ plates and late hours.
This is a curated guide combining my verified picks with the area's best-rated spots. Restaurants our editors have personally visited are marked with the NateEatsHawaii badge on the page — look for it to know which spots come with that extra stamp of confidence.
FAQ
Midtown Eats in Ala Moana is our editors' top personal recommendation for BBQ on Oahu — it's a lively food hall featuring multiple local concepts including BBQ. Beyond that, spots like Easy 'Que in Kailua and Dixie Grill BBQ & Crab Shack in Aiea are well-regarded by visitors for their distinct styles, from smoked brisket to Southern comfort food.
Window-serve and plate-lunch-style spots tend to offer the best value — Bob's Bar-B-Que has been serving budget-friendly Hawaiian BBQ plates since 1978, and Best Drive-In in Honolulu is a fast-food favorite for no-frills eats. Chains like Dickey's Barbecue Pit in Kapolei are also a reliable, wallet-friendly option for house-smoked meats and classic sides.
This guide is refreshed regularly as new restaurants open and ratings on NateEatsHawaii are updated by real visitors. Check back for the latest rankings and any new additions to our editors' verified picks.
BBQ
Oahu
The experiences I actually send visitors on.
Editor's Pick Free cancellationCircle the island
Best single day on Oahu if you've got wheels-envy: turtles, the North Shore shrimp trucks, the lookouts — all in one guided loop.
Free cancellationHonolulu tasting walk
If you like eating your way through a neighborhood, this off-the-beaten-path Honolulu tasting walk hits spots you'd never find solo. Come hungry.
Free cancellationOahu luau night
The eating doesn't stop at dinner — a real luau is the one Waikiki night out worth booking ahead. Kalua pig, fire knife, the whole thing.
Editor's Pick Free cancellationWaikiki sunset sail
After happy hour, get on the water. A sunset cocktail sail off Waikiki is the move — drinks aboard, Diamond Head glowing behind you.
Editor's Pick Free cancellationDiamond Head + breakfast
Earn the breakfast plate: hike Diamond Head first, then eat. Shuttle + reservation ticket included, so the morning's sorted before you refuel in Waikiki.
