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.
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 Nate has 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.
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.
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5$Window-serve shack since 1978 with outdoor seating & late hours, selling Hawaiian BBQ plates.
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9$$Popular window-serve grill offering American eats, plus a market for prepared foods & baked goods.
10$$BBQ chain eatery featuring house-smoked meats, stuffed baked potatoes & classic sides.
11$$Casual, country-style restaurant serving Southern cuisine including BBQ, grits, catfish & po' boys.
12$$Brisket, fried chicken & other comfort eats served in a hip restaurant offering cocktails & beer.
13$$
14$$Local chain offering Korean BBQ grilled tableside & ban-chan in a trendy, modern setting.
15$$Local chain offering Korean BBQ grilled tableside & ban-chan in a trendy, modern setting.
16$Snug, family-owned restaurant serving traditional & Hawaiian-style Korean meats, soups & noodles.
17$$
18$$Gyu-Kaku is a mid-range japanese spot in Kaneohe.
19$$Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ brings asian to Waikiki at a mid-range price point. Lively atmosphere perfect for groups and celebrations.
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27$Roadside joint featuring a menu of BBQ fare & plate lunches, plus Christian artwork on the walls.
28$$
29$$Simple strip-mall setting for Korean barbecue & plates to share, plus booth seating & takeout.
30$$Hawaiian kitchen preparing slow-roasted pork sandwiches, platters & more in laid-back surrounds.
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FAQ
Midtown Eats in Ala Moana is Nate's 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 Nate's verified picks.
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