Top pick1$$Diamond Head Market & Grill
Restaurant
Popular window-serve grill offering American eats, plus a market for prepared foods & baked goods.
View details
Waikiki has more BBQ than you might expect, from sizzling Korean table grills to island-style plate lunches and guava-smoked goodness just down the road in Kapahulu. I pulled together the 8 spots worth knowing โ a mix of Nate's verified picks and the area's highest-rated BBQ joints โ so you don't have to guess.
Whether you're after a casual counter-serve meal like Me Bar-B-Que, known for generous portions of kalbi and bibimbap right in Waikiki, or a sit-down experience at Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ where you cook over a table grill, there's something here for every BBQ craving and budget.
Spots Nate has personally visited carry the NateEatsHawaii badge on the page โ look out for it as you browse. The rest are ranked by reputation and what they're best known for, so you can eat with confidence wherever you end up.
The ranking
Top pick1$$Popular window-serve grill offering American eats, plus a market for prepared foods & baked goods.
2$$
3$$Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ brings asian to Waikiki at a mid-range price point. Lively atmosphere perfect for groups and celebrations.
4$Brunch fare in Waikiki. Kono's Northshore - Waikiki is a solid pick and offers outdoor seating.
5$Island-themed fast-food chain whose menu features traditional Hawaiian plate lunches.
6$Counter-serve joint dishing up large portions of Korean barbecue fare such as kalbi & bibimbap.
7Intimate family-run Korean barbecue restaurant with table grills & sides of kimchi & salads.
8See every spot on a live map
Filter, get directions, and find what's open right now.
FAQ
It depends on what style you're after โ Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ is a popular choice for interactive table-grill dining, while Me Bar-B-Que and Ginza Won Restaurant are well-regarded for Korean BBQ. Check the NateEatsHawaii badges on the page to see which spots have Nate's personal stamp of approval.
L&L Hawaiian Barbecue is a well-known island-themed fast-food chain offering traditional Hawaiian plate lunches at budget-friendly prices, and Me Bar-B-Que is a counter-serve spot praised for its large portions of Korean BBQ fare without breaking the bank.
This guide is regularly reviewed to reflect the current restaurant landscape in and around Waikiki, drawing from real visitor activity across the roughly 1,900 Oahu restaurants cataloged on NateEatsHawaii.