Honolulu's BBQ scene is seriously diverse — think smoky Hawaiian plates, tableside Korean grills, and Japanese yakiniku all within the same city. This list ranks the top 51 BBQ spots in Honolulu based on real visitor ratings submitted right here on NateEatsHawaii, so you know the rankings reflect what actual diners think.
Among the highest-rated picks you'll find Midtown Eats in Ala Moana, a food hall I personally recommend and which carries the NateEatsHawaii badge — it brings together 12 local concepts including BBQ under one roof. The list also features longtime neighborhood staples like Bob's Bar-B-Que, a window-serve shack that's been feeding Honolulu since 1978, and Gen Korean BBQ House, a popular tableside Korean BBQ chain in the Ala Moana area.
Spots that Nate has personally visited are marked with the NateEatsHawaii badge on the page, so you can see at a glance which picks come with a first-hand stamp of approval. Whether you're after a quick plate lunch or a full sit-down grill session, this ranked list has you covered.
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
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FAQ
Based on real visitor ratings on NateEatsHawaii, Midtown Eats in Ala Moana tops the list and is also a personal recommendation from Nate — look for the NateEatsHawaii badge. Other highly rated options include Bob's Bar-B-Que and Gen Korean BBQ House.
Budget-friendly options include Bob's Bar-B-Que, a casual window-serve shack known for Hawaiian BBQ plates at approachable prices, and Gina's Korean Barbeque in Kapahulu, a snug family-owned spot serving Korean meats and soups.
The rankings are driven by real visitor ratings submitted on NateEatsHawaii and are refreshed regularly as new reviews come in, so the list always reflects current diner sentiment across all 51 qualifying restaurants.
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