Experience the Diverse BBQ Scene in Hawaii

Gina’s Bar-B-Q, Honolulu, HI

Korean cuisine is famous for its barbecued meats. At Gina’s Bar-B-Q, you can taste homemade Korean barbecue for lunch or dinner. Their set lunch plates provide a ton of food at a low price and you can dig into barbecue chicken, beef, or pork, or instead, opt for a combo plate of both barbecue beef and chicken. If you need to order for your whole family, they offer a family pack, which has barbecue kalbi, chicken, beef, and more.

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ, Waikiki, HI

Enjoy Japanese barbecue with succulent, high-quality meats that you cook over a charcoal grill at your table. This is a great dining experience for groups of friends, as you can grill meats and eat snacks will sipping beer and chatting. Meats on the menu include skirt steak, short ribs, and aged steak.

Chicken in a Barrel, Hanalei and Kapaa, HI

This family-run establishment offers barbecue meats that have been smoked in a drum barrel. Entrees include large baby back ribs, a chicken and rib plate, pulled port, pulled beef, and even half a chicken. Perfect accompaniments such as corn bread, beans, and macaroni salad are also on the menu.

Kono's Restaurant, Haleiwa, Honolulu, and Kailua, HI

Kono's Restaurant is well-known for their 12-hour roasted kalua pork. Some outlets of Kono's are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, making this a perfect place to taste some of Hawaii's famous kalua pork at any time of day. For breakfast, you can dine on kalua pork breakfast bombers; for lunch or dinner, feast on plates, sandwiches, or salads.

Pearl's Korean BBQ, Multiple locations

Pearl's Korean BBQ is a family-owned chain restaurant with five locations (Ewa, Kahala, Pearlridge, Waikiki, and Waipahu) across Hawaii making it more convenient to visit. If you'd like to taste Korean barbecue, but don't want to cook your own meal or on a time limit, Pearl's serves made-to-order meals featuring barbecue short ribs, charbroiled chicken, and barbecue chicken. Plates are available with heaping portions of meat, rice, and accompaniments, and Pearl's even offers combo plates if you'd like to try different meat options.

Helena’s Hawaiian Food, Honolulu, HI

This family run restaurant aims to serve authentic Hawaiian food to both locals and tourists. They serve kalua pig cooked in a traditional imu as well as short ribs cooked pipikaula style. These two barbecue options show off Hawaii’s excellent food culture and unique traditions such as cooking in an underground oven heated by lava rocks. Stop by to taste Hawaiian food cooked using historical methods. 

Fat Daddy’s Smokehouse, Kihei, HI

With a name like Fat Daddy’s Smokehouse, you know the barbecue is going to be good. Enjoy all of the mouthwatering meats your heart desires at this Kihei hot spot. Try the burnt ends—the trimmings of their classic brisket option, but re-smoked. It’s to die for. If you want to go big and try a little bit of everything, order the “Who’s Your Daddy?” This sampler plate comes with ribs, burnt ends, chicken, Texas hot links, brisket, and pulled pork, along with two pieces of cornbread and two large sides. Eat up! 

Key Insights at a Glance

• Hawaii has a diverse food scene with influences from various cultures.
• Barbecuing traditions from Japanese, Korean, American South, and Hawaiian cultures are prominent in Hawaii.
• Best places to eat barbecue in Hawaii include Gina's Bar-B-Q, Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ, Chicken in a Barrel, Kono's Restaurant, Pearl's Korean BBQ, Helena's Hawaiian Food, and Fat Daddy's Smokehouse.
• Each restaurant offers unique barbecue dishes such as Korean barbecue, smoked meats, kalua pork, and traditional Hawaiian barbecue.