Kailua-Kona, HI, is such a cool place for BBQ lovers like me! There are so many tasty spots to check out, and I can’t wait to share my favorites with you. I’ve tasted a bunch of different BBQ dishes here, and I’m excited to help you find the best ones.
So, what’s the best BBQ in Kailua-Kona, HI? Well, the best BBQ here includes places like L&L Hawai‘ian Barbecue, Ohana Q, and Nephi’s Smokehouse. Each spot has its own special flavors and styles that really show off the local BBQ scene. You’re going to love what you find!
Stick around, and I’ll take you on a delicious journey through the top BBQ joints in Kailua-Kona. You’ll learn all about their yummy dishes and what makes each place super special. Trust me, you won’t want to miss this!
Top 10 BBQ in Kailua-Kona, HI
- L&L Hawai‘ian Barbecue
- Ohana Q
- HAWAII BBQ DELI
- Island Ono Loa Grill
- Kona Chinese BBQ
- Nephi’s Smokehouse
- Umekes Fish Market Bar & Grill
- On the Rocks
- L&L Hawaiian Barbecue – Honokohau
- L&L Hawai‘ian Barbecue
1. L&L Hawai‘ian Barbecue
Phone: (808) 322-9888
Menu: www.hawaiianbarbecue.com
Directions: Open on Map
L&L Hawai‘ian Barbecue is one of my favorite places in Kailua-Kona! When I walked in, the yummy smell of grilled food made my mouth water. The place feels super chill, and I love that I can sit inside or outside. It’s a great spot to hang out with friends or family.
What really makes L&L special is their Hawaiian plate lunches. I always get the BBQ chicken because it’s so juicy and tasty! The rice that comes with it is the perfect match. Oh, and you have to try the katsu chicken too! It’s crispy and has this awesome sauce that I can’t get enough of.
Every time I go to L&L, I leave happy and full. The prices are great, and the food is just delicious. You’ll want to come back for more, trust me!
2. Ohana Q
Phone: (808) 365-6171
Directions: Open on Map
Ohana Q is one of my favorite BBQ spots in Kailua-Kona! I still remember the first time I walked in; the staff was super friendly and made me feel right at home. The place has a cozy vibe, and I love that I can sit inside or outside. It’s perfect for a fun meal with family or friends.
What really makes Ohana Q stand out is their yummy BBQ. I always get the smoked brisket because it’s so tender and tastes amazing! And the sides? Oh wow! The mac salad is creamy and goes perfectly with the meat.
Every time I leave Ohana Q, I’m so happy and full! If you want some tasty BBQ, you really have to check this place out!
3. HAWAII BBQ DELI
Phone: (808) 326-7777
Menu: www.hawaiibbqdelikk.com
Directions: Open on Map
HAWAII BBQ DELI is one of my favorite places to eat in Kailua-Kona! I remember the first time I went there; the staff was super nice and made me feel really welcome. The place has a great vibe, and I love that I can sit inside or outside. It’s perfect for a fun meal with friends or family.
What really makes HAWAII BBQ DELI special is their yummy BBQ flavors. I always get the BBQ pork because it’s so tender and tastes amazing! The rice and sides are really good too, especially the macaroni salad, which is creamy and just right with the meat.
Every time I leave HAWAII BBQ DELI, I feel so happy and full! If you want some tasty BBQ, you really have to check this place out!
4. Island Ono Loa Grill
Phone: (808) 339-3037
Menu: www.islandonoloagrill.com
Directions: Open on Map
Island Ono Loa Grill is one of my favorite spots to eat in Kailua-Kona! I still remember the first time I went there; the staff was super friendly and made me feel right at home. The place has a really chill vibe, and I love that I can sit inside or outside. It’s perfect for a quick meal with friends or family.
What really makes Island Ono Loa Grill special is their yummy food. I always order the Hawaiian plate lunch because it’s so tasty and filling! The teriyaki chicken is my go-to; it’s juicy and has this sweet sauce that I just can’t get enough of. And the sides, oh wow! The rice and macaroni salad are just perfect with it.
Every time I leave Island Ono Loa Grill, I feel so happy and full! If you want some delicious BBQ in a fun place, you really need to check this spot out!
5. Kona Chinese BBQ
Phone: (808) 331-8816
Menu: konaschinesebbqhawaii.kwickmenu.com
Directions: Open on Map
Kona Chinese BBQ is one of my favorite places to eat in Kailua-Kona! I still remember the first time I walked in; the staff was super nice and made me feel really welcome. The place has a cozy vibe, and I love that I can sit inside or outside. It’s a great spot for a quick meal with friends or family.
What really makes Kona Chinese BBQ special is their yummy flavors. I always get the BBQ pork because it’s so tender and tastes amazing! The rice that comes with it is just right, and the sweet and savory sauce is the best part.
Every time I leave Kona Chinese BBQ, I feel so happy and full! If you want some tasty BBQ with a fun twist, you really have to check this place out!
6. Nephi’s Smokehouse
Phone: (808) 731-5151
Menu: order.online
Directions: Open on Map
Nephi’s Smokehouse is one of my favorite places to eat in Kailua-Kona! I still remember the first time I walked in; the yummy smoky smell made my mouth water right away. The vibe is super chill, and I love that I can sit inside or outside. It’s a great spot to enjoy a meal with friends or family.
What really makes Nephi’s special is their delicious smoked meats. I always get the brisket because it’s so tender and full of flavor! And the sides? Oh wow! The coleslaw is crunchy and really refreshing, which is perfect with the meat.
Every time I leave Nephi’s Smokehouse, I feel so happy and full! If you want some tasty BBQ, you really have to check this place out!
7. Umekes Fish Market Bar & Grill
Phone: (808) 238-0571
Menu: www.umekesrestaurants.com
Directions: Open on Map
Umekes Fish Market Bar & Grill is one of my favorite places to eat in Kailua-Kona! I still remember the first time I walked in; the bright and friendly vibe made me feel so happy. I love that I can sit inside or outside, soaking up the beautiful Hawaiian weather while I enjoy my meal.
What really makes Umekes special is their super fresh poke bowls and other Hawaiian favorites. I always get the poke bowl because it’s so fresh and full of flavor! The fish is really tasty, and I love picking all the yummy toppings to go with it.
Every time I leave Umekes, I feel so satisfied and happy! If you want some delicious seafood in a fun place, you really have to check this spot out!
8. On the Rocks
Phone: (808) 329-8711
Menu: huggosontherocks.com
Directions: Open on Map
On the Rocks is one of my favorite places to eat in Kailua-Kona! I still remember the first time I went there; the view of the water was just so beautiful! The vibe is super chill, and I love that I can sit outside and feel the nice breeze while I eat. It’s a perfect spot for a fun meal with friends or family.
What really makes On the Rocks special is their yummy island bites and cocktails. I always get the fish tacos because they are so fresh and tasty! The fish is cooked just right, and the toppings are so good.
Every time I leave On the Rocks, I feel so happy and relaxed! If you want some delicious food with an amazing view, you really have to check this place out!
9. L&L Hawaiian Barbecue – Honokohau
Phone: (808) 329-2838
Directions: Open on Map
L&L Hawaiian Barbecue – Honokohau is one of my favorite places to eat in Kailua-Kona! I still remember the first time I walked in; the friendly staff welcomed me with big smiles, and the yummy smell of food made me so excited. The vibe is super relaxed, and I love that I can choose to sit inside or outside. It’s a great spot for a casual meal with friends or family.
What really makes L&L Hawaiian Barbecue special is their delicious Hawaiian plate lunches. I always get the BBQ chicken because it’s so juicy and full of flavor! The rice and macaroni salad that come with it are just perfect and really complete the meal.
Every time I leave L&L Hawaiian Barbecue – Honokohau, I feel so happy and full! If you want some tasty BBQ at a great price, you really have to check this place out!
10. L&L Hawai‘ian Barbecue
Phone: (808) 331-8886
Menu: www.hawaiianbarbecue.com
Directions: Open on Map
L&L Hawai‘ian Barbecue is one of my favorite places to eat in Kailua-Kona! I still remember the first time I walked in; the yummy smell of grilled food made my mouth water right away. The vibe is super chill, and I love that I can sit inside or outside. It’s a great spot for a casual meal with friends or family.
What really makes L&L special is their Hawaiian plate lunches. I always get the BBQ chicken because it’s so juicy and full of flavor! The rice and macaroni salad that come with it are just perfect and really complete the meal.
Every time I leave L&L Hawai‘ian Barbecue, I feel so happy and full! If you want some tasty BBQ at a great price, you really have to check this place out!
Map of BBQ in Kailua-Kona, HI
Choosing the Right Restaurant for You
With 10 excellent places, here’s a quick comparison to help you decide:
| Restaurant | Price | Seating | Takeout | Delivery | Wheelchair | Reservation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L&L Hawai‘ian Barbecue | Inexpensive | Yes | Yes | Yes | Accessible | No |
| Ohana Q | Moderate | Yes | Yes | No | Accessible | No |
| HAWAII BBQ DELI | Moderate | Yes | Yes | Yes | Accessible | Yes |
| Island Ono Loa Grill | Inexpensive | Yes | Yes | Yes | Accessible | No |
| Kona Chinese BBQ | Inexpensive | Yes | Yes | Yes | Accessible | – |
| Nephi’s Smokehouse | Moderate | Yes | Yes | Yes | Accessible | No |
| Umekes Fish Market Bar & Grill | Moderate | Yes | Yes | – | Accessible | – |
| On the Rocks | Moderate | Yes | Yes | No | Accessible | Yes |
| L&L Hawaiian Barbecue – Honokohau | Inexpensive | Yes | Yes | No | Accessible | Yes |
| L&L Hawai‘ian Barbecue | Inexpensive | Yes | Yes | Yes | Accessible | No |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the best BBQ restaurants in Kailua-Kona?
Some of the best BBQ spots in Kailua-Kona are L&L Hawai‘ian Barbecue, Ohana Q, and Nephi’s Smokehouse. Each place has its own yummy flavors and dishes that really show off the local BBQ scene.
2. Is there outdoor seating at BBQ restaurants in Kailua-Kona?
Yes! Many BBQ places, like L&L Hawai‘ian Barbecue and Ohana Q, have outdoor seating. It’s super nice to enjoy your meal while feeling the warm Hawaiian breeze.
3. Are there vegetarian options at BBQ places in Kailua-Kona?
Most BBQ spots focus on meat, but some do have vegetarian choices. It’s always good to check the menu or ask the staff for what they recommend.
4. Can I get BBQ delivered in Kailua-Kona?
Yes, lots of BBQ restaurants in Kailua-Kona, like HAWAII BBQ DELI and Kona Chinese BBQ, offer delivery. You can enjoy your favorite BBQ right at home!
5. What is a typical BBQ plate lunch in Kailua-Kona?
A typical BBQ plate lunch usually has grilled or smoked meat, rice, and macaroni salad. It’s a filling and tasty meal that really shows off the local Hawaiian flavors!