Harley's Tropical Barbecue Information

Walking into Harley's Tropical Barbecue on Haleukana Street in Lihue feels like stepping into a local backyard feast with a laid-back island vibe. The open-air setup, colorful décor, and casual picnic-style seating immediately give the sense that this is a place to relax, linger, and enjoy hearty portions of comfort food with a Hawaiian twist. The menu leans heavily into classic barbecue fare but with a tropical flair, featuring smoky ribs, tender pulled pork, and perfectly grilled chicken, all glazed with sauces that balance sweet, tangy, and just enough heat to keep each bite interesting. One standout is the garlic shrimp plate, which comes loaded with juicy shrimp and a side of fluffy rice that soaks up every bit of flavor, a clear favorite among regulars.

Reviews often highlight the freshness of ingredients and generous portion sizes, with plates that are more than satisfying for both locals and tourists exploring Kauai. Beyond the mains, the sides here deserve attention, from creamy macaroni salad to crisp coleslaw that adds a refreshing crunch alongside the richer meats. The staff is consistently mentioned in reviews for being friendly, approachable, and quick to accommodate special requests, adding to the overall welcoming atmosphere that makes it easy to return week after week.

What makes this spot particularly appealing is the balance between casual dining and authentic flavor. It’s not just a tourist stop; it’s a community favorite where people gather for family meals, casual hangouts, or just to grab a filling plate of barbecue before heading out to explore the island. The location in Lihue makes it convenient for both those staying nearby and visitors driving through, with ample parking and easy access. The combination of lively yet relaxed energy, consistently flavorful dishes, and attentive service makes Harley's Tropical Barbecue a memorable stop for anyone craving a genuine taste of Hawaiian barbecue done right.

Business Info

What People's Say About Place

This place is a hidden local gem!! They are known for their bbq beef ribs but I got the kauai garlic shrimp. It was head and tail on and peeled. It was simply an explosion of shrimp bursting with its natural ocean flavor and something only Kauai shrimp can deliver. It swam in garlic butter sauce that was best soaked up with the rice. I can't wait to go back and try their ribs and other entrees like ribeye steak, kalbi and Loco moco. I'm sure everything they make is super ono!

we had company lunch from harley’s and wow i wish i knew about this place sooner!!! it’s soooo good! i got the tinono and the rest of my co workers got their kalbi (need to try soon) the dish i got serves 2 different types of sauce; the regular and a spicy one. i love how the spicy sauce is actually pretty spicy that i was constantly reaching for my water. i wonder if i could request for both sauces next time. 10/10 would absolutely come here again

Don’t go here if you want atmosphere. The food was freaking amazing! We had the bbq ribs and the mahi-mahi in garlic butter. Both were excellent. Try the papaya seed dressing!

Short ribs is my absolute fave! The rest of the group ordered pork ribs, pork belly, beef kebob. All are delish !

We have been going to Harleys every time we are on island since 2008 . Thank you so much to Tess and her family for always making my family feel so welcome , so much aloha. Insider tip , since they moved to Puhi it is mostly locals who are hip to Harleys! Always ono food.

Was craving a lunch plate while visiting Kaui and this place did not disappoint. The Kalbi ribs were tender and juicy. The mac salad was great. They make their teriyaki sauce in-house which gave it a unique and authentic taste. The place was away from the tourist areas and a lot of locals visited when I was there. Appears to be a small mom and pop shop. Service was a slow, especially since it was during the busy lunch rush. Our dishes were siting for a few minutes before they called me but that’s ok. On the food alone, I would recommend this spot to anyone that loves lunch plate meals. Mahalo!

A small "order at the window" place in a warehouse area. There was never a crowd while we were there, but there was a steady stream of one person at a time (looked to be locals). The bun on the mahimahi sandwich was good, and the fish was not dried out. The fish strip plate (fries and batter-fried fish) were cooked perfectly. On the menu, the fish was listed as mahi but she let me know that it would be pollock instead (but the price was the same). We'd seen a menu listing online with pulled pork but they said no, they don't have that anymore. That seemed odd for a barbecue place.

Who made this place? Because… hailey’s tropical barbecue…. 10/10. - Cajun Shrimp so fresh and tender not over seasoned - Beef Ribs BBQ, tender and amazing bbq sauce - Pork belly nicely chard and grilled. Best food in Kauai so far.

Harley's Tropical Barbecue