Welcome to iLava Hawaiian Barbecue
At iLava Hawaiian Barbecue, we celebrate the vibrant flavors and communal spirit of Hawaiian cuisine. Nestled in Oakland, California, this women-owned eatery offers a casual atmosphere ideal for families and groups alike. From sizzling meats marinated to perfection to fresh, colorful sides, every dish embodies a taste of the islands. With options for delivery, takeout, and even catering, iLava makes savoring authentic Hawaiian barbecue accessible for all. Enjoy outdoor seating, happy hour specials, and a welcoming environment where everyone feels at home. Join us and experience a culinary journey that warms the heart and delights the palate.
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1446 High St Oakland, CA 94601 United States Hotline: (510) 261-9888
Welcome to the vibrant world of iLava Hawaiian Barbecue, where the spirit of Hawaiian cuisine meets the heart of New American flavors. Nestled in the bustling streets of Oakland, California, at 1446 High St, Oakland, CA 94601, this women-owned gem captures the essence of aloha, offering a unique dining experience that’s perfect for everyone from families to food enthusiasts.
iLava Hawaiian Barbecue is not just a restaurant; it’s a culinary journey. With a menu that celebrates the rich flavors of the Hawaiian islands, each dish is a testament to the brand’s commitment to quality and authenticity. Whether you're indulging in their savory huli huli chicken or the tender kalua pork, every bite carries a hint of the soothing waves and sun-kissed beaches of Hawaii.
Beyond their remarkable food, iLava Hawaiian Barbecue provides a welcoming atmosphere, making it an ideal spot for lunch, dinner, or even a casual gathering with friends. Here are some of the highlights that make this establishment a standout:
- Accessibility: The restaurant is wheelchair accessible and offers both outdoor and heated seating, making it a comforting choice for diners of all backgrounds.
- Convenience: With options like delivery, takeout, and even a drive-thru, iLava ensures you can enjoy their delicious offerings no matter your schedule.
- Inclusivity: Featuring gender-neutral restrooms and compostable containers, they go the extra mile in providing a welcoming and environmentally-conscious dining experience.
- Catering and Reservations: Perfect for group gatherings, iLava caters to larger parties and offers reservations, ensuring a seamless dining experience.
- Payment Flexibility: Accepting everything from cash to cryptocurrency, they adapt to the modern diner’s needs.
One of the things that stands out about iLava Hawaiian Barbecue is their commitment to sustainability. With reusable tableware and a focus on environmentally-friendly practices, it's clear that they care about both their guests and the planet. Additionally, happy hour specials and a selection of alcohol make this spot perfect for unwinding either after a long day or during a celebratory evening.
If you're looking for an inviting space with great food, a casual vibe, and a touch of Hawaiian warmth, iLava Hawaiian Barbecue is calling your name. For reservations or inquiries, feel free to reach them at (510) 261-9888. Experience the spirit of Hawaii without ever leaving Oakland—it's a feast you won't want to miss!
My go to Hawaiian spot in the Oakland area. Food is always well prepared. Healthy portions and flavors are spot on. Beats out the competition hands down. Run, don't walk!
I Love-a iLava! I can't think of a better combination of deliciousness, freshness, and value in the East Bay (and value is a top priority in my ratings). My go-to and recommendation for a first-timer is the Garlic Shrimp & BBQ Beef combination, or anything with the Garlic Shrimp really. You get around 10 plump, juicy, super garlicky shrimp - I personally like that the shrimp is peeled unlike traditional Hawaiian garlic shrimp. The BBQ Beef is well-marinated and tender. The plate costs around $18, but you will likely have leftovers, and again, you get a ton of shrimp. Pro-tip: If you're undecided on which proteins you want, you can get most options as a side / a la carte (even on DoorDash). I typically get a side of Chicken Katsu - it's $5 and you get a mountain of lightly-breaded, meaty katsu (see picture). A plate and a side order can definitely feed two. Do also get the Spam Musubis. The food is made to order and comes fresh, crispy, and piping hot. Given that, orders can take 10+ minutes though, so consider ordering ahead!
One of the best Hawaii bbq spots. The chicken katsu and bbq options are always a hit. I love the mac salad of course and this place is always clean!!!!
Still good! Perfect dinner pick up to go. Big portions, delicious, reasonable prices, and super quick service. When I'm ever in a bind and can't decide what to eat, iLava comes through in a pinch!
I've ordered takeout from ILava a couple times on Doordash. Their orders have been tasty, with pretty good portion size relative to the price (these days). I've had their Chicken Combo Plate (Chicken Katsu and Chicken Teriyaki), Walnut Prawns and the Curry Chicken (BBQ Chicken with Curry Sauce instead of the teriyaki sauce). Their normal plates come with two scoops of rice and one scoop of macaroni salad. Compared to some of the other Hawaiian places in the area, this is probably one of my new favorites.
They delivered for my graduation lunch at Cal. It was a stressful day for me. I wanted to please my guests--I had a bunch of guests because I was giving the commencement speech (yasss humble brag). I mean about 20 guests so I had a pretty big order. But the food from iLava Hawaiian Barbecue was pretty yummy, came nice and warm and really good handoff with the delivery person - thanks for calling several times to look for where the heck we were in the campus. You're awesome.
I was hit with a sudden craving for loco moco Thursday afternoon, and luckily I had plans to eat out with a friend. After googling the Hawaiian spots nearby, iLava looked the most promising, so we headed here for an early dinner around 5:30. There are 4-5 tables for 4 people each, so seating is a bit limited, but it seems like it's mostly a takeout joint. We were the only ones dining in for most of the time we were here, and there was a constant stream of folks coming in to pick up their order. The menu covers all of the standard Hawaiian rice plates, such as BBQ chicken, chicken katsu, loco moco, kalbi, garlic shrimp, etc. For the indecisive, they have combo plates as well if you wanted to mix and match some of the meats. They also offer some apps such as musubi and potstickers as well as tropical smoothies. Prices are very reasonable, especially given the huge portions. I ordered the loco moco for $11.99 as well as the BBQ chicken musubi for $5.99. Each musubi was ginormous, and eating one already filled me up quite a bit. The loco moco was just okay; I found the beef patty a bit dry, and the gravy they provided was only enough to eat with one of the patties. I asked for extra gravy which they kindly provided, otherwise I would've had to eat my leftovers at home completely dry. I did appreciate that they offered to give me more veggies when I asked for no macaroni salad for the loco moco. My friend got the chicken combo ($11.99), which comes with chicken katsu and teriyaki chicken over rice. She was very satisfied with her food. I tried a bite of the chicken katsu and it was crispy and tender, so the food here is pretty solid in general. I will be back next time I'm craving some Hawaiian food!
I decided to try this place since it is close to where I work. Ordered the BBQ chicken and Spam musubi, because if you are any islander or pinoy heritage you must. The one things I love about Hawaiian food is that the portions are always big and enough to last a couple meals. This was no exception. I believe the chicken piece were thigh meat and deboned and cooked just right. Sometime the sauce can be overwhelming and this was basted just right. Even though the menu says two pieces of Spam musubi, I thought they were probably small. Nope. I only was able to eat one. This is a close enough place that I would order again.