We show the results of a study into the performance of the E-ELT integral field spectrograph HARMONI for observations of galaxies at 2 < z < 4. Using the instrument simulation pipeline HSIM, we performed mock observations of galaxies in this redshift range using two different methods: (i) passive galaxies modeled with simple analytical spatial pro files and star formation histories; and (ii) a single z = 3 galaxy extracted from a high-resolution cosmological simulation, with a more complex and physically representative morphology and star formation history. We describe the software tools developed to convert the simulation data into a spectral cube containing the spatial and spectral properties of the galaxys light. From the mock observations we estimate how well the intrinsic properties of the galaxy can be recovered using commonly used analysis tools. The HSIM pipeline also allows us to study observational biases and their likely impact on the data. We discuss the implications of the project for the future science with HARMONI in the critical redshift regime for mass assembly in galaxies.