Top 10 BBQ Spots in Nashville, TN
Nashville’s BBQ scene is pure fire! While Nashville is known as the Music City, you’ll be singing the praises of flannel-wearing chefs and pitmasters after dining out at the top restaurants in town. Where can you go for incredible Nashville BBQ? Get your bib ready because we’re unveiling our list of the 10 top BBQ spots in Nashville, TN.
Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint
410 4th Avenue South, Nashville, TN
(615) 288-0880
You’ll soon know Martin’s as the home of the best brisket you’ve ever tasted. The meat here is so tender and flavorful! With one bite, it comes as no surprise that the crew here makes every single menu item from scratch. That includes everything from sauces to finger-licking sides. Each daily batch of meat takes up to 24 hours to prepare. As a result, it’s not always guaranteed that the item you want will still be in stock. Coming for lunch instead of dinner is one way to get ahead of that problem. The best deal here is the BBQ tray that comes with two sides. You can pick from pulled pork, sliced brisket, smoked sausage, fried catfish, spare ribs, and more!
Peg Leg Porker
903 Gleaves Street, Nashville, TN
(615) 829-6023
The Peg Leg Porker has been a smoking fixture on the Tennessee food scene since 1827! In addition to being one of the best BBQ spots in Nashville, this celebrated eatery is also home to a full bar with more than 30 local drafts on tap. There’s no question that the dry-rub ribs steal the show here. The pulled pork is also phenomenal. Sides that include smoked green beans, slaw, and BBQ beans bring it all home!
Shotgun Willie’s BBQ
4000 Gallatin Pike, Nashville, TN
(615) 942-9188
Finding Shotgun Willie’s BBQ feels like stumbling upon the best-kept secret in BBQ in the United States. This joint offers a warm, authentic atmosphere with booths and picnic tables. Each plate here comes with your choice of meat, two sides, Texas toast, dill pickles, and house-made pickled red onions. The two big draws are the DemKota brisket and pulled pork shoulder.
HoneyFire BBQ
8127 Sawyer Brown Road, Nashville, TN
(615) 739-6121
HoneyFire BBQ is a great pick if you prefer “new Nashville” vibes over old-fashioned BBQ-slinging joints. This restaurant puts an upscale twist on classic BBQ in a casual-meets-polished environment. Must-try items at HoneyFire include the spicy bourbon baked beans, pimento macaroni salad, smoked wings, hickory-smoked brisket, and pork shoulder. There’s a large porch for outdoor dining that is definitely a highlight!
Edley’s Bar-B-Que
2706 12th Avenue South, Nashville, TN
(615) 953-2951
The brisket tacos made with chopped brisket, cheese, slaw, pico de gallo, bean salad, white BBQ sauce, and fried jalapeños are divine! Edley’s also does great St. Louis ribs. The “fried” menu features catfish and hot chicken served up in multiple styles. Of course, you don’t want to leave this flavorful spot without first sharing a plate of Nashville hot links from the appetizer menu.
Hugh-Baby’s
718 Thompson Lane, Nashville, TN
(615) 610-3395
Coming here just for the pulled pork smothered in Hugh-Baby’s house sauce is worth it! Every batch is smoked slowly overnight. Hugh-Baby’s is actually a great BBQ restaurant to pick if you’re bringing along friends who aren’t crazy about BBQ because there’s a big menu full of traditional burgers, fried chicken, and milkshakes to please everyone.
Bringles Smoking Oasis
4901 Centennial Boulevard, Nashville, TN
(615) 583-8886
Bringles is all about BBQ and big screens! This incredible restaurant and sports bar has a huge outside bar with a jumbotron television for viewing games. The selection of smoked meats and delicious sides is hard to beat. The brisket, pork ribs, and pulled pork are incredibly tender and flavorful. The street corn, cowboy beans, slaw, and turnip greens from the sides menu are all incredible.
Jack’s Bar-B-Que
416 Broadway, Nashville, TN
(615) 254-5715
Look for the neon sign with the flying pigs when it’s time to find Jack’s Bar-B-Que! There’s no place else in Nashville that does Tennessee hickory-style pork shoulder like Jack’s. Just how good is the BBQ here? Many people actually credit this restaurant with bringing forth the revitalization of the lower portion of Broadway.
Puckett’s
500 Church Street, Nashville, TN
(615) 770-2772
This Southern dining sensation started as a tiny grocery store more than 70 years ago. Patrons love the slow-smoked BBQ and comfort foods that remain unchanged by time at Puckett’s. You’re also likely to hear some live music when you come to nibble on a low-and-slow menu that consists of baby back ribs, wood-smoked beef brisket, pulled pork, and chicken served with collard greens and smoky baked beans. The smoked meatloaf is a fan favorite to consider if you’re in the mood for something smothered in gravy.
The Ridge Nashville
333 54th Avenue North, Nashville, TN
(615) 385-7800
The Ridge is a great spot for BBQ, burgers, and catfish in Nashville. The ribs, hush puppies, and potato salad are the surprise standouts from the menu. If you want to experiment with different meats and sauces, the sampler is perfect. Patrons enjoy a laid-back atmosphere with a large patio for outdoor dining.
For more recommendations on where to eat and drink in the city, check out our Nashville page, here!
Featured Blog Posts
Best Christmas Bars/Pop-ups in Nashville, TN
It’s time to rock the holidays in Nashville! Music City is famous for its iconic country acts and entertainment venues. However, it’s the sound of bells jingling that makes many of the city’s famous bars come to life during the holidays. If you’re coming to Nashville to do some holiday shopping or catch a fun performance, put aside a little time to pop into one of the city’s holiday-themed bars or Christmas pop-up events. Here’s your look at the best Christmas bars and holiday pop-up bars in Nashville.
The Warmest and Coziest Restaurants in Nashville, TN
Are you looking for a cozy spot for dinner or drinks in Nashville? This friendly city is full of restaurants with menus full of Southern classics that simply feel like warm hugs deep in your soul. Nashville’s coziest restaurants know how to combine the right lighting and atmosphere with just the right flavors. Don’t get left out in the cold when it comes to picking the best restaurant! Check out these eight warm and cozy restaurants in Nashville, TN.
Restaurants That Deserve a Michelin Star in Nashville, TN
While Nashville is a city full of music stars, this foodie town actually doesn’t have any Michelin-starred restaurants. That doesn’t mean that Nashville doesn’t have plenty of restaurants worthy of this prestigious distinction. The truth is that the food scene here rivals any food scene on the planet! Check out eight elegant and exceptional restaurants that deserve a Michelin star in Nashville, TN.
The Absolute Best Sports Bars in Nashville, TN
Whether you’re a fan of going out and watching sports with friends or you just like the food and vibes a sports bar can offer, there are plenty of them to choose from in Nashville. Many of these sports bars go out of their way to offer incredible menus that far exceed your expectations of pub grub. We’ve found some amazing sports bars that are sure to be everything you want (and more) in Nashville, TN.