Sam AlvarezFinding the best BBQ in Nashville is practically a rite of passage for anyone visiting or living in Music City. You don’t just eat barbecue here; you experience the deep history and smoky soul of Tennessee.
From perfectly charred ribs that fall off the bone to smoky brisket that melts in your mouth, this city truly knows its meat.
To get to the bottom of things, I’ve spent countless weekends hunting down the ultimate pulled pork sandwich and the richest, cheesiest mac and cheese.
So, if you crave that deep, wood-fired flavor and a side of Southern hospitality, you’re definitely in the right place! Let’s dive right into the top spots that locals and visitors alike can’t stop talking about.
How much does a BBQ meal cost in Nashville?
For a standard BBQ meal in Nashville, you can typically expect to spend between $15 and $30 per person for an entry-level plate.
| Item Type | Price Range |
| Sandwiches & Quick Bites | $8 – $15 |
| Platter Meals | $15 – $35 |
| Ribs (Half to Full Rack) | $20 – $35+ |
| A La Carte Sides | $3 – $6 |
1. Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint
Website: https://www.martinsbbqjoint.com/downtown-nashville
Address: 410 4th Ave South
Contact: (615) 288-0880
Hours: Sun – Thurs: 11 AM – 10 PM, Fri – Sat: 11 AM – 11 PM
Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint specializes in an authentic whole-hog cooking method that yields some of the region’s richest flavors. Walking into this massive downtown roadhouse immediately hits you with the incredible, heavy smell of pit-fired smoke.
Here, they take their craft seriously, and the large pits are constantly working to keep up with the hungry crowds.
I brought a large group of friends here last month, and we were completely blown away by how juicy and tender the pulled pork was.
You certainly don’t have to stick to traditional plates either, as their extensive menu includes fun twists like brisket tacos and burgers. It makes for an awesome late-night stop after you finish playing a few games at local bowling alleys in Nashville.
However, you should prepare yourself for some serious noise and a packed house. The sheer size and popularity of this venue mean it gets extremely loud and crowded during peak dinner hours.
Very flavorful!
Came here for lunch and it was packed!!! Luckily we found two seats at the bar. Chill, casual vibes here—service was great, bartenders were friendly and attentive. Food was DELICIOUS! We got the Pulled Pork Shoulder and Sliced Beef Brisket BBQ Trays with Mac & Cheese, Broccoli Salad, Baked Beans and Potato Salad. The BBQ trays also came with two slices of bread. The Smoked Brisket Chili was so good too, very flavorful! Also got some beers with the food.
Loved the food & service, highly recommend!
Vy H. | Google Review
We were not disappointed
We were here on a Friday night – our the first time trying Martin’s BBQ. We ordered spareribs and pulled pork with two sides each. The spareribs were meaty and the pulled pork portion size was pretty good. The sides were on the smaller side, however that did not make a difference to our experience. We liked how the meal was meat-heavy, rather than side/carb heavy, more protein! We were not disappointed.
Anna Chateau | Google Review
2. Peg Leg Porker BBQ
Website: https://peglegporker.com
Address: 903 Gleaves St
Contact: (615) 880-0031
Hours: Pickup: Mon-Sat 11AM – 4PM; Delivery: Mon-Thurs 11AM – 4PM, Sat 11AM – 2PM
If you’re craving a deeply traditional and soulful plate of food, Peg Leg Porker should be your next stop. Here, they focus on award-winning, dry-rubbed ribs that pack a serious punch of savory, smoky flavor.
Their menu is highly focused, so every single pork item comes out perfectly smoked and seasoned every single day. Fun fact: the owner is a local legend, and you can feel that pride in every bite of their famous pulled pork.
Don’t expect anything flashy here, though. You can grab a comfortable seat on their welcoming outdoor patio to enjoy the gorgeous afternoon weather with a cold beer.
Speaking of beer, they offer unique beverage pairings specifically chosen to cut right through the rich, heavy flavors of the smoked meats.
Just keep in mind that you won’t find alternative proteins like brisket or smoked turkey here. You’ll need to save some room for their classic Southern fried pies, which remain an absolute necessity here!
Highly recommend
We wanted to get good local BBQ and got this recommendation from a local guy. We got a couple pulled pork platters and a rack of ribs. The meat had just the right amount of smoke and flavor. Sauces were great as well. Beans, slaw, and mac and cheese awesome. I used to live in middle TN so have had my fair share of BBQ. They definitely do it right. Highly recommend stopping here. Leftover ribs were great the next day as well. Don’t miss it when you’re here.
Damon Pistulka | Google Review
A must when visiting Nashville
I’m pretty sure Peg Leg just ruined BBQ ribs for me, because I’ll be comparing everything I have from here on out to these! Fall off the bone with just the right amount of smoke and a rub that hits all the traditional flavors. Just incredible. A must when visiting Nashville.
Matt F. | Google Review
3. Edley’s Bar-B-Que
Website: https://www.edleysbbq.com/locations/12-south
Address: 2706 12th Ave S
Contact: (615) 953-2951, [email protected]
Hours: Sun-Thurs 11am-9pm, Fri-Sat 11am-10pm
Edley’s Bar-B-Que brilliantly blends slow-smoked specialties with classic Southern comfort foods like fried chicken and catfish.
Finding a place that pleases everyone in your group is tough, but this lively neighborhood joint nails it every time. It provides a great casual alternative if you need a break from upscale Italian restaurants in Nashville.
I stopped in for a quick weekday lunch recently and literally couldn’t get enough of their incredible side dishes. The corn bread was moist, and the grits were some of the best I have ever had in the city.
Their wide variety of traditional sides easily rivals the main courses in both quality and taste. If you prefer fried options to pit-cooked meats, their non-smoked regional classics are a massive bonus for picky eaters.
Furthermore, the vibrant, family-friendly environment makes it a fantastic weekend destination for big groups and kids. Just remember that parking in this bustling neighborhood can be quite challenging at times.
Best bbq in Nashville
Best bbq in Nashville so far. The cornbread has a little heat and is nice and dense. All the meats are delicious but the group overall favorite was the brisket and ribs. Personally, I love the chicken with Alabama sauce. The group said the hot chicken was hot but had fantastic flavor. The fried pickles were seasoned perfectly. The group was really quite because they loved the food. The group favorite by far was the banana pudding. It’s dangerously good.
Julianna | Google Review
Every single thing was addictive
This is the best bbq of my LIFE! When I say every single thing was addictive. The brisket melts in your mouth like you barely have to chew it. The sausage was soooo good. The Mac and cheese is so velvety creamy. The collard greens are the best I’ve ever had. My goodness. Nice spice on them. Cornbread is like fried or something amazing. And the banana pudding…you’ll hurt yourself how good it is. Somebody grandma recipe for sure. Going back one more time before I leave.
Marissa Rainey | Google Review
4. MISSION BBQ
Website: https://mission-bbq.com/locations-and-menu/nashville-tn-opry-mills/
Address: 161 Opry Mills Dr
Contact: (615) 933-5225
Hours: Mon-Sat 11am to 9pm, Sun 11:30am to 8pm
MISSION BBQ combines a classic meat-and-sides menu with a deeply patriotic atmosphere honoring military members and first responders.
The entire interior basically serves as a compelling tribute museum filled with fascinating historical memorabilia and local hero photos. It feels respectful and communal, which adds a unique layer to your dining experience.
Their fast-casual service model works perfectly if you need a hearty lunch without waiting long at a table.
Once you sit down, you can explore a wide variety of regional sauce options right at your table to customize your meat. Whether you like a sweet Kansas City style or a tangy Carolina vinegar, they have a bottle ready for you!
The dining experience here remains highly structured, efficient, and wonderfully consistent every single time you visit.
Keep in mind that the atmosphere features the national anthem being played daily at noon. It might feel a bit intense or formal if you just want a strictly laid-back, quiet meal.
10/10 would recommend
Our family is visiting from Florida and looking for some yummy bbq! We happened to pass by Mission BBQ, so we decided to stop in and had the best experience! The food was yummy and the customer service was awesome. All the staff were so friendly. Shout out to GARY! ✨ he was so kind and walked me through flavors and brought me bread pudding to try. Perfect first stop on our Nashville trip! 10/10 would recommend! ❤️
Life of Ky | Google Review
Beyond delicious
I’ve been waiting sooo long to get to this Mission BBQ as the last one I ate at was in Baltimore about five years ago. My dear friend moved here so this was the first place I just had to come to. The place is beautiful, staff was awesome and it is so wonderfully decorated with all our Heroes. Our food was beyond delicious! We are planning a girls trip to Tennessee next March and this is absolutely the first restaurant we are going to visit. Thanks for serving us today! God bless!
Arlene Aninion | Google Review
5. Jack Cawthon’s Bar-B-Que
Website: https://www.jacksbarbque.com
Address: 1601 Charlotte Ave
Contact: 615-341-0157
Hours: Mon-Thurs 10:30am-8pm, Fri-Sat 10:30am-9pm, Sun 11am-7pm
Jack Cawthon’s Bar-B-Que delivers a massive variety of heavily smoked meats right alongside classic homestyle vegetable sides.
It operates with a fun cafeteria-style service, letting you see and point to exactly which cuts and portions you want. This transparency ensures you know exactly what is landing on your tray before you pay.
Food quality definitely takes priority over modern aesthetics or fancy furniture inside this building. The unassuming environment keeps things deeply casual, so you can focus entirely on enjoying the smoky flavor of your plate.
Plus, they open earlier than most competitors, making them an awesome choice for an early lunch craving before the crowds hit.
However, night owls might need to look elsewhere for their late-night dinner plans. Their earlier closing times, especially on weekdays and Sundays, really limit your options for late-evening dining in the city.
Food tasted amazing
Tucked away in a nice location with parking. Smell of bbq lingered in the air. The gentleman behind the counter was sharp and tentative with healthy portions per order. Food tasted amazing, pull pork was a delight. Carolina bbq sauce was spot on
Nicholaus Williams | Google Review
AMAZING!!
Absolutely the BEST Tennessee BBQ!!.. My husband & I are from out of town & ate here in the recommendation of a local gentleman. We ordered the 2 meat plate with the turkey & brisket. Sides we chose were sweet potatoes & BBQ beans. AMAZING!!
Plenty of food for us to share. Lots of others selections, too. Would gladly recommend & would happily return.
Tina Scott | Google Review
