Quick answer
Nashville's BBQ scene offers a diverse range of styles for $14-$22 a plate, with Shotgun Willie's being the most recommended spot according to Reddit. While Nashville lacks a single defining BBQ style, its variety, from Texas brisket to whole-hog, is its strength.
- Best overall
- Shotgun Willie's BBQ
- Top pick
- Shotgun Willie's BBQ
Top verdicts
- Shotgun Willie's BBQ: Closed Mon–Tue, sells out by mid-afternoon — arrive before noon Wed–Sat.
- Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint: Patio fills on weekends — go for late lunch (2 PM) for the easiest seating.
- Edley's Bar-B-Que: 12 South location has the longest wait — try the East or Sylvan Park branches for the same kitchen with no line.
Nashville might play second fiddle to Memphis when it comes to Tennessee BBQ, but Music City's smoked meat scene has exploded in recent years. From Texas-transplant brisket masters to whole-hog traditionalists and creative fusion joints, there's more diversity here than in most Southern BBQ cities.
Unlike Memphis (dry-rub ribs) or Texas (low-and-slow brisket), Nashville doesn't have one defining BBQ style. That's actually its strength — you can get world-class brisket, whole-hog pulled pork, competition ribs, and Thai-spiced hot links all within a 30-minute drive.
Area map
All 12 spots at a glance
| # | Name | Style | Price | Area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shotgun Willie's BBQ | texas-style-bbq | upscale | 1500 Gallatin Pike S Suite 104, Madison, TN 37115 |
| 2 | Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint | whole-hog-bbq | mid | 410 4th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37201 |
| 3 | Edley's Bar-B-Que | nashville-style-bbq | mid | 2706 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204 |
| 4 | Peg Leg Porker BBQ | dry-rub-bbq | mid | 903 Gleaves St, Nashville, TN 37203 |
| 5 | Curry Boys BBQ | thai-texas-fusion-bbq | mid | 1304 McGavock Pk, Nashville, TN 37216 |
| 6 | Bringle's Smoking Oasis | west-texas-bbq | upscale | 4901 Centennial Blvd, Nashville, TN 37209 |
| 7 | The Ridge | competition-bbq | mid | 333 54th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37209 |
| 8 | HoneyFire BBQ | southern-bbq | mid | 8127 Sawyer Brown Rd #304, Nashville, TN 37221 |
| 9 | Central BBQ | memphis-style-bbq | mid | 408 11th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37203 |
| 10 | Jack's Bar-B-Que | multi-style-bbq | mid | 334 W Trinity Ln, Nashville, TN 37207 |
| 11 | Mary's Old Fashioned Pit Bar-B-Que | pit-bbq | mid | 1106 Jefferson St, Nashville, TN 37208 |
| 12 | Rodney Scott's Whole Hog BBQ | whole-hog-carolina-bbq | mid | 200 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37201 |
1Shotgun Willie's BBQ
Texas-Style BBQQuick comparison
- Best for
- Texas-style brisket pilgrims
- Strengths
- Known for Texas-Style BBQ · 1500 Gallatin Pike S Suite 104, Madison, TN 37115
- Price / value
- $15-$28
- Why it made the list
- Madison's Texas-style barbecue from pitmaster Cooper Cox — 4.7 stars on 819 reviews, brisket and ribs that sell out daily, and the consistent #1 mention in Nashville-BBQ local consensus.
- What to order
- Brisket by the half-pound, salt-and-pepper ribs, and a slice of jalapeño cheddar sausage.
2Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint
Whole-Hog BBQQuick comparison
- Best for
- West Tennessee whole-hog tradition
- Strengths
- Known for Whole-Hog BBQ · 410 4th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37201
- Price / value
- $12-$22
- Why it made the list
- Pat Martin's whole-hog barbecue — 4.5 stars on over 11,000 reviews, the SoBro flagship of a chain that brought West Tennessee whole-hog tradition to downtown Nashville.
- What to order
- Big Mama Redneck Taco (whole-hog pulled pork on cornbread) with a side of slaw.
🕐 Opening hours
3Edley's Bar-B-Que
Nashville-Style BBQQuick comparison
- Best for
- Nashville-style BBQ with full menu
- Strengths
- Known for Nashville-Style BBQ · 2706 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204
- Price / value
- $12-$22
- Why it made the list
- 12 South neighborhood institution — 4.6 stars on over 4,000 reviews, the originator of 'Nashville-style' BBQ with a cayenne-and-habanero dry rub. Multiple locations, full bar, family-friendly.
- What to order
- Tuck Special (smoked brisket sandwich with pimento cheese) and a side of mac.
🕐 Opening hours
4Peg Leg Porker BBQ
Dry-Rub BBQQuick comparison
- Best for
- Memphis-style dry-rub ribs in The Gulch
- Strengths
- Known for Dry-Rub BBQ · 903 Gleaves St, Nashville, TN 37203
- Price / value
- $12-$24
- Why it made the list
- Carey Bringle's Gulch shop — 4.5 stars on nearly 4,000 reviews, with a Memphis-leaning dry-rub rib program and a Tennessee whiskey list that pairs the smokehouse with serious bourbon culture.
- What to order
- Dry-rub ribs with the side of pork rinds.
🕐 Opening hours
5Curry Boys BBQ
Thai-Texas Fusion BBQQuick comparison
- Best for
- Adventurous Thai-Texas fusion BBQ
- Strengths
- Known for Thai-Texas Fusion BBQ · 1304 McGavock Pk, Nashville, TN 37216
- Price / value
- $14-$26
- Why it made the list
- Inglewood Thai-Texas fusion — 4.8 stars on 243 reviews, San Antonio-spinoff that blends central-Texas brisket with Thai curries and som tum sides. Highest-rated BBQ on this list.
- What to order
- Brisket with green curry over rice.
6Bringle's Smoking Oasis
West Texas BBQQuick comparison
- Best for
- West Texas BBQ with serious pastrami
- Strengths
- Known for West Texas BBQ · 4901 Centennial Blvd, Nashville, TN 37209
- Price / value
- $14-$28
- Why it made the list
- Sylvan Park West Texas-style spot — 4.3 stars on 349 reviews, with one of the best pastrami programs in town alongside the standard brisket.
- What to order
- Pastrami sandwich and a brisket sample.
🕐 Opening hours
7The Ridge
Competition BBQQuick comparison
- Best for
- Competition-style ribs
- Strengths
- Known for Competition BBQ · 333 54th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37209
- Price / value
- $12-$24
- Why it made the list
- Sylvan Park competition-style BBQ — 4.7 stars on 783 reviews, owned by a competition pitmaster turning out KCBS-style ribs and brisket alongside competition sauce work.
- What to order
- Competition-style ribs and a brisket plate.
🕐 Opening hours
8HoneyFire BBQ
Southern BBQQuick comparison
- Best for
- Bellevue area Southern BBQ
- Strengths
- Known for Southern BBQ · 8127 Sawyer Brown Rd #304, Nashville, TN 37221
- Price / value
- $12-$22
- Why it made the list
- Bellevue neighborhood BBQ — 4.6 stars on 1,300+ reviews, Southern-style smoking with a sweeter sauce profile and a serious sides program.
- What to order
- Sliced brisket with mac and cheese and the house BBQ beans.
9Central BBQ
Memphis-Style BBQQuick comparison
- Best for
- Memphis-style BBQ near the convention center
- Strengths
- Known for Memphis-Style BBQ · 408 11th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37203
- Price / value
- $12-$22
- Why it made the list
- Memphis transplant's Nashville location — 4.4 stars on 880 reviews, with the same Memphis-style dry-rub program that built the original on Central Avenue in Memphis.
- What to order
- Memphis dry-rub ribs and a pulled-pork sandwich for comparison.
10Jack's Bar-B-Que
Multi-Style BBQQuick comparison
- Best for
- Multi-style sampler plates
- Strengths
- Known for Multi-Style BBQ · 334 W Trinity Ln, Nashville, TN 37207
- Price / value
- $10-$20
- Why it made the list
- Trinity Lane location of the Broadway tourist staple — 4.5 stars on 2,800 reviews, multi-style smoker turning out brisket, pulled pork, and ribs with a Tennessee-Texas-Carolina menu.
- What to order
- A 3-meat plate to sample the styles.
🕐 Opening hours
11Mary's Old Fashioned Pit Bar-B-Que
Pit BBQQuick comparison
- Best for
- Historic North Nashville pit-style
- Strengths
- Known for Pit BBQ · 1106 Jefferson St, Nashville, TN 37208
- Price / value
- $8-$16
- Why it made the list
- Jefferson Street pit-style BBQ — 3.9 stars on 292 reviews, but a longtime Black-owned smokehouse with a North Nashville cult following and one of the city's longest-running pits.
- What to order
- Pulled pork sandwich with hot sauce and slaw.
12Rodney Scott's Whole Hog BBQ
Whole-Hog Carolina BBQQuick comparison
- Best for
- Carolina whole-hog on Broadway
- Strengths
- Known for Whole-Hog Carolina BBQ · 200 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37201
- Price / value
- $14-$26
- Why it made the list
- James Beard winner Rodney Scott's downtown Broadway location — 3.8 stars on 28 reviews (a young location), but the Charleston-original recipe and Beard credentials make it one of the few high-pedigree downtown BBQ stops.
- What to order
- Whole-hog pulled pork plate with red rice.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best BBQ in Nashville?
Shotgun Willie's is the most recommended BBQ spot in Nashville across Reddit. Their Texas-style brisket and salt-and-pepper ribs are legendary. Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint is a close second for whole-hog pulled pork.
Does Nashville have good BBQ?
Nashville's BBQ scene has grown significantly. While it doesn't have one dominant regional style like Memphis or Texas, you'll find excellent Texas-style brisket, whole-hog tradition, Memphis dry rub, and Nashville's own cayenne-forward style.
What BBQ style is Nashville known for?
Nashville doesn't have one official BBQ style, but the city focuses on smoked pork. Edley's pioneered 'Nashville-style BBQ' with a cayenne and habanero dry rub. You'll also find Texas-style brisket, Memphis dry-rub ribs, and whole-hog pulled pork.
Where should tourists eat BBQ in Nashville?
For downtown visitors, Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint and Peg Leg Porker are the most accessible. Edley's 12 South location is a short ride away and worth it.
How much does BBQ cost in Nashville?
A BBQ plate with two sides runs $14-$22. Sandwiches are $10-$15. A full meal with a drink costs about $18-$25 per person.
Is Shotgun Willie's worth the drive?
Yes. It's technically in Madison (15 minutes from downtown), but Reddit unanimously calls it the best BBQ in the Nashville area. Go early — meats sell out, especially ribs. Closed Monday and Tuesday.
What is the difference between Nashville BBQ and Memphis BBQ?
Memphis BBQ centers on dry-rubbed ribs and pulled pork with tangy tomato-vinegar sauce. Nashville's scene is more eclectic — you'll find Texas brisket, whole-hog Carolina style, Memphis ribs, and Nashville's own cayenne-spiced dry rub.
What defines 'Nashville-style BBQ'?
While not as globally recognized as Texas or Carolina styles, Nashville-style BBQ, popularized by places like <a href="#edleys-bar-b-que"><strong>Edley's Bar-B-Que</strong></a>, is often characterized by a distinctive cayenne-based dry rub applied before smoking. This gives the meat a unique savory-spicy kick, distinct from sweet or vinegar-based sauces.
Where can I find the best whole-hog BBQ in Nashville?
For authentic whole-hog BBQ, <a href="#martins-bar-b-que-joint"><strong>Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint</strong></a> is the reigning champion, upholding the West Tennessee tradition of slow-smoked whole hogs. You can also experience the renowned Carolina whole-hog style from a James Beard Award-winner at <a href="#rodney-scotts-whole-hog-bbq"><strong>Rodney Scott's Whole Hog BBQ</strong></a> on Broadway.
Are there any unique or fusion BBQ spots in Nashville worth trying?
Absolutely! <a href="#curry-boys-bbq"><strong>Curry Boys BBQ</strong></a> stands out with its innovative Thai-Texas fusion, offering uniquely spiced meats and sides that earned it the highest rating in Nashville. Another unique experience is <a href="#bringles-smoking-oasis"><strong>Bringle's Smoking Oasis</strong></a>, which focuses on West Texas BBQ with a standout pastrami that's unlike anything else in the city.
What's the best BBQ for a family with kids in Nashville?
For families, <a href="#martins-bar-b-que-joint"><strong>Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint</strong></a> and <a href="#edleys-bar-b-que"><strong>Edley's Bar-B-Que</strong></a> are both excellent choices, offering spacious, casual environments and menus that appeal to a wide range of tastes. Their multiple locations also make it easy to find a convenient spot with plenty of seating.
Is it worth driving outside of downtown for Nashville BBQ?
Definitely! While downtown has great options, some of Nashville's best BBQ gems are located a short drive away. For instance, <a href="#shotgun-willies-bbq"><strong>Shotgun Willie's BBQ</strong></a>, widely considered the #1 spot, is in Madison, and the Bellevue area boasts <a href="#honeyfire-bbq"><strong>HoneyFire BBQ</strong></a>, a local favorite. These drives often lead to quieter crowds and exceptional food.
Do Nashville BBQ joints typically have outdoor seating?
Many Nashville BBQ establishments embrace the Southern weather with fantastic outdoor seating options. <a href="#martins-bar-b-que-joint"><strong>Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint</strong></a>, <a href="#edleys-bar-b-que"><strong>Edley's Bar-B-Que</strong></a>, and <a href="#peg-leg-porker-bbq"><strong>Peg Leg Porker BBQ</strong></a> are known for their inviting patios, perfect for enjoying your meal al fresco. It's always a good idea to check specific location details if outdoor dining is a priority for your visit.