18 Best BBQ Restaurants In Austin, Texas | 2024
Some of the best barbecue places in the United States are in Austin, Texas. The city has a long history of smoky, juicy, and flavorful meats that make it a great place for barbecue fans. Everyone in Austin, whether they live there or are just visiting, can find a great BBQ place, but it can be hard to choose the best ones.
This complete guide will take you on a delicious tour of the 20 best BBQ restaurants in Austin, so you can enjoy every delightful bite.
2024’s 18 Best BBQ Places in Austin, Texas
1. Micklethwait Craft Meats
BBQ at Micklethwait Craft Meats is some of the best in Austin, Texas. Micklethwait Craft Meats is a hidden gem in East Austin that all BBQ fans should check out. On their menu, you can find perfectly cooked meats like briskets, ribs, and sausages made in-house. The smoky smell fills the room as you enjoy the perfectly rendered fat and soft meat. Make sure you try their tasty sides, like the jalapeño cheese grits.
1309 Rosewood Ave, Austin, TX 78702 is the address.
Call (512) 791-5961
2. Franklin Barbecue
There would be no full list of Austin’s best BBQ restaurants without Franklin Barbecue on it. The BBQ place, which Aaron Franklin opened in 2009, is famous for its beef. Franklin’s meats have a loyal following because they are expertly seasoned and grilled. The line can go on for hours, so you need to get there early. The meat that melts in your mouth is worth the wait, though.
Address: 900 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78702
Number to Call | (512) 653-1187
3. La Barbecue
If you want to eat some delicious barbecue in Austin, Texas, you should go to La Barbecue. The BBQ joint, which was started by LeAnn Mueller in 2012 and is in East Austin, serves a tasty mix of classic and new barbecue.
The delicious beef, ribs, and sausages at La Barbecue are cooked just right, with a smoky outside and a juicy inside. Their tangy and tasty sauces make the food even better, so don’t miss them.
The address is 2401 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702.
Call (512) 605-9696
4. Terry Black’s Barbecue
Folks who want to try real Texas barbecue should go to Terry Black’s Barbecue. Since many generations ago, the BBQ has been run by a family and has served delicious grilled meats. Their brisket, sausage, and beef ribs are known for being juicy and soft. It’s a great place for a big barbecue feast because the mood is relaxed and friendly.
Location | 1003 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704
5. Valentina’s Tex-Mex BBQ
Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ is a unique way to eat because it combines two popular types of food. Their mesquite-smoked meats go well with their tasty Tex-Mex flavors, making a great mix of tastes. Valentina’s is a great place to eat, from the delicious smoked beef tacos to the rich “Real Deal” Holyfield sandwich.
Address: 11500 Menchaca Rd, Austin, TX 78748
Call (512) 221-4248
6. Stiles Switch BBQ & Brew
Stiles Switch BBQ & Brew, which is owned by Shane Stiles, is a neighborhood favorite that serves authentic Texas barbecue. Every bite of their delicious meats, like their famous beef rib and the tasty pulled pork, shows how skilled their pitmaster is. It’s a great place to relax and enjoy a real barbecue because of the friendly atmosphere and large beer range.
Address: 6610 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78752
Call (512) 380-9199
7. The Salt Lick BBQ
The Salt Lick BBQ is one of the best places to eat barbecue in Austin, Texas. It is in Driftwood, which is just outside of Austin. At the Salt Lick BBQ, you can enjoy a unique eating experience in a beautiful setting. This famous BBQ place is known for its juicy meats cooked over an open pit and slathered in its famous tangy sauce. Enjoy their tender beef, pork ribs, and sausage while taking in the beautiful Hill Country scenery.
Location | 18300 Farm to Market Rd 1826 UNIT C, Driftwood, TX 78619
Call (512) 858-4959
8. The Green Mesquite BBQ
People in Austin, Texas have been going to The Green Mesquite BBQ since 1988 to get tasty barbecue. On their menu, they have traditional smoked foods like sausage, brisket, and pork ribs that are flavored with smoke that make people want to come back for more. The friendly service and casual setting make it a great place to enjoy your barbecue feast.
The address is 1400 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704.
Call (512) 479-0485
9. Cooper’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que
At Cooper’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que, the famous “Big Chop” (a two-inch-thick pork chop cooked over mesquite) is served. When you walk in, the smell will make you want to eat right away.
This classic BBQ place is known for its slow-cooked meats, but the mesquite-smoked brisket steals the show. Don’t miss the chance to try their famous jalapeño cheese sausage and some standard sides like peach cobbler or macaroni and cheese.
Address: 217 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701
Call (512) 474-4227
10. Lambert’s Downtown Barbecue
Traditional Texas barbecue is served in a more polished way at Lambert’s Downtown Barbecue. This high-end restaurant in downtown Austin’s 2nd Street District serves slow-smoked meats and unique flavor combinations that really please. You can eat their tasty smoked chicken, soft pork ribs, or juicy brisket. The unique mix of sauces and spices will make your mouth water.
Number to Call | (512) 494-1500
11. Black’s Barbecue
The “Original Black’s BBQ” in Lockhart has brought its famous pit-smoked meats to Austin. This is not the same as Terry Black’s BBQ.
They use tried-and-true methods to cook their brisket, sausage, and pork spare ribs, which makes for a juicy and tasty barbecue experience. The spicy smell that hits you as soon as you walk into Black’s Barbecue is just a taste of what’s to come. Don’t miss out on their famous beef shoulder clod and their fresh sides, such as bean salad and potato salad.
The address is 3110 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX 78705
Number to Call | (512) 524-0801
12. Iron Works BBQ
Iron Works BBQ has been called one of the best barbecue places in Austin, Texas. It is a real Texas barbecue institution. The BBQ place is in a historic building close to downtown Austin and serves delicious smoked meats like beef ribs, brisket, and sausage. Iron Works is a must-see for barbecue fans because of its rustic look and rich, smoky taste.
Address: 100 Red River St., Austin, TX 78701
Call (512) 478-4855
13. Texas Ranch BBQ
A classic Texas barbecue is served at the Texas Ranch BBQ. By the half-pound, the BBQ spot sells lean brisket, spare ribs, and sausage. You can also get the Posse Pack, which comes with three pounds of meat and your choice of two pint-sized sides, such as coleslaw or cream corn.
Address: 3632 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704
Call (512) 998-2615
14. Interstellar BBQ
Interstellar BBQ is now one of the best places in Austin, Texas, to eat barbecue. Interstellar BBQ opened in 2019 and is run by pitmaster Johna Bates. It serves delicious traditional barbecues. They serve burgers, tacos, and meats by weight, such as sliced or chopped brisket.
The address is 12233 Ranch Rd 620 N room 105, Austin, TX 78750.
Call (512) 382-6248
15. LeRoy And Lewis Barbecue
When LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue first opened in 2017, it quickly became popular with a lot of people. The BBQ place runs out of a blue food trailer that is parked in the patio or yard at Cosmic Coffee. They have smoked beef cheeks, barbacoa, pork sausage with Citra hops, and sides like kimchi and pork hash on their menu.
Call (512) 945-9882
16. Distant Relatives
Eater named Distant Relatives one of the 11 Best New Restaurants in America. They also have some of the best BBQs in Austin, Texas. Damien Brockway, the pitmaster, gets ideas for unusual sauces for his meats from his African ancestry. For example, he uses tamarind molasses and chile-vinegar dip, and he cooks sides like burnt ends with black-eyed peas.
Austin, Texas 78744; 3901 Promontory Point Dr.
Number to Call | (512) 717-2504
17. Sam’s BBQ
Some of the best BBQ places have been around since 1957, and Sam’s BBQ is one of them. This BBQ place is run by a family and specializes in meats that have been smoked over mesquite. They smoke beef, pork, and chicken. The friendly staff and big amounts make it a great place for a satisfying barbecue meal.
2000 E 12th St, Austin, TX 78702 is the address.
Call (512) 478-0378
18. KG BBQ
KG BBQ is one of the coolest new barbecue places in Austin. It opened in 2022 and is run by Egyptian pitmaster Karem El-Ghayesh. The truck-based BBQ serves smoked meats that are Egyptian-Texan and have flavors from the owner’s home country. BBQ-topped rice bowls, stuffed pitas, and tahini are some of the fun things on their menu.
Address: 3108 Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78723
Call (337) 344-4768
19. Brown’s Bar-B-Que
For its delicious BBQ, Brown’s Bar-B-Que has become a well-known and loved food truck. They are known for their East Texas-style meats, especially their soft beef ribs and juicy pulled pork. Brown’s is a favorite among both locals and tourists because of its smoky flavors and large amounts.
The address is 1901 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704.
Number to Call | (512) 517-8520
20. Moreno Barbecue
Moreno Barbecue has some of the best barbecues in Austin, Texas. It was opened in 2019 by Pitmaster Bo Moreno. Moreno has great smoked meats like beef, tacos, and sandwiches. Their beef is very tender and has a peppery bite to it. It’s some of the best in town.
5608 Menchaca Rd, Austin, TX 78745 is the address.
Number to Call | (512) 808-8271