The Top 13 Best Barbecue Charleston SC Has To Offer

This list of the top BBQ restaurants in Charleston can help you satisfy your hunger for a juicy barbecue or plan a night out with other barbecue enthusiasts.

For a special dinner date or your best friend’s birthday, you can’t just go to any restaurant if you want to have a memorable dining experience.

Here is a list of the Charleston’s top 13 BBQ spots where you can enjoy some of the city’s best barbecues and spend time with your loved ones.

1. Lewis Barbecue

Lewis Barbecue is known for being one of the oldest BBQ fans in the area and has a lengthy history.

John Lewis designed and built the special, handmade smokers who slow-cook Texas-style barbecue pork for 14 hours. One of the best Texas BBQs outside of Texas is offered there. Order some pickled vegetables, margaritas, and some real Texas BBQ brisket or sausages, and you’re good to go.

Everything is served on butcher paper, and the green chili corn pudding is also delicious.

Location: 464 N Nassau St. Charleston, SC 29403, United States

2. Swig & Swine

Swig & Swine is the hip place you need to be if you’re seeking amazing BBQ and great Bourbon or beer. BBQ dishes like burned ends, Brunswick stew, brisket, pecan pie, pimento cheese, and dry-rub wings are delicious.

You can order barbecue by the pound, and takeout orders are often ready in 15 to 20 minutes therefore, if you’re nearby and want to enjoy some smoky, hot barbecue with some cold beer or Bourbon.

The eatery is conveniently located off the Savannah Highway. You can eat there or order takeout if you’re in a hurry.

Location: 1217 Savannah Hwy, Charleston, SC 29407, United States

3. Duke’s Bar-b-Que

The best barbecue restaurant for a family outing is Duke’s Bar-B-Que. You can get delicious BBQ meat there, and the portions are generous. You can also meet a lot of wonderful individuals there.

The inside and outdoor dining experiences are fairly simple, low-key, and comfortable, and the staff is really courteous and helpful. The BBQ restaurant has been in business for over 62 years and never disappoints customers.

The cuisine is usually delicious and reasonably priced. For example, you can get excellent hash, tea, and BBQ for a great price.

Location: 331 Folly Rd, Charleston, SC 29412, United States

4. Rodney Scott’s Bbq

A counter-serve barbecue restaurant called Rodney Scott offers slow-smoked brisket, ribs, pulled pork, and chicken.

The food is still delicious at the new restaurant, which is an addition to the famous Hemingway location. If the interior is packed, you can just place your order from the drive-thru since the place fills up quickly.

Looking for the nearest drive-thru restaurants in Charleston, SC? Click here.

Slices of bread that have been precisely toasted are combined with tender beef or chicken BBQ to create the steak sandwich. The sandwich is quite full and has great flavor in every mouthful.

Location: 1011 King St, Charleston, SC 29403, United States

5. Home Team Bbq

Home Team BBQ serves delicious BBQ in a lively environment. If you’re bored, worn out, or just want to enjoy a carefree day, this is the place to go.

The ambiance is really relaxed and inviting. You feel incredibly at ease at the Home Team BBQ while hanging out with your friends. The burritos, hash, pork rinds, burritos, wings, and BBQ nachos are all delicious.

A must-try at Home Team BBQ is their handmade white sauce, which simply improves the flavor of everything they offer.

Location: 1205 Ashley River Rd. Charleston, SC 29407, United States

6. Melvin’s Bbq

One of Charleston’s top places to buy Carolina barbecue is Melvin’s BBQ. Food is provided in large servings, and customers are given seats in the wooden booth-like spaces.

The BBQ sandwiches, cheeseburgers, hash, and donut-sized onion rings are all excellent in addition to the mouthwatering Carolina BBQ.

The burger baskets are quite affordable and come with a cheeseburger and tasty sides.

Location: 538 Folly Rd, Charleston, SC 29412, United States

7. Martin’s Bbq Joint

Martin’s BBQ Joint sells its famous whole hog barbecue in a residential setting.

They provide delicious slow-smoked brisket, sides, wings, and pies that are freshly made each day in-house using local products.

Martin’s BBQ Joint also serves delicious sides like macaroni and cheese, slaw, and cornbread. A definite must-try at this joint is the banana pudding they make fresh daily.

The staff is friendly and helpful, making it an enjoyable experience to eat there. So if you want to enjoy some great BBQ with your family, this is the place to go.

Location: 1622 Highland Ave, Charleston, SC 29412, United States

8. Bessinger’s Bbq

Bessinger’s BBQ offers delicious weekend buffets with unlimited food for a set price per person. In addition, they have a vehicle show on the first Wednesday of each month.

Weekday visits will yield excellent BBQ and superb cheeseburger baskets. A large onion ring is one of the mouthwatering sides that come with the burgers. The pulled pork sandwiches are also excellent. However, the classic yellow mustard-based sauce is what makes their barbecue unique from the rest.

Location: 1602 Savannah Hwy, Charleston, SC 29407, United States

9. Poogan’s Smoke House

Poogan’s Smokehouse is an industrial-chic restaurant that serves Southern-style BBQ and trendy drinks and is ideal for a date or a night out with friends.

The traditional Southern fare of pimento cheese, boiled peanuts, and cheese grits is absolutely fantastic. The tastiest BBQ meat they have is undoubtedly the combination of pulled pig and hog belly. Most of their sides are also excellent, especially the macaroni and cheese.

The warm atmosphere of Poogan’s smokehouse makes you feel right at home. The staff is always helpful and attentive, and the drinks menu constantly changes, so you can always try something new.

Location: 188 E Bay St, Charleston, SC 29401, United States

10. Queology Barbecue

You should go to Queology Barbecue in Mexico because of the fantastic food and friendly locals.

Your day is simply made by the servers and bartenders who pay close attention to you and your order, making you feel at ease and content with the cuisine, people, and surroundings.

Queology Barbecue serves various dishes, including pulled pork, baby back ribs, brisket, and more. The pulled pork is tender and flavorful, made with an unforgettable Carolina-style mustard sauce. If you’ve to try something different, the ends are delicious and unique-tasting.

The happy hour food is really affordable. Don’t forget to order the delicious Bloody Mary beverage to go with your barbecue.

Location: 6 N Market St, Charleston, SC 29401, United States

11. Dukes

The buffet line-up at this barbecue eatery, which is a member of the Dukes family of restaurants with locations around the state, must be accessed on an empty stomach.

You should visit this place if only for the mac and cheese. It almost manages to overshadow the somewhat smokey pork since it is so creamy and wonderful.

The pulled pork sandwich served with the housemade sauce is another great option. And finally, round off your meal with a piece of homemade pecan pie. If you haven’t already been convinced, the icing on the cake will take you over the edge. Add this to your list of must-try barbecues if you’re in town.

Location: 331 Folly Rd, Charleston, SC, United States

12. The Rib Guy

As suggested by its name, the Huger Street eatery, The Rib Guy, is a master at smoking racks of ribs. Pitmaster Guy Simmons began by grilling in his family’s yard and sharing slabs with neighbors, but in 2015, he opened his own restaurant.

Red rice, baked chicken, fried fish, and okra soup are also options. The ribs are offered as a combo with two sides. In addition, customers can choose between fries, potato salad, coleslaw, and macaroni and cheese.

The Rib Guy is the perfect place to go for a delicious Rib fix and enjoy some of the city’s tastiest BBQ in comfortable, booth-like spaces.

Location: 396 Huger St, Charleston, SC 29403

13. Palmira Barbecue

Palmira Barbecue is a spot for juicy pulled pork from Peculiar Pig Farm’s heritage breeds, juicy beef cheeks, and smokey hot links hidden inside the Port of Call food court on the Market.

Chef Hector Garate sources his meat sustainably and uses an offset smoker (which is regarded as Texas-style).

The menu is simple but tasty; you won’t find too many sides, only deviled eggs and slaw. However, the hot links are a must-try as they ooze with smoky juice when bitten into. Be sure to finish it off with a scoop of chocolate ice cream for dessert!

Location: 99 S Market St, Suite 5, Charleston, SC 29401

Charleston, South Carolina, is quickly becoming known as a famous spot for some of the best barbecues in America. However, the city has something unique to offer everyone who visits. From Poogan’s Smokehouse and Queology Barbecue to Dukes and The Rib Guy, you can find savory flavors that will keep your taste buds begging for more. Whether you’re searching for an affordable meal or an indulgent feast, there’s something here to satisfy everyone. So next time you visit Charleston, take your taste buds through the city’s many barbecue eateries. You won’t be disappointed!