Top 10 Best BBQ Restaurants in North Carolina

North Carolina is one of America's barbecue capitals, with whole-hog traditions, Lexington-style pork, modern brisket-focused smokehouses, and new-school restaurants that still honor the state's deep BBQ roots. This Discovery Matt ranking highlights standout restaurants across Cary, Ayden, Asheville, Wilmington, Woodfin, Benson, Lexington, and Raleigh.

1. 1

   Dampf Good BBQ

   Cary

   Dampf Good BBQ has become one of North Carolina's most exciting modern barbecue restaurants, bringing a serious craft approach to Cary. Its brisket-focused identity and broader acclaim help it rise to the top of this list.

   Known for: Craft barbecue, brisket, Cary destination status

2. 2

   Skylight Inn BBQ

   Ayden

   Skylight Inn BBQ is one of the most important whole-hog barbecue restaurants in the country. Founded in 1947, it remains a foundational name in Eastern North Carolina barbecue tradition.

   Known for: Whole-hog barbecue, Eastern Carolina heritage

3. 3

   Huli Sue's BBQ and Grill

   Asheville

   Huli Sue's blends barbecue with Hawaiian-inspired flavors, creating one of the most distinctive restaurants on this list. Its Asheville setting and fusion-oriented menu give it a unique statewide identity.

   Known for: BBQ with Hawaiian influence, Asheville destination dining

4. 4

   MeMa's Chick'n' & Ribs

   Wilmington

   MeMa's Chick'n' & Ribs brings Wilmington a highly ranked comfort-food and barbecue option with strong local appeal. Its identity is built around satisfying smoked-meat meals that feel deeply rooted in casual Southern dining.

   Known for: Chicken, ribs, Wilmington favorite

5. 5

   Iron and Oak Brisket Co

   Woodfin

   Iron and Oak Brisket Co adds a brisket-forward point of view to North Carolina's barbecue conversation. It earns its place as a more modern smokehouse alternative to the state's historic pork-centered traditions.

   Known for: Brisket, modern craft BBQ

6. 6

   The Redneck BBQ Lab

   Benson

   The Redneck BBQ Lab has developed a strong reputation for competitive barbecue skill brought into a restaurant setting. It ranks here as one of North Carolina's more serious modern BBQ destinations.

   Known for: Competition-style barbecue, Benson smokehouse

7. 7

   Lexington Barbecue

   Lexington

   Lexington Barbecue represents one of North Carolina's most iconic regional traditions: Piedmont-style pork barbecue. Its place on this list reflects both the food and the cultural significance of Lexington as a barbecue city.

   Known for: Lexington-style pork barbecue

8. 8

   Sam Jones BBQ

   Raleigh

   Sam Jones BBQ carries forward the Jones family whole-hog tradition in a more urban Raleigh setting. Its connection to one of North Carolina's most important barbecue lineages gives it considerable weight.

   Known for: Whole-hog barbecue, Jones family legacy

9. 9

   Luella's Bar-B-Que

   Asheville

   Luella's Bar-B-Que offers smoked meats, house-made sauces, cocktails, and a warm Asheville restaurant experience. It fits the ranking as a dependable local favorite with real category identity.

   Known for: Smoked meats, sauces, Asheville comfort

10. 10

    Bear's Smokehouse Barbecue

    Asheville

    Bear's Smokehouse Barbecue rounds out the list with a bold, satisfying smokehouse approach that has connected strongly with Asheville diners. It provides another strong current-era barbecue entry in Western North Carolina.

    Known for: Hearty smokehouse barbecue, Asheville presence