The 5 Best BBQ Restaurants in Raleigh

Barbecue in North Carolina isn’t merely dinner—it’s a subject people are prepared to argue about. Raleigh gives you plenty of ammunition, from Eastern North Carolina whole-hog traditions to newer pitmasters bringing brisket and broader influences into the mix.

1. Sam Jones BBQ

For an introduction to Eastern North Carolina whole-hog barbecue, start here. Sam Jones comes from one of the state’s most celebrated barbecue families, and the Raleigh restaurant has earned a Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand. This is heritage barbecue without feeling like a museum piece.

2. Longleaf Swine

Longleaf Swine represents Raleigh barbecue’s newer generation. Wood-fired pork anchors the experience, but brisket, ribs, chicken and creative sides give you plenty of reasons to order across the menu. The lively patio doesn’t hurt, either.

3. The Pit Authentic Barbecue

The Pit helped make whole-hog barbecue a destination meal in downtown Raleigh. Its Warehouse District dining room offers a polished introduction to Eastern North Carolina barbecue alongside fried chicken, catfish and Southern sides, making it particularly approachable for first-time visitors.

4. Clyde Cooper’s Barbeque

Old-school Raleigh barbecue doesn’t get much more recognizable than Clyde Cooper’s. It’s the place to embrace the classics rather than chase trends: chopped pork, straightforward sides and the atmosphere of a barbecue joint that’s part of the city’s culinary history. It’s also consistently included among Raleigh-area barbecue recommendations.

5. Ole Time Barbecue

Ole Time Barbecue delivers exactly what its name promises: an unfussy, traditional barbecue-joint experience. It’s a strong pick when what you really want is a plate of pork, classic sides and sweet tea rather than a reinvention of the genre.