Where’s the Best Barbecue in Nashville? 7 Standouts to Whet Your Appetite

©Journal Communications/Jeff Adkins

Tennessee is barbecue country, and some of the best smoked meats around can be found in the Nashville Region. Pitmasters and sauce slingers put their talents on full display at these mouthwatering barbecue joints. If you’re looking to discover the best barbecue in Nashville, read on for seven tried-and-true establishments. 

Edley’s Bar-B-Que 

©Journal Communications/Jeff Adkins

Nashville, Franklin 
With several locations in the Nashville Region, Edley’s is a household name when it comes to Nashville barbecue. 

Originally opened in 2011, the restaurant has flourished and gained popularity, even winning awards multiple years in a row for Best Barbecue in Nashville by Nashville Scene. Alongside its smoked meats, which are cooked using Southern white oak, Edley’s is beloved for its elevated comfort food sides, like cornbread, banana pudding, mac and cheese, and its famous boozy milkshake, the bushwacker. Edley’s is the perfect gathering spot for great food and good vibes. 

Courtesy of Single Tree BBQ

Single Tree BBQ 

Murfreesboro 
Located on Old Fort Parkway, Single Tree BBQ is a bit off the beaten path but well worth the trip. Known for its quality and fresh food, the flavors at Single Tree always hit the spot. 

Its bestseller is the brisket, though you can’t go wrong with any of the smoked meats. Pair it with smoked baked beans and fried potato salad, and you’re in for a real treat. Single Tree is also known for its housemade barbecue sauces, which go with just about everything. 

Que’d Up 615 

Pleasant View 
Que’d Up 615 in Pleasant View is the perfect example of how to turn a successful food truck into a thriving brick-and-mortar business. 

This Cheatham County favorite serves up what it calls “some of the best BBQ you’ll put in your mouth.” It is best known for the loaded barbecue nachos, which are piled high with smoked meats, cheese, jalapeños and more, as well as the insanely good smoked meatloaf. A bite of the jalapeño lime slaw is also a must. 

With rotating daily specials, you can always try something new at Que’d Up 615, and the quality never disappoints. The vibes here are great, as live music is often being played in the background. You truly couldn’t ask for more. 

Brian McCord

Peg Leg Porker 

Nashville 
With a seasoned pitmaster at the helm, this is award-winning barbecue at its finest. Owner Carey Bringle, a James Beard-recognized meat maestro, has been running a flavorful ship since 2013. 

Located in the heart of the Gulch neighborhood in Nashville, Peg Leg Porker is known for its dry rubs, smoked wings and pulled pork sandwiches. Its menu is as creative as it is enticing, incorporating the classics alongside more novelty items, such as Memphis Sushi (sliced kielbasa and cheddar cheese) or Kool-Aid Pickles. The dry rub takes the meats to the next level, though if you prefer a sauce, the white is a must-try.

Holly Riehm/Oyster Cat Media

Curry Boys BBQ 

Nashville 
This unique concept blends traditional Texas-style barbecue with Southeast Asian flavors, and the result is a surprisingly successful fusion of spice and smoke. It boasts a clever tagline, “Curry Up, Cowboy,” and it’s easy to see why. 

Thai curry is a cornerstone component in many dishes on the menu. You can find it in the pulled pork nachos, which are covered in the restaurant’s signature curry queso. The Good Luck Cluck, a smoked chicken dish, is paired with yellow curry, and the Magic Mushroom is a vegetarian option that is smothered in green curry. 

With locations in Texas and Tennessee, Curry Boys BBQ has developed a cult following that shows no signs of slowing down.

Courtesy of Legends Smokehouse & Grill

Legends Smokehouse & Grill 

Clarksville 
Veteran-owned and family-run, this establishment is a community staple that puts hospitality at the forefront. 

It’s famous for its generously sized plates and perfectly smoked meats, especially its brisket and ribs, which are perfectly seasoned and guaranteed to melt in your mouth. Legends goes beyond the traditional meat-and-three style plates, a staple of many barbecue joints, and instead offers more creative applications on the menu. 

It serves barbecue tacos, gourmet barbecue burgers and even a barbecue chicken pizza. But beyond meat, the one thing you can’t skip is the peanut butter banana pudding – or better yet, try the milkshake.

©Journal Communications/Jeff Adkins

Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint 

Nashville, Mt. Juliet, Nolensville, Spring Hill 
Whole-hog barbecue paired with comforting Southern classics is what you’ll find when you step into any of the Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint locations. Martin’s was started by Pat Martin in Nolensville in 2006. The original space was 950 square feet and had just 12 tables. Over the years, Martin’s has grown in popularity and size, with six restaurants in the Nashville area and locations in Birmingham, AL, Louisville, KY, and Charleston, SC. Regulars of the eatery will quickly tell you that no matter what you order, you can’t make a wrong decision. From its delicious sides to its zingy sauces, everything on the menu is made from scratch. Make sure to try the pulled pork shoulder sandwich paired with homemade chips or hushpuppies. And though it would take you multiple trips to try everything on the menu, consider it a challenge.