10 Best BBQ Restaurants in the Asheville area

In Asheville, smoke rises from more than chimneys. It drifts from wood-fired pits, roadside smokers, and family kitchens where tradition and creativity mingle like old friends. From Texas-style brisket to Carolina pulled pork to Hawaiian-inspired plates, the BBQ scene here stretches across Asheville and into nearby towns.

Whether you’re chasing hardwood-smoked ribs, melt-in-your-mouth brisket, or a classic pulled-pork plate with all the fixings, here are 10 must-try BBQ spots to satisfy the craving.

Where is the best BBQ in Asheville?

Bear’s Smokehouse BBQ

Best for: brisket lovers, craft beer pairings & casual downtown nights
Known for its delicious smoked meats, Bear’s brings hearty brisket, burnt ends, ribs, and pulled pork to Asheville’s South Slope. Grab a table on the patio, pair your plate with a local beer, and settle into the neighborhood’s relaxed, brewery-lined energy.

Must try: Burnt Ends
Rich, smoky, caramelized edges with a signature bite.

Luella’s Bar-B-Que 

Best for: Carolina BBQ & family-friendly meals
A longtime local favorite, Luella’s serves pulled pork, smoked turkey, ribs, wings, and a lineup of Southern sides. Their smoked tofu/tempeh options also make them one of the most vegetarian-friendly BBQ joints around

Must try: Pulled Pork Plate with Cheerwine BBQ Sauce
A classic Carolina-style staple elevated with Luella’s beloved house-made sauces.

12 Bones Smokehouse 

Best for: ribs & no-frills pit-smoked plates
Beloved regionally and nationally, 12 Bones is famous for its ribs—especially those brown-sugar or blueberry-chipotle versions. Expect a laid-back, brewery-adjacent atmosphere and plenty of hearty sides.

Must try: Blueberry-Chipotle Ribs
Sweet, smoky, a little spicy — these iconic ribs are the reason 12 Bones is on so many must-eat lists.

Doc Brown’s BBQ 

Best for: traditional Southern BBQ with homemade sides
Just west of Asheville, Doc Brown’s delivers classic pit-smoked meats, scratch-made sides, rotating specials, and even vegetarian BBQ options. It’s low-key, homey, and beloved by locals.

Must try: Carolina Pulled Pork with Alabama White Sauce
A perfect mashup of regional flavors — tangy, smoky, and endlessly satisfying.

Huli Sue’s BBQ & Grill 

Best for: BBQ with a twist
Huli Sue’s blends Texas-style smoking with Hawaiian flavors inside the Grove Arcade—think brisket alongside poke bowls, tropical cocktails, and seafood options. It’s approachable, vibrant, and perfect for groups who want something a little different.

Must try: Texas-Style Brisket Plate
Slow-smoked brisket paired with island-inspired sides for a uniquely Asheville-meets-Hawaii experience.

Moe’s Original BBQ 

Best for: quick, flavorful Alabama-style BBQ north of town
A solid stop in Woodfin, Moe’s offers pulled pork, smoked chicken, catfish, wings, and homestyle sides. It’s approachable, fast, and great for families or a to-go meal near the river.

Must try: Smoked Wings Plate
Marinated, slow-smoked and flash-fried, these wings are a local favorite and one of the best bites north of Asheville.

Phil’s Bar-B-Que Pit 

Best for: small-town charm & hickory-smoked classics
A short drive east lands you at Phil’s, a cozy, family-run smokehouse serving ribs, chicken, brisket, and pork with multiple house-made sauces. It’s a perfect stop after exploring Black Mountain’s walkable downtown.

Must try: Bar-B-Que Quesadilla
A garlic-herb tortilla layered with chipotle mayo, cheddar-jack cheese, BBQ sauce, sour cream, and salsa filled with your choice of chopped pork, chicken, or brisket. A hearty, smoky twist on a classic favorite.

Black Bear BBQ 

Best for: laid-back, no-frills plates
Black Bear offers a relaxed counter-service experience with smoked meats, shareable sides, and large portions. It's a convenient, casual choice for visitors exploring Asheville's east side.

Must try: Hillbilly Nachos
A mountain-sized plate of corn chips smothered in house-made cheese sauce, baked beans, slaw, and candied jalapeños, topped with your choice of pulled pork or chicken.

Okie Dokies Smokehouse 

Best for: old-school wood-smoked BBQ just outside Asheville
Just minutes from east Asheville, Okie Dokies is a Swannanoa staple. Meats smoke for up to 18 hours over wood-fired pits, yielding tender pulled pork, ribs, and chicken alongside hushpuppies, fried pickles, and classic Southern sides. It’s the perfect “no-fuss, all-flavor” BBQ stop in the valley.

Must try: Smoked Pulled Pork with Hushpuppies
Slow-smoked pork meets crispy, golden hushpuppies, a true Swannanoa staple.

Iron & Oak Brisket Co. 

Best for: brisket enthusiasts & Texas-style authenticity
Tucked along Riverside Drive in Woodfin, this small hidden gem draws rave reviews for its brisket—smoked low and slow until perfectly tender. Expect picnic tables, friendly service, and a brisket-forward menu with ribs, hot links, and rotating sides. Locals swear it’s one of the best-kept BBQ secrets in the region.

Must try: Texas-Style Brisket
Their signature cut: tender, smoky, and often praised as some of the best brisket in Western North Carolina.