If you haven’t already started fantasizing about the barbecue you can enjoy while you travel around Virginia, you’re in luck. Here are some of the top-tier places to get barbecue in Virginia, from the best-kept secrets to award-winning spots you need to try.

Add these 20+ barbecue destinations to your BBQ bucket list for a little extra flavor during upcoming Virginia visits.

The Original Ronnie's BBQ—Richmond

A staple for Richmonders and a welcome pit stop for travelers on the Virginia Capital Trail, The Original Ronnie's BBQ is an award-winning spot where the secret ingredient (their words) is love. Owned and operated by the Logan family and spurred by pitmaster Ronnie Logan, the roadside restaurant offers pulled pork, chopped chicken, beef brisket, smoked sausage, and more, plus the classic sides like collard greens, baked beans, cole slaw, and mac and cheese. 

Old City Barbeque—Williamsburg

Old City Barbeque

Old City Barbeque uses traditional barbecue methods like smokers fueled by hardwood coals and using only the highest quality meats that are pasture-raised, locally sourced, and certified humane. Favorites include prime brisket, pasture raised chicken, Heritage Farms ribs, and pork belly, served with sides like mac and cheese, pit beans, and cole slaw, all with their own unique twists.

Buz and Ned’s—Richmond

Since 1992, Buz & Ned’s has been serving up their barbecue to their loyal fans in the capital city. After steadily growing in popularity, the restaurant gained national acclaim when owner Buz Grossberg won “Throwdown with Bobby Flay," followed by an appearance on “Man vs. Food.” The menu features pork, pulled chicken, beef brisket, smoked wings, and several different types of ribs, all smoked on-site with 100% hardwood. With a wide array of sides, appetizers, drinks, and desserts, Buz and Ned’s has an impressive Southern-style menu that will guarantee you don’t leave hungry.

Delta Blues BBQ—Abingdon

Delta Blues BBQ

Enjoy some blues with your barbecue at this establishment. Known for its mouthwatering meats and sides as well as its live music, the restaurant has locations in Abingdon and on the Tennessee side of State Street in Bristol. 

Checkered Pig Barbecue—Martinsville

Checkered Pig Barbecue is well known by both locals and barbecue aficionados from all over the country. In addition to winning several notable awards for their ribs, barbecue, and sauces, this small town barbecue joint has been featured on both the Food Network and Destination America. Every day, the meats are pit cooked over real hardwood, infusing the barbecue with lots of flavor and tenderness. A Southern Virginia staple, Checkered Pig also has a location in Danville. 

The Bone BBQ—Gainesville

The incredible flavors that you’ll find at The Bone BBQ come from the quality ingredients the owners focus on in preparing their barbecue. Every ingredient is carefully selected to reflect the restaurant’s high standards, from the Certified Angus Beef Brisket and fresh produce to the hickory logs used in the smoking process. They also have some creative menu options like pulled pork nachos, a Cajun chopped salad, and a BBQ po'boy sandwich. 

Shawn’s Craft Barbecue—Culpeper

Shawn's Craft Barbecue

Dine at Shawn’s Craft Barbecue to try some of the juiciest house-smoked meats in all of Virginia. In addition to their brisket, pulled pork, smoked chicken and wings, ribs, and burnt ends, they concoct all of their sauces and sides in-house. For a sweet treat, order a cup of the banana pudding. 

Pok-E-Joe’s—Vinton

Pulled pork, beef brisket, Angus chopped beef brisket in “Q” sauce, and smoked turkey breast are all slow-smoked over seasoned oak and hickory woods at Pok-E-Joe’s in Vinton. How slow? They spend anywhere from 12 to 16 hours cooking meats over low heats between 190 and 210 degrees. The spice rub used to season the meat ends up curing into a sealed crust over the meat, preserving the tenderness inside. The resulting meats are rich, smoky, and full of flavor.

The Apple House—Linden

The Apple House in Linden is a family-run barbecue restaurant that has been a staple in the community for over 50 years. Specialties such as pulled pork barbecue, half-pound Bully burgers, and beef brisket are served with your choice of sides, including seven-bean baked beans, cornbread salad, coleslaw, and homemade candied jalapenos. Top your heaping of barbecue with a generous serving of the secret sauce, a slightly sweet vinegar-based recipe that pairs perfectly with the hickory-smoked meats. After the meal, stop into the restaurant’s gift shop to browse an extensive selection of Virginia-themed products and gifts—and don't forget an apple cider donut for the road.

ZZQ—Richmond

ZZQ
Photo Credit: Anja Mierek @a.mierek

The accolades keep piling up for Scott's Addition-based ZZQ, including recognition as the Best Barbecue in Virginia by Food & Wine and one of the 33 Best BBQ Joints in America by Thrillist. So if you're visiting the Richmond area and wondering what award-winning barbecue tastes like, swing by ZZQ to find out. Come early, as they close the restaurant once they run out of smoked meats for the day (and this happens nearly every weekend).

Something Different—Urbanna

Featured in Southern Living’s Off the Eaten Path “Second Helpings” book, Something Different specializes in what they call “Fine Neanderthal Cuisine.” The restaurant uses their own unique blends of seasonings and rubs before pit smoking several types of meats, like pulled pork barbecue, Texas-style beef brisket, and tri tip, and finally serving them with homemade sauces for a mouthwatering finish. The down-South food is complemented by regular live local music, a full bar with creative cocktails and craft beers, and a boutique shop that sells everything from homemade pies and ice creams to freshly baked breads and roasted peanuts.
 

More of the Best Barbecue Spots in Virginia

Fired up about Virginia barbecue? Check out more food offerings in Virginia, from our iconic oysters to the latest in culinary fusion.