Highest-rated Barbecue Restaurants in Cincinnati, According to Yelp

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Highest-rated barbecue restaurants in Cincinnati, according to Yelp

Barbecue, also known as BBQ for short, has captivated the taste buds of millions of people across the world; its smell, a quintessential part of backyard parties and long, lazy holiday weekends. This cooking method involves slow cooking and smoking meat over an open flame or heat source. Beyond the slab of baby back ribs and brisket that we're probably familiar with, barbecue has a long history dating back centuries and is rooted in various cultures.

The earliest origins of barbecue can be traced back to the Taino people, who were Indigenous to the Caribbean. By the 19th century, the technique became widespread in the American South, primarily using pork. Taino people didn't use the word barbecue. Instead, this method of cooking food over a raised wooden grate was referred to as barbacoa.

As time passed, techniques and flavors evolved as a result of colonization, globalization, and advancements in technology. Today, barbecue has become a beloved food all over the world. In the United States, there are four distinct styles: Memphis, North Carolina, Kansas City, and Texas BBQ. Memphis is renowned for pulled pork; North Carolina for smoked pork infused in vinegar sauce; Kansas City for dry-rubbed meats, and Texas for grilled brisket.

No matter the style, however, barbecue can be enjoyed anywhere, but if you're specifically looking for the best places to enjoy the savory and mouthwatering delights, Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated barbecue restaurants in Cincinnati using data from Yelp. Rankings factor in the average rating and number of reviews. Keep reading to see if your favorite spot made the list.

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#30. Mt. Adams Bar and Grill

- Rating: 3.5/5 (184 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 938 Hatch St Cincinnati, OH 45202
- Categories: Bars, American (Traditional), Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

#29. LongHorn Steakhouse

- Rating: 3.5/5 (62 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 6620 Harrison Ave Cincinnati, OH 45247
- Categories: Steakhouses, American (Traditional), Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

#28. Riverside BBQ and Drive Thru

- Rating: 4.0/5 (22 reviews)
- Address: 2790 River Rd Cincinnati, OH 45204
- Categories: Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

#27. Wicked Hickory

- Rating: 4.0/5 (9 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: Cincinnati, OH 45202
- Categories: Food Trucks, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

#26. J&W Bar-B-Que

- Rating: 4.0/5 (22 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 5646 Montgomery Rd Cincinnati, OH 45212
- Categories: Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

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#25. J&W Bar-B-Que

- Rating: 4.0/5 (7 reviews)
- Address: 3001 Gilbert Ave Cincinnati, OH 45206
- Categories: Food Trucks, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

#24. C&M BBQ Grill

- Rating: 4.0/5 (57 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 6457 Kennedy Dr Cincinnati, OH 45213
- Categories: Caribbean, Barbecue, Comfort Food
- Read more on Yelp

#23. Smoked Out Cincy

- Rating: 4.0/5 (30 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 5800 Creek Rd Cincinnati, OH 45242
- Categories: Barbecue, Brewpubs
- Read more on Yelp

#22. Velvet Smoke BBQ - White Oak

- Rating: 4.0/5 (45 reviews)
- Address: 5626 Cheviot Rd Cincinnati, OH 45247
- Categories: Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

#21. Lucius Q

- Rating: 4.0/5 (321 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1131 Broadway Cincinnati, OH 45202
- Categories: Barbecue, Southern, Soul Food
- Read more on Yelp

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#20. Eli's BBQ - Findlay

- Rating: 4.0/5 (171 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 133 W Elder St Cincinnati, OH 45202
- Categories: Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

#19. Ron's BBQ

- Rating: 4.0/5 (8 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 6105 Madison Rd Cincinnati, OH 45227
- Categories: Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

#18. Just Cookin BBQ

- Rating: 4.0/5 (6 reviews)
- Address: 1144 California Ave Cincinnati, OH 45237
- Categories: Barbecue, Soul Food, Seafood
- Read more on Yelp

#17. Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ

- Rating: 4.0/5 (137 reviews)
- Address: 5901 E Galbraith Rd Ste 216 Cincinnati, OH 45236
- Categories: Barbecue, Japanese, Asian Fusion
- Read more on Yelp

#16. Swampwater Grill

- Rating: 4.0/5 (366 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3742 Kellogg Ave Cincinnati, OH 45226
- Categories: Cajun/Creole, Barbecue, American (Traditional)
- Read more on Yelp

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#15. Benin's BBQ And Steak

- Rating: 4.5/5 (27 reviews)
- Address: 3134 Harrison Ave Cincinnati, OH 45211
- Categories: Barbecue, Steakhouses
- Read more on Yelp

#14. Just Q'in Restaurant

- Rating: 4.5/5 (216 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 975 E Mcmillan St Cincinnati, OH 45206
- Categories: Southern, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

#13. We Smokin'

- Rating: 4.5/5 (9 reviews)
- Address: 4600 Smith Rd Cincinnati, OH 45212
- Categories: Food Trucks, Barbecue, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

#12. Eli's BBQ - Riverside

- Rating: 4.5/5 (1418 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3313 Riverside Dr Cincinnati, OH 45226
- Categories: Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

#11. Sinners & Saints

- Rating: 4.5/5 (57 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2062 Riverside Dr Cincinnati, OH 45202
- Categories: Barbecue, Sports Bars, Smokehouse
- Read more on Yelp

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#10. Incline Smoke Shack

- Rating: 4.5/5 (8 reviews)
- Address: 7391 Forbes Rd Cincinnati, OH 45233
- Categories: Food Trucks, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

#9. Mattson Barbecue

- Rating: 5.0/5 (4 reviews)
- Address: 1641 Blue Rock St Cincinnati, OH 45223
- Categories: Barbecue, Pop-Up Restaurants
- Read more on Yelp

#8. 1 Smokin Ash Hole

- Rating: 5.0/5 (3 reviews)
- Address: 100 South Cooper Ave Cincinnati, OH 45215
- Categories: American (New), Barbecue, Soul Food
- Read more on Yelp

#7. Jon Jon's BBQ and Catering

- Rating: 5.0/5 (3 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: Cincinnati, OH 45202
- Categories: Food Trucks, Barbecue, American (New)
- Read more on Yelp

#6. Four Mile Pig-Element Eatery

- Rating: 4.5/5 (6 reviews)
- Address: 5350 Medpace Way Cincinnati, OH 45227
- Categories: Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

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#5. Pig Candy BBQ

- Rating: 4.5/5 (122 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 5901 Kellogg Ave Cincinnati, OH 45230
- Categories: Barbecue, Sandwiches, Caterers
- Read more on Yelp

#4. Incline Smoke Shack

- Rating: 5.0/5 (4 reviews)
- Address: 2601 Eighth St W Cincinnati, OH 45204
- Categories: Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

#3. Citrus & Sago

- Rating: 5.0/5 (86 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1004 Delta Ave Cincinnati, OH 45226
- Categories: Malaysian, Modern European, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

#2. Da Han Mongolian BBQ

- Rating: 5.0/5 (81 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 11483 Chester Rd Cincinnati, OH 45246
- Categories: Taiwanese, Mongolian, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

#1. Bee's Barbecue

- Rating: 5.0/5 (29 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 5910 Chandler St Cincinnati, OH 45227
- Categories: Barbecue, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

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