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Highest-rated barbecue restaurants in the Los Angeles area by diners

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Joshua Resnick // Shutterstock
Joshua Resnick // Shutterstock
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Barbecue stands as one of America's most cherished culinary traditions, weaving together a rich tapestry of history, regional diversity, and evolving flavors that resonate with diners from coast to coast. A July 2022 YouGov survey revealed that nearly all Americans (96%) who consume meat enjoy barbecue, underscoring its widespread enduring appeal and cross-cultural significance. Among the 1,000 survey respondents, Texas dominated as the place most often associated with barbecue, but the cuisine's roots expand far beyond the Lone Star State.

American barbecue can be traced back to Indigenous cooking techniques and was further enriched by the influences of enslaved Africans. In the centuries since, it's evolved into a multifaceted culinary art with distinct regional styles: the tangy, vinegar-based sauces and slow-cooked pork of the Carolinas; the tender brisket of Texas with sauce served on the side; the robust, sweet-forward flavors characteristic of Kansas City; and Alabama's signature mayo-based white sauce drizzled over some juicy chicken.

Alongside these classic offerings, innovative interpretations have surged in popularity in recent decades, as multicultural variants such as Korean BBQ, with its marinated cuts and sizzling grill presentations, and Mexican barbacoa, known for its richly spiced, slow-cooked succulence, have carved out their own niche in the competitive barbecue landscape.

Over the years, barbecue has not only mirrored America's evolving palate but has also fostered a spirit of community, as festivals, backyard cookouts, and friendly competitions celebrate the art of smoking and grilling—traditions lovingly passed down from generation to generation.

Nationwide, barbecue restaurants today greet families and friends with the intoxicating aroma of slow-smoked meats served on sturdy metal trays, often covered in rustic butcher paper. And what meal would be complete without those hearty sides? Whether you opt for gooey mac and cheese and smoky collard greens or crumbly cornbread and creamy coleslaw, you can't go wrong.

If you're craving some good 'cue in your neck of the woods, Stacker has you covered with the highest-rated barbecue restaurants in Los Angeles based on diners' reviews on Yelp as of February 2025. Restaurants with at least 20 reviews tagged as "barbecue" within a 10-kilometer radius of Los Angeles were included. As a result, some restaurants featured may serve other food items.

Keep reading to see where to go when the hunger for all things low-and-slow strikes you!

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#30. ACA Grill

- Rating: 4.5/5 (521 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3062 West 8th St. Los Angeles, California
- Categories: Argentine, Barbecue, Empanadas
- Read more on Yelp

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#29. Spicy BBQ Restaurant

- Rating: 4.5/5 (635 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 5101 Santa Monica Blvd. Los Angeles, California
- Categories: Barbecue, Thai
- Read more on Yelp

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#28. Chung Ki Wa

- Rating: 4.5/5 (815 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3545 West Olympic Blvd. Los Angeles, California
- Categories: Korean, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

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#27. 464 Burgers

- Rating: 4.5/5 (436 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 464 South Main St. Los Angeles, California
- Categories: Burgers, Barbecue, American
- Read more on Yelp

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#25. Aloha Catering

- Rating: 4.5/5 (121 reviews)
- Address: 2122 Beverly Blvd. Los Angeles, California
- Categories: Barbecue, Hawaiian, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp

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#24. Bo Daddy's BBQ

- Rating: 4.5/5 (432 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1415 South Hill St. Los Angeles, California
- Categories: Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

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#23. Manpuku Japanese BBQ Dining - West Hollywood

- Rating: 4.5/5 (199 reviews)
- Price level: $$$$
- Address: 8486 West 3rd St. Los Angeles, California
- Categories: Japanese, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

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#22. Oku-Niku Japanese BBQ

- Rating: 4.5/5 (204 reviews)
- Price level: $$$$
- Address: 4013 West Riverside Drive Burbank, California
- Categories: Japanese, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

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#20. Hamlet's Kitchen

- Rating: 4.6/5 (130 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1248 South Glendale Ave. Ste Z Glendale, California
- Categories: Middle Eastern, Armenian, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

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#19. Ribs Against the Machine

- Rating: 4.6/5 (170 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 240 North Glenoaks Blvd. Burbank, California
- Categories: Barbecue, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

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#18. Woo Hyang Woo

- Rating: 4.6/5 (1276 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 3429 West 6th St. Los Angeles, California
- Categories: Korean, Barbecue, Bars
- Read more on Yelp

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#17. W Brazilian Steakhouse

- Rating: 4.6/5 (190 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 3444 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, California
- Categories: Brazilian, Steakhouses, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

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#15. It's In The Sauce BBQ

- Rating: 4.6/5 (222 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1661 Pacific Ste 12 Oxnard, California
- Categories: Barbecue, Caterers, Food Trucks
- Read more on Yelp

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#14. ABSteak by Chef Akira Back

- Rating: 4.6/5 (215 reviews)
- Price level: $$$$
- Address: 8500 Beverly Blvd. Ste 111 Los Angeles, California
- Categories: Steakhouses, Korean, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

18 / 30

#13. BBQ+RICE Venice

- Rating: 4.6/5 (162 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 12819 Venice Blvd. Los Angeles, California
- Categories: Barbecue, Korean, Salad
- Read more on Yelp

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#12. Wi Korean BBQ

- Rating: 4.6/5 (1147 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 1101 South Vermont Ave. Ste 103 Los Angeles, California
- Categories: Korean, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

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#10. The Memphis Grill

- Rating: 4.7/5 (172 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 5759 Lankershim Blvd. Los Angeles, California
- Categories: Barbecue, American
- Read more on Yelp

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#9. BBQ+RICE - Weho

- Rating: 4.7/5 (395 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 7363 West Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, California
- Categories: Korean, Barbecue, Asian Fusion
- Read more on Yelp

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#8. PZK BBQ

- Rating: 4.7/5 (440 reviews)
- Address: 7311 Beverly Blvd. Los Angeles, California
- Categories: Barbecue, Korean
- Read more on Yelp

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#7. BBQ Chung Dam

- Rating: 4.7/5 (174 reviews)
- Address: 100 South Western Ave. Los Angeles, California
- Categories: Korean, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

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#5. Hanu Korean BBQ

- Rating: 4.7/5 (2064 reviews)
- Address: 2999 West 6th St. Ste 104 Los Angeles, California
- Categories: Korean, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

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#4. Burnin' Shell

- Rating: 4.7/5 (300 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 3916 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, California
- Categories: Seafood, Korean, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

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#3. King Chang - LA

- Rating: 4.7/5 (608 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 3732 West 6th St. Los Angeles, California
- Categories: Korean, Barbecue, Beer, Wine & Spirits
- Read more on Yelp

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#2. BBQ+RICE - Eaho

- Rating: 4.8/5 (261 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 5706 Santa Monica Blvd. Los Angeles, California
- Categories: Korean, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

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#1. Chubby Cattle Little Tokyo

- Rating: 4.9/5 (1262 reviews)
- Price level: $$$$
- Address: 356 East 2nd St. Los Angeles, California
- Categories: Barbecue, Japanese
- Read more on Yelp

This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Cynthia Rebolledo, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 281 metros.

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