Highest-rated barbecue restaurants in the Boston area by diners
Highest-rated barbecue restaurants in the Boston area by diners
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 Boston 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 Boston 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!
#24. Texas Roadhouse
- Rating: 3.2/5 (678 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 31 Mystic View Road Everett, Massachusetts
- Categories: Steakhouses, Barbecue, American
- Read more on Yelp
#23. New Bridge Cafe
- Rating: 3.2/5 (359 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 650 Washington Ave. Chelsea, Massachusetts
- Categories: Barbecue, American
- Read more on Yelp
#22. J J Grimsby & Restaurant and Pub
- Rating: 3.3/5 (146 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 301 West Wyoming Ave. Stoneham, Massachusetts
- Categories: American, Pubs, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp
#21. Blue Ribbon BBQ
- Rating: 3.4/5 (126 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 342 Washington St. Dedham, Massachusetts
- Categories: Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp
#20. Koreana
- Rating: 3.4/5 (893 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 158 Prospect St. Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Categories: Korean, Japanese, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp
#19. Hong Kong Eatery
- Rating: 3.4/5 (733 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 79 Harrison Ave. Boston, Massachusetts
- Categories: Seafood, Noodles, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp
#18. Sura Korean BBQ - Boston
- Rating: 3.4/5 (447 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 27 Riverside Ave. Medford, Massachusetts
- Categories: Korean, Barbecue, Buffets
- Read more on Yelp
#17. Redbones BBQ
- Rating: 3.5/5 (1993 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 55 Chester St. Somerville, Massachusetts
- Categories: Barbecue, Bars, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#16. Larry J's BBQ Cafe
- Rating: 3.5/5 (187 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 600 D St. Boston, Massachusetts
- Categories: Barbecue, American, Caterers
- Read more on Yelp
#15. Pearl Street Station Restaurant
- Rating: 3.6/5 (249 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 53 Summer St. Malden, Massachusetts
- Categories: American, Barbecue, Pizza
- Read more on Yelp
#14. Sweet Cheeks Q
- Rating: 3.6/5 (1793 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1381 Boylston St. Boston, Massachusetts
- Categories: Southern, Bars, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp
#13. Lucky Cafe
- Rating: 3.7/5 (106 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1107 Dorchester Ave. Dorchester, Massachusetts
- Categories: Chinese, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp
#12. The Smoke Shop BBQ - Assembly Row
- Rating: 3.7/5 (342 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 325 Assembly Row Somerville, Massachusetts
- Categories: Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp
#11. Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ
- Rating: 3.7/5 (482 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 16-18 Eliot St. Floor 2 Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Categories: Japanese, Barbecue, Asian Fusion
- Read more on Yelp
#10. L Street Diner & Pizzeria
- Rating: 3.7/5 (141 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 108 L St. Boston, Massachusetts
- Categories: Diners, Pizza, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp
#9. The Smoke Shop BBQ - Seaport
- Rating: 3.9/5 (469 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 343 Congress St. Boston, Massachusetts
- Categories: Southern, Barbecue, Whiskey Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#8. Blue Ribbon BBQ
- Rating: 3.9/5 (733 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 908 Massachusetts Ave. Arlington, Massachusetts
- Categories: Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp
#7. Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ
- Rating: 4.0/5 (304 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 23 District Ave. Dorchester, Massachusetts
- Categories: Japanese, Barbecue, Asian Fusion
- Read more on Yelp
#6. Naksan BBQ
- Rating: 4.0/5 (210 reviews)
- Price level: $$$$
- Address: 1414 Commonwealth Ave. Boston, Massachusetts
- Categories: Korean, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp
#5. Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ
- Rating: 4.0/5 (1031 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 1002 Beacon St. Brookline, Massachusetts
- Categories: Japanese, Barbecue, Asian Fusion
- Read more on Yelp
#4. SGD Dubu So Gong Dong Tofu & Korean BBQ
- Rating: 4.0/5 (219 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 225 Quincy Ave. Quincy, Massachusetts
- Categories: Korean, Barbecue, Seafood
- Read more on Yelp
#3. Blackstrap BBQ
- Rating: 4.1/5 (484 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 4 Somerset Ave. Winthrop, Massachusetts
- Categories: Barbecue, Beer Bar, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#2. The Coast Cafe
- Rating: 4.2/5 (412 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 233 River St. Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Categories: Soul Food, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp
#1. The Square Deli
- Rating: 4.6/5 (103 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 421 Broadway Everett, Massachusetts
- Categories: Delis, American, Barbecue
- 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.
