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Highest-rated barbecue restaurants in the Newark 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 Newark 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 Newark 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. Pit Stop Barbecue & Restaurant

- Rating: 3.8/5 (39 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 107 Central Ave. Orange, New Jersey
- Categories: Barbecue, Caribbean
- Read more on Yelp

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#29. Clark BBQ Churrasqueira

- Rating: 3.8/5 (204 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1419 Raritan Road Clark, New Jersey
- Categories: Barbecue, Portuguese
- Read more on Yelp

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#28. Route 22 Bbq

- Rating: 3.8/5 (71 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1607 US Hwy 22 West Union, New Jersey
- Categories: Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

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#27. Hamilton Pork

- Rating: 3.8/5 (635 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 247 10th St. Jersey City, New Jersey
- Categories: Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

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#25. Cubby's BBQ

- Rating: 3.9/5 (493 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 249 South River St. Hackensack, New Jersey
- Categories: Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

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#24. KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot

- Rating: 3.9/5 (321 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 414 Grand St. Ste 21 Jersey City, New Jersey
- Categories: Korean, Barbecue, Hot Pot
- Read more on Yelp

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#23. The 'World Famous' Waiting Room

- Rating: 3.9/5 (273 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 66 East Cherry St. Rahway, New Jersey
- Categories: Bars, American, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

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#22. Jim Dandy's of Rutherford

- Rating: 3.9/5 (158 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 100 Park Ave. Rutherford, New Jersey
- Categories: Barbecue, New American, Burgers
- Read more on Yelp

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#20. Elmora BBQ

- Rating: 4.0/5 (23 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 537 Pennington St. Elizabeth, New Jersey
- Categories: Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

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#19. KB's BBQ Smokehouse

- Rating: 4.0/5 (284 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1077 Stuyvesant Ave. Irvington, New Jersey
- Categories: Barbecue, Smokehouse, Southern
- Read more on Yelp

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#18. Elm St Barbeque II

- Rating: 4.0/5 (109 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 103 Elm St. Newark, New Jersey
- Categories: Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

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#17. Valença Restaurant

- Rating: 4.1/5 (1370 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 665 Monroe Ave. Elizabeth, New Jersey
- Categories: Steakhouses, Portuguese, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

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#15. Momma's Place Soulfood

- Rating: 4.1/5 (22 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 236 South Wood Ave. Linden, New Jersey
- Categories: Barbecue, Soul Food
- Read more on Yelp

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#14. Sigri Indian BBQ

- Rating: 4.1/5 (78 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 155 University Ave. Newark, New Jersey
- Categories: Indian, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

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#13. KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot

- Rating: 4.2/5 (273 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 2401 US 22 Union, New Jersey
- Categories: Korean, Hot Pot, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

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#12. Obal's Inn

- Rating: 4.2/5 (83 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 439 Broad St. Bloomfield, New Jersey
- Categories: Barbecue, Pubs
- Read more on Yelp

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#10. McWhorter BBQ

- Rating: 4.2/5 (245 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 104 McWhorter St. Newark, New Jersey
- Categories: Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

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#9. Pulaski Barbeque

- Rating: 4.2/5 (51 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 384 Walnut St. Newark, New Jersey
- Categories: Barbecue, Portuguese
- Read more on Yelp

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#8. Buffalo's Chicken Shack

- Rating: 4.3/5 (321 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 261 Hackensack St. Wood-Ridge, New Jersey
- Categories: Chicken Wings, Barbecue, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

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#7. BulgogiZip

- Rating: 4.3/5 (70 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 562 Broad St. Newark, New Jersey
- Categories: Barbecue, Chicken Wings, Korean
- Read more on Yelp

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#5. GTK - Ghost Truck Kitchen

- Rating: 4.4/5 (138 reviews)
- Address: 356 Varick St. Jersey City, New Jersey
- Categories: Food Delivery Services, American, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

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#4. Sam's Place

- Rating: 4.5/5 (40 reviews)
- Address: 320 Main St. West Orange, New Jersey
- Categories: Barbecue, Wraps, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

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#3. Carlito's Barbecue Taqueria

- Rating: 4.5/5 (104 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 119 Valley Brook Ave. Lyndhurst, New Jersey
- Categories: Tacos, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

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#2. Long Ave BBQ

- Rating: 4.6/5 (108 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 166 Long Ave. Hillside, New Jersey
- Categories: Barbecue, Portuguese, Steakhouses
- Read more on Yelp

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#1. North Newark Barbeque

- Rating: 4.7/5 (40 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 344 Bloomfield Ave. Newark, New Jersey
- Categories: Portuguese, 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.

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