Highest-rated barbecue restaurants in the Norfolk 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 Norfolk 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 Norfolk 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!

1 / 30

#30. Guy Fieri's Smokehouse

- Rating: 2.8/5 (652 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 333 Waterside Drive Ste 103 Norfolk, Virginia
- Categories: Smokehouse, New American, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

2 / 30

#29. Texas Roadhouse

- Rating: 2.9/5 (491 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 4309 Silverleaf Drive Virginia Beach, Virginia
- Categories: Steakhouses, Barbecue, American
- Read more on Yelp

3 / 30

#28. Smokey Bones

- Rating: 3.0/5 (298 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1405 Greenbrier Parkway Chesapeake, Virginia
- Categories: American, Barbecue, Chicken Wings
- Read more on Yelp

4 / 30

#27. Smokey Bones Virginia Beach

- Rating: 3.1/5 (493 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 4590 Virginia Beach Blvd. Virginia Beach, Virginia
- Categories: Barbecue, American, Chicken Wings
- Read more on Yelp

5 / 30

#26. Texas Roadhouse

- Rating: 3.2/5 (334 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1546 Sam's Cir Chesapeake, Virginia
- Categories: Steakhouses, Barbecue, American
- Read more on Yelp

6 / 30

#25. Small's Smokehouse + Oyster Bar

- Rating: 3.3/5 (181 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2700 Hampton Blvd. Norfolk, Virginia
- Categories: Barbecue, Smokehouse
- Read more on Yelp

7 / 30

#24. Southern Flair Pub House

- Rating: 3.4/5 (77 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1400 Kempsville Road Ste 134 Chesapeake, Virginia
- Categories: Barbecue, Burgers, Seafood
- Read more on Yelp

8 / 30

#23. Aloha Hawaiian BBQ

- Rating: 3.5/5 (368 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 5260 Princess Anne Road Virginia Beach, Virginia
- Categories: Hawaiian, Barbecue, Seafood
- Read more on Yelp

9 / 30

#22. L&L Hawaiian Barbecue

- Rating: 3.5/5 (253 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 717 Eden Way North Ste 610 Chesapeake, Virginia
- Categories: Hawaiian, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

10 / 30

#21. Blue Ribbon Brews & BBQ

- Rating: 3.6/5 (58 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 8305 Hampton Blvd. Norfolk, Virginia
- Categories: Barbecue, Burgers, Chicken Wings
- Read more on Yelp

You may also like: Norfolk 7-day weather forecast

11 / 30

#20. Genghis Khan Mongolian Bar-B-Q

- Rating: 3.7/5 (178 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 862 North Military Hwy Norfolk, Virginia
- Categories: Mongolian, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

12 / 30

#19. Rib City

- Rating: 3.7/5 (233 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 4688 Princess Anne Road Virginia Beach, Virginia
- Categories: Barbecue, Desserts, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

13 / 30

#18. Doumars Cones & Barbecue

- Rating: 3.7/5 (731 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1919 Monticello Ave. Norfolk, Virginia
- Categories: Barbecue, Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Burgers
- Read more on Yelp

14 / 30

#17. The Fishin' Pig

- Rating: 3.8/5 (449 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 119 West 25th St. Norfolk, Virginia
- Categories: Barbecue, Seafood, Southern
- Read more on Yelp

15 / 30

#16. KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot

- Rating: 3.8/5 (175 reviews)
- Address: 7740 Tidewater Drive Norfolk, Virginia
- Categories: Korean, Hot Pot, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

16 / 30

#15. Bubba & Frank's Smokehouse BBQ

- Rating: 3.8/5 (86 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 5405 Portsmouth Blvd. Portsmouth, Virginia
- Categories: Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

17 / 30

#14. The Pig Shop

- Rating: 3.9/5 (96 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 6637 Indian River Road Virginia Beach, Virginia
- Categories: Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

18 / 30

#13. 757 Korean BBQ

- Rating: 3.9/5 (395 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 4885 North Witchduck Road Virginia Beach, Virginia
- Categories: Korean, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

19 / 30

#12. Tasty Korean BBQ

- Rating: 4.1/5 (249 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1255 Fordham Drive Ste 113 Virginia Beach, Virginia
- Categories: Barbecue, Korean
- Read more on Yelp

20 / 30

#11. Mission BBQ

- Rating: 4.2/5 (215 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1329 North Battlefield Blvd. Chesapeake, Virginia
- Categories: Barbecue, Salad, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

You may also like: Highest-rated Asian restaurants in Norfolk by diners

21 / 30

#10. Mission BBQ

- Rating: 4.3/5 (96 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1511 Premium Outlets Blvd. Norfolk, Virginia
- Categories: American, Barbecue, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

22 / 30

#9. Gogi Guys Korean BBQ

- Rating: 4.3/5 (177 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 717 West 21st St. Norfolk, Virginia
- Categories: Korean, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

23 / 30

#8. Mission BBQ

- Rating: 4.3/5 (530 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 116 South Independence Blvd. Virginia Beach, Virginia
- Categories: Barbecue, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

24 / 30

#7. Johnson's Bar-B-Que

- Rating: 4.3/5 (123 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1903 South Military Hwy Chesapeake, Virginia
- Categories: Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

25 / 30

#6. Cutlass Grille

- Rating: 4.4/5 (795 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 725 Eden Way North Chesapeake, Virginia
- Categories: Caribbean, Barbecue, Bars
- Read more on Yelp

You may also like: Biggest sources of immigrants to Norfolk

26 / 30

#5. HQ Korean BBQ & Hot Pot

- Rating: 4.4/5 (84 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 1020 North Military Hwy Norfolk, Virginia
- Categories: Hot Pot, Barbecue, Korean
- Read more on Yelp

27 / 30

#4. Bar-Q

- Rating: 4.4/5 (74 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1901 East Ocean View Ave. Norfolk, Virginia
- Categories: Southern, Barbecue, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp

28 / 30

#3. Redwood Smoke Shack

- Rating: 4.4/5 (385 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2001 Manteo St. Norfolk, Virginia
- Categories: Barbecue, Food Trucks
- Read more on Yelp

29 / 30

#2. My Mama's Kitchen

- Rating: 4.5/5 (515 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1872 East Little Creek Road Norfolk, Virginia
- Categories: Barbecue, Chicken Wings, American
- Read more on Yelp

30 / 30

#1. The BBQ Shack

- Rating: 4.7/5 (174 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 849 Old George Washington Hwy North Chesapeake, Virginia
- Categories: Barbecue, American
- 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.

You may also like: Highest-paying jobs in Norfolk