Best BBQ in Nashville, TN: 6 Smokehouses, Ranked
Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint opened its doors in October 2006 in Nolensville, TN. It smokes meats over local hickory wood for up to 22–24 hours. The menu includes brisket, ribs, pulled pork, sausage, chicken, turkey, seafood, and sides. Rankings follow how many independent local roundups list each joint - tie-broken by verified fact count - and every listing is checked against the joint's own published information.
The ranking
Martin S Bar B Que
Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint opened in October 2006 in Nolensville, TN. Pat Martin is the pitmaster. A fresh hog goes on the pit each day. Meats smoke over local hickory wood for up to 22–24 hours. The menu covers brisket, ribs, pulled pork, sausage, chicken, turkey, seafood, and sides. Signature dishes include Redneck Tacos and BBQ Nachos. All food is made from scratch daily. Downtown hours are Sun–Thurs 11AM–10PM and Fri–Sat 11AM–11PM.
Bringle S Smoking Oasis
Bringle’s Smoking Oasis is at 4901 Centennial Blvd, Nashville, TN 37209. Carey Bringle is the pitmaster. The menu includes sausage, pulled pork, St. Louis pork rib, beef ribs when available, smoked turkey, and brisket. Pulled pork is the signature item. Homemade sides include Mexican Street corn, chorizo queso, and Texas-style baked beans.
Whitt S Barbecue
Whitt’s Barbecue dates to 1978 and uses the tagline 'Nashville's Best BBQ'. It serves hickory-smoked meats. The menu includes slow-smoked meats, homemade sides, and desserts. Hickory is the smoking wood. Sides are homemade. Whitt’s Barbecue also uses hickory wood for smoking.
Tex S World Famous Bar B Q
Tex's World Famous Bar-B-Q is at 1013 Foster Avenue, Nashville, TN 37210. It has served since 1979. The menu lists brisket, pulled pork, chicken, and turkey. It serves lunch only, 11:00 am to 2:00 pm Monday through Friday. Lunch is the only meal served.
The Loveless Cafe
The Loveless Cafe opened in 1951 when Lon and Annie Loveless started serving fried chicken and biscuits from their home west of Nashville. It serves pulled pork BBQ. The BBQ is 22-hour Tennessee hickory smoked. Wood is hickory. Sides are scratch-made. World-famous biscuits are a signature item. Hours are Monday–Friday 8:00 am–9:00 pm and Saturday–Sunday 7:00 am–9:00 pm.
Corky S Ribs And Bbq
Corky's Ribs & BBQ Brentwood is at 100 Franklin Rd, Brentwood, TN 37027. The menu includes hickory-smoked ribs, pulled pork sandwich, beef brisket, BBQ nachos, smokehouse wings, pulled chicken plate, catfish tacos, smoked sausage sandwich, and Memphis-Style BBQ. Ribs are hickory-smoked. Wood is hickory. Sides are made from scratch. Hours are Sun–Thurs 10:30am–8:00pm and Fri–Sat 10:30am–9:00pm.
By neighborhood
Downtown
Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint Downtown is at 410 4th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37201 and serves Sun–Thurs 11AM–10PM, Fri–Sat 11AM–11PM.
Belmont
Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint Belmont is at 3108 Belmont Blvd, Nashville, TN 37212 and serves daily 11AM–9PM.
Midtown
Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint Midtown serves daily 11AM–9PM.
FAQ
What style of BBQ is Nashville known for?
The Loveless Cafe serves 22-hour Tennessee hickory smoked BBQ. Corky's Ribs & BBQ Brentwood includes Memphis-Style BBQ on its menu.
Which Nashville BBQ joints smoke with hickory?
Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint smokes meats over local hickory wood. Whitt’s Barbecue serves hickory-smoked meats. The Loveless Cafe serves 22-hour Tennessee hickory smoked BBQ. Corky’s Ribs & BBQ Brentwood uses hickory for its ribs.
Which Nashville BBQ joints are open on Sunday?
Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint Downtown is open Sunday 11AM–10PM. The Loveless Cafe is open Saturday and Sunday 7:00 am to 9:00 pm. Corky’s Ribs & BBQ Brentwood is open Sunday 10:30am to 8:00pm. Tex's World Famous Bar-B-Q serves lunch only Monday through Friday.