When you want the best country music in the United States, you head to Nashville. But Music City is also known for some of the best bbq in the nation. Although Tennessee bbq originated in Memphis, Nashville is giving it a run for its money and is now known as a premier barbeque town. Follow along with us to see our recommendations for the best bbq in Nashville, TN.

Erik and Kelly with the pit master at Martin’s BBQ Joint in Nashville, TN
Peg Leg Porker
Peg leg porker is a bbq restaurant in the Gulch area of Nashville. Pit Master, Carey Bringle has won numerous awards and is known one of the best bbq in the south and is listed among Southern Living’s top 50 bbq restaurants.

Erik and Renee at Martin’s BBQ Joint in Nashville, TN
Besides good BBQ, Peg Leg Porker also prides itself on good southern hospitality which is why their customer service is well known. You will not find an expansive menu here. They keep their menu items limited so they can concentrate on what they do best. But if you are looking for the best dry- rubbed ribs and pulled pork then you will literally be in hog heaven!! Peg Leg Porker is a must when you are looking for the best bbq in Nashville, TN.

Andie at the “What Lifts You” Mural in the Gulch of Nashville
While you are in the area of the Gulch, make sure to check out the popular “What Lifts You Mural” nearby. Nashville has a very interesting mural scene and this one is both interesting and inspiring.
Martin’s BBQ Joint
Martin’s BBQ Joint has several locations, even in other states. There is a downtown Nashville location that is easy to get to from the Honky Tonks of lower Broadway. This is a great spot because there is a beer garden upstairs where you can sit at picnic tables and listen to live country music. So the party never needs to stop even while you are eating. Maritn’s BBQ Joint has some amazingly good food.

Redneck Taco at Martin’s BBQ Joint in Nashville, TN
When Andie and I went with our husband’s recently, we ordered a variety of items of the menu and just had a big bbq feast. The bbq nachos with pulled pork and barbeque sauce were incredible. I also really liked the redneck taco. We got one with pulled pork and one with beef brisket. They were both dynamite! The brisket tacos were also one of the best items on the menu. In general, you can’t go wrong with whatever you order here.

A Band playing in the beer garden of Martin’s BBQ Joint in Nashville, TN
Martin’s BBQ Joint smokes all their own meat and when we went recently, our husbands were able to go a check out the fresh hogs in the smokers. It was really an incredible experience to see all the work that goes into their fantastic BBQ! When looking for the best BBQ in Nashville, TN you much check out Martin’s BBQ Joint!

BBQ Restaurant in East Nashville: Edley’s BBQ . Photo Credit: Nashville Guru
Edley’s BBQ
Edley’s bbq has several locations including one in East Nashville. This bbq restaurant is family owned and prides itself on smoking their meats low and slow. They are one of the best places for good bbq and they have won numerous awards including several reader’s choice awards for best bbq in Nashville in “The Nashville Scene”.

BBQ Nachos at Edley’s BBQ in East Nashville. Photo Credit: Edley’s BBQ
Edley’s has a great menu with staples such as St. Louis Style Ribs and pulled smoked chicken. They specialize in smoked Tennessee pork shoulder chopped up for pork tacos, pork sandwich or a pork platter. There is also the “Tuck Special” which is sliced brisket, over-easy egg, red & white BBQ sauce, pickles, spicy pimento cheese. They also give equal attention to their sides. One of the best is baked beans with smoked pork. And don’t forget about the banana pudding for dessert!

Near the Ryman Auditorium, Jack’s BBQ on Broadway in Nashville, TN
Jack’s BBQ
Jack’s BBQ has a prime location right on lower Broadway, nestled in between several famous Honky Tonks of downtown Nashville. When Andie and I were in Nashville recently this was the first place we stopped for food and it might just be the best barbecue that we had all weekend. It is seriously a close call though because everything we ate that weekend was just SO good!

A plate of BBQ at Jack’s BBQ on Lower Broadway
We ordered a bunch of menu items and shared them all. We tried the St. Louis Style Ribs, the texan brisket, the pulled pork and some smoked Texas sausage. When you are paying for your food, they offer you several different bbq sauce choices. I really liked the Kansas City and the Original Sauces. The sides were also fantastic with potato salad, baked beans and mac and cheese. They also give you a slice of bread that basically tasted like pound cake.

Andie and Kelly at Jack’s BBQ in Nashville, TN
For good bbq and a great location, it’s hard to beat Jack’s BBQ for the best bbq in Nashville, TN

Hattie B’s hot chicken and all the fixins.
Hattie B’s
Although it isn’t BBQ, no list of good food in Nashville would be complete without talking about Hattie B’s Hot Chicken. So this is a bonus review because Hattie B’s is just that good and is the most iconic meal you can get in Nashville. There are multiple locations but the one on Broadway is the most convenient.

The line for Hattie B’s on Broadway in Nashville
When my husband and I bit into this chicken we both agreed that we had never tasted fried chicken as amazing as Hattie B’s. And although my husband got it hot, I got it with no spice at all and I thought it was amazing all the same. When you are hungry on Broadway, Hattie B’s is the perfect place to go. But just so you know, everyone else feels this way too. There is always a line outside the restaurant but rest assured that the hot chicken is worth the wait!

Banana Pudding at Hattie B’s in Nashville, TN
There is outdoor seating so you can sit and watch the interesting Nashville scene all around you as you eat. And don’t forget the incredible banana pudding at the end of your meal!
When you are in Nashville, you are going to spend a lot of time listening to some great country music. But when you start to get hungry try to avoid eating typical bar food. Go to one of the great barbecue joints that Nashville is known for. By following our advice for the best bbq in Nashville, TN you won’t be disappointed!
Happy Travels!
Your thoughts
Have you been to Nashville? Which of our recommendations have you done? Which of our recommendations are you going to try? Do you disagree with any of our suggestions? What are we missing? Join the conversation and share any tips, questions or additional thoughts in the comments!
For more travel ideas be sure to check out our other posts!
I can’t wait to make a trip! Those nachos look to die for!
They were amazing!!!
I love Nashville, and now I especially can’t wait to go back and enjoy some BBQ! Thanks for all of the great pointers. 🙂
The BBQ in Nashville is amazing!!
The food looks absolutely incredible! Adding this spot to our list of places to visit!
You will love Nashville!
Nashville is a great place with great food. We hope you find it in your time next time you visit to come visit us at Caney Fork River Valley Grille!
Nashville is a great place with great food. We hope you find it in your time next time you visit to come visit us at Caney Fork River Valley Grille! Thanks for sharing your experience!