Charleston is a serious barbecue city, home to James Beard-winning pitmasters and whole-hog traditions. These are the best BBQ restaurants in Charleston, SC — ranked by smoke, sauce, and reputation.
← Back to all rankingsCentral Texas-style pitmaster John Lewis brought Austin's brisket gospel to Charleston, slicing to order from custom-built smokers in a sprawling industrial space with a full bar.
James Beard Award-winning pitmaster Rodney Scott cooks whole hogs over oak and pecan coals the way his family has for generations in Hemingway, SC — now anchoring King Street with a full-service restaurant.
Anthony DiBernardo's three-location operation delivers reliably excellent pulled pork, smoked pork belly, and ribs alongside a deep bourbon selection and a laid-back neighborhood vibe.
The writers and creators shaping how Charleston thinks about food. Follow them for the deepest coverage of the local dining scene.
James Beard Award-winning food journalist and founder of The Food Section, an independent publication covering food and drink across the American South. Formerly the food editor and chief critic at The Post & Courier.
Charleston-based food writer and photographer whose work appears in The Infatuation, Food & Wine, Conde Nast Traveler, Garden & Gun, Resy, and The Post & Courier. Creator of the Jai Eats platform covering Lowcountry dining.
The largest Charleston-focused food account on Instagram with 42,000+ followers. Covers restaurant openings, local favorites, and hidden gems across the Lowcountry with a focus on what's worth eating right now.