20 Best Barbeque Restaurants in Raleigh

“Delicious Best food ever Awesome customer service Thanks so much“

“I first tried Dampf BBQ many years ago when they were still out at the fairgrounds, and I can honestly say it has remained the best and most consistent barbecue I’ve had both in this state and across the country. I’ve traveled extensively during my military career, which has given me the chance to try some truly great barbecue spots nationwide. Even with all that experience, Dampf BBQ is still my number one. The meat is always incredibly tender, packed with flavor, and cooked with the kind of care you can taste in every bite. Beyond the food, the people here make the experience even better. This is a dedicated, family-owned, local business that clearly takes pride in what they do. I’ve seen comments about wait times and pricing, but in my opinion, anything truly good is worth waiting for, and anything made with real quality is worth paying for. I drive an hour just to get this barbecue, and I’ve never once been disappointed. It’s consistently excellent, every single time. If you’re on the fence… don’t be. It’s 100% worth the trip. Give it a shot.“

“Quick friendly service… And an amazing menu to choose from… I had the tomato, pimento cheese pie and the deviled eggs, and they were both absolutely fantastic… I highly recommend!“

“15/10 would recommend! I was in Raleigh for a week work trip, and ended up here multiple times to eat. Ms. Patty the chef, and face at the counter made the experience that much better! She was kind, as homey as the food tasted, on top of it and boy, can she cook! You can taste, see, and hear her passion and love for food! I love some good BBQ, and prefer to support a small business vs a mediocre chain, and am SOOO glad I stumbled upon this place. Yes, it's a resturant in a gas station ; which always tend to be the hidden gems (IYKYK). This place did not disappoint. The pulled pork sandwich was TOP NOTCH. Those hushpuppies on the side were soo good. All the sides looked sooo good; I struggled to decide on which ones to choose: mac n cheese was cheesy and dreamy, baked beans were packed with flavor, the slaw paired perfectly on the sandwhich, and the broccoli salad was also super delicious!! I wish I could of tried every side, next time I am back in the area, I will be coming back and trying more. The brisket on Thursdays, also sooo delicious 😋. Price point was great, I would easily pay more than I did for what I got and how tasty it was! For sure finish your meal off with the banana pudding 🤤 this place is a hidden gem, and Patty too! I am already dreaming of coming back for more! If you're looking for some good eats- for sure try this place out!!! 🙌❤️“

“This was my first visit to the Raleigh location on May 28, 2025 with two out of town guests. three diff dishes were ordered..brisket, St. Louis rubbed ribs and burnt ends. The brisket and burnt ends were amazing. The ribs however were dry and tough. The meat certainly did not fall off the bone. I would not recommend the ribs based on this experience.“

“Best barbecue we have ever had ! We will definitely be returning to here again. Everything was so tasty and flavorful ! The barbecue chicken was fall off the bone , the okra was fried to perfection, the potato salad was delicious too and the pulled pork was awesome with their house made sauces!Our waitress was soo nice too, was so welcoming and we really appreciated it because our family has been going through a tough time. It warmed all of our hearts and bellies. Thank you for the great barbecue experience!“

“This BBQ is Really Good thank you Sam Jones BBQ all respect to the cooks i can tell they put there heart and soul into cookingthis BBQ“

“It’s always a good experience. I’ve been taking my family for years and we have never had a negative experience.

The food is always great and when the big boss man manager is there, he always throws in a cornbread for me because he knows how much I like their cornbread. 😉

He does this because he and I had a conversation during the COVID craziness about when they had to temporarily change their recipe due to the egg shortage (it wasn’t as good). He’s the best!“

“The service and food is always superb. The collard greens were very flavorful.“

“First time ever going and it was a 10 out of 10 experience. Staff is super friendly and quick, food was absolutely divine, delicious isn’t a worthy word to describe the food. Definitely will be back for more!!!“

“I Love Shane Rib Shack. The ribs chop pork burgers and all the side are delicious“

“Just tried them for the first time. And they slapped me in the face with fantastic food and lemonade. Do not...I repeat..do not pass this food truck up. Stop, grab a plate. You'll thank me later....#macandcheese#potatosalad...I'm just sayin'...“

“I go every week, and get a full rack of St louis style ribs, have not been disappointed the sausage links are amazing, the brisket and pulled pork is excellent. get there early is my advice“

“Had an amazing real good food just like at my friends house :) brings me back. Market I loved got more than I wanted :)“

“Great atmosphere and great food!! The meat is so tender and full of flavor, it’s like the flavor kicks you in the mouth!!!“

“The Flavor District is an absolute gem and a must-visit for anyone who loves great food and a vibrant atmosphere. From the moment you step inside, you're greeted with a lively energy and an incredible variety of delicious options that make it truly a five-star experience. This was our first time going and we were completely blown away. But the real star of the show was the stuffed turkey leg—it was so good it felt like Thanksgiving came early! Each dish is a masterpiece, and the hardest part is choosing what to eat! Beyond the fantastic food, the atmosphere is simply electric. It's the perfect spot for a casual lunch, a fun night out with friends, or even a date. The staff is also incredibly friendly and knowledgeable, always willing to offer a recommendation or share details about the dishes. The Flavor District is more than just a food hall; it's a true destination for food lovers. I can't recommend it highly enough. You won't be disappointed!“

“This place has the best Korean chicken wings. They make them to order and the homemade kimchi was the best I've ever had. It gets crowded quickly because there isn't much space in the checkout or restaurant area, but it's worth a trip.“

“We had Longleaf Swine catered for Nurses week. The brisket was delicious, one of the best I've had. loved the mustard sauce and mac n cheese. Very good, 10/10 recommend“

“I had a great overall experience visiting LongHorn Steakhouse in Raleigh, NC. There was about a 35-minute wait for a table, but it was worth it. The atmosphere was pleasant and quiet, making it easy to carry on a conversation. For an appetizer, I ordered the Parmesan Crusted Spinach Dip. My meal was the 20 oz Outlaw Ribeye with a Caesar salad and crispy Brussels sprouts, and everything was delicious! It was a wonderful dining experience, and I will definitely come back whenever I am in town again.“