Online rankings will only get you so far. The real BBQ gems in Virginia are the ones your neighbors have been quietly guarding for years—the roadside spots, the family-run smokehouses, the places without a single influencer photo on the wall. These are the ones worth knowing about.
Virginians are serious about tasty barbecue, and not just because the Commonwealth is recognized by both enthusiastic foodies and serious academicians as being the birthplace of American barbecue. The now-celebrated “low and slow” cooking method over indirect heat is a mish-mash of sorts, adopted from the Powhatan tribe, refined by enslaved African Americans, and popularized by this young British-turned-American colony, which had early access to a lot of pigs and a penchant for social gatherings.
To compile an insider’s list of the best Virginia barbecue, we spoke with locals—from butchers to boutique owners—across the state’s five regions. Here’s a breakdown of the Commonwealth’s best barbecue.
Central
Tanya Cauthen, owner of Belmont Butchery in Richmond and a Food Network Chopped winner, says that her whole team recommends The Barbeque Exchange in Gordonsville as the No. 1 barbecue spot to visit in Central Virginia. “Pitmaster Craig Hartman balances using local pork with high-quality non-local in order to maintain the volume of barbecue he needs,” Cauthen says of The Barbeque Exchange’s wonderfully smoked meats. They also feature a mind-bending array of sides in an inviting, genteel atmosphere that makes this place a local favorite. BBQEx.com
Runners-up—and still worth every bite:
- Allman’s Bar-B-Q, Fredericksburg
- ZZQ Texas Craft Barbeque, Richmond
- County Smoak, Lynchburg
Eastern
Wander eastward, and you’ll discover Old City Barbeque, a spot that’s captured the hearts of Williamsburg locals, including Three Sisters boutique owner Kelly Terracina. She confesses to loving its “amazing brisket, baked beans, and also its desserts.” Old City features a nose-to-tail-inspired menu of locally or sustainably sourced ingredients and uses smokers fueled by hardwood coals. The packed menu showcases a wide range of options—from pork belly bites and po’ boys to smoked pimento cheese. And, of course, plenty of barbecue. OldCityBBQ.com
Runners-up—and still worth every bite:
- Two Drummers Smokehouse, Toano
- Pierce’s Pitt Bar-B-Que, Williamsburg
- Scoots BBQ, Gloucester Point
Northern
Mosey up north and you’ll see why the incredible ambience, stellar food, and consistently top-notch service of The Falls restaurant in Falls Church has made it a number one NoVa barbecue pick. Formerly Liberty Barbeque, The Falls has an expanded artisanal Mid-Atlantic menu that has also stayed true to its barbecue beginnings. Even local Bob Roland, owner of The Organic Butcher in McLean, who makes his own limited weekend supply of locally sourced barbecue, admits that he sends his friends to The Falls for its signature smoked brisket and wings. TheFallsVa.com
Runners-up—and still worth every bite
- Monk’s BBQ, Purcellville
- Sloppy Mama’s BBQ, Arlington
- Jules Caribbean BBQ, Waterford
Shenandoah Valley
Head to the valley where, according to Rockbridge County locals, Hogback Mountain BBQ’s expansion from event-catering-only to individual order options has raised it to the top of the regioin’s best barbecue list. “Their beef brisket is awesome!” says local Emily Razzbourne, owner of Razzbourne Farms in Fairfield. She also raves about Hogback’s new easy-to-order and pick-up family packs. Hogback also operates as a roving food truck on the weekends with everything from smoked sausage to to-die-for cornbread. HogbackMountainBBQ.com
Runners-up—and still worth every bite:
- Bean’s Barbeque, Edinburg
- Triple Crown BBQ, West Luray
- Bar-B-Q Ranch, Harrisonburg
Southwest
There’s no place like Cuz’s Uptown BBQ. Think kitschy décor and good ol’ barbecue with some items paying homage to owner Yvonne Thompson’s Asian roots—all housed in a barn tucked into the tiny town of Pounding Mill. “This is a very storied place,” says Gary Nease, who’s been eating at Cuz’s since it opened in rural Tazewell County in 1979. “It’s been kind of a symbol for our little community.” If you want a traditional barbecue sandwich, you won’t be disappointed, but how about trying their pupu platter, with cheese egg rolls, filet satays, and fried catfish? Cuzs.com
Runners-up—and still worth every bite:
- Bluegrass BBQ, Pembroke
- Checkered Pig BBQ & Ribs, Martinsville
- Rocky Mount Smokehouse, Rocky Mount
This article originally appeared in the August 2026 issue.
