SC has 2 of 10 best cities for BBQ in the US for 2025, Yelp says. They beat cities in NC & TN
The time of cross-country summer trips is nearly upon us once again. And when it comes to food, what better summer food is there than a plate of juicy barbecue?
So, why not combine the two?
There are several states that boast having the best barbecue. And there are cities within those states that claim to have the best of the best.
But there are only so many weekends in the summer for travel. How do you choose which cities to visit to same top tier barbecue?
Fortunately, Yelp is here to help.
In part to celebrate National Barbecue Day on May 16, Yelp recently compiled a list of its 10 top cities for barbecue in the U.S. for 2025. To name this year’s top cities for barbecue lovers, Yelp ranked them using a blended metric, including interest in BBQ, total business count and average business ranking.
Below are the two South Carolina cities that made the list and why, followed by the complete ranking.
Charleston
The Holy City ranked fifth on Yelp’s list of best barbecue cities. According to Yelp, Charleston’s barbecue scene leans toward traditional Lowcountry styles, featuring meats cooked directly over hardwood coals — heavily influenced by coastal South Carolina traditions, such as a vinegary sauce.
“With a mix of historic BBQ joints like Poogan’s Smokehouse and modern, pit master-driven spots like Palmira Barbecue, Charleston blends time-honored smoking techniques with innovative flavors that Yelp users love,” Yelp writes. “Restaurants like Rodney Scott’s BBQ showcase the art of pit-cooked whole hog, while newer spots like Lewis Barbecue, which was #3 on Yelp’s 2023 list of Top 100 Restaurants in the Carolinas, bring central Texas-style brisket to the region.”
Greenville
Greenville ranked just under Charleston in sixth place on the list.
The city is more dedicated to traditional barbecue and Western South Carolina styles, Yelp says.
“Classic Carolina barbecue is highlighted at spots like Henry’s Smokehouse, which provides multiple sauce options that cater to different tastes,” Yelp states. “Greenville also stands out for its variety — restaurants like Bobby’s BBQ bring Texas-style brisket to the area, while Mike & Jeff’s BBQ serves up hickory-smoked meats with its own range of regional sauces.”
Yelp’s Top 10 BBQ Cities for 2025
- Austin, TX
- San Antonio, TX
- Kansas City, Missouri
- Memphis, TN
- Charleston, SC
- Greenville, SC
- Honolulu, HI
- Tulsa, OK
- Durham, NC
- Nashville, TN
This story was originally published May 9, 2025 at 6:00 AM with the headline "SC has 2 of 10 best cities for BBQ in the US for 2025, Yelp says. They beat cities in NC & TN."
