Austin, TX
Best BBQ in Austin.
Harry's top 10 BBQ spots in Austin score 69–92 on the Harry Score. 2 carry critic or guide backing. Prices run $ to $$$.
Smoke is an ingredient, not a decoration. Harry reads the bark, the smoke ring, and whether the meat rested as long as it smoked. Sauce is a condiment, not a rescue operation — if it arrives pre-drowned, the kitchen already told you what it thinks of the brisket.
Ranked by Harry Score, closest BBQ matches first. The Harry Score is a weighted blend of Google, Yelp, Tripadvisor, and critic mentions. No paid placements. No affiliate links.
Scores last recomputed
Franklin Barbecue
bbq
900 E 11th St, Austin
4.7 across 7.2k Google reviews, and Yelp lands in the same place; named by Michelin Guide and World's 50 Best.
$$
Harry
92
Worth It
81
Terry Black's Barbecue
bbq
1003 Barton Springs Rd, Austin
4.7 across 27k Google reviews, and Yelp lands in the same place; named by Michelin Guide and James Beard Foundation.
$$
Harry
89
Worth It
79
Loro Asian Smokehouse & Bar
asian-fusion · fusion
2115 S Lamar Blvd, Austin
4.5 across 5.6k Google reviews; asian smokehouse meets Texas barbecue in a rustic spot with beer, wine, and cocktails,….
Caveat: You're getting an experience. Whether you needed it is up to you.
$$$
Harry
78
Worth It
72
Rollin Smoke BBQ
barbecue · bbq
1700 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin
4.5 across 753 Google reviews; slow-smoked barbecue, plus tacos & sandwiches on offer in this snug & popular….
Caveat: One source so far (Google) — the score firms up as the others report in.
$$
Harry
77
Worth It
74
Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que
bbq
217 Congress Ave., Austin
4.4 across 6.7k Google reviews; classic BBQ joint with picnic table seats serving brisket, ribs & more pulled straight….
$$
Harry
73
Worth It
73
BBQ Frank Mexican food
mexican · barbecue-area
5500 S Congress Ave, Austin
4.0 across 84 Yelp reviews; budget-friendly without feeling like it.
$
Harry
72
Worth It
72
Sam's BBQ
barbecue · bbq
2000 E 12th St, Austin
4.3 across 787 Google reviews; no-frills landmark covered in memorabilia serving brisket, ribs & mutton in a….
Caveat: Only Google has weighed in so far — a single source, so read the score as provisional.
$$
Harry
70
Worth It
70
Lamberts
bbq
401 W 2nd St, Austin
3.8 across 2.1k Yelp reviews; fancy BBQ & other meaty fare in a refurbished general store with an upstairs bar with….
Caveat: Enjoyable enough, but the bill is partly buying brand and vibes.
$$$
Harry
70
Worth It
69
Stubb's Bar-B-Q
bbq · brunch
801 Red River St, Austin
4.3 across 6.9k Google reviews; beer, brisket and music Downtown with a renowned Sunday gospel brunch.
$$
Harry
69
Worth It
69
Also serves BBQ
KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot
korean-barbecue · asian-fusion
5200 Brodie Ln, Sunset Valley
4.9 across 5.0k Google reviews; a sensible spend, nothing wasted here.
$$
Harry
89
Worth It
80
BBQ in other cities
More cuisines in Austin
More Austin guides
Questions Harry gets about BBQ in Austin
- What is the best BBQ restaurant in Austin?
- Franklin Barbecue tops Harry's BBQ list for Austin right now, with a Harry Score of 92/100.
- How does Harry Hungry score BBQ restaurants in Austin?
- Harry Hungry blends ratings from Google, Yelp, Tripadvisor, and critic mentions into a weighted Harry Score (0–100). A separate Worth It Score ranks restaurants by value for money. No paid placements, no affiliate links — the ranking is built from public data only.
- Are there tourist-trap BBQ restaurants in Austin to avoid?
- Harry Hungry flags restaurants where Tripadvisor ratings diverge significantly from local reviews — a common tourist-trap signal. See the tourist trap index for Austin on Harry Hungry for a full breakdown.