Barbecue is a way of life in Texas. The nationally recognized smoked meat scene in the Austin area is so outstanding that the Michelin guide and James Beard Awards have taken note. Austin barbecue restaurants have now earned Michelin stars, Bib Gourmands,
and are Michelin Recommended. Pitmaster Aaron Franklin of Franklin Barbecue has a James Beard Award, and three other barbecue spot owners have been semi-finalists.
Here is Eater’s definitive guide to the finest barbecue in Austin, including places with and without lines, outdoor picnic table seating and indoor table service, restaurants and food trucks, and all the briskets, ribs, and sausages a person could ever want. This means Franklin Barbecue, La Barbecue, African American-slanted Distant Relatives, Egyptian takes at KG BBQ, new-school spot LeRoy & Lewis’s new restaurant, and many others. And remember — barbecue is typically a daytime meal.
This map has been updated to include Space Kat Barbecue.
For other smoked meats needs, Eater Austin has it covered: there are Hill Country picks, excellent ribs, best sandwiches, stellar sides, desserts, and more. Then there’s the Austin barbecue primer and a guide to the barbecue capital of the world, Lockhart.
