The BBQ Map
Best BBQ in Georgia
Georgia barbecue blends Carolina and Alabama influences with its own identity — think Brunswick stew, pulled pork sandwiches piled with slaw, and a growing wave of modern smokehouses putting their own spin on Southern tradition.
Georgia has its own recognized place on the regional barbecue map: Georgia barbecue blends Carolina and Alabama influences — chopped pork is often topped with a mustard-based sauce kicked up with brown sugar and vinegar, frequently served alongside Brunswick stew, a tomato-based stew with lima beans and other vegetables.
11 restaurants mapped & rated 🔥 View on Interactive MapA former gas station on the Georgia coast turned into a BBQ institution. Featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. Brisket, chicken, turkey, and sausage smoked over oak on Oyler and Lang pits, plus a Brunswick stew so rich and tangy it could be a meal on its own.
Tiny, always crowded, and absolutely worth it. Korean-Southern BBQ fusion from Cody Taylor and Jiyeon Lee — gochujang-rubbed ribs, spicy Korean pork, kimchi slaw, and Korean sweet potato chips with ginger syrup alongside meticulously smoked brisket. A Michelin Guide mention confirms what Atlanta already knew.
Over 30 years of national competition wins translated into a brick-and-mortar legend in Savannah. The pulled pork requires no sauce, but the signature 'Better than Sex' sauce is mandatory anyway. Bourbon chocolate pecan pie and banana pudding seal the deal.
South Georgia's most celebrated smokehouse, where the pulled pork is cooked low and slow over real hardwood and the sweet tea flows freely. A deep South institution that has fed Valdosta for decades and earns pilgrimage status from BBQ travelers heading to Florida.
The home of 'Atlanta Style' BBQ — brisket, pulled pork, and ribs spun into creative cross-regional combinations. Chicken-fried ribs with Alabama white sauce, Tomminator tots smothered with Brunswick stew, and a smoked bologna pimento cheese sandwich that the city can't get enough of.
The neighborhood smokehouse that Decatur claims as its own living room. Slow-smoked pork butt, ribs, and brisket with homemade sides that change daily — the Brunswick stew and mac and cheese have their own loyal followings.
Founded in 1929, the oldest pit-cooked BBQ restaurant in Georgia still in its original location. Wooden walls stained almost black from decades of hardwood smoke. No brisket, ribs, or chicken — just pork, Brunswick stew, and a deep connection to Georgia's oldest BBQ traditions.
Open since 1926, one of Georgia's oldest BBQ institutions. Four generations of the Sprayberry family have kept this Newnan landmark going with hickory-smoked pork shoulders, Brunswick stew, and the kind of thin tomato-based sauce that defines the Georgia Piedmont tradition.
A beloved Smyrna institution serving classic Georgia-style pulled pork and Brunswick stew since 1988. No frills, no gimmicks — just wood-smoked pork, chopped or sliced, with a thin tangy sauce and the kind of sides that make you want to come back every week.
A Macon institution that has been smoking pork over hickory since 1935. Central Georgia's most storied BBQ joint, where three generations of the Fincher family have kept the wood-fired pits burning and the Brunswick stew simmering, unchanged and unbothered by trends.
A beloved family-owned roadside gem on Highway 17 just south of Savannah, where slow-cooked meats follow recipes handed down for generations. Pulled pork, brisket, and ribs are smoked to guarantee the most tender and juicy results. A hidden gem for travelers heading between Savannah and the Georgia coast.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best BBQ restaurant in Georgia?
Based on Google ratings, Southern Soul Barbeque in St. Simons Island is the top-rated BBQ restaurant we've mapped in Georgia, currently holding a 4.8-star average. That said, "best" is personal — check the full list above and look at what each spot specializes in before deciding.
What kind of barbecue is Georgia known for?
Georgia is one of the few states with a barbecue style genuinely tied to its name: Georgia-style. You'll find that influence across most of the restaurants mapped above, though individual pitmasters always put their own spin on it.
How many BBQ restaurants are on The BBQ Map in Georgia?
We currently have 11 BBQ restaurants mapped in Georgia, each with a real Google rating, address, and description. We add and verify new spots regularly.
How do you choose which restaurants make the list?
We look at real Google ratings, review volume, and reputation — prioritizing restaurants with strong, consistent feedback over a large number of reviews rather than a handful of five-star outliers. We also remove restaurants that have permanently closed or relocated as soon as we confirm it.