The BBQ Map
Best BBQ in South Carolina
South Carolina is the only state with all four major barbecue sauce styles — vinegar, mustard, light tomato, and heavy tomato — sometimes all on the same menu. Whole hog cooking runs deep here, especially in the Midlands and Pee Dee regions.
South Carolina has its own recognized place on the regional barbecue map: South Carolina is the only state with all four major barbecue sauces in regular use: tangy mustard-based "Carolina Gold" in the Midlands, vinegar-and-pepper along the coast, and tomato or tomato-vinegar hybrids in the Upstate.
12 restaurants mapped & rated 🔥 View on Interactive MapRanked #1 in the South by Southern Living 2025 — the highest honor in Southern BBQ. Pitmaster Robbie Robinson merges Texas-style brisket with Carolina pulled pork, earning James Beard nominations and a New York Times 50 Best Restaurants nod. A James Beard Foundation Award Finalist for Best Chef: Southeast in both 2024 and 2025.
Ranked #16 in the South by Southern Living 2025. A uniquely South Carolinian blend of Carolina and Texas styles infused with Puerto Rican flavors from pitmaster Hector Garate. The brisket, pernil, and house-made sausages reflect a cultural identity unlike any other BBQ joint in the state.
Ranked #7 in the South by Southern Living 2025. John Lewis, formerly of Franklin Barbecue in Austin, brought Texas-style thick-sliced brisket to Charleston and earned the title of best BBQ joint in SC from Southern Living readers. The beef ribs are among the most spectacular in the Southeast.
Ranked #12 in the South by Southern Living 2025. The family restaurant where Rodney Scott learned the whole-hog trade before building his own empire. Cooked over oak and hickory in open pits, this is where South Carolina whole-hog BBQ tradition runs deepest.
Ranked #34 in the South by Southern Living 2025. Traditional Carolina BBQ alongside rub-dusted smoked chicken wings, brisket chili, and an impressive sliced turkey sandwich. Multiple Charleston and Columbia locations, but the original on Ashley River Road remains the anchor.
Ranked #36 in the South by Southern Living 2025. Florence's most celebrated BBQ spot where classic South Carolina whole-hog traditions meet a welcoming lounge atmosphere. Outstanding mustard sauce and hash and rice in a city that takes its BBQ seriously.
Ranked #44 in the South by Southern Living 2025. Described by Southern Living as 'Chinatown BBQ made with Southern smoke' — the brainchild of Shuai and Corrie Wang of Jackrabbit Filly. Wide-ranging food options and an eclectic bar menu make it like no other joint in the South.
Michelin Guide-recognized legend Rodney Scott started in Hemingway, SC and built an empire. The Charleston location is world-famous for whole-hog BBQ and pimento cheese made with BBQ rub.
Ranked #22 in the South by Southern Living 2025. A West Columbia institution serving South Carolina mustard-based hash and rice alongside hand-chopped pork that has kept locals coming back for decades. One of the best examples of the Midlands BBQ tradition in the state.
Ranked #33 in the South by Southern Living 2025. A Manning institution serving Lowcountry-style whole-hog BBQ with a mustard-based sauce that is distinctly South Carolinian. The hash and rice and pork skins are mandatory companions.
Ranked #39 in the South by Southern Living 2025. A Charleston-area institution and must-visit for anyone exploring BBQ in the Lowcountry. Melvin's carries on a family tradition of whole-hog BBQ with mustard-based sauce that has anchored the community for generations.
Charleston's favorite BBQ joint brings its multi-regional sauces and slow-cooked meats to Five Points in Columbia. A massive mural of James Brown by Charleston artist Sean Williams anchors the dining room, while the patio seats 40 for game days. The Board platter and Alabama white sauce wings are house favorites.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best BBQ restaurant in South Carolina?
Based on Google ratings, City Limits Barbeque in West Columbia is the top-rated BBQ restaurant we've mapped in South Carolina, currently holding a 4.9-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 South Carolina known for?
South Carolina is one of the few states with a barbecue style genuinely tied to its name: South Carolina-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 South Carolina?
We currently have 12 BBQ restaurants mapped in South Carolina, 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.