Austin, Texas is widely regarded as one of the best cities in America for barbecue — and for good reason. From Central Texas-style smoked brisket to fall-off-the-bone ribs, the city is packed with legendary pitmasters who have turned smoking meat into a true art form. Whether you’re a local foodie or a visitor exploring Austin’s vibrant food scene, these four BBQ joints are absolute must-visits. Here are our favorite BBQ spots in Austin that you need to try.
1. Franklin Barbecue – The Gold Standard of Austin BBQ
If there is one name synonymous with Austin barbecue, it is Franklin Barbecue. Founded in 2009 by pitmaster Aaron Franklin, this East Austin institution has been hailed by food critics, celebrities, and barbecue lovers around the world as one of the best BBQ restaurants in the country — and possibly the world.
Franklin Barbecue is located at 900 E 11th Street, Austin, TX, and is open Tuesday through Sunday. Fair warning: lines form early and the restaurant routinely sells out of food by early afternoon, so plan to arrive before they open if you want to guarantee a plate. The wait is absolutely worth it.
Their menu is classic Central Texas — brisket, pork ribs, pulled pork, turkey, and house-made sausage. The brisket, smoked with post oak wood over 14-plus hours, is the star of the show: a perfectly rendered, deeply smoky slab of beef with a beautiful bark and buttery interior. Aaron Franklin won the James Beard Foundation Award for Best Chef: Southwest in 2015, making him the first barbecue chef to ever receive that prestigious honor. Bon Appétit named Franklin the best BBQ in America, and Texas Monthly has consistently ranked it among the top BBQ joints in the state. You can also read the MICHELIN Guide’s write-up on Franklin Barbecue — it holds a coveted Bib Gourmand designation.
Franklin Barbecue is not just a restaurant — it is a pilgrimage. If you are visiting Austin, this is the one stop you absolutely cannot skip.
2. La Barbecue – East Austin’s Hidden Gem
Just a short drive from Franklin, La Barbecue is another East Austin favorite that has earned a devoted local following and national recognition. Originally operating as a food trailer, La Barbecue has since grown into a full brick-and-mortar restaurant, but it has never lost its laid-back, community-oriented spirit.
La Barbecue is located at 2027 E Cesar Chavez Street, Austin, TX. Their menu focuses on the Central Texas BBQ staples — brisket, beef ribs, pork ribs, sausage, and turkey — all slow-smoked to perfection. Their beef ribs in particular are a fan favorite: enormous, richly marbled, and bursting with smoky flavor. They also offer excellent sides like creamy coleslaw, jalapeño cheddar grits, and house-made pickles.
One of the things that sets La Barbecue apart is its welcoming atmosphere. It is the kind of place where you can enjoy incredible food in a relaxed, unpretentious setting. Texas Monthly and Eater Austin have both praised La Barbecue as one of the city’s top BBQ destinations — and the MICHELIN Guide features La Barbecue as well. If you want a slightly shorter line than Franklin with equally exceptional quality, La Barbecue is your spot.
3. Micklethwait Craft Meats – Artisan BBQ at Its Finest
For a more craft-focused, artisanal take on Texas barbecue, look no further than Micklethwait Craft Meats. Founded by pitmaster Tom Micklethwait, this beloved East Austin trailer and restaurant has earned a reputation for thoughtful, creative barbecue that goes beyond the traditional Texas canon.
Located at 1309 Rosewood Avenue, Austin, TX, Micklethwait Craft Meats serves classic smoked meats — brisket, ribs, sausage, and pulled pork — alongside some of the most creative and delicious scratch-made sides in Austin. Think jalapeño cheese grits, lemony coleslaw, and seasonal fruit cobblers. The house-made sausages are a particular highlight, with rotating flavors that showcase the kitchen’s creativity and commitment to quality ingredients.
Micklethwait has been featured on numerous “best of Austin BBQ” lists and praised by outlets including Texas Monthly and the Austin Chronicle. Check out the MICHELIN Guide’s listing for Micklethwait Craft Meats for more details. The intimate, laid-back setting makes it a great spot to enjoy exceptional barbecue without a multi-hour wait. If you love great smoked meat paired with standout sides, Micklethwait Craft Meats should be on your Austin BBQ itinerary.
4. The Salt Lick BBQ – A Texas Hill Country Tradition
No list of the best BBQ near Austin would be complete without mentioning The Salt Lick BBQ. Located just outside the city in Driftwood, Texas (about 30 minutes southwest of downtown Austin), The Salt Lick is one of the most iconic and storied barbecue restaurants in all of Texas.
The Salt Lick was founded in 1967 by Thurman and Hisako Roberts and has been a beloved Texas institution for nearly six decades. The open-pit barbecue cooking style is a visual spectacle in itself — massive cuts of brisket, ribs, and sausage slowly cooking over an open circular pit is a sight to behold. Their menu features beef brisket, pork ribs, sausage, turkey, and pulled pork, served family-style so you can sample a little of everything. Find them at 18300 FM 1826, Driftwood, TX.
The Salt Lick’s sweet, tangy house barbecue sauce — inspired by owner Hisako’s Hawaiian heritage — is unlike anything else you will find in Texas. The sprawling ranch setting, complete with live music on weekends and BYOB-friendly policies (it is located in a dry county), makes dining at The Salt Lick a uniquely Texan experience that goes beyond just the food. It has been featured on Man v. Food, Top Chef, and praised by Food Network stars Bobby Flay and Duff Goldman.
If you are visiting Austin with a group or planning a day trip into the Hill Country, The Salt Lick is the perfect destination. Make a reservation in advance — this place gets busy, especially on weekends.
Austin BBQ: A City Built on Smoke and Flavor
Austin’s barbecue scene is one of the most celebrated in the world, and these four restaurants represent the very best it has to offer. Whether you are lining up at dawn for Franklin’s legendary brisket, relaxing with a cold drink and ribs at La Barbecue, sampling creative craft sausages at Micklethwait, or experiencing the Hill Country magic of The Salt Lick, you are in for an unforgettable culinary experience.
Planning a trip to Austin? Make sure BBQ is at the top of your itinerary — and check out our other Austin travel guides for more tips on making the most of your visit to the Live Music Capital of the World!
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