The 20 Best Barbecue Restaurants in St. Louis, Missouri

Dalie's Smokehouse specializes in smoked meats served on hearty sandwiches and platters, with brisket, pastrami, ribs, and pulled pork frequently praised for their moist texture and rich flavor. Guests note a focused menu of meats and traditional sides like steak fries and mac and cheese. The casual setting and consistently helpful, personable staff create a comfortable spot for enjoying barbecue.

Hogtown Smokehouse serves classic barbecue in a casual Dogtown setting, with options ranging from smoked turkey and pulled pork to brisket and daily specials. House-made sauces, hearty sides like beans and mac and cheese, and regularly refreshed drinks round out the meal. Friendly, attentive service and a comfortable atmosphere make it a relaxed spot for a laid-back meal.

Bandana's Bar-B-Q Sunset Hills serves traditional barbecue in a casual, themed setting with both indoor and outdoor seating. Guests highlight tender ribs, a variety of sauces, and hearty sides like baked beans and potato salad. The restaurant is noted for its clean, inviting space, ample parking, and generally attentive table service. Online ordering and family-style meals are available for convenient takeout.

Gobble Stop Smokehouse is a small, family-owned spot known for smoked turkey specialties, from burgers and turkey tips to wings and pulled sandwiches. The food is described as flavorful and satisfying, with sides like fries and fried vegetable samplers. Guests highlight the welcoming, down-to-earth atmosphere, where regulars and newcomers mingle easily. Courteous, accommodating service and efficient takeout round out the experience.

Smoking Barrels BBQ serves classic American barbecue with notably tender, flavorful meats such as ribs, brisket, and turkey. Generous combo plates let guests sample a range of smoked specialties, often with leftovers to take home. The atmosphere is casual and down-to-earth, and the staff is described as friendly and welcoming.

Roper's Ribs is a longtime, owner-operated barbecue spot known for hearty portions of slow-smoked meats. Diners highlight the meaty, tender beef ribs with a tangy, smoky house sauce, along with staples like pulled pork, brisket, tips, wings, and snoots. The small, mostly takeout space offers a simple setting where the focus is on flavorful apple-smoked barbecue and attentive, personal service.

Bogart's Smokehouse specializes in traditional St. Louis-style barbecue, known for cherry wood–smoked ribs that are tender and flavorful. Burnt ends are a standout, often mentioned alongside hearty sides like baked beans and potato salad. The atmosphere is simple and unfussy, with friendly, professional service that keeps the focus on the smoked meats.

C&K Barbecue Restaurant is a long-running, family-owned spot known for its richly flavored, smoky St. Louis–style barbecue. Guests highlight the signature sauce and tender meats, from ribs and rib tips to hot links and wings. This casual drive-up takeout restaurant offers straightforward, satisfying barbecue with welcoming, attentive service.

J. Smugs Gastropit serves barbecue-focused comfort food, from saucy ribs and pulled meats to seasoned fries and creamy mac and cheese. Guests highlight the flavorful house sauces and shareable starters like soft pretzels with cheese. A modern interior, large patio, and garage-style doors create an open, lively setting. Attentive, personable service rounds out the experience.

The Midwestern offers casual American smokehouse fare with a focus on ribs, wings, smoked turkey, and classic comfort sides. A full bar and broad drink selection complement the boldly seasoned, sweet dry-rubbed meats. With a covered back area featuring a large screen and flexible seating, it serves as a lively gathering spot for groups and pregame meetups.

Salt + Smoke specializes in St. Louis-style barbecue, with tender ribs, brisket, burnt ends, and pulled pork praised for their smoky flavor and texture. A standout mac and cheese and a notable bourbon selection round out the menu. The restaurant handles busy crowds with attentive, efficient service, creating an energetic yet welcoming dining experience near the stadium.