From Houston to Montreal, our latest research reveals the top cities in America and Canada for BBQ enthusiasts to visit this summer.
As the warm weather rolls in, BBQ season kicks off, bringing the sweet scent of smoked meats and sizzling grills to life across North America.
For true BBQ lovers, there’s no better time than summer to hit the road and explore the cities that take BBQ seriously. Whether you’re craving the classic tastes of Texas brisket, Memphis-style ribs, or Canadian BBQ twists, North America offers a diverse range of destinations that are perfect for food enthusiasts who want to enjoy mouth-watering BBQ.
To help, the online casino team at Betway explored the best cities for BBQ lovers, perfect for planning your next getaway. From regional gems known for their slow-cooked meats to larger cities hosting BBQ festivals, these locations are worth a visit for any true fan of BBQ.
Top 10 BBQ Cities in the U.S.A
City | No. BBQ Vendors | Top-Rated BBQ Spots (4.5+ stars) | % of Top-Rated BBQ Joints | BBQ Festivals | Google Search Volume (City + BBQ) | Highest Rated Restaurant | BBQ Popularity Score (%) |
Las Vegas, NV | 107 | 65 | 60.75% | 10 | 140 | John Mull’s Meats & Road Kill Grill | 100 |
Austin, TX | 78 | 52 | 66.67% | 6 | 260 | Franklin Barbecue | 94.2 |
Birmingham, AL | 17 | 13 | 76.41% | 4 | 390 | SAW’s Soul Kitchen | 87.2 |
Memphis, TN | 52 | 25 | 48.08% | 14 | 50 | Corky’s Ribs & BBQ | 76.7 |
Houston, TX | 117 | 48 | 41.03% | 5 | 110 | Pinkerton’s Barbecue | 72.9 |
Nashville, TN | 54 | 35 | 64.81% | 5 | 110 | Caney Fork River Valley Grille | 67.1 |
Chicago, IL | 101 | 48 | 47.52% | 4 | 30 | Green Street Smoked Meats | 60.9 |
San Diego, CA | 54 | 35 | 64.81% | 5 | 20 | Rei Do Gado Brazilian Steakhouse | 58.1 |
St. Louis, MO | 55 | 34 | 61.82% | 4 | 40 | Salt + Smoke | 55.8 |
San Antonio, TX | 105 | 35 | 33.33% | 4 | 30 | Pinkerton’s Barbecue | 52.7 |
Las Vegas’ surprising number one ranking on this list is a testament to the city’s evolving food scene. Las Vegas tops the list of the best BBQ cities in the U.S., thanks to its 60.75% top-rated BBQ spots and a range of amazing BBQ vendors. The city is not just about its casinos; it’s a BBQ lover’s paradise, with over 140 Google search mentions of BBQ. It hosts several BBQ festivals, including the Las Vegas BBQ Festival, attracting BBQ enthusiasts from all over the country
Austin follows closely behind with an impressive 66.67% of its BBQ spots rated highly. Known as the BBQ capital of the world, Austin’s BBQ scene has become synonymous with brisket, smoked meats, and live music. Key events like the Texas Monthly BBQ Fest showcase the best of the city’s BBQ talent. Meanwhile, Memphis—famous for its ribs and BBQ traditions—continues to draw fans to its annual World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, ensuring it stays a top destination for food lovers.
Top 5 BBQ Cities in Canada Worth Visiting
City | No. BBQ Vendors | Top-Rated BBQ Spots (4.5+ stars) | % of Top-Rated BBQ Joints | BBQ Festivals | Google SV (City + BBQ) | Highest Rated Restaurant | BBQ Popularity Score (%) |
Toronto, ON | 121 | 49 | 40.5 | 3 | 30 | The Carbon Bar | 59.7 |
Calgary, AB | 43 | 27 | 62.79 | 3 | 10 | Minas Brazilian Steakhouse | 46.5 |
Ottawa, ON | 37 | 16 | 43.24 | 5 | 10 | Fatboys Southern Smokehouse | 37.6 |
Montreal, QC | 77 | 29 | 37.66 | 1 | 10 | Ma Poule Mouillée | 35.3 |
Vancouver, BC | 35 | 14 | 40 | 4 | 10 | Chinatown BBQ | 32.2 |
Among the top BBQ cities in Canada, Toronto stands out with the highest number of BBQ vendors at 121, of which 40.5% are top-rated. Toronto also hosts several BBQ festivals, and with 30 Google search mentions related to BBQ, it’s a true hotspot for BBQ enthusiasts. Calgary, on the other hand, leads in percentage, with 62.79% of its 43 BBQ spots rated highly. Minas Brazilian Steakhouse, offering a unique Brazilian BBQ twist, is one of the city’s top attractions.
Ottawa and Montreal follow closely behind, with Ottawa boasting 43.24% of its 37 BBQ spots rated 4.5 stars or higher. It’s home to Fatboy’s Southern Smokehouse, a fan favourite, and benefits from strong BBQ festival activity. Montreal, with 77 BBQ vendors, is the second highest on the list. It has 37.66% of its BBQ spots rated highly, but it stands out for its cultural twist on BBQ, with spots like Ma Poule Mouillée offering a different yet appealing approach.
Vancouver, although smaller with only 35 BBQ vendors, maintains its share of top-rated spots at 40%, and Chinatown BBQ stands out as the city’s highlight. These Canadian cities are perfect destinations for anyone looking to explore diverse and high-quality BBQ experiences.
Methodology
For this list, we considered several metrics to rank the best BBQ cities:
BBQ Festivals: (Eventbrite) The number of major BBQ-focused festivals held in each city.
Google Search Volume: The volume of searches for the city combined with BBQ-related keywords.
BBQ Vendor Ratings: (TripAdvisor) The percentage of BBQ vendors that have received top ratings (4.5 stars and above) from food critics, local guides, and customers.
Data correct as of June 2025
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