New Orleans' Best BBQ Restaurants And Grills

New Orleans is one of America’s culinary capitals, known for Creole and Cajun specialties from po-boys to gumbo. The city hasn’t historically been a haven for traditional American barbecue but in recent years, new BBQ joints have popped up all over the city, and they’re changing NOLA’s barbecue reputation. Check out our 10 favorite BBQ restaurants and pop-ups below.

The Joint

Located in the Bywater neighborhood, The Joint leads the charge in NOLA’s barbecue scene, with a national reputation. Customers rave about the ribs and brisket, covered in The Joint’s signature sauce.

McClure's Barbecue

Bakery, Restaurant

Barbecue fans love McClure’s for its six different sauces, each corresponding to a geographic regional preference from Texas to North Carolina. Customers order at the counter and can dine in or take out. McClure’s buns come from Duong Phong bakery, one of New Orleans’ best-known Vietnamese eateries.

Walker’s Southern Style BBQ

Restaurant, BBQ

Walker’s Southern Style BBQ is a family owned restaurant, boasting a menu that includes favorites from ribs and brisket to potato salad and mustard greens. This barbecue spot may be best known for its famous cochon de lait po-boy, which it sells each year during Jazz Fest – there’s always a lengthy line.

Blue Hickory Blues and Barbecue

Restaurant, American, BBQ

The name Blue Hickory has a double meaning. First, in keeping with the musical traditions of the region, the restaurant’s atmosphere is based on the blues. Second, ‘blue’ refers to the bluish smoke that is produced when meat is cooked over hard wood coals. Chef and Owner Benjamin Doolittle has traveled all over the country, but ultimately returned home to open Blue Hickory Blues and Barbecue.

Blue Oak BBQ

Restaurant, BBQ, American

Located on Canal Street, a quick streetcar ride from the French Quarter, Blue Oak BBQ is a pop-up restaurant located inside of Chickie Wah Wah, a local music venue. The owners are students of Texas barbecue and serve both the classics and creative sides, such as pork egg rolls.

Bar-B-Q-Kings

Bar, Restaurant, American

Open for lunch and dinner, Bar-B-Q-Kings is located in the Gentilly neighbourhood of New Orleans. The decor is simple and casual, putting most emphasis on the food: diners rave about the ribs, the chicken, and most of all, the sauce.

NOLA-Q

This barbecue pop-up joint has two regular locations, one Uptown and one in Mid City. On Friday nights, NOLA-Q can be found in Coulis, a popular Uptown breakfast spot, while on Saturdays it moves to Pal’s Lounge, a quirky Mid City dive. Diners love the BBQ chicken and cheesy potato side dish.

Black Label Icehouse

Bar, Restaurant, American, Pub Grub

Originally Black Label BBQ, a pop-up located inside of Barrel Proof bar, it then became Black Label Icehouse after such great success. Known for its Texas-style barbecue, the bar/restaurant serves barbecue influenced food, American spirits and regional beers on tap. Barrel Proof is a dimly-lit, upscale whisky bar, and the atmosphere compliments the smoky barbecue.

About the author

Ann Marshall-Thomas

Ann Marshall Thomas is a regular contributor to The Culture Trip, writing primarily about New Orleans and the Southern United States. She studied Political and Social Thought at the University of Virginia and lived in Besancon, France after graduation. An explorer at heart, Ann Marshall has traveled throughout North America and Europe, and in parts of South America and Asia. Her favorite cities are Istanbul, Paris, and her home city, New Orleans.