Best BBQ Joints in Downtown Nashville (Smoked Meats to Try)

Overview

Nashville's known for hot chicken, but don't sleep on its BBQ game—especially downtown. From smoky brisket and saucy ribs to pulled pork sandwiches and creative Southern sides, the core of Music City has plenty to offer barbecue lovers. Whether you want a classic meat-and-three vibe or a modern spot with bourbon on tap, this list rounds up the best smoked meat options near Broadway that are worth rolling up your sleeves for.

What To Know

Most of these joints are casual, fast-moving, and crowd-friendly—ideal for a pre-show dinner, a mid-day fill-up, or a late-night meat fix. Expect counter service, trays instead of plates, and big portions. While purists will argue over sauces and regions (Memphis dry rub vs. Carolina vinegar vs. Texas brisket), Nashville’s BBQ scene is more about fusion and bold flavor. Don’t be surprised to see hot chicken BBQ mashups, brisket tacos, or smoked wings right next to your ribs. Come hungry.

1. Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint

Martin’s is a legit pitmaster powerhouse with serious street cred—and it just happens to be one of the biggest and best BBQ joints downtown. Located right off Broadway on 4th Avenue, this multi-story smokehouse serves whole-hog Tennessee-style BBQ cooked low and slow in their on-site pits. The menu is loaded with staples like pulled pork sandwiches, beef brisket, ribs, wings, smoked turkey, and their famous redneck tacos (BBQ meat on a cornbread hoe cake). Their sides are just as strong: slaw, mac and cheese, green beans, and cornbread come in generous, Southern-style servings.

The upstairs beer garden is massive—perfect for groups, bachelorette parties, or anyone looking to stretch out with a tray of ribs and a local IPA. It gets busy on weekends, but the line moves fast. Martin’s manages to feel both like a serious BBQ joint and a downtown hangout spot at the same time, which is no easy trick. Bonus: it’s family-friendly, affordable, and just a block from Bridgestone Arena. If you want to try one BBQ spot and don’t know where to start, Martin’s is the move.

2. Peg Leg Porker (The Gulch)

A few blocks west of Broadway in The Gulch sits Peg Leg Porker—a no-frills, all-flavor BBQ destination run by award-winning pitmaster Carey Bringle. While it’s technically not *on* Broadway, it’s close enough (about a 10-minute walk) and absolutely worth the detour. Peg Leg is known for its dry-rubbed Memphis-style ribs, which are fall-off-the-bone tender and kissed with a proprietary spice blend. You can get them wet (sauced) if you want, but the dry version is where it shines.

Pulled pork, smoked wings, BBQ nachos, and their smoked sausage are all excellent, but the sleeper hit might be the Kool-Aid pickles or the BBQ bologna sandwich—both nods to old-school Southern roots. The space is casual, friendly, and filled with smokehouse aromas. Peg Leg also produces its own bourbon, so grab a pour if you’re sipping. If you’re looking for meat that’s pitmaster-certified without the tourist sheen, Peg Leg is your spot.

3. Edley’s Bar-B-Que (12 South, East, & Sylvan Park)

Edley’s is a local favorite with multiple locations, and while the closest isn’t right downtown, it’s popular enough with tourists and locals alike that it deserves a mention. Their “Tennessee-style BBQ” pulls from multiple traditions—expect everything from smoked brisket and ribs to pulled pork sandwiches topped with slaw and pickles. The brisket taco trio is a top pick, and their cornbread is dangerously good.

Edley’s focuses heavily on hospitality and quality ingredients. The meat’s smoked fresh daily, the sauces are made in-house, and the Southern sides—like baked beans, collard greens, and mac and cheese—are comforting classics. Their cocktail program is stronger than most BBQ joints too. If you’re staying downtown, take a short rideshare and treat yourself to a casual-but-refined BBQ experience with Southern flair. Not a tourist trap—just great food from a Nashville original.

4. Broadway Brewhouse & Mojo Grill

You won’t find a smoke pit out front, but Broadway Brewhouse earns a spot on this list for two big reasons: 1) it’s a beloved local dive with BBQ worth ordering, and 2) it’s open late with a strong bourbon and beer lineup. The smoked pulled pork sandwich, brisket burrito, and BBQ wings are go-to favorites for regulars, and the food menu surprises people expecting just bar grub. It’s not a traditional BBQ joint, but the meat is flavorful and plentiful.

Located on Broadway near 2nd Avenue, the Brewhouse draws a mix of locals, off-duty musicians, and seasoned drinkers looking for something other than hot chicken. Their spicy signature sauce leans sweet and tangy with a smoky backbone, and the kitchen stays open later than most. If you're bar-hopping and want a low-key BBQ fix that doesn’t involve a long line or a rooftop DJ, this is your spot. Pro tip: pair your BBQ with a Bushwhacker and people-watch from the bar rail.

5. Rippy’s Bar & Grill

Rippy’s is one of Broadway’s OG BBQ stops—iconic neon sign out front, live music inside, and smoked meats coming out of the kitchen all day. It’s part honky tonk, part smokehouse, and part rooftop bar, and that’s exactly the point. Rippy’s serves up pulled pork sandwiches, baby back ribs, brisket plates, BBQ chicken, and smoked sausage, often with a side of live acoustic guitar or a football game on TV.

The vibe is fun and rowdy, but service is fast and the food is consistently solid. The ribs are the headliner—tender, saucy, and stacked on a plate with slaw and fries. The location (right across from Bridgestone Arena) makes it a natural pre-game or post-show stop, and the upstairs patio is one of the best people-watching perches in town. If you want BBQ with a little bit of chaos, music, and energy, Rippy’s brings the full package.

Pro Tips

• Go early or late: BBQ spots fill up quick before concerts and games. Mid-afternoon or late-night hits mean less waiting.
• Try the sampler: If you're unsure what to order, grab a combo plate—pulled pork, ribs, brisket, and more all on one tray.
• Sauce on the side: Let the meat speak for itself first. Then dunk, drizzle, or drench to taste.
• Check rooftop hours: If you want a patio view, Martin’s and Rippy’s both have solid upstairs seating but hours vary by day.
• Don’t skip the sides: A great BBQ plate isn’t just about the meat. Beans, mac, cornbread, and greens make the difference.

The Bottom Line

You don’t have to venture far from Broadway to find real-deal barbecue in Nashville. Whether you’re after old-school ribs, whole-hog pork, smoked brisket, or a BBQ burrito at a late-night dive, downtown has something for every taste and budget. Pair it with live music, a cold beer, and some Southern sides, and you’ve got a plate of pure Music City.