10 Best Florida BBQ Joints You Should Try In 2027
A barbecue joint that sends you home with a free ice cream cone? That is a real thing in Florida, and I love it more than I probably should.
The surprises keep stacking up. One spot lives inside a country store where breakfast starts at 6 a.m. and barbecue service begins at 10:30 a.m..
One spot lives inside a country store that opens at 6 AM, so biscuits and gravy share the menu with brisket. Another serves a crispy quesa brisket taco, which sounds like Texas and Mexico shook hands over a smoker.
Another spot offers brisket bacon: pork belly seasoned like brisket and fried like bacon. That combination deserves a moment of attention.
This list runs the length of the state, with stops near the Everglades and along the Gulf beaches. Old family favorites sit right beside newer, bolder smokehouses.
Sauce on your chin is basically a souvenir here. So which one earns your first stack of napkins?
1. Shiver’s BBQ
Sweet potato souffle at a barbecue joint sounds like dessert sneaking onto your dinner plate. Honestly, that’s the kind of rule-breaking you want down in Homestead.
Shiver’s BBQ is a long-standing, family-owned spot with a country, rustic feel. The menu sticks to classics, and it does them with real confidence.
Start with the meat, because why wouldn’t you? You’ll find baby back ribs, brisket, juicy pulled pork, hickory chicken, and burnt ends.
Can’t pick between land and sea? The Baby Back and Catfish Combo solves that problem in one tidy order.
Sides here deserve their own spotlight. Collard greens, green beans, coleslaw, and a cornbread souffle round out the plate nicely.
For something to share, try the Fried Green Tomatoes or the BBQ Cheese Fries. The Sausage Bomb is another fun starter with a name that’s hard to ignore.
Save a little room, seriously. Peach cobbler with ice cream and a salted caramel cheesecake wait at the finish line.
Table service keeps things relaxed, and there’s a kids’ menu for younger eaters. Dogs are welcome at the outdoor area, too.
Weekend afternoons and evenings tend to get busy. Swing by on a weekday morning or early afternoon if you’d like a calmer meal.
It’s a great stop before or after exploring the far southern tip of Florida. You’ll leave full and probably planning a return trip.
Address: 28001 S Dixie Hwy, Homestead, FL 33033
2. Apocalypse BBQ
Brisket bacon. Read those two words again, slowly, and let them sink in.
That bold idea sums up Apocalypse BBQ in southwest Miami. The name sounds dramatic, but the food backs up the attitude.
Signature brisket is the headliner here. Ribs come tender enough to slide right off the bone.
Then there’s the brisket bacon, made from pork belly seasoned like brisket and fried like bacon. It’s the kind of order you’ll tell your friends about later.Wings get their own special treatment as Smokafried Wings.
Smoked and then fried, they hit two cravings in one basket.
Homemade cornbread is a must on the side. The Loaded Mac and Cheese is another rich, comforting pick.
Want to go a little wild? Add a side of nacho cheese and dip whatever you like.
A chocolate chip cookie makes a sweet, simple ending. Sometimes the classic move is the right one.
The place is closed on Mondays and stays open later on Fridays and Saturdays. Late-night barbecue cravings finally have a home.
Expect a wait during busy stretches, since reservations aren’t taken. Weekday afternoons are usually your best bet for walking right in.
Delivery and takeout are available if couch time sounds better. Still, eating in lets you enjoy the trendy, laid-back room.
Address: 8695 SW 124th Ave., Miami, FL 33183
3. Al’s Finger Licking Good Bar-B-Que and Soul Food
Menu items with family names attached tell you a lot about a kitchen. Here, the sides come with names like Jean Ann, Ericka, and Joanna.
Al’s Finger Licking Good Bar-B-Que and Soul Food sits in a colorful bungalow near Ybor City in Tampa. It’s a counter-serve mainstay known for Tennessee-style barbecue dinners.
Pulled pork and smoked sausage are big draws, and portions run generous. Smoked ribs get plenty of love as well.
Hungry for variety? Aunt Mary’s Triple Play Combo lets you sample more than one meat in a single order.
Soul food fills out the rest of the menu beautifully. Jean Ann’s Lip-Smacking Baked Beans and Ericka’s Spicy Collard Greens make strong partners.
Joanna’s Rise and Shine Cornbread adds a sweet, crumbly touch. Maze’s Serve-It-Up Yellow Rice and Chicken nods to a Tampa classic.
Homemade banana pudding closes things out on a soft, creamy note. It’s the kind of dessert that feels like a hug.
Plan your timing carefully, since hours are short. The doors stay closed Mondays and Tuesdays, and evenings wrap up early.
Outdoor seating gives you a chance to eat in the fresh air. Takeout and catering are options, too.
Pair your meal with a stroll through historic Ybor City afterward. Your walk will help make room for that pudding you definitely ordered.
Address: 2302 E 7th Ave, Tampa, FL 33605
4. Treehouse BBQ
Brisket grilled cheese might be the most St. Pete idea ever. Laid-back, a little playful, and seriously satisfying.
Treehouse BBQ focuses on small-batch smoking in St. Petersburg. Brisket, ribs, and pulled pork make up the core lineup.
Small batches mean the smoker isn’t trying to feed an army at once. That careful approach suits a lunch-only schedule.
About that schedule, take notes. The doors open Thursday through Sunday, from late morning until mid-afternoon.
Pulled pork shows up in clever ways beyond a basic plate. A pulled pork quesadilla brings cheesy crunch to smoky meat.
Prefer the straightforward route? The Pulled Pork Plate keeps it simple and filling.
Sides lean classic and comforting. Look for mac and cheese, potato salad, baked beans, and cornbread muffins.
Pulled chicken is another option if pork isn’t your thing. It’s nice to have a lighter choice in the mix.
Treehouse BBQ also runs catering, so keep it in mind for parties. Feeding a crowd gets a lot easier with a smoker on your side.
Outdoor seating lets you enjoy that famous Florida sunshine while you eat. Takeout works well if a park picnic sounds better.
Since hours are limited, arrive earlier rather than later. Small-batch smoking means popular items could run out.
Address: 229 62nd Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33702
5. Uncle Tony’s Backyard Barbecue
Fried cabbage rarely gets top billing at a barbecue joint. In south Orlando, it’s one of the sides worth chasing.
Uncle Tony’s Backyard Barbecue serves Southern-style, slow-smoked meats with home-style sides. Homemade sauces tie the whole plate together.
Spare ribs, brisket, pulled pork, and pulled chicken lead the smoked lineup. A smoked chicken leg and thigh is another hearty option.
Burger fans get plenty to work with, too. The Hoss Burger and Mac Daddy Burger both sound ready for a big appetite.
Can’t decide? Sampler trios make choosing easier, with a Burger Slider Trio and a Taco Sampler Trio on the menu.
Cornbread and garlic toast round out the side options nicely. There’s even a full vegetarian menu for friends who skip meat.
Game day? The spot works well for watching sports, so you can cheer with sauce on your fingers.
Families will appreciate the kids’ menu and high chairs. Reservations are accepted, which helps when you’re bringing a group.
Hours run Tuesday through Saturday, closing in the early evening. Mondays and Sundays are off, so plan around that.
Friday afternoons and Saturdays get busiest. Tuesday or Wednesday is a smart choice if you like a quieter table.
It’s a nice break from theme park food, and you won’t need a ticket.
Address: 6807 S Orange Ave Ste. 110, Orlando, FL 32809
6. Cecil’s Texas Style Bar-B-Q
Free ice cream cones after barbecue? Somebody at this Orlando roadhouse clearly understands happiness.
Cecil’s Texas Style Bar-B-Q keeps things down-home and easy. You line up cafeteria-style, point at what you want, and grab your tray.
No table service here, and that’s part of the fun. It moves quickly and feels like a classic Texas joint.
Brisket leads the charge, with pulled pork and hot links close behind. The Rib 3 Bone Dinner comes with two sides for a complete meal.
Craving something smaller? Three sliders give you a sampler-style option without overdoing it.
Side choices cover the comfort basics. Beans, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, and cornbread all make appearances.
Sweet potato souffle brings a soft, sweet contrast to smoky meat. Jalapeno poppers add a little heat for spice lovers.
The dining room keeps a neat, clean feel. It’s casual enough for a quick lunch break or a relaxed family dinner.
Thursday afternoons tend to be the busiest time. Early weekday evenings are usually calmer.
Kids’ menus and high chairs make it easy for families. Delivery, including no-contact delivery, works when staying in sounds better.
Just remember, that ice cream cone tastes best when you eat it on-site. Consider it dessert with a side of tradition.
Address: 2800 S Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32806
7. Yellow Rose BBQ
Texas barbecue and Tex-Mex flavor walk into a Jacksonville kitchen. The result is a crispy quesa brisket taco you’ll want to repeat.
Yellow Rose BBQ calls itself Texas-style, with smoked brisket at the center. Creative tacos give the menu a fun personality.
Going big? The Pitmaster Platter is built for serious appetites.
A BBQ Plate offers a more classic setup. Pulled pork is also on the board for pork fans.
Sides keep the Tex-Mex theme going strong. Charro beans and Tex Mex cornbread bring bold flavor to the table.
Elote pasta salad is a clever twist on Mexican street corn. Coleslaw adds a cool, crunchy balance.
Curbside pickup makes busy nights much easier. Delivery and takeout are options, too.
Outdoor seating is available, and dogs can join you outside. Your pup will probably beg for brisket, so stay strong.
The kitchen is closed Mondays and opens Tuesday through Sunday. Sundays close a bit earlier than the rest of the week.
Weekend afternoons and evenings draw the biggest crowds. Weekday mornings are the quietest stretch.
Located along San Jose Boulevard, it’s an easy stop on the south side of town. Bring friends so you can share more tacos.
Address: 9965 San Jose Blvd #48, Jacksonville, FL 32257
8. Brisky’s BBQ
Datil peppers are a St. Augustine legend, and they show up right where you’d hope. The Datil Brisket Bowl gives local flavor a smoky stage.
Brisky’s BBQ serves smoked meats and classic comfort sides in an easygoing setting. Brisket is the star, and the name makes that pretty obvious.
Beyond the bowl, you’ll find brisket tacos for a handheld option. Ribs, pork, and turkey also come off the smoker.
Brunswick stew is a hearty Southern classic worth trying. It’s thick, filling, and great on a cooler day.
The side list reads like a family reunion. Mac and cheese, collard greens, okra, baked beans, and potato salad all make the cut.
Corn nuggets are a fun, creamy bite you don’t see everywhere. Grab a few for the table.
House BBQ sauces let you tweak each bite your way. Try a couple and pick your favorite.
Banana pudding is the dessert to remember here. Sweet, soft, and an easy reason to stay a little longer.
Hours run Monday through Saturday, closing in the early evening. Sundays are off, so plan your visit accordingly.
Reservations are accepted, which is handy for groups. Afternoons get busy, especially toward the weekend.
It’s a tasty break after exploring the oldest city in Florida. History and brisket make a great combo.
Address: 3009 N Ponce De Leon Blvd, St. Augustine, FL 32084
9. Pearl Country Store & Barbecue
Breakfast starts at 6 a.m. at this Micanopy country store, with barbecue service following at 10:30 a.m. Biscuits and gravy give early arrivals a reason to stop before the brisket is served. At this Micanopy country store, breakfast and barbecue share the same counter.
Pearl Country Store and Barbecue serves smoked meats inside a country store setting. It’s a charming mix of quick stop and serious smokehouse.
Morning visitors can grab biscuits and gravy with coffee. A BLT also makes the menu for simpler cravings.
Later in the day, the smoker takes over. Beef brisket, billed as the Best Side of Texas, leads the lineup.
Pork ribs and pulled pork come in generous portions. Rotisserie smoked chicken is another tasty pick.
Hungry for two meats? The Ribs and Quarter Chicken combo covers both.
House-made BBQ sauces are a big part of the appeal. Slather them on and see which one wins you over.
Burnt ends are available by special request only. Ask nicely and you might score a smoky treat.
Sides include mac and cheese and slaw. Pies make a sweet ending, too.
Hours run early every day, with later closing times Friday through Sunday. Weekend afternoons tend to be the busiest.
Outdoor seating is available, and dogs are welcome outside. It’s an easy detour while driving through north central Florida.
Address: 106 NE Hwy 441 A, Micanopy, FL 32667
10. Evie Maes Pit Barbecue
Beef ribs with a pond view sound like a vacation postcard. Along the Emerald Coast, that’s just lunch.
Evie Maes Pit Barbecue serves Texas-style barbecue in Miramar Beach. A scenic patio overlooks a pond, giving your meal a calm backdrop.
Signature brisket is the main event. Bountiful beef ribs bring the big, meaty energy Texas barbecue is known for.
Want a sampler? A plate of brisket with collard greens and potato salad covers the basics well.
Half chicken and a half rack of ribs are other solid choices. Pulled pork is on the menu as well.
Gluten-free diners get extra attention here. Many sides are gluten-free, which makes ordering much easier.
Cornbread rounds out the plate with a little sweetness. It’s perfect for mopping up sauce.
Dessert can even come home with you. The GF Take and Bake Peach Cobbler lets you bake it fresh later.
Hours run Tuesday through Saturday, with shorter Sunday hours. Mondays are off.
Families will find high chairs and changing tables. Dogs are welcome outside on the patio.
After a beach day, it’s a smart stop for something hearty. Grab extra napkins, because beef ribs mean business.
Address: 11610 Emerald Coast Pkwy W, Miramar Beach, FL 32550