You don’t have to travel far for the best BBQ in Toronto. Southern states like Texas and North Carolina might steal many of the meaty headlines, but Toronto has carved out a BBQ scene all of its own, inspired by whole-hog roasts, slow-cooked brisket and molasses-glazed meats.
The Carbon Bar was one of the first to introduce the city to Southern BBQ, but now there are new restaurants opening in Toronto all the time slinging those deliciously smoky flavours. With some of the best restaurants in Toronto serve pitmaster platters alongside seafood towers and neighbourhood pop-ups are smoking ribs on street-side Toronto patios, the best BBQ in Toronto can be found in every corner of the city.
While you’re there, indulge in soul-hugging sides. Think gooey mac n’cheese, buttery cornbread, tangy slaw, baked beans and all the fixings that turn a barbecue feast into a memorable meal.
Give your backyard BBQ a rest and satisfy your cravings with fall-off-the-bone ribs, perfectly charred chicken wings and all the classics — the best BBQ in Toronto certainly delivers.
Where to get the best BBQ in Toronto
1. Cascabel BBQ
218 Geary Ave.
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Follow the steady rhythm of music and the scent of wood smoke to Geary Avenue, where Cascabel BBQ has set up shop on the sun-drenched patio of Paradise Grapevine Winery, just for this summer.
This operation is a collaboration between chefs Matt Bod (of the live-fire Slowpoke Project) and Mariel González (of Catrina’s Kitchen), who have teamed up to introduce Toronto to the world of charcoal and wood-fired Mexican street-style barbecue. Everything here is cooked over an open flame, and the absolute crown jewel of the regular menu is their smoked beef cheek taco, which spends four hours in the smoker before a four-hour confit bath in beef tallow for a rich, melt-in-your-mouth finish.
Planning a bigger gathering? You can host your next event at the winery and gain access to a special Cascabel party pre-order menu. That means you can feast on a spectacular, whole reverse-seared picaña served with aguachile that's perfect for sharing.
Whether you're dropping by for a casual evening of natural wine and smoky tacos or booking out the space for a massive celebration, it’s the ultimate summer hangout to experience some of the best BBQ Toronto has to offer.
2. Cherry Street Bar-B-Que
275 Cherry St.
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Cherry Street Bar-B-Que's glowing red neon sign acts like a beacon for meat lovers on the hunt for the best BBQ in Toronto. Housed in a historic 1920s bank building, this four-time Michelin Bib Gourmand staple is helmed by pitmaster Lawrence La Pianta, whose years competing on the prestigious Kansas City Barbeque Society circuit are evident in every bite.
Working out of a custom-designed shipping container pit right on the patio, La Pianta and his team smoke everything over white oak using time-honoured Southern traditions. The result is a masterclass in regional styles: Texas-style beef brisket with a perfect bark, house-made sausage links, and St. Louis-style side ribs. The sleeper hits here are the whole chicken wings, smoked low and slow before getting a quick deep-fry for maximum crunch.
Pair your platter with classic comfort sides like the decadent, American-cheddar-drenched mac and cheese, sweet cornbread muffins brushed with maple butter, or the smoky brisket beans. Grab a seat on the sun-soaked patio with an ice-cold beer, but be warned: Weekend crowds move fast, and when the pit is empty, the kitchen closes.
3. Benny's Barbecue
2409 Yonge St. Unit 106
Tucked just north of Yonge and Eglinton, Benny’s Barbecue is Midtown’s definitive answer to low-and-slow, Texas-inspired smoke, serving up some of the best Toronto BBQ bites with a craft smokehouse twist.
Founder and chef Benny Slan channels a lifelong obsession with backyard smoking into a menu that treats meat with absolute reverence. Slan and his team rely on wood fire, simple seasonings and a massive dose of patience to let the natural flavours shine.
The undisputed star of the show is the AAA Canadian Prime beef brisket, rubbed and smoked for up to 14 hours until it boasts a peppery bark and a succulent texture. The supporting lineup is equally impressive: Think juicy turkey breast finished with a sweet chipotle rub, smoky St. Louis-style side ribs slicked in a tangy vinegar-based glaze, and snappy, house-made jalapeño cheddar sausage links.
On the weekends, keep an eye out for special treats like their rich pork belly burnt ends or crispy smoked-and-fried wings. Round out your tray with classic comfort sides like creamy macaroni salad or sweet mini cornbread, but don't wait too late in the day — once a batch sells out, the pit is closed.
4. Barque Smokehouse
299 Roncesvalles Ave.
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Many traditional pits lean into rustic, roadside aesthetic; Barque Smokehouse has spent over a decade perfecting the art of "refined barbecue" inside a sleek, family-friendly west end dining room. Their approach is rooted in scratch cooking and competition-style techniques, yielding 12-hour-smoked angus beef brisket with a gorgeous bark and fall-off-the-bone, baby-back ribs slicked in their signature sauce.
If you’re coming with a crew, the massive sampler lets you try the hits alongside favourites like their thick-cut, grilled-to-order smoked beef salami. Beyond the meat, this spot cements its place among the best BBQ Toronto foodies can find by delivering a next-level lineup of sides, like their homemade dill pickle pork rinds and pimento mac and cheese.
Barque delivers a polished, sit-down smokehouse experience that remains a cornerstone of the Roncesvalles food scene. If you’re in Midtown, they’ve paired up with XO Bisous for an authentic Southern Ontario BBQ meets classic patisserie collab.
5. The Carbon Bar
99 Queen St. E.
A decade after introducing the Big Smoke to Texas-style barbecue, The Carbon Bar remains home to some of the best BBQ in Toronto. What sets it apart is its ability to pair expertly smoked brisket and St. Louis-style ribs with the polish and sophistication of a modern dining room. Inspired by Texas barbecue traditions and anchored by premium meats, white oak smoke and meticulous cooking technique, Carbon Bar has raised the genre beyond takeaway containers and picnic tables.
Craft cocktails, fresh seafood and chef-driven sides — seriously, the mac and cheese still occupies too much space in our brains — round out the experience. The result is one of the city’s most iconic restaurants, satisfying barbecue purists while offering a more refined experience than the typical smokehouse.
6. Smoque n Bones
Multiple locations
It’s the BBQ sauce-slathered, lick-every-finger ribs and the maple sugar smoked chicken wings that make Smoque n Bones easily one of the best BBQ spots in Toronto, but there are so many crushable items on their menu. Bring a bunch of friends or family and go for a full feast — their shareable party platters let you try the best of their Southern-inspired, made-from-scratch, traditional BBQ.
While smoked meats are their specialty, this rustic-chic BBQ spot also knocks it out of the park with their sides. The brussels sprouts, soaked in a sweet and tangy cast-aged reduced balsamic vinegar glaze with caramelized onions, are the best you’ll ever have. They also serve plenty of whisky-based cocktails, natch.
7. King Smoke House BBQ
1298 Danforth Ave.
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On any given weekend, Greenwood Station has two streams of traffic: commuters and hungry carnivores. Follow the latter and you’ll find a lineup snaking around the patio of the Linnsmore Tavern, drawn in by the scent of smoke and slow-cooked meat from King Smoke House BBQ.
The operation belongs to pit master Trevor David, whose obsession with North Carolina barbecue and smokehouse culture eventually led him to build a loyal following of his own. Working from the lovingly named “Smokeanator,” David turns out beef ribs, tender brisket, turkey drumsticks and jerk chicken with just the right amount of char.
Don’t skip the supporting cast: There’s creamy slaw, golden cornbread and other comfort-food essentials built for soaking up smoky juices. King Smoke House serves some of the best BBQ in Toronto from the Linnsmore Tavern patio from Thursday through Sunday. Bring cash or be ready to e-transfer — and maybe arrive early if you’re hoping to beat the queue.
8. Dang Smoke BBQ
4 Greenwood Ave.
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This Leslieville spot for Southern Texas-style smoked ribs and brisket began life as a humble food truck before moving into a space on Greenwood Avenue just off Queen Street East. A life of working in cramped kitchens has prepared them for this small but mighty space, which cranks out succulent beef brisket; creamy mac and cheese; tender, juicy ribs; as well as vegetarian options including squishy sandwiches adorned with slaw.
The owner, Dang Quach, whose name inspired this spot, is making some of the best BBQ in Toronto and is known to experiment with flavour combinations and sauces. But, if you’re not satisfied with his choice of marinades and rubs, customers can customize their meat with sauces and condiments available at the counter.
9. Beach Hill Smokehouse
172 Main St.
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If you find yourself wandering through the Upper Beaches, just follow the irresistible aroma of oak and pecan wood smoke to Main Street. There, you’ll discover Beach Hill Smokehouse, a neighbourhood favourite that ranks among the best BBQ Toronto foodies can find, bringing Central Texas-style barbecue straight to the east side.
Staying fiercely loyal to Lone Star State traditions, the pit masters here skip the heavy sauces in favour of high-quality meats; a simple, perfect spice rub; and plenty of patience. The result is legendary: incredibly tender beef brisket with a flawless smoke ring, juicy pulled pork and savoury smoked sausage that completely live up to the hype. The Southern comfort keeps going with classic sides like creamy mac and cheese, tangy coleslaw and baked beans.
While the original east end spot is still a staple, they’ve expanded with a newer downtown location — and they’ve just launched a food truck, so keep your eyes peeled for smoky goodness on the move this summer. Drop by from Wednesday through Sunday, but be sure to get there early; when the day's batch of brisket sells out, it’s gone.
