Get the Wednesday emailSubscribe

The best BBQ in Charlottesville

The Barbeque Exchange leads our ranking for BBQ in Charlottesville. Readers voted it first in Best of C-VILLE in 2025 and 2026. Mission BBQ and Smoked Kitchen and Tap come next.

  1. 1The Barbeque ExchangeReaders' choice, 2025, 2026
  2. 2Mission BBQReaders' runner-up, 2026
  3. 3Smoked Kitchen and TapReaders' top three, 2025, 2026

11 barbecue spots are open in and around Charlottesville. The top 6 are ranked first; the rest follow.

Showing 1 place: book online. Show all 27

The top 6

How we rank
  1. Vision BBQ and Catering
    Photo: visionbbqcville.com

    4Vision BBQ and Catering

    Barbecue · Charlottesville
    • Finalist in Best of C-VILLE 2025 and 2026 for BBQ, voted by readers [1]
    • #1 on charlottesville.guide's BBQ list [5]

    “Scratch-Made BBQ & Catering in Charlottesville, Virginia. Since opening in 2021, SWaM-certified Vision BBQ & Catering has been serving Charlottesville Southern-style craft barbecue made from scratch.”

    Where
    249 Ridge McIntire Rd, Charlottesville, VA 22903
    Today
    Closed for the day
    Has
    Gluten-free options · Outdoor seating · Takeout · Delivery · Live music · Catering
    All hours
    Mon11 AM to 10 PM
    Tue11 AM to 10 PM
    Wed11 AM to 10 PM
    Thu11 AM to 10 PM
    Fri11 AM to 10 PM
    Sat11 AM to 10 PM
    Sun11 AM to 10 PM

    Checked Oct 5 · Report a change

No longer open

How we rank

Nobody at Guide2 scores the food. The ranking adds up what Charlottesville’s own judges have said in public: readers’ polls count most, then critics’ standing lists, then local press and food writers. Every point is numbered and listed under Sources below. The full method.

When our editor has eaten at these herself, her picks and notes appear at the top of this page.

What changed

Questions

What is the best BBQ in Charlottesville?
The Barbeque Exchange. Won Best of C-VILLE 2025 and 2026 for BBQ, voted by readers. Mission BBQ and Smoked Kitchen and Tap come next.
How many barbecue spots are in Charlottesville?
11 are open in and around Charlottesville as of October 2026: Bulpan Korean BBQ, Ellie's Country Club, Lazy Parrot Backyard BBQ, Mission BBQ, Moe's Original BBQ, Seoul Korean BBQ and Hotpot, The Filling Station, The Whiskey Jar, Twisted Oak Barbecue, Virginia BBQ Co and Vision BBQ and Catering. Within a half-hour drive there are 16 more, in Nellysford, Louisa, Barboursville, Fishersville, Afton, Crozet, Waynesboro, Gordonsville, Batesville, Ruckersville and Palmyra.
Which barbecue spots in Charlottesville take reservations?
1 take online bookings: Vision BBQ and Catering. The rest are walk-in or by phone.
Where can I order BBQ online in Charlottesville?
6 have online ordering on their own websites: Ellie's Country Club, Mission BBQ, Moe's Original BBQ, The Whiskey Jar, Twisted Oak Barbecue and Vision BBQ and Catering.
Is Buck Island BBQ in Charlottesville still open?
No. Buck Island BBQ has closed. For BBQ nearby, see the list above.
Is Hoo's Barbeque in Charlottesville still open?
No. Hoo's Barbeque has closed. For BBQ nearby, see the list above.
Is Jinx's Pit Stop in Charlottesville still open?
No. Jinx's Pit Stop has closed. For BBQ nearby, see the list above.
Is Moe's Original BBQ - Charlottesville - Water Street in Charlottesville still open?
No. Moe's Original BBQ - Charlottesville - Water Street has closed. For BBQ nearby, see the list above.

Sources

  1. 1Best of C-VILLE, Best of C-VILLE 2026: Best BBQ, 2026. Checked Oct 6, 2026.
  2. 2Best of C-VILLE, Best of C-VILLE 2025: Best BBQ, 2025. Checked Oct 6, 2026.
  3. 3I Love CVille, 10 Best BBQ Joints In Central Virginia, March 2017. Checked Oct 6, 2026. Archived copy.
  4. 4Wanderlog, The 12 best BBQ restaurants in Charlottesville. Checked Oct 6, 2026. Archived copy.
  5. 5charlottesville.guide, UrbanGo Listing. Checked Oct 6, 2026. Archived copy.

See something wrong? Read our corrections policy.

More places to eat in Charlottesville

All guides

The weekend, by Wednesday

One email a week with what is on around Charlottesville, sorted by day, with times and prices where the venue gives them. Free.

Run a restaurant, café or brewery?

Listings are free and nobody pays to be ranked. Tell us about new hours, a new menu or an opening, and we update the page.