The Original Q-Shack is one of The 15 Best Places for Barbecue in Durham.

1. The Original Q-Shack

8.8
2510 University Dr (at Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd), Durham, NC
BBQ Joint · 67 tips and reviews

Kipp B.Kipp Bodnar: Brisket and Rib combo is the bomb get some Mac and Cheese too.

Triangle Real Estate G.Triangle Real Estate Group: Really good BBQ (and alternatives for the picky eater in your group)

Jason B.Jason Baxter: Beef brisket is excellent sliced or chopped. Mac and cheese is the right mix of cheesy and crispy on top.

Backyard BBQ Pit is one of The 15 Best Places for Barbecue in Durham.

2. Backyard BBQ Pit

8.1
5122 NC Highway 55, Durham, NC
BBQ Joint · 73 tips and reviews

India J.India Johnson: Get the pineapple lemonade!!! And the pork bbq and ribs are great!!! Best bbq in Durham!!!

Paul M.Paul McLanahan: Pulled pork, green beans, collard greens, mac and cheese, it's all amazing.

Kathy H.Kathy Hite: My favorite is the BBQ sandwich special with green beans and Brunswick stew.

City Barbeque is one of The 15 Best Places for Barbecue in Durham.

3. City Barbeque

8.7
208 West N Carolina 54, Durham, NC
American Restaurant · 20 tips and reviews

Stephni H.Stephni Hill: Love the BBQ chicken and corn pudding

Kyle F.Kyle Fowler: Superb BBQ, best I've had in Durham. Both the pulled pork and brisket were really well done. Even the Texas toast was top notch.

DanDan: One of the best BBQ places in Durham. Delicious brisket, A+ service, and a much better BBQ than other local places like The Pit or The Q-Shack.

Blue Note Grill is one of The 15 Best Places for Barbecue in Durham.

4. Blue Note Grill

8.5
709 Washington St (Westgate Dr), Durham, NC
BBQ Joint · Warehouse District · 26 tips and reviews

Jamal W.Jamal Woods: Ribs are AMAZING!

Reid B.Reid Barwick: Local! Great BBQ options cook with patience and tenderness!

Karen P.Karen Poole: Best Blues and BBQ in Durham!

Bullock's Bar-B-Cue is one of The 15 Best Places for Barbecue in Durham.

5. Bullock's Bar-B-Cue

7.6
3330 Quebec Dr (at Mountainview Ave.), Durham, NC
BBQ Joint · 23 tips and reviews

Linda R.Linda Roggli: The Queen Mother of NC BBQ joints, but a nasty rumor says they now buy their bar-be-que from someone else. ACK. Try family style -- all you can eat bbq, fried chicken, beans, slaw, FF, Brunswick Stew.

Mark P.Mark Poblete: No-nonsense authentic (as best I can tell) NC-style barbecue. Cash only.

Megan K.Megan K: delicious hush puppies and BBQ sandwich. Really friendly staff. Glad we stopped here

The Pit is one of The 15 Best Places for Barbecue in Durham.

6. The Pit

7.3
321 W Geer St (at Rigsbee Ave), Durham, NC
BBQ Joint · 51 tips and reviews

TiffanyTiffany: Amazing. Craft beer selection is fantastic. Try the short rib and don't miss the wings or the banana pudding. Will be back!

Jordan G.Jordan Groseclose: So glad the pit expanded to Durham. Delicious BBQ in an upscale atmosphere! Sit on the rooftop when it's warm for a perfect view of Downtown Durham!

Bogdana B.Bogdana B: Some of the best baby back ribs I've had in a while! Also super yummy catfish and a very tasty IPA! On top of that, very good service and super hip ambiance! A must!

Picnic is one of The 15 Best Places for Barbecue in Durham.

7. Picnic

8.5
1647 Cole Mill Rd, Durham, NC
BBQ Joint · 10 tips and reviews

Matthew C.Matthew Clark: The staff was very friendly. The food was unique and very fresh! Some of the best BBQ in Durham!!!

Tobias K.Tobias K: Best pulled pork I’ve ever had. The brisket and sides were just ok. But pulled pork is what matters for NC, and that was great.

Greg P.Greg Price: Ribs are fabulous. The whole-hog pulled pork is excellent, but the ribs are fall-off-the-bone tender and the best I've ever had. (Don't tell my family in Texas.)

Johnson Family Barbecue is one of The 15 Best Places for Barbecue in Durham.

8. Johnson Family Barbecue

7.6
5021 Wake Forest Rd Ste A, Durham, NC
BBQ Joint · 16 tips and reviews

Tim M.Tim McLain: Delicious, fresh Carolina BBQ. Blows away Smithfield's with authentic flavor, matched by excellent hush puppies and Brunswick stew.

J M.J McGee: Keep trying, but can't get into NC BBQ. Better than avg tho, and hushpuppies, brunswick stew and service are exceptional! Good, small joint.

X Y.X Y: Best BBQ plate!

Danny's Bar-B-Que is one of The 15 Best Places for Barbecue in Durham.

9. Danny's Bar-B-Que

8.5
2945 S Miami Blvd #118 (at TW Alexander Dr), Durham, NC
BBQ Joint · 11 tips and reviews

Brad D.Brad D: This is the best smoked barbecue and turkey in the area. Everything on the menu is great! Read more.

Chris C.Chris C.: Sliced beef brisket is the best.

Gregg J.Gregg Jordan: Great place! Pulled pork and brisket are excellent! Sauces are really good.. Very fast service even when the restaurant is full.. Affordable too!

Thai Cafe is one of The 15 Best Places for Barbecue in Durham.

10. Thai Cafe

7.9
2501 University Dr (at Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd), Durham, NC
Thai Restaurant · 33 tips and reviews

Rhonda S.Rhonda Sarmento: The BBQ chicken and fried rice was amazing!

Dale B.Dale Burkett: +1 for the BBQ Chicken!!!

brian l.brian lawson: Great food. Favorite is Thai BBQ Chicken. Enjoy some.

Luna Rotisserie & Empanadas is one of The 15 Best Places for Barbecue in Durham.

11. Luna Rotisserie & Empanadas

8.6
112 W Main St (Mangum), Durham, NC
Peruvian Restaurant · 11 tips and reviews

David H.David Heiser: Bourbon pecan dessert empanadas are ridiculous. Also, the patacon pisao with brisket is fantastic. Reminds me of the jibaritos at Puerto Rican restaurants in Chicago!

Matthew C.Matthew Clark: The beef brisket patacon piaso was amazing!!!

MarionMarion: The patacon pisau (sandwich with sweet plantain patties as buns) are delicious and unlike anything I've had elsewhere. Arepas and empanadas are also solid.

Cook Out is one of The 15 Best Places for Barbecue in Durham.

12. Cook Out

8.7
3624 Hillsborough Rd (at Cole Mill Rd.), Durham, NC
Burger Joint · 41 tips and reviews

Courtney S.Courtney Smith: The watermelon milkshakes are amazing. AMAZING. But they're only available in the summer. Pair it with a cheddar style burger or BBQ sandwich. Next best thing? Peach cobbler milkshake. Delish.

Graham S.Graham Strother: Can't go wrong with a combo tray! I suggest the bbq sandwich, onion rings, and corndog with a side of yellow mustard. Choose a huge sweet tea or an awesome shake for your drink. Good & cheap!

Alan C.Alan Chen: BBQ sandwich soo good

Mez Contemporary Mexican is one of The 15 Best Places for Barbecue in Durham.

13. Mez Contemporary Mexican

7.7
5410 Page Rd (at Slater Rd), Durham, NC
Mexican Restaurant · 72 tips and reviews

Bob S.Bob Smith: The beef brisket is basically amazing.

Shane B.Shane Bailey: Awesome brisket tacos!

Vincent L.Vincent Lancaster: First visit, had the brisket...OMG!...so tender, so flavorful, so friggin good! Great accompaniment of butternut squash and kale!

Burger Bach is one of The 15 Best Places for Barbecue in Durham.

14. Burger Bach

9.2
737-220 9th St, Durham, NC
Gastropub · 23 tips and reviews

MarionMarion: The East Coast burger - with blueberry chipotle BBQ sauce - is fantastic. Next time I'll have to get a lamb burger!

DanDan: Terrific burgers and great selection of sauces for their fries. The Blueberry chipotle BBQ is incredible on fries or a burger.

Heather B.Heather Bailiff: Unique burgers, grass fed. Great draft beer selection. Nice patio area. Friendly bar staff.

Dashi Ramen / Izakaya is one of The 15 Best Places for Barbecue in Durham.

15. Dashi Ramen / Izakaya

8.4
415 E Chapel Hill St (Mangum St.), Durham, NC
Noodle Restaurant · 27 tips and reviews

Kate M.Kate Maeda: My daughter & I shared a "Shoyu"-broth, noodles, pulled pork, pickled turnips and more things than I can list. All of them were good, fresh and tasty. But I'd be happy with just broth, pork & noodles

Jeremy F.Jeremy Fisher: Shoyu ramen is great, incorporates flavors of North Carolina (whole hog barbecue, mustard greens etc)

DanDan: A great place to grab some tasty bites or a hearty bowl of ramen. Very cool inside.