7 of the best barbecue cities in Texas – and where to eat in each one

A day spent exploring Texas’ capital city can take you anywhere, from a Renaissance revival landmark to a natural pool filled with fresh water from nearby springs. Suffice to say, there’s a lot to see and it’s hungry work if you’re getting around on foot. Stop in for lunch at LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue, a Michelin-recognised barbecue spot that serves melt-in-your-mouth meats. Menu highlights like the beef cheeks or daily sausage are sure to draw a crowd and sell out early, so make sure you plan your visit (early bird gets the worm). There’s also KG BBQ, a fusion of Egyptian and Texas cuisines from a seasoned pitmaster, Kareem El-Ghayesh, who was so taken with barbecue on his first visit to Austin that he moved his life over from Cairo to start up his own place.

Sydneysiders are in luck as KG BBQ is coming Down Under for the very first time and landing at Surry Hills’ Firedoor for a three-day barbecue takeover this May. Snap up your tickets to feast on a fire-fuelled menu of smoky meats and Egyptian sides or sign up for the special masterclass in barbecue with the pitmaster himself. 

Dallas is rightfully famous for its steakhouses. If you want to stick with the classics, head to Pecan Lodge for Southern comfort food done right, think beef ribs, wings, mac ‘n cheese, and peach cobbler. Or, swing by Slow Bone BBQ, which has been serving up Texas-style barbecue since 2013. The brisket is a standout, but it’s the fried chicken that steals the show. 

Fort Worth’s culinary backbone lies in its long-standing institutions, where tradition and Old West charm still shape the dining experience. Start with a meal at Panther City BBQ, where you can dig into Texas barbecue that regularly ranks among the state’s best (and also being Michelin-recognised).

Then head to the Fort Worth Stockyards, the city’s most famous and photographed destination. Here, you can catch a rodeo, shoot-out show or watch a live cattle drive. 

From vibrant nightlife to world-class eateries, Houston has established itself as a food lover’s paradise. Find your next meal at Truth BBQ where everything’s made from scratch daily, and the menu stays true to the origins of Texas barbecue. For a more inventive take on the classic cuisine, Pinkerton’s Barbecue serves up family recipes that have racked up numerous awards over the years. 

Once you’ve had your fill, stop by one of the finest space museums, NASA’s Space Center Houston, where you can peep more than 400 out-of-this-world artefacts and build your appetite back up.

For a real Texas barbecue experience, book a table at 2M Smokehouse. This family-owned spot offers a Tex-Mex spin on the more traditional brisket-centred barbecue common in South Texas. Thai Curry meets Texas barbecue at Curry Boys BBQ, offering new flavours in the form of a rice bowl. Try the brisket smoke show for an oak-smoked prime brisket paired with a delicious green curry. 

Feeling fuelled up? Explore San Antonio's historic sights like the beautiful (and incredibly long-standing) San Fernando Cathedral, go on a cave tour or simply admire the little things and stroll down the River Walk. 

This hidden gem city is an hour from Austin and one of the oldest in Texas so don't let it fly under you radar. There’s plenty to travel for including the food at Burnt Bean Co. This Michelin Bib Gourmand-recognised spot was opened by two rivals in competition barbecue, before the duo joined forces to create some of the best smoked meats in South Central Texas. Expect a line of loyal customers, but it’s well worth the wait. 

Wash it all down at the beloved watering hole Schultz Saloon and then top off your visit with a look at the world’s largest pecan, which measures five feet long, two and a half feet wide and weighs more than 400 kilograms. 

This quiet town is a popular day trip from Austin and where you’ll find one of the top-ranking barbecue joints in all of Texas. With a long list of accolades, Snows BBQ has a lot to live up to–luckily, it delivers. Only open on Saturdays, this authentic barbecue spot, where brisket, pork steak, pork spare ribs and chicken sausage fill out the menu, is well worth the hype and cult following. 

Ready to dive into all the smoky meat and sweet talkin' that Texas has to offer? Learn more about the Lone Star State and start planning your visit here.