Best BBQ Restaurants on Hilton Head Island
Bullies BBQ is known for ribs and jalapeño cornbread, One Hot Mama’s is on the SC BBQ Trail and The Smokehouse has served barbecue since 1999.
Barbecue restaurants
Smoked meats and Southern sides, and all five are walk-in.
Counter-service smokehouse known for its ribs, pulled pork and jalapeño cornbread, with five house sauces and a Family Pack that feeds 8 to 10. Closed Sunday.
Wings, brisket and baby back ribs from a South Carolina BBQ Trail stop with a shaded patio. Walk-in only, so expect a wait at peak times.
Barbecue since 1999, with ribs and brisket in a TV-lined dining room, a rooftop bar, and a putting green and cornhole outside for the wait.
Brisket, pulled pork and burnt end beans in Coligny Plaza, close to the beach. Order at the counter; open Wednesday to Sunday.
Ribs and BBQ platters in the Palmetto Dunes golf clubhouse, open to the public from 7 a.m., with a deck over the course and pickup catering.
Korean BBQ
Grill-it-yourself Korean barbecue is a different meal from Southern smokehouse BBQ, and a good one for a group.
All-you-can-eat Korean BBQ cooked on a grill in the table, with hot pot as well, tablet ordering and a dessert bar.
About this list
Hilton Head BBQ runs from a counter-service smokehouse with checkered tablecloths to a sports bar with a rooftop deck, and every one of these places is casual and walk-in. Several sell family packs, take online orders or cater, which makes barbecue an easy dinner for a rental house or a beach picnic.
The sauces lean South Carolina: Bullies BBQ keeps Carolina mustard and Carolina vinegar sauces on the counter next to a sweet Texas-style one, and One Hot Mama’s is a stop on the South Carolina BBQ Trail. If the group also wants a game on TV or a kids menu, the sports bars and family-friendly restaurants lists overlap with this one.
More ways to choose where to eat
Kid friendly restaurants Hilton Head Island: playgrounds, lawn games, kids menus, game rooms and early-bird dinners for a family vacation.
Sports bars Hilton Head South Carolina: where to watch the game, from Ohio State and Chicago bars to a resort screen wall, with phone numbers.
Sushi Hilton Head guide: sushi bars, hibachi grills, Chinese, Thai, Korean BBQ and poke restaurants, with what each serves and phone numbers.
Every barbecue restaurant on the island in one list, with ratings, phone numbers and how to reserve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Updated
Where is the best BBQ on Hilton Head?
Bullies BBQ and One Hot Mama’s get the strongest reviews for ribs and brisket. The Smokehouse has served barbecue on the island since 1999, and Slowcountry BBQ is the closest to Coligny Beach.
Do Hilton Head BBQ restaurants take reservations?
No. Bullies BBQ, One Hot Mama’s, The Smokehouse, Slowcountry BBQ and Big Jim’s are all walk-in. For a large group at 843 Korean BBQ, call ahead.
Which BBQ places do takeout or catering?
Bullies BBQ takes online orders for pickup or delivery and caters. One Hot Mama’s and The Smokehouse take online orders, Slowcountry BBQ does carryout and delivery, and Big Jim’s does pickup catering with 48 hours’ notice.
Is there BBQ open on Sunday?
Yes. One Hot Mama’s, The Smokehouse, Slowcountry BBQ and Big Jim’s are open on Sunday. Bullies BBQ is closed Sunday.
Is there Korean BBQ on Hilton Head?
Yes. 843 Korean BBQ & Hot Pot at 95 Mathews Drive is all you can eat, with a grill at the table and hot pot too.
Your beach week starts here
Compare villa and beach home prices from local rental companies side by side, and catch last-minute deals before they’re gone.
Property manager? Partner with us