Given that Columbia swelters under a sun that could fry an egg on pavement, we South Carolinians worship at the altar of smoke and fire. A whiff of hickory and we flock like meat-crazed pilgrims. But forget the backyard grill—these spots offer something sacred, something smoky, something truly Carolina.
Barbeque Pit
$ | (803) 543-4453 | WEBSITE
All barbecue joints have their own charm. Sometimes it’s a secret family recipe for sauce, sometimes it’s a unique take on smoked meats, and sometimes it’s a particularly unique way of serving your food. But in the case of Barbeque Pit, it’s their service style where orders are placed outside and food comes through a window. In the middle of Columbia, it’s a no-frills spot that mixes unimpressive exteriors with seriously flavorful barbecue. Think of the overall vibe as quickandtasty.
On the menu you’ll find classic Southern barbecue at unbeatable prices, like the tender ribs with homemade bbq sauce, and a highly recommended dinner with hash, rice, potato salad, and corn nuggets. There’s tasty sides too, like mac n cheese and collards, or if you’re more of a barbecue purist, you can substitute mac n cheese for the hash and rice.
KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot
$$ | (803) 814-0010 | WEBSITE
There are countless all-you-can-eat spots in Columbia that are dedicated to the glorious art of ‘stuffing your face’. You know, hot pot, barbecue, more hot pot, a brief overwhelmed pause when you realize you’ve eaten too much, followed by yet more barbecue and hot pot. But few places do it as well as KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot.
For starters, this place truly manages to encapsulate that vibrant, family-friendly atmosphere of a lively group dinner, thanks to the table stoves, the informative and patient servers like Kerry and Brooklyn who provide great recommendations, and the bustling dining room. Secondly, there’s a wide selection of foods to choose from, but with your favorite people gathered around, you can’t beat the Thai tom yum soup hotpot or the hot bar with delicious fried options.
Just be warned that you only have a 2-hour cooking and dining window so it’s most definitely a pace-yourself situation.
Home Team BBQ
$$ | (803) 724-3900 | WEBSITE
Like a perfectly smoked brisket and a cold craft beer, some things just belong together. The same rule applies to us and barbecue. Put us in a lively space with smoky aromas and our appetite flourishes, especially if said space is Home Team BBQ. Yes, there are several barbecue joints in Columbia but none of them pull-off hearty comfort with a side of satisfying portions like this spot in 5 Points.
Rather than leaning into that whole ‘fancy dining’ thing, they’ve kept things simple with spacious seating and a nice bar that really lets the food speak for itself. The other thing that sets this place apart is the fact that the ribs are genuinely tender. Like, fall-off-the-bone tender. Expect things like family-sized sampler plates, home team salads with perfectly seasoned pork, smoked wings with that perfect char, and importantly, that absolutely 10/10 brisket.
Railroad BBQ
$ | (803) 708-5801 | WEBSITE
Railroad BBQ is a proper smokehouse, a mouthwatering, fall-off-the-bone feast of a restaurant. You don’t come here for the most perfect fine dining or fancy plating in Columbia. No, you come to Railroad BBQ for the best possible barbecue experience in their historic dining room. This place has been the heart and soul of local barbecue for years, with super friendly staff that’ll make you feel welcome, generous portions of John Henry pulled-pork platter, and almost alarmingly tender ribs.
Come with friends, come with family, or come for a celebration. Trust us, you’ll have a satisfying meal.
Big Boys Original Smokehouse
$ | (803) 788-6822 | WEBSITE
Big Boys Original Smokehouse is your friend that actually refused to eat another sad desk salad and saved up for – gasp – real barbecue. Big Boys Original Smokehouse is that mouthwateringly smoky flavor you crave that hits like a summer thunderstorm on a humid, perfect day. Big Boys Original Smokehouse is ordering the brisket instead of the chicken leg, and when we say chicken leg, we do, in fact, mean it’s still incredible. What we’re saying is, Big Boys Original Smokehouse is barbecue paradise.
A welcoming smokehouse set in Columbia, you can come here and eat glorious things like pig feet with that distinct smoky flavor and turkey wings smothered with spicy, mustard-based sauce, whilst being surrounded by a kid-friendly atmosphere. Then you can go and load up on sides – god we love loading up on sides – like their homemade Mac and cheese and fresh cut collards. See, undeniable, charming, smoky heaven.
Big Bull’s Bang’n BBQ and Southern Comfort Food
$ | (803) 479-4475 | WEBSITE
Sometimes you want your barbecue joints to serve as a kind of quiet escape from the daily grind – see those fancy sit-down spots with white tablecloths – and then sometimes you want a barbecue situation that celebrates Southern cooking in all of its messy, flavorful, glorious tradition. Case in point: Big Bull’s Bang’n BBQ.
A small but bustling spot with limited seating that feels like a true neighborhood find, you can easily become a little teary-eyed about how much you love this humble, incredible food while you dig into some perfect brisket here. Don’t worry, you can channel all those feelings into a plate of those fried pork chops or some tender ribs with that hot sauce. Finish with a slice of candied cornbread for that full comfort food feeling.
Doc’s Barbeque
$ | (803) 799-1532 | WEBSITE
If you have trust issues around finding good barbecue in Columbia, then, honestly, same. But you don’t need to stress about the search if you’re heading for a meal at Doc’s Barbeque, because they have a delicious buffet that’s loaded with options and served with that ever-welcoming Southern hospitality. Although realistically the setup is just the tip of the satisfying dining iceberg here, because it’s the food that truly makes this spot pure comfort.
They’re serving all of their country-style favourites from their classic menu, including the tender pulled pork barbecue, the out-of-this-world fried chicken, and their catfish and hash which we have spoken about more than the weather and the comfort-level of jeans combined.
Palmetto Pig Bar-B-Q Restaurant
$ | (803) 733-2556 | WEBSITE
Eating at buffets, once a pastime held by families on tight budgets and those craving comfort, is now one of the best ways to spend an afternoon in Columbia thanks to Palmetto Pig. This traditional hometown spot has been serving up classic Southern BBQ since it opened and the rest is local dining history. Yes, there are all-you-can-eat plates and friendly service, but it’s the sheer variety of flavors that makes this place feel so special.
Come lunchtime when the tables are full and the banana pudding is fresh, it feels like the only meal in Columbia you want to be part of. Plus, the BBQ offerings are great, and they’re all about scratch-made sides so it’s 10 times better than that basic barbecue situation you’d throw together at home.
Maurice’s BBQ Piggie Park
$ | (803) 788-5661 | WEBSITE
Barbecue lovers can be particular folks. Give us smoked meat, tangy sauce, and the promise of a hearty plate and we’ll be there as soon as the craving hits. But Maurice’s BBQ Piggie Park is a Columbia spot that’s stood the test of time. One of South Carolina’s OG mustard-based barbecue joints, this place really does commit to creating The Authentic Experience.
Every visit feels consistent, with standout dishes like their signature South Carolina mustard BBQ, pork hash, brisket, and Mac and cheese. Sure the history might be complex, but the main thing you need to know is that their staff’s dedication is one of the reasons to return and the food quality is always absolutely undeniable. If you’re a fan of smoked perfection and having a genuinely satisfying meal, then their barbecue plates are a must.
Big T’s Bar-B-Que
$ | (803) 776-7132 | WEBSITE
Warning: Big T’s Bar-B-Que involves a lot of meat. Honestly, a couple of times we’ve been here, we’ve thought we might need a bigger stomach to handle their generous, multi-plate portions. Everyone that knows and loves this Columbia local will have a favorite dish – and sauce – that they’re willing to fight for. And when we say fight, we mean passive aggressively eye the last rib until it’s available.
Although the extensive menu of BBQ here won’t change your life, it’s a prime location for several plates or a lowkey family dinner. Just don’t get too stuffed. Those portions require at least a mild awareness of your own capacity.
Midwood Smokehouse
$ | (803) 764-1231 | WEBSITE
Many of Columbia’s BBQ joints serve up decent pulled pork where you can hope the sauce covers up the dryness and pray the coleslaw isn’t drowning in mayo, but our all-time favourite smokehouse is this one in the city. Directly overlooking the bustling dining room with its rustic wood accents and warm lighting, it’s the perfect spot to dig into something delicious involving brisket whilst enjoying the lively chatter and clinking glasses that create a comforting restaurant ASMR.
Although they’re strictly a first-come-first-served operation with no reservations, any wait for a table is worth it for what is arguably the most glorious way you can spend a Saturday evening in Columbia—especially when you snag one of their outdoor patio seats on a pleasant night.
Little Pigs Barbecue
$ | (803) 788-8238 | WEBSITE
There are many reasons why Columbians go categorically ape-shit for barbecue. We’re a city with a deep appreciation for slow-smoked meats and who lovingly chant ‘more sauce’ every single time we so much as see a pulled pork sandwich. Bless our hearts. Enter Little Pigs Barbecue, a spot that’s been around for years and has become a favorite for visitors and locals alike.
Inside you can sit at simple wooden tables and make your way through their menu of things like pulled pork, hash and rice, collards, mac and cheese, hush puppies, and fried fish. If you’re haunted by dry brisket or just don’t really trust anything without a smoke ring, then know that they also have first-rate staff and awesome service that’s perfect for a plate of good southern cooking.
Golden Dragon
$ | (803) 781-3251 | WEBSITE
We agree with the devotees. Heaven is a place in Columbia. And guess what, it’s called Golden Dragon. This Chinese cuisine specialist spot in a modest storefront has an interior that feels distinctly authentic Cantonese meets worn-down charm, complete with simple tables and arguably some of the best flavors in South Carolina going. That being said, you shouldn’t dismiss Golden Dragon as just a humble face.
It’s home to Columbia’s best crispy roasted duck, wonderful attentive staff, and for a satisfying meal, you can’t get better than their Hunan chicken combined with braised eggplant and that soul-lighting spice.
Johnson’s Restaurant
$ | (803) 735-1622 | WEBSITE
Remember five minutes ago when we were telling you that Columbia has some serious barbeque spots? Well, there’s this roadside gem that we think also deserves the high accolade as one of the city’s most satisfying burger joints. Johnson’s Restaurant is basically what would happen if a classic diner and a backyard grill had a delicious baby that serves huge, juicy burgers and perfectly cooked wings.
Set in a spot that’s honestly seen better days – seriously how authentic is that – this restaurant is undeniably affordable but it’s entirely worth it for a quick bite or a road trip stop where you’re looking to fill up through the medium of generous portions and friendly service from Mr. Johnson and his team.
Greenes Bar-BQ
$ | (803) 337-6127 | WEBSITE
Greenes Bar-BQ is an absolute institution. No, not in the way that you’re ‘an institution’ when you find a parking spot right out front, this place is actually foundational. A Columbia staple that’s been serving the mature crowd for years, this spot is the blueprint for grown-and-sophisticated barbecue joints in South Carolina. We’re talking fantastic margaritas, New Yorker Surprise cocktails, scrumptious barbecue, and an atmosphere so beloved it even has its own police presence.
The lively sophisticated interior is where you want to be spending your time – and money – here. With the DJ playing to a mix of ages and a plate of $18 pulled pork in front of you that tastes like it’s been smoked in the essence of pure comfort, Greenes Bar-BQ is still the spot for a truly memorable special occasion.