Real barbecue is a patience game. Brisket that spends half a day in the smoker, ribs that pull clean off the bone, burnt ends caramelized to the edge of reason — you can’t fake any of it, and you definitely can’t rush it. New York spent years being told it wasn’t a barbecue town. That argument is over.

From Red Hook to Harlem, pitmasters across the city are turning out smoked meat that would hold its own anywhere. Here are ten BBQ spots in NYC worth the trip, pulled together by @nycfunevents.

The 10 best BBQ spots in NYC

Hometown Bar-B-Que — Red Hook

The name that put NYC barbecue on the map. The trek to Red Hook is part of the experience, and the brisket is the reward.

Bark Barbecue — Bushwick

Bushwick’s smoke game is serious. Come hungry, leave smelling like a campfire in the best possible way.

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que — Harlem

An upstate legend with a Harlem outpost that pulls crowds nightly. The ribs are the headline act.

John Brown BBQ — Long Island City

Queens pitmasters doing brisket and smoked wings the right way — low, slow, and worth the subway ride.

Pig Beach BBQ — Astoria

Backyard vibes with competition-level meat. The kind of place where you order too much and regret nothing.

Royal Rib NYC — Bed-Stuy

A Bed-Stuy standout where the ribs live up to the royal name.

Mable’s Smokehouse — Williamsburg

Classic smokehouse fare in the heart of Williamsburg — brisket, ribs, and all the fixings.

Izzy’s Brooklyn Smokehouse — Crown Heights

Crown Heights’ answer to the barbecue question, and a strong one.

Hill Country Barbecue Market — Flatiron

Texas-style barbecue in Flatiron, market-style. Order at the counter, eat like you mean it.

Morgan’s Brooklyn Barbecue — Prospect Heights

Prospect Heights’ pit stop for smoked everything, steps from the park.

Worth every mile

Barbecue in New York isn’t an imitation of somewhere else anymore — it’s its own thing, built by people who care about the craft. Save this list for your next meat-filled adventure, and send it to the friend who’s always down for brisket.

Still hungry? Check out our 10 hot chicken spots to try in NYC and the best late-night eats in NYC for your after-hours cravings.