If you have had the pleasure of eating American BBQ in the USA, you’ll know how amazing it tastes. This is probably one reason why this type of cuisine is so popular in Melbourne.
From Footscray to the CBD there is a good selection of restaurants that serve up authentic and flavoursome barbecue that could easily hold its own in The States.
Whether it be pulled pork, beef brisket, chicken wings or just a good old juicy steak, the best smokehouses in Melbourne feature signature tastes and textures that will draw inspiration from all over the USA.
Below is our recommendation for the 13 Best American BBQ Restaurants in Melbourne. Eat at any of these venues and you won’t be disappointed.
Meatmaiden
Located right in the heart of the CBD, Meatmaiden is a fantastic American steakhouse that is located in a rather eccentric basement space on Little Collins Street.
Firm believers that smoke is an integral ingredient to any good bbq meal, these guys specialise in top-notch grilled and smoked meat cuts.
Sourcing their wagyu beef from the coast of Tasmania, their steaks are dry-aged for up to 40 days in a custom cabinet.
They are also cooked in a custom-built grill and wood-fired smoker over ironbark woodchips that are sourced from the Blue Mountains.
The result is some of the best T-bones you will ever eat, which you can have with a great selection of craft beers or bourbon.
Address: 195 Little Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Phone: +61 3 9078 7747
Trading hours: Mon – Thu 12 pm – 3 pm & 5 pm – 10 pm, Fri – Sat 12 pm – 3 pm & 5 pm – 10:30 pm
Bluestone American BBQ
Heavily influenced by the BBQ traditions of both North and South America, the Bluestone American BBQ literally provides you with an international gastronomic experience.
Alvaro Malel, the head chef, has Uruguayan heritage and draws strong inspiration from America’s bbq belt to bring a unique smokehouse menu to the Melbourne dining scene.
Specifically made for sharing, the portion size here is definitely ‘hearty’ and includes everything from Cuban-inspired pulled pork, to Texan-style brisket. Which makes it a fabulous place to come with friends or family.
Priding itself on providing excellent value for money in the dishes they serve, the atmosphere at this buzzy Coburg joint is always relaxed and convivial.
Address: 470 Sydney Road, Coburg VIC 3058
Phone: +61 410 842 088
Trading hours: Tue – Thu 5 pm – 9 pm, Fri – Sat 12 pm – 1 pm, Sun 12 pm – 9 pm
Bluebonnet Barbecue
When Chris Terlikar, took a journey to Texas to check out the BBQ scene, it literally changed the course of his life.
So impressed was he by it, that he decided to bring that taste over to the good people of Melbourne, in the form of the Bluebonnet Barbecue – of which he is the owner and head chef.
Renowned for plating up outstanding eats like bourbon-glazed pork ribs, black Angus beef and a selection of sausages made in-house every day, the key to the restaurant’s success is the massive 280 kg, 500-gallon woodfired rotisserie smoker that operates out of its kitchen.
Presented within a rustic venue that has a vaulted ceiling, exposed brick walls and a charming courtyard, the restaurant is a popular destination for East Brunswick locals to go to when they want a really good feed.
Address: 124-126 Lygon St, Brunswick East VIC 3057
Phone: +61 3 9972 1815
Trading hours: Mon – Thu 5 pm – 12 am, Fri – Sat 12 pm – 1 am, Sun 12 pm – 11 pm
Le Bon Ton
Over in Collingwood, Le Bon Ton is an accomplished saloon-style smokehouse restaurant that specialises in the kind of belly-rubbing comfort food you get in the Deep South of the USA.
Bursting with the mouthwatering flavours of Cajun, Creole and wider Louisiana, the menu here features a delicious range of grilled meats that have been slow cooked for up to twelve hours.
As well as a very substantial a la carte menu, Le Bon Ton offers a signature share plate which
showcases a little bit of all their meats.
After you’ve enjoyed their delicious fare you can choose to spend the rest of your evening sipping a brew or whiskey in their beer garden.
Address: 51 Gipps St, Collingwood VIC 3066
Phone: +61 3 9416 4341
Trading hours: Mon 4 pm – 11 pm, Tue – Thu 12 pm – 11 pm, Fri 12 pm – 3 am, Sat 12 pm – 4 am, Sun 12 pm – 11 pm
Third Wave Café
BBQ for breakfast? Why not?
That is exactly what you can get on the weekend at the Third Wave Café in Port Melbourne.
During the day this venue takes the form of a vibrant cafe that serves up a signature dish of green scrambled eggs and a slow-roasted shoulder of lamb, which is the perfect way to start your day.
By night, it goes full American bbq. Dishing up some of the best tender pork ribs that not only fall off the bone but also melt in your mouth.
Open until at least 10 pm every night, the venue also is known for its outstanding burgers as well.
Address: 189 Rouse Street, Port Melbourne VIC 3207
Phone: +61 3 9676 2399
Trading hours: Mon – Thu 7 am – 10 pm, Fri 7 am – 11 pm, Sat-Sun 8 am – 11 pm
Bad Shepherd Brewing Co.
Although they are predominantly recognised for creating some of the finest craft beers in Melbourne, the Bad Shepherd Brewing Co. also has another trick up its sleeve. Awesome barbecue!
The best place to try it is at their flagship brewpub in the suburb of Cheltenham. There they offer a terrific selection of classic American BBQ comfort food like pulled pork and brisket.
Made using the highest quality of ingredients, which have been sourced from local suppliers where popular, the venue also offers several vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free options, which means it’s inclusive to everyone.
One of the best things about this venue is its specials, which include 50 cent wings every Wednesday.
Address: 386 Reserve Rd, Cheltenham VIC 3192
Phone: +61 3 8555 3175
Trading hours: Mon – Tue 4:30 pm – 10 pm, Wed – Thu 12 pm – 11 pm, Fri – Sat 12 pm – 12 am, Sun 12 pm – 10 pm
Dexter
If you love your smoked meats with a bit of innovation, how do hot meat doughnuts sound to you?
That’s what is on offer at Dexter, in the Melbourne suburb of Preston, which rather than classifying itself as a smokehouse, prefers to be seen as a ‘meat project’.
If you have not been to this inventive eatery before, it’s well worth a visit. Previously they have appeared in Timeouts’ best cheap eats lists in Australia, and their burgers have been ranked in the top three in Melbourne.
This legacy lives on through the regular queues to get into this place and the consistency through which they produce every dish.
Address: 456 High St, Preston VIC 3072
Phone: +61 3 9973 3577
Trading hours: Tue – Thu 5 pm – 10 pm, Fri – Sat 12 pm – 11 pm, Sun 12 pm – 10 pm
Burn City Test Kitchen
Situated in South Kingsville, the Burn City Test Kitchen garners barbecue inspiration from all over America. Though there seems to be a particular focus on the techniques and flavours of Texas.
Known for their incredible brisket burger, which features smoked beef that has been slow cooked for 14 hours, the food here has a very authentic taste.
Set within a casual space that has an interesting and eclectic decor, the venue also offers excellent service, and a very good range of beers and wines to pair with your meal.
Address: 31a Vernon St, South Kingsville VIC 3015
Phone: +61 3 9043 9554
Trading hours: Wed – Sat 5 pm – 10 pm
Fancy Hank’s
Nestled in the heart of the CBD, Fancy Hank’s is an institution in Melbourne.
A bright, airy and modern eatery, it dishes up an exciting menu of pulled pork, ribs, brisket and other smoked meats that have been cooked for an amazing 22 hours!
Bursting with flavour, they only use free-range produce sourced in Victoria and prepare it in a custom-built smoker that weighs two tonnes.
As well as their sumptuous meats, the venue also offers a fabulous range of cocktails and craft beers.
Address: 79 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Phone: +61 3 9453 2882
Trading hours: Mon – Sun 12 pm -11 pm
Up in Smoke
A stalwart of the restaurant scene in Footscray, Up in Smoke serves up some of the finest American BBQ in Melbourne.
Situated within a space formerly occupied by a garage, the venue features an industrial kitchen that specialises in cooking with fire and smoke.
It’s something they do very well, as evidenced by the delicious flavours and textures of their brisket, chicken wings and rib dishes.
To complement their food menu they also serve up a fabulous range of ten craft beers on tap that regularly rotates, as well as a delightful selection of cocktails.
Address: 28 Hopkins St, Footscray VIC 3011
Phone: +61 3 9689 8188
Trading hours: Mon – Tue 5 pm – 10 pm, Wed – Thu 12 pm – 10 pm, Fri – Sat 12 pm -11 pm, Sun 12 pm – 10 pm
San Antone
Located within the Crown Casino, San Antone can easily lay claim to being one of the best American BBQ Restaurants in Melbourne.
Run by Kevin Bludso, who owns the iconic Bludso’s BBQ – one of the most popular bbq joints in the whole of the USA – the restaurant’s smokehouse flavours are unique in the city.
Presenting dishes that have been three generations in the making, the food here encapsulates a true taste of Texas. Offering the likes of Pork Belly Bites, Smoked Sweet Corn and Buffalo Chicken Burger, that is so good, you’ll want to order seconds.
Be sure to leave room for their signature Banoffee Pie dessert too, while their fabulous cocktails, and imported, boutique beers like Budweiser, Miller, Blue Moon and Brooklyn Lager are worth coming for as well.
Address: Crown Casino, 50 Whiteman St, Southbank VIC 3006
Phone: +61 3 9292 5777
Trading hours: Wed – Thu & Sun 12 pm -10 pm, Fri – Sat 12 pm – 11 pm
Meatworks Co.
Established in 2015, Meatworks Co. serves up exceptional American-style BBQ to hungry South Melbourne locals with more than a dash of style and flair.
A restaurant that likes to take its time when it comes to food, their 24-hour slow-cooked and low-cooked wagyu beef brisket is legendary in the city. While its St Louis style pork ribs, which are cooked for 8 hours are another very popular dish.
Set within a former mechanic’s shop, which has been converted to radiate a distinctly canteen and steampunk vibe, this eatery cooks all its meats through a 450 kg hand-built, jet black smoker. Which they affectionately call Betsy.
If you love meat, this is a great place for you to visit. While their terrific range of wines, cocktails and craft beers are very appealing too.
Address: 28-30 Ross St, South Melbourne VIC 3205
Phone: +61 3 9041 5727
Trading hours: Wed – Sat 12 pm – 3 pm & 5 pm – 11 pm
The Gem Bar and Dining
If you are into eclectic venues then pencil in a visit to the Gem Bar and Dining.
Featuring everything from shrines to Elvis, to tall stacks of beer cans, this interesting restaurant might have a quirky side to it, but when it comes to food they don’t mess about.
First opening their doors in 2006, and inspired by classic American BBQ, their dishes are always perfectly cooked, succulent and full of flavour.
Specialising in exquisite Texas Style BBQ share plates that are so authentic, their dishes will immediately transport you to the smokehouses of Dallas, San Antonio or Amarillo in just one bite.
Address: 289 Wellington St, Collingwood VIC 3066
Phone: +61 3 9419 5170
Trading hours: Tue – Thu 3 pm – 11 pm, Fri – Sat 12 pm – 1 am, Sun 12 pm – 11 pm