This is the best BBQ restaurant in SC for 2026, Southern Living says. Here’s why it’s great
South Carolina is well-known for its southern-style food, and some barbecue spots in the state keep making people come back for more.
There are plenty of popular restaurants in SC with mouth-watering barbecue, but there can only be one favorite spot in the state.
Southern Living keeps track of the best barbecue restaurants in every Southern state by allowing its readers to vote for their favorite spot.
Southern Living’s voting process
According to Southern Living, an online survey was conducted by a third-party agency among its consumers, asking them to rate their favorite places across the South. The survey was fielded from July 9 to Sep. 9, 2025, and had over 17,000 respondents.
Here’s the restaurant that was voted the best in SC:
Lewis Barbecue at 464 North Nassau St, Charleston
People who’ve had Lewis Barbecue in Charleston understand why it’s ranked the number one spot in the state. The restaurant, which has established itself as a top-tier barbecue joint ever since it opened up in 2016, created two more locations in Greenville, SC, and Atlanta, Georgia, capitalizing on the initial restaurant’s success.
Lewis Barbecue became so popular that you can hardly find a time to visit without seeing a line around the corner. This is not the first time this restaurant has made Southern Living’s top barbecue spot in SC, as they are repeat winners.
The sought-after restaurant was awarded Bib Gourmand from the Michelin Guide in 2025, which recognizes high-quality, good-value dining.
The founder of Lewis Barbecue, John Lewis, brought in flavors from his hometown of El Paso, Texas. Its most popular menu items include beef brisket, which is priced by the pound, pulled pork, spare ribs and mac & cheese.
Customers on Yelp said that even though the line to order is usually long, the food is good enough to wait. The environment was casual and easy-going, customer service was excellent, and the barbecue lived up to its hype.
Here are people’s real reviews on Yelp:
Lewis Barbecue is open Sunday through Monday between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. The restaurant is also open Tuesday through Saturday between 11 a.m. and 10 p.m.