Somerville is always a good time. Tucked between Cambridge and Medford, the neighborhood streets are perfumed with some of the city’s best smoke and decorated with glowing pits and brisket in windows. There are dozens of great spots serving Texas classics, Carolina specialties, Korean favorites, and more. But it can be hard to figure out what’s worthwhile—which is where our barbeque guide can help you out.
Mineirão Steakhouse
$$ | (781) 399-7979 | WEBSITE
Watching the servers carve sizzling cuts of meat tableside at Mineirão Steakhouse will get your heart racing. As soon as you walk into this bustling Brazilian spot in Somerville you can see the grill masters preparing flavorful flank steak, juicy top sirloin, and tender brisket. It’s always a good idea to go heavy on the meats, but they also serve some excellent traditional Brazilian sides like properly flavored rice.
Main ST. Grille & Taphouse
$$ | (781) 245-0200 | WEBSITE
The straightforward American grill and taphouse in Somerville makes hamburgers and it’s one of the most reliable, satisfying lunches in the area, depending on how hungry you are when it comes to the sides. The classic main dishes start at around $15 but when you add steak fries and Caesar salad with homemade croutons and dressing, it’s more like twenty-five bucks.
The turkey tips are grilled with perfect marks, served with that accommodating service from waitress Cheryl, and apple crisp with caramel. Savory, hearty, crispy, sweet.
Pearl Street Station Restaurant
$$ | (781) 322-6410 | WEBSITE
Pearl Street Station Restaurant is a big, brick-heavy, station-style, classic American barbecue spot that has an air of Cheers about it. But you don’t come here for another craft cocktail, you come here for steak tips. The steak tips with rice—a hearty, smoky, plate of meat with rice on the side—is as impeccably cooked as it is satisfying. Other things, like the extensive menu items, are decent enough, but you’re better off going with the crispy, cheese-laden, mozzarella sticks.
The Smoke Shop BBQ – Woburn
$$ | (781) 938-7427 | WEBSITE
Driving through Somerville’s outskirts is all adventure until someone gets barbecue-craving. When that hunger hits, The Smoke Shop BBQ is a dependable destination for satisfying smoked meats in a clean, organized setting. Platters of ribs and burnt ends circulate between the kitchen and tables of eager diners, with the friendly service keeping everything moving smoothly.
While not the absolute pinnacle of Massachusetts barbecue, it’s some of the best in the area, and the wings are consistently moist and flavorful, while the corn bread is as cake-like and comforting as they come.
The Smoke Shop BBQ – Seaport
$$ | (617) 261-7427 | WEBSITE
Visiting Somerville without swinging by The Smoke Shop BBQ – Seaport feels like a personal affront to their ‘I’m eating a cloud’ butter cake. The menu at this welcoming spot is lined with every shade of glorious smoky goodness—think pulled pork, brisket, Nashville hot sliders, and more.
It can be an overwhelming selection but this order never fails us: the standout brisket with a side of that delicious cornbread, the pimento mac and cheese, the butter cake, and a Smoke Shop Signature Old Fashioned to sip as you soak in the lively atmosphere.
KungFu MalaTang
$$ | (617) 207-8888 | WEBSITE
Mala broth is the whole reason you come to KungFu MalaTang. While most of the other customizable hotpot ingredients won’t blow you away, the broth is by far one of the best things you can eat in the area, if not all of Somerville. You’ll want at least a medium spice level and you’ll want it with the self-serve soup bar. The fresh kelp they include has no fishy smell too. The vegetarian tofu options are also a great call, as well as the different kinds of noodles.
Bring friends and wear your stretchy clothes.
Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ
$$$ | (857) 259-6666 | WEBSITE
Somerville isn’t lacking in barbecue options, and it has another excellent one in Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ, a welcoming Asian-style grill spot. The well-marinated meats and vegetables lay ready for grilling in this cozy space and there’s a choice of sauces, with the crunchy chili being a standout. Cook it yourself right at the table, or ask servers like Osner or Arnold for another grill plate change if you like your food fresh and sizzling. Of the many, the all-you-can-eat option reigns supreme.
Flavorful and packed with a variety of meats that melt in the mouth—this is a sensational meal. The green tea ice cream or Lava cake make for a sweet finish, especially affordable at lunchtime. While the booth seats could use refreshing, the friendly service and delicious BBQ alone make it worth a visit.
Sweet Cheeks Q
$$ | (617) 266-1300 | WEBSITE
Sweet Cheeks Q is the polished, Fenway-area version of classic barbecue joints. The smoked meats are still outstanding, but here they’ve elevated the experience with a sleek, modern setting. Chopped brisket arrives expertly sliced by servers, and barbecue enthusiasts settle into booths over plates of tender meat and ranch beans all through dinner service. The biscuit, one of the restaurant’s signature items, is a buttery delight.
While the cocktails might not steal the show, the overall quality and generous portions make Sweet Cheeks Q a must-visit for serious barbecue fans.
The Smoke Shop BBQ – Assembly Row
$$ | (617) 623-7427 | WEBSITE
This barbecue joint might be tucked away in Assembly Row, but The Smoke Shop BBQ is one of Somerville’s best destinations for serious smoked meats. Everything is cooked fresh, it’s phenomenal, and you get excellent value for the quality. Skip the steak tips and get the brisket or the prime rib if you’re really hungry (it’s massive). When it comes to choosing which of their excellent bourbons to pair with your meal, Maker’s Mark #5 is our pick.
Gauchao Brazilian Cuisine
$$ | (617) 625-6100 | WEBSITE
Gauchao Brazilian Cuisine is a hearty and vibrant Brazilian restaurant in the heart of Somerville. With a classic self-service buffet that runs until late evening, sizzling meat cuts fresh from the grill, and live music that fills the space—it’s also incredibly satisfying. It’s soundtracked by the clatter of plates at the carving station and the sizzle of perfectly grilled meats.
The unapologetically flavorful picanha is a must-try, so is the tender, beautifully charred plate of beef ribs and lamb.
Blackstrap BBQ
$$ | (617) 207-1783 | WEBSITE
Blackstrap BBQ is tucked away in Boston and if you’re craving barbecue, this is one of the spots to hit in the area. In particular, the pulled pork with its distinctive vinegar flavor is perfect for a hearty meal, and the burnt ends, tender and flavorful, are a must-order. They’re smoky, they’re juicy, and you’ll find yourself savoring every bite among the rich sauce and savory sides. If you’re looking for good BBQ, this is a great choice.
Blue Ribbon BBQ
$ | (781) 648-7427 | WEBSITE
At this straightforward BBQ joint in Arlington, classic rock hums from the speakers and smoky brisket aromas drift from every simple table’s plates. Blue Ribbon BBQ is focused on providing a variety of BBQ meats and sides—a no-frills spot where you can eat, pack leftovers, and savor hearty flavors without pretense—and it’s a solid execution.
The BBQ platters and generous sides are prepared and presented with care, and the only sight more common than the license plate decorations is that of take-out containers being filled.
M&M BBQ
$ | (617) 307-7674 | WEBSITE
This Somerville barbecue spot isn’t somewhere you come for the most artisanal dry rubs or the most complex smoke profiles. What you come for is arguably Boston’s best no-nonsense barbecue joint. There’s always a seat and there’s always their tangy barbecue sauce. Without M&M BBQ and its generous 8oz brisket plates and ribs cooked to perfection, Somerville would be a much poorer place.
Friendship BBQ Allston
$$ | (617) 254-8889 | WEBSITE
Few things are more frustrating than arriving at a barbecue joint and discovering, thanks to the practical constraints of appetite, that you can only sample so much of the extensive and tempting menu. So, any visit to Friendship BBQ Allston for skewers or cooked dishes should be with multiple companions and plenty of sharing in mind.
The skewers at this casual Allston spot are often excellent: lamb and cumin-spiced, pork intestine and cucumber-accompanied, with more options than there are eager hands at the table. The lamb skewers are particularly noteworthy—tender, well-seasoned, and consistently satisfying. While the grilled croaker and seafood selections are merely average, the potato fried rice provides a hearty, comforting side.
The atmosphere is laid-back and clean, with friendly, attentive staff working diligently to serve both dine-in and takeout customers. Overall, it’s a solid choice for those seeking a Chinese-inspired barbecue experience, especially for skewer enthusiasts.
Redbones Barbecue
$$ | (617) 628-2200 | WEBSITE
There’s often a line at Redbones Barbecue on weekends but whenever I’ve gone, it’s been worth the wait. The barbecue options are satisfying, and there’s something for every meat lover. The menu focuses heavily on smoked meats but you should get the burnt ends and Texas beef ribs, and the cornbread that comes warm and slightly sweet. The large portions are also a great way to enjoy leftovers the next day.
The Smoke Shop BBQ – Harvard Square
$$ | (617) 547-7427 | WEBSITE
Everyone has that one friend who, after a long week, hands you a plate of perfectly smoked brisket while saying, ‘try this, you’ll feel better after it.’ For us, that friend is The Smoke Shop BBQ. This converted barbecue joint isn’t necessarily the fanciest spot in all of Harvard Square but thanks to their generous portions, quick service, and late-night hours, it’s arguably the most satisfying.
Get involved in the brisket section of the menu—everything from the tender burnt ends to the juicy ribs are winners.
Rosebud Indian-American Bar & Kitchen
$$ | (617) 629-9500 | WEBSITE
The tandoori chicken sliders with mint yogurt sauce at Rosebud Indian-American Bar & Kitchen are a must-order. Everything else on the menu (like the butter chicken mac and cheese) is great as well. Whoever you bring to this chic yet welcoming spot—a group of friends for a lively gathering or just yourself for an intimate dinner—you’ll leave full and satisfied.
The main dining area usually has some spots saved for walk-ins and the comfortable seating creates an ideal place to camp out for a couple of hours. But if you like being in the thick of it, then the bustling bar area with its creative cocktails like the mango lassi margarita is probably for you.
The Full Rack Smokehouse
$ | (781) 284-9650 | WEBSITE
The Full Rack Smokehouse is the top choice for barbecue in Somerville, MA. The full rack of ribs and pulled pork sandwiches are exceptionally tasty, and the variety of hearty dishes like steak tips and pepperoni pizzas means it’s perfect if you just want to catch a game on TV and dig in with your hands. Its laid-back, welcoming vibe with TVs and a jukebox makes it a great spot for sports viewing or hanging out with friends.
Reunion BBQ
$$ | (857) 317-2979 | WEBSITE
Even if you know exactly where this barbecue joint is, chances are you’ll end up looking like you’re scanning the horizon for a lost friend while trying to spot it. On the Somerville side of the city, Reunion BBQ is a spacious and clean North Carolina-style barbecue restaurant which is great at putting delicious things—succulent brisket and tender ribs with a good dry rub and authentic house-made sauce—between generous portions. It’s one of the best meals for under twenty bucks in Massachusetts.
Tasty BBQ
$ | (857) 350-3157 | WEBSITE
There are plenty of barbecue spots around Somerville if you just want some pulled pork or brisket, but Tasty BBQ is our top pick. Authentic Texas-style cravings aside, we’ve been coming here for years, and you can gather with friends for a feast, enjoy a casual meal, or grab a solo box of barbecue. Get the tender barbecue beef with greens, or the buttermilk fried chicken, which is one of the most satisfying dishes in town.