The 10 Best Ribs in Nashville (2024)

In a city well known for hot fried chicken, the delicious bbq ribs just can’t be ignored.

All across Music City, there are BBQ joints just waiting to impress with slow-cooked cuts of meat that are fall-off-the-bone good.

The Best Ribs in Nashville

Acme Feed + Seed

This is a popular location in Nashville as they boast multiple stories, including a rooftop patio.

Acme Feed + Seed serves different cuisine styles on each level of their venue, but the menu you won’t want to miss includes their southern-inspired entrees.

This is the place to be when you’re in the mood for authentic ribs. Their heaven-lee ribs are served in half a rack of dry-rubbed pork.

These have been slow-cooked to fall off-the-bone perfection and are so flavorful you won’t need sauce.

Acme Feed + Seed is the perfect venue for any occasion, especially for enjoying classic BBQ ribs.

• Location: 101 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37201

Brick Top’s

Here you’ll find a modern restaurant that serves upscale dishes perfect for any night out.

Brick Top’s is high-end with a menu to match, so some may be surprised that they serve some of the best BBQ ribs.

On the menu under entrees, you’ll find elegant takes on American dishes like chicken Milanese, ahi tuna steak, and the popular deluxe bbq ribs.

These have been slow-roasted overnight for 14 hours and served with a side of your choice.

The succulent bone-in meat is juicy and coated in a delicious, savory, and sweet BBQ sauce. Cooked to perfection, these are some of the best ribs in the city.

Brick Top’s upscale dishes highlight the best of American cuisine, and you won’t regret a trip to enjoy these juicy BBQ ribs.

• Location: 3000 W End Ave, Nashville, TN 37203

Caney Fork River Valley Grille

Get dinner and a full experience at this restaurant in a lodge setting that even includes an indoor pond.

Caney Fork River Valley Grille serves southern fried specialties and delicious entrees like award-winning ribs.

These bone-in cuts of pork have been voted as Nashville’s best, and just one bite will confirm that.

These ribs have been slow-cooked to perfection and smothered in their own label of BBQ sauce.

The succulent ribs come in a half or full slab; they’re so addicting no matter how many you order, you’ll always want more.

Caney Fork River Valley Grille was voted to have the best ribs in Nashville, and after just one bite, you’re likely to agree.

• Location: 2400 Music Valley Dr, Nashville, TN 37214

Edley’s Bar-b-Que

With multiple locations around Tennessee, this BBQ joint is well known for its delicious meals, like St. Louis cut ribs.

Edley’s Bar-B-Que offers some of the best ribs in Music City during dinner and on the weekends for you to indulge in.

These huge meaty, and juicy ribs come on a platter with two delectable sides or in a half or full slab.

So whether you’re just feeding yourself or sharing with the table, there are enough bone-in bites to go around.

These juicy ribs are coated in housemade BBQ sauce for a sweet touch. Edley’s Bar-B-Que truly is a tribute to all things southern.

• Location: 908 Main St, Nashville, TN 37206

Jack’s Bar-b-Que

This casual restaurant, highlighted by a neon sign, has been a staple in Nashville since 1976.

Jack’s Bar-B-Que has a wide offering of slow-smoked meats in three locations across Music City.

Here the menu includes St. Louis-style spare ribs in three different sizes; jumbo, plate, or full rack.

These have been coated in housemade BBQ sauce, which bakes into the meat as it cooks, creating an addicting combination of savory, smoky, and sweet.

You can also pick from a variety of sides that complement the ribs and create the perfect meal.

Jack’s Bar-B-Que has been a popular spot to eat delicious ribs for a good reason.

• Location: 416 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203

Martin’s Bar-b-Que Joint

Everything is made from scratch here, and meats are slow-cooked for a 24-hour minimum.

Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint doesn’t rush anything about the BBQ process and cuts no corners when crafting succulent and juicy ribs.

You’ll want to get there early because this popular spot often sells out of favorites like pulled pork, smoked brisket, and full slabs of spare ribs.

You can indulge in 4 bones a la carte, a half slab, or a full slab of the bone-in meat.

Each order even comes with homemade sides and so much flavor that no sauce is needed.

Don’t wait any longer; head to Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint for authentic and delicious homestyle spare ribs.

• Location: 410 4th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37201

Mission Bbq

While this restaurant is a casual chain found in cities across the country, they’re in demand for a reason.

Mission BBQ highlights the best of American BBQ, including slow-cooked meats like fall-off-the-bone ribs.

This menu includes two different types of delicious and crave-able bone-in meat. Enjoy a familiar favorite, Bay-b-back ribs or St. Louis-style spare ribs.

These each come in individual ribs when you want just a snack, or opt for an order of 5 or 10 when you’re a bit more hungry.

You won’t believe that Mission BBQ is a chain restaurant when the food tastes like homestyle cooking.

• Location: 161 Opry Mills Dr, Nashville, TN 37214

Peg Leg Porker

This is one spot that proves you don’t need to be flashy to serve delicious food.

Peg Leg Porker creates a cozy environment to indulge in their slow-cooked meats, including dry-rubbed ribs.

The meats here are award-winning; after just one taste, you’ll understand why.

You can choose from either a half or full rack of the succulent pork ribs, which are dry rubbed and smoked low and slow for juicy, savory meat.

Plus, you can get classic southern sides to complement your meal. Peg Leg Porker is a BBQ spot you won’t be able to leave alone.

• Location: 903 Gleaves St, Nashville, TN 37203

Rippy’s Honkey Tonk

Here you’ll find a honkey tonk mixed with delicious BBQ, including ribs, all under one roof.

Rippy’s Honkey Tonk includes a full restaurant, rooftop patio, and live music.

Right downtown in the heart of Nashville, this is a premier destination for delicious food and a good time.

They’re serving up Rippy’s Signature Ribs in either a half or full slab, and if you save room, each order comes with two sides and crumbly cornbread.

These come smothered in their house BBQ sauce for the perfect combination of sweet and smokey.

The ribs at Rippy’s Honkey Tonk will always be the main event, no matter who’s on stage.

• Location: 429 Broadway, Nashville, TN 27203

Shotgun Willie’s

At this Nashville BBQ joint, you’ll find award-winning slow-cooked meat.

Shotgun Willie’s is home to authentic Texas-style BBQ with savory sides made from scratch and succulent fall-off-the-bone ribs.

Well known to have perfected the art of slow-cooked meats, like their Texas-size salt and pepper spiced pork ribs.

This massive cut is a St. Louis trim and comes smothered in your sauce of choice.

Impressive doesn’t even begin to describe the taste of every meal from Shotgun Willie’s.

• Location: 4000 Gallatin Pike Ste B, Nashville, TN 37216

Final Thoughts

The ribs found around Nashville are juicy and irresistible; you won’t want to miss these fantastic restaurants filled with your favorite cut of bone-in meat.