There was a time when barbecue in London meant a disposable grill and supermarket sausages in the park. But in recent years, the city’s BBQ scene has found real fire, driven by chefs committed to smoke, provenance and regional technique. From Texan-style brisket and Thai chilli heat to Scandi wood-fired roasts and pulled pork piled high, this is a capital that now knows its way around the coals. Get ready… It’s about time you found the best BBQ in London.

1. For Texas Techniques: Black Cactus BBQ

The Lowdown: Located inside the Burnt Faith brandy distillery in Walthamstow, Black Cactus BBQ brings big-smoke Texas cooking to East London weekends. Brisket is the headline act, sliced thick, deeply smoked, unapologetically rich, while pork belly burnt ends offer sticky, slow-cooked decadence. Sides show some flair, too: poblano-spiked cabbage and tangy slaw balance the heft. It’s loud, bold barbecue with a sense of purpose. And it’s open every Friday to Sunday.

Where: 57 Sutherland Rd, London E17 6BH

2. For a Veg Forward Menu: Acme Fire Cult

The Lowdown: At Acme Fire Cult, flames meet fermentation in a menu where vegetables lead with confidence. Think coal-charred leeks, smoked beets, chickpea miso cauliflower, and a Sunday platter worth travelling across town for. Meat isn’t sidelined but used with intent: rare-breed pork, aged beef, and whole fish cooked directly over fire. It’s thoughtful, bold cooking in a setting that feels more workshop than restaurant.

Where: Abbot St, London E8 3DP

3. From The Ashes 

The Lowdown: From The Ashes don’t mess about. This is barbecue at full throttle. Based at Five Points Courtyard in East London, they draw on everything from offset smoking to Argentinian Asador, knocking out dishes with serious depth. The beer-braised pork taco is smoky and punchy, while the Del Piero Doughnut – stuffed with pork, ’nduja and chilli jam – is as outrageous as it sounds. This is London barbecue at its finest.

Where: 61 Mare St, London E8 4RG

4. For a BBQ Collab: Apollo Arms x The Ethical Butcher

The Lowdown: At the Apollo Arms in Clapham, a new barbecue series puts smoke, seasonality and sustainability at the centre. Fire and Feast at Apollo is a collaboration with The Ethical Butcher, bringing in British meat sourced from regenerative farms. Head Chef David Halewood keeps things stripped-back and flavour-led; pulled short rib comes slick with barbecue sauce and chipotle mayo, while thick pork ribs are flame-grilled and cut with pickled cucumber. A paneer and spiced potato wrap brings gusto for non-meat eaters.

Where: 19 Old Town, Clapham, London SW4 0JT

5. For a Middle Eastern Flavours: Berber & Q 

The Lowdown: Berber & Q brings North African and Eastern Mediterranean firecraft to E8. The kitchen turns out intensely flavoured dishes like slow-roasted lamb neck and wood-grilled prawns that balance smokiness with vibrant spices. Charred cauliflower shawarma proves vegetables can carry as much weight as meat, while warm flatbreads and punchy sauces complete the menu. It’s barbecue with a distinct sense of place and heritage.

Where: 

6. For OG London BBQ: SMOKESTAK

The Lowdown: Smokestak starts life on London’s street food circuit (they were cult favourites at Street Feast), quickly earning a reputation for expertly smoked meats. Today, its Shoreditch venue stands as one of the capital’s barbecue pioneers, serving tender brisket, crispy ox cheek, and charred pork belly with unapologetic intensity. It’s the benchmark for serious barbecue in the capital.

Where: 35 Sclater St, London E1 6LB

7. For Flame-Cooked Plates: Lagom 

The Lowdown: Lagom blends Nordic sensibilities with BBQ flair, serving up dishes that balance simplicity with depth. Smoke and wood-fired techniques highlight the menu, where slow-cooked meats meet bright, seasonal sides. The smoked beef bun has gained somewhat of a loyal following, and it’s not hard to see why: 10-hour oak-smoked beef featherblade with fermented chilli BBQ. Hubba.

Where: 17 Bohemia Pl, London E8 1DU

8. For Northern Thai BBQ: Smoking Goat

The Lowdown: Smoking Goat takes the heat and hustle of Thai barbecue and plants it firmly in Shoreditch. Inspired by the roadside cooking of northern Thailand, the menu leans into fire, spice and bold flavour. Charcoal-grilled meats sit alongside fish-sauce wings, sticky tamarind ribs and offal-led dishes that go deep into texture and intensity.

Where: 64 Shoreditch High St, London E1 6JJ

Photo credit: Paul Winch-Furness 

9. For Southern Thai BBQ: Kolae 

The Lowdown: Kolae delivers a deep dive into the bold, complex cuisine of Southern Thailand, with counter seats that put you close to the action – and the open fire. The space glows with spice and charcoal, and there’s real theatre in watching marinades, banana leaves, and sizzling meat come together in smoky harmony.  It’s a heady, addictive kind of dining;  fast-paced but full of detail.

Where: 6 Park St, London SE1 9AB

10. For American BBQ: Bodean’s

The Lowdown: As one of London’s original smokehouses, Bodean’s has long flown the flag for American-style barbecue. And now, with Richard H. Turner at the helm, it’s getting a serious upgrade. The new menu is a tribute to the craft of ‘low and slow’, turning out deeply smoked brisket, sticky pork shoulder and Jacob’s Ladder ribs with real precision. Classics like shrimp cocktail and mac’n’cheese are stripped back and rebuilt with care, while the signature BBQ platter – stacked with pulled pork, ribs, sausage and Texas toast – is as bold and unapologetic as ever.

Where: Locations here