Columbia, South Carolina, is home to pitmasters, sauces, and sides that define the region’s barbecue scene.
So, we had to give some of the city’s top-rated spots a try. From smoky pits to creative cocktails, Columbia’s barbecue scene blends tradition with creativity.
With family recipes and nationally recognized chefs, these four local favorites are serving up plates that prove why the Capital City is a destination for Southern flavor.
City Limits Barbeque
Chef Robbie Robinson took City Limits from a food truck to one of the most celebrated barbecue joints in the South. He’s a two-time James Beard semifinalist for Best Chef: Southeast, and in 2025, Southern Living named City Limits the #1 BBQ joint in the South…