Browse all 25 BBQ restaurants in the Outside Eats dining guide to the San Francisco Peninsula. Select any restaurant for photos, hours, directions, reviews, and the full profile.
See our picks: The Best BBQ Restaurants on the SF Peninsula →
- Armadillo Willy's BBQ San MateoTexas style wood-fired barbecue. 40 years in business. Locally Owned.
- Big Daddy's Hawaiian BBQ San MateoFresh Hawaiian-inspired cuisine that's clean, craveable, and feels great.
- Breakwater Barbecue El GranadaMichelin-recognized, all-wood-smoked American craft BBQ housed in a historic railroad station steps from Pillar Point Harbor.
- Capelo's Barbecue Redwood CityEnjoy Southern barbecue smoked low and slow over oak wood in mammoth rotisserie smokers at their beer garden with live music.
- Flame BBQ MillbraeAuthentic Chinese and Japanese barbecue with tender skewers, charcoal grilled oysters, and rich unforgettable flavors.
- Gorilla Barbeque PacificaIconic Bay Area BBQ institution in a bright orange caboose on Hwy 1, featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.
- Hawaiian Drive Inn Daly CityLocal Hawaiian plate lunch chain with generous portions of chicken katsu, kalua pork, loco moco, and two-scoop rice plates at everyday prices.
- Hip Hop Bbq Shack San BrunoChef Mae serves bourbon smoked brisket and Southern soul food surrounded by hip hop memorabilia and vintage arcade games.
- J & J Hawaiian BBQ Menlo ParkHawaiian plate lunch restaurant with chicken katsu, kalua pork, teriyaki beef, two-scoop rice, and macaroni salad at everyday prices.
- L & L Hawaiian Barbecue MillbraeServes authentic Hawaiian plate lunches with rice, macaroni salad, and grilled meats. A taste of Hawaii with aloha spirit.
- L&L Hawaiian Barbecue - Daly City Daly CityHawaiian plate lunch chain on Mission Street with chicken katsu, kalua pork, macaroni salad, and two-scoop rice plates.
- L&L Hawaiian Barbecue - Mountain View Mountain ViewL&L Hawaiian Barbecue - Mountain View is a BBQ restaurant in Mountain View, California.
- MB's Place San MateoMobile food trailer serving award-winning BBQ and soul food.
- Menlo BBQ Menlo ParkFamily-owned Korean BBQ lunch spot at 555 Willow Road with bulgogi, kimchi, and authentic Korean plates in a casual neighborhood setting open weekdays only.
- MP Mongolian BBQ Menlo ParkAll-you-can-eat Mongolian BBQ at 700 El Camino Real where you build your own stir-fry bowl from fresh meats, tofu, and vegetables — MSG-free and family-friendly since 2012.
- Nano's Half Moon BayHawaiian-style cafe and shaved ice shop on Main Street with Dole Whip, weekend BBQ, and a beer and wine garden.
- New Mongolian BBQ Mountain ViewAll-you-can-eat Mongolian BBQ on Castro Street where you build your own stir-fry bowl from meats, vegetables, and house sauces, finished off with soft-serve ice cream.
- Ohana Hawaiian BBQ Daly CityHalal Hawaiian BBQ at Westlake Center with generous portions of chicken katsu, BBQ chicken, shrimp burgers, and macaroni salad — consistently voted Daly City's best Hawaiian plate lunch.
- Redwood City Barbeque Redwood CityMeats smoked with California oak wood, blending traditions from California to the Carolinas with outstanding craft beers.
- Spill the Tea BBQ SC San CarlosAuthentic smoked BBQ with creative options like brisket and crepes.
- The Boneyard South San FranciscoMeats are smoked to succulent perfection daily and paired with seasonal sides and fresh baked breads.
- The Willows Market Menlo ParkBeloved independent neighborhood market at 60 Middlefield Road open since 1956 with Boar's Head deli, house-smoked BBQ, 1,000+ craft beers, 300+ sodas, organic wines, and made-to-order sandwiches that locals swear by.
- Wagon Wheel Barbecue Mountain ViewSanta Maria-style barbecue restaurant with slow-smoked tri-tip, brisket, ribs, and classic sides like coleslaw and garlic bread in a casual roadhouse setting.
- William B.B.Q. San CarlosHawaiian-style barbecue featuring tender Wagyu beef and generous shareable portions.
- Yakiniku Ginza Mountain ViewJapanese barbecue restaurant with tabletop grilling, wagyu beef, seafood, vegetables and Japanese small plates.
About BBQ Restaurants on the SF Peninsula
Barbecue on the San Francisco Peninsula spans American smokehouse traditions and the live-fire and grilled styles found across many cultures. The guide covers low-and-slow smoked meats, Korean tabletop grilling, Brazilian churrasco, and Asian barbecue, so the category is broader here than the word might first suggest.
On the American side, expect brisket, pork ribs, pulled pork, hot links, and smoked chicken, served with classic sides like mac and cheese, coleslaw, cornbread, and baked beans. The best places smoke over hours and sell out when they run low, so timing matters. Sauces range from sweet and tangy to vinegar-forward and spicy, often offered on the side so you can judge the meat on its own.
The Peninsula's diversity means barbecue also includes hands-on grilling experiences, from Korean spots where you cook marinated beef and pork at the table to Brazilian rodizio service with skewers of meat carved onto your plate. Each is a different kind of feast, built for sharing and a relaxed pace.
Barbecue rewards a group and an appetite. Ordering a mix of meats by the pound with a spread of sides is the way to do it justice, and leftovers reheat well. Vegetarians will find the American style limited to sides, while the grill-your-own formats offer more options.
Use the list below to browse barbecue spots by city, then open a profile for hours, photos, and directions. Whether you want a tray of smoked brisket and ribs or a hands-on grilling night with friends, the Peninsula's barbecue scene has something worth the trip.
