Best BBQ restaurants in Winter Park
These are the eight highest-scoring BBQ restaurants in Winter Park, ranked by our earned composite score, which weighs Google rating, review volume, recency, and guest sentiment (see our methodology). Between them they cover dine-in, takeout, delivery, and catering across the Winter Park area.
Picks are ranked by score and relevance to bbq restaraunt, so a lower overall score can rank higher here.
At a glance
| # | Business | Score | Rating | From | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sonny's BBQ | 87 | 4.6 (4089) | moderate | Everyday BBQ, dine-in to catering |
| 2 | City Barbeque | 87 | 4.7 (2435) | moderate | Catering and smoked meat by the pound |
| 3 | 4 Rivers Smokehouse | 85 | 4.6 (4337) | moderate | Brisket and catering for local businesses |
| 4 | The Hangry Bison - Winter Park | 80 | 4.4 (2376) | moderate | Burgers, brunch, and whiskey |
| 5 | The Porch Winter Park | 80 | 4.4 (2544) | moderate | Bar-forward brunch and casual dining |
| 6 | Sweet & Sassy Hickory Smokehouse | 71 | 4.8 (26) | — | Saturday farmers market smokehouse |
| 7 | The Hen & Hog, Winter Park, FL | 78 | 4.5 (702) | moderate | Adventurous Texas-BBQ fusion |
Ranked picks
Sonny's BBQ
Why it ranks first
Sonny's BBQ holds the top composite score on this list, backed by over 4,000 reviews and a high-confidence rating. Regulars keep coming back for staff like Laura who know them by name, a clean and quiet dining room, and slow-smoked plates the business has served in the area for 50 years.
Pros
- Staff known by name and praised consistently
- Clean, quiet dining room
- Slow-smoked meat with reliable quality
- Full range of dine-in, takeout, delivery, and catering
Services: bbq catering, carolina style bbq, texas style bbq, smokehouse bbq · Price: moderate
City Barbeque
Why it ranks second
City Barbeque sits right behind the top spot with a 4.7 rating across 2,435 reviews. Staff greet regulars by name, the brisket, pulled pork, and ribs draw consistent praise for being moist and flavorful, and catering orders are known to arrive early in a clean, modern space.
Pros
- Tender, flavorful brisket, pulled pork, and ribs
- Catering arrives early with generous portions
- Staff remembers regular customers by name
- Modern, clean dining space
Services: texas style bbq, bbq catering, bbq buffet, carolina style bbq · Price: moderate
4 Rivers Smokehouse
Why it ranks third
4 Rivers Smokehouse earns a high-confidence score from over 4,300 reviews, with people reportedly driving 40 minutes round-trip just for the brisket. Local business owners lean on it for regular catering, citing consistent quality and a genuinely welcoming atmosphere, and the fresh in-house bakery adds another reason to stop in.
Pros
- Reliably tender, flavorful brisket
- Staff trained to customize orders
- Fresh in-house bakery items
- Consistent quality whether dine-in, delivered, or catered
Services: carolina style bbq, smokehouse bbq, bbq catering, texas style bbq · Price: moderate
The Hangry Bison - Winter Park
Why it ranks fourth
The Hangry Bison stretches past classic BBQ into a full burger, brunch, and cocktail menu, backed by a 4.4 rating across 2,376 reviews. Named staff like Kyle, Isaac, Brandon, and Ayden build regular followings, and the sweet potato fries get called out often enough to count as a must-try.
Pros
- Standout burgers and sweet potato fries
- Named staff with loyal regulars
- Serious whiskey and cocktail program, including $5 Hangry Hour drinks
- Covers brunch, happy hour, and dinner
Services: texas style bbq, smokehouse bbq, bbq buffet · Price: moderate
The Porch Winter Park
Why it ranks fifth
The Porch Winter Park pulls a 4.4 rating across 2,544 reviews for its brunch and bar scene. Skilled bartenders and servers who go the extra mile pair with consistently good burgers, wings, and seasonal specials, and the dog-friendly patio adds to the draw across its two locations.
Pros
- Skilled bartenders making craft cocktails
- Weekend brunch menu until 3 pm
- Dog-friendly outdoor seating
- Two locations to choose from
Services: texas style bbq, smokehouse bbq, bbq buffet · Price: moderate
Sweet & Sassy Hickory Smokehouse
Why it ranks sixth
Sweet & Sassy Hickory Smokehouse posts a 4.8 rating and pulls a loyal Saturday crowd at the Winter Park Farmers Market, though its 26 reviews mean this score carries less certainty than the bigger sit-down spots on this list. Staff Lori and Elizabeth remember customers and smoke everything fresh, with burnt ends and brisket that regulars single out by name.
Pros
- Owner-led, personable service
- Meat smoked in-house daily
- Everything cooked fresh to order
- Bold, complex house sauces
Services: smokehouse bbq, texas style bbq, carolina style bbq, bbq food truck
The Hen & Hog, Winter Park, FL
Why it ranks seventh
The Hen & Hog earns a high-confidence score from 702 reviews for bold comfort food that rewards ordering outside the usual BBQ plate, think smash burgers, a standout fried chicken sandwich, and oddball hits like Cap'n Crunch tenders. The owner is noted for genuine care with guests, and portions run hearty across the board.
Pros
- Creative menu fusion, including Cap'n Crunch tenders and a fondue burger
- Generous portions
- Quality smoked meats and fried chicken
- Family-friendly vibe
Services: texas style bbq, smokehouse bbq, bbq buffet · Price: moderate