BarbecueDowntown$$$$
Martin's Bar-B-Que Joint
West Tennessee whole-hog barbecue in a two-level beer hall a few blocks south of Broadway.
#3 in Barbecue
What to get
- Whole-hog pulled pork, with a squeeze of thin Jack's Creek sauce
- Sliced brisket (if it hasn't sold out)
- Redneck Taco on a cornbread hoecake: eat it with a fork and knife
- Mac and cheese; the brisket-topped burger also makes Infatuation's burger guide
When to go
Shortest wait: Mon–Thu noon–2 pm. Busiest: Sat around 6 pm (up to 1 hr wait). From Google's popular times.
Thursday to Sunday evenings for live music in the beer garden; weekday lunch for a calmer visit. It's an easy walk from Music City Center and Lower Broadway (official).
Insider tip
Order at the counter, take a number and sit anywhere; the team brings food and drinks to you (official). No reservations except private dining. No free parking downtown: use pay lots nearby. No dogs at this location, even in the beer garden.
Heads up
Big, busy and merch-heavy; Infatuation still rates the food 'actually legit'.
Live music
Find it
- Phone
- (615) 288-0880
- Website
- martinsbbqjoint.com/downtown
- Reservations
- walk-in only
Recognition
- The Infatuation, The Best BBQ In Nashville: 8.2; 'the Downtown location ... is the best' Martin's
- Nashville Scene Best of Nashville 2025, Readers' Poll: Best Ribs and Best Wings (second place both)
- Eater Nashville: Best Barbecue and Most Iconic Dishes (whole hog)
- Nashville Lifestyles, Ultimate Restaurant Guide 2026: Downtown (as listed on Martin's press page)
Checked Oct. 1, 2026. Ratings are a snapshot from Google and Yelp; ranks are ours (how we rank). Something out of date? Tell us.
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