Updated: April 2026
Anna Maria Island is best known for white-sand beaches, fresh seafood, and sunset dining—but tucked between the beach bars and coastal kitchens is a small but satisfying BBQ scene worth seeking out.
From smoky ribs and slow-cooked pulled pork to creative tropical-style barbecue, these spots bring bold, comforting flavors to the island in their own way. You won’t find endless smokehouses here—but you will find a handful of local favorites serving up hearty, sauce-glazed, and island-inspired BBQ perfect after a day in the sun.
Whether you’re looking for classic Southern-style barbecue or something with a Gulf Coast twist, here are the best BBQ restaurants on Anna Maria Island and just beyond.
BBQ Spots on Anna Maria Island
While Anna Maria Island has a limited number of true BBQ-focused restaurants, the ones that are here deliver. Whether you’re after smoked brisket, pulled pork, or something with a tropical spin, these are the go-to spots for BBQ on the island.
gRub Tropical BBQ
- 415 Pine Avenue · Anna Maria
- 941-900-2874
- Monday – Saturday · 11:00 AM to 8:30 PM
- Happy Hour · Monday – Saturday · 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
gRub Tropical BBQ brings a modern, island-inspired approach to barbecue, blending traditional smoked meats with bold, tropical flavors. This fast-casual spot is known for its creative take on comfort food, offering dishes like brisket, mojo pork, and honey-glazed ribs alongside more inventive items such as the Willow Wrap, a sweet chili BBQ pork sandwich topped with slaw. Even the sides lean outside the box, with options like coconut cream corn and banana bread adding a unique twist to a typical BBQ lineup.
The atmosphere is relaxed and open-air, with garage-style doors that bring in the island breeze and create an easygoing dining experience. It’s a great stop if you’re looking for BBQ that feels familiar but still a little unexpected, especially if you enjoy bold flavors and a more modern, creative approach to barbecue. If you’re into exploring more saucy island favorites, you’ll also find a few great spots in my Ultimate Guide to Chicken Wings on Anna Maria Island, where I dive into some of the island’s best wing joints.
Smoqehouse
- 1701 Gulf Drive North · Bradenton Beach
- 941-242-5340
- Monday – Saturday · 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Just off the southern end of Anna Maria Island, Smoqehouse offers a more modern, chef-driven take on barbecue, blending classic smokehouse techniques with bold, globally inspired flavors. While it leans fast-casual in format, the menu goes well beyond the basics, with standout items like brisket burgers, Korean-style beef with ginger-lime slaw, and loaded poutine fries that push traditional BBQ in a more creative direction.
Nearly everything is made in-house, from the smoked meats to the sides, giving the food a fresh, from-scratch feel that sets it apart from typical quick-service spots. It’s a great option if you’re looking for something hearty and flavor-packed, especially if you’re in the mood for barbecue that breaks away from the standard ribs-and-pulled-pork lineup.
More Spots for BBQ Cravings
While not dedicated BBQ restaurants, these spots deserve a mention for their standout barbecue-inspired dishes. If you’re looking to mix a little smoky flavor into your island dining plans, they’re worth adding to your list.
The Feast
- 5406 Marina Drive · Holmes Beach
- 4:00 to 9:00 PM
- Happy Hour · Daily · 4:00 to 5:00 PM
The Feast isn’t a traditional BBQ spot, but their ribs are a reliable go-to when you’re craving something hearty and comforting. Slow-cooked until tender and finished with a sweet-and-tangy glaze, they lean more toward classic comfort food than smokehouse-style barbecue—but they deliver on flavor and portion.
Hurricane Hanks
- 5346 Gulf Drive · Holmes Beach
- 941-778-5788
- Food · Sunday – Thursday 11:30 AM to 9:00 PM
- Food · Friday & Saturday 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM
- Bar · Daily · 11:30 AM to 11:00 PM
A longtime island favorite, Hurricane Hanks is more of a lively bar-and-grill than a BBQ joint—but their ribs still earn a spot in the conversation. Coated in a signature sweet-and-tangy sauce and cooked until tender, they’re a solid pick if you want BBQ flavor in a relaxed, social setting.
Final Bite
BBQ might not be the first thing you think of on Anna Maria Island—but once you find it, it’s hard to skip. From creative, flavor-packed spots like gRub Tropical BBQ to the more modern, chef-driven approach at Smoqehouse, there’s just enough variety to satisfy a smoky craving between beach days.
And if you’re still deciding where to eat next, don’t stop here. My Anna Maria Island Restaurant Guide covers everything from fresh seafood and waterfront dining to casual beach bars and hidden gems—perfect for planning out the rest of your meals on the island.
However you build your dining list, a little BBQ belongs in the mix—something hearty, a little messy, and best enjoyed after a long day in the sun.
Until next time…
· izzy